It is more common than you think.  We are ashamed to admit it, but probably most of us at Mass, daydream or lose focus at some point during the service. Does that mean we really don’t believe? Are we finding Mass boring? Or is it just part of our natural human behavior that our thoughts may wander.  Maybe, just maybe it can give us a clue about our own spiritual development. Let’s have an authentic discussion about this and see if we walk away with a different perspective about our attention span during Mass. Call us with your experience of losing focus at Mass. 1-833-288-3986.

We say we want to get to heaven.  We want to be with God for all of eternity.  But the moment a health crisis arises and we face a possible earthly death, it seems like all bets are off.  We now start shifting our prayers to help me, heal me, I need a miracle.  What happened to wanting to be with God for all of eternity?  It is an interesting component of the human condition and one that makes for a fascinating discussion.  Let’s face it, no one really looks forward to dying, because there are too many unknowns. Maybe we should learn from the saints and their understanding of heaven. Let’s have a candid discussion on what we focus on, heaven or earth. Call in and share your thoughts on this topic. 1-833-288-3986.

It is because God gave us the gift of free will that we have the unique ability to choose so many things even in the course of a single day.  But along with this gift, God gives us the proper way to make those decisions. It is in the power of His word that we should know how to live and conduct ourselves.  He never abandons us in our decision-making but He truly lets us decide really our own fate.  We can welcome blessings into our lives and we can also open the door to many curses. We know that through free will, God wants us to choose the greatest path of existence. But again, it is our choice.  Share your experience of this by calling, 1-833-288-3986.

It’s often noted that the only real way to become humble is to experience humiliation. But that’s something we all try our hardest to avoid. It’s not comfortable. It makes us look bad (or so we think). It’s often painful to endure. But, yes, it’s the surest road to achieving authentic humility. Many of the desert fathers understood this so well that they said a day without being humiliated was a day wasted. How have you handled those times in life when you’ve been brought to your knees and humbled by embarrassments or failures? Have those moments helped you grow spiritually? Share your take on this subject Monday.

There is so much to say about Padre Pio. He was an amazing Capuchin friar, priest, mystic and stigmatist. He was known for his life-changing confessions, and also for his incredible love for the Rosary.  His feast day is Sunday, so on Friday let’s share our thoughts about Padre Pio, so that everyone may gain a greater knowledge and appreciation for this great saint.

https://www.ewtn.com/padrepio/man/biography.htm

For books on St. Pio click here first.

Another option.

Many times we are confused about certain doctrines of the church. We may discuss concepts with others, or even try and search for answers on the Internet. But did you know that if you look in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, not only will you find a proper answer, but you will learn additional information that can help you understand better and also begin to embrace the teaching more fully. On Thursday, join Jerry and Debbie for a conversation about the Catechism, and call to share how you turn to it in order to better learn, love and share our beautiful faith!

RESOURCES:  FAQ about the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catechism of the Catholic Church

On Wednesday, Chris Faddis joins Jerry and Debbie. He is a co-founder of Solidarity HealthShare, one of a number of rapidly-growing alternatives to traditional health insurance coverage. Chris will share how the organization started, how it has grown and what it has done for the over 5,000 people who currently participate in it. There is such a need to support one another, especially when it revolves around taking care of the physical body.  Chris will share about his late wife’s journey with cancer, and the cost of medical treatment.

We see these holidays on the calendar, Rosh Hashanah (Sept 9-10) and Yom Kippur (Sept 18-19).  Maybe we have been taught to say, Happy New Year to our Jewish friends because it is in fact the beginning of their new year.  But what exactly is Yom Kippur? For Jews, it is the holiest day of the year.  It begins at sunset on the 18th and goes until the breaking of the fast 25 hours later.  It is a time of deep prayer, fasting and synagogue services. These high holy days of the Jewish year are very important because it is a time to recall past sins, repent and be right with God for the new year.  It is such a beautiful ritual the Jews partake in and one we can learn from as well. Share why you think it is important to understand this holy day and how it can enhance your own spiritual life. 1-833-288-3986.

Sunday is over, Monday begins, so are your first thoughts still about God or are they about work, school, etc? It is a common thing for us to leave God on Sundays and go on with our schedules during the week. Maybe that is why there is minimal Mass attendance on Mondays.  Let’s talk about this and see if we can look at Mondays in a different light. Remember, scripture tells us to give God our first fruits, not just money and resources but our thoughts and time.  God does not need us, we need Him. If we leave God behind when Sunday is over, what does that say about our relationship with Him? We are made to be in union with God and deepening that bond during the week would naturally prove to be beneficial for our spiritual life here on earth and ultimately for eternity. Share with us how you start your Mondays. 1-833-288-3986

We are instructed to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent. But more and more Catholics are choosing to continue this practice throughout the year, especially now with the various crises and attacks facing the Church. The U.S. Bishops lifted this discipline for the rest of the year, yet Fridays are still a day of penance and we should observe that in a meaningful way. If you adhere to the practice of abstaining from meat every Friday throughout the year, please call in and share how it has enhanced your spiritual life. If you are interested in adopting this penitential observance, please share that as well.

Good article in The National Catholic Register by Deacon Steven Greydanus.