Life, especially military life, is replete with transitions. Maria Johnson is a best-selling author and speaker. As a military wife Maria encountered Catholic saints who have accompanied her through life.

In this conversation Maria shares about her new book "A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters Who Taught me to Age With Grace." In her new book Maria explores the adventure of life’s second half, drawing inspiration from twenty saints and “soul sisters” who faced these challenges with courage.

As advancements in health and medicine extend our lifespan, women of the sandwich generation—those balancing the needs of both children and parents—are experiencing a multitude of challenges as they transition out of the workforce and into the promise of retirement. This book contains encouragement and wisdom from saints and contemporary soul sisters who experienced similar challenges during their transition to midlife and beyond and offers insight into the aging process.

Chapter after chapter, these inspiring saints and contemporary changemakers from all over the world will help you, too, embrace your second half and the changes it brings to our health, our personal relationships, our responsibilities, our work, and our faith.

In this episode Elizabeth Tomlin and Maggie Phillips discuss Maggie’s recent article in America Magazine,

Lay volunteers are often the backbone of Catholic parishes. But they need support, too. | America Magazine.

We ponder how we can “work smarter not harder” in our parishes, honor the service of particularly women volunteers and church employees.

Maggie Phillips authors the series “Religious Literacy in America” for Tablet Magazine through a grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Her work has also appeared at America Magazine, Word on Fire, and Real Clear Investigations. You can find Maggie online @maggies_words and www.mrsmaggiephillips.com

Elizabeth Tomlin and Lynda MacFarland draw on their experiences as military wives to explore the virtue of hope.

Lynda's new book, The Anchor For Our Souls - Certain Hope In An Uncertain World is a devotional full of encouragement for anyone struggling in today's tumultuous times. We have a hope that transcends any challenge we will face in our earthly life. It's a Person who is with us now and He never leaves us or forsakes us.
This small devotional book is intended to be savored slowly, in stolen moments of quiet, away from the noise and endless activities of the world today. It is for reading in small increments, a few pages at a time. And then ponder, contemplate the ideas and consolation conveyed, in the words of others and in those of the author.
Divided into three sections, the first includes Lynda's own essays on hope; section two contains the quoted words of others with reflections by the author; the last section is composed of the essays of seven thoughtful, faith filled people, each one well-known in his or her own sphere of influence.

You can find Lynda @lyndawithawhy on Instagram and on Substack

As the new religious education year kicks off, José Amaya, the Archdiocese for the Military Services Director of Faith Formation shares resources for catechists and parents. We begin our conversation by considering the theme published by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops for Catechetical Sunday, Sept 15, “Lord, when did we see you hungry?” Jose also offers archdiocesan resources for catechists, what would make some a “good” catechist, and how catechists can take practical steps to prepare themselves for this year. Good catechesis is grounded in the Eucharist and becomes a fruit of prayer. You don’t need a degree in theology to be a catechists; you just need a love of Christ and his Church and a willingness to step into this divine vocation. To get in touch with Jose about catechist training for #MilArch, contact him at faithformation@milarch.org

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

AMS Catechetical Guides and the curriculum issued by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

Catholic International University

University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation

#milarch #catholic #church #sacraments #catholicpodcast

In the days of the National Eucharistic Revival, Elizabeth Tomlin and Heidi Hess Saxton share a conversation about new book about Eucharistic Saints for Families: Stories of the Eucharist a Family Treasury of Saints and Seekers. Each chapter presents a story of a Eucharistic saint or blessed and incorporates read-aloud material suitable for children of all ages. The book incorporates full-color illustrations of each saint that are beautiful and engage the imagination.

In this episode you will hear Heidi's path of conversion from a non-Catholic upbringing and how she was drawn to Jesus in the Eucharist during prayer in a Catholic Church. You will also hear her practical ways to incorporate Eucharistic practice and prayer into your family.

In this episode Elizabeth Tomlin interviews Rebecca Lockhart, who serves as the Director of Forum for the Military Council of Catholic Women. Rebecca is an Army wife, mother of three, and MCCW volunteer. Rebecca shares an invitation for all military-affiliated women to attend MCCW's upcoming worldwide Forum from April 26-28, 2024, In Cincinnati, Ohio. Forum is a weekend of fellowship, inspirational talks, liturgies, and a chance to re-connect with other Catholic military women. This year's Forum theme is "Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest."

Learn more about the Military Council of Catholic Women at mccw.org

Elizabeth Tomlin and Madeline Stockman share a conversation about the Reach More Movement in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Reach More is a small group, lay evangelization, training movement supported by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and Evangelical Catholic through which #MilArch affiliated Catholics gather in small groups with a Reach More missionary discipleship trainer to grow in discipleship and discern their personal apostolate in a twelve week cohort. In this episode listeners will learn about Reach More and how to get involved in this movement.

Learn more about Reach More.

Elizabeth Tomlin and Professor Catherine Cavadini share a conversation about a new family book, Saints: A Family Story, that she co-authored with her Father Professor John Cavadini of the University of Notre Dame. In this episode we talk about ways that Katie’s family has integrated the saints and the Catholic faith into their family - through a habit of prayer, storytelling, and reading. The book arose from John sending “coupons” to his grandchildren during the pandemic, on which they could request a story of saint. John began writing saint stories to his grandchildren, and together, John and Katie compiled this collection of saint stories to share more broadly. Saints is gorgeously illustrated by Tess Cassady in a way that brings each of these saints to life and invites reader to imagine these  holy people are our family members – because they are. 

You can can find a PDF of some of the illustrations is on Paraclete Press’s website

DG-9781640607545.pdf

Link to Saints: A Family Story

Author and Illustrator Bios

Dr. Catherine Cavadini

Katie is Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Notre Dame where she directs the Masters of Arts Program in Theology. Katie typically offers courses on scriptural interpretation, spirituality, and the stories of the saints. She and her husband, Anthony, live in South Bend, Indiana, with their four children. 

Dr. John Cavadini is Professor of Theology and Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. John’s work as a theologian arises from his love for the Church Fathers, especially St. Augustine. Knighted by Pope Benedict XVI for his service to the Church, John lives in South Bend, Indiana, where he and his wife, Nancy, receive daily diversion through visits from any number of their 18 grandchildren. 

Anastassia Cassady Tess studied art at the University of Michigan and teaches art history at Trinity School in Greenlawn in South Bend. She’s a freelance artist residing in South Bend.