In this episode, we delve into Catherine's journey as a single mother, a spiritual director, and a source of wisdom. Catherine opens up about her experiences raising her children alone since they were just 5 and 7 years old. Through heartfelt reflections, she offers us glimpses into pivotal moments of insight and inspiration in her spiritual journey. Catherine shares how her relationship with God has been a guiding light, helping her to continually expand and stretch her heart. 

Other items of note that Catherine mentions during the episode: 

Jesuit Order: A Roman Catholic order of religious men founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, noted for its educational, missionary, and charitable works. 

Spiritual Exercises: The Spiritual Exercises, composed from 1522–1524, are a set of Christian meditations, contemplations, and prayers written by Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th-century Spanish priest, theologian, and founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). 

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Josephine is a single mom, a dedicated nurse by profession, and a resilient cancer survivor. In this episode, she shares about her unwavering faith in God and how it serves as the foundation for her strength and positivity. Josephine provides insight and inspiration about how to find hope in the face of adversity.  

Other items of note that Josephine mentions during the episode:

Divine Mercy Image: The image of the Divine Mercy is a depiction of Jesus Christ that is based on the devotion initiated by Saint Faustina Kowalska. Jesus is shown, in most versions, as raising his right hand in blessing and pointing with his left hand on the Sacred Heart from which flow forth two rays: one red and one pale.

St. Padre Pio Healing Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me. I thank you for sending your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the world to save and to set me free. I trust in your power and grace that sustain and restore me. Loving Father, touch me now with your healing hands, for I believe that your will is for me to be well in mind, body, soul and spirit. Cover me with the most precious blood of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. Cast anything that should not be in me. Root out any unhealthy and abnormal cells. Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild and replenish any damaged areas. Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection by the power of Jesus’ precious blood. Let the fire of your healing love pass through my entire body to heal and make new any diseased areas so that my body will function the way you created it to function. Touch also my mind and my emotion, even the deepest recesses of my heart. Saturate my entire being with your presence, love, joy and peace and draw me ever closer to you every moment of my life. And Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to do your works so that my life will bring glory and honour to your holy name. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

In this episode, Fr. Rob Elford reflects on shame, its impact on our lives, and offers suggestions on how to free ourselves from it. Fr. Elford, a former naval officer who followed a calling to the Priesthood, now serves as the Pastor at Stella Maris Parish in Halifax. Additionally, he serves as the Chaplain for Momentum.

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers

Anne is a single mother of an adult son who has special needs. She has been raising him alone for the past 47 years. Anne candidly shares the highs and lows of navigating the challenges of parenting as a single mother within the Catholic faith. She reflects on her journey, and how she overcame obstacles to ensure both she and her son find a meaningful place within the Church.

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Corey was raised by a single mother. In this episode, he shares his journey, discusses his relationship with his mother, and imparts key insights he has learned along the way. His reflections are both moving and valuable for single mothers and any parent to hear.

Other items of note that Corey mentions during the episode:

NET Canada Ministries: NET is a ministry that sends teams of young adults to share their faith in schools and churches. You can find more information about NET here: https://www.netcanada.ca/

Montreal Challenge: Challenge offers experiences to youth to help them discover what it means to live by faith. You can find more information about Challenge here: https://www.montrealchallenge.ca/

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Talitha was a single mother for 14 years. She is now married and has two more young children with her husband. During this 25-minute episode. Talitha shares about the journey that led her from bitterness to fulfillment. She reflects on key turning points where God guided her to bring the desires of her heart to Him. Talitha is interviewed by Claire, co-founder of Momentum.

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Vicky, a single mother of two children aged 11 and 14, shares her heartfelt journey during this 30-minute episode. Reflecting on her personal and faith development, Vicky opens up about her experiences of moving from Argentina to Canada and navigating the challenges of relationships and single motherhood. She candidly shares how Mary, played a pivotal role in reconnecting her with Jesus and God, leading her on a path of spiritual growth. Vicky is interviewed by Talitha, co-founder of Momentum.

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

Other items of note that Vicky mentions during the episode:

Vicky shares about her experience at St. Ignatius Parish: St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish is in Montreal, Quebec. You can find more information about St. Ignatius parish here: https://stig.ca/

Vicky mentions a faith program she followed called Alpha: Alpha is an 11-week course that creates a space, online or in person, where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about life, faith and Jesus. You can find more information about Alpha here: https://alpha.org/about/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Shelley is a single mother of two adopted daughters from China. During this 40-minute episode, Shelley shares about her faith journey, how she felt God calling her to adoption, as well as a key turning point where after 10 years of not speaking to God, she reconnected with Him. Shelley is interviewed by Talitha, co-founder of Momentum.

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

Other items of note that Shelley mentions during the episode:

Shelley refers to the following scripture passage: An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” Luke 9:46-48

Shelley mentions her father went through RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults and children of catechetical age become initiated into the Christian Catholic faith, receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, and going forward to live the Christian life.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Claire, a co-founder of Momentum, has raised her son alone since he was born in 2000. During this 30-minute episode titled "Surround yourself with spiritual things," Claire discusses her experiences as a single mother, detailing how her faith has guided her to transform her loneliness and heal areas of pain. Claire is interviewed by Talitha, who is also a co-founder of Momentum.

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

Other items of note mentioned during the episode:

Claire mentions two books in her sharing:

"Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life" by Henri Nouwen

"The Patron Saints Handbook" by Mitch Finley

Some resources for surrounding yourself with spiritual things:

Abiding Together Podcast - https://www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/

Discerning Hearts Podcast - https://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/

Restore the Glory Podcast - https://www.restoretheglorypodcast.com/

Catholic "Netflix" - https://formed.org/ (subscription based)

Dynamic Catholic - https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/

Real Life Catholic - https://reallifecatholic.com/

The Word Among Us daily devotional - https://wau.org/ (subscription based)

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

In this 25mins episode titled "He drew me to Him," Julia, a mother of three, including a son on the spectrum, shares how God drew her to Him through challenging circumstances in her marriage. Her marriage has since been annulled. Julia talks about her faith journey, including a powerful dream where she felt Jesus give her protection and courage. Julia is interviewed by Rose, who is on the Momentum leadership team.

For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact [email protected].

CLSC: During the episode, Julia mentions the CLSC. CLSCs in Quebec are free health clinics run and maintained by the Quebec government.

Romans Bible Passage: Rose mentions passages 5:3-5 from Romans. "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Quote from St. Rose of Lima: Rose mentions a quote from St. Rose of Lima. "Without the burden of afflictions, it is impossible to reach the height of grace. The gift of grace increases as the struggle increases." St. Rose of Lima

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.