In this month's episode, Genevieve O'Connor M.F.A, M.T.S. asks Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Zelenda Hodgskin, how to rescue our focus on faith when summer swoops in to ruin our routines. Hodgskin has lots of practical and anecdotal advice for how to keep the faith alive in our families through the summer, suggesting that parents host faith-themed movie nights and set aside special sacred spaces in the home. O'Connor also asks about keeping faith going when we are on vacation, noting that sometimes our beach trips involve leaving behind our worries and our prayer practices. Hodgskin shares that intentionally seeking out shrines and churches in new places can become beautiful opportunities for family bonding and faith building. When our Catholic Faith is truly the center of our lives, it will not fall to the back burner in the summer, but rather continue to animate all that we do. Below are the websites that Hodgskin recommends to parents:For movies: WatchCredo and Formed.For researching saints: CatholicCulture and Catholic/Saints. For activity inspiration: CatholicIcing and CatholicMom.For finding churches and shrines while traveling: TheCatholicTravelGuide and MassTimes.
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20:13
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20:13
How to Be Holy--Even If You Aren't a Monk
Genevieve O'Connor, M.T.S., M.F.A meets with Maggie Riggins, Executive Director of Evangelization and Formation for the Diocese of Allentown, to talk about how holiness is possible in any state in life. While some people worry that their lifestyle doesn't permit holiness (parents don't have time to spend 6 hours in prayer like a monk might!), Catholic Tradition reveals that EVERYONE is called to holiness. Riggins offers insight into how this holiness is possible by introducing "Salesian Spirituality." She explains that St. Francis de Sales, through his friendship and correspondence with St. Jane de Chantal, insisted that holiness is possible for all walks of life. Riggins describes a few of St. Francis' key suggestions for how to make our daily lives holy, including the "Direction of Intention," the "Salesian Preparation of the Day", and the "Little Virtues."
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20:37
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20:37
It's Not Too Late to Lean Into Lent
Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS explains that Lent is all about making us better lovers, and therefore better reflections of the image of God in us. In a way, she says, Lent helps us to be MORE human in the way that God designed. Even two weeks before Easter, at the time of this episode release, O'Connor argues that it is not too late to ponder Lent and renew our efforts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. She offers parents an understanding of the reasoning behind these practices of the Church so that they can better implement them in their family lives. She says that by healing and honing the desires that so often get the better of us, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving can make us not only better spouses and parents, but also better people in general.
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24:11
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24:11
The Word Made Flesh and the Words We Read
Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS, is joined by Sister Immaculata Marie Policare to discuss the spiritual and practical importance of reading in Catholic families. Sister suggests that every encounter with Truth in the written word is an encounter with Jesus who is The Word. They discuss testimonies and research to highlight the benefits of reading for children of all ages. Genevieve and Sister agree that stories can play an important and helpful role in the moral formation of children and even college students. Later, Genevieve is rejoined by Dr. Mike St. Pierre to zero in on the idea that children today lack exposure to the "world of words" and tend to prefer a "world of images." The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of DistractionUncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Approach to Reading, Spelling, and Literacy The Read Aloud Revival PodcastThe Chronicles of Narnia - Wonder - The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street - The World According to Humphrey - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Jane Eyre
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32:16
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32:16
Navigating Modesty with Lillian Fallon
Modesty can be a tough topic to discuss, especially with children and teenagers. Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS and Dr. Mike St. Pierre open the episode with encouragement for parents. Modesty is important, and it IS possible to talk about it with both girls and boys. Later, Genevieve sits down with guest Lillian Fallon, author of Theology of Style: Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You and Ascension Presents Presenter. Genevieve and Lillian discuss 1) best strategies for approaching the topic of modesty with your kids 2) the theology of the human body that make modesty important, 3) the dynamics of men, women, boys, and girls regarding modesty, and 4) the role of school uniforms in the modesty conversation.
We are here to explore topics which will inform and edify Catholic parents. We hope our content will equip you to discuss the faith with your kids and bring the richness of the Catholic faith into your family life, so that you feel ready, willing, and able to live into your call as primary educators of the faith.
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