Heart of the Ark

Jen speaks with Mariia Cosmi, a fellow church musician and public school teacher about her trip home this summer to see her family in Ukraine. Mariia was born in Kyiv, Ukraine but has lived in New Jersey for the past 18 years. She speaks about conversations she had with fellow travellers, family and neighbors. Navigating conversations about God, faith, and finding meaning and identity take courage in every day life, but add to that a context of extreme suffering and life endangering situations.

Mariia's candor and insight give us a glimpse into the ways in which we can remain intentional and vulnerable listeners in even the most difficult situations. And how being convicted in our own relationship with God gives us our identity and gives all that we do meaning, and purpose.

Episode image is an icon of Christ Pantocrator (The Teacher) with the verse John 13:34 in Church Slavonic. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another"

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization

The still, small voice of calm - Intentional practices of stillness in prayer and the habits of contemplation for communal discernment.

Originally recorded in the fall of 2024, Jen speaks with Milissa Else about her experience of deep prayer and contemplation as the necessary foundational work for communal discernment. In the Fall of 2024, Milissa joined a group of students who were able to travel to the Synod on Synodality and spoke with delegates in order to witness the spiritual practice of being Church. Milissa's first hand experience of witnessing the fruits of this spiritual practice which brings joy, gratitude and a deep sense of unity in the midst of diverse perspectives and experiences. Her insight continues to shape the work she does at the Archdiocese whether in parish life or within the tasks set forth in the pastoral conversion process.

This conversation also gave birth to the idea of approaching "Dilexit Nos" from a deep prayer and contemplative framework which Jen embarked on last year.

Milissa Else currently works for the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey and serves as Assistant to the Chancellor for Pastoral Projects. Milissa and the Chancellor provide ongoing training and support for pastors, parish staff and Parish Pastoral Councils. Since 2021, their work has focused on the Synod on Synodality. Milissa also serves as a part-time Director of Religious Education in a parish. Previous to her work with the Archdiocese, Milissa spent nearly five years directing adult faith formation and managing small Christian communities. Milissa provided training to small group facilitators in 20 dioceses across the country. Prior to serving directly in parish ministry, Milissa was Vice President for a consulting firm. Through the consulting firm, Milissa served the Catholic Church for nearly 20 years in parishes, dioceses, and religious communities across the country.

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind by John Greenleaf Whittier

Loyola New Orleans students attend Global Synod

Synod on Synodality final document

Dilexit Nos - Apostolic Exhortation on the Sacred Heart of Jesus

"Still, Small Voice of Calm" - by Thomas Enwright, The Way

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization

Jen sits down with Fr. Cesar Jaramillo, JCL and Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock New Jersey (Diocese of Paterson) to discuss what it Evangelization is, and how it may be lived out in a parish context.

Fr. Cesar Jaramillo is an Adjunct Professor for the Catholic Studies Program at Seton Hall University and for Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology’s Center for Diaconal Formation. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Paterson on July 1, 2017. Fr. Jaramillo currently serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany, New Jersey. He also serves as the Defender of the Bond for the Ecclesiastical Tribunals of the Diocese of Paterson and the Archdiocese of Boston. He is a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors for the Diocese of Paterson. Fr. Jaramillo has taught as an Adjunct Professor at St. Elizabeth University in Madison, NJ in the Evangelization Certificate Program, which is a collaboration between St. Paul Inside the Walls and St. Elizabeth University to equip lay leaders with the necessary tools for the efforts of the New Evangelization.

In 2013 he earned a B.A. in Catholic Studies from Seton Hall University. Father Jaramillo earned the S.T.B. (Theology) and the J.C.L. (Canon Law) degrees from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2016 and 2019 respectively. He also earned a Diploma in Administrative Canonical Praxis from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy in 2018. Fr. Jaramillo is a member of the Canon Law Society of America.

Watch Fr. Cesar's Homily on YouTube

Letter of Diognetus - from New Advent

Readings from Ascension Sunday 2026

Julianne Stanz - author, Consultant for USCCB on Evangelization

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization

Pope Francis ends Dilexit Nos with a final word about the importance of mission as the visible embodiment of our response to the relationship with God. Mission cannot be accomplished apart from God's love, and a Christian can not live God's love without loving his neighbor. Pope Francis final prayer for the love of Christ to be known through the work of every Christian active in his or her own vocation, is the universal task that we are born into at our baptism. Chapter 5 Paragraphs 212-220

Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Prayer

Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart.

Dilexit Nos - Chapter 5, Paragraphs 212-220

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization

"Mission, as a radiation of the love of the heart of Christ, requires missionaries who are themselves in love and who, enthralled by Christ, feel bound to share this love that has changed their lives." Pope Francis examines the innate connection between discipleship and missionary outpouring, as a desire to unite oneself with the pattern of self-donation, Jesus Christ. He elucidates the character of evangelization by recognizing the attractiveness, and invitation to marvel at love. Chapter 5, pp 205-211

Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Prayer

Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart.

Dilexit Nos - Chapter 5, Paragraphs 205 - 211

Letter of St. Pope John Paul II - On 100th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII conscration to the Sacred Heart

Meditation of St. Bonaventure

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization

In his concluding paragraphs, Pope Francis draws us back to the catechesis of St. Pope John Paul II, and gives a natural recapitulation of the major themes of this document. Through the five statements of Pope St. John Paul the Great, we see that the plan of salvation, to unite the human heart to the love of the Father is through the Sacred heart of Jesus and the action of the Holy Spirit. Our natural pattern for our hearts, in union with His heart is one of meekness, and lowliness... that we may imitate the true pattern of Love perfectly given through Jesus Christ. Chapter 5, paragraphs 200-204.

Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Prayer

Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart.

Dilexit Nos - Chapter 5, Paragraphs 200 - 204

Catechesis at the General Assembly - 20 June 1979

Litany of the Sacred Heart - from EWTN

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization

Pope Francis clarifies the concept of reparation through the spirituality of St. Therese of Liseux's Oblation to love. Therese became a martyr for love, without risking the spiritual dangers of taking on further punishments for any other reason than love. In order to make certain that our interior life is rightly ordered in its purpose. Jen draws parallels in this from the spiritual handbook "Practice of the Presence of God" to clarify the importance for emptiness, and allowing oneself to offer personal sufferings to God. Chapter 5, paragraphs 195-199

Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Prayer

Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart.

Dilexit Nos - Chapter 5, Paragraphs 195 - 199

An Oblation to Love - Carmelite Spirituality

The Practice of the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence

Monthly Prayer from Pope Leo XIV - January 2026 -

O Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart that I may hear your Word,

On you do I set my hope, O my God, that you shall enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of your knowledge; not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them; For you are the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from you comes every good deed and every gift.

Amen.

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization

Pope Francis brings all of his prophetic and theological writings to the fore as he draws from the Catechism, the Conciliar Documents and Ignatian Spirituality to summarize the true freedom of living out the will of God in one's own personal life. It is only through the inner contemplative life in practice that a missionary action can be truly said to work out the will of the Holy Spirit. Chapter 5, paragraphs 191-195.

Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Prayer

Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart.

Dilexit Nos - Chapter 5, Paragraphs 191 - 195

Laudato Si - Pope Francis Encyclical on Care for our Common Home

Karl Rahner, SJ - The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola

God of My Life - Karl Rahner, SJ -

Prayer of Karl Rahner, SJ

God of my life, only in love can I find You, my God.

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization

Pope Francis defines Chrisitian reparation as the "acknowledging the intention to make amends, and to do so in a concrete way, is essential for the process of reconciliation and a return to peace of heart". He outlines the two essentials for reparation, acknowledging our guilt, and asking for forgiveness.

Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Prayer

Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart.

Dilexit Nos - Chapter 5, Paragraphs 185 - 190

Address of Pope Francis to the participants in "RÉPARER L'IRRÉPARABLE"

The Third Sorrowful Mystery - Crown of Thorns

Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

Stay with me, lord Padre Pio’s prayer after holy communion

Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life,

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light,

Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.

Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice

Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You

Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.

Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is,

Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes;

Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers. I need You.

Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread,

Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You,

Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation, because I do not merit it,

Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart,

With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization

Pope Francis explores the visionary insight of Pope St. John Paul II in his recognition that the only way to build a "civilization of love" is through Gospel based understanding of reparation through a true devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope Francis's own understanding of how to communicate authentic reparation in a secular context this Gospel of Love in order to effect the possibility of more freedom and justice to society is through interior relationship and moral authority grounded in the Heart of Jesus, pierced while He was nailed to the cross, which pours out grace and mercy. Chapter 5, Paragraphs 181-184

Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Prayer

Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart.

Dilexit Nos - Chapter 5, Paragraphs 181 - 184

Centesimus Annus of John Paul II, 1991 - 100 years of Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII

General Audience of 8 June 1994 - John Paul II on Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Civilization of Love

Pope Francis General Audience of Young People of Canada - 29 July 2022

Consecration of India to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Pope St. John Paul II - 1986

Lord Jesus Christ,

Lord Jesus Christ,

Lord Jesus Christ,

Gathered together in your Name,

In consecrating themselves to you,

Lord Jesus Christ,

Conquer all the powers of evil

May all we say and do give glory

(Said on the occasion of a trip to India, in 1986)

Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization