The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

In this episode of A Man's Take, join James and special guest Edward Luersman, a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in supporting individuals and couples who experience the pain of infertility and miscarriage.  James and Edward discuss the grief of infertility from the man's perspective, the benefits of counseling, and how couples can best support each other through infertility and loss.

Resources:

Contact Information for Edward Luersman, LPC, Spirit of Peace Clinical Counseling

http://www.spiritofpeaceclinicalcounseling.com/meet-our-team/edward-luersman/

Understanding the Way Men Grieve by J. Scott Janssen, MSW, LCSW

https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/exc_0816.shtml

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman and Nan Silver

https://www.gottman.com/product/the-seven-principles-for-making-marriage-work/

The Infertility Companion for Catholics : Spiritual and Practical Support for Couples by Carmen Santamaría and Angelique Ruhi-López

https://www.avemariapress.com/products/The-Infertility-Companion-for-Catholics

Connect with us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/SpringsintheDesert/)

Or Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/springs_if/)

Spiritual, emotional, and physical self-care are essential as we seek to hold onto hope and joy in the midst of infertility and its roller coaster of emotions, challenges, and grief.  Self-care is so much more than a spa day! Join Ann, Cayce, Stacey, Phil, and Allie as they discuss the meaning of self-care as well as personal examples of implementing a self-care routine in the context of infertility.

Resources:

The 5 Love Languages (https://www.5lovelanguages.com/)

Connect with us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/SpringsintheDesert/)

Or Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/springs_if/)

In this Women at the Well virtual book club episode on The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, Kimberly, Allie, and Stacey discuss the marriage of Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur and her atheist husband Felix.  They discuss how prayer is the foundation that allows Elisabeth to joyfully fulfill her role as loving wife to her husband, trusting God with the difficulties, longings, and disappointments.  They share how Elisabeth provides many hopeful examples of how to navigate infertility within their marriages.

Resources

The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur (https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/the-secret-diary-of-elisabeth-leseur)

The Cause for Canonization of Elisabeth Leseur (www.elcause.org)

Prayer asking for the Intercession of Elisabeth Leseur - Hannah's Tears (https://hannahstears.org/2011/10/16/elisabeth-leseur-servant-of-god/)

The 5 Love Languages (https://www.5lovelanguages.com/)

Connect with us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/SpringsintheDesert/)

Or Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/springs_if/)

In this Women at the Well virtual book club episode on The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, Kimberly, Allie, and Stacey discuss the interior life of Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur.  They share how Elisabeth's example of prayer life, especially her ability to trust God and to allow suffering to bring her closer to Him, brings hope to their personal experiences of infertility.

Resources

The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur (https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/the-secret-diary-of-elisabeth-leseur)

The Cause for Canonization of Elisabeth Leseur (www.elcause.org)

Prayer asking for the Intercession of Elisabeth Leseur - Hannah's Tears (https://hannahstears.org/2011/10/16/elisabeth-leseur-servant-of-god/)

Connect with us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/SpringsintheDesert/)

Or Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/springs_if/)

In this Women at the Well virtual book club episode on The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, Kimberly, Allie and Stacey discuss the powerful examples of spiritual maternity in the life of Elisabeth Leseur, who spiritually mothered many people, from family members and godchildren to friends, and even her own atheist husband.  They share personal reflections on Elisabeth's life that relate to their experiences of infertility and they discuss how to live out the call to spiritual motherhood that is innate to the heart of every woman.

Resources

The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur

The Cause for Canonization of Elisabeth Leseur

www.elcause.org

Prayer asking for the Intercession of Elisabeth Leseur - Hannah's Tears

https://hannahstears.org/2011/10/16/elisabeth-leseur-servant-of-god/

Spiritual Motherhood: Every Woman's Calling by Alice von Hildebrand

https://www.plough.com/en/topics/life/parenting/spiritual-motherhood

Connect with us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/SpringsintheDesert/

Or Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/springs_if/

Discerning treatment can be one of the most difficult aspects of the experience of infertility for some couples.  During a live event, members of the Springs in the Desert Team respond to questions and discuss their personal experiences of praying through decisions about infertility treatment, the impact of infertility treatment on their marriages, the need for self-care, and relating to others about their treatment decisions. Kimberly addresses the love and protection the Church provides through her teachings about approved, ethical treatments for infertility.

Resources from this episode:

The Infertility Companion for Catholics

Discerning the Will of God and Discernment of Spirits by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV

What Does God Want? by Fr. Michael Scanlan

Donum Vitae

Recent Blog Post from Lynn on the Experience of Vaginismus

A relationship with God is essential for men to fulfill their mission of becoming saints and leading their wives to Heaven. In this debut episode of 'A Man's Take', a feature of the Springs in the Desert Podcast, James and Phil discuss the importance of prayer and discipline for walking together with their wives through the difficulties of infertility.  They share personal examples of how greater intimacy with Christ can strengthen marriage and draw men closer to their wives.

Resources from this episode:

Exodus 90, a 90-Day Catholic spiritual exercise for men

https://exodus90.com/

 The Daily Examen (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

Infertility often brings a particular kind of suffering that feels isolating and may negatively impact relationships. In our first episode of the Springs in the Desert Podcast, we address the unique challenges that infertility presents for productive communication with our spouse, family and friends, and others.  During a live event, members of the Springs in the Desert Team respond to questions and share personal experiences of learning to better communicate while carrying the burden of infertility in our marriages.  We also offer ideas for addressing intrusive questions and discuss communicating our pastoral needs within our church communities.

Resources from this episode:

Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? Homily by Fr. Mike Schmitz

Akathist to Jesus, Light to Those in Darkness, by Fr. Lawrence P. Farley

The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, by Elisabeth Leseur

Theme Music: Eternal Hope by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100238

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Welcome! We’re glad you found us, because we’re those friends you can take with you wherever you are on the path of infertility.

At Springs, we know that infertility is a heavy cross. But as Catholics, we believe that by keeping our focus on Christ, we can come through this season of waiting stronger in faith and love—no matter what happens.

So each week, we’ll bring you a conversation that gets to the heart of the infertility experience – including primary/secondary infertility, miscarriage/loss, childlessness, and more.

It is an honor to walk with you!

Join our community: https://springsinthedesert.org/