This week we’re joined by special guest Casey Dail. Casey talks about her experience as a foster mom and the balance she has to practice of attachment and detachment. She links some of her experiences to the ecstasy experienced in the cross.

Casey recently started a coaching practice. If you’re interested in working with her or would like to know more about her experience as a foster mom, you can email her ([email protected]) or message her on Facebook.

References:
Hosea 11:3
Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age by University of Mary Press
A Hidden Life (Trailer)

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This week Father Michael talks about the reality of loneliness within our vocation. We talk about relying on God instead of others to satisfy loneliness.

References:
From Whence Mother Natalia Came
The Space Trilogy Series by C.S. Lewis

• Book 1: Out of the Silent Planet
• Book 2: Perelandra
• Book 3: That Hideous Strength

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Sobornost by Catherine Doherty
Urodivoi by Catherine Doherty
The Postal Service: Give Up

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This week Mother Natalia shares her vocation story up to the decision to enter the monastery.

References:
Mother Natalia has been on two episodes with Matt Fradd

• Episode One: Why Sr. Natalia Become a Nun
• Episode Two: Eastern Catholicism w/ Mother Natalia

An Explanation by Luke Spehar

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This week's episode is long but so worth it! We're happy to welcome to the podcast special guest Melkite Joe. Melkite Joe shares a bit of his life story that led to his discernment to enter Holy Transfiguration Monastery in California.

If you would like to donate to Melkite Joe's fundraiser, you can find all the details here.


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This week Mother Natalia talks about judgement. She gives some practical examples of judgement and the way it causes a block or barrier between herself and the person as well as herself and God.

References:
Wounded by Love by Elder Porphyrius

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Father Michael uses two Gospel passages along with some prayer requests in his life to talk about unanswered prayer and how our unanswered prayers unite us with our forefathers.
 
References:
Hidden Sins, Perceivable Virtue (The episode inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray)
The Year of Grace of the Lord
Luke 14: 16 - 24  - parable about the wedding banquet, read 2 Sundays before Christmas
Luke 15: 11 - 32 - the parable of the Prodigal (Reckless) Son

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This week Mother Natalia talks about how loving people shows us the love of God, and that in loving, both the the lover and the beloved receive fruit. The ability both to give love and receive love are because God gives us those abilities. In loving each other we love God, and that love can heal us. Growing in holiness helps us to grow in love.

References:
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St John Climacus
The Philokalia
Christ our Pascha

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This week we're joined by special guest Catherine! Catherine is a catechumen at the Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary's where Fr. Michael is pastor. Catherine talks about her journey to becoming a catechumen. She shares how truth and beauty  helped her come to the realization of God’s existence.

References:
Video Parody of Adele's Hello with Christ the Bridegroom Monastery and the Mercedarian Sisters
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Measurement by Paul Lockhart
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
The Catholic Church and Conversion by G.K. Chesterton

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This week Mother Natalia shares some reflections she had on poustinia about worry and being present.

References:
Matt 6: 24 - 24
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
The Monastery's video on poverty: Be Poor with Me
Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jeanne-Pierre de Caussade


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We're back with another episode on the Mystery of Crowning, with special guest Fr. Joel Barstad.

References:
Mystery of Crowning: Part 1
Mystery of Crowning: Part 2
Behold the Bridegroom

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