Ave Explores

Joel Stepanek, chief mission officer for the National Eucharistic Congress, talks about the origin and goals of the movement and previews the tenth National Eucharistic Congress, scheduled for July 17-21, 2024,in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Heather and Jake Khym talk with host Katie Prejean McGrady about how a deeper understanding of the Eucharist can lead to abundant, life changing healing in your life.

Scott and Kathryn Whitaker share how the Eucharist was a key part of the early days of their marriage and remains a root of their family life. Kathryn and Scott also provide practical tips on prioritizing the Eucharist to build a holy and happy culture in the home.

Perpetua Charles shares her story of finding comfort, home, and community by seeking out the Eucharist in the various places she's lived and worked and offers insight into how she's allowed the Eucharist to be a source of solace by way of taking time for Eucharistic Adoration.

Theologian and author Timothy P. O'Malley talks with host Katie Prejean McGrady about the Eucharist as a renewing force in our lives. Because we come to know Jesus stirring our hearts, the Eucharist can renew our communities, families, homes, and personal identities.

Sr. Alicia Torres, FE, shares how she was drawn to Franciscan spirituality rooted in a love of the Eucharist and seeing Jesus in the poor. She tells host Katie Prejean McGrady that she's come to see the Eucharist as a person who invites us to slow down and be loved intimately, even when things seem busy and beyond our control.

Fr. Craig Vasek, talks with Katie Prejean McGrady about how this life changed after his first authentic encounter with the Eucharist. Vasek also reinforces that the Eucharist is not a holy object, but a person—Jesus—to encounter and love.

In this week's episode, Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR, talks with Katie about finding ourselves in the Easter story. He says that when we embrace an authentic relationship with Christ, we can see how our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving have given space for him to dwell in our hearts.

Holy Week not only should be a time for deep contemplation of Christ's suffering but also an invitation to enter into our own hardship. On this week's podcast, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, discusses how patient suffering is a chance to grow closer to Jesus.

In this week's episode, Rakhi McCormick says we can return to the Lord this Lent if we allow the sadness and sorrow Jesus feels for the less fortunate of the world to energize us to work for change.

Stephanie Weinert, founder of Mother and Home, talks with Katie about losing her young son, Becket, and how his death brought her to a deeper understanding of suffering, the Cross, and how to navigate hardship with an anchor in Christ.

On this week's podcast, Paul George talks about leaning into intentional prayer and giving generously of our first fruits during Lent. These spiritual practices can sometimes make us uncomfortable, but the Lord can help us grow in that discomfort.

Fr. John LoCoco, vocations director for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, shares how Lent is a time of giving more and expecting more. By leaning into the suffering of Lent, in even the small things, we're able to more fully return to Jesus with our sometimes fractured and broken hearts.

On this week's podcast, Britt Fisk discusses radical surrender and dependence on God during her battle with cancer. Her season of suffering felt like a perpetual Lent, she says. Britt helps us see that trusting the Lord with the big things in our lives can help us trust him with the small ones as well.

Fr. John Burns, author of Return, talks about why returning to the Lord during Lent is important. He explains that when we pursue the spiritual practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we place ourselves before God in a healthy way.

In this special episode of Ave Explores: Lent 2023 , Mark Hart, AKA the "Bible Geek," says that we shouldn't start Lent hoping to complete a series of tasks on a list. Rather, we should commit ourselves to growing closer to Jesus.

Rachel and Jason Bulman, contributors to Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, discuss cultivating holiness, prayerfulness, and humility in a family. The couple also talks about how your healing journey can be essential to growing in holiness as a family.

Michelle Benzinger, cohost of the Abiding Together podcast, explores how childlike wonder is a source of joy and healing during Advent. Michelle says that as we contemplate the infant Jesus, we are brought into the beauty and simplicity of the incarnation. She also shares her own family's growing sense of delight in God's creation and in one another.

Fr. Josh Johnson, host of the podcast Ask Fr. Josh , reflects on the essential role of fathers in families and in the Church. He also discusses how fathers--through their role as protectors and shepherds--can inspire and transform a family.

Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, introduces the theme of each week of her Advent reflection journal, Behold . She also explains how allowing ourselves to gaze at God—and inviting God into our lives—is the most fruitful way to begin the Advent season.

Jackie Mulligan, CEO of Reform Wellness, says healing only happens when we know Jesus, rely on him, and allow him to heal us. We come to be healed through this relationship with Jesus.

Heather Khym, author of Abide and cohost of the Abiding Together podcast, shares her story of healing and her journey to understand God's love for her. Khym explains why all of us are called to and deserve, an abundant and healed life in Christ.

Jennifer Hubbard discusses how she found healing, peace, and new purpose after losing daughter, Catherine, in the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012.

Leticia Ochoa Adams, author of Our Lady of Hot Messes discusses her experience with childhood trauma and her grief following her son's death by suicide. She offers practical ways to engage with struggle, learn from wounds, and help others as they travel the same road.

Scott Weeman, executive director of Catholic in Recovery, discusses how twelve-step programs and the Sacraments work together to help people heal from addiction.