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This week we discuss the focus of our parish we have planned for the 2023-2024 ministry year, including a talk from Fr. Robert at our recent parish leadership summit, as well as some of the nuts and bolts and things that are planned.  Ultimately, this is about how we can all see ourselves, our ministries, as part of this focus, both how we can be nourished ourselves, and how we can nourish others.  Learn more at https://www.holyinfantchurch.org/nourishment

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This week we speak with two members of our Holy Infant music ministry, Brian and Ellyn, about the importance of music in their faith lives and why they choose to be a part of the choir.

We drank some peppermint hot tea this week as we chatted since, besides water, it is one of the better drinks for soothing the voice.

Amber recommends coming to our graduate celebration at the 11:30 Mass this Sunday, including cake afterwards!

Jeff recommends giving the music ministry a try over the summer!  Just come to any weekend Mass 30 minutes early and join us in the choir room to prepare.

We imagine Michalene would recommend checking out our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program since she is off getting trained to become a CGS expert!

Next week we're all back together to share sounds from our parish leadership summit that took place June 4th, learning more of our parish focus on nourishing our souls, bodies, and communities.

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This week we have Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM, director of the office of divine worship for the Diocese of Raleigh, in studio to dive into some of the wonderful liturgical celebrations of June that sometimes get overshadowed in the transition from the end of the Easter season and academic year to the summer months.

Since June 13 is the memorial of St Anthony, we are drinking the Cais Da Ribeira Douro Red Reserva Port Barrel Aged from the Douro Valley in Portugal, the country of St. Anthony's birth.

Michalene's recommendation is to try to go to Mass or observe in some way one of these non-Sunday June celebrations we discuss in the episode.

Amber's recommendation is the Catholic Mass Bops & Bangers Spotify playlist containing an unimaginable nine and a half hours of music you might have heard at Mass in the last 30 years.

After attending his daughter's friend's bat mitzvah this week, Jeff's recommendation is to accept an invite from a friend if you receive it to attend another faith tradition's service.

And Fr Jim's recommendation is to check out his podcast with his friend Mike Watson, Potential to Be Amazing.  In their next episode they talk about the Synod taking place in the church these days.

Next week Jeff talks with music ministers Ellyn Pastor and Brian Papajcik about how making music helps them stay connected with their faith and their experience of being a part of the music ministry at Holy Infant.

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This week Jeff and his guest, Jonathan Kregor, professor of music at the University of Cincinnati, dive into three familiar pieces of music of the Holy Spirit that we sing for Pentecost.  They also discuss one of Jonathan's own compositions, Come, Holy Spirit.

Our Pentecost wine is Dancing Flame red blend from the D.O. Valle Central of Chile.

Michalene's recommendation is the New Fire 2021 Spotify Playlist to get you in the Pentecost mood.

Jeff's recommendation is to use the, "Come, Holy Spirit," prayer either on your own when you need a quick but powerful prayer, or saying it three times together to pray with a group.

Amber recommends coming to the 11:30 Mass this Sunday to take part in the RCIA Rite of Acceptance as we receive a new candidate beginning his journey towards the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Next week we are joined in-studio by Fr. Jim Sabak, director of worship for the Diocese of Raleigh, to talk about the forgotten liturgical feasts of June.

Musical excerpts:

Veni Creator Spiritus - Cantores In Ecclesia from "O Lux Beatissima - A Treasury of Gregorian Chant"  ©2004 OCP

Spirit Wind - Visitation Church Choir, Kansas City, Music  ©1997 Scott Soper, Published by GIA

Veni Creator Spiritus - Music by Michael John Trotta, ©2011, Published by GIA

Come, Holy Ghost - Arranged by Richard Proulx, ©2006 WLP

Mahler Symphony No. 8 - Performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Come, Holy Ghost - Arranged by Sarah Hart & Kevin Hipp, ©2001, 2002 Universal Music Group

By the Waking of Our Hearts - ©1997 Ricky Manalo, Published by OCP

Come, Holy Spirit - ©2001 Jonathan Kregor

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This week Amber spoke with Mark Searcy, who was Baptized, Confirmed, and received the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil at Holy Infant as he completed his initiation into the Catholic Church.  Mark's girlfriend, Maggie, who had an important part in Mark's journey, also takes part in the conversation.

Our wine selection is the Rosé from The Four Graces winery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

Michalene recommends the film Father Stu which came out last year and is now available to stream.

Amber recommends considering becoming an RCIA sponsor, you can get in touch with her if you'd like to learn more.

Jeff recommends the new Disney+ series The Muppets Mayhem which is the story of the Electric Mayhem's attempt to record their first album after perpetually being on tour since the 70's!

Next week we'll explore some familiar music of the Holy Spirit with University of Cincinnati music professor Jonathan Kregor.

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This week Michalene speaks with Whitney Whitmore and Lizzy Lineberry, co-founders of the Lily of the Valley ministry that serves families with early life challenges such as infertility, a prenatal diagnosis, a postnatal medical concern, or the loss of a child.    You can get in touch with the ministry through their website, https://lotvministry.org/

This week in honor of Mother's Day we're drinking mimosas (or ma-mosas) again, featuring Mumm Napa Brut Prestige Sparkling Wine.

Michalene recommends this Mother's Day lighting a candle in the chapel to pray for any women in your life who have experienced infertility or the loss of a child.

Jeff recommends The Vigil Project's just-released album, "Honest"

Amber recommends the Language of God podcast, a podcast on science and Christian faith.

Next week Amber speaks with Mark Searcy, who received the sacraments of initiation of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil at Holy Infant last month.

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This week after playing a little fact or fiction, Michalene chats with Chris Woodward and Jeff Spears from our Holy Infant Knights of Columbus Council about all the good work they do within our parish and in the community, and the fellowship they experience together.

We have some gift recommendations this week...

Amber recommends the Little Things Studio where she got her gifts for her catechists this year.

Michalene recommends the Catholic All Year Marketplace where she got her Mother's Day gifts.

And Jeff recommends checking out Liturgical Press as they have their big spring sale until May 15 with some huge discounts and free shipping.

Next week Michalene speaks with Whitney Whitmore and Lizzy Lineberry, founders of the Lily of the Valley ministry that provides prayers and resources to support families going through difficult early life circumstances.

Until then, you heard it here, through the grapevine!

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This week Amber, Michalene, and Jeff check in with one another for the first time since the Easter break, and we hear from several of our new Holy Infant family members from when they attended our celebration event for new parishioners back in March.

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This Easter break week Michalene and Jeff drove down to Oriental, NC for a daysail on the Neuse River on Holy Infant parishioner Ed Blocher's Cal 2-27.

Click here for some info about Divine Mercy Sunday and plenary indulgences.

Best way to learn about the village of Oriental is to check out The Town Dock, the online news site for the town.

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Jeff is joined by Andrew Casad, a theology instructor at O'Dea High School in the Seattle area, who has extensive experience study and working in the areas of liturgy, Christian initiation, and catechetics, including serving as the director of liturgy and the catechumenate at St Thomas More in Chapel Hill 2006-2013.

Special thanks to Fr. Robert, Michalene, and Amber for helping to record some of the prayers and readings for this episode.

All music shared with permission under OneLicense A-709958.

We will be on break for Holy Week next week.  But we'll be back with a new episode the week after Easter, when, weather permitting, Michalene and Jeff visit with parishioner Ed Blocher down in Oriental, North Carolina on his Cal 2-27 sailboat.