Podcast appearances and mentions of leann thieman

In a world where burnout and compassion fatigue are rampant among healthcare professionals, how do we truly care for those who care for others? What if the key to resilience isn't just about working harder, but about nurturing your mind, body, and spirit in the face of overwhelming challenges? LeAnn Thieman's remarkable journey from a nurse volunteering in the chaotic final days of the Vietnam War to a breast cancer survivor offers a powerful blueprint for transforming adversity into strength and purpose. Through her own experiences of rescuing babies during Operation Babylift and navigating a personal health crisis, LeAnn discovered profound strategies for maintaining inner peace and joy, even in life's most difficult moments. In this inspiring episode, you'll learn tips to overcome adversity and practical tools for building resilience, maintaining a positive mindset, and creating joy—no matter what challenges you're facing.*You'll Hear About*✨ Discover how a strong mindset can help you face life's biggest challenges.✨ Find out how daily self-care can make all the difference in tough times.✨ Learn the power of positive thinking and how it can help in healing.✨ See how faith and spirituality can support you during hard times.✨ Learn simple tools to help you stay balanced and grounded through adversity.✨ Hear how finding joy and laughter every day can lift your spirit.✨ Be inspired by Leann's story of turning hardship into strength and helping others.*Key Moments*03:07   Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis and Initial Reaction06:43   Walking Every Day as Part of Healing Process08:29   Visualization Techniques for Healing14:53   Praying with Medical Team Before Surgery19:08   Operation Babylift: Rescuing 300 Babies from Vietnam31:25   Creating Joy Through Intentional Life Choices

In 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War, Leann Thieman, a nurse in Iowa, volunteered to fly to Vietnam to rescue 300 orphan babies as the bombs were falling on Saigon. The story of that harrowing experience became the springboard for her to become a professional speaker. When someone agreed to pay her $100 to tell her story, she began her speaking career.  She now charges $15,000 per speech. In this interview, Leann shares with Doug the incremental steps she took in the first couple of years, to market and sell her speech. These steps are the basics of how to get started in the speaking business and get people to pay you to speak. If she can do it, you can do it. Learn how to leveage your story into a lucractive speaking business.  Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com http://www.storytelling-in-business.com   http://www.storytelling-in-business.com    

Today's guest is Leann Thieman, a nationally acclaimed professional speaker, author, and nurse. Her devotion to nursing for more than 30 years made her the ideal co-author of the New York Times best-seller, Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul: Second Dose, then the third edition, Inspiration for Nurses. Snippet From the Show We are moved by the truth, goodness, and beauty of other people's stories. For episode shownotes, text GIRLFRIENDS to 33-777 or visit www.ascensionpress.com/girlfriends.

Cupcakes, bombs, a cargo plane, a smuggling operation, and the brave yes of a few called individuals are all woven together by God to save the lives of 300 orphaned babies!   LeAnn Thieman is a nationally acclaimed professional speaker, author, and nurse who was "accidentally" caught up in the Vietnam Orphan Airlift in 1975.  Her book, This Must Be My Brother, details her daring adventure of helping to rescue 300 babies as Saigon was falling to the Communists.  An ordinary person, she struggled through extraordinary circumstances and found the courage to succeed. -LeAnn's website   In this episode LeAnn shares how God called her, how the Holy Spirit equipped her when she was fearful, how God prepared her for the mission, her experience in the war zone, the logistics of flying 300 orphans overseas, the beautiful volunteers that God positioned, the divine blessing of a son, and how this experience changed her life.   Some highlights from LeAnn: "In order to cope in your war zones of everyday life, we have to be strong of mind, body and spirit.  To be strong in these areas we must nurture them EVERYDAY." "Truly live your priorities.  This is reflected in how we spend our time." "No matter your state in life, EVERYBODY can make a difference in this world."   Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Guide me in truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. - Psalm 25 NIV   "It's better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness." - unknown   After her Operation Babylift story was featured in Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul, LeAnn became one of Chicken Soup for the Soul's most prolific writers.  Her devotion to nursing for more than 30 years made her the ideal co-author of the New York Times best seller, Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul (multiple versions).  She has co-authored 11 additional titles for Christian Women, Caregivers, Father and Daughters, Grandmas, Mother and Son, Christian, Adopted, Catholic Faith, Miracles, and Answered Prayers.  Her most recent series is for the Catholic Faith, by Sophia Institute Press:  Seeing God's Action in Our LIves, God's Miracles in Our Lives, Real Stories of God in Our Lives, and Hearing God's Answers in Our Lives.   LeAnn is also the Founder and President of Selfcare for Healthcare, where is passionate about empowering our healthcare workers and improving the physical and fiscal health of healthcare organizations.  (Check out her rave reviews on the link below!)   Link for the new Chicken Soup for the Soul Everyday Catholicism 4 book series: https://www.sophiainstitute.com/search/results/eyJyZXN1bHRfcGFnZSI6Ilwvc2VhcmNoXC9yZXN1bHRzIiwia2V5d29yZHMiOiJjaGlja2VuIHNvdXAifQ   LeAnn's Selfcare for Healthcare: https://www.selfcareforhealthcare.com/   More on the Operation Babylift and link to photos: https://www.selfcareforhealthcare.com/operation-babylift/

Leann Thieman encourages Catholics to seek God’s love in ordinary, everyday events and activities. Hosted by Jim and Joy Pinto, part 2 of 2. 

Leann Thieman encourages Catholics to seek God’s love in ordinary, everyday events and activities. Hosted by Jim and Joy Pinto, part 1 of 2. 

Leann Thieman challenges Catholics to find God’s love in ordinary, everyday events and activities. Part 2 of 2, hosted by Jim and Joy Pinto.

Leann Thieman challenges Catholics to find God’s love in ordinary, everyday events and activities. Part 1 of 2, hosted by Jim and Joy Pinto.

Ken talks with Mallory Smyth “Rekindled How Jesus Called Me Back to the Catholic Church and Set My Heart on Fire” (Ave Maria Press) and LeAnn Thieman “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hearing God’s Answers in our Lives” (Sophia Institute Press) Mallory’s book is available at: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/rekindled  LeAnn’s book is available at:  Follow Mallory at: […]

Hey, it’s Amy Newmark and it’s Friend Friday on the Chicken Soup for the Soul podcast. Today we’re talking with LeAnn Thieman, who is the multitalented coauthor of 14 Chicken Soup for the Soul books, plus several more she’s written for health care providers. She is a nationally known speaker who inspires nurses and shows them how to take care of themselves through her SelfCare for HealthCare program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, it’s Amy Newmark and it’s Friend Friday on the Chicken Soup for the Soul podcast. Today we’re talking with LeAnn Thieman, who is the multitalented coauthor of 14 Chicken Soup for the Soul books, plus several more she’s written for health care providers. She is a nationally known speaker who inspires nurses and shows them how to take care of themselves through her SelfCare for HealthCare program.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts, Mike Ciavolino and Donna Cardillo welcome LeAnn Thieman. LeAnn is a nationally acclaimed professional speaker, author, and nurse. Her latest book, SelfCare for HealthCare, Your Guide to Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health, is a dynamic component of her transformational SelfCare for HealthCare program. More on LeAnn: https://www.selfcareforhealthcare.com/

On this week's show, author LeAnn Thieman helps us to pause and notice all of the ways in which God is present to us in a conversation about her new Sophia Institute Press book Chicken Soup for the Soul: Everyday Catholicism -  Seeing God's Action in Our Lives.About LeAnn ThiemanLeAnn Thieman is a Hall of Fame Speaker, author, and nurse who was “accidentally” caught up in rescuing 300 babies during the Vietnam Orphan Airlift in 1975. Through God’s grace, she is living proof that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Her presentations and writings fill people with hope and love, nourishing their souls, and deepening their faiths.About Everyday CatholicismThese compelling stories present convincing evidence of God's active presence in our everyday lives. Whether you're a cradle Catholic or a convert, solid in the Faith or wavering, these stories will deepen your conviction and stimulate your hope and trust in God.Learn more about Chicken Soup for the Soul: Everyday Catholicism -  Seeing God's Action in Our Lives at Sophia Institute Press Check out books by Lisa Hendey at Amazon and find all of our book and movie suggestions at Lisa's Amazon Influencer list. For Lisa's speaking schedule visit www.LisaHendey.com. Send your feedback to lisahendey@gmail.com or connect with Lisa on social media @LisaHendey.

Ken talks with Dr. John Bergsma “Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity” (Image) and Leann Thieman “Everyday Catholicism: Seeing God’s Action in Our Lives – Chicken Soup for the Soul” (Sophia Institute Press).  Dr. Bergsma’s book is available at: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/599544/jesus-and-the-dead-sea-scrolls-by-john-bergsma/ LeAnn’s book at: https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/everyday-catholicism-1  John’s website is: https://www.johnbergsma.com/  To […]

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin. Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2pMxvcP. When LeAnn Thieman’s kids were moving out of the house twenty years ago, she says her husband, Mark Thieman, “had this wonderful ideal thing that I was going to stay home and start quilting.” Instead, her “hobby” of writing and speaking took her down another path to becoming a bestselling author. Working as a nurse for more than two decades, Thieman, now 68, was an unlikely candidate to become a sought-after motivational speaker and author of 21 books that have sold more than 3 million copies. What brought her into the spotlight was a story she didn’t tell publicly for almost two decades after her visit to Vietnam at the end of the war. Thieman decided to buy a dozen cupcakes at a bake sale benefitting an organization called Friends of Children of Vietnam.” The organization primarily worked to help orphans who were fathered by American soldiers with a goal of finding them homes in the U.S. Before long, Thieman had not only joined the group but had organized a chapter in her home and was planning to adopt one of the children. Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2pMxvcP. Check out my free webinar where I share the secrets of successful nonprofit crowdfunding at http://crowdfundingforsocialgood.org.

When faced with a harrowing decision, LeAnn Thieman turned to her higher power to ask for guidance. In that moment, clarity and confidence enveloped her and she knew going to Vietnam to save orphaned babies was what she was supposed to do. In the midst of a war zone, LeAnn helped to care for and save thousands of children from an uncertain future by assisting their travel to a new life in the United States as part of the Operation Babylift project.    Today, LeAnn uses her unique experience to help healthcare workers take care of themselves through her Self Care for Health Care program. Through her work as a speaker and author of 14 of the Chicken Soup books, LeAnn shares her inspirational insights to help others to find a life balance through mindful practices.    Subscribe to the Everyday Mindfulness Show.    Key Takeaways:    [2:46] During the Vietnam War, LeAnn was thrown into the Operation Babylift project.  [9:35] LeAnn’s son is an All American Boy from Vietnam.  [12:34] Writing and expressing her emotions helped LeAnn to heal after the experience.  [15:25] CARE4ME is LeAnn's process for helping her, and others, to stay mindful every day.  [25:17] Recommended Reading: LeAnn’s book, Balancing Life in Your Warzones.    Mentioned in This Episode:    Balancing Life in Your Warzones, by LeAnn Thieman    Books by LeAnn Thieman      100 babies lay three and four to a cardboard box, strapped in a gutted cargo jet. Saigon was falling — and LeAnn was caught up in Vietnam Orphan Airlift. Believing we all have individual “war zones,” LeAnn’s poignant yet humorous presentations and books motivate people to balance their lives physically, mentally, and spiritually every day. She Authored Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul and Balancing Life in Your Warzones, Self Care for HealthCare plus 12 more Chicken Soup titles.    LeAnnThieman.com    Twitter.com/LeeAnnThieman    Facebook.com/Self Care for Health Care       The Sponsor of This Week’s Episode:    Can I Kiss You? by Mike Domitrz. This best-selling book is available at DateSafeProject.org and on Amazon.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most healthcare givers didn’t choose their professions because of great hours, pay, and working conditions! LeAnn Thieman reminds them why they did…and why they stay. Her new SelfCare for HealthCare™ initiative and keynote, teaches them  specific tools to care for their minds, bodies, and spirits.  She helps reduce burnout (40% of hospital healthcare givers score high in burnout); boosts morale (36% are dissatisfied with their jobs);  increases retention (20% of nurses intend to leave their jobs within one year.)  

Most nurses didn’t choose their careers because of great hours, pay and working conditions. They entered the profession because of the desire to be of service to others. With a compassionate heart, nurses are a rare breed in the health care industry.  Working in health care never gets easier. Staying positive and engaged can be difficult. Yet, nurses show up over and over again, day after day, selflessly nurturing others with their hands and their hearts.  Join LeAnn Thieman and me on Tuesday, September 29, 10-11 A.M. CT US, as we discuss her own 30 years of nursing experience and other inspiring stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Nurses. 101 Stories of Appreciation and Wisdom.

Bill Bartmann -Leaving a dirt-poor family at age 14 to join the carnival; being an alcoholic gang member by age 17; becoming paralyzed by falling down stairs drunk; being told that you'll never walk again, yet later walking out of the hospital. Bill Bartmann successfully settled debts of 4.5 million consumers –and he did it with zero lawsuits. James Arthur Ray is a New York Times bestselling author who has also achieved top honors in the business world as a thriving entrepreneur and mentor. James' former company hit the Inc. 500 list in 2009 as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. James' background in behavioral sciences, experience as an entrepreneur, and his avid quest for spiritual knowledge give him a unique and powerful ability to address life issues from a comprehensive level. Paul Ketchel -Founder and CEO of MDSave, a transactional health marketplace that anyone can use. They have negotiated exclusive savings up to 60% on medical care like, surgeries, x-ray, office visits, and pharmaceuticals. In return, the patient pays for their service upfront. Ketchel is also a former member of former Tennessee US Senator Bill Frist's staff LeAnn Thieman  learned a lot about balancing life in your war zones when she was “accidentally” caught up in rescuing babies out of Vietnam at the end of the war. The lessons she learned apply as we all cope in the ‘war zones” of our everyday lives. She is a Hall of Fame Speaker and author of 18 books, including 14 books in the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul series

This week on Mom Talk Radio, David Bianchi, author of Blue Chip Kids: What Every Child and Parent Should Know About Money, shares a viable learning tool parents and kids can use together to open the door for meaningful conversation. Spotlight on Moms features Sara Hawkins of SaraFHawkins.com. Barbara Dianis, author of Grade Transformer for the Modern Student: Upper High School Edition shares tips on finishing the school year off strong. Dr. Brad Reedy, author of The Journey of the Heroic Parent: Your Child’s Struggle and The Road Home, shares the vital importance of teaching children how to feel and express their feelings. LeAnn Thieman, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Adoption, shares her story and advice for people thinking of adoption.

From stories about international orphaned babies, to children who spent years in foster care, to those who were adopted at birth, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Adoption, conveys the true joy and unconditional love of adoption. Inspirational stories include those of infertile couples given the gift of parenthood, adopted children who thrive in their new families, and older people given a second chance at family. LeAnn Thieman is well known for having participated in the Vietnam Orphan airlift in April 1975, in which thousands of abandoned orphans were rescued, including her own son, who she says chose her. Join LeAnn Thieman and me on Tuesday, March 24, 10-11 A.M. CT US, as we discuss the 40th anniversary of Operation Babylift and some of  the 101 fascinating and heartwarming stories about meant-to-be kids joining their forever families.

Children's  Corner: Have You Ever Wondered About Angels? with author Chris Alexandria Have You Ever Wondered About Angels is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS's Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling Author and; LeAnn Thieman, motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. With whimsical prose and divine illustrations representing the universal child, this picture book answers the questions children of all ages have asked since the beginning of time. For more information visit: http://www.angelchatter.com/childrens-book/

  **Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Fr. Mark O'Connell **Today's guest(s):** LeAnn Thieman, author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living Catholic Faith", Fr. Bill Schmidt, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Stoneham, and Mike Alex, founder of MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com, the Catholic online learning platform. * [MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com](http://www.mycatholicfaithdelivered.com) * [LeAnn Thieman's website](http://www.leannthieman.com/) * ["Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living Catholic Faith"](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935096230/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicnetrevie&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1935096230) * [St. Patrick Parish, Stoneham](http://www.catholic-church.org/st-patricks/) **Today's topics:** Lenten mission at St. Patrick Parish in Stoneham; MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com; A look at this Sunday's readings for Mass **A summary of today's show:** LeAnn Thieman, author of "Chicken Soup for Soul: Living Catholic Faith", and Fr. Bill Schmidt of St. Patrick Parish, Stoneham, discuss "the most unusual parish mission" you'll attend coming up next week at Fr. Schmidt's parish. Mike Alex tells Scot and Fr. Mark about  MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com, the most advanced online learning platform for Catholics. Finally, Scot, Fr. Mark, and Mike discuss this coming Sunday's Gospel reading for Mass on the woman at the well and the Living Water that Christ promises her. **1st segment:** Fr. Mark's week included a talk in Stoneham at Fr. Schmidt's parish on annulments. Also a cabinet meeting today at which Cardinal Sean announced that Chancellor Jim McDonough's term was renewed for another five years. Fr. Mark said the chancellor is also the finance officer for the archdiocese. The term that was renewed was actually for finance officer. Only two diocesan roles have terms that cannot be abridged except for grave reasons. The other is Fr. Mark's job as Judicial Vicar. **2nd segment:** Scot and Fr. Mark welcome LeAnn Thieman by phone from Colorado and Fr. Bill Schmidt by phone from Stoneham. LeAnn gave an overview of the sessions she'll be giving at the mission next week. She'll start by sharing her story, starting in 1975 with Operation Babylift, to bring 300 Vietnamese orphans out of the midst of the war in Vietnam with the approval of President Ford. On Tuesday, she'll speak on caring for ourselves as well as we care for others, caring for our bodies and our minds. She shares stories from her 12 Chicken Soup books she's written. One of the tools is the tool of forgiveness. On Wednesday, she'll talk about living the Catholic faith as the spiritual balance to the topic of the night before: What we can do to stand up for our faith and to take pride in it. She promises that attendees will march out proud of being Catholic and excited about sharing it. Fr. Schmidt said Lent is a privileged time during which busy people who don't often have time for prayer want to do something special. It's not easy to carve out three nights in a row, so it's a special opportunity. This is the sixth year they've had a parish mission in his 10 years as pastor. 800 people come at least once over the 3 nights. Fr. Mark asked what the Chicken Soup for the Soul books are. LeAnn explained that each has 101 true stories all on a particular topic, such as adoption, fathers and daughters, nurses. Part of LeAnn's own story during Operation Babylift is that she found a little boy who she then adopted as her own. It's amazing, she said, how she still gets emotional as she tells the story, even though she has told it so many times. * [Operation Babylift](http://www.adoptvietnam.org/adoption/babylift-index.htm) Fr. Schmidt said after the last mission, where they heard Fr. Tom Nestor, Bishop Hennessey, and Fr. Jonathan Morris, someone on the parish council asked if a woman could give the mission. Father had a friend in Colorado who had heard of LeAnn and her captivating and motivating story and his experience of her talk at a diocesan dinner in Pueblo, Colorado. Fr. Mark noted that St. Patrick's has undergone renovations and expansions. Six years ago, Cardinal Sean dedicated the renovated and enlarged church, which includes many elements from parishes that have closed. **3rd segment:** Continuing the discussion of the upcoming Lenten mission at St. Patrick's. Scot asked LeAnn for highlights of her talk on Wednesday, which will talk about all the good the Church does. LeAnn said the Church is at the forefront of medical care, helping the poor, educating children and she is awe of all the church does. At the end of her talk on Tuesday night addressing the need to care for ourselves, there is a call to the sacrament of reconciliation. Even when she talks to secular audiences, people thank her for giving them permission to forgive others and to forgive themselves. Fr. Mark asked how parish missions today differ from the fire-and-brimstone missions of old. Fr. Schmidt recalled the missions of his youth which include a confession talk describing hell in stark terms. Now the talks speak of God's love and mercy and forgiveness. He added that they are looking for more priest-confessors to accommodate everyone. LeAnn said it should be the most unusual mission people will have attended, because she intends to have lots of fun and to share how much she loves Christ and His Church and her faith. She hopes that anyone who comes will invite someone else. Fr. Mark said this sounds like it fits perfectly with the Catholics Come Home initiative. Fr. Schmidt said anyone who is interested is very welcome even if they're not members of the parish. LeAnn's books will be on sale at the mission and she will be autographing them. The parish is right at the intersection of Route 128 and 93 and is convenient to many people who will be commuting home from Boston. **4th segment:** Mike Alex joins the show, visiting from the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas. He hopes to catch his Kansas University Jayhawks in the NCAA tournament if they win tonight in San Antonio and go on to the Elite 8. It is an act of providence that MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com came together. In 2002 he had been asked by his bishop to help build a new Catholic high school. As part of the mission he was given, then-Archbishop Keleher told Mike, "If we fail to pass on the faith from this generation to the next, we're failing in one of our most important missions as Church." To ensure the quality of instruction at the school, Mike created a relationship with a program called [School of Faith](http://www.schooloffaith.com/) to help train and form the faculty of the new high school. Many other schools in the region were interested in taking part but there wasn't enough space for them in the training classes. Meanwhile, he had a friend who was converting to Catholicism, and it turned out that this friend had an online platform and company that teaches 275,000 nurses across the country to pass their boards. He'd just sold the company and was looking for a new challenge. Mike proposed to take some of the Catholic content and create a new platform with a new way to catechize folks. At first, it was supposed to be local, but it was so robust that people sought out Mike's company to provide their content. National publishers started to see the innovation and interactivity of the program and now they have Ascension Press, Midwest Theological, Ignatius Press as partners, and many more who would like to get their content on the system. Catholic learning is moving online because of the convenience today. Scot notes that our own [CatholicTV](http://www.catholictv.com) has the best online on-demand Catholic TV programming in the world. MyCatholicFaithDelivered is so far ahead of everyone else with online learning, it's as if there isn't a second place. An advisory board of bishops oversee the content to ensure its fidelity to Church teaching. Every class has an imprimatur. All the publishers are considered orthodox. The Faith Foundations program received the first online imprimatur. An imprimatur is a statement, authorized by the bishop of a diocese, that a work is free of doctrinal error. Fr. Mark asked who the target audience is. Mike said the initial thrust is adult formation, catechist certification, and teacher certification. There are many adults, catechists, and teachers who may not be well-grounded in the faith and are in need of assistance. They also have a first through eighth grade series and a high school series for children, but the main thrust is in teaching adults. Scot said we've heard several times over the past week on The Good Catholic Life about the new Theological Institute for the New Evangelization at St. John's seminary and their very flexible classes and programs. But there are those who might not have the time even for the certificate program that is one Saturday per month for six months. Mike said his website offers learning that is available at any time and locations and includes a lot of interactivity. It offers the flexibility they might need. Mike said there are different costs for each course. Mike's friend paid the millions of dollars to create the system, so the current prices are just to keep the website self-sustaining. There are also free lessons available to try out the platform. The mission is to spread the teaching of the Church worldwide--they are in the middle of Spanish translations for their biggest programs. Mike met today with people from around the Archdiocese of Boston who have teaching that would make good content, as well as meeting with our own Catholic Media group who can help create the materials in partnership with MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com Mike said Boston has technical capabilities that other dioceses don't have, and he's excited to bring Boston's content to more people across the country. Scot points out that this is a well-crafted, high-quality video with quizzes and links that bring students to even more resources on the Internet. The programs are interactive and not static. People have responded that they find it meaningful and worthwhile. They've have 3 to 4,000 who have registered to date and another 3 to 4,000 from various dioceses that they are planning to bring online through next September. **5th segment:** As we do each Friday, we look at this coming Sunday's readings to help us prepare for Mass. * [This Sunday's readings for Mass](http://www.usccb.org/nab/032711.shtml) >*Gospel* (John 4:5-42) >Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. >A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” —For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.— Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” >Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.' For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one speaking with you.” >At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking with her?” The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” They went out of the town and came to him. Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here'? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.” >Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.” Scot said it's a long reading but so worthwhile to read the long one. Living water is a theme and Christ calling people is another theme. Fr. Mark said at this time when we're asking people to look at the faith again in Catholics Come Home, it resonates with us. Fr. Mark sees a whole journey in there that goes hand in hand with Catholics Come Home. Scot noted that the woman went to the well at noon because she was ashamed to be around the others who went in the morning. Jesus knew why she was at the well at that time and chose her purposefully. People often doubt that Christ would choose them because they were so unworthy, but he chooses those the world would not choose. Mike noted how  the woman's perception of Jesus as she interacted with him became clearer. At first, He was just another Jewish man, then she saw him as a prophet, and finally she asked him if He is the Messiah. We can go through this same progression in our Lenten journey to continue to deepen out perception. Also, where the water in Jacob's well is so difficult to find and the Living Water of Jesus is easy at hand because He gives it to us freely. But, Scot said, we should thirst for the water. During Lent we ask ourselves if we thirst for everything God is waiting to give us? Do we ask for more than God has already given me? Fr. Mark said we need to remember who Christ is asking to bring his message, the most unlikely messenger: A woman, a Samaritan, an adulteress. But she was called to be an evangelist to the city. Scot said it was her notoriety that might have made her the best messenger to a particular people, that God would work through her. Fr. Mark noted that we should follow the bucket. She comes with the bucket, notes that Jesus doesn't have a bucket and leaves without it. She comes as a laborer and leaves as an evangelist. Mike noted that conversion comes through a process of interacting with Jesus, but it involves a longing and a desire to have a relationship with him. Often in Lent we think of Lent as a Good Friday experience, but the readings of the past two Sundays have been so hopeful and uplifting as a precursor sign of the hope of Easter. Scot noted that because today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation, people are not bound to Friday meatless abstinence although Scot and Fr. Mark recommend the abstinence as a way to remain penitential.