Barbara A. Gaskell is the founder and director of the Mother Angelica Tour in Canton, Ohio, the hometown of Rita Rizzo, the future Mother Angelica. The Mother Angelica Tour was an outgrowth of a 2010 EWTN Family Celebration. The theme of the celebration was "In the Beginning: The Life and Legacy of Mother Angelica."
She is the author of the book, The Amazing Life of Rita Rizzo: The Early Years of Mother Mary Angelica.
My guest on this weeks Storytellers is Dr. Greg Bottaro, a Catholic psychologist, is the director of the CatholicPsych Institute and the developer of the Catholic Mindfulness online course. Before getting his doctorate, he spent four years living as a Franciscan friar, serving the poor in the tradition of St. Francis. He ultimately discerned a call to pursue family life. Six years after leaving NYC as a friar, Dr. Bottaro returned as a psychologist. His aim is fundamentally the same to serve. Instead of serving those suffering material poverty, he now seeks to serve those with psychological needs.
Greg is the author of the book, Mindful Catholic.
Joel Stepanek grew up believing that humility required shunning success, never accepting praise, and embracing a crummy life so that God would reward him in heaven. Then he became successful—at being a missionary. On a quest to find balance, Stepanek discovered powerful wisdom hidden within a nineteenth-century prayer that radically changed his life: the Litany of Humility. He shows you what he has learned about true Christian humility and how to right-size your expectations for living this crucial virtue.
As Stepanek, director of resource development at Life Teen, began to study and pray with the Litany of Humility, he discovered a pattern for spiritual growth that now anchors the way he lives. In Chasing Humility, he helps you explore eight essential aspects of humility in the life of a Christian: authenticity, confidence, gratitude, love, praise, empowerment, mentoring, and breaking barriers.
In addition to humorous and engaging stories and theological reflections, each chapter gives you practical exercises for spiritual growth such as:
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Dr. Philip Kim is an Author, Speaker, and Consultant. Raised by first generation Korean immigrants, Phil has worked at all of his parents' businesses including 7-11 convenience stores, gas stations, diners, and restaurants. He understands the value of hard work and education. He is the author of "Chase One Rabbit" which is dedicated to helping individuals create better lives for themselves.
His latest book, "Zebras & Ostriches" is about the 5 rules needed to increase employee engagement and productivity.
Phil is also an Assistant Professor of Business at Walsh University where he teaches both undergraduate and MBA courses. His areas of expertise and research topics include technology, organizational development, and productivity. Phil's research has been published in numerous academic journals and conferences.
Do you wish there was a more practical way to live your faith in the midst of a busy life?
Bestselling author and National Catholic Register columnist Patti Maguire Armstrong created what she calls “holy hacks” to help. This fun and fast-paced resource is full of concrete tips for living the faith right where you are. With about two-hundred simple and creative ways to grow in holiness, you can find something to help you engage your faith and grow in Christ every day.
The idea for Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith and Get to Heaven came from three popular columns Armstrong wrote in the National Catholic Register. The book provides fun and simple tips that make holiness attainable by everyday Catholics in everyday ways:
Practitioners of Holy Hacks will discover that holiness is less about doing big things than about making use of countless and simple ways for us to love God and our neighbors.
The book also includes hacks from notable and high-profile Catholic writers and speakers, including Rev. Donald Calloway, MIC; Fr. Mitch Pacwa; and Kathryn Jean Lopez.
A preacher's kid at a Catholic university, Kevin Lowry settled into a double major in beer and billiards soon followed by uncomfortable run-ins with pious students, failing grades, increasing anxiety, a missing night and the startling realization that some fellow students actually attended Mass the morning after a party instead of sleeping it off.
After getting kicked out, Kevin got his act together, got the MBA, and also got the girl. Meanwhile God was working, drawing him to the inevitable conclusion that Catholicism was all true despite his objections.
Kevin Lowry's journey to Catholicism is fascinating, often funny, and demonstrates God's unfailing, patient love for all of us.
Geraldine Guadagno has written articles and books for children and adults, including Irene the Elephant and 5 Steps to Facing Suffering, also published by New City Press. She is the author of the book "John of Smiles. This is the story of a 5-year-old boy with cancer who brought a ray of sunshine into the lives of people around him. John seemed to have an innate understanding of and ability to love. Those qualities endeared him to many, and were the driving force behind the worldwide spread of his story. Like all stories of heroes facing impossible odds, it deserves telling and retelling.
Beloved author Deacon Greg Kandra knows all too well what it is to be busy. Drawing from his own experience, and those of fellow Catholics, and the saints lives, Deacon Kandra helps us realize the importance of prayer and offers practical tips for making it a part of each day. Prayer includes regular participation in the Sacraments (Mass, Confession) but is also about a constant communication with God and a way to plan our day each morning and evaluate our progress each evening.
Love and beauty. From when she was a little girl, Dawn Eden Goldstein knew she wanted those things that in them, somehow, she would find God. But her life s search led her away from the temples of her childhood Judaism to the music clubs of Greenwich Village, where she became an acolyte of a new religion: rock & roll. Over the years she earned renown as a rock critic and historian, moving among some of popular music's biggest names, all the while straining to capture that transcendent love and beauty in their every note and lyric.
Yet her longing only deepened; the hole in her heart only grew. God s voice was calling her, but first she needed ears to hear.
In Sunday Will Never Be the Same, Goldstein (The Thrill of the Chaste) recounts her spiritual journey in beautifully wrought detail, mixing powerful accounts of trauma, healing, and epiphany with funny and poignant anecdotes from inside the music scene. It is the rare conversion story that delights as it inspires, amuses as it edifies and ultimately lays before the reader a lived testimony to the transforming grace of Christ.
I don't need God ... Or Do I?
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Kendra Von Esh was a corporate executive who had it all—high powered job, prestige, summer home, and fantastic family, friends and social life. She didn’t need God, nor did she have time for Him.
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When she decided to get in shape and “cleanse” her body, she realized that she sorely lacked in the “spirituality” department.
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She thought about going back to the Catholic Church but was conflicted because she didn’t know much about the faith. She wasn’t going to church at all, didn’t agree with most of its teachings, and certainly wasn’t ready to change her lifestyle.
But she decided to go anyway and what she found changed her life forever….
Join Kendra as she recounts the struggles, triumphs and “God-incidences” that paved her way from the back pew to a state of grace, peace, and joy that can only come from the Catholic Church and a personal relationship with God.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/
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.
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:
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!
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.
