Prayers and personal stories of my life. How I got closer to God. Also, stories and interviews of others

Hi, this is Bill Young from the Prayer and Lunch Podcast. I hope everyone is doing well. It's Father's Day weekend 2026, and after nearly two years away from podcasting, I felt it was time to share some experiences and reflections that have deeply impacted my faith.Two years ago, I traveled to Sicily and visited Mount Etna, the only active volcano in Europe. While there, I witnessed unusual shapes in the steam rising from the volcano. At first, it appeared like a giant bird with its wings spread open, and later like birds flying upward. That experience stayed with me and eventually led me to read A New Science of Heaven by Robert Temple.Temple's book explores plasma science and the idea that plasma makes up most of the universe. Although the book itself is not religious, it raised spiritual questions for me about heaven, the afterlife, and the nature of reality.What especially caught my attention were the mysterious smoke rings observed at Mount Etna in April 2024. These rings appeared from April 2nd through April 9th — the period from Holy Thursday through Easter Monday. Reports spread worldwide as thousands of rings were seen rising from the volcano.As a Catholic, I reflected on these events spiritually. I began wondering whether these rising rings could symbolize souls ascending from purgatory to heaven. Since volcanoes contain fire, smoke, and heat, the imagery reminded me of the Catholic understanding of purgatory as a temporary place of purification before entering heaven.I understand science may explain these events differently. Some say people naturally see patterns or faces in clouds and light. Even my son suggested that some of the images in my photos may have been reflections from the bus windows. That may be true. Still, I cannot deny what I personally experienced and felt.Over the years, I've also had other moments that strengthened my faith. I attended the canonization Mass of Mother Teresa in Rome and witnessed unusual cloud formations that reminded me of rings and crosses. Later, while serving as a Eucharistic minister, I experienced what felt like a wing brushing across my back — a peaceful moment that reminded me of the presence of the Holy Spirit.These experiences do not scientifically prove anything, and I understand many people may disagree with my interpretations. But for me, they serve as reminders that faith, prayer, and the spiritual world are real.I encourage anyone interested in science and spirituality to explore Temple's book and reflect on the relationship between faith and the universe. Whether you agree or not, asking questions and searching for meaning matters.Thank you to everyone who still listens to the Prayer and Lunch Podcast after all these years. Your support means a great deal to me. God bless you all, and have a wonderful day.

If you are not speaking from the Holy Spirit, you are not speaking from God

Pray for the victims of the war in Israel

Praying for the innocent victims in Israel. Pray the Rosary

The Novena to Divine Mercy. First Day, "Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."

Divine Mercy Novena and Chaplet

Chaplet for the Grace To Become Holy

Novena To The Divine Mercy-Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Pray 33 times. to release 33 souls from Purgatory on Good Friday. "I worship you, O Holy Cross, which was adorned with the most Holy Body of my Lord, covered and stained by his most precious's Blood. I worship you, my God crucified for me. I worship you, O Holy Cross, for love of the one who was my Lord. Amen."

Our Lord said to St Faustina: "Encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you... Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death... When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the Judge but as the Merciful Savior. ... Priest will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to souls who trust in My mercy... Through the Chaplet will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will" (687, 1541, 1731)

Divine Mercy Novena and Chaplet

Renew Your Hart-Dust in God's Hands

The Novena to Divine Mercy-Second Day for the souls of priest and religious

Prayer to the Child Jesus

Advent Hope & Promise 2022

Advent Hope & Promise. Tuesday 12/6/2022 Try A Little Tenderness. Copyrights 2022 All Saints Press (800) 923-8618

"Advent invites us to open our harts to welcome Jesus, During Advent we do not just anticipate the glorious return of Christ-when he will return at the end of time-preparing ourselves, with consistent and courageous choices, for our final encounter with him". Pope Francis

Bill Young is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Chaplet of Divine Mercy Time: Nov 10, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every week on Mon, Tue, Thu, until Nov 17, 2022, 4 occurrence(s) Nov 10, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 14, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 15, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 17, 2022 03:00 PM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Weekly: https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/up0lcu2uqjIiGtOUOwBzyOJWnFoHI6zt1gov/ics?icsToken=98tyKu6hpj4uHNCcuBmAR7Z5Go_4LO7wiFhHjbdyqTDyITpKTSnBOMRNGpspCsyB Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79854649807?pwd=VG1rNzlvQTcyTXBiYXkvbkZibktKdz09 Meeting ID: 798 5464 9807 Passcode: 465518

Music by Mary Watson

Bill Young is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Chaplet of Divine Mercy Time: Nov 3, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every week on Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, until Nov 7, 2022, 3 occurrence(s) Nov 3, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 5, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 7, 2022 03:00 PM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Weekly: https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/up0lcu2uqjIiGtOUOwBzyOJWnFoHI6zt1gov/ics?icsToken=98tyKu6hpj4uHNCcuBmAR7Z5Go_4LO7wiFhHjbdyqTDyITpKTSnBOMRNGpspCsyB Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79854649807?pwd=VG1rNzlvQTcyTXBiYXkvbkZibktKdz09 Meeting ID: 798 5464 9807 Passcode: 465518

Bill Young is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Chaplet of Divine Mercy Time: Nov 3, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every week on Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, until Nov 7, 2022, 3 occurrence(s) Nov 3, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 5, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 7, 2022 03:00 PM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Weekly: https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/up0lcu2uqjIiGtOUOwBzyOJWnFoHI6zt1gov/ics?icsToken=98tyKu6hpj4uHNCcuBmAR7Z5Go_4LO7wiFhHjbdyqTDyITpKTSnBOMRNGpspCsyB Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79854649807?pwd=VG1rNzlvQTcyTXBiYXkvbkZibktKdz09 Meeting ID: 798 5464 9807 Passcode: 465518

Bill Young is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Chaplet of Divine Mercy Time: Oct 31, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every week on Mon, Tue, Thu, until Nov 3, 2022, 3 occurrence(s) Oct 31, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 1, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 3, 2022 03:00 PM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Weekly: https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/up0lcu2uqjIiGtOUOwBzyOJWnFoHI6zt1gov/ics?icsToken=98tyKu6hpj4uHNCcuBmAR7Z5Go_4LO7wiFhHjbdyqTDyITpKTSnBOMRNGpspCsyB Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79854649807?pwd=VG1rNzlvQTcyTXBiYXkvbkZibktKdz09 Meeting ID: 798 5464 9807 Passcode: 465518

Bill Young is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Chaplet of Divine Mercy Time: Oct 31, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every week on Mon, Tue, Thu, until Nov 3, 2022, 3 occurrence(s) Oct 31, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 1, 2022 03:00 PM Nov 3, 2022 03:00 PM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Weekly: https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/up0lcu2uqjIiGtOUOwBzyOJWnFoHI6zt1gov/ics?icsToken=98tyKu6hpj4uHNCcuBmAR7Z5Go_4LO7wiFhHjbdyqTDyITpKTSnBOMRNGpspCsyB Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79854649807?pwd=VG1rNzlvQTcyTXBiYXkvbkZibktKdz09 Meeting ID: 798 5464 9807 Passcode: 465518

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina’s Story In one of the largest such ceremonies in history, Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio of Pietrelcina on June 16, 2002. It was the 45th canonization ceremony in Pope John Paul’s pontificate. More than 300,000 people brave

John 20:27-29 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.†28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!†29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen

August 22 Queenship of Mary

Lent A time of Grace-Daily Lenten Reflection by Pope Francis. Today show is Ash Wednesday through Saturday after Ash Wednesday Introduction by Steve Mueller, Editor Ash Wednesday-Lent: A Time Of Renewal & Grace Reading 2 Corinthians 6:2

“I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father†(John14:31) Prayer: Jesus, help me become more free by following you and your ways. February 20 Blesseds Jacinta and Francisco Marto (1910-1920; 1908-1919)

Saint of the Day for May 21 Saint Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions (d. between 1915 and 1937) Saint Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions’ Story Like Blessed Miguel AgustÃn Pro, S.J., Cristóbal and his 24 companion martyrs lived under a very anti-Catho

Prayer And Novena To Saint Michael The Archangel – First Grace Protect us Saint Michael The Archangel.

Opening Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Reading Is 32:15-18 Todays Reflection: How do I recognize the Spirit’s involvement in my life in the community Todays prayer Spirit of God, fill our hearts with peace so that we may bring peac

Today’s Prayer; Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary. Renew the face of the earth, so that all creation may return to God

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening†(1 Samuel 3:9) Prayer: Jesus, help me find a silent place and time each day to listen more intently to your Word.

What does it profit you to gain the whole world if you lose yourself? Luke 9:25 Prayer-Lord Jesus, bless those who are in need today. Give food to those who are hungry, and to those who have plenty, give them the desire to feed others. Amen.

Numbers 21:7-9 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take away the snakes.†So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the LORD told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to the top of a pole.

Saint of the Day for August 17 Saint Joan of the Cross (June 18, 1666 – August 17, 1736) Saint Joan of the Cross’ Story An encounter with a shabby old woman many dismissed as insane prompted Saint Joan to dedicate her life to the poor. For Joan, who ha

One day we will end our crosses (The Best of Prayer N Lunch-April 7, 2019)

Prayer from Sister Mary Teresa (09/02/14-01/27/93). Sister Mary Teresa went to heaven 29 years ago My email is wryoung12@yahoo.com or my Tweeter is @PrayerNLunch

Prayer: Give me, Lord, A Wing In Reserve and Day 2 for Novena Prayer To St. Maximilian Kolbe.

Prayer from Sister Mary Teresa (09/02/14-01/27/93). Sister Mary Teresa went to heaven 22 years ago My new email is wryoung12@yahoo.com or my Tweeter is @PrayerNLunch

Prayer: Consecration To The Immaculate Virgin Mary and Prayer To St. Maximilian Kolbe.

Fifth Day (11 July) O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God’s people. (pause and mention petitions) Recite: Our

Day 33-Putting It All Together