Adoring Jesus Perpetually Is ‘Good for Your Soul,’ Says 93-Year-Old Adorer

Patti Armstrong is an award-winning journalist and was managing editor and co-author of the bestselling Amazing Grace Series. Her latest books are the humorous and inspirational second-edition Dear God, I Don’t Get It, Dear God, You Can’t Be Serious!, What Would Monica Do? and Holy Hacks. Patti worked in social work and public administration before staying home as a freelance writer.

Vanessa previews today’s guests and topics and talks about the Feast of St. Joseph.

Andrew Daub is Co-founder and Executive Director of Team Iron Will. Catherine Daub is the other Co-founder and their Director of Family Support and Advocacy. Team Iron Will is led by Andrew and Catherine Daub—parents of eight children, including their youngest son, Will, whose birth and medical journey ignited a nationwide movement of hope and advocacy. Catherine brings a background in family ministry and a gift for storytelling, sharing Will’s story and elevating the stories of families across the country. Andrew contributes decades of military and civilian leadership, ensuring that our work is strategic, principled, and built for long-term impact. They started TIW to educate about Down Syndrome and the sanctity of all life and to also advocate for families and to help them get the therapy equipment that their children need to succeed and thrive.

World Down Syndrome Day is March 21, and the essay contest runs now through March 27. It's for kids in middle school through college.

Tammy Junker is the Director of Discipleship at St. John the Evangelist in Fenton. She writes: “I am passionate about the Catholic faith, Sacraments, Scriptures and Tradition. I believe it is vitally important in my gifts of leadership and teaching “to help form Christ in the lives of others” (St. John Paul II). Growing up on a farm taught me responsibility for a job well done. My spiritual growth came through Catholic parents, good catechists, bible studies, life experience, and in raising two sons who were enrolled in Catholic school. My husband converted to Catholicism during our marriage helping me relate personally to the importance of RCIA, growth and understanding the faith. Living abroad has shown me the universality of our faith and the importance of obedience to the Magisterium of the Church. Renewal springs from good catechesis; it is my desire to serve the Church through well-formed religious education.”

Vanessa talks about St. Cyril of Jerusalem, whose feast day is today. She also previews the upcoming interviews and shares a brief commentary:

What mat have you been lying on for far too long?And what step is Jesus inviting you to take today?

EWTN News recently aired a piece “Exploring Detroit’s Eastern Catholic Community and Its Ancient Traditions.” Dr. Adhid Miri was featured and he joins Vanessa to discuss it today! View the segment here:

Dr. Adhid Miri is former professor of Chemistry and cultural consultant with diverse professional experiences in Iraq, England & the United States. Born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1948 and since arriving in the United States in 1981, he has been an active member of the Iraqi American Community in Michigan and served as President of the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan from 2003 to 2005. Dr. Miri holds PhD degree from Brunel University, England, and Post-Doctoral fellowship from King’s College London. Currently, Dr. Miri is the Director of Projects at the Chaldean Community Foundation which is the non-profit arm of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce in Michigan. Dr. Miri held leadership roles across various programs including refugees’ resettlement and integration. He advocates for Christian and Minorities, and travels frequently to report on demographic changes of internally displaced persons in Iraq.

EWTN News recently aired a piece “Exploring Detroit’s Eastern Catholic Community and Its Ancient Traditions.” Fr. Chris Nahra was featured and he joins Vanessa to discuss it today! View the segment here:

Fr. Chris Nahra serves as Associate Pastor at St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Clinton Township.

Fr. Dan Dixon is speaking March 19th at St. John’s Resort in Plymouth. HIs topic will be: “Young People and the Church’s Hope-Filled Future.” Vanessa recently spoke with Fr. Dan on March 5th and you can revisit that interview here. Event details here.

Jack Krasula, President of Trustinus, LLC, is formerly the founder, CEO and President of Decision Consultants, Inc. (DCI), the largest privately held professional information technology services firm in America. Krasula sold DCI to Ciber, Inc. in May 2002. Jack started his company in 1976 and grew the company from a one-person operation to a $150+ million in revenue, 1800+ employee firm. Unlike other companies with empty mission statements, Jack did everything he could to ensure his philosophy was remembered – and lived. Today, Jack is carrying on his philosophy and approach to people with Trustinus, LLC, a world-class provider of executive search services and Star Tickets, a full service ticketing provider. Jack is also the radio show host of “Anything is Possible” on NewsTalk 760 WJR, a weekly inspirational show on Sunday evenings highlighting successful people who rose from humble beginnings.

Social media poses potentially serious risks for youth, especially since it was not originally designed for them. So how can this be fixed?

Some countries have implemented or are considering social media bans for youth, like Indonesia, Australia, Germany, and Canada. Solutions to protect children online are varied, and Congress has yet to pass legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to compel Big Tech platforms to institute a ‘Duty of Care’ and ensure strict safety settings. Big Tech’s lobby has successfully stopped KOSA’s passage for three years now.

Yet we know children are still being harmed. Sextortion is a growing threat, especially to young boys ages 14-17, the FBI has warned. Violent online network “764”targets children for sexual exploitation and self-harm. Kids suffer from screen time addiction and are subject to problematic algorithms that prey on youth vulnerabilities.

Donna Rice Hughes, President and CEO of Enough Is Enough (EIE) is an internationally known Internet safety expert, author, speaker and producer. Her vision, expertise and advocacy helped to birth the Internet safety movement in America at the advent of the digital age. Since 1994, she has been a pioneering leader on the frontlines of U.S. efforts to make the Internet safer for children and families by implementing a three-pronged strategy of the public, the technology industry and legal community sharing the responsibility to protect children online. This strategy has been adopted by industry and governments worldwide.

Fr. James Conlon is the Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor. Born in the Republic of Ireland, Fr. James completed his seminary studies in Ireland and in the USA. Having completed his philosophical studies at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Fr. James continued his theological studies at the Milltown Institute of Theology in Dublin, an institute run under the auspices of the Irish Jesuits.

Prior to entering seminary, Fr. James qualified as an attorney in Ireland, having studied at the National University of Ireland, Galway and at the Law Society of Ireland. He completed a BA in Law and History and a post graduate degree in Law. As an attorney, Fr. James worked for one of Ireland’s largest law firms in the area of commercial and banking law. He also spent time in Sydney, Australia with a major law firm.