Mamas in Spirit

Fr. Jon, Chaplain of Mamas in Spirit, invites you to bring the longings of your heart to prayer this Advent season.

Lisa Martinez was incredibly anxious and fearful as a child, but neither Lisa nor her parents understood why. When Lisa attended her freshman year of college at Franciscan University—a place Lisa and many others refer to as a "field hospital” for souls—Lisa discovered why she had been consumed by such angst and fear. Lisa experienced flashbacks of sexual abuse as a young child. She finally knew what she had been carrying. Listen as Lisa takes us on a sensitive journey of the soul, culminating in Christ’s miraculous healing through prayer, contemplation, EMDR therapy, Catholic retreats and more. If you or someone you love is the victim of abuse, know that healing is possible! Learn more about Lisa at www.littlewithgreatlove.com. Reach out to get connected to resources at [email protected].

Abby Davis received a call. Within thirty minutes of hanging up the phone, there was a social worker on her front porch holding a baby girl.  

Abby and her husband would care for this little girl for many months to follow, not knowing if they would adopt her or just care for her for a little while. 

Abby’s heart was filled with love for this precious child, yet was also breaking at the possibility of being separated from her. 

Abby would rock the baby and pray:

“Whether you stay or whether you go, let it be for Christ.“

This little girl, as well as two boys, are now the adopted children of Abby and her husband Cameron. 

Listen to this mini-retreat in a podcast and imagine how your life can be more fully for Christ, too. 

Still reverberating in Colleen Carroll Campbell’s heart are an older mom’s words of wisdom from 15 years ago: “I don’t know if there is room for perfectionism in any other part of life, but I know this: there is no room for it in motherhood.”

Colleen had done her best to achieve flawlessness during her ambitious career, including a job as the American president’s speech writer.  But it wasn’t until hearing the wise mom’s words about motherhood that Colleen realized her own struggle with perfectionism.

God began changing Colleen that morning and continues to transform her to this day. While she strives to do her best for the greater glory of God, Colleen has learned to let go and trust she is in God’s hands.

And she has discovered that there is no better place to be. 

Listen to this inspiring “mini-retreat in a podcast” and allow yourself to surrender into the arms of Merciful Jesus, too. 

After raising four boys, Caroline Graham’s husband shared that he felt called to adopt a daughter.

Soon thereafter, Caroline received a call from a dear friend about a toddler girl needing a home.

Caroline figured that she and her husband knew how to love children and said “yes.”

Caroline realized that the call to love her precious daughter would demand more of her than she ever could have imagined. Loving her daughter would require her entire self and more—it would require daily and full dependency on Christ.

Caroline’s daughter suffers from Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).

Hear Caroline share about how she has learned that while we come to the end of our own ability to love, God’s love is endless. Be inspired by how Caroline has opened herself to the supernatural love of God to care for her daughter and family—just as she is called.

Chaplain Father Jon Meyer was in his early twenties when his mother passed away.

In his grief, Father Jon faced the dark thought of needing to earn love, as well as the fear of being unloveable. 

Father Jon was in the seminary at the time and chose to be honest about the thoughts he struggled with. He shared with his Spiritual Director and Formation Advisor, as well as some family and close friends. Over time, Father Jon was blessed with the transformation of his mind by God. 

This podcast will help you explore your own thoughts and how they may be separating you from self, God and others. Learn tools of transparency and vulnerability to open yourself to the glorious “renewal of your mind" (Romans 12:2). 

Stacey Sumereau is on a healing journey.

Stacey was pregnant with her third child when she had a placental abruption--Baby Honora (Nora) was born early by emergency C-section. 

Stacey's heart broke into pieces as she watched her baby go through what seemed like endless life-saving procedures. The final breaking point was when Stacey and her husband were told they needed to say goodbye. 

Miraculously, Nora survived.  

Over time, Stacey moved beyond her trauma and into prayerful silence. God created a much stronger heart in Stacey as He put the pieces of her heart back together. 

Listen to this inspiring story of surrender and let God heal any broken pieces of your heart, too. 

Becca Bumm’s family members were struggling and her very own heart was, too. She felt alone and close to despair.

Until a wise friend encouraged Becca to attend a women’s retreat called “Cursillo.”

God healed Becca’s heart and poured in His holy love throughout the weekend.

And then God sent Becca on a mission of love.

Hear how Becca re-entered her life after the retreat with only one thing having changed: her very self.

Be inspired by how this holy change in Becca helped transform those around her in God’s love. Learn how God wants to do this for you, too!

Jennifer Calabretta’s childhood and early marriage were perfect in so many ways. But Jennifer never could have imagined what was to come.

Jennifer lost her second baby weeks after delivery to a rare muscle disorder. Doctors told her this would never happen again.

However, during one of Jennifer’s subsequent pregnancies, she learned that her daughter wouldn’t survive the very same disease.

Jennifer carried her baby throughout the remaining months of her pregnancy—and she and her husband were blessed with ten minutes with their daughter.

Jennifer experienced God deep within her throughout it all. God’s love was like holy balm to her injured heart.

In this vulnerable and joy-filled podcast, learn that God’s grace is sufficient. You will be blessed with God’s holy balm of the heart, too!

Lisa was in a hole she never thought she'd get out of.

Lisa struggled with insecurity since her childhood. As an adopted child, Lisa felt like she was given up. Even though her adoptive parents lavished her in love, Lisa worried that if she wasn't good enough that they might give her up, too. 

Lisa turned to drinking. When Lisa hit the depths of the hole she was in, God reached in and helped Lisa climb out. Lisa learned a life-changing lesson through this.

“You have to bring God into your life to heal that hole in your soul.”

Listen to this vulnerable story of how a beautiful woman grew to greater confidence and love as she was touched by the mercy of God.