April 30, 2019
Take it from people who know! Being a special needs parent comes with deep, often unexpected challenges that can shake your faith to the core. Drawing from their personal experience, David and Mercedes Rizzo share openly the myriad challenges of parenting a special needs child, while offering grace-filled counsel on practical steps you can take and suggested prayers to invite God into your situation. Topics include finding doctors and specialists who will treat your child with respect and kindness; advocating for your child's individualized education plan; preparing your child to receive the Sacraments; giving attention to your marriage and your other children; and preparing your child for adulthood.
Face your challenges with the power of prayer! For every parent and caretaker of a special needs child, this resource will build your faith and offer practical ways to incorporate hope and prayer into your daily life.
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April 23, 2019
Brother John is the true story of a meaningful encounter between a man going through a mid-life crisis, and an umbrella-wielding Trappist monk. This magical encounter on Christmas Eve eventually leads the author, and us all, to the redemptive power of an authentically purposeful life. Uplifting, deeply moving, Brother John is dramatically brought to life by over twenty full color paintings by Glenn Harrington, a multiple award-winning artist. Brother John's moving story takes place at Christmastime, and its inspirational message and rich illustrations are sure to bring the reader back again and again throughout the year.
AUGUST TURAK is a successful entrepreneur and award-winning author who attributes much of his success to his 20-year stint as a frequent monastic guest of the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey. As a monastic guest, he lives and works alongside the monks sometimes for months at a time.
In 1996 Turak was the CEO of his own company when a skydiving accident triggered the emotional crisis or “Dark Night of the Soul” that sent him to Mepkin Abbey in search of the spiritual solace that he so desperately needed and that the monks so graciously provided.
April 16, 2019
Father Donald Calloway, MIC, is the vicar provincial and vocation director for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, as well as the author of a number of books. His books Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon, No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy, and Under the Mantle: Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest are Catholic bestsellers.
April 9, 2019
Do you ever feel caught in an endless cycle of working harder and longer to get more while enjoying life less? The Stewart family did—and they decided to make a radical change. Popular Catholic blogger and podcaster Haley Stewart explains how a year-long internship on a sustainable farm changed her family’s life for the better, allowing them to live gospel values more intentionally..
In The Grace of Enough, Stewart shares essential elements of intentional Christian living that her family discovered during that extraordinary year on the farm and that they continue to practice today.
April 2, 2019
On this episode of The Storytellers, Patty Schneier author of the book Letters from Mom on What Matters Most, a compilation of personal letters written by Patty to her three children as they mature into adulthood and venture out on their own. Without preaching or scolding, she candidly discusses the joys of living a faith-filled life, what it means to be a Catholic in the world today, and why it matters. It is a book to inspire and encourage all mothers and their children - no matter what their age - to live for Christ, to strive for holiness and desire Heaven.
March 19, 2019
What if we were able to gain profound insight into the unique design, creative drive, and potential destiny of the people in our lives? The bold promise of this book is that we can.
This ability carries an awesome responsibility: We must all be mentors and midwives to the personal vocations of others.
Unrepeatable is about the urgent need for each of us to cultivate the vocations of others and the steps we should take to do it well.
By smartly weaving evocative stories of those who have radically lived out their callings with practical tools for discernment and mentorship, Luke Burgis and Joshua Miller—who have a combined twenty-five years of experience helping people and organizations discover their purpose—turn staid perceptions of vocation on their head.
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Link to Amazon for the book:Â https://amzn.to/2W77K4L
Don't forget to follow The Storytellers and be notified of each new episode. The link is on the left of the screen.
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March 12, 2019
She was a director at a Planned Parenthood facility in Texas until she witnessed an abortion. Now, Abby Johnson is a pro-life advocate and author of the book, Unplanned which has been made into a movie that will be released March 28th nationwide.
Abby Johnson quit her job in October 2009. That simple act became a national news story because Abby was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas who, after participating in an actual abortion procedure for the first time, walked down the street to join the Coalition for Life.
Unplanned is a heart-stopping personal drama of life-and-death encounters, a courtroom battle, and spiritual transformation that speaks hope and compassion into the political controversy that surrounds this issue. Telling Abby’s story from both sides of the abortion clinic property line, this book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the life versus rights debate and helping women who face crisis pregnancies. Now updated with a new chapter covering the latest events in Abby’s journey, in the news, and in changing legislation . . . and revealing the impact Abby’s story has had in the most surprising places.
http://www.abbyjohnson.org/
March 5, 2019
Pastor Walter Moss is a graduate of Ohio University, Athens, OH and also an alumni of Jacksonville Theological Seminary from which he earned a Master’s Degree in Theology.
Pastor Moss is Sr. Pastor of Canton Foursquare Church. He has been in the ministry for 36 years, traveled extensively doing missionary work, is on many pro-life advisory boards, is a speaker for National Black Pro-Life Coalition, and wrote a book entitled, “Why I Am a Black Pro-Life Pastor,”  Pastor Moss is married to his wife, Pastor Darleen Moss and together they have 2 children and 8 grandchildren.
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February 26, 2019
Allison Gingras is the founder of the blog ReconciledToYou.com, as well as a Catholic author, speaker, retreat leader, and media geek—with a very unique, practical, and humorous way of sharing a grace-filled Catholic life with Christ. Her podcast video series, A Seeking Heart with Allison Gingras, discusses faith in the context of everyday, ordinary life. Allison facilitates social media for WINE: Women in the New Evangelization, including the WINE Online Book Club; she also contributes to CatholicMom.com. Allison is the creator and series editor of the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women.
In The Gift of Invitation, you will:
- discover seven powerful invitations Jesus extends to you, including the invitation to follow him, forgive from your heart, and know his Father’s many gifts;
- explore the Bible to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus;
- see how each invitation plays out in your own life;
- and reflect on how you can be better prepared to accept Jesus’ invitations.
Jesus is constantly inviting each of us to a more abundant life—but in order to receive that gift, we need to accept his invitation. In The Gift of Invitation, Allison Gingras explores Jesus’ invitation through her own story, sacred Scripture, and the tradition of the Church. You can record your own responses to these insights right in the journal, then bring those thoughts to your small faith-sharing group for further discussion. And as with all the Stay Connected journals, guided prayers and space to journal your own prayer helps you forge a deeper, living connection with Jesus. Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women help you deepen your connection with Christ through inspiring stories, reflections, Scripture study, and prompts for prayer and journaling. Each journal explores a different path to spiritual growth in seven short, easy-to-complete chapters—perfect for individuals or small faith-sharing groups!
February 19, 2019
Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, Bill is a passionate Catholic with a lively faith. For over a dozen years he has been an active member and leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and holds bachelors degrees in both Theology/Religious Studies and TV/Radio Production from the University of Scranton, PA. As a youth minister, servant leader, teacher and dynamic speaker he harnesses the energy of young Catholics, guiding them into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and challenges them to be bold witnesses to the Catholic Faith.
 In addition, Bill was selected to serve as a Council member for the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for a 3-year term from 2017-2019 and is a discerner for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
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February 12, 2019
Jeannie Ewing believes the world focuses too much on superficial happiness and then crumbles when sorrow strikes. Because life is about more than what makes us feel fuzzy inside, she writes about the hidden value of suffering and even discovering joy in the midst of grief. Jeannie shares her heart as a mom of two girls with special needs in Navigating Deep Waters: Meditations for Caregivers and is the author of From Grief to Grace: The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph. Jeannie was featured on National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition and dozens of other radio shows and podcasts. For more information, please visit her websites lovealonecreates.com or fromgrief2grace.com.
When we grieve, we all long for light in the dark places. We need a light to warm our hearts when they are chilled by grief. For Those Who Grieve includes 22 brief devotions and prayers, drawing on the saints, Scripture, and modern reflections to encourage readers to turn to God each day and find the light of hope, healing, and wholeness.
All of life involves waiting. We wait at stoplights. We are caught in traffic jams. We agonize over medical test results. We hang on to a much-anticipated getaway. Sometimes, we wait to finish a project, welcome a new relationship, or open our hearts to the work God has begun in us. Regardless of how often we wait or upon what, Jeannie Ewing explains with clarity and encouragement how we can use the moments of waiting in our lives to grow spiritually. Waiting with Purpose will show you why God asks you to wait and how He is speaking to you in the times when nothing seems to be happening.
February 5, 2019
When the reality of your life changes in an instant, how do you cope? When what you thought was the worst that could happen was just the first in a series of impossible challenges, how do you continue to see the best in yourself and others? From the loss of her twin brother to the loss of her physical health, Regina Pontes writes about her long road to realizing that at the heart of who we are in those times is our deepest faithin ourselves, in the hands of others, and in God.
Reginas lifelong pursuit of excellence in her life through liturgical music ministry and in the entertainment and R&D/DoD businesses will show you that while circumstances are ever-changing, the opportunity for life lessons learned is still an ever-present gift.
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January 29, 2019
Catholic author and self-described “recovering worrier” Gary Zimak combines practical spirituality, daily scripture readings, and simple action steps to help you kick the worry habit as part of your Lenten renewal. He shows you how to let go of the anxiety-producing areas of life in order to find the lasting peace that comes from trusting God.
During the season of Lent, Catholics and other Christians frequently give up something they enjoy as a measure of penance or self-discipline—and often fall back into old habits at the first “Alleluia!” In Give Up Worry for Lent!, Zimak offers fellow worriers practical, scripture-centered advice on how to relinquish the need to control the uncontrollable—not just for Lent but for good—and how to find peace in Christ.
From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Zimak guides you to ponder a scripture passage and to apply it to your own life by following four simple steps:
- read
- reflect
- respond
- pray
As you continue to meditate on scripture and practice the simple action steps at the end of each reflection, you will find it easier to replace old worries with new messages of hope and to change your life forever.
January 22, 2019
Marc Cardaronella author of the book, Keep Your Kids Catholic: Sharing Your Faith and Making It Stick will join me on this edition of The Storytellers.
Many Catholic parents are tempted to leave the religious education and spiritual formation of their children up to their parish or Catholic school. Professional catechist, popular blogger, and father of two, Marc Cardaronella has a passionate plea for those parents: be your child’s primary educator in the faith by what you do and say. This practical guide gives parents what they need to be a bigger partner in handing on the faith to their children by creating a faith-nurturing environment at home.
January 15, 2019
On this edition of The Storytellers,  Tony is joined by Danielle Bean, author of the book, Your Are Enough:What Women of the Bible Teach You about Mission and Worth. In a world where everything feels fleeting and temporary, we are made for everlasting life; we are meant to experience God’s abiding love. You Are Enough uses the timeless tales of the Bible to clarify that truth for modern women.
Danielle Bean is the brand manager for CatholicMom.com. She is the former publisher and editor-in-chief of Catholic Digest. She is creator and host of The Gist, a weekly Catholic women's television talk show in its seventh season on CatholicTV. Danielle is author of several books for women including Small Steps for Catholic Moms, Momnipotent, and You're Worth It!. She is also creator and host of the popular Girlfriends podcast and a popular speaker on a variety of subjects related to Catholic family life, parenting, marriage, and the spirituality of motherhood.
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January 9, 2019
Broken Brain, Fortified Faith is the story of one family's journey through schizophrenia, navigating the uncharted waters of mental illness to find help for their daughter, Amber, and support for their family. This memoir is an honest look at the stress, anger, education, and finally, hope experienced through eyes of a mother. Along the way, she questions her trust in God as their family encounters setbacks, inadequate treatments, and additional family health crises, but with the help of trusted family, friends, education, and support groups, author Virginia Pillars learns to rely on her faith as she faces the challenges that often accompany mental illness.
Virginia Pillars lives on a farm, along with her husband of forty-three years. She is the mother of four, one of whom suffered from a mental illness, and a grandmother of four with a passion for reaching out to families who are also affected. She volunteers both as an educator and support group leader for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and speaks to organizations on the effects of mental illness on families. Virginia became certified in First Aid for Mental Health in 2014. She has also been a frequent speaker on her faith journey to both youth and adults for over twenty-five years. She details her journey through mental illness with her child in her memoir, Broken Brain, Fortified Faith: Lessons of Hope Through a Child's Mental Illness. The winner of a 2017 Selah Award for memoirs and Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval was published in 2016.
For more information go to:Â https://virginiapillars.wordpress.com/
