Simply Holy with Marge Fenelon

Who would have thought a few weeks ago that we’d be facing the reality of empty store shelves? Or the suspension of holy Mass and the other Sacraments? Or the isolation of quarantine and social distancing? COVID-19 has caused many inconveniences in our daily lives to say the least. This is the opportune time for a major attitude adjustment toward both material and spiritual things. It’s the perfect time to re-assess our real needs vs. perceived needs and enhance our relationship with God. In this episode, Marge offers practical ways to not just survive through these times, but to thrive through them.

Coronavirus has now been classified as a pandemic, but it shouldn’t become a panic-demic. The evil one wants us to panic so that we doubt God’s power and goodness and lose hope. Here are three important and helpful things to remember about coronavirus laid out in simple, practical terms that will lead you to greater holiness and trust in God. This show includes ways to filter the media hype and reduce isolation from quarantines, cancellations, and imposed virtual classrooms and offices. It also discusses the changes in our Church due to coronavirus and the dire need to keep holy water in our homes. This podcast will lead you to see that the coronavirus pandemic can be a blessing in disguise, spiritually speaking.

Chronic inflammation of the body causes pain, disease, and damage to joints, tissues, and even internal organs. It slows us down and diminishes life. It’s aggravated by consuming foods, beverages, and other substances that aren’t good for us and that our immune systems recognize as enemies. Did you know that we can suffer chronic inflammation of the soul as well? It’s aggravated by consuming things from the world around us that aren’t good for us. Chronic inflammation of the soul causes pain, sorrow, damage to our consciences, and diminishes our spiritual life. Find out St. Paul’s prescription for curing chronic inflammation of the soul in this episode.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” But he was talking about far more than whether we own anything of material value. He was talking about embracing humility, meekness, and love and a right attitude toward the world around us. This is the essence of spiritual poverty and the basis for a fruitful, blessed Lenten journey. Learn how to re-order your attachments in imitation of Christ.

What makes one person stumble on the path to holiness may not be a stumbling block for another person. Your stumbling blocks to holiness are unique to you and can lead you closer to Christ and his Mother when you approach them in the right way. How do you discover your stumbling blocks? How do you deal with them? These are important questions to ask – especially now, as Lent nears – and Marge has the answers. A simple, practical guide to preparing for Lent and growing in holiness.

Sometimes what you think are the dumbest things your parents ever did turn out to be the most profound and useful life lessons. Marge dedicates this episode to her dad and describes a vital life lesson she learned from him about dealing with difficult people and situations.

Feeling like you blew Advent this year? Christmas is coming closer – fast – and you’re feeling like your Advent striving has fizzled. Don’t despair! True, we’re coming down the home stretch of Advent, but there’s much you can do to make the most of it even if you’ve hardly done anything spiritually fulfilling these past weeks. Marge describes the beautiful ancient verses known as the “O Antiphons” and explains how they can help you make the absolute most of this home stretch to Christmas.

Some people have had the great gift of hearing Jesus’ voice in their hearts during a special moment. Others struggle to hear him. The fact is Jesus is always talking to you. The question isn’t whether he talks to you but rather how and when. In order to hear his voice, you must be truly listening for what he has to say. Oftentimes, people miss hearing Jesus because they’re trying to make him speak in the way that they want to hear him. Sometimes Jesus does speak to us directly, but at other times it’s subtle and through the people and happenings around us. Marge describes her own desperate yearning to hear the voice of Jesus and the amazing way in which he finally did speak. Finally, she talks about the role of prayer, practice, and persistence in hearing the voice of Jesus as Mary did.

We all experience isolation at times in our lives. Whether it’s physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, isolation can be hard to cope with and can lead to other problems if left unchecked. Many biblical figures experienced isolation from Abraham, Moses, Job, and Jeremiah to Mary, the Holy Family and even Jesus himself. What can they teach us about coping with isolation? Learn more as Marge examines the kinds and causes of isolation and gives practical steps to cope with it.

Our tendency is to rebel when God asks something of us that is contrary to our plans. It could be a heavy cross we don’t feel we’re strong enough to bear, a sacrifice that we think is just too big to make, or loss of control in our own lives or in the life of someone who is important to us. This inner rebellion can sometimes take the form of conflict, confusion, grief, helplessness, or even hopelessness and it causes disquiet within us as we struggle to grapple with God’s will. Perhaps there’s something you’re struggling with right now. How do you make God the Lord of your disquiet? Marge examines the essence of disquiet, the example of St. Ignatius and our Mother Mary, and offers concrete steps for allowing God to be Lord of any disquiet you experience.