He Leadeth Me

In this second episode of our series on engagement, Angela Schnieders joins Jessica to talk about the theological symbolism and practicals of shopping for a wedding dress. Angela and Jess discuss: The symbolism of the wedding dress as clothing for liturgy Standards for modesty Practicals for wedding dress shopping Angela Schnieders is a wife, mother, FOCUS alumna, and Certified Strategist with The...

In this first episode of our engagement series, John and Katelyn Bishop join Jessica to offer some spiritual advice for engaged couples.  John, Katelyn, and Jess discuss: How a dating couple can know when they are ready to get engaged What to do if one person in the couple is ready to get engaged and the other is uncertain How to have positive interactions with parish staff when planning for the w...

FOCUS Director of Formation Travis Todd joins Jessica today to talk about his discernment to transition from being a campus missionary to working at the FOCUS Headquarters (DSC). Travis and Jess discuss: How do you know when it's time to leave campus? Ways to experience divine intimacy and live mission in an office setting Advice for those transitioning from being a student or a campus missio...

As part of our series on sanctifying daily work, Jess sits down with FOCUS alum and small business owner Joe Henkels to talk about the spiritual lessons God has taught him through entrepreneurship.  Joe and Jess discuss: How fundraising as a FOCUS missionary increased his trust in God's providence and prepared him to take the risk of starting a small business The 4 benefits of business activi...

In this episode, Nathan Stanley, Senior Director of Talent and Leadership Development, joins Jessica to talk about sanctifying your daily work. Jess and Nathan discuss: How the early Christians evangelized through their work Why you should always have a plan for your workday How to overcome temptations from "the noonday devil" The contemporary debate about the 40 hour work week Nathan St...

Want to revitalize your spiritual life? Try going on a mission trip! In this episode, Elizabeth Phillips and Ryan Noll, missionaries who serve FOCUS on the Missions team, join Jessica to talk about mission trips. Jess, Elizabeth, and Ryan discuss: How encountering Christ in the poor can transform your daily prayer How the adventure of a mission trip can be a catalyst for growth in virtue and trust...

In this episode, Fr. James Brent shares about the mystic revelations of Blessed Conchita Cabrera Arias de Armida, one of the great mystics of the 20th century. Fr. James and Jess discuss: Blessed Conchita's daily life as a wife and mother of 9 children Her writings, which exceed the volume of the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas Key themes in her revelations, including the mystical incarnation...

How does church architecture assist us in deepening and celebrating our faith? In this episode, architect Adam Hermanson joins Jessica to discuss church architecture. Adam and Jess discuss: The 5 hallmarks of Catholic church architecture: verticality, permanence, transcendence, iconography, and orientation The significance of the altar as a table of sacrifice The symbolism of the center isle as a...

In this episode, Formation Specialist Sarah de Silva joins Jessica to talk about Servant of God Takashi Nagai, a Japanese Catholic convert on his way to canonization. Sarah and Jess discuss: Takashi's Shinto upbringing and conversion to Catholicism His work as a doctor in radiology How he lived through the nuclear bomb being dropped on Nagasaki The last years of his life, when he preached for...

There's a lot of talk about healing in the Church today. Are we becoming too focused on healing? In this episode, Fr. James Brent, O.P., joins Jessica to talk about healing. Fr. James and Jess discuss: The culture's naturalistic understanding of healing vs. an understanding of healing from a Catholic worldview Jesus' healing ministry in the Scriptures and His desire to heal today Wh...

A new school year is beginning! In this episode, Fr. Kevin Dyer and Jess challenge listeners to make the phrase "Conquer Yourself" their motto for the year. Fr. Kevin and Jess discuss: One of the early biographers of St. Ignatius of Loyola stated that there was no phrase more commonly on the lips of St. Ignatius than "Conquer yourself!" God sometimes allows difficulties in our...

In this episode, FOCUS East Area Director Marcus Schoch joins Jessica to do a deep dive into fasting, penance, and mortification. Marcus and Jess discuss: The difference between fasting, penance, reparation, and mortification How fasting helps us recognize our dependence on God 3 reasons to fast according to St. Thomas Aquinas How to know what types of fasting are too extreme or too lenient And mu...

How can penance heal your soul?  Fr. James Brent joins Jessica to talk about St. Thomas Aquinas' teaching on penance. In this episode Fr. James explains: How penance is "medicine for the soul" and corrects the disorder of sin The effects of penance, which include: restoring right order in the soul, restoring order in relationships, eradicating bad inclinations, and conducing a perso...

FOCUS National Chaplain Fr. Gabriel Gillen joins Jessica to talk about suffering and the tremendous power it has when "offered up." Fr. Gabriel and Jess discuss: The most common questions people ask when they are suffering, such as, "Is my suffering my fault?" "Is God punishing me for my sin?" "If God is good, why isn't He putting an end to my suffering?&quo...

In this episode, Fr. James Brent joins Jessica to explain St. Thomas Aquinas' teaching on grace.  Fr. James explains: How grace enables us to participate in the very life of God St. Thomas Aquinas' teaching on the 3 things that happen when God dwells in a soul: he gives the soul illumination, divine help, and inclinations of the heart. 3 things we can do to grow in grace And much more! F...

In this episode, Angela Schnieders, a FOCUS alumna and Certified Strategist with The Wholeness School, joins Jessica to talk about the virtue of modesty. Jess and Angela discuss: How modesty is a virtue for both women and men Key questions to ask when considering modesty in clothing, such as, "What does my clothing communicate about my dignity and worth?" What principles should I use whe...

In this episode, Hilary Draftz joins Jessica and Fr. Kevin to discuss the impact of movies on the spiritual life. Hilary, Jess, and Fr. Kevin discuss: The principles Hilary and Fr. Kevin use to decide if they should see a new movie The question: Should Christians watch horror films? Hilary and Fr. Kevin's top 4 recommendations for movies to watch with your disciples. Hilary Draftz became a fu...

In this last episode in our beauty series, Katie Weiss returns to talk about the power of beauty in evangelization efforts. Katie and Jess discuss: Why beauty is an effective tool for evangelization Katie points out, “we are what we reflect on” and encourages listeners to engage with beauty so that they can share it with others Katie gives advice on how people who are unartistic can begin to evang...

In the second episode of our beauty series, Katie Weiss returns to explain how to pray Visio Divina. Visio Divina is an ancient prayer method that incorporates art and Sacred Scripture into meditation. Katie explains: The steps of Visio Divina How to find good images to pray with during your holy hour How praying with images can heal the memory and imagination   If you are interested in praying wi...

In this first episode of our series on beauty, Katie Weiss, Founder of Behold Visio Divina joins Jessica to talk about why beauty is important for the spiritual life. Jess and Katie discuss: The 3 transcendentals: truth, goodness, and beauty Is beauty “in the eye of the beholder” or is beauty objective? St. Thomas Aquinas’ teaching on the 3 aspects of beauty: integrity, proportion, and clarity.  ...

How can God free you from addiction? In this episode, FOCUS missionaries Leah Nielson and James Hare join Jessica to talk about their work with the Freedom Project. Jess, Leah, and James discuss: What is the Freedom Project and how does it help missionaries receive freedom from addiction? Why do you prefer the term "addiction" as opposed to "habitual sin" for porn and alcohol a...

Spiritual direction is a game-changer for growing in the spiritual life, yet it can be very challenging to find a director. Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., seeks to answer that problem by raising up new directors in his Spiritual Direction Training Program through the Institute of Ministry Formation. In this episode, Fr. Boniface and Jessica discuss: How do you know when someone is ready to be a spiri...

The Bishops have sounded a call in the Church for Eucharistic revival!  Fr. Doug Grandon, FOCUS national chaplain and one of the Revival's 55 Eucharistic Preachers, joins Jessica to talk about the Revival and how you can be part of it. Jess and Fr. Doug discuss: Why the Bishops are calling for a Eucharistic Revival Fr. Doug's journey of coming to belief in the true presence of Jesus in t...

A former slave is now on the road to becoming a saint! In this episode, Jessica is joined by David Uebbing, the Vice-Postulator for Julia Greeley's Cause for Canonization.  Julia Greeley was born into slavery around the year 1833 and freed during the American Civil War. She later converted to Catholicism and became known for her charity to the poor and love of the Sacred Heart. David shares w...

In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to discuss the dangers of perfectionism in our spiritual lives and how to overcome it. Fr. John Ignatius and Jess discuss: How Jesus' command, "Be you perfect" (Mt 5:48) is different than perfectionism Signs that someone is suffering from perfectionism vs. striving for excellence How we can overcome perfectionism Fr. John Igna...