Shannon Connell Fisher grew up in south Kansas City, where the Catholic faith deeply shaped her family.  As a kula yogi instructor, she reminds people of ways in which the physical and spiritual overlap and interconnect as Jesus taught us to be yoked to Him.

Yoga is linked with the fontal importance of breathing, which links to the first scene of creation and Christ’s final action on earth, when He breathed upon the Apostles, similar to how the Creator breathed life into Adam. “Kula” implies the importance of belonging and being in communion with one another and God, much as Jesus spoke about in John’s Gospel.

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Learn More About:
Shannon Connell Fisher
shineonyogakula.com

Pasquale Trozollo and Mary Mooney Burns follow up on the Ignatian Conversation and how it applies to real life. In an Upon This Rock episode two months earlier, Mary explained how the spiritual style of conversation that impacts Rockhurst University and other Jesuit institutes can enhance interactions in today’s society, where exchanges are often volatile and suspicious.

Pasquale shares how he utilizes this positive engagement style in the business world. Their dialogue will give you tips for communicating in a way that stands in communion with the Christian faith and that you can practice in daily interchanges.

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Learn More About:
Mary Mooney Burns
https://www.mmbconnect.net 
Trozollo Communications
https://trozzolo.com 

Connie Connell Fahey grew up with three brothers to whom she credits her touch of toughness. She has always faced challenges head-on. Drawn to nursing from a young age, she now, as a wife, mother, and grandmother, continues to serve in the health care field. Her focus includes helping people prepare for death.

She compares birth into the next world to birth into this world, which none of us knew before we formed memories. She suggests that the thoughts and feelings of joy that surround birth ought to guide our thoughts and feelings as we approach death because our Christian belief teaches that we will be born again, this time into eternal life.

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Website: farnanspiritualitycenter.com
Blog: fatherdonfarnan.com
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#uponthisrockpodcast

Gerard & Julie Grimaldi are rooted in academics, architecture, law, politics, family values, and faith. Once parents of four children under four years old, their kids are now adults, each discovering their unique way in a complex world of constant change. Julie and Gerard hope that the firm foundation they inherited and pass along will aid their children in experiencing a society in which basic principles and beliefs will allow them to steer through unchartered waters and make a positive impact on their surroundings.

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Blog: fatherdonfarnan.com
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#uponthisrockpodcast

Tom Bradshaw has served over half a century in the legal profession in Kansas City. Educated at Saint Louis U High, Rockhurst College, and UMKC Law School, he heads an urban ministry called The Neighborhood Justice Center that assists residents living in poverty who are held back by juridical challenges to them or their families.

Housed at Saint Francis Xavier Parish, this group of volunteer lawyers and others in the legal profession helps inner-city residents understand and work through justice systems to get to a place where they can be more productive citizens. To join in their effort, contact them at [email protected].

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#uponthisrockpodcast

Mary Ann Welsh and her son, Eddie, sit down with Father Don to reflect upon being Catholic in Kansas City, how their lives have been shaped by local religious culture, and how they would like to pass along a solid faith to their descendants. Mary Ann grew up in rural Missouri in a Lutheran household and made many adjustments as an adult, moving to Kansas City and becoming Catholic.

Eddie’s formative years, like his dad’s, were more parochial, offering a solid anchor to weather life’s challenges. With this background, they hold much hope and a few fears for the next generation.

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#uponthisrockpodcast

Kansas City lawyers Theresa Crayon and Patrick McInerney deliberate over how the Catholic Church is rebounding from decades of embarrassing, disheartening, and destructive behavior. The sexual abuse crisis that came to light over the past quarter century and rocked the church in America has impacted us in gut-wrenching ways. The Catholic community in Kansas City, as in many other places, has suffered tremendously because of it. 

This candid conversation may help you to discuss difficult matters surrounding ecclesial sins in light of God’s mercy and, perhaps, to recognize that we are holier and healthier people because we face challenging issues with the attention they deserve through the emotions they expose and by the patience it takes over years and decades to get to better places.

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Blog: fatherdonfarnan.com
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#uponthisrockpodcast

Dr. Gina Staves, a professor of psychology at Avila University, sits down with Fr. Don to discuss how religion touches the soul of humanity and impacts our psyche. A native of Kansas City, Gina grew up in an Italian Catholic family. Gina gives insight into how people are shaped by their environment. As a college instructor, she witnesses young people aspiring to become active contributors to build a better society. Her gentle encouragement for each of us to be open, honest, and loving in conversation and relationships will hearten you.

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#uponthisrockpodcast

Learn More About Dr. Staves & Avila:
Dr. Regina Staves
Avila University

Linda Neenan and her daughter, Louisa Weinrich, reflect on motherhood's incredible blessings and deep sorrows.  Linda grew up in central Missouri and was enriched by her Baptist community of faith and her family of origin, especially her unique relationship with her mother. She married Mike, the oldest of twelve children, and they had eight of their own, including Louisa, who, along with her husband, Jeff, became parents to five and recently entered the world of grandparenting. They ruminate about motherhood and Blessed Mother Mary's role in their vocation.

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#uponthisrockpodcast

Sophia Giorgio and Hadley Price reflect on their first year at Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri. Student-athletes from South Dakota and Southeast Kansas came to Kansas City knowing no one while embracing a new world of responsibility and independence with its many opportunities and challenges. During the year, they discovered more about themselves and the world, relationships, and the many facets of education that take place on a college campus. They offer interesting insights into Avila as a college of access.

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Learn More About Avila:
Website: avila.edu
#OurAvila