In this week's episode we're joined by Beth Knobbe of Catholic Relief Services to dive into Operation Rice Bowl, CRS's annual Lenten program that invites Catholics across the United States to live out the season through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Rooted in a tradition that began in 1975, Operation Rice Bowl equips families and faith communities with resources like daily reflections, "Stories of Hope," meatless recipes and a simple rice bowl to collect alms to deepen our connection to the global Church and support those facing hunger and poverty. Seventy-five percent of donations go to CRS development work around the world, and 25% stays in local dioceses to address needs in our own communities. Join us to learn how your Lenten sacrifices can help change lives in more than 100 countries and right here in the United States.

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Operation Rice Bowl

Maria Morera Johnson and Inés Mersch have caych up with either on Ash Wednesday.

Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.

• • Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch
  • Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson

Maria and Allison talk about the ways they have approach Lent in the past, and share their goals for this Lent.

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• Read all articles by Allison Gingras
• Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson

Maria Johnson and Kristina Talbot discuss the changing role of motherhood when parenting children in different age groups. They invite the lister into an intimate conversation about what changes and what stays the same as children grow older, how prayer and the domestic church move within these season, and looking ahead to developing trust in the Lord as the children enter young adulthood and graduation. Kristina offers a heartfelt piece of advice for her younger self,

Kristina Talbot is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and native Floridian who loves that her engineer husband enjoys Karaoke, and her four children enjoy carpool line with the music up. Kristina is the owner and founder of ARISE Mental Health Consulting Services and has a ridiculous amount of knowledge about football. You can follow Kristina on Facebook and Instagram @arisemhc.

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• Read all articles by Kristina Talbot

Maria and Allison have an intimate conversation about friendship, including disappointments and encouragement for seeking true friendship.

Links for this Episode:

• The Importance of True and Holy Friendships
• On Christian Friendship

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Meigs Turgeon, Special Assistant to the President at Holy Cross Family Ministries, about the important priest and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

Meigs Turgeon, Special Assistant to the President, Fr. Fred Jenga, C.S.C., at Holy Cross Family Ministries. Meigs joined HCFM from Austin, Texas where he most recently served as Assistant Director of the Holy Cross Institute at St. Edward's University and Adjunct Professor of Christian Theology. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from Duke University; is an expert in Holy Cross Charism and Spirituality, a prolific writer and speaker on different faith-based topics.

Holy Cross Family Ministries

Maria Morera Johnson and Inés Mersch have a conversation about the post-holidays yearning for peace.

Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.

• • Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch
  • Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson

Maria, Allison, and Fr. Charlie chat about Pope Leo's favirote movies and their take on It's a Wonderful Life and The Sound of Music. Sta tuned for Part two next month!

Links for this Episode:

• Pope Leo's Top Four Movie Pics

Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras get together for a fun conversation about Christmas.

Maria and Allison chat about Christmas and their family traditions.

Links for this Episode:

• Patrick the Donkey's Story
• Shepherd Roy's Story
• Angel Malak's Story

Maria and seminarian John Paul Pierce have a lovely conversation about his discernment journey. Let us pray for all seminarians in formation.

Links for this Episode:

• USCCB Resources for Vocations