Hearing With The Heart: Conversations Over Coffee

This week Bridgett and Janet share some insights they've gained from Matthew Kelly's new book, Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy: The Simple Art of Taking Back Your Life.  Busyness has become the norm. We pride ourselves on being busy, but is that truly what God called us to be? God rested on the 7th day for a reason. Baby Step:  Divide a sheet of paper into two columns. In one column, wr...

Janet and Bridgett welcome the year 2025 with a discussion about resolutions and words for the year.  They will share their history with New Year's resolutions and the words that they've chosen to guide them in 2025. Baby Step:  Either or both pick a New Year' resolution and/or select a Word of the Year that will guide you through 2025. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for joining us. Have a...

Bridgett and Janet conclude this Advent journey with awe and expectancy. They share how God uses those who consider themselves too small to do great things for His mission here on earth.  They end with a discussion on how amazing the encounter is when Mary goes in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth.  Baby Step: Find ways to encounter Jesus this Christmas season. Readings for the Fourth Sunday of...

This third week of Advent brings us to the rose candle and a celebration of the joy of Advent.  The third weekend of Advent has so much awe and expectancy.  Bridgett and Janet both connect with the First Reading from Zephaniah, while expectancy (Bridgett's word) is all throughout our Gospel.  Baby Step: Continue with your word and read the readings from the Third Week of Advent through that l...

Advent is here, and we are both in awe and expectant! Janet and Bridgett talk about why they chose their words, awe and expectancy; and how reading the Advent scriptures through the lens of those two words changed how God spoke to them. Janet also shares a story about how Advent journeys are still being manifested in our world today.   Captain Jason Kander’s Quest from 60 Minutes ( Video and Artic...

On this Thanksgiving Day episode, Bridgett and Janet share how we are pilgrims on a journey to eternal life.  Like the pilgrims recognized on Thanksgiving, our faith journey comes with its challenges.  We are strengthened by the knowledge that this world is not the end.  Our journey as pilgrims leads us from our earthly existence to our heavenly home.   Baby Step(s) 1.     Pray to the Holy Spirit...

Love is the third and final Theological Virtue that Bridgett and Janet discuss in this series.  God loves us unconditionally but we have skewed love in ways that make our ability to know God's love more challenging.  Join them as they try to give some insights into continuing to build a relationship with God and strengthening our ability to receive and trust in His unconditional love. Catechi...

Part 2 in the series on the Theological Virtues is all about hope.  Janet and Bridgett explore hope and how, from their perspective, it is the most "abstract" of the three virtues.  Hope, like faith and charity, is given to us by God.  Hope allows us to look toward eternity with confidence because of Christ's death and Resurrection. Resources Bishop Barron Comments on Faith, Hope, a...

Janet and Bridgett begin their three-part series on the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love).  They use the image of a tree to help you visualize the interconnection of the three virtues, with faith being the roots.  Show Notes   Bishop Barron Comments on Faith, Hope, and Love   Father Mike Schmitz   Day 341: The Theological Virtues: The Catechism in a Year   The Catechism of the...

God's Armor is for every day!!!  Bridgett is joined by Ellie Steffens, who explains all about the Armor of God and how it strengthens us on our journey with the Lord.  When we put on the Armor of God, we are not only protected but we also have the Truth of God's Word to help us in our daily walk with Jesus!  Ephesians Scripture Ephesians 6: 10 – 20   Baby Step Write out the parts of the...

Receptivity.  Receiving can be challenging at times, especially when we are being asked to receive from God.  Bridgett and Janet share with you how the word "receive" sparked a whole conversation that they thought was worth sharing. Catechism of the Catholic Church  366   Catechism of the Catholic Church  Definition of Soul   Scripture Verse John 1: 12  Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity . Ne...

Janet and Bridgett conclude their series about sin and discuss how Being Aware, Understanding, and Taking Action is a plan to help overcome the temptations in our lives so we can stay focused on the Lord. Scripture Verses Shared Exodus 14: 14 Deuteronomy 31: 8  Romans 8: 38-39  2 Corinthians 10: 5   Hebrews 12: 2  James 4: 7-8  1 John 4:4 Baby Step:  Find something that helps you take action!  Scr...

The devil lies! But God has already defeated the devil.  Bridgett and Janet help to breakdown the Be Aware and Understand from the acronym B.U.T.  They share some of their insights into how the devil tries to get us to believe we are less than, when God has already defeated him!  Be careful; they were fully caffeinated!! Baby Step:  Think about that area of your life that the devil is lying to you...

In this week's episode, Janet and Bridgett take a step back to clarify what is meant by the terms Truth, Conscious, and Relativism.  These terms have come to have different meanings in our society, and they just wanted to clarify how these terms are defined for Catholic Christians.  Show Notes: Catechism of the Catholic Church   Referenced:  1950 – 1974, 2465   1.     Conscience: (1777-1778)...

Janet and Bridgett begin the exploration of how sin came into our world. They outline some of the Church's understanding of sin, make the point that the devil is real, and the increase in relativism isn't helping. Baby step for this week:  Pray to the Lord for insight into anything thing that may be separating you from Him. Resources: Catechism of the Catholic Church   Referenced:  358,...

Janet and Bridgett explore the first season of the podcast and its takeaways while also warning listeners about the upgrade in their caffeine source. They also share insights into the first few episodes of Season 2! Correction: this episode was recorded on the 23rd anniversary of 9/11/01 Baby Steps: B: Be Aware U: Understand T: Take Action Email us: podcast@ascensionvb.org Church of the Ascension:...

Janet is back with Bridgett to recap the Summer with the Saints series! Season 2 of the podcast will kick off on September 19, 2024. Books The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence (Downloadable PDF) The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence Bridgett’s Poem My Summer with the Saints Baby Steps: Consider where you can make some space for God in your day. Listen to any ep...

Bridgett is once again joined by guest Jeanine Breault ( St Ignatius episode ), who challenges us to say to God, "Let me, let you." Listen in to learn how to apply some of St Ignatius' teachings to your life and aid your discernment. Resources: Books The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Spiritual Living The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives What is Ignatian S...

Bridgett is joined by Catalina Ortega, Ascension's Social Justice Minister. Catalina shares her connection to St Alberto Hurtado, a Jesuit and the Patron Saint of Chile, and his importance in Chilean Catholic culture. Resources: Videos St. Alberto Hurtado, SJ Articles St. Alberto Hurtado, SJ (Ignatian Spirituality) Society of Jesus Celebrates Feast of St. Alberto Hurtado, SJ Prayer Prayer of...

Join Bridgett and special guest Joanne Webb as they explore the saints included in Eucharistic Prayer 1.  A way to enhance your understanding of the Mass and the Saints. Resource    Do this in Remembrance of Me, Part 55: Saints Names in Eucharistic Prayer 1 Baby Steps Look up Eucharistic Prayer 1 and read through it noticing the Saints that are included.   Email us: podcast@ascensionvb.org Additio...

Join Bridgett and her special guest, parishioner Luz Igana. They discuss St Jude, his significance in Filipino culture, and his presence in Luz's life. Resources Videos St. Jude the Apostle-Best Short Film GabiAfterHours St. Jude – Official Explanation GabiAfterHours St. Jude Thaddaeus Catholic Online St. Jude Feast: The Facts-2023 Franciscan TV  Articles St. Jude Thaddeus, Patron of Hope and...

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Join Bridgett and her special guest, Jeanine Breault, for an exploration of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Resources: Videos Who is Ignatius of Loyola? Saint Ignatius of Loyola Ignatius of Loyola- Finding God in All Things   Introduction to the Spiritual Exercises  Articles The Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola St. Ignatius History St. Ignatius of Loyola  Books Ignatian Collection...

Join Janet and her guest, Nicole Drummond (Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk), as they uncover the strength of a modern-day servant of God, Sister Thea Bowman, who is on the path to sainthood. Resources: Video Recommendations Going Home Like a Shooting Star:  Thea Bowman’s Journey to Sainthood Sr. Thea’s Address...

Join Bridgett and Janet as they discuss St. Francis de Sales, including his understanding of the importance of the laity, which built an early foundation for Vatican II. Resources: St. Francis de Sales (Catholic.org) Learn to Pray Like St. Francis de Sales (featuring Fr. Gregory Pine O.P.) St. Francis de Sales: A Biography   What You Don’t Know About Christian Mysticism   A Method For Mysticism Ar...