Say Yes to Holiness--Catholic Saints in Training

Christina Semmens

Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet to inspire, encourage and nourish future saints on the journey to holiness while finding purpose, peace and abundance in the midst of daily life.

  1. Jul 21

    Episode #264--"Healing and Hope through Faith: A Conversation on Anxiety, Trauma, and Spiritual Wellness with Catherine DiNuzzo"

    Join us for an inspiring episode where Christina Semmens welcomes Catherine DiNuzzo, author of The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety. They explore how faith, prayer, and the sacraments serve as powerful tools in managing anxiety and trauma, emphasizing the importance of integrating Catholic teachings into mental health wellness. Discover how saints and Scripture provide models of healing and resilience, offering comfort and strength on your faith journey. Share Catherine’s transformative journey from aspiring teacher to Catholic mental health advocate The profound connection between faith, body, and mental health Why Catholic principles offer unique strategies for coping with anxiety The importance of integrating Scripture, prayer, and sacraments into healing Understanding trauma versus traumatic events with saints’ examples The significance of working through holes and wounds in our spiritual and emotional lives Practical resources: the companion workbook and its role in personal healing The power of surrender and trust in God’s plan, inspired by the Sacred Heart devotion The role of saints like Mary Magdalene and Ignatius of Loyola as guides in recovery How to combat stigma around mental health with faith-based approaches Personal stories of overcoming grief, trauma, and anxiety through prayer and community The importance of communication and understanding in supporting loved ones with anxiety 00:00 - Introduction: Faith and mental health in today’s world01:16 - Catherine’s journey from teacher to Catholic mental health advocate02:19 - The biology of anxiety and faith’s role in healing03:40 - Faith and counseling: intertwined paths for wellness04:41 - How Catholic mass incorporates sensory grounding strategies05:48 - Why secular counseling lacks what the Church provides06:45 - The pervasive falsehoods about mental health and faith08:18 - Saints as models for overcoming trauma and shame09:17 - The analogy of swimming through life’s waves with God’s help10:03 - Addressing shame around mental health struggles11:57 - Filling holes with sand: understanding wounds and such filling with faith13:48 - Building a strong spiritual basement for resilience15:10 - Differentiating trauma and traumatic events16:39 - Saints as companions in healing: Ignatius, Josephine Bakhita, Paul, and Mary Magdalene18:26 - The empowering example of Mary Magdalene’s love and redemption19:54 - Prayer, Scripture, and sacraments as anchors for mental wellness22:35 - Using the companion workbook for personal growth and community24:14 - The importance of resources in Spanish for broader outreach25:31 - Challenges in reducing stigma and spreading faith-based mental health support30:53 - God’s use of our vulnerabilities for greater purpose32:29 - The practice of surrender and trusting in Sacred Heart devotion34:48 - Inspiration from Philip Neri’s story and surrendering one’s desires37:06 - Advice to younger self: “It’s gonna be okay”37:59 - Resources and where to find Catherine’s work39:04 - Final thoughts: You are not alone; faith and community are your strength Sacred Heart Mental Wellness Book: The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety Workbook Companion - Available in Spanish here Saint Ignatius of Loyola Saint Josephine Bakhita Saint Paul Mary Magdalene Instagram Facebook May this episode inspire you to embrace your healing journey with faith, hope, and love.

  2. Jun 30

    Episode #263--"Freedom for Faith, Love and Service"

    Christina Semmens reflects on the 250th anniversary of the United States, drawing inspiration from saints to explore themes of faith, love, and service. She emphasizes the importance of sanctity, trust in God’s plan, and the power of love in building a better nation. Topics The significance of the 250th anniversary of the United States Lessons from Saints Kateri Tekakwitha, Damien of Molokai, Rose Philippine Duchesne, and Junipero Serra The importance of faith, love, and service in personal and national growth Trusting God’s plan during challenging times The role of saints in inspiring patriotism and unity Sound Bites “Transforming union with God is our true goal” “God knows how to proportion Himself to all His creatures” “Every act of mercy matters because God makes it matter” Chapters 00:00 Honoring a Legacy: Personal Reflections 02:30 Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom 05:27 The Call to Holiness: Lessons from Saints 10:51 Love and Service: The Greatest Gifts 16:34 Perseverance in Faith: Trusting God’s Plan 21:46 Unity in Diversity: Embracing Our Shared Humanity

  3. May 14

    Episode #262--"Hope Springs Eternal"--1:1 with Paul McCusker, Senior Director of Creative Content, Augustine Institute

    In this engaging 1:1 interview, Christina Semmens sit down with Paul McCusker, Senior Director of Creative Content for the Augustine Institute, a seasoned storyteller and Catholic convert. Paul shares his journey from evangelical roots to Catholicism, as well as his creative process and the inspiration behind his latest series 'Welcome to Hope Springs.' In this Say Yes to Holiness episode, we discover how storytelling can deepen our faith, help us explore spiritual themes, and also inspire the next generation. Conversation Themes: Paul's spiritual journey from Baptist to CatholicThe role of storytelling and audio dramas in faith The development, purpose, and impact of 'Hope Springs' series Sound Bites: "The Catholic imagination is so much bigger.""Saints obeyed even when they felt crazy.""Music and history inspire my storytelling.""There's a million reasons to become Catholic""God knows me and loves me in spite of myself"Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Paul McCusker and His Journey 02:37 The Intersection of Writing and Spirituality 05:11 Transitioning to Catholicism and Its Impact on Creativity 07:55 The Genesis of Hope Springs 10:39 Exploring the Themes of Hope Springs 13:25 The Resurgence of Audio Dramas 16:20 The Future of Hope Springs and Its Impact 18:51 Personal Reflections on Storytelling and Faith

  4. May 8

    Episode #261--"Finding Purpose & Joy in the Easter Season"

    In this episode, Christina reflects on her recent projects, upcoming travels, and how the Easter season invites us to deepen our faith, love, and purpose. Listen now to discover practical spiritual practices, powerful stories, and biblical insights to transform your perspective and life. Main Topics: Christina’s recent book release, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time and reflections on other work associated with the Catholic Leadership Puzzle platform The spiritual significance of the Easter season and its call to loving God and neighbor How to navigate grief, fear, and darkness through faith and hope The importance of community, discernment, and relational listening in leadership Stories of faith and hope from history, including St. John Vianney, Midori Nagai, and Pope Leo XIV Practical tips for praying the Rosary and embracing the victory of Christ over death Encouragement to share your faith story and testify to God’s wondrous deeds Preparing for Pentecost and receiving Easter graces through open hands and hearts May this episode inspire you to embrace the joy, hope, and life that the risen Christ offers us this Easter season. Open your hands, trust in God’s goodness, and share your faith story with the world so that together, we can tell the Master of Death, “Not Today!”Chapters and Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and recent updates on Christina’s projects01:01 - Celebrating the release of “Solving the Parish Puzzle”02:26 - The link between personal holiness and community mission03:23 - Baptismal leadership: priest, prophet, king roles04:21 - Christina’s upcoming travel and reflection plans05:17 - Reflection on the 250th anniversary of America’s independence06:14 - Conversation with Paul McCusker about storytelling and faith07:11 - Inspiration from the story of Midori Nagai and hope after tragedy08:11 - How spending life for God reveals beauty in the world09:10 - Grieving loss while trusting in Christ’s victory over death10:10 - The Easter message: death has been overcome11:10 - Embracing death as a friend, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi12:10 - Loving life and living fully through faith and joy13:07 - The example of Mary’s journey of loving and desiring God only14:25 - Small steps to prioritize God in our daily lives15:50 - The call to declare God’s deeds and share our testimony16:48 - The mission each of us is called for, inspired by St. Joan of Arc17:45 - The power of personal stories to bear witness to God’s love19:20 - The importance of prayer, especially the Rosary, for peace and joy20:16 - Practical advice for starting or deepening Rosary prayer21:15 - The spiritual significance of trusting in Mary’s intercession22:42 - Encouragement to keep praying and trusting in God’s goodness23:20 - The cycle of loving, receiving, and giving life in Christ24:17 - Preparing for Pentecost and receiving Easter grace24:44 - Closing prayers and encouragement to keep trusting in God’s plan Resources and Links: Christina Semmens Books Solving the Parish Puzzle Welcome to Hope Springs Series Pope Leo XIII St. Joan of Arc Fulton Sheen Rosary Resources Website Twitter Facebook Connect with Christina: Schedule a FREE 20 minute consultation here

  5. Feb 13

    Episode #260--"Helping Your Marriage Flourish"--1:1 with Katie Zulanas, Executive Director, Couple to Couple League

    In this episode of the Say Yes to Holiness podcast, host Christina Semmens sits down to speak with Katie Zulanas, Executive Director of the Couple to Couple League (CCL) about ways to help your marriage flourish. To that end, we specifically focused upon the fertility awareness and the Peak Day app, a Catholic fertility and period tracking application. They discuss the risks associated with mainstream fertility apps, and how the Peak Day app empowers women and couples to take charge of their reproductive health. The conversation also highlights the significance of open communication between mothers and daughters regarding fertility, the role of Natural Family Planning (NFP) in strengthening marriages, and the resources available through the Fertility Science Institute. Katie shares her faith journey and the challenges and rewards of her work in promoting restorative reproductive medicine. Takeaways Fertility awareness improves communication and strengthens marriages. The Peak Day app is designed to empower women in tracking their fertility. Mainstream fertility apps often contain immoral content and hidden dangers. Open communication about fertility is crucial between mothers and daughters. Restorative reproductive medicine offers a natural alternative to IVF. The discipline of tracking fertility can lead to significant rewards. The Fertility Science Institute provides valuable resources for families. Women should be aware of the risks associated with using secular fertility apps. The Peak Day app integrates with wearable technology for better tracking. Everyone deserves access to accurate and supportive fertility resources. Sound Bites “A healthy cycle is a sign of health.” “Everyone needs to hear about this app.” “The discipline of NFP has huge rewards.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Peak Day and Katie Zulanas’ Faith Journey 02:47 The Importance of Fertility Awareness 05:28 Risks of Mainstream Fertility Apps 07:59 Overview of Peak Day App Features 10:32 Empowering Conversations Between Mothers and Daughters 13:24 The Role of NFP in Strengthening Marriages 15:53 Resources and Support from Fertility Science Institute 18:24 The Need for Restorative Reproductive Medicine 21:04 Challenges and Rewards in the Work 23:10 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

    Episode #260--"Helping Your Marriage Flourish"--1:1 with Katie Zulanas, Executive Director, Couple to Couple League

  6. Jan 31

    Episode #259--"Embracing the Cross--Say Yes to Holiness Podcast

    In this episode, Christina Semmens shares insights on how to deepen your prayer life, embrace the Cross, and live out the Gospel with purpose and hope. She invites listeners into a meaningful Lenten journey centered on Scripture, virtue, and community, emphasizing that holiness is a daily choice rooted in God’s grace. Takeaways Using the Particular Examen guided by the five wounds of Jesus to confront hidden faults and sins The importance of daily dialogue with the Word of God and how Scripture breathes life into our souls Virtues inspired by the saints, like humility, poverty, patience, and obedience, and how to cultivate them The significance of loving the Cross in small, everyday ways by trusting in God’s plan The role of righteous anger and prayer in responding to injustice without division How baptism and the Holy Spirit empower us as priests, prophets, and kings to bring Christ into our daily lives Practical steps to begin loving the Cross, bearing suffering with faith, and finding joy amidst trials Recognizing that each person’s path to holiness is unique, guided by the Holy Spirit Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the Lent journey 00:28 - Announcing the Say Yes to Holinessonline retreat 00:57 - UsingRooting Out Hidden Faults for spiritual growth 1:21 - TheParticular Examen and its focus on Jesus’ wounds 2:16 - Gratitude and review as tools for prayer 3:13 - Addressing the seven deadly sins through Scripture 4:08 - Pope Francis on making Sunday a day rooted in God’s Word 5:05 - Meditating on Scripture beyond Mass 6:02 - The living nature of God’s Word and its ongoing relevance 7:28 - Continuing the dialogue with Jesus throughout the day 8:44 - The importance of making space for God’s Word daily 9:45 - St. Ignatius of Loyola’s call to live for God’s glory 10:40 - Baptismal call to holiness and present in every moment 11:39 - Responding to injustice with prayer and Righteous Anger 12:42 - The Holy Spirit within us and our divine calling 13:17 - The nonviolent power of Christ’s sacrifice 14:17 - Embracing peace and hope through the Holy Spirit 15:39 - Virtues of humility, patience, obedience taught by St. Anthony 16:34 - The diversity of paths to holiness guided by the Holy Spirit 17:22 - The common traits of saints and how love unites us 18:09 - Love does—how Christian love manifests in action (Bob Goff) 18:57 - Allowing the Spirit to guide our words and actions 19:13 - Rooting in prayer, sacraments, and virtue for a holy life 20:09 - Responding to injustice with humility and prayer 21:08 - The importance of righteous anger guided by the Holy Spirit 21:36 - Avoiding division and trusting in God’s truth 22:09 - Comparing ourselves only to Jesus, not others 22:52 - The one path to holiness: your unique journey 23:21 - Loving the Cross through acceptance and trust in God 23:50 - Carrying suffering with love and presence of Christ 24:33 - Embracing pain as part of God’s divine plan 25:32 - Finding goodness and truth in suffering 26:17 - The journey from bearing to loving the Cross 27:14 - Trusting God to bring joy and purpose through suffering 28:11 - Mary as our model of faithful acceptance 28:52 - Asking Our Lady and saints to guide us in carrying crosses 29:21 - Closing prayer, encouragement, and invitation to the Lent retreat Resources and Links Rooting Out Hidden Faults, How the Particular Examine Conquers Sin by Father James McElhoney Say Yes to Holiness (Substack platform) Love Does by Bob Goff St. Ignatius of Loyola St. Anthony of Padua Twitter Website Join the Lent Online Retreat: Send a message to Christina at: https://www.sayyestoholiness.com/

  7. Jan 24

    Episode #258--"Creating Sacred Spaces: The Mission of Grand Coteau"--Say Yes to Holiness podcast

    In this episode of the Say Yes to Holiness podcast, host Christina Semmens speaks with Father Patrick Hough, SJ from the Grand Coteau Retreat Center. Father Patrick shares his faith journey as a Jesuit priest, the importance of spiritual retreats, and the transformative experiences they offer. He discusses the role of the retreat center in fostering spiritual growth and community, the challenges and rewards of ministry, and the future of the retreat center. The conversation emphasizes the need for a welcoming environment for retreats and the significance of trusting in God’s plan. Takeaways Father Patrick has been a Jesuit priest for 14 years and is about to celebrate his final vows. The Grand Coteau Retreat Center has transitioned from a novitiate to a retreat center for laypeople. Spiritual retreats are essential for personal growth and deepening one’s faith. Creating a welcoming environment is crucial for the success of retreats. The transformative power of retreats can lead to profound changes in individuals’ lives. Father Patrick emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s plan during challenging times. The retreat center aims to support families and individuals in their spiritual journeys. Father Patrick’s experience highlights the need for ongoing spiritual direction and growth. The retreat center has seen an increase in participation and interest from various groups. Father Patrick encourages listeners to commit to their faith journey despite challenges. Sound Bites “It’s evangelical to follow Christ.” “What we offer is faith filled and beautiful.” “You have to practice what you preach.” “The spiritual life is one of opening and growth.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Father Patrick Hough, SJ 02:43 Father Patrick’s Faith Journey 05:23 The Role of the Grand Coteau Retreat Center 08:19 The Importance of Spiritual Retreats 11:14 Creating a Welcoming Environment for Retreats 14:00 The Transformative Power of Retreats 16:43 Challenges and Rewards in Ministry 19:12 The Future of the Retreat Center 22:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement For more information on the Grand Coteau Retreats, go to: https://www.gcretreats.org/

  8. Jan 8

    Episode #257--"Embracing New Beginnings: Setting Priorities for the Year"

    In this podcast episode, Christina Semmens discusses the importance of setting priorities for the new year, focusing on our true worth as God’s creations, and the necessity of silence and reflection in our lives. She emphasizes living justly and impartially towards others and the role of suffering in achieving personal growth and virtue. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace their identity as beloved children of God and to strive for a more just and loving world. Takeaways We should focus on one priority this year: love. Our true worth is defined by God, not by others. Silence is essential for discernment and reflection. Justice requires us to treat others as we wish to be treated. Suffering can lead to personal growth and virtue. We must strive to be the change we want to see. God is always present, even in difficult times. Living justly means understanding individual needs. Perseverance is key to achieving our goals. Our witness can inspire others to persevere. Sound Bites “We are God’s beloved sons and daughters.” “You need to be the change that you wish to see.” “God is always with you, never forget that.” Chapters 00:00 New Beginnings: Embracing the New Year 02:42 Understanding Our True Worth 05:21 The Importance of Silence and Reflection 08:24 Living Justly: The Call to Justice 11:05 The Role of Suffering in Growth 13:41 The Pursuit of Virtue and Love 16:38 The Crown of Eternal Life: Perseverance and Hope

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Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet to inspire, encourage and nourish future saints on the journey to holiness while finding purpose, peace and abundance in the midst of daily life.

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