ChristCenteredConvos

Too often work seems like a long distance marathon and we are running out of steam. We return then to the WHY of work and rediscover the "get up and go" spirit embodied by St Joseph. Along the way, we turn to spiritual companions on the journey who remind us that we are not running this race alone and that the race of this life leads us to our ultimate destination, Heaven itself. 

Are you struggling with difficult colleagues too? Maybe you've said words that you didn't mean or become frustrated with the behaviour of your colleagues. Despite our tendency to judge before we understand, perhaps this is also a reminder to us to learn to see Christ in the people we work with and to walk the more difficult path of truly being Christ to others. We reflect on the daily challenge this presents to us and how faith can transform our perspective such that we see situations and people with not our own eyes, but His eyes. 

Does work feel very much like the daily grind? Are you finding it hard to mind meaning in what you do everyday? We have an all too real conversation about the struggles we face in getting through the work week and turn to St Joseph as a model for "working for love". A radical saint, for radical times that we live in! Let's reframe our perspectives and look at the work we do with the eyes of faith and trust and remember that we work for no one but the Father Himself. 

We delve deeper into the Working for God series where we reflect on the difficulties of living out our Catholic identity in the workplace and how remembering the "why" behind why we work invites us to live an integrated life - in the small and big decisions that we make to love a little more and go a little further than we think we are able. 

Feeling a little beaten down at work? Work piling up with no end in sight? Feeling like you can't see the meaning in work these days? We are here to answer your questions on the role that work plays in the life of the Christian as we delve deeper into the real life challenges we face in the workplace and what it really means to animate our workplaces with the fire of faith! No fear, we are here

We hope you are having a blessed Holy Week so far! CCC concludes the Lenten podcast as Nicole and Maureen reflect on the humanity of Jesus and His willingness to tread the difficulties and struggles of the earthly life. We walk with Him as we reflect on how the cross represents His love that goes beyond, His love that redeems and His love that humbles us. We are reminded on why Good Friday is so Good and that He is never far from us at all.

Today, Chris and Maureen shed light on an often overlooked sacramental in our journey of Lent: the Rosary. They reflect on the Rosary as “A Lifeline on the Edge of Chaos” - as the titular article puts it - and how we can use this Marian devotion to pull ourselves (and others) closer to Christ in this Lenten season!

Today, Chris is joined by a new member of the team - Ben! - to discuss about Chris' reflection on one of the 7 last words of Jesus: “Truly, I say to you”. Listen as we reflect about how the words of Jesus brings us out from a self-crucifixion into a mercy greater than ourselves, reconciling us not only with God but with the people around us.

Chris and Greg catch up over their progress with their Lenten resolutions and reflect on Greg's article on Spiritual Envy. What exactly is spiritual envy and how can we grow in holiness? We delve deeper into this season and into our spiritual journeys. Look out for more insightful reflections in the CCC Lenten Booklet!

As we delve deeper into the season of Lent, Nicole and Greg reflect on the poem "Regret" (found in the CCC Lenten Booklet) and follow the journey Judas takes from his sin, to Jesus' forgiveness and finally to the redemption of the Cross! We reflect on how His mercy is unfathomable, yet we are redeemed by His love. 

Chris and Greg delve deeper into the season of Lent and reflect on the experience of Confession, a reminder to us that God's mercy is boundless and unfathomable and that He only desires a sincere and contrite spirit.

We hope you are having a blessed Lent so far friends! Nicole and Greg catch up over how Lent has been for them, what's on their hearts and how the journey of Lent is very much an exodus. We are reminded that this journey is not a lonely one, for we have spiritual companions at our side, every step of the way. We pray that you will find this companionship as well through the CCC Lenten Booklet that launches this week and that you will journey with Him from slavery to true freedom. 

Happy new year! Are you feeling like there's nothing to look forward to in 2021 and that you've struggled to feel His presence in 2020? Nicole muses on His enduring goodness, even amidst the chaos that surrounds us and reminds us that He is a good Father who will illuminate our path ahead into the new year.

We hope that you have encountered Him this Advent season and found much solace in the podcast series we prepared to accompany you on your spiritual journey. Nicole reflects on what it means to say "O Come O Come Emmanuel" this Christmas and invite Him to dwell in our hearts. A blessed Christmas to you from the team at CCC!

We round off the Advent series with the theme of "Action". You may find the accompanying articles in the booklet available at this link https://joom.ag/TMmC . In this week's episode, Greg reflects on what it means to live a life of fullness, anchored in the Love which comes to us this Christmas.

Welcome to the CCC Advent series! The theme for this week is "Conversion" and you may find the accompanying articles in the booklet available at this link https://joom.ag/TMmC In this week's episode, Nicole steps into the shoes of the shepherds who encountered the Angel and wonder what is stopping us from experiencing the radical conversion of our hearts as we make one small act of faith and trust this Advent.

Welcome to the CCC Advent series! The theme for this week is "Conversion" and you may find the accompanying articles in the booklet available at this link https://joom.ag/TMmC In this week's episode, Clarence reflects on what it means to encounter Him such that our hearts are ready to receive Him this Advent. Indeed let us make straight the path and let ourselves be changed from the inside.

Welcome to the CCC Advent series! Today we launch our CCC Advent booklet featuring articles and artworks from our team. The theme for this week is "Journey" and you may find the accompanying articles in the booklet available at this link https://joom.ag/TMmC In this week's episode, Chris reflects on the journey towards Advent as you start your own personal journey as well. He highlights the cry of St John to 'make straight the path' for the coming of the Lord and how we can take small steps everyday to prepare our hearts to receive Him too this Advent.

As we round off this short series on holiness, let us delve deeper into the HOW. We discuss practical tips for an everyday holiness and how we can focus on the everyday as a starting point to live our faith radically, remembering that we do all things for Christ. We challenge you to start where you are now and to engage Him in an ongoing dialogue as you seek and love Him on your journey to Heaven! We're pressing on, pressing on to Heaven...

So we CAN be holy.. but is there people we can look to for an example? Look no further than the communion of saints, or as we discover, it is the 'saint next door'. They reflect on the recent beatification of the 'millienial saint' Blessed Carlo Acutis and realise that saints maybe are wearing tennis shoes and playing video games, just like anyone else!

We start an exciting 3 episode series with a new sister in Christ as a special guest! We share our thoughts on some of the myths we have about holiness and reflect on how all of us are called to holiness. We munch on the wisdom of Gaudete Et Exultate and realise that the answer to "Can I be Holy?" is a resounding YES!

We celebrate CCC's anniversary today as we look back at the holy men and women that we draw strength from. Blessed All Saints Day to you from all of us at CCC. Nicole and Greg catch up on what the series means to them and how our personal encounters with saints paves the way for a uniquely personal call to holiness as we transition into a new series (with many surprises and a new guest!) Stay tuned as the new series drops next week and #makeholinessgreatagain!

We round off our series on Everyday Holiness with St Thomas Aquinas! Lester reminds us of the wisdom of this saint and how truly God is well and truly present in our midst.

Ever felt far from the idea of holiness? Clarence reminds us of the story and legacy of St Augustine, one of the doctors of the church whose conversion story reminds us that "every saint has a past and every sinner has a future".

It has been just one week since the Feast Day of St Therese of Lisieux and we still bask in her wisdom of littleness! Greg invites us to ponder on the little flower of Jesus and how the little way she espouses is one that surely leads us to heaven.

"Be who you were meant to be and you will set the world on fire!" - Nicole reflects on the gutzy St Catherine and her gifts to the Church. You may recall that she convinced the Pope to return to Rome (no small feat for a woman at that time!) and gifted us with much wisdom through her writings. Let us pray to St Catherine for similar zeal to proclaim His message to all we meet and to serve Him selflessly.

We begin an exciting series on our favourite saints and explore what it means to live an everyday holiness. Chris reflects on the wisdom of St Ignatius and how we can like the Suscipe, surrender our very lives to Him.

What does it mean to take a year off to travel the world? Nicole catches up with Katie as she shares the adventure she went on and how reconnecting with God's creation allowed her to refocus her relationship with Him.

What do succulents have to do with the spiritual life? Steph and Nicole catch up over old times in this week's episode and explore how much we can learn from growing plants about our own spiritual growth.

What does it mean to be called by Him? We answer this question this week as Nicole catches up with Phillip who is currently discerning his vocation with the Dominican Order in California. They catch up over where vocation has led them in this season of their lives and the exciting adventures He has in store for them.

We delve deeper into the creativity of our loving God who reminds us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". In this week's episode, Nicole catches up with artist Laura, who has blessed the wider community with her rich artistic gifts. Is the artistic process also a prayer to Him and how can the process of creation bring about renewal within our own spiritual lives and those of others? We dive into the inextricable link between faith and art and muse on His creative genius - for He the master potter is constantly moulding us in His image.

No, not hitchhikers but pilgrims! James and Nicole catch up over some coffee as we reflect on how pilgrimages to holy sites reframe our perspective of the faith. Listen for captivating stories on route to Fatima, Santiago de Compostela and Nagasaki - we are taking you on a trip around the world to explore Christianity and our own daily pilgrim experience.

Do you feel like your lifeline to Jesus is disconnecting, much like your internet connection as you WFH? Fret not, Chris and Nicole are here to help as they reflect on some simple truths WFH has revealed to them on the necessity of prayer. Stay tuned for insightful reflections on spiritual books, some laughs and heartfelt observations of how we can stay connected to Him in prayer.

Matthew 18:20 says 'where two or three are gathered in my Name, there I will be'. We return with an exciting series of conversations about the faith, as we reflect on how our spiritual life has grown in this time of Circuit Breaker. Greg and Nicole reflect on this phase of silent reflection and how they have emerged, deeper in their relationship with Him.

Blessed Feast Day of St Ignatius of Loyola! You may have encountered this saint before as you have done some of the Spiritual Exercises which he is famous for, maybe even the Examen at the end of your day? We honour him today with a bonus episode delivered by Nicole who reflects on this famous prayer of surrender - The Suscipe Prayer and ponder on how we can also let God move in our lives.

Life is in constant flux and sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the disordered nature of our lives. Fret not, Lester is here to help with a little inspiration from St Thomas Aquinas, in his prayer for a good life. Perhaps it's time to slow down a little, Marie Kondo our lives and refocus on the One who truly matters, our Creator and God!

In this episode, Nicole delves deeper into the Divine Mercy Chaplet and reflects on how He is calling on us to trust in Him more fully. Stay tuned for a short recitation at the start and #praywithus!

St Michael guards us against the influences of the Evil One, join Nicole in this episode as she considers the power wielded by prayer and how we can wage spiritual battle in our daily struggles. You are not alone, the battle is not yours to fight, but God's!

Are you struggling to include prayer in your daily routine? Take some advice from Greg as he reflects on the Angelus and Mary's "Fiat". Stay tuned at the start for a short Angelus Prayer with Greg!

In this second episode on Prayer, Nicole reflects on how Mother Mary invites us to trust in God's will in our lives with the beautiful "Magnificat".

Welcome to our brand new series on Prayer! We kick off this exciting set of episodes fittingly with the Our Father (one of the first prayers we learn), as Lester invites us to reflect more deeply on this set prayer by looking at the lines we recite (sometimes without thinking) with new eyes and renewed hearts. We keep you in prayer in this time and pray that you will find your own prayer life deepening.

Do you find yourself wandering in this season of your life as well? Perhaps you feel you are going off track and life is in a spin. Chris reflects on what it means to be a wanderer and how keeping our eyes fixed on Him may lead us to destinations we never thought possible.

Jesus restores the sight of many in the Bible, He heals the man born blind, restores sight to Paul after he is temporarily blinded and invites us into a deeper spiritual sight. Do you feel sometimes that you have lost "sight" of what is truly important? Let Greg take you through this reflection on how He longs for us to see into the heart of the Father and to keep Heaven ever in our "sight".

Are you finding it hard to say your little "Yes" to Him? Join Chris as he reflects on what it means to live out the "Fiat" Mary demonstrates to us, in surrendering control over our lives to Him and learning to let Him lead.

Do you find yourself deeply unsatisfied with life and are thirsting for something more, something deeper? Listen as Greg reflects on this thirst that plagues us as we search for something deeper that will satisfy and how Jesus alone has the living water that will quench the deepest longings of our soul.

Perhaps you too are struggling with achieving an inner peace in these turbulent times? Join Jessica as she explores what it means to achieve a deeper peace and to remain steadfast in the face of change and challenge.

Are you desiring too for "growth" in this season? Listen as Greg shares his struggles with this pursuit of holiness and orienting his life towards the divine will.

Jessica delves deeper into the divine joy that we can find in Him alone and consider the joy that cannot be taken from us, which is to know Him and to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind.

Many of us have become accustomed to the idea of working from home, in these current times. How can work also be an opportunity to glorify God? In this week's episode, join Chris, Garrett, Greg and Nicole as they muse on how the work we do can be an altar of sacrifice to Him and a chance to be His face to others.

As we venture into the new life of Easter, we begin an exciting new series where the team explores how we are prompt-ed by faith in new ways. In this week's episode, Nicole shares with us her journey into the newness Jesus desires for each and every one of us.

Welcome to Christ Centered Conversation's official Podcast, where we invite you into our community of personal sharing and reflection. Join Garrett as he shares with us what "Chastity" means to him and how we can resists the temptations that we may be struggling with this Lent.