Say Yes to Holiness Christina Semmens

Sister Alicia Torres of the Franciscans of Eucharist of Chicago discusses her journey of faith and the work she is doing with the National Eucharistic Revival. She highlights the importance of the family in the journey of discipleship and shares her own experiences of daily Mass and commitment to the pro-life movement. Sister Alicia also talks about the Eucharistic Revival and the National Eucharistic Congress, emphasizing the need for authentic encounter with the Holy Eucharist and the importance of being a Eucharistically centered community. She encourages individuals and parishes to participate in the revival through prayer, adoration, and service.



Takeaways

The family plays a crucial role in the journey of discipleship.

Encounter with the Holy Eucharist is essential for deepening one's relationship with God.

Being a Eucharistically centered community involves recognizing the sacrifice of Christ and living a life of self-gift.

Participation in the Eucharistic Revival can be through prayer, adoration, and service.

Praying for bishops and priests is important, as they are instrumental in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Personal habits and practices, such as quiet time and creative activities, can contribute to one's journey towards holiness.



Sound Bites

"The family plays a crucial role in the journey of discipleship."

"Encounter with the Holy Eucharist is essential for deepening one's relationship with God."

"Being a Eucharistically centered community involves recognizing the sacrifice of Christ and living a life of self-gift."



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:16 Similar Journeys and the Importance of the Church Community

04:15 The National Eucharistic Revival and the Eucharistic Congress

09:41 Participating in the Eucharistic Revival

13:26 Praying for Bishops and Priests

29:44 Closing Remarks and Invitation










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The Say Yes to Holiness podcast seeks to provide Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet  to help inspire, encorage and accompany you on the journey towards holiness... 

In this episode, Christina discusses the importance of the Holy Spirit in our journey towards holiness. She emphasizes the need to be aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and to invite Him into our lives. Semmens also highlights the role of prayer in forming virtues, suppressing negative emotions, and drawing us closer to God. She encourages listeners to prioritize prayer and trust in God's plan. Additionally, Semmens explores the concept of detachment, obedience, and trust, using Mary as an example. She concludes by offering resolutions for listeners to deepen their relationship with the Holy Spirit and grow in holiness. 

Takeaways


Be aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and invite Him into your life
Prioritize prayer to form virtues and suppress negative emotions
Practice detachment, obedience, and trust in God's plan
Seek inspiration from Mary's example of detachment, obedience, and trust
Make resolutions to deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit and grow in holiness

Sound Bites


"The Holy Spirit is the life of our souls"
"Virtues are formed by prayer"
"The Holy Spirit is a master craftsman who fashions living stones into a spiritual temple"

May this podcast help inspire, encourage and accompany you in doing WHATEVER IT TAKES so that you may continue to grow in holiness as we tell the Master of Death, “Not Today!” 


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In this Say Yes to Holiness 1:1 Conversation podcast, Christina speaks with Karen Stiller, author of 'Holiness Here'. In their conversation, they discuss the importance of holiness in everyday life.

Karen shares her own faith journey and how she was inspired by her husband's commitment to holiness. She also emphasizes the need for honesty and transparency in our spiritual growth and encourages readers to believe in their own holiness. Karen suggests practical steps such as sitting in a room and affirming, 'I am holy', and being open to opportunities for acts of love and forgiveness. Finally, Karen also highlights the power of community and accountability in our journey towards holiness.

Takeaways


Holiness is not just for the 'perfect', but for everyone. We are called to participate in our own transformation and believe in our belovedness.
Practical steps towards holiness include affirming our holiness, being open to acts of love and forgiveness, and growing through both love and hardship.
Honesty and transparency are essential in our spiritual growth. Sharing our struggles and mistakes with others creates a space for growth and accountability.
Reading spiritual books and engaging in spiritual practices can deepen our understanding of holiness and support our journey towards sanctity.
Believing in our own holiness and embracing the journey of growth can bring meaning and purpose to our faith.

Sound Bites


"We want to change and we want to know that this life of faith is an adventure."
"Holiness is transforming union with God."
"We are holy, but then we get to do holy and then we will grow."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:00 Karen's Faith Journey and Vocation as a Writer

07:12 Redefining Holiness and Embracing the Journey

15:09 Discussing Holiness Differently to Propel Growth

23:04 Moving Beyond Messiness and Brokenness

26:50 Practical Steps Towards Holiness

29:38 The Power of Honesty and Accountability

35:10 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

 

To learn more about Karen and her work, go to: www.karenstiller.com




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The Say Yes to Holiness podcast seeks to provide Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet  to help inspire, encorage and accompany you on the journey towards holiness... 

 In this episode, Christina Semmens discusses the significance of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how we can embrace the waiting period before Pentecost. She emphasizes the importance of stripping our intellect of passions in order to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Semmens also highlights the role of the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, in nourishing our souls and allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. She encourages listeners to do good deeds with love, asking for Mary's intercession, and to remain steadfast in their faith despite the imperfections of the Church.

Takeaways


Stripping our intellect of passions allows us to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The sacraments, especially the Eucharist, nourish our souls and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
Doing good deeds with love, through the intercession of Mary, is essential.
Despite the imperfections of the Church, we should remain steadfast in our faith and trust that God will reform His Church according to His will.

Sound Bites


"When our intellect, our reason, is stripped of the passions, then we are truly open to the Holy Spirit."
"The Holy Spirit brings Jesus to you, for example, for you to consume body, blood, soul, and divinity."
"Without love, deeds, even those that seem quite extraordinary count as nothing."

Chapters


00:00 Embracing the Waiting Period Before Pentecost
08:48 Nourishing Our Souls Through the Sacraments
15:15 Doing Good Deeds with Love

May this podcast help inspire, encourage and accompany you in doing WHATEVER IT TAKES so that you may continue to grow in holiness as we tell the Master of Death, “Not Today!” 



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In this episode, Christina speaks with Rachel Balducci, a writer and co-host of the GIST on Catholic TV, shares her journey of finding her identity and purpose as a wife and mother. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing that our worth and identity come from being known and loved by God. Rachel also discusses the power of prayer and the need to create sacred spaces to connect with the Lord. She encourages women to find their unique gifts and wait on God's timing, rather than trying to do everything at once. Rachel's work as a writer has allowed her to share her personal experiences and lessons learned, while also inspiring others.



Takeaways



Our worth and identity come from being known and loved by God.

Create sacred spaces and spend time in prayer to connect with the Lord.

Recognize and embrace your unique gifts, and wait on God's timing.

Share your personal experiences and lessons learned to inspire others.

Sound Bites



"I'm a mom. That's my primary vocation."

"We're too quick to let our identity come from the things we do."

"You have value beyond measure."



Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:28 Rachel's Journey to Being a Writer and Co-Host

05:15 The Importance of Recognizing Our Worth and Identity

09:03 Discovering Passion and Adventure in Life

14:31 The Power of Prayer and Creating Sacred Spaces

25:41 Finding Peace and Truth in Prayer

29:03 Advice to Her 18-Year-Old Self

32:23 Conclusion and Where to Find Rachel's Work



www.rachelbalducci.com




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The Say Yes to Holiness podcast is all about providing you Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet  to help inspire, encorage and accompany you on the journey towards holiness... 

In this episode, Christina Semmens discusses the gifts and graces of the Easter season and how we can grow in holiness. She emphasizes the importance of staying connected to Jesus, relying on His strength, and utilizing the gifts He has given us. Christina also encourages listeners to pause, practice aspirations (short prayers), and seek spiritual direction or mentorship. The key takeaways include pausing to see the goodness around us, staying connected to Jesus through aspirations, relying on His word and sacraments, and seeking guidance from a spiritual director or mentor.

Takeaways


Pause and see the goodness around you
Practice aspirations to stay connected to Jesus
Rely on Jesus' word and sacraments
Seek guidance from a spiritual director or mentor

Sound Bites


"We rely on ourselves"
"Pause and give thanks"
"Practice aspirations" 

May this podcast help inspire, encourage and accompany you in doing WHATEVER IT TAKES so that you may continue to grow in holiness as we tell the Master of Death, “Not Today!” 


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