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Interview with Carrell Jamilano about The Alluring Voice of God

By Lisa Mladinich

Wow, did I need THAT.

Talking with Carrell Jamilano is like being on a beautiful retreat and feeling the fresh breezes of the Holy Spirit lifting my heart.

Join us for a conversation that will refresh and equip you to help yourself, your ministry, and the beautiful young adults in your life to grow closer to God, right here, right now.

Click the cover of Carrell’s fantastic new book to watch our interview!

 

 

Carrell Jamilano is a spiritual director and speaker known for her compassionate accompaniment of directees and captivating presentations. She served as a television co-host for Shalom World’s program, “WOMAN: Strong Faith, True Beauty,” and has appeared as a guest on SiriusXM radio, Catholic TV Network, and CFN Live! 

Her writingshave been published with Liguorian, Life Teen International, and The Upper Room. Carrell was featured by ThePress-Enterprise in their “Inland Rising Star” series for her spiritual direction ministerial work and has over 16 years of experience serving youth and young adults. Carrell received her master’s degree in Pastoral Theology and is the founder and creator of CatholicSpiritualDirector.com, a game-changing resource for topics on prayer, discernment, and spirituality.

She recently authored her first book, “The Alluring Voice of God: Forming Daily Encounters,” offering readers guidance on how to better hear God’s voice in their everyday life.

Find Carrell Jamilano, here:

https://www.catholicspiritualdirector.com

Order The Alluring Voice of God, here:

https://www.liguori.org/the-alluring-voice-of-god.html

Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Book Reviews, Campus Ministry, Catholic Spirituality, Featured, General, High School, Homeschooling, Interview, Interviews, Lisa's Updates, Podcast, Resources, Youth Ministry Tagged With: Carrell Jamilano, prayer, spiritual direction, spiritual dryness, The Alluring Voice of God, young adult ministry, Youth Ministry

Interview with Barb Szyzkiewicz about The Handy Little Guide to Prayer

By Lisa Mladinich

If you have ever wished you had a wise and prayerful friend to guide you in growing closer to God, meet Barb Szyzkiewicz, a Catholic wife and mom, a wonderful writer and editor, and the author of a new book: The Handy Little Guide to Prayer!

She’s familiar to many women around the world for her fantastic work at CatholicMom.com, and now she’s got a new book and two beautiful prayer journals to tell us about!

Click the book cover to watch!

Order the Handy Little Guide to Prayer, by Barb Szyszkiewicz

Barb Szyszkiewicz is a wife, a mom of three young adults, and a Secular Franciscan. She is editor at CatholicMom.com and blogs at FranciscanMom.com. Barb enjoys writing, cooking, and reading, and is a music minister at her parish.

Order the (beautiful) Simply Faithful journals:

Sacred Heart Prayer Journal: https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/product/simply-faithful-my-catholic-prayer-journal-the-sacred-heart

Our Lady of Lourdes Prayer Journal: https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/product/simply-faithful-my-catholic-prayer-journal-our-lady-of-lourdes

Barb’s blog: FranciscanMom.com

Social Media: @franciscanmom on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Work: CatholicMom.com

Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Book Reviews, Catholic Spirituality, Featured, General, Interview, Lisa's Updates, Podcast, Prayer, Resources, Video Tagged With: Barb Szyzkiewicz, CatholicMom, interview, Our Sunday Visitor, The Handy Little Guide to Prayer

Interview with Sonja Corbitt about her book “Just Rest” and much more!

By Lisa Mladinich

Oh boy, is this a POWERFUL conversation about the spiritual life with one of my all-time favorites, Sonja Corbitt!

Come with us and see your “desert” times in a whole new way that will prove to you that the Promised Land is closer than ever!

Click the book cover image to join me and Sonja, as we “get real” about our desert times!

 

SONJA CORBITT is the Bible Study Evangelista and creator of the LOVE the Word® Bible study method–and journal, called “the best modernization of lectio” by the Associate Publisher of Thomas Nelson Publishing.

A best-selling author and Telly Award-winning broadcaster, Sonja’s weekly radio and television shows, as well as a variety of other unique approaches to Scripture, create space for busy Christians to hear and experience God though the scriptures.

Through her Bible studies and books, one-on-one consultations, pilgrimages, retreats, television and radio shows, Sonja uses Scripture and a healing charism to lead others to deeper rest and healing.

Find Sonja at BibleStudyEvangelista.com

Get Sonja’s Book!  https://www.avemariapress.com/products/just-rest

Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Book Reviews, Catholic Spirituality, Discernment, Featured, General, Interview, Interviews, Lisa's Updates, Resources, Scripture, Spiritual Warfare, Video Tagged With: Ave Maria Press, Bible study, book review, interview, Just Rest, Lisa Mladinich, Sonja Corbitt

Interview with Bear Wosnick on Surfing, the Spiritual Life, and His New Book!

By Lisa Mladinich

My Friends, You haven’t lived ’til you’ve listened to Bear Wosnick describe what it is to surf a big wave and experience powerful connections with your spiritual life!

We’re also talking about romance, holy masculinity, and his new book, “Deep Adventure: The Way of Heroic Virtue”!

Just click the book cover to join our super-fun conversation!

BEAR WOZNICK is the Host of the Motorcycle-Based Reality TV show, “Long Ride Home with Bear Woznick,” which is distributed worldwide on EWTN and Armed Forces Network to more than two hundred million homes and Amazon Prime. He is also the Host of EWTN’s “The Bear Woznick Adventure” Radio Show heard by millions each week on over 500 radio stations in nearly all 50 states, as well as Sirius FM, and Video version on most podcast apps. Bear also Hosts the fifteen-minute Ocean Sunrise Catechism, seen weekdays on Facebook live. He is the author of the books, “Deep in the Wave – A Surfing Guide to the Soul” (an Amazon best seller) and “Deep Adventure – The Way of Heroic Virtue.” He leads pilgrimages to Europe, Greece, and Israel, and speaks globally, with an emphasis on Men’s Conferences. He’s a Benedictine Oblate at the Mary Spouse of the Holy Spirit Monastery on North Shore of O’ahu. Bear is Married to Cindy Woznick, lives in Waikiki, and has four adult children. He’s a CPA with a Masters Degree in Tax, and he’s pursuing a Masters of Theology from Franciscan University at Steubenville. Bear Wosnick is also a World Champion surfer.

Find Bear Wosnick and his books and other resources at https://www.bearschoolofmanliness.com

Check out his “Store” for books and more. Here’s the direct link! https://my-site-100622-104377.square.site

Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Book Reviews, Catholic Spirituality, Featured, General, Interview, Lisa's Updates, Marriage, Podcast, Resources, Video Tagged With: Bear Wosnick, Catholic, Deep Adventure The Way of Heroic Virtue, masculinity, romance, Sophia Press, Spirituality, surfing, virtues

Puppet Script: Jesus, the Greatest Gift of All!

By Lisa Mladinich


This week, I offer you another Advent-themed script about a grumpy kid frustrated with all the busyness and distraction of the adults during Advent.

Jesus the Greatest Gift of All-Advent

Feel free to change the names, add or subtract from the content, and share my free script in any way that helps you catechize and enjoy the season with your family, your students, or your parish. I recommend it be used as a puppet show for little ones or a skit to be performed by your confident readers!

NOTE: The only thing I ask is that you not sell the scripts. I own the copyrights and I’d like to keep them free for everyone. If you charge for performances, that’s fine. I know your ministries can use all the help they can get!

p.s.

Some of my scripts, you will notice, were inspired (many years ago) by a Christian script writer by the name of Louise Ferry. I believe this is where you can currently find her wonderful work: https://puppetscripts.tripod.com/puppet.htm

Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Catechetics, Catechism, Catholic Education, Creativity, Family Life, Featured, General, Homeschooling, Lisa's Updates, Liturgical, Middle School, Puppet Scripts, Resources Tagged With: advent, Catholic, children's resources, free resources, homeschooling, puppet scripts, religious education

Interview with Dr. Brant Pitre on His New Book!

By Lisa Mladinich

My Friends, Enjoy this delightful half-hour with Dr. Brant Pitre. We’re talking about his fantastic new book, “Introduction to the Spiritual Life: Walking the Path of Prayer with Jesus.”

Just click the book cover to watch my super-fun chat with Dr. Pitre!

I highly recommend this resource for individuals and groups.

It is truly accessible to anyone–from teens and RCIA candidates to those who are advanced in the spiritual life. 

Dr. Pitre presents the faith in easy steps, without skimping on the beauty, majesty, challenge, and joy of growing in the spiritual life.

You can order it in plenty of time for Christmas, here.

Pro-Tip: For 2022, form some accountability partnerships and go through this one short chapter at a time, discussing your learnings and then setting goals for your own growth!

Dr. Brant Pitre is Distinguished Research Professor of Scripture at the Augustine Institute, Graduate School of Theology. He earned his Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, where he specialized in the study of the New Testament and ancient Judaism. He is the author of the best-selling books, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist (Image, 2011), The Case for Jesus (Image, 2015), and Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary (Image, 2018). Dr. Pitre has also produced dozens of video and audio Bible studies, in which he explores the biblical foundations of Catholic faith and theology (available at BrantPitre.com). He currently lives in Louisiana with his wife Elizabeth and their five children.

Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Book Reviews, Catholic Education, Catholic Spirituality, Featured, General, High School, Homeschooling, Interview, Lisa's Updates, Podcast, Prayer, RCIA & Adult Education, Scripture, Video Tagged With: book, Dr. Brant Pitre, interview, Introduction to the Spiritual Life, Roman Catholicism, video

Why We Should Pray With Our Children From an Early Age

By Lisa Mladinich

Hi All!

This is my ten-minute discussion with Matt Swaim on the Son Rise Morning Show, today!

We cover why it’s important to pray with children from an early age, what they learn, and how to help our teens and young adults who have lost their faith. Just the simplest points are discussed, but we could go a lot deeper.

I’d love your comments, suggestions, and questions in the chat!

https://amazingcatechists.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SON-RISE-MORNING-SHOW-1-14-20-praying-with-children.m4a

 

Here’s where you can order my book, “Heads Bowed: Prayers for Catholic School Days.”

I’m looking forward to your comments!

Blessings,

Lisa Mladinich

Follow me on Facebook!

Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Book Reviews, Catechetics, Catechism, Catholic Spirituality, Family Life, Featured, Homeschooling, Lisa's Updates, Liturgical, Resources, Scripture Tagged With: Heads Bowed: Prayers for Catholic School Days, Liguori Publications, prayer books for children, praying with children

Always Discerning, An Ignatian Spirituality for the New Millennium by Joseph A. Tetlow, S.J.

By Deanna Bartalini

I have had this book by Joseph A. Tetlow, S.J. for 2 years sitting in my to read stack, always near the top but somehow getting overlooked. Maybe it wasn’t time before now.

This book was excellent; of course, since it was written by someone “hailed as a world authority on Ignatian spirituality” it would be. But it’s not a heavy, textbook read. It made so much sense. I was taking pictures of the text and sending them to my friends and posting them on social media as I read. It is a very accessible book. I often feel like I am “always discerning” and it can get overwhelming and tiresome, not only for my brain but possibly others, if you know what I mean. Which you do if you are also “always discerning.”

The topics covered range from discerning in a Christian way, the great discernments in our life, why discernment is good, desolation and consolation in relation to discernment, gratitude and putting it all together. Each part has 4 to 6 short chapters, a section called “Touchstones” at the end of each part and a beef excerpt of a talk, homily or letter (usually, but not always) from Pope Francis. Fr. Tetlow also begins each chapter with a quote from Pope Francis. A feature of the book format I loved are the callouts, highlighting a key point on various pages.

One idea that has really stuck with me is about engaging our heads, hearts and hands in discernment. It is not about one of those aspects, it’s about using all of them to live out our baptismal call. The chapters on consolation were a help to understanding the concept better and seeing it in my life. He says, “but in fact, just accepting, on a dull workday morning, that God has made me holy is, in itself, a spiritual consolation.”  Another often recurring theme in life is detachment, that line between wanting what is good and becoming consumed with it, letting the desire control you. Think about this instead: “Spiritual detachment requires accepting my true feelings and ideas but wanting to follow them insofar as they lead me toward God.”

There is much wisdom in this book. And it was written for us, in our time, using contemporary examples and writings to respond to them.  Whether you are a student of Ignatian spirituality or not, you can gain much by reading this book. I know I will go back and read different sections again, as the need arises in my spiritual life.

Always Discerning is available on Loyola Press and Amazon.

Read all posts by Deanna Bartalini Filed Under: Book Reviews, Catholic Spirituality Tagged With: book review, discernment, Iganatian spirituality, spiritual direction

NEW: Homeschooling Saints Podcast

By Lisa Mladinich

Hi Everyone!

I am proud to announce the Homeschooling Saints Podcast, sponsored by Homeschool Connections! I’m the host, and we launched today with our first episode, “Do You Have to Be Crazy to Homeschool?” with Mary Ellen Barrett, along with a short feature on praying the Rosary together as a family, with Chantal Howard.

Tune in, subscribe, share, and leave us an honest review!

And enjoy these tracks from our amazing composer, Taylor Kirkwood!!

First: Doxology, our theme song! Second: Watchful Teacher, our special feature music!

https://amazingcatechists.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TaylorKirkwood_Doxology.mp3 https://amazingcatechists.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TaylorKirkwood_Watchful-Teacher-w-more-perc_0606.mp3

Read all posts by Lisa Mladinich Filed Under: Catholic Spirituality, Elementary School, Evangelization, Family Life, Featured, High School, Homeschooling, Interview, Lisa's Updates, Marriage, Middle School, Music, Podcast, Resources Tagged With: Catholicism, Chantal Howard, Erin Brown, Homeschool Connections, homeschooling, Homeschooling Saints Podcast, Mary Ellen Barrett, Maureen Wittmann, Taylor Kirkwood, Walter Crawford

My Way is Not Always The Answer

By Gabe Garnica

 

I Did It My Way…..

We all know the story of how Abraham and his wife Sarah tried to sidestep God’s promise that they would have a child despite their old age ( Gen 16:1-16). Rather than trusting and waiting on God to fulfill His promise, these two used her maid Hagar to result in that long-awaited child only to end up with family jealousy and turmoil that still rages today through their descendants.

This initial story of a fall reminds us of a very familiar human tactic with God.  We ask Him for something and then set a subconscious, unstated deadline on that request.  This time limit may not be express or concrete as in a certain date, but it will at least be an openness to finding some sort of shortcut to our desired goal.  We ask God to find us a mate and then go on 45 online dating sites to sift through pathetic examples of potential mates which will either lead nowhere or, worse, somewhere worse than where we are now.

Others will ask God for a job and grab a job God clearly would not want them to have. Still other folks will pray for something and then grow impatient and even bitter when the desired result does not come. I have often been guilty of this, using my supposed petition more as a purchase order than a humble request from a Creator to Whom I owe everything I have and am already.  Therein lies the core problem:  we should spend most of  our day thanking this wonderful, generous, and loving God who invites us to trust and love Him enough to ask for more.  However, our weak and defective humanity leads us to go overboard and either ask for too much or, just as bad, please-mand, which is my new word meaning demand with a please on top.

Abraham and Sarah were so wrapped up in what they wanted, what they probably felt that they deserved, that they did not stop to consider what God wanted and deserved from them:  simple faith and patience.  All too often, we sing Frank Sinatra’s hit My Way, proud to have handled things our way on our time and on our terms.  However, is that what God deserves from us?

Close Your Human Eyes and Practice Blind Faith

As defective people moving in a defective world, we need to close our eyes from time to time and ask ourselves who or what our daily GPS is or should be.  All too often, we will find that expediency and practicality often push us to find our own way on our terms without even asking God to chime in.  We will fool ourselves into pretending that we are doing a very busy God a solid by handling things ourselves. After all, how sick of you would your plumber be if you called him every single time your sink was slow?

The truth is, God wants us to be assertive and independent in many ways, for that is how we will grow as human beings. However, God’s definition of those traits does not include brushing Him off like some meddling uncle.  Our Lord wants us to always have Him on speed dial when we need Him.  It never hurts to ask for God’s help and give God time to respond,  His way. That is not to say that we will foolishly wait four decades for something we need to decide soon. What it does say is that we should give God a reasonable time to respond. That response by the way, may be no response, which may still be a response on God’s terms.  Begin with the conviction that God knows what is best for us and run with that.  Abraham and Sarah did not do that above; they gave God the keys and then used a brick to open things their way.

The Gideon Pill

I refer to the Gideon Pill as God’s way of showing us who is boss.  He will wait beyond our patience or beneath our means to accomplish miracles, just so we know who performed those miracles. The Israelites  had to wander in the desert forty years before entering the Promised Land due to their disobedience and lack of faith. God waited until there was no doubt He was doing the work for them and until He had stamped out the last of the disobedient doubters (Num 14: 1-21).

One of my favorite Bible stories is that of Gideon; a military leader, judge, and prophet chosen by God to defeat the Midianites and avoid slavery for his people.  God reduced Gideon’s army to 300 men against a vast enemy in order to leave no doubt who was responsible for the victory( Judg 7:2-8). We all need the Gideon Pill from time to time, being put in situations where seemingly God is the only way out just so we can grow in faith, appreciation, and obedience to such a wonderful God.

Abraham’s Recovery

An even more famous story than those noted above is Abraham’s great response of obedience to God’s request that Abraham sacrifice his only son Isaac ( Gen 22: 16-18).  God knew how much Abraham waited for and loved his son, so He put Abraham to the test of sacrificing everything for God which, of course, Abraham passed with flying colors.  Abraham had learned his lesson from the Hagar mistake. He knew that loving and trusting God is not something you dip your toe in. You are either all in or you should get out.  Nothing of this world is worth losing God.

Conclusion

This world tells us to show off and prove we can handle everything ourselves. Certainly, one of the signs of maturity is the greater ability to be independent and self-reliant. However, regardless of our age, we all need God at all times and need to remember that. Like Abraham and Sarah, we sometimes think we know all the answer but, like Gideon, we all learn soon enough that God is pulling all the strings one way or the other.

This world tempts us to run everything in our lives our way, on our time, on our terms. What we need to avoid, however, is that we are not running away from God in the process.

2019  Gabriel Garnica

Read all posts by Gabe Garnica Filed Under: Bible Stories, Coaching, Culture, Evangelization, Featured, Scripture, Theology Tagged With: abraham, Gabriel Garnica, Gen 16: 1-16, Gen 22: 16-18, isaac, Judg 7:2-8, Num 14:1-21, Sarah

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