“Bernadette” and “The Passion of Bernadette”- In Conversation with Sydney Penny
In this classic interview from 2007, Bruce and Kris McGregor speak with actress Sydney Penny about her portrayal of St. Bernadette Soubirous in the films Bernadette and The Passion of Bernadette. Sydney reflects on how she was cast in the role as a young actress and how the experience of playing Bernadette—both in Lourdes and later in the convent at Nevers—deeply impacted her spiritually. She shares how the films aimed to faithfully present the saint’s life; not only the famous apparitions but also Bernadette’s later years marked by suffering, humility, and joyful perseverance. Sydney discusses how the role taught her about true spiritual strength, the value of simplicity, and the depth of Bernadette’s character, which continues to inspire her in everyday life.
They also explore the challenges Sydney faced filming in both English and French, her connection to the physical locations of Lourdes and Nevers, and the gift of encountering Bernadette’s incorrupt body. Sydney, though not Catholic, expresses how the story and spirit of Bernadette enriched her life and gave her a lasting model of grace.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
How does St. Bernadette’s humble acceptance of suffering challenge your own attitude toward trials in life?
In what ways can you cultivate the kind of joy and peace Bernadette maintained despite poor health and hardship?
How does Bernadette’s spiritual simplicity reveal a deeper kind of wisdom than academic knowledge alone?
When have you experienced God’s grace most profoundly in moments of loneliness or limitation?
What does it mean to you to be “in the effort business, not the results business,” as mentioned in the interview?
How can Bernadette’s example help you discern when to withdraw from public activity for deeper spiritual growth?
What role does humility play in your relationship with God, and how might you grow in it?
How do you see God working through art, film, and storytelling to deepen faith in today’s world?
When faced with decisions that may separate you from comfort or loved ones, how do you entrust those choices to God?
What can Bernadette’s witness teach you about obedience, trust, and faithfulness in your daily vocation?
Dr. Robert D. Enright – Forgiving as Unity with Christ on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Dr. Robert Enright speaks with Kris McGregor about his book Forgiving as Unity with Christ: A Journey for Healing, Resentment, and Relationships. He shares how an epiphany in 1985 redirected his academic career toward the study of forgiveness, which had previously been neglected in psychological research. Forgiveness, as a moral virtue, can transform the heart by healing the effects of injustice such as anger, resentment, and mistrust. Drawing from Aristotle and Aquinas, forgiveness does not excuse wrongdoing, demand forgetfulness, require reconciliation, or negate the pursuit of justice. Rather, it involves offering goodness to one who has acted unfairly, allowing a person to reclaim peace and dignity while also maintaining boundaries and seeking fairness where needed.
Dr. Enright outlines forgiveness as a deliberate, grace-filled path that must often be walked slowly, with self-awareness and even journaling. He discusses its spiritual dimensions, particularly its unity with Christ’s suffering and love on the cross, which brings healing not only to the individual but potentially to the offender and their relationship. He touches on the need for forgiveness education, especially within Catholic contexts, to help children and adults alike cope with life’s inevitable wounds. Dr. Enright also speaks on self-forgiveness, highlighting its importance in embracing one’s worth before God, especially through confession and sincere restitution. His research in diverse settings—from survivors of incest to prison inmates—demonstrates the transformative power of forgiveness on emotional, relational, and even physical well-being.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:
How does unhealed resentment affect your relationship with God and others?
In what areas of your life might God be inviting you to forgive, even if the other person hasn’t repented?
How can uniting your suffering with Christ on the cross transform your experience of injustice?
Are there ways you’ve misunderstood forgiveness—as excusing, forgetting, or reconciling—that need to be corrected?
How might your pursuit of justice be more Christ-like if it flows from a forgiving heart?
Who in your life do you need to forgive not just for their sake, but for your own healing and freedom?
How do you see the Sacrament of Reconciliation supporting both seeking and offering forgiveness?
What role does prayer and grace play in your ability to forgive someone who deeply wounded you?
How can cultivating forgiveness in your family or community reflect the mercy of Christ more fully?
In what ways have you struggled with self-forgiveness, and how can God’s mercy reshape your self-understanding?
From the book’s description:
Dr. Robert D. Enright, founder of the International Forgiveness Institute, invites you to travel with him down the road from alienation to forgiveness to possible reconciliation. His cathartic exercises will enliven your relationship with Jesus and provide a healing balm that will deepen your empathy and dispose you to forgiving others.
Similar to The Imitation of Christ, this work is divided into three books comprising short chapters with brief points to consider. The first book lays out forgiveness in general and includes biblical stories of forgiveness; the second approaches forgiveness from the Catholic perspective, including loving others through our intimate connection with Christ and seeking forgiveness ourselves; the third discusses skeptical views of forgiveness as well as self-forgiveness, forgiveness within communities, and what legacy you will leave behind.
These powerful exercises will help you understand what forgiveness actually is and why it is beneficial, including scientific studies of those who were suffering physically, psychologically, or emotionally and experienced healing.
You will learn answers to soul-searching questions and discover:
How to embrace your littleness with the humility of a beloved child of God
The Process Model of Forgiveness to aid you in becoming “forgivingly fit”
Seven forgiveness lessons in the Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers
The three Rs that help complete the triangle of forgiveness and rebuild trust
Seven aspects of “forgiveness as redemptive suffering”
The importance of forgiveness in God’s design for our peace and joy
As you contemplate God’s love for you in these extraordinary pages, you will grow deeper in your faith through journaling prompts and transformative meditations, including penetrating questions to guide you on your path to freedom. The book has been given an imprimatur by Bishop Donald Hying of the Catholic Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Enright is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a licensed psychologist and the founder of the International Forgiveness Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to disseminating knowledge about forgiveness and community renewal through forgiveness. In 2020, he was awarded the Aristotelian Professorship in Forgiveness Science in the Department of Educational Psychology at University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the first to publish a scientific study on the topic of person-to-person forgiving (1989). He is a popular speaker on forgiveness, and his work has appeared in such outlets as Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and the Chicago Tribune and on ABC’s 20/20. His International Forgiveness Institute organized the Jerusalem Conference on Forgiveness for the Renewal of Individuals, Families, and Communities at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, 2017; the Rome Conference on Forgiveness at the University of Santa Croce, 2018; and the International Educational Conference on Agape Love and Forgiveness in Madison, Wisconsin, 2022. For his innovative research on forgiveness, he received in 2022 what the American Psychological Association calls “psychology’s highest awards:” the APF Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology..
Dr. Alexander Harb – The Kingdom of the Heart: Meditations from the Christian East on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Dr. Alexander Harb and Kris McGregor explore The Kingdom of the Heart: Meditations from the Christian East, his new book that gives both spiritual and theological insight into Eastern Christian spirituality through the lens of the Desert Fathers and the Philokalia. Dr. Harb draws from his Melkite upbringing to describe how Eastern Christianity puts prayer and transformation toward the heart—an inner stillness cultivated through asceticism and the Jesus Prayer. This tradition invites us to unite our hearts with Christ’s, not just in theory but through lived compunction, metanoia (inner conversion), and deep emotional engagement with God’s love. True knowledge of God isn’t just academic but relational—akin to the intimacy of family—and how early monks wept not out of guilt, but out of being overwhelmed by divine love.
The roles of mercy, trust, and detachment from worldly distractions are essential to guarding the heart. Bright sadness—a concept from Eastern Lent—captures the paradox of Christian sorrow infused with hope. Finally, the discussion circles back to Christ’s own battle with temptation in the desert, illustrating how scripture and silence anchor the soul in times of trial. Dr. Harb’s book invites us into a journey of inner transformation with divine intimacy, wisdom born of suffering, and a deep call to holiness.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:
How is God inviting me to place my mind in my heart during prayer?
In what ways have I experienced metanoia as more than just repentance, but a turning of my whole self toward Christ?
Do I allow Jesus to truly love me in my brokenness, or do I hide behind shame or pride?
What role does compunction—sorrow for sin born of love—play in my spiritual life?
How can I better guard my heart from the noise, anxieties, and distractions of the world?
Am I allowing the Jesus Prayer or similar practices to bring silence and stillness into my prayer life?
What does spiritual fatherhood (or motherhood) look like in my vocation, and how am I being formed in it?
From the book’s description:
“Although the story of our salvation began in the Orient, the richness of the spirituality of our Eastern Fathers and Mothers in the Faith has long remained hidden. The Church is indebted to the East for revealing how Christians from apostolic times lived their faith, from founding Christian monastic life to developing the worship that has helped shape our liturgy.
In this spiritual masterpiece, Dr. Alexander Harb offers penetrating meditations on nine themes of the spiritual life, drawing from Eastern Christian sources and his own real-life examples. Each chapter includes a power-packed meditation, a related Scripture passage, engaging reflection questions, and challenges that are perfectly accessible for individual or group study.
Through the lens of the Eastern Church and the Desert Fathers, you will reflect on topics such as repentance, the Jesus Prayer, heartbrokenness, discernment, family, friendship, and total reliance on God.
In these absorbing pages, you will discover:
Advice on building virtue and accepting the love, life, and fire of the Holy Spirit
Tips on entering into the stillness of prayer and reorienting yourself when distractions arise
The four stages of conversion and three stages of prayer, according to the Eastern Fathers
Ways to discern spirits, and simple yet rich wisdom to help you in times of temptation
How to encounter God’s peace more deeply in the liturgy and how to worship Him more fruitfully
Methods of attaining metanoia, cardiagnosia (knowledge of the heart), and true transformation
Although practicing asceticism can be challenging, the fruits of inner freedom, peace, and the vision of God are unmistakable. These life-changing reflections aim to help you experience God’s compassionate and healing love for you and your family. By absorbing the wisdom of the East, you will come to know the Father’s merciful love more deeply, grow closer to our Lord, Jesus Christ, and become enlightened by the Holy Spirit.”
About the Author
Having grown up in the Melkite Catholic Church, Dr. Alexander Sami Harb became interested in Eastern Christianity at a very young age. He completed his doctorate in Eastern Christian Studies at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome with the publication of his thesis in 2022. His theological focus was on the Desert Fathers and their attention to the heart. Dr. Harb especially worked to find ancient textual evidence of attention to Jesus’ heart within the desert and among the early Church Fathers. He lives and works as a theology teacher in Birmingham, Alabama.
It was truly a delight to once again to talk with Sally Read! This time we discuss her beautiful book “Annunciation: A Call to Faith in a Broken World”.
Sensing the precarious nature of faith in an overwhelmingly secular world, Read, through meditation and anecdote, began writing down the compelling reasons for holding onto both God and Church. Taking the Annunciation as her template (that most fundamental yes to God), she explores common experiences of the spiritual life: His presence and invitation (And he came to her); the fears we have to let go of (Do not be afraid); the realization of our identity in God (Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord) and what our vocation might be (Let it be to me according to your word); and when God feels very distant from us (And the angel departed from her).
Drawing on Scripture, lives of the saints, and the lives of people she has known personally and professionally as a nurse, Read shows how God is with us always―through suffering, spiritual dryness and depression, as well as in joyful and mystical ways. This book was inspired by a mother’s loving response to a daughter―but what has resulted is something that will speak to any believer engaged in the bliss and bewilderment of a relationship with God.
Wilderness Within by Sr. Josephine Garrett on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Sister Josephine Garrett and Kris McGregor discuss Wilderness Within, a Lenten journal designed to guide individuals in deepening their spiritual journey. Sister Josephine explains that the book is not for the faint of heart but for those willing to reflect on their implicit beliefs about God, faith, and themselves. The book explores the theme of the “wilderness within,” likening it to the Desert Fathers’ realization that the greatest spiritual battle is fought in the human heart and the importance of rendering one’s heart open to Christ, engaging in interior reflection, and embracing the challenges of Lent not as failures but as necessary struggles on the path to spiritual growth.
The need for authentic hope amid personal and societal struggles is important during the Jubilee of Hope. Fasting, penance, and detachment each share a role in gaining clarity and deepening union with God rather than simply self-denial. She encourages listeners to avoid rushing through Lent, instead embracing the rhythm of the liturgical season as a model for ongoing spiritual discipline.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:
How does the concept of the “wilderness within” resonate with your own spiritual struggles and growth?
In what ways do you see God’s love sustaining you, even in times of doubt or hardship?
What are the “stories” you tell yourself about your relationship with God, and how do they shape your faith?
How can you practice rendering your heart more fully open to God during Lent?
What attachments or distractions in your life may be keeping you from fully trusting in God’s plan?
How do you respond to suffering and the cross in your own life—do you resist it or see it as a path to deeper union with Christ?
How can fasting, prayer, and almsgiving help you detach from worldly concerns and focus more on God?
In what ways does the Jubilee of Hope challenge you to rediscover hope in your personal faith journey?
How does reflecting on Christ’s suffering during Holy Week draw you closer to His heart?
What steps can you take after Lent to ensure that your spiritual growth continues beyond the season?
From the book’s description:
This Lent, allow Sr. Josephine Garrett to be your guide as you explore the interior wilderness of your heart and invite Jesus in to heal you with his love.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus went into the wilderness? Some believe it was to reveal his divinity or to restore humanity’s relationship with God. In Wilderness Within, Sr. Josephine Garrett, a mental health counselor and popular speaker, reflects on the belief that Jesus went into the wilderness to rescue us—to rescue us! The Lord does not want us to view the wilderness as something that causes worry, anxiety, or fear. “What if, instead,” Sr. Josephine writes, “we looked at how God has been a faithful provider in the wilderness and trusted that He will do the same for us in the wilderness journey ahead? What if we joyfully take His hand and journey into the wilderness, because when Christ enters there, ‘this opposite place of the garden becomes the place of reconciliation and healing’” (Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth)?
In Wilderness Within, Sr. Josephine will guide you through the forty days of Lent to attend to the wilderness of your heart as a place to be explored, restored, and sent on mission by Jesus’s tender love.
Week of Ash Wednesday: Enter Lent by recognizing your ability to always begin anew in Christ.
Week One: Open your heart to God’s love, allowing yourself to reverence your heart as a gift from your Creator.
Week Two: Reflect on the truth that we are created for relationships, and examine the relationships in your life.
Week Three: Take an honest look at your limitations, wounds, and sin guided by a spirit of humility and repentance.
Week Four: Begin to see how God designed your heart to be rescued by him and grow in your capacity to be healed by him.
Week Five: Leave the wilderness of your heart so that you can go on mission—with a heart restored by Christ’s love—to love your neighbor and be a good steward of the gifts and charisms given to you.
Holy Week: Follow in Jesus’s footsteps to the Cross and discover how you can love him well through each stage of the Passion and Resurrection.
Each day’s content includes brief meditations, specially crafted illustrations, thought-provoking reflection questions, heartfelt prayers curated to uplift your spirit, and ample journaling space for personal revelations and insights. Whether you’re journeying alone or with a group, Wilderness Within is your guide to a beautiful and renewing Lent.
About the Author
Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, is a sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth, a licensed counselor, host of the Hope Stories podcast, and a Catholic speaker and author.
Garrett earned a bachelor’s degree in political philosophy from the University of Dallas. Prior to entering religious life, she worked as vice president in the home loans division of Bank of America. In 2019, she earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and became a nationally certified counselor licensed in Texas.
She worked as a school counselor in Tyler, Texas, and is presently serving as a counselor in private practice. Garret is a voice for mental health on various platforms such as Formed and Hallow.
Fr. Thomas Morrow on “Straight to Heaven: A Practical Guide for Growing in Holiness”
Kris McGregor talks with Fr. Thomas Morrow about his book Straight to Heaven: A Practical Guide for Growing in Holiness. Fr. Morrow explains the significance of understanding heaven, hell, and purgatory as motivators for spiritual growth. Heaven is a deep union with God, similar to a divine marriage. While God’s mercy is abundant, rejecting Him leads to hell, which Christ frequently spoke about in Scripture; and purgatory as a place of purification for those who die in God’s grace but still need to atone for sins.
Fr. Morrow presents prayer as the foundation of holiness and encourages believers to develop a daily habit of conversation with God. He recommends the Rosary for its meditative power and speaks about the importance of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, as essential sources of grace.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
The Reality of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory: How does understanding the Church’s teaching on heaven, hell, and purgatory shape the way you live your daily life and make moral choices?
The Joy of Union with God: In what ways can you deepen your desire for heaven by growing in your relationship with God through prayer and the sacraments?
The Role of Suffering in Holiness: How can you embrace suffering as a means of uniting yourself with Christ and growing in holiness rather than avoiding or resenting it?
The Power of Daily Prayer: What steps can you take to develop a consistent and meaningful prayer life that brings you closer to God?
The Call to Love God and Neighbor: How can you practice the two greatest commandments more intentionally, especially in difficult relationships or challenging situations?
The Importance of the Sacraments: What role do the Eucharist and Reconciliation play in your spiritual life, and how can you make them a greater priority?
The Challenge of Living a Virtuous Life: Which virtues do you struggle with the most, and how can you work on strengthening them through prayer and action?
The Commitment to Spiritual Growth: What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to foster a deeper relationship with God and grow in holiness?
“If you’re hoping to get to Heaven, you’ll need a plan to reach your goal. This handy manual not only presents all the elements of a life well lived; it also helps you incorporate those elements into everyday practice. Straight to Heaven is the one guide you need to achieve holiness now and Heaven later – all while eluding the traps and pains of Hell.
Fr. Morrow explains that happiness is attainable now for those who live the gospel because they are bringing a bit of Heaven to earth. Conversely, those who fail to live the gospel are doomed to live a hellish life in this world and in the next.
That’s why Fr. Morrow wrote this book – to help you put in place a practical plan to enable you to love God with your whole heart, mind, and soul. Fr. Morrow shows you how to discern and follow God’s will and improve your ability to extend mercy to others.
Through engaging stories of individuals who lived heroically in difficult circumstances, you will discover ways to overcome vice and grow in the fruits of the Holy Spirit so you can become the saint God calls you to be. Most importantly, you will learn to keep your eyes fixed on the heavenly Wedding Feast and your eternal reward. You will also learn:
The difference between meditation and contemplation
How to grow in authentic sorrow for sin
The three methods of prayer – and when to use each
The most effective aid to staying on the path to holiness
How to overcome difficulties in prayer
Three ways to display your love to God”
About the Author: Fr. Thomas G. Morrow graduated from St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia and was ordained in 1982 for the Archdiocese of Washington (DC). He has an STL in Moral Theology from the Dominican House of Studies and received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in 1999. He was host for three years (1989-1992) of Catholic Faith Alive!, a radio program on WNTR in Washington, in which he explained the Catholic faith. Fr. Morrow has appeared as a guest on Mother Angelica Live and The Abundant Life programs on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). He has written booklets on the rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and on heaven, hell and purgatory.
John Galten – The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude De La Colombiere on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
John Galten and Kris McGregor discuss The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude de la Colombière and St. Claude’s crucial role in the Sacred Heart devotion, through his spiritual guidance of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Galten recounts his personal journey to discovering St. Claude and highlights how the saint’s balanced, kind, and firm approach helped St. Margaret Mary persevere amidst resistance. St. Claude’s promotion of the Sacred Heart devotion, particularly through his Jesuit connections, significantly contributed to its global spread. His teachings on trust in God’s providence and the interior life resonate today, offering timeless guidance for deepening one’s spiritual journey.
St. Claude’s prudence, humility, and love for the Eucharist, portrays him as an essential guide for those seeking holiness in a distracted world. Galten draws parallels between the Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy devotions, underscoring their shared message of trust in Christ’s love; in addition to the importance of prayer, the sacraments, and spiritual masters like St. Claude in fostering an interior life, especially in light of St. John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Importance of Spiritual Direction: Reflect on how the guidance of a spiritual director, like St. Claude de la Colombière, can provide clarity and strength in times of spiritual struggle.
Trust in God’s Providence: Consider ways in which you can deepen your trust in God’s plan, especially when facing challenges or uncertainty.
Role of Devotion in Spiritual Growth: Examine the role that devotions, such as the Sacred Heart, play in nurturing your relationship with Christ and sustaining your interior life.
Balance in Spiritual Practice: Reflect on how you can maintain a balanced spiritual life that embraces both zeal and prudence, avoiding extremes in your faith journey.
Significance of the Eucharist: Ponder the centrality of the Eucharist in your daily life and how participation in the Mass strengthens your connection to Christ.
Call to Universal Holiness: Consider how you can respond to the Church’s call to holiness by fostering an interior life rooted in prayer, sacraments, and love for God.
Joy in Evangelization: Reflect on the importance of joy in living and sharing your faith, and identify ways to cultivate this joy through a deeper relationship with Christ and Our Lady.
“St. Claude, canonized by Pope John Paul II, ranks among the masters of the spiritual life as a director of souls. He gave direction to countless souls, including to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the great visionary of the Sacred Heart revelations. Jesus told St. Margaret Mary, “Father Claude is my perfect friend and servant. His gift is to lead souls to God.”
St. Claude preached missions and retreats on the Sacred Heart. He was also a clever psychologist who easily read the hearts of other. His sure judgment, aided by grace, enabled him to understand the difficulties of each soul and give the advice most needed for each person. Readers of this spiritual gem will find his insights full of wisdom and inspiration.
His writings cover such important areas of the spiritual life as: Confession, Mass and Holy Communion, Confidence in God, Perfection & Holiness, Peace of Soul, Charity, Education of Children, Spiritual Joy, Prayer, Zeal, and much more.”
Mary Dudro – Salt and Light: The Spiritual Journey of Élisabeth and Félix Leseur on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Mary Dudro
Mary Dudro-Gordon and Kris McGregor discuss Salt and Light: The Spiritual Journey of Elisabeth and Félix Leseur by Bernadette Chovelon. Presenting the remarkable story of Elisabeth, a devout Catholic, and Félix, a staunch atheist; their marriage was grounded in deep love and mutual respect despite their spiritual differences. Their relationship illustrates the transformative power of sacramental marriage as Elisabeth devoted herself to silent prayer, sacrifice, and trust in God’s plan for Félix’s conversion. Despite her chronic illness and the sorrow of infertility, Elisabeth maintained her faith, believing in God’s mercy and grace while selflessly serving her husband and others around her.
Their story takes a poignant turn after Elisabeth’s death when Félix reads her spiritual writings and is deeply moved by the hidden sacrifices she made for his soul. Overwhelmed by her example of love and faith, Félix experiences a profound conversion and later becomes a Dominican priest, dedicating the remainder of his life to serving God. Elisabeth and Felix’s story provides a compelling testament to the quiet power of prayer, the enduring nature of true marital love, and the mystery of divine mercy. Elisabeth Leseur’s example serves as an inspiration for those praying for the conversion of loved ones, reminding readers to trust in God’s timing and the unseen work of grace.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
The Power of Silent Witness: How can we practice silent, prayerful witness like Elizabeth Leseur when sharing our faith with loved ones who struggle with belief?
Sacrificial Love in Marriage: What does it mean to work for the salvation of one’s spouse, and how can we embody selfless love within our own marriages?
Trusting in God’s Timing: How can we cultivate greater trust in God’s timing, especially when praying for the conversion of someone we love?
The Call to Spiritual Parenthood: How can we, like Elizabeth and Félix, extend the love we might reserve for our children toward others in our families and communities?
Faith in the Midst of Suffering: How can Elizabeth’s example of enduring illness with grace inspire us to trust God more deeply during our own trials?
Hope for the Lost Sheep: How does Elizabeth’s unwavering belief in Félix’s eventual conversion challenge us to maintain hope and perseverance in prayer for those who seem far from God?
The Ordinary Path to Holiness: What does Elizabeth and Félix’s story reveal about the potential for holiness within ordinary, everyday life?
Marriage as a Path to Heaven: How can the Leseurs’ understanding of marriage as a shared mission for one another’s salvation influence the way we approach our own vocations?
The Mystery of Divine Mercy: How does the unfolding of Félix’s conversion after Elizabeth’s death demonstrate the limitless and unexpected ways God’s mercy operates?
The Witness of Christian Love: In what ways can we love others as Elizabeth did—without pressure or argument—so that they may encounter the love of God through our actions?
“Élisabeth and Félix Leseur began their life together in France as a carefree young couple with a bright future ahead of them. They were beautifully and compatibly matched, except for one major difference—Élisabeth was a devout Catholic, and Félix was a firmly decided atheist. As they faced the seasons of life together, their relationship was tested, and both were called to deep spiritual transformation.
Out of love for her husband, Élisabeth spent her life offering her many sufferings for the sake of his conversion. After her death, and in response to the profound love he encountered in her writings, Félix converted and offered the rest of his life to God as a Dominican priest.
This biography is a lovely narrative of their marriage and the transformative power of God’s love and grace in their lives. It also presents a charming picture of upper-middle-class French society at the turn of the last century. The cause for the canonization of Élisabeth Leseur has been opened by the Catholic Church.”
Joe Paprocki on “8 Steps to Energize Your Faith”, Part Two on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Joe Paprocki joins Kris McGregor on Discerning Hearts to discuss his book Eight Steps to Energize Your Faith. Paprocki highlights the relational nature of faith, rooted in the Trinitarian image of God. He shares personal experiences as an introvert, especially during the isolation of the pandemic, to illustrate humanity’s inherent need for relationships and the importance of compassion, distinguishing it from empathy by noting that compassion leads to action. Paprocki connects these ideas to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, encouraging parents to recognize the compassionate nature of their everyday responsibilities.
Paprocki reflects on the joy found in generosity, sharing insights from biblical stories such as the wedding at Cana and the feeding of the 5,000 to illustrate God’s abundant grace. Generosity isn’t limited to financial resources but extends to time, talent, and presence.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
The Relational Nature of God: How can you foster deeper relationships in your life to reflect the Trinitarian image of God?
Living Compassion Through Action: What steps can you take to move beyond empathy and practice compassion through concrete acts of mercy?
Participating in God’s Restorative Work: Where in your life can you contribute to repairing relationships or restoring hope in others?
Generosity as a Reflection of Divine Abundance: How can you practice generosity in your daily life with your time, talents, and resources?
The Gift of Stillness in the Spiritual Life: When can you make time to be still and simply rest in God’s presence this week?
“Act now to tap into the current of God’s loving grace.
While uncertainty and tough times are hallmarks of life, our current era feels more than a little unpredictable. And if we’re honest with ourselves, many of us are feeling uncertain about God’s plan. In times like these, we need a healthy boost of faith and a solid shot of inspiration to get through the day and lead us back to God. Pie-in-the-sky advice or overwrought platitudes won’t do. We need substantial, practical ways to fortify our souls.
In 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith, beloved spiritual teacher Joe Paprocki offers hands-on advice to guide us out of the fog of an often-confusing world and bolster our confidence in who we are—children of God with a vision and a purpose. This, of course, means growing in faith, but how? By tapping into God’s loving Spirit so we can go with the holy flow to put first things first and let the small stuff go.
Timely, inspiring, and filled with hard-earned, practical wisdom that applies to your life right now, 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith offers a path that we can all start on today to feel motivated, focused, and renewed in the Spirit.”
About the Author: Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press. He has over 40 years of experience in pastoral ministry and has taught at the high school, college, and general-adult levels. He is the author of over 20 books that have sold nearly a half-million copies, including the best sellers The Catechist’s Toolbox and A Well-Built Faith. His latest book, 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith, was published in 2023. He has presented in over 150 dioceses in North America and blogs about the catechetical ministry at www.catechistsjourney.com.
Joe Paprocki on “8 Steps to Energize Your Faith”, Part One on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Eight Steps to Energize Your Faith, which explores practical ways to reconnect with God’s presence in everyday life. Paprocki draws on the examples of the prophet Elijah and George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life to illustrate the human experience of spiritual fatigue and the longing for renewed purpose. Many people, especially post-pandemic, feel depleted and seek divine energy to reawaken their desire to live fully. Through relatable stories and Ignatian principles, Paprocki encourages readers to recognize God’s presence in daily activities, even the mundane ones, and to nurture their spiritual lives through creativity, simplicity, and gratitude.
Authentic spirituality involves seeking meaning beyond the visible and recognizing God’s hand in creation. Steps like delighting in nature, simplifying possessions, and expressing creativity help individuals encounter God’s grace. The book is a resource not only for those firmly rooted in faith but also for those who identify as spiritual but not religious, inviting them to experience God’s presence in daily life and consider how faith practices can deepen that relationship.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
Recognizing Spiritual Fatigue: What aspects of your faith life feel depleted, and how might you invite God’s divine energy to renew your spirit?
Finding God in Everyday Moments: Where have you recently experienced God’s presence in ordinary, daily activities?
Embracing Creativity as a Gift from God: How do you express creativity in your life, and how does it reflect your identity as a co-creator with God?
The Role of Pondering in Spiritual Growth: When was the last time you took time to ponder a significant event, and what did it reveal about God’s presence in your life?
Cultivating Gratitude for Spiritual Renewal: What blessings can you name today that remind you of God’s love and care?
Simplifying Life for Greater Clarity: What possessions, commitments, or distractions might you let go of to create more space for God?
Connecting with Creation as a Path to God: How can you intentionally spend more time in nature to grow in awareness of God’s creative power?
Accompanying Others in Their Faith Journey: How can you show love and support to those who identify as spiritual but not religious, meeting them where they are with compassion
“Act now to tap into the current of God’s loving grace.
While uncertainty and tough times are hallmarks of life, our current era feels more than a little unpredictable. And if we’re honest with ourselves, many of us are feeling uncertain about God’s plan. In times like these, we need a healthy boost of faith and a solid shot of inspiration to get through the day and lead us back to God. Pie-in-the-sky advice or overwrought platitudes won’t do. We need substantial, practical ways to fortify our souls.
In 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith, beloved spiritual teacher Joe Paprocki offers hands-on advice to guide us out of the fog of an often-confusing world and bolster our confidence in who we are—children of God with a vision and a purpose. This, of course, means growing in faith, but how? By tapping into God’s loving Spirit so we can go with the holy flow to put first things first and let the small stuff go.
Timely, inspiring, and filled with hard-earned, practical wisdom that applies to your life right now, 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith offers a path that we can all start on today to feel motivated, focused, and renewed in the Spirit.”
About the Author: Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press. He has over 40 years of experience in pastoral ministry and has taught at the high school, college, and general-adult levels. He is the author of over 20 books that have sold nearly a half-million copies, including the best sellers The Catechist’s Toolbox and A Well-Built Faith. His latest book, 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith, was published in 2023. He has presented in over 150 dioceses in North America and blogs about the catechetical ministry at www.catechistsjourney.com.
From the book’s description:
From the book’s description:
From the book’s description:
