Faith Fondue

Congratulations to Anne and Haley - and our listeners! - for completing 24 episodes in 2024! How often do we set a goal or resolution and accomplish it? And what are you resolutions for this year? Both Anne's and Haley's include reading, boundaries, and a (re)commitment to our faith. It's also playoff season, both in college football and the NFL - including Fantasy Football. Lots to chew on in the Stew and our final episode (for 2024) of Faith Fondue!

The third week of Advent begins with Gaudete Sunday. We light a rose colored candle to signify JOY and remind us that Christmas is near. Haley offers a joy-index. Where are you on a scale of 1-10? Anne encountered joy at a fundraiser celebrating a new school community that has a wonderful name: Nativity. The keynote speaker Father Mike Schmitz is naturally effusive and engaging…bring joy to the world and the Bible in a year! IHe reminded the audience and now all of us to prepare our hearts and our homes for Christmas! You wouldn't run a marathon without training. What are we doing, what faith training has we exercised this Advent? No time to taper, there's still one week to go!

Both Anne and Haley traveled south for the long Thanksgiving weekend; Haley avoided the cold by escaping to Florida to be with family, while Anne ventured into enemy territory with friends to see Notre Dame play USC in a season-defining game. But hey, did you know there is a new Catholic Church/Center on USC's campus? Hear what Anne has to say about. After digesting football (college team won; NFL teams not so much), we enter into Haley's favorite time of year: no, not Christmas - it's ADVENT folks. And the theme this week is HOPE.

Last weekend was a big weekend for movie openings: Wicked and Gladiator 2. Haley and Anne haven't seen either one..."which" one will you see first? Wicked discusses timeless themes, one of them being "inclusion." What does it mean to be truly inclusive...Haley and Anne discuss this as well as the miraculous medal. We are all over the place; a melting pot of topics!

t's not what you think! Yes, the election happened this week. But in today's Gospel we think about the question "Why?" in a different way. Also, Why was Haley so stressed this week? Why are sports stressful? Why do we enjoy one particular athlete over another? Why do we pick up a book and stay with it? So many Whys out there to be discussed! Join us!

This weekend wrapped up four straight days of "holidays" (some made up) and kicked off the trifecta of holidays that is the last two months of the calendar. In other words, there was lots for Haley and Anne to talk about that does not include Election Day: honoring loved ones, candy corn, the ethics (and popularity) of sports betting, peacemakers, and apostles. Do you know what the Calavera Catrina is? Take a listen and learn!

Anne and Haley gather around the flame where a lot is hot—or was in the Bay Area with a recent heat wave. Fortunately, it subsided and feels like Fall. This new season is a busy time and a tough time for many in our country. Recent events prompt questions like “Are you prepared? If so, how?” Jesus asks this question in our spiritual lives too.The spiritual stew speaks to the question: What must we do to inherit eternal life? Jesus gives a provocative answer with a poignant question, leaving Anne and Haley with plenty to chew on.Haley commits to reaching our goal of 24 for 2024 and not to let so much time pass before she reconvenes with her family of origin. Anne speaks to revisiting discipline so as not to be disappointed. Together, they will discuss the author of that quote in a future episode. Listen up and listen in….

Anne and Haley reflect back on Labor Day—what it means and where the long weekend took us. Still licking our wounds from a devastating Notre Dame loss (double whammy for Haley as a Ravens' fan), while tying this week's Gospel to gossip (gasp!) and the humility of Jesus. As 9/11 approaches, both Haley and Anne share ways to reflect, remember, and keep life (and football) in perspective. Next episode Anne and Haley will discuss Monk Malloy's book on leadership. Before, Anne reflects back on books that made her laugh and cry. Haley shares a few examples you might not want to miss! 

So much happens when we gather around the table: for meals, for prayer, for the Eucharist, to listen and to learn. This is not something to take for granted. Let us look to our homes, work places and other spaces to make room at the table. Football Season is upon us and with that comes the emotions that unite us - and divide us. Once again, Haley strives to not become to attached to her teams. And in the Spiritual Stew, Anne keeps us grounded in the historical context of the week's readings.

This is the 15th episode in our "24 for 2024," recorded on the 15th of August—the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. The gift of this holy day brought Haley to mass, which was led by a familiar, important and much needed voice—Father Edward “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C. (former Notre Dame President). Anne adds yet another chapter to one of her favorite stories, vis a vi her experience at St. Francis Parish up in Lake Tahoe (Incline Village). Anne and Haley recap the joys and lessons from the 2024 Olympic Games. From victory to patriotism, talent to sportsmanship—what we saw in Paris is not to be forgotten. We are ready for LA! Haley addresses a tough topic as it applies to collegiate swimming and rulings from the NCAA. Anne shares a word from the Gospel to guide all teachers this school year. Lots cooking in the Fondue pot, Enjoy!

During a historic time in our country, it's more important than ever to have leaders in our lives to shepherd us in a positive way. Haley shares her shepherds; who are yours? Experience is a valuable teacher, but only if we learn the right lessons. Speaking of teachers, Anne heads back to school soon with a Leadership 101 goal of her own, while Haley is enjoying her month of self-care (while still working)... tune in! 

It was an A-List Holiday Weekend as the entire country enjoyed the HOT four-day Fourth of July. Both Anne and Haley traveled for the long weekend, spending time with family and friends-like-family. Haley's emotional few weeks grounded her in Community and Faith, while Anne's cousin inspires us all. (Spoiler Alert: No sports talk this episode! That's a first!)

Halfway through our 24 episodes in 2024, Haley and Anne talk sports, heartbreak, celebration, and loss. And - take note! - Haley watched her first golf match. Well, the last few holes of the PGA Tournament...and actually found it exciting.

What a couple of weeks. As Haley waited out the weather delay at the Men's Lacrosse National Championship game, news broke that Bill Walton had passed away. So many connections and a roller coaster day. Anne celebrated a special night on the dance floor and Haley cheered on the Florida Panthers so she could attend the Billy Joel concert.

What is the difference between Commencement Mass and Baccalaureate? How are Commencement and Commissioning the same? What about a Charge? And what do they all have to do with Pentecost and the Holy Spirit? Lots of word play in this week's episode of Faith Fondue!

It was a busy and diverse weekend for Haley and Anne. Haley's family was literally all over the United States, experiencing unique events (just too bad they weren't all together). While Anne walked us through Awards season and commencements - this time of year is a time to celebrate, reflect, look forward and look ahead...all with love for one another.

It Ain't How Hard You Hit...it's how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. - Rocky BalboaIt's the Eye of the Tiger as we look forward to Spring. Is it Spring? Is it not Spring? It's definitely confirmation and Masters season; both signature Springtime events; very different and yet the same. Just like Rocky. Tune in!

Happy Easter! We are called to live as Easter people. People of hope, joy and the resurrection. It seems that Lent—though long— came and went, along with many of our March Madness brackets. Anne attended Palm Sunday mass in that was spoken entirely in the Basque language, while Haley attended Easter mass in a gym. Both Haley and Anne spent time over the Easter weekend imagining what it was like to live 2000+ years ago, reliving the readings. April approaches along with The Masters...and Passover.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Happy (belated) Laetare Sunday! Coming off of a very long week (for Haley) and only two more meatless Fridays until Easter, Anne and Haley discuss why Catholics abstain from meat during Lent. And what is there to laetare - aka rejoice - about in this week's Gospel (hint: it's a hard one!) With the anticipation of Holy Week approaching, we all know the tomb will be empty and Jesus will be risen, but do we know where Kate Middleton is? 

In this episode we talk about the weekend's Gospel, known to most Christians as the Prodigal Son. But what does it mean to be "prodigal?" (Hint: I think we all are!) Tune in as Anne shares details of her upcoming presentation in Denver on Wisdom and Women, and Haley talks about her two day Lenten Retreat planning, emphasis on the "two" days. We are not quite halfway through Lent: how are we doing?

Haley and Anne have plenty to share following a week that started with Super Bowl Sunday, followed by SuperSick Monday, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesda/Valentine's Day and a birthday. Haley recalls the emotions and beauty of participation in a Senior Alumni Lenten Journey video and Anne commits to building others up, much in the way Bruce Springsteen does (as seen in The Greatest Night in Pop Music). Lent is underway--the journey is a long one. Listen up and lean in for tips along the way!

Amidst a big week, Haley finds ever more importance in keeping it real. Anne recalls the nostalgia and the blessing as revealed in the making of the 1985 hit song: We are the World. Knowing that we are the ones to make a brighter day, Anne and Haley discuss the value in time away for prayer and how to pray with intentions (and intention).

In Episode 2 of 24 for 2024, Anne and Haley unpack the NFL Divisional playoffs, a few examples of brothers in the game and this special time of year. Haley asks the listener to consider what we would think of Jesus in 2024. Anne reflects on Christ's first words according to Mark's Gospel. Together, we consider how that POV and that message affect us in the days and weeks to come.

It's the LAST of the Christmas season. The Feast of the Epiphany–Little Christmas. Anne and Haley have taken a break and I really missed it. We are excited to be back taping our podcast. Our goal is to complete 24 episodes in 2024.  This episode features Haley's motto for the year: Keeping it Real. Anne shares a little bit about the annual faculty retreat which featured a special speaker: Irish poet and theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama. Together they discuss their thoughts on poetry, the Gospel and resolutions for this new year.

It's the week of May 22, Season 3, Episode 13 - The 6th Sunday of Easter. Lots going on and lots of questions to answer. Here are but a few: In light of Preakness, is horse racing a sport? Do you have a favorite athlete? Favorite color? Is spiritual discipline a necessary or evil? What ought we do with our unrest? How might prayer and meditation help? Consider these questions and more as you listen.

The 5th Sunday of Easter. We are half-way through the month of May and in full-blown celebrate-my-senior mode: prom, senior projects, AP exams, baccalaureate, graduation, and graduation parties.  And of course all graduations, have a grad speaker. Our intro question invites listeners to share: Have you heard any good ones yet this grad season? What makes for a good commencement address? Why are they important?

It is already Week 3 of the Easter Season and its May Day. May is traditionally a month to celebrate Mary, Our Mother and our own moms. It may also be a time to consider pilgrimage either locally or to a popular spiritual destination. Anne and Haley also discuss what it means to "read" a book, our experiences and insights from recent work travel and the power of connections in sports.

We are BACK after a long spring break and Easter hiatus. It is Divine Mercy Sunday, and we are in the midst of our 50 DAY celebration of Easter. Anne and Haley start with a debate held at the Easter brunch table, discuss spring break and the Doubting Thomas, not to mention all the messages that flow from this meaningful Gospel reading. Happy Easter!

It is the 4th week of Lent, and wow, March is almost over! A quarter of the year has almost passed, and we are reaching the half way point of Lent. Has this holy season been challenging? meaningful? fruitful? With the focus on NAVIGATE in the acronym CHANGE, Anne and Haley discuss what that means in their spiritual lives. Where we are called to go and who we want to be. None of this reflection is done without a nod to March Madness, music ministry and giving thanks for those times the universe throws you a bone!

Lent calls us to give alms—to give to the poor. What an important spiritual discipline. Anne and Haley discuss another form of this discipline as they unpack what to do with cards and other mementos. This is also a season of saints and this week focuses on St. Joseph, a man of action and few words.

Love your enemies. How the Holy Spirit is at work. Creating space as part of the "Beautiful Game" and in the spiritual life are but a taste of what's cooking this week. Haley calls us to focus on Humility during this second week of Lent. Cleaning out her basement led her to discover some past medical records that were both humbling and well...sacramental. Anne shares her gratitude for welcoming a great storyteller to a fireside chat. Joy in simplicity, friendship and connection are a few of the spices in this fondue pot. Enjoy!

During this first full week of Lent, Haley asks an important question as it relates to the Gospel and our Lenten practice. How do you speak about your Lenten sacrifice or commitments? This week brings International Women's Day, which allows Anne to celebrate 50 years of Title IX. Haley adds that this is a time for Spring Break and Retreats - two things that couldn't be more different, but both elicit the same action from me: PRAYER. Give this week a good listen!

Let us feast before the famine. Time to celebrate Mardi Gras and whether or not we eat pancakes and/or King Cake, Lent is upon us. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of this holy season—a time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. And no better time for prayer than today. We remember the people of the Ukraine. Anne and Haley take a moment to call out this historic time and the suffering Body of Christ. Let us pray for peace and give alms to those in need both near and far.

Time to celebrate the Year of the Tiger! Anne reflects upon celebrating her birthday and the fact she was born during the Year of the Tiger. Haley celebrates the completion of admissions season and as a panelist on 50 years of co-education, the significance of this milestone at Notre Dame. This weeks' Gospel message is so simple and yet so challenging: Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-38. So is the problem of hunger in our world. Easy to fix? yes and no. Listen for more...

Anne and Haley are ready for Super Bowl Sunday, even if it still feels and looks a little different. Anne celebrates a milestone of 1000 blog posts and is excited to share that milestones (and moments) will serve as a theme for a retreat on campus at Notre Dame—as the University prepares to honor 50 years of coeducation. Haley brings good questions to the table about women and leadership in the Church and reminds us that unless we teach our children, we cannot expect them to know. Amen to that and much more...

A little self care and investing in oneself, isn't a bad way to emerge from a January funk. Nor is the busy season of admissions offices—work that so many people are affected by. Anne asks a question for sports fans about colors and team mascots in light of the Washington Commanders and Haley takes a deep dive into the life of Saint Scholastica. This episode provides plenty to chew on and pray with over the flame of fondue. Enjoy.

We are back. Happy 2022. The joy and challenge of January and a new year. One tip to make it through the rest of winter: consider a little self care and/or butter cake!

Merry Christmas to all! We celebrate the Christmas season and all the joy and surprises of the holiday. Haley's family got a big one, in the form of COVID. Forced family fun took on social distance and quarantine. Meanwhile, Anne celebrates traditions of this time of year such as visits with long time friends and going to the movies! Anne and Haley discuss and debate their favorite Christmas carols and recommend using them as a way to pray. Joy to the World!!!

We celebrate the fourth and final week of Advent. The theme of this Sunday invites us to consider: What are the gifts that we can give? Hope to received? Appreciate and treasure? What a holy time. Anne and Haley discuss Forced Family Fun, the (unexpected) joy of celebration and being together and the example of Mary in the middle of it all.

We are now in the third week of Advent, which begins with Gaudete Sunday. The pink (or rose) colored candle, like the readings, remind us to Rejoice! We are called to be people of JOY and pray for it, as we await the birth of Our Lord. Anne and Haley reflect on the joy and the process of Christmas cards. Yay or nay?! Haley finds herself reflecting upon the college admissions process, for the second go around and Anne gets her office to finally put up a SPORTS tree. Christmas is near....!

As we light the second candle on the Advent wreath, we are called to reflect upon love. Scripture reveals that "God is love and we who abide in love, abide in God, and God in us." —1 John 4:8. What does this look like in our everyday lives? How does this play out in the busyness of the holiday season? Fortunately, Anne has one story (and without this podcast is not sure it would have happened). Haley shares the simple joy of a game of chance—BINGO—and how it can build community....and love.

Welcome to the holy season of Advent. As we light the first candle, known as the Prophecy Candle, we are called to live with HOPE and to give it to one another. Anne and Haley discuss what the Gospel reading harkens—so many live in fear and with fear. Thanks to Christ, Our Redeemer, we can and ought to live differently. Haley shares her family tradition of decorating for Christmas after the turkey has been eaten and Anne raises a question about bringing those decorations into the Church before 12/25.

In this episode we are reminded that the act of gratitude brings us back to the Lord. God is the creator and provider of all that is good. When we take a moment participate in acts of Thanksgiving, we return to Christ...in the same way one of the ten lepers did. Anne and Haley are grateful for the holiday, the break from work and time with family and friends.

Anne and Haley discuss the importance of slowing down. How countercultural....and counterintuitive. Haley reminds us that if we don't slow down we will be slowed down. This is where prayer, reflection on the Word, meditation and mindfulness can help! Anne is back from a visit to So Cal to see SoFi stadium; this trip sparked some good conversation on the liveliness of fans in the NFL ...as Haley and her family know quite well!

Anne and Haley embark on a month of saints and souls, thanks and more. Haley points out that we remain in Ordinary Time and reflects on the gifts of the "every day," the ordinary in life. And yet, the holiday season has begun—a time that is extraordinary. How do we prepare? And how will we celebrate? These questions plus the message of the Gospel are worth chewing on and stewing over the flame of Fondue.

What was lost has been found. Haley's voice returns as does Faith Fondue. On All Hallow's Eve, we are excited for the month of November--a time for Saints and Thanks. However, let us not let Halloween 2021 go by without one more nod to Candy Corn (who knew it was a costume) and the fun of this holiday.

In this episode Haley asks why we struggle to get good coaches? What can we do in our schools and communities to ensure those in this special role do more than carry out the contract. Anne speaks to the joy of Orange October. Haley shares the hurt of friends who find themselves struggling with the Covenant of marriage. Important questions, tough circumstances, to which Anne speaks of Religion and Spirituality. A lot if cooking over this flame...Faith Fondue carries on!

Anne and Haley revisit a few important conversations about awareness, joy, appreciation and gratitude. Haley offers a rant that raises the question: How can we fix that which is broken? Anne speaks about the power of relationships in light of all of it.

On this Feast of the Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Anne and Haley discuss his legacy—the sweetness of charity and giving to those in need. And speaking of sweet, that is the taste of victory and in particular this time of the year in sports.

Anne and Haley once again speak to the importance of a community of faith—especially when tragedy and loss come our way. How do we find community? How might we build it? What role do presence, hope and prayer play in all of it.

On this Labor Day weekend, Haley and Anne reflect on the start of a new year, chew on the words of Pope Francis and pray with an image in anticipation of the 20-year anniversary of 9/11