Raised Catholic

This week we're exploring the cultural prevalence of amplifying our beliefs on signs, flags, and banners, not to mention hats and t-shirts :) - and looking at what this practice means for living our lives of faith.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, subscribing, rating, and reviewing, as this helps our community to grow!

Here are some resources I hope will help you to engage with this week's topic in a deeper way for yourself:

1. Song: His Banner Over Me, by Christy Nockels

2. Falling Upward - A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, by Richard Rohr

3. Podcast: Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey with guest Joel Smallbone on why our differences matter in the Kingdom of God

4. Journal prompts:

What groups do I belong to that color how I identify myself?

Do the messages I extend with my spoken or written words invite or exclude others?

How do I represent myself as a Christian with the words I choose?

Would Jesus use the same signs, placards or bumper stickers I use? Would He use any? What would they be?

5. Song: Who Am I, by Casting Crowns

6. Podcast: Kelly Corrigan Wonders with guest Fr. Greg Boyle (This one is a must-listen. We are not as different as we think.)

7. Podcast: Everything Happens with Kate Bowler, guest Ann Patchett on what it means to be human in community

8. Song: I Am Nothing, by Ginny Owens

9. Song: Show Me Your Peace Sign, by Michael Franti & Spearhead

10. Practice: If you were to put a sign on your home or words on a t-shirt that would be strictly loving and not exclusionary, what would it say? 

What if the Resurrection did not happen?  How would that change our thoughts and the way we live, culture, or the world?  Let's use this as a frame for gratitude for the gifts that Easter does bring us.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, subscribing, rating, and reviewing, as this helps our community to grow!

Here are some resources I hope will help you to engage with this week's topic in a deeper way for yourself:

1. Easter Sunday Musings, from author Diana Butler Bass

2. Kids' video: An Easter Carol (VeggieTales)

3. "Hope's Song", from An Easter Carol

4. Song: Ubi Caritas, by Durufle, performed by Kings College Choir

5. Song: Hallelujah Is Our Song, by Sarah Hart

6. Song: Christ is Risen, by Matt Maher

7. Journal Prompts: 

What do I believe about the death and resurrection of Jesus? How has that belief changed over time?

How do those events change how I live today, or how the history of the world has progressed over time?

8. Take a Walk: notice the blooming flowers in the ground and on trees, take pictures, examine them.  How is Creation speaking to you about how God works?

9. Children's Book: The Three Trees, by Angela Elwell Hunt

10. The Resurrection of Jesus, by the Bible Project

This week I had a whole plan to help you enter into Holy Week in a new way and to find yourself and God there, but this was the week I experienced my first illness in years and it sidelined me, so in this shortened episode, we talk about our good God who makes Himself very real when we've come to the end of ourselves.  No, we are not enough but the Good News is that we were never meant to be.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, subscribing, rating, and reviewing, as this helps our community to grow!

As you find ways to practice your faith in this sacred time, friends, know of my prayers for you and yours.

This week, we're talking all about reconciliation, yes the sacrament, but also what it is to be reconciled with others, with a reality or truth, and within ourselves.   I hope this episode is a blessing to you as we turn the corner toward Holy Week.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, subscribing, rating, and reviewing, as this helps our community to grow!

Here are some resources I hope will help you to engage with this week's topic in a deeper way for yourself:

1. Update on the Truth and Reconciliation process in Canada surrounding the Church's role in the abuse of indigenous children

2. Old graphic concept of how Jesus acts as the bridge between humanity and God the Father

3. Video: Prodigal Son story from the Bible Project

4. Podcast: The Examen with Father James Martin

5. Video: Come As You Are (Cover), by Sarah Reeves

6. Video: Lady Bird (film ending)

7. Song: Softly and Tenderly, by Audrey Assad

8. Confession basics from Catholics Come Home

9. Song: Speechless, by Steven Curtis Chapman

10. Video: How He Loves Us (Cover), by Sarah Reeves

In the wake of Pope Francis's Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary this week, we discuss what a consecration is, why we do it, and how we can incorporate consecration into our own everyday faith lives.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, subscribing, rating, and reviewing, as this helps our community to grow!

Here are some resources I hope will help you to engage with this week's topic in a deeper way for yourself:

1. Video/summary of Pope Francis's Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, from the Vatican

2. Song: Child of God (Live), by Capital City Music

3. A story of a life consecrated to God: Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart, founder and mother servant of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth

4. Scripture: Story of Hannah and Samuel

5. Journal prompts: Have I ever felt called to offer God something of myself? How might I be set apart to serve God and His people? Have I ever met a person who was consecrated to God? 

6. Song: Set Apart, by Citylight Worship

7. Song: Totus Tuus, by Henryk Gorecki, Voces8, written in celebration of Pope John Paul II's third pilgrimage to Poland. Pope John Paul II consecrated his life to Jesus through Mary

8. Google art: Hannah and Samuel, Annunciation, Consecration

9. Podcast: Inside the Vatican

10. Text of the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on 3/25/22 from the Vatican

This week, we're reflecting on gratitude as a part of a grown-up faith. 

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, subscribing, rating, and reviewing, as this helps our community to grow!

Here are some resources I hope will help you to engage with this week's topic in a deeper way for yourself: 

1. Video: The Absolute Necessity of Saying Thank You, with Fr. Mike Schmitz and Ascension Presents

2. Book: One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp

3. Book: With Open Hands, by Henri Nouwen

4. Book: Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel, by Kate Bowler

5. Song: Even When it Hurts (Praise Song), by Hillsong

6. Song: Open My Hands, by Sara Groves

7. Song: The Blessing, by Elevation Worship

8. Song: Thank U, by Alanis Morissette

9. Song: Simple Gifts, by Yo Yo Ma and Alison Krauss 

10. Gratitude Meditation: God's Loving-Kindness

11. Novel: Stranger in the Lifeboat, by Mitch Albom

12. Mass: Third Sunday in Lent - St Cecilia's Boston 3/20/22

Today we explore the importance of slowing down, especially in this year's Lent, of leaning on the scaffolding of faith we gained from previous generations, and of ancient prayers and practices.  I hope it's a blessing to you as you move through your Lent. May the road rise up to meet you.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, subscribing, rating, and reviewing, as this helps our community to grow!

Here are some resources I hope will help you to engage with this week's topic in a deeper way for yourself:

1. Relay - blog post of my process of finding my word for 2022

2. Podcast: The Examen with Fr. James Martin, SJ

3. Lectio Divina: A Beginner's Guide from Busted Halo

4. Video: The Deer's Cry, sung by Rita Connolly and Curtlestown Choir

5. Video: Irish Blessing

6. Breath Prayers for Anxious Times, from Sarah Bessey

7. Song for contemplation: Ave, verum Corpus, Mozart, performed by The Sixteen

8. Recorded rosaries with Fr. Frank McFarland from Boston Catholic Television

9. Journal questions: Who was a faithful person in my history and memory?  What prayers/practices did they use?  How can I make a spiritual discipline more a part of my everyday routine?  What time of day would be the best time for me to pray?  

10. Song: I Shall Not Want, by Audrey Assad

11. On revisiting previous generation's faith foundations. Video: Clonmacnoise Monastery, 6th century Ireland

This week we're remembering the reading from the Prophet Joel we heard on Ash Wednesday, and reflecting on the idea of communal repentance, communal sin, communal suffering, communal life, and communal faith.  Maybe the idea of communal Lent has come to us in this complicated, hyper self-oriented, and challenging time for a reason. Maybe it's time we remember we belong to each other.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, subscribing, rating, and reviewing, as this helps our community to grow!

Here are some resources I hope will help you to engage with this week's topic in a deeper way for yourself:

1. Book of Joel overview from Bible Project

2. Where Peter Is: A collaborative effort of writers increasingly concerned about divisive attacks on Pope Francis and effects on the Church

3. Podcast: Field Hospital with Mike Lewis and Jeannie Gaffigan

4. Song: One Voice, by The Wailin' Jennys

5. Song: Clean - Live, by Hillsong

6. Song: People of God, by Gungor

7. Lenten resources/study from author Kate Bowler

8. Book: Bitter & Sweet, by Tsh Oxenreider

9. On Dr. Paul Farmer of Partners In Health, a modern and timely example of someone who gave his life away in the name of God on behalf of his sisters and brothers

10. Podcast: Jesuitical - Remembering Dr. Paul Farmer - a Catholic Who Wanted to Cure the World

This week we're talking about impediments to our relationship with God, how they can draw too much of our focus, and the beautiful reality that the bigness of God means there's always another way.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, subscribing, rating, and reviewing!

1. Podcast: Another Name for Everything with Fr. Richard Rohr

2. Evolving Faith - Podcast, Conferences, Writing, and more with Sarah Bessey and Jeff Chu

3. Beautiful art/caption on transforming faith by Scott Erickson on Instagram

4. Book: The Eternal Current, by Aaron Niequist

5. Book: Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice, by Dallas Willard and Jan Johnson

6. Song: The Voyage, by Amanda Cook

7. Lyric Video: Drawn to You, by Audrey Assad

8. Song: Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season), by The Byrds

This week's episode is a repost of last year's episode on Lent.  I hope it's a blessing to you as you prepare for this important and life-giving season. 

Live Panel Discussion Via Zoom - JOIN US!  I'll be part of a roundtable discussion on 2/22/22 on How to Claim Your Faith in the Midst of a Broken Church, sponsored by the Cenacle Sisters of Chicago with a great group of Catholic thinkers.  I hope you'll join us, more information and registration here.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog.  If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com! Thanks as always for sharing, rating, and reviewing!

Here are some resources I hope will make your Lent more encouraging and fruitful:

1. Helpful, grounded (and often funny!) daily Lenten video reflections from author Kate Bowler - you can also find them on Kate's Instagram

2. Be Kind - a helpful Lenten practice video from Fr. James Martin

3. Best Lent Ever - daily videos from Dynamic Catholic

4. Song: Better Days by Ant Clemons, Justin Timberlake and Kirk Franklin

5. Song: Someday Soon, by Wilder Woods

6. Song: O My Soul, by Audrey Assad

7. Podcast: Abiding Together

8. Lenten Practice: Watch this tulip video, then: buy flowers for yourself (yes, for you!), put them in your kitchen, and let them be your teacher: spring is on the way, friend!

9: Instagram Account: Follow my friend The Bluebird of Happiness on Instagram for more hope and light in your feed!

10. My current favorite cover of Here Comes the Sun - search for more, they will make your heart happy!

11. Lenten Practice: Conversations with God journal, start a new page and at the top write one or more of the following prompts, then just write until your hand is sore or you feel the loving voice of God creeping in and making Himself known to you:

What habits or practices do I have today that are not serving me? How can I let them go?

What do I want my life (or my family or community) to look and feel like on Easter weekend? How can I move in that direction now?

How can I serve other people using my unique gifts? What would be a good first step today?

12. Book: Learning to Walk in the Dark, by Barbara Brown Taylor