This week Fr. Michael walks through three prayers said over adults who are entering the church who also are being baptized. Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about the uniqueness of the prayers and how they call both the catechumen and the congregation to faithful living. We are reminded that Satan gets our sins!

References:
Catechumen Catherine
Byzantine Baptism

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This week we have special guests! Bob and Marie O'Loughlin join us for an interview from Mother Natalia. Bob and Marie first introduce each other and we hear a little about how they met. Bob and Marie talk about what it was like when they knew Fr. Michael wanted to be a priest, the blessings they've received through his priesthood, and some of their memories.  It's a touching interview with just a few tears!

References:
Hundredfold by Sr. Agnes Therese, T.O.R.


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We're doing back to back episodes where Mother Natalia reflects on words she received while she led a poustinia with Wyoming Catholic. On this episode she talks about having an awareness of self.
 
References:
Word from a Poustinik: Motherhood
Poustinia by Catherine Doherty

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We're doing back to back episodes where Mother Natalia reflects on words she received while she led a poustinia with Wyoming Catholic. This episode she talks about motherhood, the graces she receives from giving spiritual direction, and how God can work through any circumstance to reach us where we're at.

References:
Poustinia by Catherine Doherty
Madonna House
Catechumen Catherine

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We're so excited to celebrate episode 100. We had a live recording where were joined by some listeners for vespers, dinner, and the recording. In this episode you get a bit of a behind the scenes look at "how the sausage is made" and then we dive into listener questions. Thank you so much for your support. We really appreciate it!



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This week Fr. Michael uses the Letter to Diognetus (chapters 5 and 6) as a jumping off point for our episode this week, inspired by  Deacon Michael Hyatt's episode on this same topic. Fr. Michael talks about the paradox of being in the world but not of it.

References:
40 Days with the Church Fathers
Christ the Bridegroom Monastery's Typikon
St Mary of Jesus Crucified - she was canonized a saint May 17, 2015
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
Poustinia by Catherine Doherty
Mother Natalia and Father Michael's presentation on God with Us Online

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This week we continue our "Meet the Nun" series with Mother Iliana! Mother Iliana talks about suffering and sickness, and how we encounter God in our suffering. She also talks about visiting the sick and how allowing others to visit you when you're sick helps them fulfill Jesus' command to visit the sick.

Mother Iliana wrote a blog post about her reactions to the war in Ukraine and recognizing that Jesus is with her and the people in Ukraine. It's a worthwhile read and a good bookend to what you'll listen to in today's episode.

References:
Matt 25: 31-46
Romans 8:28
Mother Teresa - movie shot by Sir Richard Attenborough on Mother Teresa
The Hiding Place by Corri ten Boom
Always Good by Andrew Peterson

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This week Fr. Michael uses Isaiah 10:15 as a jumping off point to talk about recognizing God's hand at work in everything, even in the things that we're good at. Many times we're aware of the work God is doing in our life in relation to "bad things" or things we're working on, but we may not always be aware of the work God is doing in our life for things that come naturally to us.

References:
Isaiah 10:15
For the Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann

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This week we're joined by Fr. Jeffrey Dufresne who gave a homily on sin that inspired Mother Natalia! Mother Natalia talks about sin as a sickness, how this sickness can spread to others, and how we can seek healing for our sin.

References:
The Calling of St. Matthew by Carravagio


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Trigger warning - some discussion on the realities of the Holocaust.

This week Fr. Michael talks about having a personal relationship with Jesus after hearing a talk from Monsignor Shea at SEEK2022. He talks about obedience, sin, and death, and how those all impact a personal relationship with God.

We've also got a mini-topic this week suggested from a patron on our Patreon group. This week's topic is cultivating a spirit of gratitude.

References:
Night by Elie Wiesel [or Darkness or Dark as Fr. Michael called it. :-)]

News:
We'd love to have you join us for a live recording of the show, Tuesday, March 29th, at Holy Resurrection Parish in Euclid, Ohio. Vespers begin at 5:30, potluck vegan dinner at 6:15ish, and recording at 7ish. You're welcome to join us for part of all the event, no RSVP needed. Please bring a vegan dish to share.

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