Saints for Slackers

Energetic Pursuer of Christ

St. Peter Canisius was an energetic saint who dedicated his gifts to the service of the Church. Sophia Lebano tells us about this 19 year old university graduate from the 1500s.

Sophia Lebano is a senior business management major at Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is the co-host at Hear and Now Podcast and the founder of Sophia Lebano Creative, LLC. Her company, Sophia Lebano Creative, is a website design and online business management company for Catholic and Christian entrepreneurs. 

She has lived with hearing loss since the age of 8, and received bilateral cochlear implants in 2016 & 2018. Since then, she’s started advocating for hearing loss awareness, as it’s a passion of hers to fight for what matters. Her faith has been super important to her, especially living with a diagnosis like hearing loss. After being raised as a cradle Catholic, she fell deeply in love with the faith in high school, and rediscovered that fire again in college. 

In her spare time, you can find her working on her business, studying the latest social media trends, dancing, or organizing her outfits for the week. Come connect with her on Instagram @sophialebano.

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-peter-canisius/

Get your Advent + Christmas free downloads, new Saints for Slackers swag here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/shop/

This podcast is sponsored by Euphrosyne Corner Solutions. Slackers, gift yourself with fresh ideas for your programs and ministries this holiday season! With 20+ years experience, Euphrosyne Corner Catholic Education Solutions combines quality educational research with authentic faith practice to transform your programming. Learn more at catholiceducationsolutions.com.

Special thanks to slacker co-host, Jeff Sanchez; and musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.

Mother to Refugees, Face of Christ

Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini was a missionary who served Italian immigrants in New York. While her example may seem distant to us, Jane Vaughan talks about her experience living in Europe while Ukrainian refugees arrived in busloads.

Jane is a lover of foreign places, accents, comfort foods, long travel, and a simple life. She enjoys following animals on social media and listening to spy or fantasy novels on long walks and long runs. She currently lives in Allen, Texas with her husband.

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-francis-xavier-cabrini/

Get your Advent + Christmas free downloads, new Saints for Slackers swag here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/shop/

This podcast is sponsored by Legend Fiction the creative community for Catholic & Orthodox fiction authors. It's a home online to give and get feedback, share your works in progress, and double your writing output! Start your saga by visiting legendfiction.com 

Special thanks to slacker co-host, Jeff Sanchez; and musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.

Faithful Friend in the Darkness

St. John of the Cross is known as a Doctor of the Church for his witness and work in teaching us how to pray. Naomi Broussard tells us how to embrace emptiness of all but Christ as St. John prayed, “Nothing, nothing, nothing.”

Naomi is a true Louisiana Cajun single consecrated woman living in the world but not of it. Naturally exuberant, full of life, and joyful, she has a deep love for Jesus as her spouse, striving to be a saint and encouraging others to do the same. A singer-songwriter, she can play any instrument by ear. But as a music minister serving the church for twenty-six years, she chooses guitar and piano as her main instruments to usher God's people in praising him in song. She also serves as the head of the St. Ignatius Catholic school choir. Calling herself a "Jill of all trades" since she's a woman, Naomi has been blessed with many gifts, such as singing, playing musical instruments, songwriting, poem writing, drawing, carpentry work, welding, and others. She uses all her gifts to give God glory and is passionate about proclaiming God's kingdom from the rooftops. Her Facebook page features many live-stream videos to help to lift the hearts of others in song and encouragement as we all move forward, keeping our eyes on the prize, which is Heaven. Her ministry is called The Visitation Pilgrimage since, like Mary, it brings Jesus to others so they can experience the exposing of God's love as Elizabeth and St. John the Baptist did. Through her ministry, Naomi provides music for weddings, funerals, conferences, retreats, and talks upon request. She will do what the Spirit says to do and holds all of God's people in her heart as she serves her King with great fervor.  

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-john-of-the-cross/

Get your Advent + Christmas free downloads, new Saints for Slackers swag here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/shop/

This podcast is sponsored by Catholic in Recovery serves individuals and families seeking freedom from addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. Connect with other Catholics to find hope, healing, and a renewal of God's Mercy today by visiting CatholicinRecovery.com.

Special thanks to slacker co-host, Jeff Sanchez; and musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.

Immersed in Joy

St. Lucy, a virgin and martyr of the late 200s, gave her entire self for love of Our Lord. Kelli Davis points to this young Bride of Christ as a model of Christian joy.

Kelli’s life changed when she met Jesus for the first time on an 8th grade retreat. Since that time, she has been on a faith adventure which seems to keep her and those around her on their toes. The Lord rescued Kelli from a disordered life of anxiety. Out of love, He has been reordering and restoring her life for more than a decade through a journey of healing, transformation, and empowerment. Now, she is doing her part to help others discover the joy in little things while overcoming life's challenges with Jesus by our side. Kelli is a wife who likes to keep her husband laughing. She has developed a deep appreciation for using the Word of God as our daily medicine, for learning how not to take ourselves too seriously, and for listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit for help in everyday circumstances. Through 25+ years of experience in her faith adventure, she communicates simple and practical ways for individuals to find hope, joy, and God's presence in everyday life.

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-lucy/

Get your Advent + Christmas free downloads, new Saints for Slackers swag, and Christmas cards here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/shop/

This podcast is sponsored by Legend Fiction the creative community for Catholic & Orthodox fiction authors. It's a home online to give and get feedback, share your works in progress, and double your writing output! Start your saga by visiting legendfiction.com 

Special thanks to slacker co-host, Jeff Sanchez; and musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.

Our Lady’s Messenger on Tepeyac

On this Gaudete Sunday, we learn about St. Juan Diego whose feast day we just celebrated on December 9th. Juan Diego initially felt unworthy of his call to tell his bishop of the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Tepeyac Hill. Citlalin reminds us that our calling is never a mistake. 

Citlalin Ossio is an avid fantasy writer and reader, whose work is heavily inspired by her Catholic faith, her Mexican heritage, and Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda. Her fantasy short stories have been featured in various anthologies, and one, She Has No Voice, won second place in the Prose category for Rehumanize International’s 2021 Create | Encounter. She is a joyful single living in Texas with her family and enjoys creating art, playing video games, and watching anime and Korean dramas. When she’s not writing or spending time with her loved ones, she’s on Instagram, or dreaming about raising a panda army.

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-juan-diego/

Get your Advent + Christmas free downloads, new Saints for Slackers swag, and Christmas cards here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/shop/

This podcast is sponsored by Saint of the Month subscription boxes. Each month offers a journey with one saint, containing weekly gifts that inspire you to do radical things like the saints. It's like Christmas every month! So go subscribe to saintofthemonth.com. 

Special thanks to slacker co-host, Jeff Sanchez; and musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.

A Mother Made To Love Us

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Heather Lebano shares some of the beautiful theology behind this feast, as well as a personal experience in which she encountered Our Lady not as distant and aloof, but as a tenderly loving mother.

Heather Lebano is a Catholic Convert who lives near the City of Brotherly Love with her husband, Jon, of 25 years, their four children, and two feisty dogs in their home rooted in faith and love.

She spends her days running her home, supporting and caring for her husband while guiding her high school girls with their home education and searching for truth, beauty, and goodness. She enjoys writing, creating, and sharing about her deep faith, the gift of raising her family, the vocation of marriage, and where she sees God moving in her life while lingering over a fresh cup of coffee.

Heather writes at HouseofLoveandLaughter.com and on Instagram @houseofloveandlaughterblog, where she weaves words, offers a soft place to land, reflects on finding hope and joy, loving others, laughing often, and seeing beauty while encouraging others to grow closer to God in this sometimes difficult journey called life. 

More recently, she shares glimpses into finding joy and beauty in the surrender of embracing God’s will as she cares for Jon, who is living with aggressive brain cancer and healing from a stroke. Heather also shares tender thoughts on grief, loss, and reconciliation and podcasts with her oldest daughter, Sophia, on the Hear and Now Podcast, where they have genuine conversations and share stories about where they and their guests hear God’s voice in their lives.

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/immaculate-conception/

Get your Advent + Christmas free downloads, new Saints for Slackers swag, and Christmas cards here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/shop/

This podcast is sponsored by Red Bird Ministries. Red Bird Ministries is a Catholic grief support ministry that serves ordinary families who have been given an extraordinary cross to carry called child loss. Use the promo code "PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE" to get 15% off of your order inside their benefit boutique at www.redbird.love

Special thanks to musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.

Myra’s Best-Known Bishop

Though he’s best known for traveling the whole world every Christmas Eve, St. Nicholas was actually a bishop beloved for his charity and fidelity to Christ. Christy Brown tells us why this saint is still much loved to this present day.

Christina Brown is a certified Catholic Life Coach and Catholic speaker. She also co-hosts the Thanks Mom Podcast with her eldest daughter Grace. She has been a guest on multiple podcasts including the Instagram Live show, Many Hail Marys at a Time, Treasures in Heaven, Made for Greatness, Empowered Modern Woman, as well as Say Yes to Holiness. She is a Life Coaching consultant for Made for Greatness and runs her own Life Coaching business. She has been married to Paul for 23 years, and they have raised 6 incredible children ranging from 22-4. She is passionate about living out her vocation and in doing so, is invigorated to help lead her family and others closer to Christ. She has gifts in speaking and communication and enjoys inspiring and connecting with others in building up the Kingdom of God. She would love to connect with you more about how she can support you in living out, with intention, the fullness of life that God desires for you. 

Christina can be reached at www.christinambrown.com, @christina__m__brown on Instagram, as well as at https://www.facebook.com/christinambrowncoachandspeaker

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-nicholas/

Get your Advent + Christmas free downloads, new Saints for Slackers swag, and Christmas cards here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/shop/

This podcast is sponsored by Saint of the Month subscription boxes. Their new Eye of the Needle card game features Saints you collect to complete your missions to win the game. Who said slackers can't have fun? Go buy it at  www.saintofthemonth.com/shop. Use promo code SLACKERS to get 15% off your card game. Link to Eye of the Needle card game: https://www.saintofthemonth.com/shop/product/4720296116 

Special thanks to musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.

The theme for this Second Sunday of Advent is faith. Sefanit discusses this faith as evidenced in the life and example of St. John the Baptist, the Forerunner of the Word.

Sefanit Stefanos is a seeker of Truth, wife, mom of three, favorite sister, and friend. Originally from Eritrea, born in Rome, and raised in Dallas, Texas, her upbringing in an Eritrean-American home shaped her worldview that she is part of a greater community. Her joy is being with family and friends, and she loves making people feel at home in her presence. Her calling in life is to introduce others to the generous love of God that she has experienced. 

Sefanit experienced the best of both worlds as a graduate of Texas A&M and Franciscan University and has worked in full-time ministry for more than ten years. Living in Dallas with her husband and kids, you'll find her seeking joy and gratitude amidst changing diapers and cleaning food off the walls.

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-john-the-baptist/

Get your Advent + Christmas free downloads, new Saints for Slackers swag, and Christmas cards here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/shop/

This podcast is sponsored by Red Bird Ministries. Red Bird Ministries is a Catholic grief support ministry that serves ordinary families who have been given an extraordinary cross to carry called child loss. Use the promo code "PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE" to get 15% off of your order inside their benefit boutique at www.redbird.love

Special thanks to slacker co-host Jeff Sanchez; and musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.

St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus, or as they’re commonly known today, the Jesuits. Susan Husband tells us more about this tenacious evangelist burning with the love of God.

Susan Husband is a farm wife and mother of seven adventurous sons. When she’s not cooking for the army or acting as resident medic, she enjoys reading, gardening, and running. She and her husband, Steve, enjoy sharing encouraging stories and positive tips on raising sons via their Testosterone Tuesday series on Instagram. Susan and her family reside in rural Kansas. Follow Susan on Instagram at: @solesearchingmamma

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-francis-xavier/

Get your Advent + Christmas free downloads, new Saints for Slackers swag, and Christmas cards here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/shop/

This podcast is sponsored by Saint of the Month subscription boxes. Each month offers a journey with one saint, containing weekly gifts that inspire you to do radical things like the saints. It's like Christmas every month! So go subscribe to saintofthemonth.com. 

Special thanks to slacker co-host, Jeff Sanchez; and musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.

St. Andrew, the First Called, was the first of Jesus’s disciples. Saint of the Month’s Patrick Pulis talks about St. Andrew’s strength, and the courage it takes to answer God’s call.

Patrick Pulis is a lifelong Catholic who grew up in a rural area of Colorado where he was captivated by the stars of the night. As he grew in his faith he decided, after college, to join a religious lay movement to possibly become a priest. As he went to formation, he grew more in his faith than at any other time in his life. He was inspired by these men and women to be the best he can to help change the world for the better. After three years of many fruitful experiences, he decided to return home and follow God’s new path preparing someday to get married. Inspired by the saints and their lives, he decided to start a business to help people become little saints which became the Saint of the Month subscription box. Now married, his wife helps with Saint of the Month, and they have a daughter. He loves spending time with family and playing with his little girl.

Read more about today's featured podcaster and saint here: https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-andrew/

www.saintofthemonth.com 

IG: saint_of_the_month

Facebook: saintsubscriptionbox

Saint Andrew One Time box: saintofthemonth.com/shop/product/4771390375

This podcast is sponsored by Red Bird Ministries. Red Bird Ministries is a Catholic grief support ministry that serves ordinary families who have been given an extraordinary cross to carry called child loss. Use the promo code "PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE" to get 15% off of your order inside their benefit boutique at www.redbird.love

Special thanks to slacker co-host, Jeff Sanchez; and musician Rev. Dr. Martin Lohrmann.