Heart of the Ark

DIlexit Nos in a Year - Session 4 - Chapter 1, Returning to the heart - Paragraphs 9-13. Pope Francis asks us to contemplate a return to the heart in the midst of a world that no longer recognizes authenticity or the need for an interior life, in order to recognize ourselves and be able to grow intimacy with others. Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and t...

"It's not about the color or the nationality, it's about loving God" with Rahsaan Garlin, Coordinator of African American, African and Caribbean Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Newark speaks with Jen about the importance of representation, and assisting Black families in building community to create strong families of faith for the younger generations. Rahsaan spearheaded the Archdiocese of Newar...

Dilexit Nos in a Year session 3 - Chapter 1 paragraphs 5 through 8. - Like Grandma's Cookies Pope Francis continues with the symbolic meaning of the heart as a locus of sincerity. He asks us questions about the nature of the way we see ourselves authentically, and how we live in the world. He explores the idea behind deceit, falsehood, pretense and lies, versus living an authentic life full of the...

This is Session 2 of Dilexit Nos in a Year from the Heart of the Ark Podcast. In the first Chapter of Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis traces the historical and philosophical idea of the heart as locus of reason and desire that forms the core of being of a human. We explore Chapter 1 - Paragraphs 2-4. Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics coverred in orde...

It is through the Dilexit Nos in a Year from the Heart of the Ark, that we will seek to ask questions and pray together that Jesus Christ may do the transformative work in our hearts necessary to move from initiated believer, to abiding discipleship, to dwelling place of the spirit which serves in sacrificial self-gift. Borrowing from the Monastic tradition, we will read, ponder some questions and...

Dilexit Nos in a Year - Why read it? Why did Pope Francis write it? What does it have to do with Evangelization? Post-COVID-19 ministry is an evolving process, Dilexit Nos, speaks right into the heart of our communities' issues and provides a framework for rebuilding a discipleship culture. As the pastoral conversion process seeks to address the multiplicity of love spoken about in John's gospel,...

Dilexit Nos, We Are His Witness, and the spiritual and communal work of responding to the heartbeat of Jesus. In October 2024, Pope Francis issues his fourth encyclical, Dilexit Nos “ON THE HUMAN AND DIVINE LOVE OF THE HEART OF JESUS CHRIST”. Just this past month, Cardinal Tobin, issued a Pastoral reflection “We Are His Witnesses”. In order to become the individual members of a community in which...

This is Session 1 of Dilexit Nos in a Year from the Heart of the Ark Podcast. Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics coverred in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos,...

Jen visits Dr. Howard Walker, a Catholic husband and father, and elementary school principal and educator who wants to spread wisdom for resilience in the face of adversity. Dr. Walker has struggled with his own childhood trauma and has learned from his own life and career some tips for learning to persevere despite grief. CONTENT WARNING - this episode covers discussion of childhood trauma and ab...

Fr. John and Jen discuss the ways in which we can better prepare for the coming joy of Christmas by fully embracing the Advent practices and prayer time that can help us ready our hearts for the Nativity. E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come by Ruth Manz - https://bibleasmusic.com/een-so-lord-jesus-quickly-come-revelation-1-4-4-8-22-20-5-paul-manz/ St. Andrew Novena - https://ascensionpress.com/pages/s...

Fr. John and Jen share some personal experiences, wisdom from saints and insights into how they both became converted to the power of the Rosary later in life. Through the ages, saints have pointed to the importance of saying the Rosary, but why? What can it teach us today, and how can we make the most of this spiritual practice in our lives. Eucharistic Rosary Congress: www.rosarycongressusa.org...

Fr. John and Jen start season 3 of The Heart of the Ark with a call back to Sunday. Making the Lord's day a priority for our lives and our families in order that we may live Monday through Saturday well. Domine Dies - (Day of the Lord - Pope St. John Paul II) - https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1998/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_05071998_dies-domini.html Sacramentum Caritatis -...

Jen and Fr. John team up to speak to James McElroy who began his studies at the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University this past week. James is a 24 year old "normal guy" who has spent a full year of discernment before entering the major seminary. He gives us all a new perspective for tackling the school year ahead. Vocations Office for the Archdiocese of Newark - https://www.newa...

Jen speaks with Brian Caldwell, Director of Family Life Office at the Archdiocese of Newark, and Adjunct Professor at Caldwell University (no relation) about the importance of making faith an integrated part of family life, and not just an add-on once a week for an hour on Sundays. Brian oversees the work of the Pre-Cana marraige prep for those beginning married life as well as the anniversary mas...

Jen speaks with Award winning composer, Alan Hommerding, whose diverse output as hymn text writer, poet, and Senior Editor at GIA Publications about the disciplines of writing and humility formed throughout a lifetime of ministry work. Alan once referred to himself rather dismissively as a "Catechist with a Rhyming dictionary", but has spent his career striving to bring the work of evangelization...

Jen speaks with Sister Marie Pauline Demek, SCC, President of Assumption College of Sisters in Denville, New Jersey about the work of Evangelization accomplished at ACS as springing from the founder of the Sisters of Christian Charity, Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt. Blessed Pauline's Eucharistic devotion spurred her to a lifetime of serving Christ in each person through compassion and education...

This year, Christians observe Ash Wednesday as secular society celebrates Valentine's Day. The paradox of these two celebrations can help us understand the consolation of God's mercy. We give a brief history of the season of Lent, some biblical and liturgical considerations we will encounter, and the ways in which we can enter deeper into our journey toward an Easter of transformation. Three times...

Jen interviews child psychologist, author, college professor and Catholic mom Lisa Lawmaster Hess about taking a Catholic view of organizing yourself and your family in love and mercy. Hess's book "Know Thyself: An Imperfectionist's guide to organizing your stuff" gives practical advice for accepting your own strengths and helping those who share your space work together to identify ways to make o...

Jen grabs a few moments with Cheryl Riley, the fearless director of the Office of Respect Life and Mercy House initiatives in the Archdiocese of Newark, in between her non-stop ministry to help women and families choose life. Cheryl's own healing came through Rachel's Vineyard retreats, which inform all of her work in ministry. Cheryl recently travelled to the country of Malta to help establish Ra...

Fr. John and Jen sit down together again (finally!) for one last conversation of hope before Christmas. Fr. John gives us a surefire way to be renewed in hope and joy this Christmas by bringing our repentant hearts to the manger this year. Jen and Fr. John read from some of the carols of the season that give us strong theology for discipleship once we get past the well-known first verse. Poem - Ch...

Jen has her first conversation with two guests, Fr. Gino de la Rama Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Newark, and Fr. Patrick Seo, Associate Vocations Director, about how to keep the door open for the young people in your life to consider their calling whether it be to marriage, clergy or religious life. Fr. Gino has served as the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Newark for the pa...

Fr. John recently attended a prayer meeting with a reflection led by Fred Bunsa. In the midst of all of your holiday preparation this week, we offer a 20 minute practical guide to give the gift of hope to the people whom you spend time with at Thanksgiving and enter the Advent season. People of Hope - https://www.peopleofhope.net/ Our original theme music is "Meditation" by Eric Hunter. - www.eric...

Jen interviews Paul Jarzembowski, author and Associate Director for the Laity, oversees USCCB engagement with lay ministry, ecclesial movements, youth, and young adults. Paul's book 'Hope for the Holidays' (Paulist Press 2023) offers practical advice for welcoming our holiday visitors back to church throughout Advent and into the Christmas season, using the secular narratives of the season to draw...

Jen shares some thoughts about a year of conversations on the Heart of the Ark podcast, and the role of conversation and dialogue in Evangelization.

Jen speaks with Eric Hunter, pianist, teacher and composer, about the ways in which an artist's outlook and a disciple's outlook overlap. Eric is the composer of our theme song, which has been expanded to a full work and has marked a big change in his compositional voice. Jen and Eric also speak about the recent papal address to artists in June 2023 ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO ARTISTS...