Heart of the Ark

Office For Evangelization - Archdiocese of Newark
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The Heart of the Ark podcast is an initiative from the Office for Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Newark. We're coming to you to bring knowledge and courage as we voyage through this life as missionary disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Hosted by Fr. John Gordon, Director of the Office for Evangelization and Secretary of Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Newark, and Jennifer Behnke, Associate Director of Evangelization, our aim is to help equip our listeners to better know, love and serve God.

  1. A Torrent of Grace: Turning our wounds into Sacred Gifts with Jesus

    5D AGO

    A Torrent of Grace: Turning our wounds into Sacred Gifts with Jesus

    Mark Joseph Williams, who serves the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, as Special Advisor to Cardinal Joseph Tobin is a licensed clinical social worker and author of the book, "A Torrent of Grace". When Mr Williams was a young teen, he was victimized by clergy sexual abuse. The trauma and ensuing feelings of shame took years to come to grips with, and Mark's journey of faith back to the healing through the Catholic church is one of grace and accompaniment. He now works with and advocates for people who suffer from mental health issues stemming from abuse and trauma, and has dedicated his life to bringing witness to the redeeming grace of accompaniment and vulnerability he has found in Jesus. Jen speaks with Mark and Gina Criscuolo, LCSW, and coordinator for the Office of Accompaniment at the Deparment of Protection of the Faithful for the Archdiocese of Newark. Jersey Catholic article about "A Torrent of Grace" and Mark Joseph Williams (https://jerseycatholic.org/clerical-abuse-survivor-shares-his-journey-from-trauma-to-hope). Department of Protection of the Faithful (https://rcan.org/protection-of-the-faithful/) at Archdiocese of Newark. Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization Our original theme music is "Meditation" by Eric Hunter. - www.erichuntermusic.com

    47 min
  2. Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 36 - Hearts opened to the working of the Holy Spirit

    6D AGO

    Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 36 - Hearts opened to the working of the Holy Spirit

    Pope Francis ends Chapter 4 with the two last Spiritual Fruits to be gained from devotion to the Sacred Heart, namely Compunction and Consolation. In referencing his own homily for Mass of Chrism 2024, Pope Francis sees an ordered understanding of compunction as the natural remedy for both hearts heardened towards the world, and indeed the remaining notions of clericalism. Through consolation, God's heart has the means to work its remedies upon our woundedness in order that we have a rightly ordered understanding of what God's love demands of us in regards to worship and service. Dilexit Nos paragraphs 158 - 163. Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Prayer Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart. Fire of the Heart of Jesus, inflame my heart. Charity of the Heart of Jesus, fill my heart. Strength of the Heart of Jesus, sustain my heart. Mercy of the Heart of Jesus, pardon my heart. Patience of the Heart of Jesus, do not forsake my heart. Reign of the Heart of Jesus, establish Yourself in my heart. Wisdom of the Heart of Jesus, teach my heart. Will of the Heart of Jesus, guide my heart. Zeal of the Heart of Jesus consume my heart. Jesus, make our hearts more like your own. Dilexit Nos (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html#_ftnref84) - Chapter 4, Paragraphs 158 to 163 Homily for the Mass for Holy Chrism - 2024 (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2024/documents/20240328-omelia-crisma.html) Spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola (https://cis-esercizispirituali.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Spiritual-Exercises-of-Saint-Ignatius-EN.pdf)203 (p 35 in this edition) Ignatian Prayers (https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/ignatian-prayers) - O Deus Ego Amo Te O Deus Ego Amo Te - St. Francis Xavier, translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. O God, I love thee, I love thee, Not out of hope of heaven for me, Nor fearing not to love and be, In the everlasting burning, Thou, thou, my Jesus, after me Didst reach thine arms out dying, For my sake sufferedst nails, and lance, Mocked and marred countenance, Sorrows passing number, Sweat and care and cumber, Yea and death, and this for me, And thou couldst see me sinning: Then I, why should not I love thee, Jesus, so much in love with me, Not for heaven's sake; Not to be out of hell by loving thee; Not for any gains I see; But just the way that thou didst me I do love and I will love thee: What must I love thee, Lord, for then? For being my king and God. Amen. Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization Our original theme music is "Meditation" by Eric Hunter. - www.erichuntermusic.com

    29 min
  3. Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 35 - Reasons of the Heart

    OCT 24

    Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 35 - Reasons of the Heart

    Pope Francis continues with the spirituality of consolation in the writings of Pius XI and giving us theological backing for the understanding of mystical knowledge and spiritual knowledge as separate and distinct between science and opinion. Quoting Thomas Aquinas, we see how things can be seen in complexity or simplicity at the same time when viewed from a human or divine perspective. Jen quotes both St. Padre Pio and St. John Paul II on their mystical experiences of the understanding of the mystical consolation of the Sacred Heart, as well as the notion of time travelling through the union of one's sufferings to those of Christ's Passion. Chapter 4 paragraphs 154-157. Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Prayer Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart. Fire of the Heart of Jesus, inflame my heart. Charity of the Heart of Jesus, fill my heart. Strength of the Heart of Jesus, sustain my heart. Mercy of the Heart of Jesus, pardon my heart. Patience of the Heart of Jesus, do not forsake my heart. Reign of the Heart of Jesus, establish Yourself in my heart. Wisdom of the Heart of Jesus, teach my heart. Will of the Heart of Jesus, guide my heart. Zeal of the Heart of Jesus consume my heart. Jesus, make our hearts more like your own. Dilexit Nos (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html#_ftnref84) - Chapter 4, Paragraphs 154 to 157 Miserentissimus Redentor - Pope Pius XI (https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19280508_miserentissimus-redemptor.html) See paragraph 14 Summa Theologica (https://freddoso.com/summa-translation/Part%202-2/st2-2-ques01.pdf) - Thomas Aquinas Padre Pio and the Sacred Heart of Jesus (https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/padre-pio-and-the-sacred-heart-13848) from EWTN - Most Rev. Paolo Carta, Bishop Emeritus of Foggia Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization Our original theme music is "Meditation" by Eric Hunter. - www.erichuntermusic.com

    25 min

  4. OCT 17

    Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 34 - THE DEVOTION OF CONSOLATION

    Pope Francis spends some time with the mechanics of the Devotion of the Sacred Heart, in looking at the writing of Pope Pius XI, who clearly recognizes the mystical possibility of consoling the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the time of His passion, through our own offering of suffering united with the cross. St. Margaret Mary got this idea from the Divine Revelations she received, and the church has approved exactly this concept ever since. Chapter 4 paragraphs 151-153. Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Prayer Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart. Fire of the Heart of Jesus, inflame my heart. Charity of the Heart of Jesus, fill my heart. Strength of the Heart of Jesus, sustain my heart. Mercy of the Heart of Jesus, pardon my heart. Patience of the Heart of Jesus, do not forsake my heart. Reign of the Heart of Jesus, establish Yourself in my heart. Wisdom of the Heart of Jesus, teach my heart. Will of the Heart of Jesus, guide my heart. Zeal of the Heart of Jesus consume my heart. Jesus, make our hearts more like your own. Dilexit Nos (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html#_ftnref84) - Chapter 4, Paragraphs 151 to 153 Miserentissimus Redentor - Pope Pius XI (https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19280508_miserentissimus-redemptor.html) See paragraph 13 Consoling the Sacred Heart of Jesus through our own actions today (https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/consoling-heart-jesus) - The Divine Mercy Can We Change the Past? (https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2018/02/21/587249333/can-we-change-the-past) - NPR article about quantum physics and time travel Morning Offering USCCB (https://www.usccb.org/prayers/morning-offering) O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen. Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization Our original theme music is "Meditation" by Eric Hunter. - www.erichuntermusic.com

    26 min
  5. Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 33 - Christ's Heart and Your Interior Life

    OCT 6

    Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 33 - Christ's Heart and Your Interior Life

    Pope Francis traces a few currents of religious communities that have developed spiritual practices or charisms directly impacted by devotion to the Sacred Heart. Pope Francis highlights a number of saints whose intimate relationship with the source of Divine Love shaped the trajectory of their evangelizing witness or their congregation's vocation. Jen shares how merely showing up to lead the Sacred Heart devotion shaped her life and has had a deep impact in the lives of her children. Chapter 4, paragraphs 148 - 150. Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Prayer Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart. Fire of the Heart of Jesus, inflame my heart. Charity of the Heart of Jesus, fill my heart. Strength of the Heart of Jesus, sustain my heart. Mercy of the Heart of Jesus, pardon my heart. Patience of the Heart of Jesus, do not forsake my heart. Reign of the Heart of Jesus, establish Yourself in my heart. Wisdom of the Heart of Jesus, teach my heart. Will of the Heart of Jesus, guide my heart. Zeal of the Heart of Jesus consume my heart. Jesus, make our hearts more like your own. Dilexit Nos (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html#_ftnref84) - Chapter 4, Paragraphs 148 to 150 Article from Aletea about John Paul II and the Litany of the Sacred Heart (https://aleteia.org/2017/06/23/how-john-paul-ii-can-help-us-really-pray-the-litany-of-the-sacred-heart/) John Paul II - Society of Jesus on his pilgrimage to Paray le Monial (https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/it/letters/1986/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_19861005_preposito-francia.html) - Sacred Heart Devotion Vincentian Act of Consecration (https://members.ssvpusa.org/information-for-members/vincentian-prayers/) to the Sacred Heart of Society of St. Vincent de Paul Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization Our original theme music is "Meditation" by Eric Hunter. - www.erichuntermusic.com

    26 min
  6. Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 32 - Resonance with the Heart of Christ

    SEP 29

    Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 32 - Resonance with the Heart of Christ

    Pope Francis elucidates why the contemplative practices codified by St. Ignatius of Loyola, are such a natural fit to the devotion to the Sacred Heart, that beginning with St. Claude de Colombiere, and down through the centuries, the devotion has taken a special meaning and become a banner for the Society of Jesus. As someone who makes Ignatian spiritual practices a daily part of her day, to deepen her relationship with the living God who communicates His Word of Love, Jen offers a brief personal witness to the efficacy of lectio divina and examen of consciousness. Chapter 4, paragraphs 143 - 147 Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Prayer Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart. Fire of the Heart of Jesus, inflame my heart. Charity of the Heart of Jesus, fill my heart. Strength of the Heart of Jesus, sustain my heart. Mercy of the Heart of Jesus, pardon my heart. Patience of the Heart of Jesus, do not forsake my heart. Reign of the Heart of Jesus, establish Yourself in my heart. Wisdom of the Heart of Jesus, teach my heart. Will of the Heart of Jesus, guide my heart. Zeal of the Heart of Jesus consume my heart. Jesus, make our hearts more like your own. Dilexit Nos (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html#_ftnref84) - Chapter 4, Paragraphs 143 to 147 How Jesuit's Spread the devotion to the Sacred Heart (https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/how-jesuits-spread-devotion-to-the)- by the Pillar Spiritual Toolkit for We Are His Witnesses (https://rcan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WAHW-Lectio-Nightly-examen-1.pdf) - from the Archdiocese of Newark Fall in Love with God (https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/prayers-by-st-ignatius-and-others/fall-in-love/) - by Joseph Whelen, SJ - From Finding God in All Things: A Marquette Prayer Book © 2009 Marquette University. Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything. Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization Our original theme music is "Meditation" by Eric Hunter. - www.erichuntermusic.com

    31 min
  7. Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 31 - St.Thérèse of Lisieux (2 of 2)

    SEP 22

    Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 31 - St.Thérèse of Lisieux (2 of 2)

    Pope Francis spends significant time in Chapter 4, paragraphs 138-142, fleshing out the spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, for whom the Sacred Heart was a fundamental part of her devotional practice in both familial practice and mystical experience. Pope Francis recalls the importance of abandon, trust and confidence in the inexhaustable love of God for each of us, as likened unto a devoted parent whose love gives courage to a precocious toddler. Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Prayer Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart. Fire of the Heart of Jesus, inflame my heart. Charity of the Heart of Jesus, fill my heart. Strength of the Heart of Jesus, sustain my heart. Mercy of the Heart of Jesus, pardon my heart. Patience of the Heart of Jesus, do not forsake my heart. Reign of the Heart of Jesus, establish Yourself in my heart. Wisdom of the Heart of Jesus, teach my heart. Will of the Heart of Jesus, guide my heart. Zeal of the Heart of Jesus consume my heart. Jesus, make our hearts more like your own. Dilexit Nos (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html#_ftnref84) - Chapter 4, Paragraphs 138 to 142 The Spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux (http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/spirituality/) The Carefree Abandon of Saint Therese of Lisieux by Mary-Elizabeth Peters, Ph.D., T. 0. CARM. (http://mary-elizabeth.freeservers.com/abandon1.htm) Abandonment is the delicious fruit of love - PN 52 by Therese of Lisieux (https://archives.carmeldelisieux.fr/en/archive/pn-52/) Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization Our original theme music is "Meditation" by Eric Hunter. - www.erichuntermusic.com

    18 min
  8. Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 30 - St.Thérèse of Lisieux (1 of 2)

    SEP 12

    Dilexit Nos in a Year - Session 30 - St.Thérèse of Lisieux (1 of 2)

    Pope Francis spends significant time in Chapter 4, paragraphs 133-137, fleshing out the spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, for whom the Sacred Heart was a fundamental part of her devotional practice in both familial practice and mystical experience. We read how she does not understand the Heart of Jesus as demanding reparation, but as "burning with tenderness." Each session of Dilexit Nos in a Year begins by breaking open the scriptures and topics covered in order to outline the themes of Pope Francis, and frame our conversations for the weekly discussion for the year ahead. For the next 50 weeks, we will work through four to five paragraphs reading of the text of Dilexit Nos, with opening prayer, and short reflection based upon the paragraphs covered and the prayerful discussions of the questions to ponder together as we reflect on the work of spiritual and communal formation and mission in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Prayer Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embrace my heart. Fire of the Heart of Jesus, inflame my heart. Charity of the Heart of Jesus, fill my heart. Strength of the Heart of Jesus, sustain my heart. Mercy of the Heart of Jesus, pardon my heart. Patience of the Heart of Jesus, do not forsake my heart. Reign of the Heart of Jesus, establish Yourself in my heart. Wisdom of the Heart of Jesus, teach my heart. Will of the Heart of Jesus, guide my heart. Zeal of the Heart of Jesus consume my heart. Jesus, make our hearts more like your own. Dilexit Nos (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html#_ftnref84) - Chapter 4, Paragraphs 133 to 137 I Believe in Love by Fr. Fr. Jean C. J. d'Elbée (https://sophiainstitute.com/product/i-believe-in-love/): A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux St. Therese and the Sacred Heart of Jesus (https://leoniemartin.org/my-blog-about-st-therese/2009/6/18/st-therese-of-lisieux-and-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html) poem written for her sister, Sr. Marie of the Sacred Heart Office for Evangelization website: www.rcan.org/evangelization Our original theme music is "Meditation" by Eric Hunter. - www.erichuntermusic.com

    22 min
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About

The Heart of the Ark podcast is an initiative from the Office for Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Newark. We're coming to you to bring knowledge and courage as we voyage through this life as missionary disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Hosted by Fr. John Gordon, Director of the Office for Evangelization and Secretary of Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Newark, and Jennifer Behnke, Associate Director of Evangelization, our aim is to help equip our listeners to better know, love and serve God.

Information

  • Creator
    Office For Evangelization - Archdiocese of Newark
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Heart of the Ark
  • Show Website
    Heart of the Ark