Abiding Together

In this episode, we continue our discussion on motherhood by reflecting on the gift of sensitivity. We discuss how Our Lady reveals in her motherhood how God knows us, notices us and responds to us. We chat about the temptation to conform, wall off our hearts, or see the gift of sensitivity as a liability rather than a tool for healing. We speak about the space within our hearts as mothers that allows for others to room, grow and cultivate their true humanity. We pray for you to experience healing this week! Sister Miriam's one thing - Christ Taking Leave of His Mother - Piotr Stachiewicz Heather's one thing - The mothers in my life that teach me how to be a better mother. Michelle's one thing - The Lifegiving Home - Sally Clarkson and The Lifegiving Table - Sally Clarkson Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? How have you experienced the gift sensitivity through mothers in your life? Is there a particular instance or memory where you experienced healing through the sensitivity of a mother? How do you create moments, space, and time for others to open up and be vulnerable or become who they are created to be? How can we as a group be more sensitive to the needs of those entrusted to us? Journal Questions: Where have you felt the need to conform? Are there particular memories or messages that you desire healing from? How do you live out the gift of sensitivity and when do you feel like you have had to wall off your heart? Ask Mary to mother you and show you how to mother those entrusted to you with sensitivity. What does Jesus want to reveal to you about his mother? Quotes to Ponder: "Mary, she is the poetess and prophetess of redemption.." - Pope St. Paul VI, Homily, April 24, 1970 Scripture for Lectio Divina - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew ] you,before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:4-5 This episode is sponsored by House of Joppa. This week's episode is sponsored by House of Joppa. If you are looking for beautiful Catholic home décor, jewelry, art, rosaries or other Catholic gifts, look no farther than House of Joppa. Each product is curated from artisans throughout the world, and is designed to uplift your spirit and share the beauty of our Catholic faith. If you are looking for something for yourself or a special gift for a friend, head over to their website in the show notes. My favorite products are their Vintage Sacred Heart Medallion, Mini Mary Garden and Miraculous Medal rosary. Abiding Together listeners receive 15% off their purchase at checkout with discount code: ABIDE15. Visit them online at https://www.houseofjoppa.com or on Instagram @houseofjoppa. Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we speak about the impact of maternal wounds caused by distraction, harsh words, and abandonment. We discuss repairing relationships through time, perspective, and understanding the context of the situations our mothers experienced as women. We speak about the importance of maturity as mothers, especially when our children hurt us and how to seek healing, restoration and repair immediately. We pray this week the Lord would respond and be the healer of your wounds! Sister Miriam's one thing - Verso Alto Coffee Heather's one thing - On the Altar - Upperroom Michelle's one thing - A Mother Like You - JJ Heller Other Books Mentioned: Sheltered Within Her Heart : 33 days to deeper entrustment to Mary - Joshua Elzner Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? Every one of us has been born of a woman. How would you describe your relationship with your mother? How have you seen the power of words at play with your mother, your children (if you have them) or in other maternal relationships? How have your actions spoken certain messages? When you find yourself hurt by your children (natural or spiritual) - what is your first reaction? How can you rise above, see their true needs, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you respond in love? Journal Questions: What wounds can you recognize from your relationship with your mother? Are there wounds your mother inflicted - intentionally or unintentionally? Take a moment to invite Jesus into these moments. What wounds can you recognize from your relationship with your children - natural or spiritual? How can you seek repair and restoration? As you make your own journey of healing and you notice certain patterns of behavior or belief, have you ever asked your children or people who look up to you "I am noticing 'x' in myself. How has this affected you?" How could this conversation bring about greater love in that relationship? Quotes to Ponder: "Love can be reborn." - Pope St. John Paul II Scripture for Lectio Divina - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew ] you,before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:4-5 This episode is sponsored by Catholic Match. In a time where online dating is the new norm, CatholicMatch provides a place to meet other singles who share your faith. Unlike other dating websites that encourage casual relationships, CatholicMatch primarily strives to help singles connect for the purpose of Sacramental Marriage. We also provide a community where Catholics can share their challenges of living life in a single state and make new friends. We receive new stories every week from Catholic couples who met on CatholicMatch. You can set up a free account today in just a couple minutes and use their app or website to start connecting with other singles through messaging or video chat. Create your free profile today and start meeting other single Catholics now! Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we begin a 4 part series on the identity of women as mother. We talk about the power of motherhood at this time in history and how we are called to cultivate, guard, and develop true humanity. This call is innate in every woman whether they are a biological mother or not. We discuss the power and need for community where we can receive and be received by others and experience deeper healing. Be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts! Sister Miriam's one thing - Restore (also available on Amazon) Heather's one thing - Faith of My Father album by Steffany Gretzinger Michelle's one thing - Sheltered Within Her Heart: 33 Days to Deeper Entrustment to Mary Other Books Mentioned: Essays on Women (Edith Stein) — also available on Amazon Living from the Heart (E James Wilder) Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? What are some ways that women can cultivate, guard, and develop true humanity? What ways do you long to be mothered, nurtured, and guarded? What ways do you desire to experience healing in the area of motherhood either in how you are called to offer it or in how you have received it? Journal Questions: What did the episode stir within your heart? Where do I not feel safe to myself? What are my desires in the area of motherhood? Take time to talk to the Lord about this. What disappointments do you need to offer to the Lord? Quotes to Ponder: "To be a mother innately means to cultivate, to guard, and to develop true humanity." Edith Stein Scripture for Lectio Divina - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew ] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:4-5

In this episode, we declare and claim this new year as a year of God's favor! We discuss the power of repentance and blessing and the beautiful exchange that God wants to bestow on us as his beloved children. We continue our discussion on becoming a new creation in Christ through repentance, claiming God's blessings, and destroying areas of idolatry in our life. We pray this week each of you would allow yourself to be found and renewed by the God of restoration! Sister Miriam's one thing - The King of Love My Shepherd Is - Sarah Kroger Heather's one thing - Hail O Queen - Damascus Worship Michelle's one thing - Rhythm - Lisa Keeven Michelle's other one thing - Crowned for Ashes. You can read more about this ministry through the following interview. Other Books Mentioned: Deliverance Prayers for the Laity Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? Where does God want to bestow a beautiful exchange in your life (a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair)? How can you cultivate the spiritual practices of repentance and renouncing? How can you cultivate the spiritual practices of claiming blessing and calling forth goodness? Journal Questions: What part of Isaiah 61 is God inviting you to be rooted in, in this new year? Michelle shared a quote from Andy Couch, "Idols promise everything and deliver nothing." What areas of idolatry is God asking you to repent as you move into a new year? Are there areas of dysfunction, sin, or idolatry you would like to renounce especially for the sake of restoration in your family and future generations? Quotes to Ponder: "… in this new year that God is giving us to sanctify us and unite us more closely to Himself, let us make Him grow in our souls, let us keep alone and set apart; may He be truly King." - St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Scripture for Lectio Divina - "...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor… " - Isaiah 61:2 This episode is sponsored by OSV Challenge. Are you a Catholic innovator or entrepreneur? OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation invites you to apply for the 2022 OSV Challenge. This multi-round entrepreneurial competition seeks and builds up Catholic innovators by offering opportunities for personal development, professional guidance, and idea acceleration—and a shot at one of five $100,000 prizes. This year the OSV Challenge also includes four new idea tracks for creative arts, entrepreneurship, parishes and dioceses, and technology that are specially designed to support the applicants in each track. At least one $100,000 winner will be selected from each track. Applications for the OSV Challenge are due February 18, 2022, so don't wait to enter! Visit osvchallenge.com for full details. Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we reconnect after an extended winter break to continue our annual tradition, sharing our Word of the Year! Each year we each ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share our words for 2022 and how our words of the year have been connected. We discuss the importance of claiming this year for Christ and invite you to join us on the journey again! Sister Miriam's one thing - Christmas Cards Heather's one thing - Peace Vol. II - Bethel Music Michelle's one thing - Word on Fire Bible Volume 2 Michelle's other one thing - Born of Wonder Podcast Michelle's other other one thing - Revelations 19 - Maverick City Music Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week's episode? Who's word - Heather: Increase, Michelle: Jubilee, Sister Miriam: Secure - resonated most with you and why? After prayer and reflection, what's your word of the year? How can you see your spiritual progress through the evolution of your words of the year over the past few years? How have these words or themes built upon each other? Journal Questions: Take some time to reflect on what God desires to reveal to you as your word of the year. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal this to you. Make sure to write it down and memorialize it in a way that will keep it at the forefront of your mind throughout the year. What would it look like to "live a different life, closer to God" this year ? Are there specific scriptures, saints, or quotes that will serve as a guide or reminder of your word during the year? Quotes to Ponder: "During this new year I resolve to begin a new life. I do not know what will happen to me during this year. But I abandon myself entirely to you, my God. And my aspirations and all my affections will be for You. I feel so weak, dear Jesus, but with Your help I hope and resolve to live a different life, that is, a life closer to You." - Saint Gemma Galgani Scripture for Lectio Divina - "...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor… " - Isaiah 61:2 This episode is sponsored by Pink Salt Riot. To keep your Word of the Year top of mind all year long, we encourage you to check out the custom word of the year pieces from Pink Salt Riot. They offer a variety of pieces, from jewelry to keychains, that are totally customizable - not only with your word, but your personal style as well. But hurry! They only make their custom word of the year pieces through February 15, so order ASAP. Abiding Together listeners can get an exclusive 15% discount on all regularly priced items in their order with the code abide15. Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study! This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we conclude our four part Advent series revisiting the women Doctors of the Church with a discussion on peace through the life of St. Teresa of Avila. We discuss the key to peace as abiding in the love of Christ despite the storms of life. We chat about peace that comes from rightly ordered relationships and the need to cultivate peace through daily acts of trust, rest, and surrender. We pray that as we near Christmas, you would experience the peace of Christ in a new way! For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women Doctors of the Church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts! Sister Miriam's one thing - Oh Come Let us Adore Him - Maverick City Music Michelle's one thing - All of our Abiding Together Podcast Staff - Lizzie, Emily, Katie, Kristina - and the staff at Spirit Juice Studios Heather's one thing - All of our Patrons Other Books Mentioned - The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux Discussion questions: What stood out to you from today's episode? How do you find, cultivate, and maintain peace in your life? What role has 'abiding' played in creating a life of peace? What does it look like to embody Shalom - peace that radiates wholeness, completeness, and order? How do you make time throughout the day to breathe and intentionally open your heart up to Jesus and his peace? Journal Questions: Take a moment to pray "Jesus, teach me to find peace in the storms of life." How will you 'abide' with Jesus over the next few days as we enter into Christmas? Imagine yourself in the boat with Jesus and the disciples in the storm. What is your posture and expression and why? How does this reveal Christ as the king of peace or not? Take a moment to pray, reflect and prepare for Christ's birth through a brief examination of conscience. In the areas we have discussed this Advent - faith, hope, joy and peace - where have you gone astray? Where do you need God's mercy? If you haven't yet, commit to making space for the sacrament of confession before Christmas. Quote to Ponder: "Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing, God alone suffices."- St. Teresa of Avila Scripture for Lectio Divina: In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him, not one thing came into being. What has come into being in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. - John 1:1-5 This episode is sponsored by Walking With Purpose. Are you ready to discover not only what matters most in life but also how to prioritize those things? Are you ready to build a life that you don't want to escape? Another glass of wine, just one more episode on Netflix, a little more scrolling on Instagram…Women are numbing out at ever-increasing rates. Why? What is it about our lives that make us feel so overwhelmed? What might change if we figured out how to build lives that we like? Ordering Your Priorities is the latest Bible study from Walking with Purpose, a women's ministry whose mission is to help every Catholic woman and girl in America encounter Jesus through scripture. Ordering Your Priorities is an immensely practical Bible study that will help you put the most important things first. We'll begin by paying attention to the One who made us because He can best tell us what we need for our lives to run well. AT podcast listeners can receive 15% Ordering Your Priorities study with the code ABIDING15 (thru 1/31/22).

In this episode, we continue our four part Advent series revisiting the women Doctors of the Church with a discussion on joy through the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. We discuss trust, simplicity and self surrender as the keys to experiencing the beauty of Christmas and the miracle of Christ's birth. We share our own personal stories of God bringing radical transformation in our lives, doing things for us and in us that we could not do ourselves. We pray that this Advent you would be able to joyfully accept the gifts God desires to give to you. For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women Doctors of the Church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts! Sister Miriam's one thing - The National Shrine and Museum of Saint Thérèse - Darien, Illinois Michelle's one thing - Behold: The Luminous Mysteries Visio Divina Book Heather's one thing - Forever, Amen - Steffany Gretzinger Other Books Mentioned - The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux Discussion questions: What stood out to you from today's episode? What kind of miracle are you desiring this Christmas season? What do you hope Jesus will transform into something new? Where is God inviting you to greater self surrender this Advent? What situations/relationships is He inviting you to ask "How can I surrender it?" instead of asking "How can I fix it?" How is Mary inviting you to embrace and accept your hiddenness, littleness and poverty this Advent? Journal Questions: Take some time to reflect on your own 'Christmas miracles'. Ask the Lord to call to mind a time when He did something for you, that you could not do for yourself. Do you entrust your hiddenness and littleness to God like St. Therese? Why or why not? Where have you over-complicated your spiritual life, vocation, and relationship with God? How can you reintroduce simplicity this Advent? Quotes to Ponder: "Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be and becoming that person." - St. Therese Scripture for Lectio Divina: The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God. To comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion. To bestow on them a crown of beauty, instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise, instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. - Isaiah 61:1-3 This episode is sponsored by Reform Wellness. This week's episode is sponsored by Reform, a functional medicine and holistic wellness practice rooted in Christ. Reform redefines health as the state of your body and soul, and their mission is to empower others to find well-being in Christ, thrive in whole-person health, and become the best versions of themselves—physically, mentally, and spiritually. We highly recommend Reform Online, a twelve-week course that walks you through Reform's nine Wellness Pillars to help you reclaim your identity in Christ, optimize nutrition and sleep, manage stress, and much more. We invite you to say "yes" to Christ-centered wellness and begin your journey to wholiness™ today with discount code ABIDE10 for the next Reform Online class beginning in January. Learn more at reformwellness.co and on Instagram: @reform_wellness.

In this episode, we continue our four part Advent series revisiting the women Doctors of the Church with a discussion on praise through the life of St. Hildegard of Bingen. We discuss the value of praise: speaking the truth about who God is and who we are and reflect on how all creation was made to praise the Creator. We chat about Advent as a particular time to create space to hear God's voice and the unique ways each of us enter into praise of God. We pray this week you would hear the voice of God over you and join in the joyful praise of all creation. For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women doctors of the church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts! Sister Miriam's one thing - The Litany of Self-Love - Micole Amalu Michelle's one thing - Breath of Heaven - Amy Grant Heather's one thing - Deliverance Prayers: For Use by the Laity - Fr. Chad A Ripperger PhD Discussion questions: What stood out to you from today's episode? What are some ways you enter into praise of God? How has this changed throughout different seasons in your life? How have you seen praise of God change the atmosphere, relationships, or situations? Take a moment to share these stories. How can we continue to cultivate the "inner place" for God to speak to us and for us to praise God this Advent? Journal Questions: Do you believe you were created to praise? How can you begin to live out this calling in practical ways and particularly during this Advent season? Many times we cannot hear God because something else is overshadowing his voice? Ask the Lord "Tell me what I am not hearing?" Take a moment to imagine yourself with Mary singing praises over the child Jesus in her womb or as an infant. What words of praise do you want to speak to Jesus? What does he want to say back to you? Quotes to Ponder: "Sometimes when we hear a song we breathe deeply and sigh. This reminds the prophet that the soul arises from heavenly harmony. In thinking about this, he was aware that the soul itself has something in itself of this music..." - St. Hildegard of Bingen Scripture for Lectio Divina: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him, not one thing came into being. What has come into being in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. - John 1:1-5 This episode is sponsored by Vitae Fertility Education. The Marquette Method uses daily hormone testing—instead of mucus or temps—to take the guesswork out of NFP. Download our free eBook to learn more about the method and find out if it will be a good fit for you. Why Choose Marquette? Effective—The Marquette Method is 99% effective for women in regular cycles and 98% effective while breastfeeding. Easy—Test your hormone levels in the morning and you'll know in five minutes whether you are fertile or not. Taught by medical professionals— Only doctors and nurses can become Marquette Method instructors, so you can rest assured you're always getting the best advice, tailored to your unique fertility history. More than a thousand women have chosen to learn Marquette through Vitae Fertility's personalized online Marquette Method classes. When you sign up, we'll send our comprehensive learning package to you in the mail, including a comprehensive Marquette Method manual available only through us.

St. Catherine of Siena discusses the virtue of hope and making room for Christ this Advent season. They explore the transformative power of hope, finding light in the darkness, and making a good confession to prepare our hearts for Christmas

In this episode, we speak with Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow and hear the story of his amazing ministry Mary's Meals. Magnus shares how a personal conversion at Medjugorje led him to helping refugees in Bosnia, and how meeting a child named Edward in Malawi was the beginning of feeding 2 million children a day. Find out more about Mary's Meals on youtube in the video Love Reaches Everywhere and watch as they celebrate the amazing milestone of feeding 2 million children a day! We invite you to follow Mary's Meals online at https://www.marysmeals.org and on Instagram @marysmeals. Sister Miriam's one thing - Through the Heart of St. Joseph - Fr. Boniface Hicks Michelle's one thing - Sweet Cross - Laura Phelps Heather's one thing - Heather's road trip with her youngest daughter Eva Magnus's one thing - His Acorn Tree Other Books Mentioned - The Shed That Fed a Million Children: The Mary's Meals Story - Magnus MacFarlane- Barrow Give: Charity and the Art of Living Generously- Magnus MacFarlane- Barrow