Catholic Momcast

This week, Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean talk about ways that parish communities can stay connected with one another, even when many people are attending Mass online. 

Lisa shares about how her parish is currently closed, but she still participates in a women's group on Zoom. Online connections have their limitations, but they have advantages as well -- like being able to attend events from your own home.

One idea they discussed was the importance of reaching out to older people who might be part of your parish community and may not have the experience or skills needed to connect via Zoom. Are there ways you can support their connection? Or could you and your kids write notes or make cards to send them through the mail?

Danielle shares how one family delivered cinnamon rolls to her house during the shutdown and that it was a very kind and thoughtful gesture that meant a lot. What could you do to connect to others in meaningful ways? Sometimes just a phone call can make a big difference in how someone feels connected to your community. Let others know you are thinking of them! It can be a great example to set for your children as well.

Our guest this week is Emily Jaminet, author of Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus' Promises in Your Life.

Emily shares with us about the Secrets of the Sacred Heart Book Club she is hosting at Catholic Mom. It's not too late to join us!

She also shares about her devotion to the Sacred Heart and ways it has blessed her home and family. The book also shares stories from others as well as giving greater detail about the promises Jesus makes to those who practice devotion to his Sacred Heart.

Please join us for this great conversation that is sure to inspire you. And let us know what thoughts or questions you have for us here at the Catholic Momcast. We love hearing from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on social media.

This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean take inspiration from the book Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith and Get to Heaven, written by Catholic Mom contributor Patti Maguire Armstrong. Patti's book is chock full of small ideas for ways to practice virtue and grow in holiness that can move you closer to God every minute of every day.

We discuss Patti's book and share some "holy hacks" of our own. Then we share some more "everyday" hacks in the areas of health, housework, parenting, marriage, and productivity. Tune in and get inspired!

How about you? What small things do you do to make life holier and healthier and more enjoyable? What "life hacks" might you share with your fellow Catholic moms? We would love to hear from you! Send your feedback and questions to us at [email protected] or connect with us on social media!

Are you setting goals in the new year? This week, Lisa Hendey, Allison Gingras, and Danielle Bean sit down to talk about goals (not necessarily resolutions) they have in the new year. They each share some goals in the areas of spirituality, health, relationships, and work. We hope we can inspire and encourage you in your goals for 2021 as well!

Let us know what your hopes and dreams are in this new year. Send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on social media. We would love to hear from you!

Danielle Bean sits down with Nicole O'Leary, mission coordinator for Family Rosary, to talk about Mary. Nicole shares thoughts about Mary as our mother and what we can learn from her openness to God's will. 

Especially during the season of Advent, in what ways are we called to imitate Mary's Yes to God, and how can our obedience yield great fruit in our lives? Join us for this encouraging and inspiring conversation!

Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey discuss some of the ways thatChristmas will look different this year, with fewer family gatherings and school events, and with some businesses and churches closed. They share ideas for ways to enjoy simple celebrations this year and still make the holidays meaningful for ourselves and our families.

Lisa also shares about her new book for children, I'm a Saint in the Making. It would make a lovely gift for a child, Godchild, grandchild, niece or nephew this Christmas!

We also talk about music to listen to during Advent and recommend the Catholic Mom Advent playlist on Spotify. Check it out!

Join Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean for a fun conversation about all things Advent. In what ways will your Advent season look different this year? In what ways will it be the same?

We share ideas for ways to add more time for quiet and prayer during the days of December and we have a funny (maybe even heated?) conversation about the controversial song Mary Did you Know?

And this year we are sharing an inspiring playlist we at Catholic Mom made just for Advent. Check it out here!

This week, Allison Gingras and our guest Kelly Sakmar take on the tough topic of pregnancy and infant loss. Both women share from their hearts about their own experiences with loss and discuss ways to find peace and healing in grief. Some resources they talk about include:

Be Not Afraid, a private non-profit organization which provides comprehensive case management to parents carrying to term following a prenatal diagnosis.

Mommy to a Little Saint, a Facebook support group

Here is a link to the stained glass image of Jacob wrestling with God that Kelly mentions.

Kelly Sakmar describes herself: as a beloved daughter of the risen Lord.  Devoted wife. Catholic Mom to two sweet girls & one precious saint. Professional organizer to busy families. Learn more & connect at www.clutter-less.com.  

Thank you for being part of this special episode of the Catholic Momcast. Please be in touch with us and let us know how we can support and encourage you in your Catholic motherhood. Send us an email at [email protected]

This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean share a lively conversation with Bishop-elect William (Bill) Byrne. Bishop-elect Byrne has served as the pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Potomac, Maryland since 2015. He will be installed to his recent appointment by Pope Francis to serve as the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, in December 2020.

We chat with him about his new book, 5 Things with Father Bill: Hope, Humor and Help for the Soul.

Check out his Youtube channel as well: 5 Things with Fr. Bill

This week, Matt Archbold joins us on the Catholic Momcast to talk about his newest book American Antigone, a novel that looks at the issues of life as we experience them in the United States today. This is a creative work that can inform and inspire readers of all ages to think clearly about political and moral topics and the real ways they touch our lives and shape the future of our nation. 

Matt chats with Danielle Bean about how he came to write the book, what that process was like, and the importance of talking with our kids about life issues in real ways.