The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Cassandra welcomes her husband Michael to the podcast to talk about all things pilgrimage! The Taylors share about:

1. Walking the Camino together last year with a group of students.

2. How pilgrimages help you open up space for God in your life.

3. The witness that couples without children give to the Church.

By focusing on just the next kilometer instead of being overwhelmed by the entire journey, we can approach all of life like a pilgrimage, and let God lead us through it.

Links:

• Camino de Santiago – Pilgrim's Office
• Support Springs in the Desert!

We often talk about infertility being a "path," and sometimes we can walk that path literally! Today we're welcoming community members Mark and Carissa to the podcast to share about their life-changing pilgrimage to the Holy Land and beyond. They'll share about:

• What it was like to walk where Jesus Himself had walked.
• What insights and healing they received regarding living through a season of infertility.
• The advice that they would give to couples who would like to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land themselves.

It is our honor to walk this path with you!

Links:

• Mark and Carissa's YouTube Channel

In this week’s episode, we discuss infertility and past experience of abortion. Please take care of yourself and tune in next week if this conversation hits a too-tender spot in your heart.

Today Ann welcomes Sisters of Life Sr. Veronica Mary and Sr. Mariana Benedicta to talk about experiencing infertility when one or both spouses has suffered from an abortion in the past. They discuss the importance of communication, prayer, and spouses carrying this cross together. The most important message the Sisters offer is that God loves you, and infertility is never His punishment for past sins and actions.

If you are struggling with infertility or loss and have abortion in your past, don’t be afraid to reach out for help and God’s healing. 

Links:

• The Sisters of Life
• Hope and Healing After Abortion
• You can also contact your diocese for local resources!

A note from Sr. Veronica Mary and Sr. Mariana Benedicta:

“It isn't always in the couple's best interest - especially in this fragile culture - for the spouse who has suffered abortion to share it. It is a great discernment that would need to take into consideration multiple factors, and the timing would also be one of those factors.  

Even if the 'abortion' is shared, there is no guarantee it will be processed as hoped by the other, and may create an even greater sense of divide and mistrust between them (" What else did you not tell me?"). 

Ideally, couples would be open and honest from the start, and continue this openness throughout their marriage, but in most marriages we encounter, this is not usually the case. Ministries like yours are therefore so very helpful in beginning the conversation and giving couples permission.”

On today's episode, we welcome back our friend and author, Liz Kelly to talk about the most fitting Ash Wednesday topic: Jesus' last words.

Cassandra and Liz discuss how Jesus' last 7 utterances on the cross - said in His greatest moments of suffering - teach us about the meaning of our own suffering.

Since Jesus taught us to pray, His last words on the cross can become our own words in prayer and shed light on the fruit that is being born from our own suffering.

Links:

• A Place Called Golgatha: Meditations on the Last Words of Christ
• Word on Fire Women's Formation Community
• Anchored by Hope: Meditations to Calm the Anxious Soul
• Liz Kelly Website

We’re deep into winter, and now on the cusp of Lent as well, so it’s a great time to dig into the winter blues on the podcast. Lauren Braun, LPC, LMHC of Marigold & Iris Mental Health and Wellness joins us to talk about:

– an infertility grief workshop Lauren hosted at her practice during Advent

– living and waiting through tough seasons like winter and Lent

– what Lauren wishes people knew about how therapy can help in a season of infertility/loss

Links:

Marigold & Iris Mental Health and Wellness (WI & IA)

Lauren's Substack & Podcast

Carried: A Desert Pilgrimage bundle

Monk Manual

Springs in the Desert - Ministries, Counselors, & Spiritual Direction

Springs in the Desert offers peer-based support to those struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss. It does not provide medical services, psychological counseling, or therapy. This information cannot replace professional medical and psychological services. 

How should we think about the infertility stories in the Bible, all but one of which end with a baby? How can we see God’s providence and care for our lives as we walk this path?

Today we’re welcoming Elizabeth Kirk back to the podcast to continue our conversation about her book chapter on Humanae Vitae.

We’ll talk about:

– The natural and good desire to have children.

– How we can appreciate spiritual parenthood, especially in the context of marriage.

– How a faithfully lived out conjugal life is always fruitful!

Links:

Humanae Vitae: 50 Years Later

Elizabeth Kirk

Center for Law & the Human Person

If you love to read, this episode is for you!

Today we’re welcoming author Veronica Simon to the pod. Veronica recently released a children’s book, Who Do You Think I Am? We welcome Veronica to the podcast to celebrate this work of creativity and get into all things literature.

We’ll talk about:

– How Veronica's book came out of an "exploration of identity, truth, and growing up."

– What Veronica looks for when choosing her next book to read, particularly in a season of infertility/loss.

– Her advice for women who have a child-centric dream on their heart – like writing a children’s book – but don’t feel qualified to pursue it because they are “not a mom.”

Links:

Follow Veronica on Instagram

Who Do You Think I Am? by Veronica Simon

Book Announcement from Pennyworth Publishing

Interview with Veronica

Springs Blog Post by Veronica: Is There Space for Me?

Springs Blog Post by Veronica: Finding Solace in the Good News

Digital Toolkit

Your Inner Child and Infertility w/ Brya Hanan

This week, Ann and Julie Dumalet, the Director of the Office of Prolife Activities in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston have an important discussion about how the pro-life movement includes support for those in a season of infertility. While it can be easy to compare crosses, Ann and Julie remind us that it is crucial to acknowledge your feelings and give feedback to those ministering to or supporting you so that they can love you better. They also discuss creative and practical gestures of charity that can help us see, love, and serve the Body of Christ in a pro-life way.

You may have heard of the papal document Humanae Vitae, but have you ever read it? Today we’re welcoming Elizabeth Kirk to the podcast to reflect a little on this important text. We’ll talk about:

– why couples struggling with infertility might want to sit down and read Humanae Vitae

– how we can understand the ideas of emptiness and privation on the path of infertility

– living out hope in a season of infertility - even when “‘not yet’ is ‘not ever’”

Links:

Humanae Vitae, 50 Years Later

Elizabeth Kirk

Center for Law & the Human Person

It’s the first episode of a new year, so you know what that means – it’s time for the Word and Saint of the Year!

Ann and Cassandra are back for round four of this Springs tradition. We’re not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions around here, but we love to meet new saints and get inspiration from these fun tools!

Do you participate? We want to hear from you – find us on social media and let us know about your Word and Saint of the Year!

Links:

Word of the Year Generator

Saint of the Year Generator

TinySaints Saint Generator

St. Wolfgang - Catholic Encyclopedia