Podcasts about mary's parish

This winter, The Salvation Army in Saskatoon Canada is providing an emergency overnight warming center so people experiencing homelessness can avoid the frigid temperatures.   The Army's warming center is open from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., allowing residents of the street to have a place to spend the night whenever the temperatures are unbearably low.   Needing a bigger space, St. Mary's Parish stepped up and offered their premises to The Salvation Army for the warming shelter. Guests that come are welcomed with snacks and water. While they are there, they spend time with other guests as well as Salvation Army staff.   The Salvation Army in Canada currently operates more than 50 emergency shelters across the country. Access to these during extreme weather conditions can sometimes be the difference between life and death for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Fr. Patrick preached this homily on January 5, 2024 at St. Mary's Parish in Hudson, OH. The readings are from 1 Jn 3:11-21, PS 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 & Jn 1:43-51.

In today's episode Father Genard sits down with Corbishop Gewargis Bet-Rasho (Father G) of the St. Mary's Parish in Los Angeles, California during the 2023 North American Youth Conference in Sacramento, California. They discuss: -The National executive committee how it was founded, established and their role. -How the youth conference started and its current mission -The Salt and Light Association - a new ministry established for the 25-45 age range in the Los Angeles area, Phoenix area, Chicagoland area, Central California area and soon establishing in Canada. For info, feedback or topic suggestions please visit ⁠https://linktr.ee/doubleedgedsword⁠ If you'd like to make a monetary contribution to this ministry please visit: ⁠https://double-edged-sword-podcast.cheddarup.com

Our Reporter Sharon Lynch Our South East Correspondent, Conor Kane. Parish Priest at St. Mary's Parish in Clonmel, Fr. Billy Meehan School Chaplain at the CBS High School, Fr. Michael Twomey.

Full Text of ReadingsNineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 115The Saint of the day is Blessed Michael J. McGivneyBlessed Michael McGivney’s Story The eldest son of an immigrant Irish family in Connecticut, young Michael left school at 13 to work in a brass factory making spoons. At 16 he began studies for the priesthood in Quebec, but was obliged to leave to help support the family when his father died. Michael completed his education in Baltimore, Maryland, and was ordained for the diocese of Hartford in 1877. Assigned to St. Mary's Parish in New Haven, Fr. McGivney was very active in parish and civic affairs, serving as director of public plays and fairs. He volunteered to become the guardian of Alfred Downes, a minor whose father had died leaving a large family in poverty. This situation as well as his own family’s circumstances and that of other immigrants impressed on Fr. McGivney the need for lay Catholic men to establish a mutual aid society to provide financial assistance for their families if the primary wage earner died. Protestant fraternal groups already provided this type of life insurance protection for their members. In 1882, Fr. McGivney formed the Knights of Columbus among a small group of St. Mary’s parishioners to promote charity, unity, and fraternity, assisting widows and orphans. Because of the Knights’ emphasis on serving Church, community and family, the organization grew and did not remain strictly parish-based. Patriotism was added as a founding principle in 1900. Father McGivney died from pneumonia in 1890 and was buried in Thomaston, Connecticut. Later his body was moved back to St. Mary's in New Haven where it remains today. He was beatified in 2020. Reflection Michael Joseph McGivney was a genuine pastor who, in the words of Pope Francis, was unafraid to share “the smell of his sheep.” He promoted families whose members were strong in their faith expressed through generous following of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In a decree read at the beatification Mass, Pope Francis praised Fr. McGivney's “zeal and the proclamation of the Gospel and generous concern for his brothers and sisters.” These “made him an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance.” Enjoy this inspiring story about Blessed Michael Joseph McGivney! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

This is a live recording of a homily that Fr. Eric gave on April 29, 2023 on the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations in reference to the Gospel text about the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:1-10). As a key example, Fr. Eric refers to the Regional Mass of Welcome featuring Archbishop Frank Leo that was held at St. Mary's Parish in Barrie, Ontario on April 17, 2023. Watch Catholic Latte on YouTube and Facebook. An audio version of the podcast is available also on Spotify, iTunes, Podbean and Stitcher.

Reflecting on the image of the Good Shepherd (Jn 6:53-69), Fr. Eric speaks about the compelling and attractive quality of the voice of the Good Shepherd. As a key example, Fr. Eric refers to the Regional Mass of Welcome featuring Archbishop Frank Leo that was held at St. Mary's Parish in Barrie, Ontario on April 17, 2023. Watch Catholic Latte on YouTube and Facebook. An audio version of the podcast is available also on Spotify, iTunes, Podbean and Stitcher.

Ceil Ambrosetti worked in music ministry and education at St. Mary's Parish for 32 years. She recently retired and is heading south for Florida. On this episode, we talked about: How Ceil wants to see more women in leadership in the church How she's going to fill her time now that she's retired And how her dream has always been to sing in a bar band If you love this podcast, be sure to check out Naptown Scoop's newsletter and Instagram. Also be sure to check out Yoga Factory, owned by Ryan's co-host, Phil Vendemmia. Special thanks to our sponsor, Romilo's Restaurant and Bar, for making this podcast possible.

Full Text of ReadingsSaturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 418All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is Blessed Michael J. McGivneyThe eldest son of an immigrant Irish family in Connecticut, young Michael left school at 13 to work in a brass factory making spoons. At 16 he began studies for the priesthood in Quebec, but was obliged to leave to help support the family when his father died. Michael completed his education in Baltimore, Maryland, and was ordained for the diocese of Hartford in 1877. Assigned to St. Mary's Parish in New Haven, Fr. McGivney was very active in parish and civic affairs, serving as director of public plays and fairs. He volunteered to become the guardian of Alfred Downes, a minor whose father had died leaving a large family in poverty. This situation as well as his own family's circumstances and that of other immigrants impressed on Fr. McGivney the need for lay Catholic men to establish a mutual aid society to provide financial assistance for their families if the primary wage earner died. Protestant fraternal groups already provided this type of life insurance protection for their members. In 1882, Fr. McGivney formed the Knights of Columbus among a small group of St. Mary's parishioners to promote charity, unity, and fraternity, assisting widows and orphans. Because of the Knights' emphasis on serving Church, community and family, the organization grew and did not remain strictly parish-based. Patriotism was added as a founding principle in 1900. Father McGivney died from pneumonia in 1890 and was buried in Thomaston, Connecticut. Later his body was moved back to St. Mary's in New Haven where it remains today. He was beatified in 2020. Reflection Michael Joseph McGivney was a genuine pastor who, in the words of Pope Francis, was unafraid to share “the smell of his sheep.” He promoted families whose members were strong in their faith expressed through generous following of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In a decree read at the beatification Mass, Pope Francis praised Fr. McGivney's “zeal and the proclamation of the Gospel and generous concern for his brothers and sisters.” These “made him an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance.” Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

This homily was given at St. Mary's Parish, Eugene, OR on Sunday, June 26, 2022, the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/in-your-embrace/message

12 Years a Slave Solomon Northup Chapter 14 Destruction of the cotton crop in 1845—demand for laborers in St. Mary's Parish—sent thither in a drove—the order of the march—the Grand Coteau—hired to Judge Turner on Bayou Salle—appointed driver in his sugar house—Sunday services slave furniture, how obtained—the party at Yarney's in Centreville—good fortune—the Captain of the steamer—his refusal to secrete me—return to Bayou Bœuf—sight of Tibeats—Patsey's sorrows—tumult and contention—hunting the coon and opossum—the cunning of the latter—the lean condition of the slave—description of the fish trap—the murder of the man from Natchez—Epps challenged by Marshall—the influence of slavery—the love of freedom

How can sacred music evangelize? Can drums and chant coexist in the same Church? And what does it mean to have 'unity without uniformity'? (0:38) Horst Buchholz, Ph.D., director of sacred music for the Archdiocese of Detroit, explains why St. Augustine's famous saying, “He who sings prays twice,” is actually a misquote. The narrator introduces the topic: Why does sacred music matter? (3:32) Buchholz discusses the psychology of music, including research that shows people choose their churches for one of two reasons: the quality of the music, and the quality of the preaching. The narrator introduces a survey of Archdiocese of Detroit parishioners revealing local Catholics' preferences in sacred music. (7:23) Buchholz discusses the Second Vatican Council's approach to sacred music, including its tradition of inculturation as well as its insistence that the pipe organ, chant and the use of Latin are “specially suited to the Roman liturgy,” while allowing for “unity without uniformity.” (8:26) Wassim Sarweh, organist and music director at Old St. Mary's Parish in Greektown, talks about the other-worldly qualities of Gregorian chant, the Church's ancient musical language. Sarweh talks about how chant is different from other types of sacred music, and even has the power to make converts. (12:40) Listeners are introduced to Santiago Fernandez, music director of the Church of the Holy Family in Novi, one of the largest multicultural (Spanish and English) parishes in the archdiocese. Fernandez discusses how a truly bilingual approach to sacred music brings the parish together in a profound way. (16:45) Keir Ward, music director for Sacred Heart Parish in Detroit, talks about the impact of Gospel music on the African-American community. A lifelong Catholic, Ward has worked to incorporate the Gospel style — traditionally a Protestant tradition — into the city's Catholic worship experience. (19:32) Ward discusses the deeply meaningful history of Gospel, which has its roots in Afro-spirituals sung by slaves, and what that history means for today's music. (22:06) We meet Josh Ross, music director at St. Anastasia Parish in Troy, where contemporary, upbeat Christian music is played during a 5 p.m. Sunday evening “young adult” Mass. Ross discusses what drew him to the contemporary style as a young man. (23:47) Ross addresses the opinion held by some that guitars and drums have no place in the liturgy, insisting that his role as a music minister is to help people to pray. (27:02) Susan Lindquist, director of the Cathedral Choir Academy of Detroit, talks about what Catholics can learn about music from children. The children she teaches don't have a preferred style, Lindquist says, but love learning and singing all types. It's important to foster a love of sacred music in children so they can grow up to take their “rightful place in the Church.” (29:44) Ward concludes the podcast with a story about a woman who found her faith again despite personal struggles with the help of an old Gospel song, “God has smiled on me.” Reporting, script and narration by Michael Stechschulte; production by Ron Pangborn. This episode of Detroit Stories is brought to you by our friends at Alliance Catholic Credit Union. For over 60 years, Alliance Catholic Credit Union has provided Catholics in Michigan with trusted financial services inspired by Catholic values. When you join Alliance Catholic Credit Union, you become a member of a financial institution that supports Catholic education, Catholic Charities, and Catholic parishes around the state. Visit AllianceCatholic.com and join online today. Listen to ‘Detroit Stories' on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Fireside. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.

We don't often think about the professionals working for the Church, but in every diocese in the world professionals work every day to keep the lights on, provide services, handle the accounting, staff the schools, and a myriad of other blue-collar and white-collar jobs. With that in mind we brought a few of our favorite people together to chat, both in terms of why they work for the Church and who they look to hire. Joining hosts Jen Mauro and Mike Walsh today are Diocese of Camden professionals Karen Fisher, manager of parish-based senior programs for VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services; Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities; and Dr. Bill Watson, Superintendent of Schools. It's a great conversation on the personal, professional and spiritual fulfillment that can be found working for our faith. If you are interested in joining us, check out our job listings at https://camdendiocese.org/employment or attend our diocesan job fair on Nov. 10 from 3-7 PM at St. Mary's Parish, 2001 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ. Listen to Talking Catholic on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Amazon podcasts, Audible, Alexa or at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/show/talking-catholic. You can also catch us on Domestic Church Media radio Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM https://domesticchurchmedia.org. Follow us on... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkingCatholic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingcatholic Twitter: https://twitter.com/talkingcatholic

Say the Word! As we celebrate Catechetical Sunday, Tara and Jerry welcome John Kobiernicki, Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL) at St. Mary's Parish in South Amboy, NJ to discuss the life and journey of the PCL. The ministry of the Word is a fundamental element of evangelization through all its stages because it involves the proclamation of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God

Full Text of ReadingsFriday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 417All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is Blessed Michael J. McGivneyThe eldest son of an immigrant Irish family in Connecticut, young Michael left school at 13 to work in a brass factory making spoons. At 16 he began studies for the priesthood in Quebec, but was obliged to leave to help support the family when his father died. Michael completed his education in Baltimore, Maryland, and was ordained for the diocese of Hartford in 1877. Assigned to St. Mary's Parish in New Haven, Fr. McGivney was very active in parish and civic affairs, serving as director of public plays and fairs. He volunteered to become the guardian of Alfred Downes, a minor whose father had died leaving a large family in poverty. This situation as well as his own family's circumstances and that of other immigrants impressed on Fr. McGivney the need for lay Catholic men to establish a mutual aid society to provide financial assistance for their families if the primary wage earner died. Protestant fraternal groups already provided this type of life insurance protection for their members. In 1882, Fr. McGivney formed the Knights of Columbus among a small group of St. Mary's parishioners to promote charity, unity, and fraternity, assisting widows and orphans. Because of the Knights' emphasis on serving Church, community and family, the organization grew and did not remain strictly parish-based. Patriotism was added as a founding principle in 1900. Father McGivney died from pneumonia in 1890 and was buried in Thomaston, Connecticut. Later his body was moved back to St. Mary's in New Haven where it remains today. He was beatified in 2020. Reflection Michael Joseph McGivney was a genuine pastor who, in the words of Pope Francis, was unafraid to share “the smell of his sheep.” He promoted families whose members were strong in their faith expressed through generous following of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In a decree read at the beatification Mass, Pope Francis praised Fr. McGivney's “zeal and the proclamation of the Gospel and generous concern for his brothers and sisters.” These “made him an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance.” Saint of the Day Copyright Franciscan Media

This reflection was given at Morning Prayer at St. Mary's Parish, Eugene, OR on Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time (B), August 12, 2021. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/in-your-embrace/message

Join Angela Sealana as she guides us on a spiritual journey to St. Mary's Parish, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is the site of a Eucharistic Miracle discovered by Fr. Alejandro Pezet, which occurred in 1996 on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Notably, during this time, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was serving as bishop of Buenas Aires. He is known today as Pope Francis. During this program, Angela will also discuss: A brief history of Buenos Aires The discovery of the Eucharistic Miracle The scientific investigation organized by Dr. Ricardo Castañon Much more! Click here to see a map view of the Mary's Parish, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Jewel for the Journey: "The Eucharist is the beating heart of the Church." - Pope Francis Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

This reflection was given at Midday Prayer at St. Mary's Parish, Eugene, OR on Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (B), June 9, 2021. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/in-your-embrace/message

This reflection was given at Midday Prayer at St. Mary's Parish, Eugene, OR on Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (B), June 8, 2021. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/in-your-embrace/message

Today's topics: St. Mary's After-School Program Summary of today's show: The After-School program at St. Mary's Parish in Waltham may be the first of its kind in the Archdiocese of Boston. Fr. Michael Nolan and Jennifer Acuna join Scot Landry and Michael Lavigne to talk about how the program came to be, the services it provides in homework assistance, faith formation, and physical activities, in addition to bilingual literacy programs. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Michael Lavigne Today's guest(s): Fr. Michael Nolan, pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Waltham, and Jennifer Acuna, co-director of St. Mary's After-School Program Links from today's show:

Today's topics: Christian Appalachian Project for Boston-area Catholics Summary of today's show: The Christian Appalachian Project was founded by Fr. Ralph Beiting, a priest of the Diocese of Lexington, KY. It has worked for decades to serve people in need in Appalachia by providing physical, spiritual and emotional support through a wide variety of programs and services. Fr. Ed Riley, currently the Dean of Men at St. John's Seminary, served as part of this ministry for 3 years full-time and he leads service week trips there each year, including this upcoming office. Christine Dufresne, from New Bedford and now St. Mary's Parish in Waltham, originally joined the mission trip in August of 2009 and then moved there to serve for 14 months as the aide to Msgr. Beiting. Both Fr. Ed and Christine share moving stories of their experiences on today's show. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Chris Kelley Today's guest(s): Fr. Ed Riley and Christine Dufresne Links from today's show: from on .

Summary of today's show: Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Parish has a long history, from its beginning as the mother parish for Needham and Newton to being days away from closing in 2005 to its present vibrant life today as a parish that attracts Catholics willing to travel an hour for Mass on Sundays. Scot Landry and the TGCL team travel on location to Newton to talk with Fr. Charles Higgins and a panel of parishioners about the unique life of this parish in which reverence for liturgy is their top priority and where fellowship grows from that commitment. The people of Mary Immaculate of Lourdes celebrate both the Extraordinary Form and the Ordinary Form, the Latin and the English, with equal joy, love, and beauty, and you can hear their love for the Mass and their parish in how they talk about it on today's program. Listen to the show: Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: Today's host(s): Scot Landry Today's guest(s): Fr. Charles Higgins John DeMatteo Ron Goguen Manny Goguen Jeanette Pappin David Allen Tina McCormick Jean Johnson Rose Delgrosso Links from today's show: Today's topics: Parish Profile: Mary Immaculate of Lourdes, Newton 1st segment: Broadcasting live on location today from Mary Immaculate of Lourdes parish in Newton, Scot Landry welcomed everyone to the show. They serve parishioners throughout the general region of the Archdiocese. The plan for the show is to show how parishes are coming up with new ideas for welcoming people back to the Church but also to help people grow in their faith. The pastor is Fr. Charles J. Higgins, who is celebrating his 25th anniversary of ordination. They were both at St. Michael's in Lowell, when Scot was a young man and and Fr. Higgins was a deacon preparing for ordination. Fr. Higgins said Mary Immaculate of Lourdes is the mother church of Newton and Needham, starting in 1870 as St. Mary's Parish. In 1909 the cornerstone was laid for the “new” church, which is the present church. It was built on a hill and meant to be seen from far and wide. It has the style of an Italian hill town church with a soaring 135-foot bell tower. When it was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day in 1910, the new archbishop of Boston, William O'Connell, decided that St. Mary's was too plain a name so he chose Mary Immaculate of Lourdes. Fr. Higgins remembers it from growing up at St. Joseph in Needham and his family often attended Mass at Mary Immaculate on Sundays. He remembers his own fascination with the beauty of the church as a child. As time went on, the demographic trend worked against the territorial parish and in 2004, there was thought that the parish should be closed. Many felt there were many reasons to keep it open and so from 2004 to 2006 the final situation of the parish was uncertain and it was 5 days away from being closed. Vendors were cancelled and the end-of-life parish party had already happened. But then Cardinal Seán revisited the decision and at the end of 2006 a solution was found. Since Holy Trinity Church in Boston, where the Latin Mass community had worshipped for a decade, was slated to be closed too, they decided to merge the communities and give the parish a second life. The canonical status of the parish was changed from territorial to a mission parish. Since 2007, they've started a second life. Scot welcomed Jean Johnson, director of religious education, and Ron Goguen, superintendent of the parish cemetery. He asked Jean about the parish praying for a new life in those days. Jean said she was appointed religious education director for 3 months until the parish closed and now she's still here. Scot asked her about activities in the parish in those months they thought it was closing. She said there were many prayer meetings as well. There's a lot more life to the parish after having experienced that and people are hopeful for the future. Scot said Ron is a father of 10. He asked what attracted him to this parish. Ron said he didn't even know about the parish until after the non-closure. He'd known Fr. Higgins and brought his family when Fr. Higgins was assigned. It's worth the travel for them. It's very reverent and it's just Catholic. He doesn't have to worry about correcting a priest on the way home to Mass. He and his family travel 33 miles to the parish. His eldest son, who is 26, was the one on the drive home from Mass at their old parish one Sunday who suggested they just start going to Mary Immaculate of Lourdes every Sunday. Ron said it was the reverent liturgies and preaching that attracted them. Scot said places with very high expectations on the most important things seem to attract people. He asked Fr. Higgins how he fosters the universal call to holiness among the people. He said encourages them in their journey of faith and continuing conversion. We see the fracturing of morality and knowledge in society. Young people who have never known the old Church, have grown up in this current chaos under what Pope Benedict calls the dictatorship of relativism. When they find this treasure. it's like a ray of light for them. Scot said Pope Benedict says that Vatican II has been misunderstood as a rupture with the traditions of the past, but we should see it as a continuity. Scot says many of what has been re-introduced at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes is what Pope Benedict is trying to reintroduce worldwide. Fr. Higgins said the Pope is trying to bring us back to the core of our faith. 2nd segment: Now joining the show are David Allen, a cantor, and Jeannette Pappin of the Ladies' Sodality Prefect. David said he and his wife love both the Extraordinary Form Latin Mass and the Ordinary Form. He said the great musical tradition of the Church is enjoyed in its fullness at this parish. He said there's a great continuity. For example, the propers of the Mass are an important part of the Extraordinary Form and that tradition is kept in the Ordinary Form, just in English. they sing many English-language hymns as well. Scot said growing up in Lowell, two different parishes, one the men never sang and in the other the men out sang the others. David said the choir at Mary Immaculate for the Extraordinary Form is wonderful and they have about 15 members singing very difficult works. The faithful appreciate their ministry. Jeannette said she's one of those who came from Holy Trinity in Boston. She had worked in Waltham and needed a place for daily Mass and at the time Fr. Higgins had just arrived. She started attending in February 2007 for the daily Novus Ordo Mass and then a few months the Extraordinary Form came on Sundays. She also said at Mary Immaculate there was finally a pastor instead of rotating priests, so there was a parish life that could flourish. She said what she experiences is the fullness of what is supposed to be. she said the Mass there is sublime and you taste heaven and earth. She thinks of how her ancestors worshipped in the same way. This is how the Church changes with time and yet remains timeless. It's what it means to be Catholic. She notes how people remark on the numbers of children at the parish. On Sundays there will be 16 altar boys serving the Mass. Jeannette also noted how they just had a young man enter seminary and another preparing to enter. She said they also have a priest who teaches truth from the pulpit in a kind, loving, and firm way, not regaling them with stories of his childhood or talking about the Red Sox. Scot said Cardinal Dolan has talked about living the Year of Faith by returning to the basics. The fundamental way we live our faith is to draw people around us to the altar of the liturgy. This is one of the things that makes Mary Immaculate. Fr. Higgins said the Mass is everything and we allow it to be the act of worship, we're just taking what has been handed down and respecting it as worship given to God, first and foremost. Scot asked David and Jeannette what they love about the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Mass. Jeannette said that the way you pray is the way you believe and the way you live and when you look at the liturgy at this particular parish, you have much of that. In the Ordinary Form, there is still the reverence and still feel as though heaven is on earth. At the Extraordinary Form, it touches every sense and your heart wants to explode and your soul longs for heaven even more. Some will say it's outdated, but it's who we are as Catholics. We are a 2,000-year-old Church. She said she prefers the Extraordinary Form. David said what sticks out for him in this parish is the eastward orientation of the altar. This ancient practice opens up so much of the dimension of the transcendent and mysterious as a pilgrim people greeting Christ as the rising Sun. We move forward together with the priest toward Christ. Scot said the priest leads in prayer, not looking at us, but looking forward. David said we are an open circle facing the Lord. He said there is also a sense of silence and serenity that bleeds into the way the Ordinary Form is celebrated. Jeannette said the Ladies Sodality began in the late 1800s and became dormant and was resurrected in the 1950s and then became dormant again. A few years ago, the Ladies Sodality began again. They have 33 professed members and many postulants. The sodality is not just a ladies group. It was originally established as a way for the faithful to seek a lifestyle to form their lives to be children of Mary. They have young ladies from age 12 up to 70 or so. They meet once per month and pray the Vespers of Our Lady, hear a reading from Fr. Higgins on virtues to live by. 3rd segment: Scot now welcomes Ron's son, Manny, who is 21 years old and the parish sacristan. Manny said Fr. Higgins had asked him to help out on the weekends at the parish and when other sacristans left he took on more responsibility. As a sacristan, Manny keeps the church neat and clean; prepares for the Masses, funerals, baptisms; keeps track of candles and altar breads and ensures that everything will run smoothly when it's time for Mass. Scot asked Manny about the youth of the parish. Manny said the main reason he and those age come is because is you get a real sense of heaven and there are fewer distractions at Mass. At other places, everyone has the same goal of being reverent in their prayer, which makes it easier for him to focus on God. Manny said when he comes to Mass, it's nice to be where it's all about God for at least an hour or so. Ron said he and his wife try to focus everything on Christ even as society tries to take their focus away. He said it seems that everyone in the parish is focused on that. His family travels a lot and they go to many different Masses and it's very different. Something has been lost somewhere for many of the priests and parishes they see. He notes they don't even go to the Latin Mass generally, because they have little kids for whom its quite long, and the Novus Ordo is really reverent and holy and the music is the same from the Latin Mass. The music is very helpful in keeping things reverent and holy. The music is the biggest difference they notice in different parishes. Scot said music that is well done can help you focus more on the Mass and when it's not good it can become a distraction. Scot said the Holy Name Society for men has also been revitalized. He asked Fr. Higgins how the sodality and Holy Name Society have helped reinvigorate the parish. Fr. Higgins said the groups extend the experience of worship into a deeper fellowship. People get know each other and bond. These kinds of religious/social experiences are necessary to create a human connection. In the sodality, he sees how these women are becoming closer friends. when there is trouble in their families, they are there for one another and it's the same way in the Holy Name Society. Many Catholics complain that you go to church and at the end of Mass people rush out the doors and there's no sense of fellowship. It's also a way to experience ongoing faith formation. There's prayer with one another. They are accountable to one another. It strengthens them in their promise of their confirmation to be public witnesses for Christ. 4th segment: Now joining Scot are John DeMatteo and Tina McCormick. Scot asked Tina what attracted her and her family to Mary Immaculate of Lourdes parish. Tina said it was the focus on the Eucharist. Her family attends the Ordinary Form of the Mass, which still incorporates the many beautiful elements of the Latin Mass. Even with her five children, they found that the focus on the Eucharist is important. The children have come to appreciate and enjoy that, realizing that the Eucharist is the center of our faith. Scot said John told him how the parish has three communities: the territorial parish, the Latin Mass community that comes for the Extraordinary Form, and the large community that comes from outside the parish area for the reverential celebration of the Novus Ordo, the Ordinary Form. John said this is why he and his family come here. He and his wife had read back in 2007 that the Latin Mass community was coming and they decided to see what it was like. The Mass lasted two hours and their 7 kids weren't happy about the length of time, but Fr. Higgins in his homily welcomed everyone and encouraged them to come to any Mass that fits for them. They'd never heard a similar welcome like that, one that integrates the whole life of the parish. They never went back to their old parish. He feels like a new community started at that first Ordinary Form Mass. Tina said that after the Easter Masses, especially after Good Friday, you find a whole group of people outside the church after the services standing around and saying to one another how amazing it was. They were stunned. She'd never experienced anything like that. People often stand around after Mass, talking about how wonderful it was. It was something they took with them the whole week. John said the example of seeing a group of people that take a project seriously is inspiring in any situation, but when it's something like your faith that a person or group of people clearly have devoted their whole life to, it's inspiring and encourages others to be with them and do more of the same. It encourages other to come and stand with them in this Mass in this place. You can tell it's a group of people who take it all seriously. That's what has inspired his own family. The fact the parish is there and doing that is what has lead and will lead to evangelization, because spiritual seekers do just show up for whatever reason. Some internalize what they see here and come back. One of the best tools for evangelization is the church's beauty, not just art, but also how we pray. Fr. Higgins welcomed any listener to come and stop and by. This parish is one of the heritage parishes of the archdiocese and the country. It's one of the last of what is called decorated churches. The whole interior of the church was the artist's palette. The church and its stained glass windows are a catechism in stone.

Summary of Today's Show: Scot and Father Matt are joined by Connie and Patricia from the Massachusetts Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Since their founding in 1903, the Catholic Daughters have supported troops, popes, the poor, the infirm, the retired, and their fellow sisters in local, state and national chapters. Listen in to hear about the impact this less well known organization has in its members lives, and how it helps bring women of all ages to Christ. Watch a video of today's show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr Matt Williams Today's guest(s): Connie Pagan, State Regent; Patricia Abruzese Johnston, 2nd Vice State Regent from the Massachusetts Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Links from today's show: Today's topics:The Catholic Daughters of the Americas 1st segment: 1st Segment: Scot started the show by reminding everyone that you can now to watch the live stream of the show at BostonCatholicLive.com. Scot welcomed Fr. Matt Williams and asked if there are any upcoming events. Fr. Matt said that they have another Life Teen coming up soon but that his weekend, September 22nd, there will be another Holy Spirit Empowerment at St. Mary's Parish, Dedham that will start with Mass at 7pm and its open for all ages. Scot welcomed Connie Pagan and Patricia Abruzzi Johnston from the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and asked to tell a little bit about the Catholic daughters and their history. Connie said that they are the largest organization for catholic women in the world and they were founded in 1903 in Utica, NY and are currently active in 42 states. Connie said that they have lay member and religious members who do social and charitable activities. They also have the Junior Catholic Daughters and are also present on some college campuses. Scot asked how many courts the Catholic Daughters of the Americas curretly have. Patricia said that there are 18 active courts and that unfortunately many members of the organization, which is over 100 years old are aging or infirmed and that depleted some of the activities but that all courts are active in participating in the activities and the fundraising. Patricia explained that local courts have their own boards and do their own fundraises and activities based on the current needs. Scot asked Connie what lead her to join the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Connie said that she has always been active in her parish and was brought up with the Knight of Columbus because of her father and while preparing for a coalition she met a women who was involved with the Catholic Daughters on a national level who invited her to learn more about the organization and she is now with the organization for over 10 years. Scot asked Connie how does being part of the Catholic Daughters help her with her spirituality. Connie said that it's the sisterhood of praying together, having retreats together, going on rosary walks and coming to together for Mass and adoration. Scot asked Patricia about how she got connected with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Patricia said that she was basically told to and was a slow starter but that after she realized there was a need for her in there that she was truly baptized by fire and just wanted more and more. Fr. Matt asked if when the Catholic Daughters of the Americas was founded if it was because of a specific need. Connie explained that the initial intent was to help the service men from WWI and their families as well as the to raise money for church initiatives like the Vatican II council and that today that is still the work of the daughters. Scot asked about the relationship between the Catholic Daughters and the parishes and the diocese. Connie said that one example of how they connect with the parishes and diocese is through pro-life events. Connie said that the current initiative Pennies for the Unborn and baby showers raised this year alone 20k. 2nd segment: Fr. Matt asked about how often the local courts meet and what is the rhythm of the meetings. Patricia explained that they need to meet at least 9 times a year and but its it is usually once a month on week evenings. Every chapter can be different but whenever possible they'll start with Mass and the meeting will follow with coffee and discussion about regional news they receive and possible fundraising. Scot asked what types of fundraising activities will they to support the different initiatives. Patricia said that they will do different types of gathering with some kind of entertainment to attract people, like bake sales or an Irish or Italian night where they invite a guest speaker and usually there is a big turnout for these events. Connie also said that for their scholarship program for the youth they sell raffle tickets for money prizes and that is also successful. Fr. Matt asked what are some of the ways they attract new members. Patricia explained that they do membership drives at the parishes and that word of mouth from those who are members also attracts many members. Fr. Matt asked if there are any requirements or devotions required. Patricia explained that the woman does need to be catholic and although they do a lot of prayers together many women are attracted to the Catholic Daughters because of the service projects but that the faith does grow as you get involved. 3rd segment: This week's benefactor card raffle winner is Joanne LeBlanc from Waltham, MA! She wins a CD from Matthew Kelly, "Becoming the Best Version of Yourself, and the booklet “Catholics in the Public Square” by Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix. If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit WQOM.org. For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM's weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. 4th segment: Fr Matt asked how are they helping with the PAS and human trafficking issues. Connie said they have met with the Cardinal regarding the PAS issue and they are committed to hand out literatures at the parishes, to constantly update themselves and educate others on the issue. Patricia said that for the human trafficking issue they are hosting events to better educate others through guest speakers and introducing people to fair trade products.

Summary of today's show: For three years, Fr. Israel Rodriguez has been the first and only priest ordained from Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary, but this weekend he will be joined by Felipe Gonzalez. Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams talk with Fr. Israel, as well as Fr. Tony Gonzalez and Tom Noe, about the Seminary and the NeoCatechumenal Way, the ecclesial movement that is the spiritual engine of the seminary, as well as the missionary focus of the group that sends fired-up Catholics door-to-door in their neighborhood and around the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams Today's guest(s): Fr. Tony Medeiros, Fr. Israel Rodriguez, and Tom Noe Links from today's show: Today's topics: NeoCatechumenal Way and Redemptoris Mater Seminary 1st segment: Scot welcomed everyone to the show and noted that there are two big events in the Archdiocese this weekend. The ordination Mass is Saturday and the big gala dinner to benefit Redemptoris Mater Seminary is Sunday. Scot said Fr. Matt hasn't been on the show in a while so he and Scot caught up. He said the Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults is planning for the Middle School Harbor Cruise coming up as well as the Middle School and High School leadership retreats coming up this summer. He suggested people check out the office's website. Scot noted that Deacon Eric Cadin who will be ordained this weekend will celebrate his first Mass at the Life Teen Mass at St. Mary's Parish in Dedham, the Mass Fr. Matt celebrated for several years. He said youth ministry enervates the priest and his priesthood. He also said having a newly ordained priest there can be the nudge for a young man to consider the priesthood. Fr. Matt said they have had many seminarians assigned to the parish over the years, which is a twofold blessing for both the seminarian and for the young people, who are encouraged to consider their own vocations from God. 2nd segment: Scot and Fr. Matt welcomed Fr. Tony Medeiros, rector of Redemptoris Mater Seminary; Tom Noe, who is coordinator of the Neocatechumenal Way in the archdiocese. Tom said he grew up in Stoughton and works at St. Patrick's in Brockton. Also he welcomed Fr. Israel Rodriguez, who was the first priest ordained from Redemptoris Mater. He said his first assignment was in Immaculate Conception in Marlborough, which was a trilingual parish—English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Then he was transferred to St. Patrick's in Lawrence, a large parish with a large Hispanic population. Fr. Israel is from Granada, Spain, and is one of 12 children in his family. Scot said many of the priests from Redemptoris Mater Seminary serve worldwide and come from the Neocatechumenal Way. Fr. Tony said there are 86 Redemptoris Mater seminaries around the world. They are preparing almost 3,000 men. In Boston, they have 20 men, 15 in the house and 5 in mission, from 11 different countries. Fr. Matt asked about the Neocatechumenal Way. Tom said it started around the start of the Second Vatican Council with a Spanish artist, Kiko Arguello, who gathered others around him who were searching for truth. He found the answer in the Church. Fr. Tony noted that when John Paul II was a very young priest in 1947, he wrote a theological treatise on the importance of the catechumen ate for the 20th century. He had seen the effects of atheistic communism trying to wipe out the faith and saw how a return to the way of the early Church in initiating into the faith would combat that. Scot said one of things distinctive about the NeoCatechumenal Way forms people not just in their faith, but also forms them to be missionaries. Tom said one enters the community, there's no expectations put on you. Most people are looking for answers. What's important is Word, Liturgy, and Community. This is the basis of the NeoCatechumenal Way. This is lived out in small communities, because you can only really get to know people intimately in a small group. The Word of God is proclaimed and prepared by a member of the community who talks about what the Word means to them, but after an official presentation by the priest. They also have particularly intimate experiences of the faith. Tom said it happens in such a way that people's lives start to change. He recounted the story of his own marriage, where he and his wife were nominal Catholics at the time of their marriage ended up having a crisis in their marriage. At that time, they were told that the answers they were looking for would be found in Christ. They start going to the catechesis, then entered the community. Scot asked Fr. Tony about the blending of diocesan priesthood with missionary zeal. Fr. Tony said all the men in the seminary are ordained as diocesan priests, but they still have the idea of being sent out by the Lord into the world. This sense is strongly ingrained in the Way, including in the laypeople. All of these men have to be willing to go where the Cardinal sends them. Perhaps in the future, they could be sent somewhere else in the world to minister at the Cardinal's request, like in the Society of St. James. Scot asked Fr. Israel how this missionary heart enters into the way he serves as a priest. Fr. Israel said anyplace can be a mission. He looks around at the families, the problems, especially in Lawrence. He began to visit families, going door to door, sometimes accompanied by seminarians or sacristans. People are grateful to see the priest to give a word of encouragement or hope, even if they don't go to church. The fact that the Church is looking for the lost sheep is a sign of love. Many people will come back or even just start a conversation about baptizing children or the like. He finds a lot of joy in that kind of mission in the streets. This Saturday, Fr. Israel will have Fr. Felipe Gonzalez join him as another priest ordained from Redemptoris Mater. Felipe had served 4 years on mission in India and Pakistan and other places. He's very down-to-earth said Fr. Israel. Fr. Tony said Felipe comes from California where he grew up. He said Felipe's experiences have all prepared him for this ministry. Fr. Matt asked if Felipe visiting the foreign missions was part of his seminary. Fr. Tony said it is part of the seminary formation. Felipe started his seminary formation that the seminary in London, then went on his itinerancy for four years and then he was sent to Boston to provide maturity and experience to the men in formation here. Fr. Tony said at the second year of theology, the men are pulled out of St. John Seminary, where they are doing their academics, and sent to the missions where they serve with a priest and an itinerant family for three or four years. Fr. Matt asked how they and the families are prepared to be sent out on itinerancy. Fr. Tony said it is the Way. the seminaries are a shoot from the tree of the Way, which is a school for the missions, in whatever way they will live it out. Sometimes it is local and door to door and other times it is going very far away. The door-to-door ministry provides a presence and visibility in the community, where people begin to look for and ask for them. Tom said the the Way teaches them to be Christian, to have inside of you Christ's victory over death. The Church announces the Good News that death is overcome, and they bring this with them into the world. The members of the Way are given a formation in Scripture and Catechism to be able to share it. Eventually at one point some members of the community are identified as catechism, who are people who show evidence of a particular ability and charism for sharing the faith. When identified, they can be sent as part of a team to another parish to found a community there. Scot asked Fr. Israel what it's like to go thousands of miles away from his home to place he's never been to serve potentially for the rest of his life. Fr. Israel said it's like a wonderful adventure. Wherever you are, you set down roots. Scot asked Tom how the Way helps celebrate the ordination of one of their own. Tom said they are already part of a NeoCatechumenal Way community. Felipe is part of a community in Framingham and they are providing all kinds of logistical support, to take care of Felipe and his family coming into town this weekend. Scot said the Ordination Mass will be at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross this Saturday at 9am. 3rd segment: This week's benefactor card raffle winner is Josephine Muller from Gloucester, MA She wins 2 items for children: A Glory Stories CD: “Be Not Afraid, the Story of Blessed John Paul II” and the “Gospel Champions” computer game. If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit . For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM's weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. 4th segment: Scot said big way to fund the operations of Redemptoris Mater Seminary is the upcoming Gala Dinner. It is the third annual dinner. Fr. Tony said it's the main annual fundraiser for the seminary. In the first year they honored Cardinal Sean and John McNeice. Last year, they honored Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the late apostolic nuncio who passed away just a month later after the event. They also recognized Jack Shaughnessy. Shaugnessy and McNeice have been big supporters of the seminary. Scot said Cardinal Sean has a missionary heart. Fr. Tony told the story of meeting Bishop Sean when he was bishop of Fall River and learning of the missionary heart of the Cardinal. He has the heart of a shepherd who has been assigned a portion of the flock and serves them in that place. Scot said both Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul II have both been very big supporters of these new ecclesial movements within the Church. Fr. Tony said it's an expression of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council which continues to unfold. Scot asked who this year's honoree is. Fr. Tony said they invited Rabbi David Rosen, one of the most prominent rabbis in the world who lives in Israel. He's director of inter religious dialogue for the AJC. He's most famous for his role as head of the commission of diplomats which negotiated full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. He was very close to Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. One of the great gifts of the Council to the Church is the renewal of the centrality of the Word of God to faith. After the Reformation, the pendulum swung to highlighting the importance of the sacraments to detriment of the Word of God. Now the Second Vatican Council brought the emphasis back to Scripture. He hopes that Rabbi Rosen's visit and the inter religious dialogue, it will encourage Catholics to re-discover the Jewish roots of our Catholic faith. Fr. Tony said both Israel and the fathers of the Council have come to understand that the Church has a mission in the world, to serve humanity through what we have inherited. Fr. Tony said they have close to 400 people coming to the dinner on Sunday. People who want to support the seminary can contact Fr. Tony through the seminary's webpage on the Archdiocese's website. (Link above.)

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Fr. Mark O'Connell **Today's guest(s):** Jennifer Schiller and Najat Whalen from Women in God's Spirit (WINGS) ministry * [WINGS](http://catholicwings.com/) **Today's topics:** Women in God's Spirit (WINGS), Sunday Mass readings **A summary of today's show:** Scot and Fr. Mark talk to Jen Schiller and Najat Whalen about Women in God's Spirit (WINGS), a parish-based ministry for Catholic women of all ages that helps them deepen their faith and become more connected to their community. Also, considering the Gospel for Good Shepherd Sunday. **1st segment:** Scot welcomed Fr. Mark to the program. Scot said he was the lector at the noon Mass at the Pastoral Center. Today is also the 30th anniversary of the assassination attempt on Bl. John Paul II, on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Twenty-nine years ago today, Pope John Paul went to Fatima to have the bullets removed from his chest placed in the crown of the statue of our Lady of Fatima because he credited her with saving his life. Cardinal Seán has been celebrating the Mass and leading the international pilgrimage in Fatima at the request of the Holy Father. Back at the Pastoral Center, after Mass, there was the May crowning of the statue of Mary. Also, today is the last day for a colleague of Scot's, Patrick Gispon, the Catholic Appeal manager, who is returning to Chicago, where his family is from. Fr. Mark said he was impressed to see the number of people who turned out to say goodbye to Patrick and the spirit of the people Scot affected. The "Why Catholic?" program, discussed on The Good Catholic Life earlier this week, also had one of its informational sessions. **2nd segment:** Scot and Fr. Mark welcome Jennifer Schiller and Najat Whalen. Scot asked Jen about WINGS. She said she participated in WINGS when she lived in Southern California as a young mom. She'd been invited to attend in her parish and found about 75 to 100 women who gathered weekly to learn about and grown in their faith. It was a ministry for all ages. They had childcare. It was an opportunity to learn more about her faith.  When they relocated to Massachusetts, she was looking for something like WINGS so she approached her pastor who encouraged her to start it, about 11 years ago. There are now 11 groups in the Archdiocese. She started at her parish of St. Mary in Holliston. The other groups grew organically from women who came to their group and then wanted to do the same at their parish. Fr. Mark said he sees a pattern of people who have a great idea or experience and who don't wait for others to do something, but take initiative. Jen said she had lots of help. She had good encouragement from the pastor and after a couple of months they had about 8 to 10 women who were committed. They are all volunteers who want to help other women and grow in their faith. Najat said she became involed in 2005 when she was a CCD teacher and had a 5-year-old son entering school. She saw bulletin announcements and was attracted to the idea of deepening her faith and learning more. Eventually she became more involved because she was asked to become childcare coordinator and then program coordinator. Scot asked Jen if it's truly women of all ages or is it primarily one age group. She said it's truly all of them. When she started in 1995, she found herself in small groups with grandmothers and others. She found that meeting with women of all different perspectives helps them all in whatever place in their faith journey they find themselves. Jen said WINGS is not a national organization, but it is growing as women move from Southern California to other places. Each group is independent. They are made up women from the parish, but they have a spiritual adviser in the parish that helps them keep the ministry focused and on track. The suggested program is three seasons of six weeks each during the school year. They focus on areas of spiritual growth. In the fall, they focus on some area of the Catholic they want to learn about. In the winter, they focus on learning more about Scripture. In the spring, they have a series of speakers who come in to tell them how they are living out their faith. The whole year falls under a theme that the coordinating group puts together with the spiritual adviser. Najat said they begin the fall season in September and go through November. They have 7 speakers. The winter season starts after the holidays and the spring season ends in May. The typical meeting starts with a social time and coffee, followed by opening prayer and a song, then a speaker. After that they break into small groups to discuss three questions provided by the speaker. They end about 11:15 with a closing prayer. Fr. Mark said every parish has a core group of women who do everything in the parish. Does this attract those women or does it bring in women who aren't involved in many things? Jen said she does find it brings in both kinds of women. Consistency is the key. Women are welcome to attend one or all sessions. They are inviting women whenever they are ready and once they come, they come back because they find something that fulfills them. Women who are very involved in the church and always giving find in WINGS that they are receiving a lot from it. **3rd segment:** Scot asked Jen how WINGS has helped her to grow in her faith. She said it helped her to appreciate the gift of her faith. Many of the talks and presentations in the years since 1995 have opened her eyes and heart. Especially receiving a fuller understanding of the Real PResence and the gift that is Adoration. She didn't really understand that prior to experiencing it one of the WINGS talks. Also, the great saints of the church, stories of whom she now shares with her children. Scot asked the same of Najat. She said that she knows she's not alone in her faith. Being with a community of 60 women on a weekly basis helps her to know they are together, as they share their joys and sufferings. It's a safe, warm, and welcoming environment where you feel surrounded by friends. Being asked to speak at an event helped her to learn how to bring her faith out to the world. Fr. Mark asked what is the benefit in being only women. Jen said as a community of women, it is women coming together with different life experiences where you can feel you can share and grown and be who you are. There are good things that come from women gathering as women. He asked if other women have inspired Najat in her journey. She said everyone has inspired her, including the older women who are so wise while younger women share the same struggles and joys. Scot said the Gallup organization has surveyed religious groups and they have found that the most engaged people in religious communities are those who can say they have a best friend in the same group. Jen said she thinks WINGS has strengthened her parish. It nourishes women in their faith and builds them up. When the women leave those meetings, they bring that back to their families, other friends, to their work. And many find after participating in WINGS that they are inspired to get more involved in the parishes. Parish life is built up because women come together in their faith. Fr. Mark asked the experience of a new woman coming to an established group. Jen said it is absolutely not a clique. WINGS is a group that is constantly changing as women come and go, depending on their life situations. There is no prerequisite to joining. They can be a woman who is confident in her faith or someone who has many questions. Najat said that a big component of the ministry os the prayerful atmosphere so someone who is looking to experience prayer and to hear an inspiring prayer, then WINGS would fit them.  Najat said they recently had three wonderful speakers on three saints. They had a series of speakers on the women doctors of the Church. In the winter Bible study, they looked at relating to others as Jesus would: relating to families, to seekers, to sinners, to people he met along the way, to people who rejected Him, to his friends. They had outside speakers as well as women-members who spoke on their own reflections on the Scripture. **4th segment:** Scot asked how many groups are in the Archdiocese. Najat said there are 11: * Amesbury MA, Holy Family Parish  (meets Sunday evenings at 7:15 pm in lower hall of Sacred Heart Church)  [www.hfamesbury.com](http://www.hfamesbury.com)  * Holliston MA, St. Mary's Parish  (meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am in the church hall)  [www.stmarysholliston.com](http://www.stmarysholliston.com)  * Hopkinton MA, St. John the Evangelist Parish  (meets Tuesday mornings in the parish hall)  [stjohntheevangelisthopkinton.parishesonline.com](http://stjohntheevangelisthopkinton.parishesonline.com)  * Lexington MA, St. Brigid Parish  (meets Thursday mornings at 9:30 am)  [www.lexingtoncatholic.org](http://www.lexingtoncatholic.org)  * Marshfield MA, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish  (meets Tuesday mornings at 9:15 am)  * Middleborough MA, Sacred Heart Parish  Rochester MA, St. Rose of Lima  Lakeville MA, Saint Martha and Mary  (meets Tuesday mornings at Fr. Shea Center, Sacred Heart Parish)  [www.sacredheart-middleboro.org](http://www.sacredheart-middleboro.org)  * Milton/Quincy MA, St. Agatha Parish  (meets Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm in the school hall)  * Natick MA, St. Patrick Parish  (meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am)  [www.stpatsnatick.org](http://www.stpatsnatick.org)  * Needham MA, St. Joseph Parish  (meets Wednesday mornings at 9:45 am in the Linse room , lower church)  [www.saintjoesparish.com](http://www.saintjoesparish.com)  * North Andover MA, St. Michael Parish  (meets Sunday evenings at 7 pm in church hall)  [www.saint-michael.org](http://www.saint-michael.org)  * Wellesley MA, St.Paul Parish  (meets Monday evenings in the church hall)  [www.stpaulwellesley.com](http://www.stpaulwellesley.com)  Scot asked Jen what's involved in starting a WINGS ministry. She said the first step is prayer, to pray about whether you are called to start. Then talk to friends who might also be interested in starting the group. Then get in touch ([info@catholicwings.com](mailto:info@catholicwings.com)) with the main group at CatholicWings.com to help plan and put a proposal together for the pastor. Ideally it should be 8-10 women who start it and then planning for 6 months up to 1 year. They will also come out to the parish to provide training as well as resources for finding speakers that have spoken at other groups. She said they have an archive of 10 years of seasons and speakers that new groups can use to build on. The women will want to choose a time that works for the parish, whether a day or evening. Ideally they would have a parish hall available, plus another room for childcare. At night, it's usually the same minus the babysitting. Most evening groups don't use babysitting, but that's not a rule. Fr. Mark asked about expenses. Jen said there are suggested annual membership dues, about $40. Those dues pay for the speakers who come in from outside the parish community. Jen said the relationship with the parish is getting the pastor's approval obviously and then a staff member who would be a spiritual adviser, like a DRE or pastoral associate who could meet with them a couple of times per year to give advice on topics, resources, and speakers. **5th segment:** As we do every week, Scot and Fr. Mark will consider this Sunday's Mass readings along with our guests to prepare for Sunday. * Gospel ([John 10:1-10](http://www.usccb.org/nab/051511.shtml#gospel)) >Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. > >So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Jen said she found herself drawn to the line where it says a shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them. Many of us might not know that God is calling us in our lives and we have to take time to listen in our busy lives to hear Him. Where it says "they will not follow a stranger," it says to her that we have to build a relationship with Jesus to know Him and recognize His voice when He calls us. We need to find time every day to listen to His voice. Najat said she is reminded that the door is always open and Jesus is always there. Jesus always walks before us and we always know who to follow. Fr. Mark said it brings back an image from his first assignment. A previous pastor came back for the 40th anniversary of the parish. When he began to speak during the Eucharistic Prayer, the people started to smile because they recognized his voice from so many Masses said in that parish. Scot said at the end of the Gospel, Jesus says, "*I* came..." Jesus wants us  to be happy in this life and the next which comes by following Him through that gate into heaven. He's always calling us. He doesn't call just once, but every day. We need to hear Him despite the noise of our everyday life.  Jen said the thieves and robbers are the obstacles and false promises that come to us every day and the distractions that can lead us away from Christ. Don't get discouraged. When life gets difficult, Christ is even closer to us. Fr. Mark said we know the authentic voice in our heart of Christ despite all the other voices in the world.  The voice of our conscience is the voice of Christ with us. This Sunday is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which is tied to this Sunday as Good Shepherd Sunday. Scot encourages all to thank their priests this Sunday for being a shepherd. That will conclude today's presentation of The Good Catholic Life. For recordings and photos of today's show and all previous shows, please visit our website: TheGoodCatholicLife.com. You can also download the app for your iPhone or Android device at WQOM.org to listen to the show wherever you may be. We thank our guests, Jennifer Schiller and Najat Whalen. For our co-host, Father Mark O'Connell, our Production team of Rick Heil, Anna Johnson, Justin Bell, Dom Bettinelli, and George Martell, this is Scot Landry saying thank YOU for listening, God bless you and have a wonderful weekend!