Our buddy Matt Swaim invited us to be on EWTN's The Journey Home (airing 4/15/24), so we returned the favor and invited him on our show to talk about life in Catholic media. GUEST LINKS Matt Swaim on social media - @mattswaim Coming Home Network Son Rise Morning Show EPISODE 519 SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback

Joining us this episode is Erica Tighe Campbell, founder of BeAHeart.com and author of "Living the Seasons: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Your Faith Throughout the Year." GUEST LINKS Erica Campbell's Be A Heart Website & Store Living the Seasons Book  EPISODE  SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Erica Tighe Campbell, owner and designer of Be A Heart, created this stunning, full-color guide to creatively celebrating the faith throughout the year. Living the Seasons is brimming with clever, doable, and beautiful crafts and activities; vivid photographs; brief introductions to the seasons and the lives of the saints; heartfelt notes of encouragement from Campbell; and original Be A Heart illustrations. This gorgeous companion will become your favorite resource for living your faith at home for years to come. In Living the Seasons, Campbell offers imaginative ideas, effortless directions, and gorgeous photos of crafts, activities, meals, and snacks for a diverse variety of Catholic feast days, holy days, and seasons in the Church. She uses supplies that can easily be found at your local craft stores, party shops, or online retailers. You’ll find ways to celebrate all of the Church seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, the Triduum, Easter, Ordinary Time—and Holy Days of Obligation in the United States, and feast days for saints from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. And you’ll discover fun ideas and new traditions such as: throwing a baby shower for Mary;blessing your home in the New Year;celebrating Fat Tuesday with King Cake and a piñata;living like St. Joseph by spending time in silence and making a wooden baby rattle;constructing your own gratitude journal and rosary;making art for God, including a salt-dough Trinity wall hanging, an Assumption cloud pillow, and an orange garland for St. Nicholas Day;creating edible flower lollipops to remind us of the “Garden of Mary’s womb”; andbaking “Cookies of Joy” in honor of St. Hildegard of Bingen. Campbell will help you discover that the liturgical calendar, which follows the seasons of a year in the life of the Church, is a tool that can draw you—individually, as a family, or as a community—closer to God in the midst of a fast-paced and ever-changing world. Along the way, the saints we celebrate teach us that the path to holiness is worthy of pursuing in our own unique way. Their lives can inspire you to listen to how God calls you to follow him as well. This book is designed to inspire you to celebrate the feast days that speak to you personally. You don’t have to start living liturgically on the first Sunday of Advent—you can begin your journey anytime during the year. You also don’t have to celebrate every feast on a grand scale. There are projects for all ages and levels of skill—from simple ways to honor a saint’s feast day with your kids to more elaborate celebrations with family and friends.

Breaking free from passive aggressive and co-dependent behaviors improves relationships.  We talk about how to say what you mean and mean what you say -- with love. EPISODE 517 SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback LINKS DISCUSSED Mayo Clinic Article Co-Dependency Recovery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Passive-aggressiveness and co-dependency, while distinct, both impact relationship dynamics profoundly. Passive-aggressiveness involves expressing discontent indirectly, through means like sarcasm or silent treatment, often due to confrontation fears. This approach can lead to unresolved issues and simmering resentment. Conversely, co-dependency involves an excessive emotional or psychological reliance on another, typically in relationships where one partner supports another with an illness or addiction. This results in neglecting one's own needs to prioritize the other's, creating an imbalanced relationship. Both patterns highlight the critical need for open communication and healthy boundaries to foster supportive, balanced relationships.

Inspired by John Senior's "The Death of Christian Culture" and his list of 1000 Good (not Great) books, Greg and Jennifer explore how shifting their reading habits makes it easier to consume even greater books that are more mentally, emotionally, and spiritually edifying.  EPISODE 516 SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The appendix from John Senior's "The Death of Christian Culture" presents a compelling argument for the revival of Christian values in the modern world with a view of increasing our ability to dive into Great Books (like those from Augustine, Socrates, and others), by first developing the fertile soil of our mind via fables, tales, poetry, and other literary works.  Thus, the "1000 Good Books" list.  While this collection is aimed at young readers before they tackle the "Great Books" of Western civilization, we suggest that given the watered down nature of content distribution in the 21st century, that we could all benefit from reading more of these books, which includes a diverse range of literature spanning myths, fairy tales, novels, and poetry. Senior emphasizes that these stories, rich in virtues like courage, love, and justice, are crucial for developing a moral imagination and wisdom from a young age. The essence of the "1000 Good Books" is to lay a foundational understanding of truth, beauty, and goodness, countering the utilitarian and relativistic tendencies of contemporary education. Senior advocates for a classical approach to learning, where character formation and the pursuit of virtue are prioritized. Each selected work not only holds literary merit but also possesses the power to profoundly engage the reader's heart and mind, fostering discussions on life's significant questions within family and community contexts. Ultimately, Senior's vision through the "1000 Good Books" list is not merely educational but deeply cultural and spiritual. It serves as a roadmap for a lifelong engagement with literature that enriches the soul and intellect, urging readers to explore the depths of Christian and Western thought. This initiative is a call to rediscover the role of literature in cultivating wisdom, virtue, and a richer Christian life, aiming for a broader cultural renewal.

Jennifer might be enjoying her time as a Latin class teacher’s assistant a bit too much.  EPISODE 515 SHOW NOTES & LINKS Other things we talk about: Demolishing the studio, Filming a new course for School of Mary about home enthronement of the image of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and lessons from another round of Total Consecration preparation. EPISODE  SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback  #catholicism #sacredheart #rosary #catholicpodcast  #rosaryarmy #catholic  #podcast  #imperfectliving

Join us on this week's episode of "Adventures in Imperfect Living Catholic Podcast" as we dive deep into the heart of resistance with Kristen Van Uden, author of "When the Sickle Swings." We discuss the awe-inspiring stories of Catholics who stood firm in their faith against the oppressive forces of communism throughout the 20th century.  GUEST LINKS Kristen's Book - When the Sickle Swings Kristen's Substack EPISODE 514 SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From secret Masses to clandestine clergy and peaceful protests that shook the foundations of totalitarian regimes, this episode explores the incredible resilience and bravery of individuals who risked everything for their belief in spiritual freedom and the triumph of their immortal souls. Kristen shares her journey of uncovering these stories, her methodology, and the profound impact these accounts have on understanding Christianity's pivotal role in history's ideological battles. Tune in to uncover how faith acted not just as a beacon of hope, but as a formidable weapon against the darkness of communism. Don't miss this powerful discussion on the episode titled "Communism and Catholicism" - where history, faith, and the fight for the soul of humanity converge.

We had a date weekend and discussed forgiveness, apologies, and how different generations regard relationships, work, and religion. Plus, preparing for Lent with Total Consecration and the benefits of fasting. EPISODE 513 SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback

Explore how saints overcame Church crises with Alec Torres, author of 'Persecuted from Within.' GUEST LINKS Alec's Website Alec's Business Persecuted from Within Book  EPISODE  SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In this week's enriching podcast, we had the honor of hosting Alec Torres, co-author of "Persecuted from Within: How the Saints Endured Crises in the Church." This episode is a profound journey into the heart of our faith, exploring the realities of persecution within the Church and the resilience of its saints. We started with the pressing question: What is and isn’t persecution in the Church? Many might doubt the existence of such trials, but history and current events beg to differ. Torres masterfully dissected this complex issue, enlightening us on the subtleties of internal Church conflicts. He posed an intriguing question, drawing parallels between Judas' betrayal and contemporary challenges: "What are Christians to do when Church leaders falter?" This pivotal query set the tone for our discussion on spiritual fortitude in the face of adversity. Delving into recent history, we touched on the ominous words of Paul VI from 1972 about the “Smoke of Satan entering the sanctuary.” Torres provided an insightful analysis, balancing the focus between the last 50 years and the preceding centuries. He navigated us through the tumultuous waters of recent scandals like the McCarrick disaster and the 2018 Church’s response to COVID-19. His views on true obedience - following leaders without succumbing to sin or falsehood - offered a fresh perspective, especially regarding the dilemma faced by priests bound by their vow of obedience. The conversation then shifted to hope and inspiration. Drawing from John 16:33, Torres explained how he steered clear of fear-mongering, instead infusing the book with a message of hope. He shared practical steps we can take amidst persecution, echoing the eternal truth that Christ has overcome the world. Alex Torres' background as a former speechwriter for presidents and other dignitaries, and his role as co-founder of Allograph, a strategic writing and communications firm, clearly shone through in his articulate and persuasive narrative. His expertise brought a unique depth to our discussion, making complex theological and historical concepts accessible to our listeners. This episode with Alec Torres is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the trials within the Church and how to emerge stronger in faith. It's a compelling reminder that, like the saints before us, we too are called to endure, persevere, and triumph in our spiritual journeys. Remember, as Rosary Army soldiers, we're not just making, praying, and giving away rosaries; we're also fortifying our faith, learning from the past, and marching forward with hope. Tune in to this inspiring episode and let's continue to grow together in faith and resilience.

A scammer attacked our bank account.  How we responded made all the difference. We talk about ways you can learn from our mistakes. EPISODE 511 SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback

One of us is a cradle Catholic. One of us converted. But both of us had a journey to embracing the faith where we had to figure out WHY should we be Catholic? EPISODE 510 SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback

Dr. Gerry Crete joins us to discuss his all-new book, "Litanies of the Heart: Relieving Post-Traumatic Stress and Calming Anxiety through Healing Our Parts." GUEST LINKSLitanies of the Heart [Book]  Dr. Crete's Website Free Litanies Download EPISODE  SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - All of us are wounded and in need of healing. In this new book from Dr. Gerry Crete, he accompanies you on your journey to overcome anxiety and traumas, big or small. You will benefit from his “parts work” therapeutic approach to find inner harmony, greater life fulfillment, and a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. Dr. Gerry guides you in identifying and understanding past wounds to achieve healing and experience lasting freedom. You will learn how to enter into your inmost self, created in the image and likeness of God. You will also learn how to develop the “eight Cs”: to be calm, connected, compassionate, clear-thinking, curious, creative, courageous, and confident. Additionally, you will learn to foster the “five Ps”: patience, persistence, perspective, playfulness, and presence. The book includes three litanies: the Litany of the Closed Heart, the Litany of the Wounded Heart, and the Litany of the Fearful Heart. These litanies have been used by countless people to connect their inner parts with God’s love and mercy. The goal of the litanies is to bring you into a closer relationship with God as you release your fears and anxieties. We know that in God’s embrace we can find safety and that God can heal all of our wounds with loving care,” Dr. Gerry explains. “God truly knows us, sees us, and wants the very best for us. And God delights in watching us discover our true selves."

We finished 2023 strong and with lots of exciting plans for Rosary Army.  We talk about some challenges and looking forward to 2024's plans. EPISODE  SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback

Greg's buddy Moose fills in while Jennifer fights a cold. Inevitably, they slam right into the most controversial of Catholic topics. EPISODE 507 SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback

Christmas is close, but we’re still in Advent. Why is it so difficult to focus on Advent, and what are we doing about it?  Please support Rosary Army's 2024 Giving Campaign -- Click here! EPISODE  SHOW NOTES & LINKS Join Rosary Army founders Greg and Jennifer Willits in this candid and often hilarious YouTube episode as they share the unfiltered realities of their marriage during the Advent season while running a Catholic nonprofit. From leaking coffee carafes to annual fundraisers, the couple takes you on a journey through the quirks of their daily life. Discover the unexpected comedy of toilet seat wars and closet light dramas, and get a glimpse behind the scenes as Greg tackles the challenges of running a nonprofit during the festive season. With plenty of laughter and genuine moments, this video is a delightful mix of holiday chaos and heartwarming reflections. Don't miss out on the fun - hit play now and join Greg and Jennifer for an entertaining and real Advent experience! #AdventConfessions #MarriageReality #ChristmasChaos 🎥 Watch the full video here🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback

One year after the death of Jennifer’s mother we talk about the importance and benefits of praying for the souls of the faithful departed. EPISODE  SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🎥 Watch the full video here 🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback

Want to learn to pray (and sing) the Liturgy of the Hours? Paul Rose from Sing the Hours shares the benefits and encourages us to learn how. GUEST'S LINKS Sing the Hours Website Sing the Hours YouTube Channel Support Sing the Hours on Patreon Chants & Rants EPISODE  SHOWNOTES & LINKS Watch full video here 🎓 Join School of Mary for Free!🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more😄 Support Rosary Army📺 Full Episodes🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!)🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer📧 Email feedback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or Breviary, is the daily prayer of the universal Church, with prayers dispersed at intervals throughout the day to sanctify time and work. Daily practice of this liturgical prayer, which is steeped in the richness of Sacred Scripture, will give Christians authentic spiritual food, sanctify their days, and unite them more closely with the Church throughout the world.

We finish the 20th year of Rosary Army by sharing amazing stories of this ministry's impact on the world and ways you can help us going forward. Support Rosary Army's 2024 Giving Campaign - http://www.rosaryarmy.com/donate EPISODE 503 SHOWNOTES & LINKS Watch full video here 🎓 Join School of Mary for Free! 🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more 😄 Support Rosary Army 📺 Full Episodes 🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!) 🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel ☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer 📧 Email feedback

Dr. John Bergsma explains God’s love for us throughout the Bible as we discuss stick figures and Scripture. EPISODE 502 SHOWNOTES & LINKS Guest's Websites: Dr. John Bergsma's Website Love Basics for Catholics (Book) Watch full video here  🎓 Join School of Mary for Free! 🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more 😄 Support Rosary Army 📺 Full Episodes 🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!) 🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel ☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer 📧 Email feedback More About our Guest's Book: When you begin to see the Bible as a book of love, it will change the way you view love, sex, marriage, family, and your personal relationship with God. Walk with popular scripture scholar John Bergsma from the creation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the wedding between the Lamb and the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation to learn how marriage in the Bible represents the love between God and his people. Bergsma focuses on what nine biblical marriages tell us about God’s relationship with us. These stories include: Adam and Eve—who show us that marriage is the culmination of all creation and that marriage can be an image of the Trinity; Ruth and Boaz—who display the tenderness and virtue of a marriage; Solomon and his bride in the Song of Songs—who illustrate a positive, healthy view of the body and physical beauty; and Jesus as Bridegroom of his people, the Church. Using his popular, whimsical stick-figure illustrations and engaging style, Bergsma helps us understand scripture and salvation history in a unique, memorable way. He also provides insight into Church teachings on marriage and relationships—such as monogamy, the single life, the Sacrament of Matrimony, and Jesus’s words about divorce—to show how these teachings come from the love God shares with his people through the covenants in scripture.

Dr. Brian Miller breaks down what the Church really teaches about evolution, intelligent design, and how Science and Catholicism are intricately connected. EPISODE 501 SHOWNOTES & LINKS Watch full video here 🎓 Join School of Mary for Free! 🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more 😄 Support Rosary Army 📺 Full Episodes 🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!) 🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel ☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer 📧 Email feedback   LINKS DISCUSSED Discovery Institute Intelligent Design Book: God's Grandeur: The Catholic Case for Intelligent Design - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In an age of rising unbelief, top Catholic thinkers show how, more than ever, both science and reason affirm the words of the great Catholic poet Gerard Manley Hopkins: “The world is charged with the grandeur of God.” This book, edited by biologist Ann Gauger, clears up common misconceptions regarding intelligent design, showing why it is an argument not from ignorance but from knowledge and how the evidence for God’s design of the natural world is growing. Part 1 explores scientific evidence from experts in cosmology, paleontology, genetics, chemistry, and biology. In part 2, you will learn about the purpose of creation, transcendent beauty, and the distinctiveness of the human person. The third part lays out the theology behind creation and how it reflects God’s glory and concludes with Dr. Anthony Esolen’s essay on the “symphonic order” of the universe, masterfully drawing from science, mathematics, literature, and philosophy. You will also learn: What the Church really teaches about evolutionHow neo-Thomists wrongly apply Aquinas’s thinking to evolutionCharacteristics that distinguish humans from the rest of creationWhy materialistic scientists resist the Big Bang TheoryHow to understand the biblical account of CreationHow natural law and transcendental beauty point to the existence of GodSpecific scriptures from the Old and New Testaments that testify to the wonder of God’s creative handWhy Pope Benedict XVI cautioned that vague explanations about creation are insufficient Moreover, you will learn how the understanding of ancient philosophers and Aquinas regarding the mind-brain connection, coupled with modern neuroscience support intelligent design and the creation of man as not only a material being but a spiritual being. Each chapter includes extensive references, enabling further exploration. The entire book will strengthen you as never before in the belief that the world is the creation of an intelligent and intentional Designer—One whose greatest longing is for you to spend all eternity with Him.

We celebrate 500 shows since our radio show ended with our friends the Barrons and talk about the history of Catholic podcasting. EPISODE 500 SHOWNOTES & LINKS Watch full video here  🎓 Join School of Mary for Free! 🙏🏻 Free Rosary, audio Rosaries, and more 😄 Support Rosary Army 📺 Full Episodes 🍎 Listen on Apple (and leave a review!) 🔊 Listen on Spotify 👀 Greg's serialized novel ☎ Upload audio and video feedback via WeTransfer 📧 Email feedback   LINKS DISCUSSED Mac and Katherine's Website and Podcast