Posts tagged Catholic
Glorifying God While Carrying a Cross with Lorraine Hess

Lorraine Hess was touring for her new album about glorifying God when she found out that her home had been severely damaged in a house fire. 

After returning home she felt drawn to Adoration.

While there, she heard God ask her, “Can you glorify me while you are carrying a cross?”

In this Easter podcast, hear how Lorraine was committed to glorifying God throughout the 20 months her family was displaced while fixing their home.

God sharpened Lorraine to stay in gratitude and recognize how people were watching her living witness.

Hear Lorraine sing about this experience in her song “A Heart That’s Been Purified” at the end of the podcast, and learn more about her at lorrainehess.com.

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A New Heart: Imagine the Impossible with Don and Barb Weller

“I’m here for a change of heart.”

Don Weller spoke these words as he began the intake process for his heart transplant surgery.

When Don woke up from the surgery, the doctor handed him a stethoscope and Don listened to his replacement heart's beat for the first time. A little while later, his wife Barb, their son and two daughters were able to do the same.  

But Don wasn't the only one in the hospital room receiving the miraculous gift of new life that day. As Don and Barb’s daughters listened to Don’s new heart, two tiny hearts were beating within them—they were both pregnant. 

Don and Barb never could have imagined the gift of new life for Don and their new grandchildren. Listen to this Easter podcast and imagine what may seem impossible for your life, too!

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The First Armless Pilot's Catholic Faith with Jessica Cox of "Right Footed"

There was silence in the delivery room when Jessica Cox was born—Jessica’s parents and the doctors were stunned to see she was born without arms.

As Jessica’s father held her that morning, a stranger approached and said how special he and Jessica's mom must be to bless them with Jessica-- Jessica's parents not only remembered their faith that morning, but they shared it with Jessica. 

Jessica, in turn, has been blessed with supernatural perseverance and determination in her lifetime.

Be inspired in this Easter podcast as Jessica shares almost unimaginable achievements (like Guinness World Record: The Only Pilot to Fly With Their Feet), as well as the moment she gave Pope Benedict her Guinness medal.

Jessica has spent her life swimming, surfing, scuba diving, doing Taekwondo and flying planes. All things truly are possible with God. 

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Love is Everything with Immaculée Ilibagiza

Immaculée Ilibagiza followed her father’s instructions and ran to her neighbor’s house to hide at the start of the Rwandan genocide. She spent the next three months huddled in a tiny bathroom with seven other women, while extremist members of another tribe tried to find and kill them. 

It was in this bathroom that Immaculée gave her heart to God and began to pray in a way she never had before—as she recited the words of the Rosary, peace veiled and healed her from the anger and fear that otherwise consumed her.  

When Immaculée finally left the bathroom at the end of the genocide, she learned that her parents, grandparents, siblings, 950 schoolmates and so many more had been murdered.

While Immaculée cried out for her loved ones, she sensed God holding her tight and telling her that her journey on Earth was not over. While her family was in heaven, she still had a mission.

Since that moment thirty years ago, Immaculée continues to wake up every day and ask the same question that echoed in her heart so long ago: How much can you love with what God has given you?

In this Easter podcast, learn that love is everything.

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Christ: The Face of Mercy with Susan Skinner

Susan Skinner discovered she had the gift of discernment of spirits. 

Susan’s son had slept over at his friend's home before, but this time Susan felt uneasy; she said yes to playing during the day, but no to the overnight invitation.

Susan dropped her son off and chatted with the friend’s mom, Veronica, in her living room. The next day, Veronica was murdered right where she and Susan had been standing about 12 hours earlier.

Susan's suffering consumed her as she grappled to understand how a loving God could ever let this happen.

Learn how God met Susan as she lay in tears on her bathroom floor. As God's whispered into Susan's heart, she began to heal and love in ways she never knew possible.

Listen to this Lenten podcast and deepen your relationship with Christ, The Face of Mercy.

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Mother Cabrini's Empire of Hope with Rod Barr, "Cabrini" Movie Screenwriter

Screenwriter Rod Barr shares how God had a plan for Mother Francesca Cabrini that was not her own.

At the turn of the 20th century, the dream of a better life inspired Italian immigrants to journey to America. Tragically, most found themselves among the poorest of the poor and even homeless--including the children.

While Mother Cabrini had committed her heart to ministry in China, Pope Leo XIII directed her to help these immigrants where they had landed in New York City.

While many build empires for themselves, Saint Frances Cabrini built one for God.

In this Lenten podcast, hear how Saint Cabrini's revolutionary heart for Christ changed Rod's own heart to create this film about The First American Saint. Learn about this nun of supernatural faith, determination and perseverance--and allow her life to change yours.

Go see the movie Cabrini in a theater near you beginning Friday, March 8th!

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A Death and Birth at Dawn with Megan Nix

The dawn of each day is a precious time for Megan Nix--her youngest daughter was born at the start of a new day and her beloved mother later went home to God in the early morning hours.  

Megan came to learn that not only was dawn the start of these soul-touching days, but also new seasons in her life. Seasons in which Megan would come to know the depth of grief and boundlessness of love. 

Megan's daughter was was born into silence due to deafness caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Megan's heart was met with great sorrow as she processed the impact, learned the avoidable cause she was never told about and advocated for her daughter. 

Megan discovered Aquinas’ Remedies for Sorrow as she attended to her grief. Listen as Megan weaves personal stories of sorrow and healing with Aquinas’ Remedies for Sorrow.

Learn more about Megan and her book “Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth” at megannix.com.

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Hope Even at the Bottom of the Bottle with Tara Nowell

As a young girl, Tara Nowell began to believe the lie that she couldn’t depend on anyone but herself. Eventually, this became anyone but herself and “the bottle.”

Even when she was at her rock bottom with alcoholism, Tara did not deny God’s existence--she just wanted Him to leave her alone.

Yet through the love of Christ and her beloved parents, God pursued Tara. After years of denial and resistance, Tara entered a Catholic Healing Center Cenacolo and God began to chisel away at Tara's hardened heart.

While Tara wanted to leave Cenacolo, she took the advice of a woman who encouraged her to stay until a miracle happened. Tara did just this. 

Listen to this inspiring podcast and know that your miracle can happen, too!

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From Suspicion To Trust with Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer

Our Church family is divided. Yet Christ calls us to communion in Him. 

In this Lenten podcast, Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer and host Lindy Wynne explore how the division in our Catholic Church increases our sense of unhealthy suspicion and harms our capacity to love as we are called. 

In life there is a healthy, intuitive suspicion we are blessed with that helps to keep us and our children safe. At the same time, there is a suspicion that is not of God and divides us even as we are called to be unified in Christ. 

This Lent let’s invite Christ to help us sift through our suspicion and heal what is not of Him. May we grow in trust and become one body in Christ!

Go to mamasinspirit.com to subscribe. 

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The Gift of Love with Kathy Tankersley

By the time Kathy Tankersley was 23 years old, she was a single mom of five children. 

Kathy vividly remembers being in church and praying on her knees for a someone she could truly trust and confide in. Then she met Rex Tankersley.

The day after their weekend honeymoon, Rex sat her five children down and asked them if they wanted him to be their dad. The children responded with a resounding "Yes!"

The children are now grown and have children of their own. Rex has also passed and Kathy reflects on why she says:

Don't feel sorry for me, because I have been so loved.

Listen to this Advent podcast and allow Kathy's gift of storytelling open your heart to the wondrous gift of God's love. 

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Thy Will be Done with Courtney Siebring, Author of "Little Spark of Life"

"In her life, Lord, be glorified."

These are the words Courtney Siebring sang as she cuddled and prayed over the baby girl Courtney and her husband were fostering.

Courtney had experienced infertility and longed to be a mother more than anything--yet the department of social services told Courtney and her husband they would not be keeping the baby girl that they already loved so dearly.

Courtney learned the meaning of "Thy will be done" in a way she never had before. 

What unfolded was completely unexpected and clearly God's plan: Courtney and her husband learned this baby would become their daughter through adoption. 

Listen to this Advent podcast and be inspired to loosen control in your life, offer your very heart to the Lord and experience the peace and joy that can only come from Christ. 

Courtney is the author of Little Spark of Life: A Celebration of Born and Preborn Human Life. Learn more at www.littlesparkoflifebook.com

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Saying "Yes" to God's Plan with Brenda Hauk of BrightStone

"You know who's going to have to do this."

The words Brenda Hauk's husband spoke penetrated her heart--she knew she was called by God to something so much bigger than herself.

Even though Brenda was frightened, she said "yes" to a plan that was clearly not her own.

Brenda started BrightStone, a comprehensive work, social support, and residential community for adults with special needs, expanding their potential and helping them develop mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Let Brenda's "yes" and the tremendous blessing that has come from it inspire your own fiat in this Advent podcast.

Learn more at brightstone.org.

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Awe of Advent with Fr. Ed Steiner, Pastor of St. Philip Catholic Church

When Fr. Ed Steiner was just 5 years old, there was a knock on his front door during supper. Fr. Ed excitedly ran to see who it was. What he found he never could have imagined. 

It was Santa Claus!  

To the day Fr. Ed still finds himself stirred with a similar sense of awe he experienced that very moment he saw Santa as a young boy. Yet Fr. Ed recognizes what he is really waiting for is the coming of Christ. 

In this Advent podcast Fr. Ed reflects on our need to remember why Christ came—and how the true meaning of Christmas fills our hearts and homes during this special time of year. 

Let us strive to make awe-filled memories and practice the Gospel with our loved ones this Advent Season.

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50 Years and Grateful with Ted and Catherine Wynne, Host Lindy Wynne's Parents-in-Law

Be charmed by Ted and Catherine Wynne as they share their gratitude to God and advice to listeners after 50 years of marriage.

Host Lindy Wynne has a heartfelt conversation with her parents-in-law as they reveal the trust and companionship they are blessed to have with one another. 

From Catherine’s ’69 Camaro to Ted’s love of football, hear how they revel in both the little and big moments. Their lives are blessed with profound meaning as they companion one another in both the good and difficult times of life.

Let your heart be wrapped in the gift of family this Thanksgiving season. 

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The Gift of Women with Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer

The table is turned on Host Lindy Wynne, as Chaplain Fr. Jon Meyer asks Lindy about womanhood and what it means to be a woman.

Lindy explores the gift of womanhood and meaning of Saint Edith Stein's words, "The woman's soul is fashioned as a shelter in which other souls may unfold." 

When Lindy was twenty-one and volunteering at an orphanage in Tijuana, she met and developed a maternal love for a young boy named Coco. Coco began calling Lindy "mama." It broke Lindy's heart to have to leave Coco, yet simultaneously revealed God's call for Lindy to be a spiritual mother and shelter souls through adoption.

Womanhood is a complete self-gift in which a woman surrenders her heart for the sake of Love Itself. 

Lindy has witnessed such mercy, love and compassion in other women. The gift of a woman is her feminine heart and ability to shelter other souls in a way that hopefully moves others to do the same.

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My Accident and Conversion with Ryan Penney

The moment Ryan Penney hit the water his life and heart were forever changed.

Ryan was on a performing arts scholarship at Samford University and about to begin his first professional acting job. While on a trip Ryan jumped into a lake off of a high cliff. Ryan landed wrong, broke his back and was immediately paralyzed—doctors said that Ryan would never walk again.

While Ryan wasn’t praying or engaging in the Sacraments at the time of his accident, he cried out to God in the hospital. Somewhere deep within him there was a powerful seed of God's hope—Ryan knew he would walk again.

While Ryan’s body is not the same as it was before the accident, neither are his heart or his life. Hear how Ryan has given his life to God, and learned how saving people is much more important than entertaining them. 

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Fully Rely on God with Mary Margaret Lambert

Mary Margaret Lambert vividly remembers chatting with her dad while he painted a ceramic frog the night before she lost him.

The next day Mary Margaret was devastated to learn her father and his wife died in the Nashville flood of 2010.

Little did Mary Margaret realize that the frog her father held in his hands would come to mean so much--F.R.O.G. means "Fully Rely on God." 

Mary Margaret struggled with grief and got tired of hurting. She sought the Lord through writing and help through counseling to heal her broken heart.

The ceramic frog sits on Mary Margaret’s porch to this day, reminding her of her beloved father and our eternal reliance on God.

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A True Love Story with John Bosio of Happy Together

John Bosio and his wife share a love story worthy of a movie.

In the 1960s, eleven-year-old John entered pre-seminary in Italy. Meanwhile, an American girl from a military family was praying for him in a school chapel in Thailand--she and her friend would run into the chapel during recess to pray for their future spouses every day.

After fifty years of marriage John knows he and his beautiful wife are on the last leg of their pilgrimage together on Earth.

Since his wife no longer has memories, John creates precious moments with her each day.

It is critical to John that his wife knows she comes first. After authoring numerous books on marriage and family life and leading countless retreats, John has stepped away to care for his beloved.

John shares timeless wisdom in this podcast that will touch your soul by his witness to true love.

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God Sought Me in My Sorrow with Emily Adams of The Little Souls

When Emily and her husband went to a routine sonogram appointment seventeen weeks into her pregnancy, the technician struggled to find a heartbeat. 

They were told they’d have to wait two hours for an ultrasound technician to take a closer look in the hope their baby was okay.

Emily knew she needed to go somewhere she felt safe—they were close to The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. Emily and her husband headed to the noon Mass to wait.

While Emily felt wrapped in the sacredness of the Mass, she also was overwhelmed with worry and sorrow. Deep down she knew there would be no heartbeat as she prayed the Angelus “Be it done to me according to Thy word.”

Once it was confirmed the baby had no heartbeat, Emily knew she would deliver baby John David. She and her husband wanted to hold him.

Hear how God sought Emily through sorrow as she experienced His consolation and call to help others heal from sorrow.

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The Heart of Mary with Kim Derrick

“This is a story God wrote.”

God planted a seed in Kim's young heart to accompany and care for the sick and dying as an adult. 

Kim was raised in a family in which the members surrounded one another in all the joys and sorrows of life, including death. She didn't realize until adulthood that this was not every person's experience.

As a hospice nurse it broke Kim's heart that there were so many people poor and dying who had nowhere to go.

With the help of Saint Edward Church in Nashville, TN and others who shared in her desire to help the poor and dying, Kim created "The Heart of Mary House" to love God's children during their final days as Our Blessed Mother would want.

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