Abiding Together

I Choose You In this episode we talk about the beautiful words of Jesus in John 15:16 where he tells us that He has chosen us and that his desire is that we bear fruit that will last. It’s the deepest desires of every heart to be known, to be chosen, and to belong, but often we don’t believe the truth of our belovedness in the core of our being. We chat about the difference between fruit that lasts and success and how being rooted deeply in Jesus is essential for good fruit in our life. Sister Miriam’s one thing - The Song by NEEDTOBREATHE “A Place Only You Can Go”   Michelle’s one thing - The most wonderful time of the year...College Football is back!   Heather’s one thing - The first class relic of St. Therese the Little Flower, sent to me by Fr. Josh Johnson. You can also check out his podcast Ask Fr. Josh Also Jesse and Kathleen of A Guy and a Girl cover NEEDTOBREATHE   Discussion questions:     What struck you from the podcast? How do you feel when you imagine God saying to you “ I choose you”. What

Words Have Power In this episode we talk about how words have incredible power to either bless or curse, to build up or tear down. We talk about how social media can be a place of connection, but also a place where we quickly forget to treat people with dignity. The truth that our words have power to restore, heal, be prophetic is something that can challenge us to be more discerning about how we speak and take the lead by being people who bless others. Sister Miriam’s one thing - A gift of a handmade journal made by Magdelena. Thank you so much!   Michelle’s one thing - The Steubenville Encounter Conference in Dallas   Heather’s one thing - The podcast “Every Knee Shall Bow” on the Ascension website    Discussion questions:     What struck you from the podcast? When have you witnessed the desire to be right as more important than caring for and respecting another person? Is this something you have struggled with? What would it look like if we all started intentionally offering life giving words t

Welcome to Season 6! To kick off our new season, we dive in deep and talk about how we are all called to live a life of holiness. We discuss that in the midst of difficulty all around us, we are called to pursue a disciplined spiritual life and live radical holiness. We also talk about the tension between accepting our weakness, but not justifying our sin. The truth is that we have to be willing to go down to the depths, so that God can truly raise us from the dead to new life. Sister Miriam’s one thing - Fr. Jacques Phillipe’s book/guided retreat “The Way of Trust and Love”  Michelle’s one thing - Maverick City Music “Real Thing” Heather’s one thing - Bishop Robert Barron’s book “Letter to a Suffering Church”  Discussion questions:     What decisions do you need to make in this season to grow in holiness? How does our Catholic theology move from understanding to becoming an everyday reality for you and your family? What is one area that you need to grow in discipline and self control that will lead to a go

This is our final episode of season 5! We revisit some of our favorite episodes and talk about the beautiful moments we have experienced with our community of listeners and Facebook discussion group. We also talk more about what restored femininity and masculinity looks like and our desire to see women fully live out their calling in the Church. One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - Our awesome listeners! Michelle’s one thing - All of the young adult missionaries! Heather’s one thing - The “Shine” retreat with Blessed is She Discussion Questions What stuck out to you from Season 5? How has that impacted your spiritual walk with God? What are you most grateful for this year? What do you think is necessary to have good and hard conversations where differences of opinion are present? Journal Questions How has your word of the year born fruit so far this year? Write out the graces you have received during this first half of the year. How have you seen God move? Where do you still need God t

In this episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we discuss the power of living a forgiving life, especially when it comes to parenting children, and how unforgiveness in our life can keep us in bondage, and stems from a wound that needs healing. We talk about how sometimes forgiveness feels like we are letting people off the hook, instead of it being a willingness to release our grasp and open ourselves up to God's grace. One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - Seeking Healing Through Forgiveness SEEK Talk with Fr. John Burns Michelle’s one thing - Endow - Discovering the Doctors Michelle’s other one thing - Story of forgiveness Heather’s one thing - Blessed is She daily devotional for children ages 8-12 called Rise Up Discussion Questions What is one area where you are finding it hard to offer forgiveness? Sister Miriam quotes this “resentment is like drinking a little bit of poison every day and hoping the other person dies.” Discuss this truth in your own life. How can you model a life

In this episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we had the pleasure of interviewing Fr. Mike Schmitz! Fr. Mike is a wonderful speaker and evangelist, but more than that, he is a beautiful witness of what it looks like to be a spiritual father. We discuss spiritual fatherhood in the priesthood and some of the stumbling blocks in our relationship with God the Father. We also discuss what restored masculinity and the family looks like. One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - The book The Life Model: Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You Michelle’s one thing - Summer hospitality and potlucks! Heather’s one thing - The music video for “Fall On Me” by Andrea and Matteo Bocelli Fr. Mike’s One things - Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax and The Heart of Perfection by Colleen Campbell Discussion Questions Do you feel like you can trust God? What makes you distrust his heart at times? What is your experience of fatherhood in your life? How has this impacted your relationship with God the Father positively or ne

As we approach Pentecost this week, we thought it would be awesome to re-release our conversation from last year about the Holy Spirit with our dear friend, Fr. Dave Pivonka TOR. Fr. Dave created the popular series on the Holy Spirit called “The Wild Goose” with 4PM Media and he was just named the new President of Franciscan University. We had the pleasure of hearing Fr. Dave’s story and chatted with him about how to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and practical ways to open up to a new Pentecost in our own hearts. We were moved and inspired by this conversation and hope that you will be too. You can check out the free Wild Goose Series here. One Thing We Love This Week Sr. Miriam’s One Thing – Meaningful Market’s Father’s Day print and postcards! find them here. 15% your entire order at Meaningful Market with discount code - Abide15 Michelle's One Thing - New study from Blessed Is She “Blessed Conversations study on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy called Misericordia” Heather's One Thing

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather discuss how to have fruitful and authentic small group discussions that provide safety and opportunities for deep connection with others. We give insights into how to talk in a vulnerable way, how to sit at one another’s feet and listen, and what the ingredients are for meaningful conversations. We hope this offers some helpful insights for going deeper in your friendships and small faith groups with other women. One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - Heather’s Greek Salad (diced cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, sweet onion and feta (you can get it without goat milk if you like) and the amazing Abbotsford Greek Islands restaurant dressing. Michelle’s one thing - Reading books aloud with her daughter. She is using this website to read The Secret Garden. Heather’s one thing - Making an awesome charcuterie board. Here’s a link with a video of how to make one. Also, you can pinterest this and find other cool ide

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather discuss their own personal prayer lives and how it has changed through seasons and vocation. They also chat about how to develop a rhythm of prayer, cultivating spiritual disciplines, and how to pray with your spouse. One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - The beautiful hike at Heather’s house Michelle’s one thing - Devotion to the Sacred Heart Heather’s one thing - Our friend of the podcast Michael Corcoro Discussion Questions What form of prayer do you find easiest? What is the most challenging for you? How can you experience the gift of prayer in this season of your life? What ushers you into the presence of God quickly? Discuss the idea of a daily conversation with God throughout your day. If you're married, how can you pray with your spouse this week? Journal Questions How is God inviting you to make time with Him? What is most on your heart right now to speak with God about? What devotions are you drawn to and

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather recap their conference on restoring the beauty with special guest Fr. Josh Johnson. We talk about the four themes of our weekend and how this applies to all of us at every stage in our spiritual journey. We also discuss what it looks like to have restored hearts, femininity, hope, relationships. One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - Book by Dr. Conrad Bars I Will Give Them a New Heart Michelle’s one thing - Being together Heather’s one thing - Her husband Jake (also the incredible Hannah Van Noort) Fr. Josh’s one thing - Fr. Lucio Choi & Heather’s family Discussion Questions Fr. Josh said that when we allow Jesus into our painful places that he will not hurt us, he will only love us. What does this stir in you? Sometimes we can brood and focus on our pain or lies more than the truth. What does this do to your heart when you do this? How can you change this pattern? The word restore means to stand again. What is a

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather talk about the gift and calling of motherhood. Whether it be biological or spiritual motherhood, every woman is called to offer her maternity. Motherhood stretches our hearts to love more deeply and give new life to others. We talk about adoption and spiritual motherhood, which allows others to be born in our hearts as we image the gift of adoption that God has given to us. Visit ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - the beauty of Bowling Green, Kentucky Michelle’s one thing - weekend getaways with her spouse Heather’s one thing - two songs from the new Hillsong United album, “People”: Clean and Highlands (Song of Ascent) Discussion Questions Where do you experience the joy of maternity and femininity? What would you like Jesus to heal in your maternity and femininity? How is God inviting you to expand your hea

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather talk about Pope Francis' Easter message and how we can truly live in the Resurrection. We discuss the power of God that can roll away even the hardest stones in our heart and what the common blocks are to hope in Jesus. Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - Seminarians at Mundelein Seminary Michelle’s one thing - Writings of Fr. Padro Arrupe, SJ Heather’s one thing - The Song “Healer” by Upperroom worship and in case you missed it, here’s Heather’s Easter Playlist - Hallelujah Is Our Song Discussion Questions What is the stone that I need to remove, what is the name of this stone? Am I expecting to find the Risen Jesus in the most painful parts of my heart and story? Where am I giving into discouragement and where have I lost hope? What struck you from Pope Francis' message or the podcast and why? Jo

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather talk about the gift of God's mercy. In light of the diary of St. Faustina, they discuss how often we don't turn to God in our weakness and sin because of shame or a belief that we are not worthy. The truth is that God's mercy is a free, inexhaustible gift that our loving Father wants to give to us in abundance. Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - Springtime and flowers Michelle’s one thing - Her trip to Dallas Heather’s one things - Free 50 day Easter Devotional “Arise” The new Hillsong Young & Free acoustic album Easter Playlist - Hallelujah Is Our Song Discussion Questions: What struck you from the podcast this week? What has been a stumbling block for you in receiving God’s mercy? Often we think of God as a harsh Father, but in fact he shows us His vulnerability as He pours out His heart to u

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather have another heart to heart conversation with our good friend Dr. Bob Schuchts. Dr. Bob is a family and marriage counsellor for 40 years and founder of JPII Healing Center. Dr. Bob shares about the 7 universal wounds in the human person that affect how we relate to others, ourselves, and God. He teaches about how those present themselves in our lives and how we can begin the healing journey that leads to freedom. You can find more about Dr. Bob’s ministry at https://jpiihealingcenter.org/ Dr. Bob’s book “Be Healed” - https://jpiihealingcenter.org/product/be-healed-dr-bob-schuchts-copy/ All his other books - https://jpiihealingcenter.org/shop/ Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - Song “Come out of Hiding” Steffany Gretzinger Michelle’s one thing - Song “You Don’t Miss a Thing” by Amanda Cook Heather’

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather finish up their Lenten series on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. They talk about how God wants to build a house where he dwells within us and how we are invited to be receptive and open instead of self protective. They dig into what causes us to lose peace and ask how are we letting the Prince of Peace take care of our difficult situations in life. Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - Bishop Barron Presents with Leah Libresco (Facebook link) Michelle’s one thing - Think Like a Tree - Live Oaks Heather’s one thing - Story behind the song “As You Find Me” by Hillsong United Discussion Questions: What makes me lose my peace? What are the things that are keeping God from creating the house that he wants to build in us? Is my interior house (in my heart) a place where o

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather continue the conversation in week five of Lent on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. We talk about how we often cover up our weakness and sin in attempts to make ourselves more presentable to God, but that God wants to draw near to us in our weakness and receive every part of us. We also talk about some rules of discernment and how to abandon our will to God in total trust. Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week Sister Miriam’s one thing: The song “Build My Life” by Housefires Michelle’s one thing: Beautiful Easter plates designed by Erica Tighe at beaheart.com Michelle’s other one thing: This new Alleluia cake topper Heather’s one thing: The Abiding Together small groups that are meeting together! Discussion Questions: Do you ever feel like you need to “cover up” before approaching God? Do you fe

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather continue the conversation in week 4 of Lent with Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. We talk about the frequent human experience of wishing that we had a different life or circumstance than the one we really have. We discuss how the enemy can block us from understanding where God is in our suffering and that the key is to allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and open our eyes to a new perspective. Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week Sister Miriam’s one thing: The documentary “Free Solo” Michelle’s one thing: Prayer of Abandonment Michelle’s other one thing: Be Brave in the Sacred, Mary Lenaburg Heather’s one thing: The song “Confident” by Steffany Gretzinger and Bobby Strand Discussion Questions Where is the enemy trying to make you believe that real life is elsewhere? We are not called to

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather continue the conversation in week three of Lent on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. We talk about how fear often causes us to self protect or hustle to escape suffering instead of trusting God. We discuss the power of making space for God and his providence in our lives and how we can trust him when we experience suffering. Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week Sister Miriam’s one thing: The song "Open Space” by Housefires Michelle’s one thing: The song “Awakening” by Amanda Cook Heather’s one thing: Peace playlist Discussion Questions What is the biggest thing you fear will be lacking or absent in your life? Where do you think you need to make space for God to show his abundance and his providence? St John of the Cross says that God gives in the measure that we expect. Discuss that quote and h

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather continue the conversation on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. They discuss the importance of learning to fight the right battles and how often the enemy distracts us by enticing us to live small stories and fight the wrong battles, which we often lose or exhaust us. We also talk about being anchored in the identity as children of God, the power we gain from keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, and where our true home is. Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week: Sister Miriam’s one thing - Pope Francis’s Lenten letter Michelle’s one thing - Lauren Daigle - Love Like This Heather’s one thing - Documentary movie about Mr. Rogers “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” Discussion Questions: 1.) Do you notice in your life that you are putting energy into small stories (battles) rather than the bigger stories that are le

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather begin Lent with reflections on the book Searching For and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe. They chat about the truth that without God we can do nothing and that searching for peace isn’t about doing more, but opening to the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are challenged by our calling to be peacemakers and we can’t do that if we don’t have the peace of God first within us. We also ask, what is taking our attention away from the gaze of God this Lent? Visit ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week: Sister Miriam’s one thing - St. Faustina’s book Way of the Cross Michelle’s one thing - The book The Contemplative Rosary with St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Avila by Dan Burke Heather’s one thing - The Blessed is She Shine Retreat and the reliquary at St. Tim’s parish in Phoenix, Arizona Discussion Questions: 1.) What a