Episode 45: Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room - A case for taking Advent spiritually seriously

November 25th, 2024  |  31 mins 53 secs

beauty, catholic, church, evangelization, goodness, ministry, mission, prayer, service, truth

Fr. John and Jen discuss the ways in which we can better prepare for the coming joy of Christmas by fully embracing the Advent practices and prayer time that can help us ready our hearts for the Nativity.

Episode 32: Ep. 32 - Leading hope-filled lives: God and my vocation - with Fr. Gino de la Rama, and Fr. Patrick Seo

December 1st, 2023  |  48 mins 58 secs

advent, catholic, christmas, conversation, evangelization, family, gospel, holidays, jesus christ, prayer

Jen has her first conversation with two guests, Fr. Gino de la Rama Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Newark, and Fr. Patrick Seo, Associate Vocations Director, about how to keep the door open for the young people in your life to consider their calling whether it be to marriage, clergy or religious life.

Episode 31: Ep 31 - Prepare your thankful heart

November 21st, 2023  |  20 mins 45 secs

catholic, christmas, conversation, evangelization, family, gospel, holidays, jesus christ, prayer, thanksgiving

Fr. John recently attended a prayer meeting with a reflection led by Fred Bunsa. In the midst of all of your holiday preparation this week, we offer a 20 minute practical guide to give the gift of hope to the people whom you spend time with at Thanksgiving.

Episode 30: Hope for the Holidays: Finding Light at the Darkest time of the year - with author Paul Jarzembowski

November 8th, 2023  |  48 mins 18 secs

advent, catholic, christmas, conversation, evangelization, family, gospel, holidays, jesus christ, prayer

Jen interviews Paul Jarzembowski, author and Associate Director for the Laity, oversees USCCB engagement with lay ministry, ecclesial movements, youth, and young adults. Paul's book 'Hope for the Holidays' (Paulist Press 2023) offers practical advice for welcoming our holiday visitors back to church, using the secular narratives of the season to draw connections with the unchurched, and a personal and pastoral plan to work to accompany visitors to finding renewed hope in our Catholic church.

Episode 9: God's desire to know us and to love us - Evangelizing young women

December 16th, 2022  |  31 mins 40 secs

Jennifer speaks with Sr. Kelly Schuster, FMA about God's overwhelming desire to know us and to love us, and how she helps her high school students recognize God's love in their own lives.

Episode 8: Four P's of Advent and getting beyond commercial Christmas - Evangelizing young men

December 16th, 2022  |  35 mins 9 secs

Jennifer speaks with Fr. Bogumil Misiuk, about the Four P's of Advent and the importance of getting beyond the commercial Christmas.

Episode 7: Eucharist means Thankgiving with Bishop Michael Saporito

November 18th, 2022  |  36 mins 21 secs

advent, catholic, conversation, eucharist, evangelization, family, holidays, jesus christ, kerygma, prayer, thanksgiving

Bishop Michael Saporito, Auxilliary Bishop of Newark, joins Jennifer to speak about the Eucharist as the ulitmate act of Thanksgiving and the ways we can deepen our relationship with Our Lord truly present in Blessed Sacrament and also in the midst of communities gathered at mass.

Episode 6: Holiday Conversation tips: Talking Turkey with compassion

November 11th, 2022  |  30 mins

Fr. John Gordon and Jennifer Behnke discuss tips for conversation and evangelization during the holidays. We cover ideas for keeping the tension at the table from turning into conflict.