GodPods

Catholic Parishes: A Conversation about Trends, Challenges, and Grace at Work

The 32^nd issue of C21 Resources magazine focused on the national Catholic parish landscape and sharing ideas that were shaping parishes for the better. “Catholic Parishes: A Conversation about Trends Challenges, and Grace at Work” provided an opportunity for Catholic voices to offer insights. Guest panelists included; Michael Simone, S.J. (Assistant Professor at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and guest editor), Jeanne Creegan (Faith Formation Director at Holy Family Duxbury), Bob Fanning (educator and parishioner) & Karen Kiefer (Director for the C21 Center.)

Social Justice Through Art: Inspired by Faith, Committed to Action

This conversation was recorded in partnership with the Roche Center for Catholic Education to celebrate the Angels Unawares sculpture at Boston College, during the month of November 2020. It features insights from Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz whose commissioned sculpture was originally installed in St. Peter's Square in Rome on September 29, 2019 – for 105th World Day of Refugees and Migrants. 

Finding God in Grandparents

Karen Kiefer, Director for the Church in the 21st Century Center speaks with Catherine Wiley, (Founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association), and Marilyn Henry about grandparents. Catherine and Marilyn highlight how and why grandparents are the true bearers of the faith. 

Enfleshing the Freedom of Black Lives: Resistance, Solidarity and Hope

Professor Emerita M. Shawn Copleand and Nathan Wood-House, ABD, discuss signs of our times concerning police violence and movements to secure the dignity of Black lives in light of the development of race and racism inside chattel slavery in the United States as well as insights from Black churches and theologies. Their dialogue also takes up the concrete implications of the gospel for those benefiting from and struggling against white supremacy, suggesting ways listeners can enact compassion and confront injustice.

On the Brink of Abundance: Signs of Hope amid COVID-19's Racialized Violence

George Floyd’s autopsy report indicated that he was positive for COVID-19. Prof. Craig Ford and Chanelle Robinson reflect on the intersecting issues of race, police subjugation and the pandemic his murder raises in light of resources from Catholic social teaching and scripture. They highlight the relevance of Catholic commitments to the dignity of work, a preferential option for the poor, and solidarity for the shared challenges we face today, offering practical suggestions for listeners and signs of hope alike.

The Next Generation Parish: A Conversation with Dan Cellucci

Karen Kiefer and Dan Cellucci (CEO for The Catholic Leadership Institute) discuss the future of the Catholic parish by unpacking trends and talking about generational and cultural shifts. They address declining vocations, leadership and the increase in multi-cultural parishes and share examples of creative ministry in the backdrop of the Pandemic. Dan also shares what makes a parish effective by highlighting some parishes ‘make-overs’  and presents opportunities and projects that are out there for parishes to take advantage of in the future. For those working or participation in parish life, this is a must-listen!

Finding God in Creativity

In this series we are speaking to young Catholic innovators who are taking up the mission of revitalizing the Church. These twenty and thirty-something men and women have identified challenges that the Church is facing and have devised creative, forward-thinking solutions that are bringing vitality and energy to the Faith. At a time when many young people are questioning their commitment to institutional religion, these young folks are working hard to ensure that the Church is stronger than ever for future generations.

Our guests are twin brothers, Marcellino and Anthony D’Ambrosio. Both brothers come from a youth ministry background, but after seeing the need for creative revival in the Church, they founded Sherwood Fellows, a creative agency dedicated to Catholic renewal, and Catholic Creatives, a movement of Catholic designers, filmmakers, photographers, creative thinkers, artists, entrepreneurs, and others working to bring the gospel to the world in fresh, and beautiful ways.

Finding God in Cartography

In this series we are speaking to young Catholic innovators who are taking up the mission of revitalizing the Church. These twenty and thirty-something men and women have identified challenges that the Church is facing and have devised creative, forward-thinking solutions that are bringing vitality and energy to the Faith. At a time when many young people are questioning their commitment to institutional religion, these young folks are working hard to ensure that the Church is stronger than ever for future generations.

Our guest today is Molly Burhans, at 30 years old Molly is one of the leading women innovators in the Catholic Church and in the environmental movement at large. She is the founder of an organization called “Goodlands” which aims to help Catholic communities around the world use their properties for good. Molly was recently named one of the united Nations young champions of the earth she was the only person selected from North America, and the only winner to represent a religious organization.

Finding God in the Examen

Ignatian spirituality offers us the vision that we can “find God in all things.” In this episode, we will continue to explore how we can find God during Lent.   Throughout this Lenten podcast series, we want to help you find tangible tools to deepen your relationship with God -- or to jump start it if it’s been idle for awhile. One of those tools which we’re going to take a closer look at today is the examen prayer, and how introducing it into your daily routine might just change everything. 

 

Our guest today is  Father Casey Beaumier. Father Casey is a Jesuit priest who lives and works at Boston College and is the Director of Boston College’s Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies. If anyone can speak with authority about Ignatian spirituality, prayer, and its practical application in the lives of believers, it’s our guest today.

Finding God Through Mercy

For most people, the word “Lent” conjures up images of fasting from sweets, alcohol, or meat on Fridays, or maybe saying a few more prayers here and there between Sunday Masses.  Prayer and fasting are two of the practices we intentionally incorporate into our Lenten practice.  But what about that third practice, almsgiving?  How can we better incorporate acts of charity into the 40 days of Lent? 

 

Our guest today chronicled one Lent in which she took almsgiving very seriously - although she wrote about it with a good deal of humor.  Kerry Weber, who is an Executive Editor at America Media, authored the 2014 book Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, and Keep Your Day Job.  Kerry is married with two children and, since 2012, has served as Mercy Associate.  She joins us today to talk about finding God through works of mercy. 

Finding God in the Rosary

Our guest today is Gretchen Crowe.  Gretchen is the editor-in-chief of Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly, which is the only weekly Catholic newspaper in the United States. In addition to planning and editing the print publication, Gretchen oversees all digital content on OSVNews.com and Our Sunday Visitor’s social media platforms and is a member of the Catholic Press Association.  In 2015, Gretchen got a big surprise while reporting on Pope Francis’ trip - her husband proposed to her at the end of the canonization Mass for St. Junipero Serra.  Gretchen and her husband Michael have one child and one on the way.

In 2017, Gretchen wrote her first book, Why the Rosary? Why Now? published by Our Sunday Visitor.  Her second book, available this October, is a devotional called, “Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II.” If anyone can speak to the power of praying the Rosary this Lent, it’s our guest today.

Finding God By Living with Less

“So what are you giving up?” That’s the proverbial question that Catholics face during Lent.  While fasting from some material thing can be done as an act of penance, it also has real spiritual perks. Fasting helps us to reorder our priorities when they’ve fallen out of alignment. 

 

Our guest today is Haley Stewart.  Haley is the author of The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture. In her book, Haley reflects on lessons she and her family learned after quitting their jobs, selling their house, and shedding most of their belongings -- all to live on a sustainable farm for a year.  Haley is a wife and mother of four children and blogs at Carrotsformichaelmas.com.  While her debut book is a great addition to any Lenten reading list, I think you’ll find that the lessons she shares are meant for a lifetime. 

Advent Reflection: Merry Christmas

Karen Kiefer reflects on how desperately our world needs God's message of love and mercy made present in the Christ Child. 

Advent Reflection Week 4

Karen Kiefer reflects on Mary's "yes" to God and on Fr. J. Donald Monan, S.J., who said "yes" to God by accepting the presidency of Boston College in 1972. 

Finding God In Beauty

Sculptor, Jacob Wolfe had a strong Catholic upbringing. He first began to study music but soon realized it wasn’t the path God intended him to take.