Catholic Exchange

Throughout the world, over 200 million Christians face extreme persecution and violence. Even if they can escape the religious persecution in their home nation, they face further trials throughout their refugee and relocation, if they even get such an opportunity. 

Longtime CE contributor Casey Chalk joins us to discuss the plight of the brave Christians who face such trials in Muslim nations and the places they flee to. As detailed in his new book, The Persecuted, Mr. Chalk has had a chance to hear first-hand accounts from Christian families he met while working in Bangkok. His book tells the stories of Christians in peril and even of modern martyrs — and then lays out a strategic plan for rescuing as many as possible from their plight.

You can pick up Casey Chalk's book at SophiaInstitute.com

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— Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, O.P., Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit: Keys to a Transformed Life and Joyful Heart.

In the Trinitarian life of the Church, we often hear about the Holy Spirit and know him as our guest, protector, and beloved gift. However, in our daily lives, we often forget about the love and work of the Holy Spirit. 

In today's episode, professor and author Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, O.P. shares how you can begin to form a relationship with the Holy Spirit and how He works in our spiritual lives. Drawing from the Church Fathers and beloved hymns, Sr. Mary Ann's insights show us ways we can pray with the Holy Spirit and open ourselves up to His will. 

Sr. Mary Ann, O.P., holds a doctorate in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America and taught theology for more than 30 years at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio. You can find her books, Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit and Heaven’s Splendor, at Sophia Institute Press.

We also reccomend the following articles by Sr. Mary Ann, published on Catholic Exchange:

• Devotion to the Holy Spirit: Loving the Person of Love
• Growing to Know & Love the Holy Spirit
• The Divine Persons Dwell in Us through Grace

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Image by falco from Pixabay

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Zhang Jian is a master artist of interior glass painting. He celebrated Christmas as a child before the Communist Revolution overturned his simple and beautiful world. But he never forgot the sights, smells, good cheer, and happy anticipation of that joyous season. 

In her latest book, Christmas Blossoms, Priscilla Smith McCaffrey tells the imaginative story of Jian and the final Christmas ornament he feels called to create after Midnight Mass. Complemented by stunning art, Christmas Blossomstells a story of hope and endurance at Christmas.

In today's episode, Mrs. McCaffrey shares tells us about her work on literature for youngsters. We discuss why Christ's Nativity inspires so much hopeful art and share how you can find the light of Christmas in the strangest of places. 

Find Christmas Blossomsat your local bookstore or online through Sophia Institute Press. You can also follow Priscilla McCaffrey at CatholicMediaApostolate.com. 

We also recommend following artist Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs, whose art appears in Christmas Blossoms. You can visit her site at GwynethThompsonBriggs.com.

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Continuing our small series on great children's books for Christmas, Michael welcomes prolific author Anthony DeStefano. In today's episode, we discuss the process of writing children's books as well as the influences that make Mr. DeStefano a passionate storyteller.

His latest books, The Beggar and the Bluebird and Joseph's Donkey, explore the meaning and depth of the Nativity of Christ in two imaginative tales set ages apart. Joseph's Donkey tells the story of the Holy Family through the eyes of Joseph's hardworking and faithful donkey. Meanwhile, The Beggar and the Bluebird, is a modern fairytale in the tradition of G.K. Chesterton and Hans Christian Anderson. Each is beautifully illustrated and tells a beautiful story to share with the kids around Christmas.

Check out our interview with Claudia Cangilla McAdam, the first part of our series. 

Follow Anthony DeStefano and find his many books at his website, AnthonyDeStefano.com.

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Cold, cranky, and restless—one winter’s night, the young daughter of a Bethlehem innkeeper is awoken by the crowded, comfortless condition of her family’s sleeping loft. Recalling the young couple that was staying in the stable, she rises from her bed to bring them some fire for warmth. There the young Seraphina finds the newborn Babe asleep in the manger. Her encounter with the child on a chilly night will change her life forever in this imaginative retelling of the Nativity.

Claudia Cangilla McAdam, author of The Christmas Light,  joins to share us the story of Seraphina and to give her insight into what it takes to write children's books.

Claudia is the first of my three guests this weekend. Each guest is a children’s author as we don’t get to talk to them too much. Each is short and will include Anthony DeStefano and Priscilla Smith McCaffrey

Find The Christmas Light at SophiaInstitute.com and find Claudia at her website, ClaudiaMcAdam.com. Both in the show notes. Also check out her CE article “Why the Nativity Story Still Captivates.” 

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Advent begins in just about two weeks. As well as marking the beginning of our Christmas preparations, the First Sunday of Advent is also the beginning of the new liturgical year. 

Following the liturgical cycle can lead to many spiritual treasures. The feasts and seasons make match the natural rhythm of life while drawings us into the spiritual life. Yet, so much is forgotten and it is difficult to recover these traditions in our age of noise. Even as Christmas decorations go up, many of us have forgotten the liturgical significance of the weeks leading up to Christmas. 

To help us understand how we can dive deeper into the Liturgical Calendar, Michael welcomes Catholic parents and artists Michaela and Jeremiah Harrison, authors of The Illustrated Liturgical Year. If you want some practical ideas for how you 

• Find The Illustrated Liturgical Year at your local bookstore or online through Sophia Institute Press. 
• Check out Jeremiah's article, where you can preview the calendar, here at Catholic Exchange. 
• Find The Harrison's and their many tips for living the liturgy at home on their website, LiturgyoftheHome.com
• Another great book for living the liturgical year that we mentioned is the book Around the Year with the von Trapp Family by Maria Augusta von Trapp.

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— Pier Giorgio Frassati

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati died in 1925 at the age of 24. However, Bl. Frassati's faith, humor, and charity continue to have a great impact on souls throughout the world. In today's episode of Catholic Exchange, Michael welcomes Christine M. Wohar, the founder of FrassatiUSA and author of Finding Frassati: And Following His Path to Holiness.

Called “The Man of the Eight Beatitudes” by Pope St. John Paul II, Bl. Frassati had a heart to help the impoverished and oppressed from an early age. Michael and Christine discuss how a young man from great wealth and influence took to heart the teachings of Christ. We also discuss the impact he had on his friends and family and how his funeral became a small pilgrimage for thousands of people. 

If you ever wondered what God has planned for young Catholic adults, today's episode will introduce you to a young, athletic man whose holiness carried on long after his death.

Christine Wohar is a champion of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati and you can follow her work at FrasattiUSA.org. You can also find local Frassati groups at this page. Her book, Finding Frassati: And Following His Path to Holiness, is a lovely devotional and collection of stories about Bl. Frassati that is highly recommended. 

You can preview Finding Frassati in the following excerpts, free through Catholic Exchange.

• Pier Giorgio Frassati’s Love for Our Lady
• Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Eucharistic Life & the Practice of Penance

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image: portrait of Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati by Luciana Frassati / Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

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Today's short episode is guest hosted by Fr. Edward Looney who interviews Prof Roberto De Mattei, author of the new book Saint Pius V: The Legendary Pope Who Excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I, Standardized the Mass, and Defeated the Ottoman Empire.

We discuss the legacy of Pope Pius V, a saintly figure who encouraged devotion to the rosary while he changed the history of Western Civilization. 

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Today, Michael welcomes back Dr. Paul Chaloux, who appeared on our previous episode “A Catholic Answer to Suffering.” Today, Dr. Chaloux addresses some arguments he made in his popular article, “40 Years Later: Revisiting When Bad Things Happen to Good People.”

While the book When Bad Things Happen to Good People has sold millions of copies and remains popular, the Catholic Church has been discussing this very question of generations. In our episode, we discuss the ways Catholics understand and process suffering as well as what we can do in response. Dr. Chaloux also shares his insights from his own medical and personal struggles and what insights he has learned in both experience and education.

Books and Links:

Check out Dr. Chaloux’s book, Why All People Suffer: How a Loving God Uses Suffering to Perfect Us, at your favorite bookseller or online at Sophia Institute Press.

Check out articles from Paul Chaloux at Catholic Exchange by following this link. You can also follow him at his website, PaulChaloux.com. As well, he regularly shares news and insights on both Facebook and LinkedIn.

Join Paul Chaloux in his Avila Institute Course on suffering, which will run through the month of November. Follow this link to learn more.

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Today we welcome Jeff Cavins, whose love of Scripture brought him back to the Catholic Church.
 
Jeff Cavins is the creator of the celebrated Great Adventure® Bible Timeline study series which has empowered generations of Catholics to understand the Bible’s central “story of salvation.” Jeff has been a leading Catholic evangelist, author, and podcast host for decades, and is particularly well known having hosted EWTN’s “Life on the Rock” TV show for six years. Jeff’s best-selling books and Bible studies include The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation, Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible, Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life, The Activated Disciple and Walking with God: A Journey Through the Bible.

Jeff Cavins can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and at JeffCavins.com.

You can follow Ascension Press and The Great Adventure Bible study on Facebook and Twitter as well. 

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