He Leadeth Me

In this episode, Jessica dives into St. Augustine's Letter to Proba on prayer with Fr. Andrew Dickinson and Joshua Burks, the hosts of the FAD & DAD podcast. Fr. Andrew, Josh, and Jess discuss:Proba asks St. Augustine what she should pray for. He gives her a surprising answer: pray for a happy life!What makes a life happy?St. Augustine's teaching on the role of desire in the spiritual life and in intercessory prayerSt. Augustine's reflection on the Our FatherYou can check out the FAD & DAD podcast hereFather Andrew Dickinson is a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Ordained in 2006 he has served in the diocese in various capacities, including 11 years as the director of the Pius XII Newman Center serving the campus of South Dakota State University where he had the privilege of working with FOCUS missionaries those 11 years. Father Andrew currently serves as the pastor of 4 parishes in the diocese aided by 2 priests and one deacon. He also serves his Bishop as a Vicar General. If he has a FOCUS claim to fame it is through his brother, who was in the original bible study led by Dr. Sri in the 1990s. Joshua Burks is an Associate Teacher at The Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies in Lincoln, NE. He teaches primarily on New Testament texts and themes, but enjoys any opportunity to bring clarity and conviction to engaging with Christ in the Scriptures. Previous to his time teaching, Joshua spent four years as a missionary and Team Director with FOCUS at South Dakota State University. Next to love of God is his love for his wife, Elizabeth, and their three rambunctious boys. 

In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola guides retreatants to have intimate prayer with the accounts of the Last Supper and Passion of Jesus. In this episode, Fr. Paul Kallal joins Jessica to talk about how St. Ignatius' meditations can help us to pray with Christ's Passion during the Triduum. Fr. Paul and Jessica discuss:The grace Ignatius encourages retreatants to ask for when praying with the Passion is sorrow and compassion because the Lord is going to His suffering for my sinsWhat if you don't feel as much sorrow and compassion for Jesus as you wish you felt?Self-condemnation and other pitfalls people can fall into when they pray with the PassionFr. Paul's advice for listeners as they enter into the TriduumFr. Paul Kallal is a priest in  the Congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Currently he serves as Vocation Director and resides in the house of formation in Boston Massachusetts. Fr. Paul entered the Oblates in 2013 as a Postulant, made first vows in August 2015, it was ordained to the Priesthood on August 15, 2020.Fr Paul is passionate about Ignatian Spirituality and leading individuals through the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola.  He loves a good workout and after Jesus in the Eucharist, coffee is the most important substance in life.

How do I know if my prayer is God speaking to me or just my imagination? Does God give words in prayer? These are common questions people ask when they begin to engage in Ignatian prayer or learn about charismatic gifts and "words" from the Lord. Jessica and Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty discuss these questions and more! Jessica has been involved with the Charismatic Renewal Movement for 13 years and Fr. John Ignatius has led directees in imaginative prayer through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola for over 30 years. Fr. John Ignatius and Jess discuss:Teaching from St. John of the Cross in how to respond to words from God in prayerHow your human imagination cooperates with God in prayerAdvice on how to listen to God more deeplyFr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a priest with the Archdiocese of Denver. He is also a popular speaker at SEEK and a former FOCUS national chaplain.  If you would like to listen to Fr. Ezratty's talks at SEEK, you can find them here: seekreplay.com

Sometimes spiritual warfare is subtle. Do you recognize it in your own life? In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about 3 subtle forms of spiritual warfare. Fr. John Ignatius and Jess discuss:Thinking that every difficult circumstance is spiritual warfare is actually a tactic of the enemyTemptation is the most common form of spiritual warfareAn often unnoticed form of spiritual warfare is the temptation to do something good that draws us away from God's willFr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a priest in the Archdiocese of Denver. He is a popular speaker at SEEK and a former FOCUS national chaplain.

Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? In this episode, Jessica breaks down the forgiveness process. Here's what you'll discover:What forgiveness is and is notHow to know if you've truly forgivenThe 4 stages of forgivenessAdvice on how to pray when there's someone you need to forgiveThis episode is based on the book, "Forgiveness is a Choice" by Dr. Robert D. Enright. You can buy the book here.Jessica Navin serves FOCUS as Sr. Manager of Spiritual Formation. She has been with FOCUS since 2011 and lives in Denver.

Scripture tells us, "God is close to the brokenhearted" (Ps 34:18). In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about praying when you have a broken heart.  Jess and Fr. John Ignatius discuss:How to relate your suffering to God without letting it consume your prayer lifeFr. John's thoughts on the common question: What can I hope for? Should I hope that God will give me the relationship that I desire?What to do if you are angry at God for letting you go through a breakupFr. John's recommendations on Scriptures to pray with  Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a priest with the Archdiocese of Denver. He is also a popular speaker at SEEK and a former FOCUS national chaplain.  If you would like to listen to Fr. Ezratty's talks at SEEK, you can find them here: seekreplay.com

Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty, a priest with the Archdiocese of Denver and popular SEEK speaker, joins Jessica to tackle the strain of modern busyness on spirituality. They explore how a hectic life can both hinder and enhance one's connection with God. Fr. John emphasizes the need for humility and the courage to prioritize what truly matters. He also discusses breaking free from the victim mentality and taking ownership of choices. Listeners are encouraged to integrate faith into everyday moments, reminding us that spirituality can thrive even in chaos.

Lent is approaching fast! Are you ready? In this episode, FOCUS Sr. Regional Director John Merkle joins Jessica to give advice on how to make this Lent as spiritually fruitful as possible.Jess and John discuss:How to challenge yourself without becoming self-reliantJohn gives advice for fasting, silence, and experiencing deeper contritionJess recommends going on dates for Lent and begging for prayersJohn Merkle has been a missionary with FOCUS for 13 years, currently serving as Senior Regional Director for Europe and the East Area. He and his wife Meredith live in Florida with their four children who were born in Colorado, Ireland, Austria, and Florida.

In this episode, Kim Zember, founder of Overcome Ministries and Unforgotten Faces, joins Jessica to talk about same-sex attraction and the spiritual life. Jess and Kim discuss:Kim's personal journey with same-sex attractionThe importance of viewing God as a loving FatherHow people with same-sex attraction can bring their desires and struggles to God in prayerHow to approach the sacrament of confessionHow people can support their friends and family members with same-sex attractionKim Zember shares her personal testimony of a continued journey of surrendering her same-sex desires to Jesus in pursuit of the greater love she has found in Him. Through her personal testimony she helps give others insight into how to love those around them who identify within the LGBTQ community and also gives hope and direction to those who may have same-sex attraction or struggle with their identity. She loves sharing God the Father's heart with everyone and strives to be totally transparent, to help others know they are safe to do the same, not only with God but with one another. When Kim is not at home in Atlanta, Georgia, she is most likely found serving and playing with her 500 + children at her 'home-away-from-home' in Ethiopia through her ministry Unforgotten Faces.Kim has appeared on countless programs such as Pints with Aquinas, The Lila Rose Show, Conversations with Jackie & Bobby, Ascension Presents, Encounter Ministries, EWTN, TBN, CBN, Catholic Answers, 700 Club and much more.You can buy Kim's book "Restless Heart" hereYou can check out her websites here: Overcome Ministries and Unforgotten Faces

What was it like to be discipled by Servant of God Michelle Duppong? In this episode, Sr. Gianna of the Resurrection Heinemann joins Jessica to share about her time in college when she was discipled by Michelle Duppong. Sr. Gianna and Jess discuss:As a student, Sr. Gianna was struck by Michelle's simplicity and her desire to win souls for ChristHow Michelle was a spiritual mother to souls as a missionary and during her sicknessHow Michelle overcame discouragement in her missionary work and in her illnessSr. Gianna's reaction when she heard that the diocese opened the investigation into Michelle's Cause of Canonization Sr. Gianna of the Resurrection Heinemann is a member of the Community of the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. She has been a member of the community for 14 years. Before she joined religious life, she was a student at South Dakota State University, where she was involved with FOCUS and discipled by Servant of God Michelle Duppong.You can learn more about the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles here You can learn more about Servant of God Michelle Duppong here