We all want deeper relationships with God, and as St. Therese of Lisieux says, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”

But if “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God,” as St. John Damascene writes, then why is prayer often so difficult?  And why is it such a challenge to establish a regular, ongoing prayer routine?

In this episode we talk about what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about prayer, and how we are to go about doing it, particularly when we let our own lives get in the way.

Joseph Pronechen from the National Catholic Register recently wrote an incredibly insightful column about Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s 1974 statement about the end of Christendom, as well as the antidote to the crisis of faith very much in existence in the world today.

In 1974, Archbishop Sheen clarified by saying, “Christendom is economic, political, social life as inspired by Christian principles. That is ending — we’ve seen it die. Look at the symptoms: the breakup of the family, divorce, abortion, immorality, general dishonesty.”

In this episode we break open both Pronechen’s article and analysis, as well as work towards a deeper understanding of Sheen’s prophetic words from 1974 and what they mean in today’s world.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Links:
Joseph Pronechen's article about Archbishop Sheen at the National Catholic Register

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Mac, Katherine, Jennifer and Greg break open Scripture, Tradition, and the Early Church Fathers to have a better understanding of not only the necessity of baptism.

But trying to figure out if this is a “one and done” sacrament that isn’t necessary for the rest of our Christian life is tougher than it looks.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

The gang discusses preparing our hearts, minds, souls and bodies for Mass.  ​

Start by leaving your phone at home!

We talk about how being deliberate about how you approach Mass with your minds and with your clothes will transform your experience of encountering Christ in the Eucharist.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

Continuing our discussion of church documents, we begin to unpack the opening paragraphs of Sacrosanctum Concilium, getting stuck in the opening paragraph with both agreements and issues with the wording. 

Reform?  Modern times? What??

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

Links:
Sacrosanctum Concilium -  We get through one whole paragraph. 

The gang pontificates on how important it is to read original church documents, especially in the light of the changes the church has seen since the Second Vatican Council.  

We discuss this in light of the recognition that the language is often dense and difficult to understand.  These documents call us to a greater and deeper holiness.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

How do you set aside time for prayer, and could your prayer life be improved?​

In this episode we discuss the difficulties of maintaining consistent prayer, and overcoming roadblocks to more “advanced” prayer like daily Mass, the Rosary, and Liturgy of the Hours.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

What is the proper way to receive communion at Mass - in the hand or in the tongue? And should you kneel when receiving? These and other questions are bounced around on this episode of What We're Dealing With.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page