Say Yes to Holiness--Catholic Saints in Training

What if the stories we love could become invitations to prayer?

In this episode, Christina Semmens welcomes author Eric A. Clayton to discuss this question in the context of Eric’s sharing about his latest book, Where Wonder Leads: Finding God Through Fairy Tales, Myth, and Contemplative Prayer. Drawing on Ignatian spirituality and his love of fantasy and science fiction, Eric explores how wonder, curiosity, and imagination help us recognize God at work in our lives. From Middle-earth and Star Wars to a minotaur and an ordinary onion, this conversation will help you connect storytelling with discernment, self-awareness, and everyday holiness. Eric also shares how to pray with the book’s 35 meditations and why even a few quiet minutes of daily prayer matter.

Key Takeaways

- Wonder makes room for surprise.** Approach prayer with curiosity and openness rather than a fixed agenda about what God should reveal.

- Imagination can help us respond to God’s call.** Eric points to St. Ignatius’s story to show how imagining a different life can help us move beyond familiar patterns.

- Stories can reveal our interior lives.** Unfamiliar worlds and exaggerated characters help us notice desires, fears, resistance, and habits we might otherwise overlook.

- Bring the imagined scene into conversation with real life.** Enter the scene with your senses, pause to reflect on your everyday experience, then return to the scene with what you have discovered.

- Discern storytelling by what it awakens in you.** Eric suggests noticing whether a story deepens curiosity, empathy, and openness to God and others when distinguishing fruitful imagination from escapism.

- Holiness grows through ordinary attention and faithful prayer.** Finding God in all things includes mundane moments, uncomfortable invitations, and showing up to pray even when it feels quiet or unrewarding.

My conversation with Eric was an uplifting and wonderful one, full of hope, and like his book, sure to help you find God through stories and imagination!

Suggested Resolutions from This Conversation and Your Invitation for the Week

Set aside a few quiet minutes. Bring a story, character, or ordinary moment into prayer and ask: *What is stirring within me? Where am I clinging to comfort? Where might God be inviting me to take the next step?

Chapters and Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome and introduction to Where Wonder Leads

01:17 — Eric’s journey: creative writing, international development, and the Jesuits

04:35 — The book’s inspiration: moving from analyzing stories to praying with them

07:22 — Wonder, curiosity, and openness to God’s surprises

09:37 — Imagination in prayer and St. Ignatius’s invitation to a different life

13:26 — Why fantasy worlds help us see ourselves differently; a Star Trek example

17:02 — Why 35 meditations? Editing the book and the bonus mermaid chapter

19:42 — How the meditations work: entering a scene and returning to ordinary life

21:35 — The minotaur: reflecting on embodiment and how we see ourselves

23:40 — Christina’s experience: magic stones, hope, and interior movements

24:49 — Prayerful imagination versus escapism

26:25 — Finding God in all things—even while chopping an onion

28:53 — The challenge of letting go and writing to serve the reader

31:06 — Living the message: comfort, trust, and crossing into the unknown

33:12 — A simple practice: daily prayer, silence, and showing up

34:19 — Eric’s favorite fictional worlds: Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings

36:31 — Where to find Eric’s books and work; closing encouragement

Books and Resources

Where Wonder Leads — Loyola Press

Eric A. Clayton’s website

Bonus chapter: Sample Chapter! Discernment & Mermaids

Now Discern This — weekly Ignatian reflections and newsletter signup

My Life with the Jedi: The Spirituality of Star Wars

Cannonball Moments: Telling Your Story, Deepening Your Faith

Eric’s bookshelf, including Finding Peace Here and Now

Freedom is not about doing whatever you want. It is the moral power to do what you ought—and that changes everything about virtue, character, and how you love others.

In this episode, Christina Semmens unpacks Fulton Sheen’s vision of holiness in a conversation that moves from daily self-denial and responsibility to the deeper meaning of freedom as a grace-shaped capacity for good. If you have ever wondered why discipline, law, and moral clarity actually protect freedom instead of limiting it, this episode gives you a compelling answer.

Christina shares how virtue forms character, why the law is not a cage but a safeguard, and how surrendering to the Lord builds the inner strength needed to choose the good even when it costs something. She also connects holiness to mission, pointing to Jesus with outstretched arms on the cross as the model for embracing others without abandoning truth.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why Fulton Sheen describes freedom as a moral power, not a license
• How self-denial becomes “daily bread” for a life ordered toward holiness
• Why responsibility and virtue are essential to true human freedom
• How love of God opens us to love others without losing our moral footing
• What 9/11 and national unity reveal about the danger of fear, division, and discouragement

Finally, Christina reflects on the way fear can shape whole societies, how division takes root when we abandon moral clarity, and why the call to holiness is inseparable from the call to witness.

If you need a reminder that real freedom is forged through virtue, dependence on God, and courage in the face of division, this is essential listening.

Key topics

• Why Fulton Sheen’s quotes are serving as “food for the head, heart, hands, and feet” ahead of his upcoming beatification.

• Freedom is not license — She emphasizes Sheen’s point that freedom is the power to do what we ought, not just what we please.

• Virtue forms true character — She explains that moral power grows through grace, self-denial, and cooperation with the Lord.

• Law as protection, not restriction — She frames the law as a safeguard that keeps people on the right path rather than a burden that limits goodness.

• Responsibility matters — She underscores accountability for our deeds and the need to act for the good of all, not selfish ends.

• Holiness and mission belong together — She contrasts the way of sanctity with the way of mission, pointing to Jesus on the cross with arms outstretched as the model of universal love.

• Love requires moral clarity — Christina says encountering God opens us to others, but not at the cost of surrendering virtue or good character.

• Dependence on the Lord is essential — She argues that growth in love and capacity to serve others only happens through reliance on God.

• 9/11 as an example of unity — She recalls how the nation came together after 9/11, setting aside differences after the 2000 election turmoil.

• Division has spiritual roots — She warns that deceit, discouragement, and division remain active forces in the world and names Satan, Lucifer, as the source of that influence.

In this episode, Christina Semmens speaks with Dr. Peter Howard, founder and president of the Fulton Sheen Institute and the Fulton Sheen movement, about why Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s life and message are especially urgent today.

During this conversation, Dr. Peter Howard shares his inspiring faith journey, his deep admiration for Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, and details about the upcoming Fulton Sheen conference and beatification. Listen now to discover how Sheen’s teachings can transform your spiritual life and inspire a renewed evangelization effort in America.

Key Topics

• Fulton Sheen’s impact on American Catholicism

• The importance of the daily holy hour

• Sheen’s approach to evangelization in the modern world

• The significance of Sheen’s beatification in 2026

Takeaways

• Fulton Sheen emphasized the importance of the daily holy hour for spiritual growth.

• Sheen’s teachings focus on meeting people where they are to evangelize effectively.

• The upcoming conference and beatification are opportunities to rediscover Sheen’s wisdom.

• Sheen’s approach to evangelization involves addressing the wounds of the modern person.

• The movement around Sheen’s legacy aims to inspire a renaissance in faith and family.

• Sheen’s message is not a finish line; it is a launch pad.

• Sheen’s life offers a blueprint for meeting the challenges of the modern world.

Sound Bites

• “We are just now beginning to rediscover why God has given us him.”

• “Support the Vicar of Christ through prayer and defense.”

• “Make your daily holy hour and ask the Lord.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Peter Howard and Fulton Sheen

01:32 Dr. Howard’s Faith Journey and Discovery of Sheen

05:02 The Transformative Power of Fulton Sheen’s Recordings

07:52 Sheen’s Call for the Holy Hour During WWII

11:15 The Significance of Sheen’s Beatification in 2026

14:36 Key Themes in Sheen’s Teachings for Today

19:45 Sheen’s Anthropological Approach to Modern Disordered Man

23:09 Vatican II, Sheen, and the Battle for the Church

27:19 Details of the Fulton Sheen Conference and Pilgrimage

33:33 Speakers and Highlights of the Conference

41:55 Mary, Sheen, and the Mission of Evangelization

Resources

Fulton Sheen Conference

Treasure in Clay

Fulton Sheen - Official YouTube Channel

EWTN - Fulton Sheen Collection

Pope John Paul II on Sheen

Links for Dr. Peter Howard

Website

Twitter

Beatification Pilgrimage:

Begins September 19 in Peoria, and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate “America’s Saint” and encounter Sheen’s legacy through speakers, pilgrimage sites, and liturgical events.

America’s Conference on September 23rd.

Featured Speakers:

• Bishop Joseph Coffey

• Monsignor Landry

• Jason Jones

• Father Thomas Loya

• Father Jason Sharon

• Tammy Peterson

• John Yep

• Dale Alquist

• Sherry Ballinger

• Sister Dede Byrne

• Terry Barber

• Arthur Brooks

Join us for an inspiring episode where Christina Semmens welcomes Catherine DiNuzzo, author of The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety. They explore how faith, prayer, and the sacraments serve as powerful tools in managing anxiety and trauma, emphasizing the importance of integrating Catholic teachings into mental health wellness. Discover how saints and Scripture provide models of healing and resilience, offering comfort and strength on your faith journey.

Share

• Catherine’s transformative journey from aspiring teacher to Catholic mental health advocate

• The profound connection between faith, body, and mental health

• Why Catholic principles offer unique strategies for coping with anxiety

• The importance of integrating Scripture, prayer, and sacraments into healing

• Understanding trauma versus traumatic events with saints’ examples

• The significance of working through holes and wounds in our spiritual and emotional lives

• Practical resources: the companion workbook and its role in personal healing

• The power of surrender and trust in God’s plan, inspired by the Sacred Heart devotion

• The role of saints like Mary Magdalene and Ignatius of Loyola as guides in recovery

• How to combat stigma around mental health with faith-based approaches

• Personal stories of overcoming grief, trauma, and anxiety through prayer and community

• The importance of communication and understanding in supporting loved ones with anxiety

  
  

00:00 - Introduction: Faith and mental health in today’s world
01:16 - Catherine’s journey from teacher to Catholic mental health advocate
02:19 - The biology of anxiety and faith’s role in healing
03:40 - Faith and counseling: intertwined paths for wellness
04:41 - How Catholic mass incorporates sensory grounding strategies
05:48 - Why secular counseling lacks what the Church provides
06:45 - The pervasive falsehoods about mental health and faith
08:18 - Saints as models for overcoming trauma and shame
09:17 - The analogy of swimming through life’s waves with God’s help
10:03 - Addressing shame around mental health struggles
11:57 - Filling holes with sand: understanding wounds and such filling with faith
13:48 - Building a strong spiritual basement for resilience
15:10 - Differentiating trauma and traumatic events
16:39 - Saints as companions in healing: Ignatius, Josephine Bakhita, Paul, and Mary Magdalene
18:26 - The empowering example of Mary Magdalene’s love and redemption
19:54 - Prayer, Scripture, and sacraments as anchors for mental wellness
22:35 - Using the companion workbook for personal growth and community
24:14 - The importance of resources in Spanish for broader outreach
25:31 - Challenges in reducing stigma and spreading faith-based mental health support
30:53 - God’s use of our vulnerabilities for greater purpose
32:29 - The practice of surrender and trusting in Sacred Heart devotion
34:48 - Inspiration from Philip Neri’s story and surrendering one’s desires
37:06 - Advice to younger self: “It’s gonna be okay”
37:59 - Resources and where to find Catherine’s work
39:04 - Final thoughts: You are not alone; faith and community are your strength

• Sacred Heart Mental Wellness

• Book: The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety

• Workbook Companion - Available in Spanish here

• Saint Ignatius of Loyola

• Saint Josephine Bakhita

• Saint Paul

• Mary Magdalene

• Instagram

• Facebook

May this episode inspire you to embrace your healing journey with faith, hope, and love.

Christina Semmens reflects on the 250th anniversary of the United States, drawing inspiration from saints to explore themes of faith, love, and service. She emphasizes the importance of sanctity, trust in God’s plan, and the power of love in building a better nation.

Topics

• The significance of the 250th anniversary of the United States

• Lessons from Saints Kateri Tekakwitha, Damien of Molokai, Rose Philippine Duchesne, and Junipero Serra

• The importance of faith, love, and service in personal and national growth

• Trusting God’s plan during challenging times

• The role of saints in inspiring patriotism and unity

Sound Bites

• “Transforming union with God is our true goal”

• “God knows how to proportion Himself to all His creatures”

• “Every act of mercy matters because God makes it matter”

Chapters

00:00 Honoring a Legacy: Personal Reflections

02:30 Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom

05:27 The Call to Holiness: Lessons from Saints

10:51 Love and Service: The Greatest Gifts

16:34 Perseverance in Faith: Trusting God’s Plan

21:46 Unity in Diversity: Embracing Our Shared Humanity

In this engaging 1:1 interview, Christina Semmens sit down with Paul McCusker, Senior Director of Creative Content for the Augustine Institute, a seasoned storyteller and Catholic convert. Paul shares his journey from evangelical roots to Catholicism, as well as his creative process and the inspiration behind his latest series 'Welcome to Hope Springs.'

In this Say Yes to Holiness episode, we discover how storytelling can deepen our faith, help us explore spiritual themes, and also inspire the next generation.

Conversation Themes:

• Paul's spiritual journey from Baptist to Catholic

• The role of storytelling and audio dramas in faith

• The development, purpose, and impact of 'Hope Springs' series

Sound Bites:

• "The Catholic imagination is so much bigger."

• "Saints obeyed even when they felt crazy."

• "Music and history inspire my storytelling."

• "There's a million reasons to become Catholic"
• "God knows me and loves me in spite of myself"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Paul McCusker and His Journey

02:37 The Intersection of Writing and Spirituality

05:11 Transitioning to Catholicism and Its Impact on Creativity

07:55 The Genesis of Hope Springs

10:39 Exploring the Themes of Hope Springs

13:25 The Resurgence of Audio Dramas

16:20 The Future of Hope Springs and Its Impact

18:51 Personal Reflections on Storytelling and Faith

In this episode, Christina reflects on her recent projects, upcoming travels, and how the Easter season invites us to deepen our faith, love, and purpose. Listen now to discover practical spiritual practices, powerful stories, and biblical insights to transform your perspective and life.

Main Topics:

• Christina’s recent book release, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time and reflections on other work associated with the Catholic Leadership Puzzle platform

• The spiritual significance of the Easter season and its call to loving God and neighbor

• How to navigate grief, fear, and darkness through faith and hope

• The importance of community, discernment, and relational listening in leadership

• Stories of faith and hope from history, including St. John Vianney, Midori Nagai, and Pope Leo XIV

• Practical tips for praying the Rosary and embracing the victory of Christ over death

• Encouragement to share your faith story and testify to God’s wondrous deeds

• Preparing for Pentecost and receiving Easter graces through open hands and hearts

May this episode inspire you to embrace the joy, hope, and life that the risen Christ offers us this Easter season. Open your hands, trust in God’s goodness, and share your faith story with the world so that together, we can tell the Master of Death, “Not Today!”Chapters and Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and recent updates on Christina’s projects
01:01 - Celebrating the release of “Solving the Parish Puzzle”
02:26 - The link between personal holiness and community mission
03:23 - Baptismal leadership: priest, prophet, king roles
04:21 - Christina’s upcoming travel and reflection plans
05:17 - Reflection on the 250th anniversary of America’s independence
06:14 - Conversation with Paul McCusker about storytelling and faith
07:11 - Inspiration from the story of Midori Nagai and hope after tragedy
08:11 - How spending life for God reveals beauty in the world
09:10 - Grieving loss while trusting in Christ’s victory over death
10:10 - The Easter message: death has been overcome
11:10 - Embracing death as a friend, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi
12:10 - Loving life and living fully through faith and joy
13:07 - The example of Mary’s journey of loving and desiring God only
14:25 - Small steps to prioritize God in our daily lives
15:50 - The call to declare God’s deeds and share our testimony
16:48 - The mission each of us is called for, inspired by St. Joan of Arc
17:45 - The power of personal stories to bear witness to God’s love
19:20 - The importance of prayer, especially the Rosary, for peace and joy
20:16 - Practical advice for starting or deepening Rosary prayer
21:15 - The spiritual significance of trusting in Mary’s intercession
22:42 - Encouragement to keep praying and trusting in God’s goodness
23:20 - The cycle of loving, receiving, and giving life in Christ
24:17 - Preparing for Pentecost and receiving Easter grace
24:44 - Closing prayers and encouragement to keep trusting in God’s plan

Resources and Links:

• Christina Semmens Books

• Solving the Parish Puzzle

• Welcome to Hope Springs Series

• Pope Leo XIII

• St. Joan of Arc

• Fulton Sheen

• Rosary Resources

• Website

• Twitter

• Facebook

Connect with Christina: Schedule a FREE 20 minute consultation here

In this episode of the Say Yes to Holiness podcast, host Christina Semmens sits down to speak with Katie Zulanas, Executive Director of the Couple to Couple League (CCL) about ways to help your marriage flourish.

To that end, we specifically focused upon the fertility awareness and the Peak Day app, a Catholic fertility and period tracking application. They discuss the risks associated with mainstream fertility apps, and how the Peak Day app empowers women and couples to take charge of their reproductive health.

The conversation also highlights the significance of open communication between mothers and daughters regarding fertility, the role of Natural Family Planning (NFP) in strengthening marriages, and the resources available through the Fertility Science Institute. Katie shares her faith journey and the challenges and rewards of her work in promoting restorative reproductive medicine.

Takeaways

• Fertility awareness improves communication and strengthens marriages.

• The Peak Day app is designed to empower women in tracking their fertility.

• Mainstream fertility apps often contain immoral content and hidden dangers.

• Open communication about fertility is crucial between mothers and daughters.

• Restorative reproductive medicine offers a natural alternative to IVF.

• The discipline of tracking fertility can lead to significant rewards.

• The Fertility Science Institute provides valuable resources for families.

• Women should be aware of the risks associated with using secular fertility apps.

• The Peak Day app integrates with wearable technology for better tracking.

• Everyone deserves access to accurate and supportive fertility resources.

Sound Bites

• “A healthy cycle is a sign of health.”

• “Everyone needs to hear about this app.”

• “The discipline of NFP has huge rewards.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Peak Day and Katie Zulanas’ Faith Journey

02:47 The Importance of Fertility Awareness

05:28 Risks of Mainstream Fertility Apps

07:59 Overview of Peak Day App Features

10:32 Empowering Conversations Between Mothers and Daughters

13:24 The Role of NFP in Strengthening Marriages

15:53 Resources and Support from Fertility Science Institute

18:24 The Need for Restorative Reproductive Medicine

21:04 Challenges and Rewards in the Work

23:10 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode, Christina Semmens shares insights on how to deepen your prayer life, embrace the Cross, and live out the Gospel with purpose and hope. She invites listeners into a meaningful Lenten journey centered on Scripture, virtue, and community, emphasizing that holiness is a daily choice rooted in God’s grace.

Takeaways

• Using the Particular Examen guided by the five wounds of Jesus to confront hidden faults and sins

• The importance of daily dialogue with the Word of God and how Scripture breathes life into our souls

• Virtues inspired by the saints, like humility, poverty, patience, and obedience, and how to cultivate them

• The significance of loving the Cross in small, everyday ways by trusting in God’s plan

• The role of righteous anger and prayer in responding to injustice without division

• How baptism and the Holy Spirit empower us as priests, prophets, and kings to bring Christ into our daily lives

• Practical steps to begin loving the Cross, bearing suffering with faith, and finding joy amidst trials

• Recognizing that each person’s path to holiness is unique, guided by the Holy Spirit

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the Lent journey

00:28 - Announcing the Say Yes to Holinessonline retreat

00:57 - UsingRooting Out Hidden Faults for spiritual growth

1:21 - TheParticular Examen and its focus on Jesus’ wounds

2:16 - Gratitude and review as tools for prayer

3:13 - Addressing the seven deadly sins through Scripture

4:08 - Pope Francis on making Sunday a day rooted in God’s Word

5:05 - Meditating on Scripture beyond Mass

6:02 - The living nature of God’s Word and its ongoing relevance

7:28 - Continuing the dialogue with Jesus throughout the day

8:44 - The importance of making space for God’s Word daily

9:45 - St. Ignatius of Loyola’s call to live for God’s glory

10:40 - Baptismal call to holiness and present in every moment

11:39 - Responding to injustice with prayer and Righteous Anger

12:42 - The Holy Spirit within us and our divine calling

13:17 - The nonviolent power of Christ’s sacrifice

14:17 - Embracing peace and hope through the Holy Spirit

15:39 - Virtues of humility, patience, obedience taught by St. Anthony

16:34 - The diversity of paths to holiness guided by the Holy Spirit

17:22 - The common traits of saints and how love unites us

18:09 - Love does—how Christian love manifests in action (Bob Goff)

18:57 - Allowing the Spirit to guide our words and actions

19:13 - Rooting in prayer, sacraments, and virtue for a holy life

20:09 - Responding to injustice with humility and prayer

21:08 - The importance of righteous anger guided by the Holy Spirit

21:36 - Avoiding division and trusting in God’s truth

22:09 - Comparing ourselves only to Jesus, not others

22:52 - The one path to holiness: your unique journey

23:21 - Loving the Cross through acceptance and trust in God

23:50 - Carrying suffering with love and presence of Christ

24:33 - Embracing pain as part of God’s divine plan

25:32 - Finding goodness and truth in suffering

26:17 - The journey from bearing to loving the Cross

27:14 - Trusting God to bring joy and purpose through suffering

28:11 - Mary as our model of faithful acceptance

28:52 - Asking Our Lady and saints to guide us in carrying crosses

29:21 - Closing prayer, encouragement, and invitation to the Lent retreat

Resources and Links

• Rooting Out Hidden Faults, How the Particular Examine Conquers Sin by Father James McElhoney

• Say Yes to Holiness (Substack platform)

• Love Does by Bob Goff

• St. Ignatius of Loyola

• St. Anthony of Padua

• Twitter

• Website

Join the Lent Online Retreat:

Send a message to Christina at: https://www.sayyestoholiness.com/

In this episode of the Say Yes to Holiness podcast, host Christina Semmens speaks with Father Patrick Hough, SJ from the Grand Coteau Retreat Center.

Father Patrick shares his faith journey as a Jesuit priest, the importance of spiritual retreats, and the transformative experiences they offer. He discusses the role of the retreat center in fostering spiritual growth and community, the challenges and rewards of ministry, and the future of the retreat center. The conversation emphasizes the need for a welcoming environment for retreats and the significance of trusting in God’s plan.

Takeaways

• Father Patrick has been a Jesuit priest for 14 years and is about to celebrate his final vows.

• The Grand Coteau Retreat Center has transitioned from a novitiate to a retreat center for laypeople.

• Spiritual retreats are essential for personal growth and deepening one’s faith.

• Creating a welcoming environment is crucial for the success of retreats.

• The transformative power of retreats can lead to profound changes in individuals’ lives.

• Father Patrick emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s plan during challenging times.

• The retreat center aims to support families and individuals in their spiritual journeys.

• Father Patrick’s experience highlights the need for ongoing spiritual direction and growth.

• The retreat center has seen an increase in participation and interest from various groups.

• Father Patrick encourages listeners to commit to their faith journey despite challenges.

Sound Bites

• “It’s evangelical to follow Christ.”

• “What we offer is faith filled and beautiful.”

• “You have to practice what you preach.”

• “The spiritual life is one of opening and growth.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Father Patrick Hough, SJ

02:43 Father Patrick’s Faith Journey

05:23 The Role of the Grand Coteau Retreat Center

08:19 The Importance of Spiritual Retreats

11:14 Creating a Welcoming Environment for Retreats

14:00 The Transformative Power of Retreats

16:43 Challenges and Rewards in Ministry

19:12 The Future of the Retreat Center

22:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

For more information on the Grand Coteau Retreats, go to:

https://www.gcretreats.org/