The Catholic Mama

In the 21st Century, nearly half of all US marriages end in divorce. It disrupts the family structure, harms children, and damages society. The Catholic Church, based on Genesis and the teachings of Jesus, has held firm in its rejection of society's pressure to accept divorce.   Listen to this 8 minute episode to learn more about the Church's teachings on divorce. ---- To read more about what the...

Christine chats with Catholic writer, speaker pregnancy and birth advocate, doula, wife, and mother of six, Mary Haseltine in this episode of The Catholic Mama to discuss Mary's new book  Made for This :  A Catholic Mom's Guide to Birth  and how women are created to give life. Pregnancy, fertility, childbirth, motherhood...these are all divinely inspired and bring us closer to God. Find Mary on In...

Continuing on the topic of tough and controversial social teachings of the Catholic Church, Christine discusses abortion.  Covered under the Fifth Commandment "Thou shalt not commit murder," abortion is a mortal sin that disrespects the human life that God created in the image of Himself.  We are valuable and our Creator loves us, no matter what size or stage of development we are in. For women wh...

Christine and Pat sit down to talk action, adventure and...Christian morality? Yep! In this episode, The Catholic Mama discusses the best action movies of the year from a Catholic perspective. Hollywood, it seems, got a few things right in 2018.  Like what you hear? Then please subscribe and leave a very nice review. They help spread this little ministry across the internet and keep those motivati...

In this mini-episode, Christine dives into one of the most controversial social teachings of the Church: Contraception.  Understanding the body-spirit connection we are all created with, what marriage actually is, and what its natural end is makes the rejection of contraception a non-issue.  Listen to this 8 minute episode to learn more about the Church's teachings on contraception and the conjuga...

In evangelizing, there are certain buzz objection to Catholicism that seem to come up - one of them is whether it's right for Catholics to only allow men to become priests. This, in turn, begs the question - if women aren't allowed to become priests, what are their roles within the Church? In Episode 28 of The Catholic Mama podcast, Christine dives into this question. --- Need help answering some...

In this mini-episode, Christine discusses the last of the Seven Sacred Sacraments: The Sacrament of Holy Orders. In regards to the purpose of this sacrament, St. Gregory says it most beautifully: "We must begin by purifying ourselves before purifying others; we must be instructed to be able to instruct, become light to illuminate, draw close to God to bring him close to others, be sanctified to sa...

If you're burnt out on holiday stuff by December 25th or feel like just one day to celebrate isn't enough, take a listen to EP 26: How to Celebrate Christmas Like a Catholic.  Christine explains both advent and the Octave of Christmas and how-and why - to celebrate both...and they're probably different than how most people are celebrating Christmas now.  --- Need help answering some basic question...

In this mini-episode, Christine discusses the sixth of the Seven Sacred Sacraments: Anointing the Sick. "By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to...

Christine is joined by her husband Pat to discuss how their lives have changed since becoming Christians a year ago. Has life been harder? Yes. Has it been richer and fuller? A resounding yes. Listen in as Christine and Pat give insight, inspiration, and some advice on being a Catholic Christian in 2018. --- Need help answering some basic questions about Christianity and Catholicism? Then be sure...

In this mini-episode, Christine discusses the fifth of the Seven Sacred Sacraments: Penance, otherwise known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Confession, Conversion, and Forgiveness. "The sinner wounds God's honor and love, his own human dignity as a man called to be a son of God, and the spiritual well-being of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone." (CCC 1487) Listen...

In EP 25, Christine chats with Katie Bogner, blogger, educator, and passionate lifelong Catholic. From a love of Fulton Sheen to a desire to help other educators and parents provide great catechesis to their students, children and themselves, Katie is a great example of a Catholic who embodies and lives out their faith.   Find Katie (and some really great resources!) on her website: http://www.loo...

Pray along with Christine as she prays the Divine Mercy Chaplet. This can be completed on rosary beads, if you have them available.  As pray sessions and episodes get added regularly, don't miss out! Subscribe to The Catholic Mama and don't forget to leave a nice little review so this ministry can go. 

In this mini-episode, Christine discusses the fourth of the Seven Sacred Sacraments: Matrimony. Marriage was raised by Christ to the level of a sacrament by rooting the concept of marriage to the very beginning of the creation of man. And while sin has introduced many hardships into marriage, it ultimately is there to lead us on a path to holiness through self-giving, love, and participation in cr...

Follow along with Christine as she prays the rosary's Luminous Mysteries. I. The Baptism of Jesus II. The Wedding at Cana III. Proclamation of the Kingdom IV. The Transfiguration V. Institution of the Eucharist The rosary is a powerful and beautiful prayer that can (and should!) be included in daily prayer. Hopefully, this episode of The Catholic Mama will help you do just that.   To learn more on...

Heading on the road for a long trip? Taking a plane across country? In this episode, Christine shares the strategies she's been using with her three small children on 20+ flights and over 30,000 miles of road trip driving in the past five years.  With some preparation and expectation setting, traveling with small children doesn't have to be overly stressful and it can actually be enjoyable.  --- N...

In this mini-episode, Christine discusses the third of the Seven Sacred Sacraments: the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Catholic life as we drawn ever nearer to our Lord in Heaven and to one another within the mystical body of His Church. Listen to this 7 minute episode to learn more about the third of the three sacraments of Christian Initiation. To read more about what th...

In this episode, Christine gives a brief history of Halloween and just how very Catholic its origins are. Does that mean Catholics can celebrate this holiday? If so, what are the appropriate ways to celebrate it? Listen to learn more about this holiday.   --- Need help answering some basic questions about Christianity and Catholicism? Then be sure and grab The Catholic Mama's How to Talk to Your K...

In this mini-episode, Christine discusses the second of the Seven Sacred Sacraments: Confirmation. In this rite, with the anointing of oils and laying on of hands, the Holy Spirit descends upon the recipient and better perfects the baptismal grace. Listen to this 8 minute episode to learn more about the second of the three sacraments of Christian Initiation. To read more about what the Catholic Ch...

Did the Church Fathers, the earliest Christians, those closes to Jesus get it right? Or did it need to be improved upon over many years of debate and study?  In this episode, Christine is joined by Pat to discuss how the writings and beliefs of the earliest Christians were no doubt Catholic.   --- Need help answering some basic questions about Christianity and Catholicism? Then be sure and grab Th...

In this mini-episode, Christine discusses the first of the Seven Sacred Sacraments: Baptism. This is the first rite, the sacrament that brings catechumens into the Church, to die to themselves and be resurrected with Christ into a new creature.  Listen to this 7 minute episode to learn more about this first sacrament. To read more about what the Catholic Church says about the Sacred Sacraments, pu...

In last week's episode, we discussed the three root sins and gave the homework to discern which one most traps you.  In Episode 21, Pat joins Christine to discuss the theological virtues, that is the only real antidotes to the poison that is root sin.  Need help answering some basic questions about Christianity and Catholicism? Then be sure and grab The Catholic Mama's How to Talk to Your Kids abo...

Saying goodbye to our exposition on the Ten Commandments, we head this week into the Sacred Sacraments of the Catholic Church, of which there are seven. In this mini-episode, Christine offers a brief introduction to these sacraments but spends time laying out the critical understanding of what man is - both body and soul united into one nature. Why does this matter to the sacraments? Listen and fi...

Follow along with Christine as she prays the rosary's Sorrowful Mysteries. The rosary is a powerful and beautiful prayer that can (and should!) be included in daily prayer. Hopefully, this episode of The Catholic Mama will help you do just that.   To learn more on how to pray the rosary, click here . For more information on the Blessed Mother, click here . You can buy a copy of Let's Pray (Not Jus...

On our paths to sainthood, we need to fully come to terms with ourselves, including what drives us. As fallen beings, we are driven by sin, and while there are many ways in which to sin, they all boil down to one of three root sins: Pride, Vanity, and Sensuality. Which one do you most heavily identify with? Listen to this episode of The Catholic Mama podcast to find out.