May 23 · Bonus

BONUS - Summer Book Club: "On Death and Dying " with Abigail Jorgensen

Show Notes In this special bonus episode of the Morning Glory Podcast, Jennifer Thomas welcomes back bereavement doula and sociologist Abbey Jorgensen to discuss an upcoming summer book club centered on On Death and Dying by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Together, they explore common misconceptions about the “five stages of grief,” the importance of discussing grief in community, and how loss shapes our lives in many ways. The episode closes with personal reflections on faith, hope, and finding beauty even in difficult seasons. Watch the conversation HERE on WCAT TV Book Club Details Dates: Wednesday June 3rd, June 10th, and June 17th Time: 8:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Register HERE. (Be sure to use the coupon code, mourningglory to receive your discount.) Buy a copy of the book, On Death and Dying HERE Links Mourning Glory Podcast S5 E13: Accompaniment in Grief with Dr. Abigail Jorgensen Haven Bereavement Doulas Journaling Questions Have you ever participated in a virtual book club? If yes, what did you enjoy most? If not, what are you looking forward to? Have you read On Death and Dying by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross? What intrigues you most about reading this book? Abigail shared that the book “became the ideal model in the western world for grief, like the idea that there are five stages of grief and you knock them off and there you go” Has this been your approach to grief? Take some time to reflect on this and write down your thoughts. What do you hope to get out of reading this book, whether you join the virtual book club or not? What is your mourning glory? What are some topics you would like to hear about here on the Mourning Glory Podcast? Are there people you would like us to have on the show? We’d love to hear your feedback and ideas so be sure to send us an email, mourningglorypodcast@gmail.com. Also, be sure to check out our website where you can find links to all of our episodes, including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. God Bless! ~ Jennifer

May 16

S6 E17 A Time to Weep and a Time to Dance with Jennifer and Lisa Hendey

Show Notes In the Season 6 finale, Jennifer and guest co-host and friend, Lisa Hendey, have a conversation centered on grief, faith, hope, surrender, healing, and the “seasons” of life, inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (“There is a time for everything…”). Click HERE to watch the video of the episode on WCAT TV Scripture Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Man Cannot Hit on the Right Time to Act) John 11:35 - “Jesus wept.” Psalm 46:10 - “Be still and know that I am God.” Hebrews 11:1 - “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Luke 21:19 - “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Links MGP S6 E2 The Grace in Grief with Lisa M. Hendey The Byrds - Turn! Turn! Turn! USCCB Daily Readings Why Writing by Hand Is Better for Memory and Learning MGP S6 E15 Hope and Strength in Healing with Marie Heidemann (episode about Mental Health Awareness) Marie Kondo Chime Travelers Prayer for people to have peace within their hearts and for the Mourning Glory Podcast community; for those fighting battles inside that no one no one can see or that nobody realizes, to know that God sees and knows those desires of our heart and wants to be in communion with other people who might be suffering right now. You are not alone. Journaling Questions Which “season” of life do you feel you are currently living in, and how is God meeting you there? What is something you are struggling to surrender or release to God right now? When have you experienced both mourning and joy existing together in the same season? What “noise” in your life may be preventing you from hearing God more clearly? How do you personally experience “the gift of tears” — through grief, joy, healing, or compassion for others? When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to be still and simply listen — to God, to nature, or to someone you love? In what ways has God brought healing, friendship, or unexpected beauty out of a difficult season in your life? What is your mourning glory? We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mourning Glory Podcast and share it with others who are on a journey through grief. You can find links to all of our episodes, including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. God Bless!

May 11 · Bonus

REPLAY: Giving Thanks and Letting Go with Danielle Bean

*NOTE: This episode was originally published in Season 2. Shownotes We talk a lot about grief and loss and suffering on the Mourning Glory Podcast but not just when it relates to death. Sometimes it is the loss of identity we may experience when we become parents or the loss of particular seasons of life. Listen as Jennifer discusses these topics and more, including how we can find the joy in letting go with our guest. Our Guest Danielle Bean is an author, speaker, and host of the podcast. She has ten published books, including , , and . She and her husband Dan have been married 29 years and have eight children. Links from the show www.DanielleBean.com Prayer for focus from Aleteia Prayer for the repose of the soul of Danielle's former neighbor, Louise We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mourning Glory Podcast and share it with others who are on a journey through grief. You can find links to all of our episodes on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. God bless!

May 3

S6 E16 Mother Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted with Maria Gallagher

Show Notes The month of May is often referred to as the month of Mary as we celebrate Our Blessed Mother. Mary’s May crowning ceremonies are commonly found taking place throughout many Catholic churches. One of the ways we can grow closer to her is through the praying of the rosary. But there are other ways we can get to know Mary, especially under the many titles she has been given over the centuries. In this week’s episode, Jennifer has a conversation with Catholic author Maria Gallagher who has written about her devotion to Mary, focusing on Mary under the title of “Comforter of the Afflicted”. Our Guest Maria has worked in radio as a reporter and in television as a news producer. She is a writer, life coach, and a podcaster and loves inspiring crowds with her speaking. Her freelance news reports have aired on outlets including CBS Radio and AP Radio. She has also earned awards from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Cleveland Press Club. Maria loves communicating the beauty of truth! Connect with Our Guest Website: https://www.mariavgallagher.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariavgallagher X: https://x.com/mariaevitale FB: https://www.facebook.com/maria.v.gallagher Email: mariaevitale@comcast.net Blog: https://www.mariavgallagher.com/blog Maria’s books Mercy's Power: Inspiration to Serve the Gospel of Life Joyful Encounters with Mary: A Woman's Guide to Living the Mysteries of the Rosary Glorious Encounters with Mary: A Guide to Living the Mysteries of the Rosary Healing Encounters with Mary: A Guide to Living the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary Scripture Psalm 23 Devotions Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novenas to Mary Litany of Loreto Our Lady of Fatima Links Catholicmom.com Maria’s articles on Catholicmom.com Why Inner Peace Often Comes After Inner Struggle — Fulton J. Sheen | FULTON SHEEN REFLECTIONS Our Lady of Kibeho Our Lady of Lourdes Prayer for Maria’s daughter, Gabriella during her time of discernment and for the repose of the souls of Maria’s parents. Journaling Questions What resonated with you most or surprised you about this episode about Mary? What inspired you most after listening to Maria sharing about her relationship with Mary? What kind, if any, of a relationship do you have with the Blessed Mother? Do you struggle with having any sort of relationship with her? Take some time to ponder this in your heart and perhaps journal about it Maria spoke candidly about how her devotion to Mary grew through the different mysteries of the rosary. Have you felt more drawn to any of the mysteries more than others? Which one speaks to you most? Where are some places in your life you feel like you could allow Mary to mother you? Have you ever done a consecration before? Why or why not? Do you feel inspired to do one? How do you feel when you hear the phrase, “To Jesus, through Mary” in terms of our prayers and petitions? Take some time to ponder that. What is your mourning glory? We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mourning Glory Podcast and share it with others who are on a journey through grief. You can find links to all of our episodes, including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. God Bless!

Apr 24

S6 E15 Hope and Strength in Healing with Marie Heidemann

Show Notes As we enter the month of May, we recognize that in our Catholic faith, it is a month dedicated to Mary. But it is also a month dedicated to Mental Health and awareness. And while there have been great strides made in terms of helping those who have suffered the loss of a loved one or are in any state of grief and sorrow, there are resources, how can we integrate our faith into our healing? And how can this help us understand that redemptive suffering can help us move forward in our lives? Our Guest Marie is an Arizona native who has called North Texas home since 2006. A cradle Catholic, her faith was shaped through years of Catholic education and the influence of her grandmother, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an Irish immigrant priest from her childhood parish, and the Franciscan Friars who led her high school. She was married for 17½ years and is the mother of five children. After the sudden loss of her husband in September 2019, she felt called to walk alongside others in their healing, which led her to earn a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Divine Mercy University graduating in 2023. Today, Marie is the founder of Spes Et Fortitudo Counseling in Colleyville, Texas, where she integrates her faith and clinical training to support those she serves. She loves spending time with her children, close friends, and traveling whenever she can. Connect with Our Guest Spes Et Fortitudo Counseling Contact Marie Marie on catholictherapists.com Devotion Liturgy of the Hours Scripture “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) Resources mentioned in this episode GriefshareStephen MinistriesFocus Ministries Redbird Ministries S6 E14 Let Yourself Be Loved with Elizabeth Leon S1 E13 Moving Forward with Mark Myers International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers CatholicPsych.com Roundtable Discussions About Mental Health (USCCB) CatholicTherapists.com Additional Links MGP S6 E3 The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted with Kate LeFaivre Divine Mercy University St. Francis de Sales quote St. Dymphna S3 E3 A Widow’s Camino: The Road to Healing with Sherry Hayes-Pierce S5 E5 New Grief, New Community with Lindsay Machnick Prayer for Marie’s husband, Michael and all those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Journaling Questions In the beginning of the episode, Marie stated that “God allowed for us to just experience life, although not always easy, but always reminding us of our faith all around us.” What are some instances of your life where you can look back to see that God was present? Marie spoke about the meaning behind the name of her counseling practice, Spes Et Fortitudo, Latin for hope and strength. In thinking about your own times of grief and loss and sorrow, are there places where you found hope and strength through others? How do you deal with changes and adjustments in your life? Have you found helpful tools, prayers, or scriptures that have been helpful? Do you have a supportive faith community or trusted friends or family members with whom you feel safe sharing when you are feeling down or lost? Throughout the episode, Marie and Jennifer spoke about several resources available to help those in need of support. Did any of them speak to you? Take some time to explore each of them to see if one could benefit you. In thinking of your own times of loss or sorrow, where did you find comfort, strength, and support? Have you asked God to be part of your healing journey? Marie and Jennifer discussed the importance of having patience with yourself through your own process of grieving. Is this something that you find difficult? How do you think having more patience with yourself could benefit you personally? What is your morning glory? We hope you enjoy the Mourning Glory Podcast Feel. You can find links to all of our episodes, including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. God Bless!

Apr 17

S6 E14 Let Yourself Be Loved with Elizabeth Leon

Show Notes Nothing can prepare anyone for the loss of a loved one. As we continue to learn through the many stories we’ve heard here on the Mourning Glory Podcast, each loss is unique to each individual. But when a parent loses a child, it carries its own unique sense of loss for the parents and other family members. Where can people turn to find comfort, hope, and healing when grieving the loss of a child? Jennifer explores this and more with guest Elizabeth Leon, the Director of Family Support for Red Bird Ministries. Our Guest Elizabeth Leon is the Director of Family Support for Red Bird Ministries, a Catholic grief support ministry for families of child loss. Red Bird Ministries accompanies individuals and couples through the complexity and trauma that happens with the loss of a child through miscarriage and stillbirth or as an infant, child, adolescent, or adult. They also serve families who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide and offer sibling support for children ages 2018. Elizabeth is the founder of the Journey of the Beloved, a ministry that inspires and equips others to find healing and freedom in Christ, a mission that was birthed after the death of her son in 2018. Connect with Our Guest Contact Elizabeth letyourselfbeloved.org Scripture Mark 25:21-34 (The hemorrhaging woman) Psalm 34:19 (“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted) Psalm 13:2 (“How long, Lord…”) Psalm 88 (Also referred to sometimes as The Darkest Psalm) Psalm 6:7 - (“all night long I drench my bed with tears”) Psalm 13 Devotions Our Lady of Sorrows Links Red Bird Ministries S1 E13 Moving Forward with Mark Myers S6 E14 Permission to Grieve with Andrea and Jennifer Elizabeth’s book, Let Yourself Be Loved Red Bird Flies (song mentioned by Elizabeth) Prayer for Red Bird Ministries and the families they serve and Elise. Journaling Questions In your own journey with loss, how long do you feel like you were deep “in the trenches of grief”, as Elizabeth shared? Have you found any resources or sources of comfort? Where is a safe space you feel like you can grieve? If you have yet to find it, Have you ever struggled with your relationship with God in terms of “why” or did you, like Elizabeth, struggle with the “how”? Do you feel comfortable sharing everything with God? Why or why not? How do you express your emotions with others in times of need? Have you shared them with God? Have you ever worried that those around you couldn’t handle all of the emotions that you want to share? Take some time to explore why or why not. Elizabeth and Jennifer spent a lot of time talking about the Psalms. Did any of them resonate with you? Why or why not? What is your mourning glory? We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mourning Glory Podcast and share it with others who are on a journey through grief. You can find links to all of our episodes, including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. God Bless!

Apr 10

S6 E13 Seeking God’s Mercy Through the Rosary with Shane Kapler

*Click HERE to watch the interview on WCAT TV Shownotes We might often find ourselves going to the rote prayers of the Rosary or even the Divine Mercy Chaplet. While we may think they are separate, are they really so separate in terms of how we think of them? Or is there a way that God can bring us together through both of these prayers? Is there a way that they can, no pun intended, marry each other? In this week’s episode, Jennifer has a conversation with guest, Shane Kapler, to discuss the fact that there is a relationship between the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Our Guest For the past 30 years Shane has been involved in evangelism and catechesis within the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He holds an M.A. in Theology with a Specialization in Sacred Scripture. Shane currently serves on the board of the Image of God Institute, an apostolate dedicated to unpacking God’s plan for the human person in the teachings of Popes St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. He is also the author of several books, including the one we will be discussing today, Marrying the Rosary to the Divine Mercy Chaplet (2016). He has been featured on EWTN's The Journey Home, is a frequent guest of Catholic radio, and contributes articles to a number of websites, including Catholic Exchange and Epic Pew. Shane also holds an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology and is engaged in clinical practice. Connect with Our Guest Website: Explaining Christianity.com Contact Shane Links Shane’s books Marrying the Rosary to the Divine Mercy Chaplet The Biblical Roots of Marian Consecration: Devotion to the Immaculate Heart in Light of Scripture (2022), James: Jewish Roots, Catholic Fruits (2021) The Epistle to the Hebrews and the Seven Core Beliefs of Catholics (2016) Through, With, and In Him: The Prayer Life of Jesus and How to Make It Our Own (2014) The God Who is Love: Explaining Christianity From Its Center (2009) Tending the Temple: 365 Days of Spiritual and Physical Devotions (co-author; 2011) Lectio Divina St. Thomas Aquinas and the Divine Mercy Chaplet St. Faustina Prayer for the repose of the soul of Daniel Kapler, Shane’s dad and for Lori Wright, Jennifer’s aunt. Journaling Questions Do you have a normal prayer routine? What does it look like? Could it use a reset? Take some time to reflect on this. How often do you pray the Rosary? What are your thoughts on the fact that there are so many similarities between the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet? Did you ever think about the fact that there could be a relationship between them? Have you ever tried Lectio Divina, the practice of taking a particular verse on scripture and mediating on it? If not, try it practicing the prayer In talking about the best time to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet being three o’clock, Shane brought up the point that “it’s three o’clock somewhere.” Does that give you encouragement to pray it more frequently, regardless of what time it might be where you are? Why or why not? What is your biggest takeaway from this episode? What is your mourning glory? We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mourning Glory Podcast and share it with others who are on a journey through grief. You can find links to all of our episodes, including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. God Bless!

Apr 3

S6 E12 United in Grief with Johanna Stamps

Shownotes In this episode, host Jennifer Thomas and Johanna Stamps have a conversation about the ways in which grief can unite us. Johanna shares about a recent loss and how she has been moving forward with a different perspective as a grief coach who is also grieving by sharing the three L's she mentioned in a recent newsletter: First L: Let the tears flowSecond L: Listen Third L: Look for opportunities to commemorate Our Guest Johanna is a writer, author, retreat facilitator and coach. She is a featured contributor on Her View From Home and Catholic Mom. Johanna coaches her clients using traditional ICF coaching and the Grief Recovery Method. She is a certified Advanced GRM Specialist and is a Certified Professional Life Coach. You can sign up to receive her weekly Reflections & Inspirations where she speaks transparently about her own losses and the themes she’s encountering every week. Currently her multigenerational household is hatching beach plans to their favorite secret beaches in Virginia. Connect with Our Guest Website: Positive Doing Coach Email Johanna: johanna@positivedoingcoach.com Links Garden Memorial Stone (mentioned by Jennifer) Prayer for the repose of the souls of Johanna’s aunt Jan and Jennifer’s aunt Lori. Journaling Questions In the beginning of the interview, Jennifer and Johanna talk about the importance of leaning into our grief. Have you found that to be difficult and uncomfortable? What do you think could help you be able to allow yourself to feel the emotions associated with your own grief?Johanna stressed the importance of taking the time to process your grief and creating a space where you feel comfortable to process everything. What is a space you could create to allow this to happen?Do you struggle with stillness and silence? Take some time to think about what it is that makes it a struggle for you and write about it, whatever comes to mind. Or, share your thoughts with a trusted friend.How can you implement the three “L’s”(Let the tears flow; Listen; and Look for opportunities to commemorate) into your grieving process. Do you find yourself having trouble with these? If so, take some time to discern if this could be helpful for you.What are some tools you’ve used to help you in your grief or sorrow?If you have found yourself avoiding your own grief, take some time to explore why.What is your mourning glory? We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mourning Glory Podcast and share it with others who are on a journey through grief. You can find links to all of our episodes, including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. ~ God Bless!

Mourning Glory Grief Podcast

BONUS - Summer Book Club: "On Death and Dying " with Abigail Jorgensen

S6 E17 A Time to Weep and a Time to Dance with Jennifer and Lisa Hendey

REPLAY: Giving Thanks and Letting Go with Danielle Bean

S6 E16 Mother Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted with Maria Gallagher

S6 E15 Hope and Strength in Healing with Marie Heidemann

S6 E14 Let Yourself Be Loved with Elizabeth Leon

S6 E13 Seeking God’s Mercy Through the Rosary with Shane Kapler

S6 E12 United in Grief with Johanna Stamps

Trailer

Mourning Glory Grief Podcast Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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Mourning Glory Grief Podcast

Episodes

BONUS - Summer Book Club: "On Death and Dying " with Abigail Jorgensen

S6 E17 A Time to Weep and a Time to Dance with Jennifer and Lisa Hendey

REPLAY: Giving Thanks and Letting Go with Danielle Bean

S6 E16 Mother Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted with Maria Gallagher

S6 E15 Hope and Strength in Healing with Marie Heidemann

S6 E14 Let Yourself Be Loved with Elizabeth Leon

S6 E13 Seeking God’s Mercy Through the Rosary with Shane Kapler

S6 E12 United in Grief with Johanna Stamps

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

About

Information