The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

This week's episode deals with pregnancy after a long period of infertility, and we know how sensitive this topic may be for some of you. Please listen with care, and know that we're here to walk with and support you. Team member, Stacey, talks with Ann and Cassandra about the range of emotions she faced when finding out she was pregnant after years of trying to conceive.  With great vulnerability and honesty the three friends discuss what it's like when a friend is blessed with a pregnancy, while you continue struggling with infertility. They get honest about how the friendship dynamic changes, and how to navigate it with sensitivity, compassion, and love.

Resources:  https://springsinthedesert.org/holding-gabriel/

https://springsinthedesert.org/keeping-vigil-with-the-mother/

https://springsinthedesert.org/waiting-on-god/

Moving into a new home or apartment can be very exciting. Team members Jillian and Cassandra recently moved into new homes, and they discuss the blessings and challenges that come with the territory. Deliberating about what color to paint the walls or what couch to buy, at its worst can leave us frustrated with our new home or in an argument with our spouse, but at its best, shows our careful intentions and strong desire for hominess and hospitality, as well as the desire to open our home to family and friends for gatherings. Jillian and Cassandra also touch on the importance of a house blessing and how you can tie it into a housewarming party!

Dr. Marie Meaney is back again this week with Ann and Cassandra to focus the conversation around the sensitive topic of artificial reproductive technologies (ART) and what the Church teaches in this area. They dig into the reasoning behind these teachings, recognizing that God's law is not always easy to follow but that it's there for our ultimate good as well as our health and happiness.

Resources:  When Expecting Doesn't Happen: Turning Infertility into a Journey of Hope by: Dr. Marie Meany

https://stpaulcenter.com/product/when-expecting-doesnt-happen-turning-infertility-into-a-journey-of-hope/

Official Website of Chiara Corbella Petrillo https://www.chiaracorbellapetrillo.org/en/

In this Desert Reflection, Ann and Cassandra have a little fun talking about two words that came out of the Word of the Year generator, the words "witness" and "ask," and how those words can be applied in their personal lives and in this ministry. For example, are our words and actions a good "witness" to our faith in Him? Are we humble enough to "ask" people to pray for us?  Try the Word of the Year generator, and see what word can challenge you to live as a closer disciple of Jesus.

Resources:

Word of the Year generator: https://www.wordoftheyear.me/

Saint of the Year generator: https://saintsnamegenerator.com/

It seems like everyone has made a New Year's resolution at some point.  Some people succeed at keeping them through the year, but for the majority of us, they tend to fizzle out.  In this week's episode, Jillian, Ann and Cassandra discuss reasons humans are wired to make resolutions and the emotions that come when we don't meet our own expectations.  They draw similarities between this and the adventure of the spiritual life as well as the 'goals' we set in our unique fertility journeys.

Resources: The Monk Manual - https://monkmanual.com/

Our very special guest this week is Dr. Marie Meaney, a philosopher, academic -  and a wife who knows well the isolation and suffering of infertility.  She joins Ann and Cassandra to discuss her book, "When Expecting Doesn't Happen: Turning Infertility into a Journey of Hope."  Dr. Meaney speaks with the eloquent and thoughtful words of a highly experienced and respected academic but with such sincerity and tenderness it'll feel as if she's speaking just to you.  Please don't miss out!

Resources: When Expecting Doesn't Happen: Turning Infertility into a Journey of Hope by: Dr. Marie Meany

https://stpaulcenter.com/product/when-expecting-doesnt-happen-turning-infertility-into-a-journey-of-hope/

Saint Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter titled, 'Salvifici Doloris: On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering'

https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.html

Allie and Cassandra chat with special guest Sydnee Blackburn about different ways spouses can prepare during Advent and celebrate during Christmas the joys and blessings of the season, even when this time of year may look different than anticipated. During this podcast, we hear about practical tips and traditions we can start with our own families no matter how big or small the size. Journeying through infertility during the quiet of Advent can help us better prepare for Christmas Day as we refocus on the most important gift of all, Jesus Christ. Please leave a comment below and let us know some Advent/Christmas traditions you have!

Resources: How Far Is It To Bethlehem: The Plays and Poetry of Frances Chesterton by Frances Chesterton | Goodreads

Infertility comes up often in movies and TV shows.  For this week's podcast, Allie and Cassandra chat with Sydnee Blackburn about some of these specific movies and shows.  They discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of how infertility and loss are portrayed and dealt with.  If there's anything you've watched that you think does a great job in portraying infertility or maybe doesn't do a good job of it, we'd love to hear from you, so please drop a comment in the chat or on our social media page.

Resources:    this clip from Julia and Julia and this link for Up.  this article from Catholic Stand that talks about the power of story, even in secular films.

In this episode, Allie and Cassandra welcome back Natalie Blackford to discuss Safe Families, a beautiful Christian program where you can volunteer to open your home to children in need of a temporary place to stay ranging anywhere from one day to three months. Natalie shares her family's joyous experience welcoming vulnerable children into their home and the impact it's had on herself, her husband, and her daughter. A very different type of program from foster care, Safe Families is all about living out the Gospel through loving God and others through serving the most vulnerable.

Resources: 

We invite you to listen this week to a very powerful interview between Ann, Jillian and Kelly Breaux, cofounder of Red Bird Ministries. Kelly shares a moving personal story of child and pregnancy loss, infertility, and the grief, anger and depression that followed in their wake. She opens up about how this experience deeply affected and challenged her relationships with God and her husband; but, it was navigating this suffering that ultimately brought her closer to both. Kelly will inspire you to become docile like the Blessed Mother and to carry your cross with the strength of Christ.