Corrected audio:

It was a lively discussion on the program today about the Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage across the United States. We especially appreciated the contribution of Fr. Paul Check, director of Courage (www.couragerc.org). He helped us come to a deeper understanding of the need to approach this important and sensitive subject with compassion, and shared with us that it is the mission of Courage to be of assistance to those whose “voices are not heard,” the men and women who wish to live in accordance with Church teaching and divine law, in spite of their struggles with a same-sex attraction. Let’s all remember that even though this is a passionate, hot-button issue, we should approach it, not as an “us versus them” battle, but as one that involves other human beings, in many cases our relatives, neighbors, co-workers and friends. While never compromising the truth – which, alone, can set a person free – if we enter into the conversation with anything but love and a concern for both the earthly and eternal well-being of those who disagree with the Church, we have immediately gotten off on the wrong foot. Most of all, let’s pray for minds and hearts to be enlightened as to the will of God, especially as it concerns the ancient and unchangeable institution of marriage.

In what has to be one of the worst scandals in history, the number of homeless young people continues to rise. There are a million reasons why youth end up living on the streets. We’re going to discuss this important issue on Friday. And we want your take on the problem – and what we all can do to help eradicate it. Be sure to listen and call in!

Thursday, Debbie and I will anticipate your takes on the question, “Are You an Overachiever?” If so, is that a good thing, or a bad thing? What leads people to reach beyond their natural skills and abilities? Or, is it even possible to “overachieve?” Shouldn’t we strive in all that we do to excel and bring glory to God? Lots of great questions – and your takes – Thursday!

Hi, this is Debbie and I promised to post the exercise we described on Tuesday’s show… The entire guidelines and ground rules for the exercise is about 2 pages long…I am going to post just an overview of the exercise and if you want to use it in your religious education program…please email me and I will send the entire exercise…

This exercise can be done by children, teens or adults… Based on the maturity of the child, please make sure you obtain parents approval.  Also, at any time participants may opt out of the exercise for any reason.

Basically the exercise works like this…Participant picks a day to do the exercise… No one is to know other than the participant that they are doing an exercise.  If others are aware it may change the effect or alter the outcome.  This exercise is designed to allow the participant to grow spiritually and become aware of just how precious life is and that we never know the hour or day that God will call us home…

Have the participant remind themselves several times a day that this is an exercise… Have them wake up in the morning and act as if they knew this was the last day of their life… Keep in mind that this exercise should be positive and produce an uplifting feeling. If at any time this exercise becomes depressing or ignites strong fears, please have the participant opt out of the rest of the exercise.

At the end of the day ask the participant to journal their experience.  What they learned.  How it changed them.  How they felt throughout the day. The response of others they encountered. If they wanted to tell people they were doing an exercise. What were the surprises for the day?  What lasting effects do they think the exercise will have?

Then ask the family members or friends around the participant to give their feedback.  Did they know something was different about this person?  Did they realize it was an exercise?  Could they see a change in the persons face?

Final debriefing… Ask the participants the ultimate question… Would they like to live like this the rest of their life?  As if it was possibly their last day…the answers are nothing short of amazing!

Again, this is the brief overview of the spiritual exercise designed to bring forth a greater truth about life….If you want the entire exercise for your personal use or your church program, I am happy to provide you the long form and also offer assistance on how best to administer the exercise to produce the most effective learning experience…

Remember Live in the Moment, because Life is Precious! 

Have you ever used travel as an opportunity to evangelize?  Perhaps you’ve been evangelized to while you are traveling?  Pope Francis has even recently spoken about “evangelizing in the air.”  Listen to today’s Take 2 with Jerry & Debbie as they discuss this topic and hear from listeners with their “takes” and experiences.

Thanks, everyone, for your great “takes” on the topic of what if this was the last day of your life. Debbie and I so very much appreciate you listening to the show and being a part of it. Keep your correspondence coming every day. And, if you’re someone who travels a lot, be sure to share your take for tomorrow’s show on how travel can be an opportunity to evangelize.

Even Pope Francis recently said so!

Debbie and I are looking forward to Tuesday’s show! We’ll discuss with you a critical question that we rarely consider: What if this was the last day of your life? What’s your take on that? Call early to make sure you get on the program!

What if you knew this was the last day of your life? What would you do differently? Would you be fearful? Would you be excited about your eternal destiny? Join us on Tuesday and tell us what you would do.
Call – 800-585-9396
or EMAIL: take2@ewtn.com

Do you have anxiety? Jerry and Debbie discuss this topic today, how debilitating it can be to your life, and how God can help with anxiety.
Hear from listeners who give their take on this, and how some overcame it through prayer, routine, devotion etc.

Hi this is Debbie and I wanted to post a picture of me and my Dad (Bill) because I mentioned him on Friday’s show… My dad passed away almost 5 years ago…but I still vividly remember him, especially today on Father’s Day… My father was the one who taught me how to play golf.  He was a great golfer himself. So every time I see a golf course, I think of my Dad…Whether your father is still with you or has passed…today, especially, is a great day to be filled with gratitude for the role of our fathers!  I pray you all had a beautiful weekend with your dads or the memory of your dad…My dad had the best smelling cologne…As you can tell by this picture I loved to give him a hug and smell his after shave cologne…Funny how certain things stay with you forever…Life is a celebration!