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So many of us know and love someone who is living with a form of Dementia. Today's episode features gerontologist Matt Estrade, who shares with us about his new book, The Peace with Dementia Rosary: Education, Intentions, Community, as well as his vital work with persons living with dementia and their care partners. After the show, consider ordering a copy of Matt's wonderful book (and maybe a copy to share as well:), then take a tour through his website DementiaRosary.com for a wealth of information, resources, and support through his blog, podcast, and information about his live appearances. I'm grateful to Matt for the wonderful work he is doing, and know you will be as well when you listen to today's episode!      

October is the month that we remember and reverence in a special way those families who have experienced the loss of their infant through miscarriage, stillbirth, or a death soon after birth. My guest today is Monica Alley who, with sensitivity and great love born of personal experience, shares with us the story of the loss through stillbirth of her sweet, tiny daughter Anna Grace, and how she and her husband Todd and entire family bonded together in Anna Grace's memory to establish Anna's Grace Foundation to help other families who are experiencing the loss of their own child. Monica has much wisdom and experience to share from her family's story, as well as through her experience with the hundreds of families that have been assisted by Anna's Grace Foundation after the loss of their own precious child. Find out more at the Anna's Grace Foundation website, where you can also check out the newly launched "Hope & Healing Podcast", which will be an additional source of support and education means of serving families who have experienced infant loss.

Dr. Carrie Gress is our guest today on this episode of the Faith & Good Counsel Show.  She's been on my "guest wish list" for so long (OK...way too long), and I'm so grateful we were finally able to connect. Carrie published an article in the National Catholic Register back in May of 2018 which struck my heart in a particular way, and I knew it was time to have her on the show.  Here's a link to her commentary entitled: Finding Mary on the Inside: Learning How to Live the Blessed Mother’s Virtues Today we're talking about just that - finding our mama deep within our very being as woman, and following Mama Mary's gentle, loving, virtues on our own unique and unrepeatable pilgrimage back to God Our Father as His beloved daughters. After the show today, I hope you'll explore more of Carrie's work HERE, as well as through Helena Daily (one of my most favorite sources for truly seeing the beauty that surrounds us) - where Carrie and colleagues post specially curated content for the wholly beautiful body & soul of woman.                

In this episode of the Faith & Good Counsel Show, you are simply going to love the joy, laughter, and feminine wisdom of Rose Sweet as we discuss her latest work, "A Catholic Woman's Guide to Happiness". If you are familiar with Rose's books and work, then you know her joy, laughter, and feminine wisdom have been borne as the fruit of a rather "bumpy ride" to which I know many of you can relate.  If you are not familiar with Rose....let today be the day that you get to know her! After the show, check out her new book "A Catholic Woman's Guide to Happiness" which will make a lovely gift for women of all ages - there is something here for everyone!     And check out two prior interviews with Rose Sweet on the Faith & Good Counsel Show: https://stacigulino.com/episode-10-sunshine-love-rose-sweet/ https://stacigulino.com/rose-sweet-redemption-from-the-brokenness-of-divorce-through-theology-of-the-body/    

Be sure to check out the Military Council of Catholic Women after the show!

I'm so delighted you are joining us for this series of three episodes of the show entitled "Homefront Warriors", where we hear from two seasoned military wives & moms whose husbands serve us and our country in the armed forces. So often we more readily remember and honor the sacrifices of our military men and women who are deployed and serving in all parts of the world.  However, today we will hear a different facet of that experience, one not as often heard about I believe-that of the "warriors on the homefront"-the families that are left behind to carry on as their loved one is deployed to serve our country. In the first two episodes, we will hear from Sandy Goetz about her family's personal experience as a career military family.  We will hear even more personal experiences in the third episode from Michelle Nash, current president of the Military Council of Catholic Women.  Both women offered as well a window into some of the issues that women and families in general face as they are left behind to cope, while reverencing the fact that each family has their own personal, unique journey based upon many factors.  After the show today, please do consider a visit the Military Council of Catholic Women website for more information.  Sandy & Michelle, I thank YOU and your children for the many sacrifices you've made as Homefront Warriors, and please extend my gratitude to your husbands for their service to God and country! And to my Faith & Good Counsel sisters & brothers.....let's make it a priority to remember the whole family of our military in our ongoing prayer, fasting, and sacrifices.    

Blog post by Erin Franco You are so going to enjoy this episode today with the lovely Erin Franco!  After we catch up a bit, we discussed Erin's blog post entitled "Coffee Talk for Young Moms" which I've quoted below for you. __________________________________________ Coffee Talk for Young Moms (by Erin Franco) Young mothers have been on my heart lately. Certainly not all young wives are mothers, and not all mothers of little ones are young wives. But in general the first few years of marriage and motherhood, wherever you are, can be incredibly difficult. For me, many times a cup of coffee and a good conversation with a Titus 2 mom friend has been much-needed moment of encouragement.  If you happen to be in desperate need of a coffee date like that, would you allow me to treat you to an e-date of sorts? I’m no expert at walking with God through the Little Years, but my heart wants so much to share some of what I’ve learned so far. So, let’s pretend that we’re at your favorite coffee shop. Just you and me. We have a cozy, private booth in the back corner of the store. Our children are all at home bonding with their fathers and eating nutritious snacks. We have both just purchased the delicious coffee drink of our choice, and there is a large, warm chocolate chunk cookie on the little table in front of us, already cut in half to share (calorie/gluten/soy/dairy/peanut-free if needed:).You have just asked me, “Erin, how do we do this all?! It seems impossible. I’m trying so hard, but I’m drowning most of the time.” Either that or I have simply picked up on the exhaustion, disenchantment and discouragement on your face.:) First, can I just tell you that I’m right there with you some days?  Now, let’s take a bite of that cookie. Because Rule #1 is that Chocolate Always Helps. (Just kidding. Sort of. Have you made this yet?!) Life has so many seasons. It’s a constant ebb and flow and stretching and coasting and then doing it all over again. We get into a good routine and then…growth spurt…job change…out-of-state move…NFP woes…natural disasters..the flu…new baby… We just can’t do it all, all the time, all at once, or all well. In fact, no other women in history have been asked to do what your average American mom is supposed to be able to do these days. And of course we’re inadequate to the task. It comes with having a God-given mission. But we mothers join the ranks of Peter, and Moses, and Joshua, and Gideon, and Mary, and a host of other Biblical heroes (and the saints!). God always gives us more than we can handle, because giving us a mission that is more than we can handle is so often the only way that He can get us to fall into His arms so that He can then do some amazing things through us. The life of faith is a never-ending re-centering of our lives on God: discerning His will and depending on his providence and trusting his timing and blooming where we’re planted. Something that helps so much in any vocation we’re in is to constantly examine ourselves. Every day is great. Every month is helpful. With our spouse is wonderful. Remember that the mission always goes back to your marriage. Fight for your marriage, and the graces of the sacrament will flow. Let your spouse point you to God, every day, whether its by his holiness or because you’re on your knees in prayer about him. And when you fail and fight and hurt one another over and over and you don’t know how to stop, remember what God wants for you. Something will change, eventually. A phone call, a new acquaintance, a change of heart, a powerful homily, a book…there are so many ways God reaches us. Things will get better, even if the “better” is only that our hearts gain peace by becoming more rooted in God. Work on your own heart, first and always, and let God work everything out in time.Remember, too, that the vocation to marriage is not all about the children. The best gift you can give to any children you have are holy, happy parents.

Announcing...the "Pondering Things Catholic" podcast with Fr. Paul Gros! On today's episode of the Faith & Good Counsel show we have the gift of getting to know a bit about Fr. Paul Gros, and his new podcast being produced in the Faith & Good Counsel studio. We had a lot of fun with this episode, with "becoming acquainted" with Fr. Paul in the first segment, and in the second segment heading into an idea of what you can expect from the episodes "in the can". There's also a little something new that I'm debuting in this episode - the first Faith & Good Counsel Inspirational Minute!  You'll hear this one tucked nicely between today's two show segments.   I simply know you will come to love Fr. Paul as I have. You might consider having your prayer journal and scripture handy - his episodes may just be some of those that pique a the desire to take out your favorite pen and jot some notes for pondering:)  As you will find over time, Fr. Paul has a gift for piercing right to the heart with theology + overall health and wellness, and you'll have a taste for that in his first episodes: Perfectionism, and Broken God & Self-Images  Twisted Roots of Our Present Pain & Suffering  The Delusion of Control Following these, you can look forward to discussions dealing with forgiveness amidst deep hurt, scrupulosity, and how to respond to ourselves and others in and through the Sacred Heart of Christ (which might just be my favorite episode thus far:).   And more to come!   You'll find Fr. Paul's "Pondering Things Catholic" Podcast page here.   The truth is that only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light. For Adam, the first man, was a figure of Him Who was to come, namely Christ the Lord. Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear. It is not surprising, then, that in Him all the aforementioned truths find their root and attain their crown. He Who is "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15), is Himself the perfect man. To the sons of Adam He restores the divine likeness which had been disfigured from the first sin onward. Since human nature as He assumed it was not annulled, by that very fact it has been raised up to a divine dignity in our respect too. For by His incarnation the Son of God has united Himself in some fashion with every man. He worked with human hands, He thought with a human mind, acted by human choice and loved with a human heart. Born of the Virgin Mary, He has truly been made one of us, like us in all things except sin.  (Gaudium et spes 22-24)    

Processed with Focos In this episode, I'm delighted to introduce to you Dr. Mario Sacasa, a Catholic marriage and family therapist in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. I think you'll find it very interesting to hear first about the MANY varied hats that Dr. Mario wears in his practice - some of which may surprise you! But what I'm most excited to share with you is our discussion about Dr. Mario's marriage retreat entitled "Living the Gift of Marriage". Dr. Mario is an knowledgeable, caring, engaging speaker trained in Theology of the Body and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and he's open to your invitation to offer  "Living the Gift of Marriage" at your parish.

Did you know that there is a connection between Theology of the Body and the Rosary?  And that the Rosary is, in fact, a SPIRITUAL WEAPON?   Join me today for two fascinating conversations about these connections (and the connection between my guests!) with my first guest Debbie Staresinic, author of her new book Theology of the Body Rosary Meditations: Contemplating Christ's Love for His Bride the Church. Debbie has given us a tremendous gift in this first ever work for devotion and prayer that integrates the beauty of St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body with the beauty of the Rosary.  Debbie is a graduate of the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia, PA and serves on the Board of Directors at Ruah Woods in Cincinnati, OH, an organization whose mission is to spread the message of Theology of the Body throughout the world. Then, we'll hear from a Faith & Good Counsel favorite guest, Fr. Donald Calloway, priest and author of his latest work Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon Fr. Calloway will speak with us the historical aspects of how the rosary is, indeed, a spiritual weapon from it's very beginnings....and how our obedience to it wields mighty power in the battle against the evil one. Before Fr. Calloway's truly miraculous conversion to Catholicism, he was a high school dropout who had been kicked out of a foreign country, institutionalized twice, and thrown in jail multiple times. After his radical conversion he earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, M.Div. and S.T.B. degrees from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, and an S.T.L. in Mariology from the International Marian Research Institute in Dayton, Ohio. Fr. Calloway has written many academic articles, and is an author of an ever growing number of books, which can be found on his website.  LINKS & RESOURCES: Ruah Woods & Ruah Woods Press Father Donald Calloway's website  

THIS EPISODE…is my favorite of all three in this first series ever in the history of the Faith & Good Counsel Show! Today we reach the end of this 3-part series...but it’s only the “End of the Beginning” - an ending that leads us to the beginning of essential conversations that speak to the heart of our every day struggles. In this episode, Josie and I advance forward from the pondering we’ve been doing upon the deeper questions of who we are, by beginning to make some connections between the origins of our identity with our present experiences of using, consuming, and discarding one another as human persons who war with each other in infinite ways.  And who don’t seem to learn from our mistakes generation, after generation, after generation. Again - our conversation today is only the mere beginning of what can be said about this vast subject as we’ve only just begun establishing a foundation for future Faith & Good Counsel conversations that address our day-to-day difficulties and struggles with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors - and our own selves - through the lens of faith + health & wellness. You can be a part of those future conversations!  Let us hear from you!

 In Part 2 of our series Who Are You? Lessons From Our First Parents & John Paul II, return guest Josie Duke continues to draw us back through time to contemplate the Garden of Eden, offering us a taste of: What it was like for Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eve before the Fall - and after - to help us think more about our understanding of Who God is, revealing more about who we are as man and woman created for and in unimaginable love The roots of our suffering in this life Some of the wounds that we have been left with from the fall of mankind which are made manifest multi-dimensionally as we move about in our daily lives Tragically, we learn today that satan offered our first parents what they already had. And he does the same to us as we bear the consequences of those wounds, and repeat the drama of Adam & Eve each and every day in our own lives in many, many ways--which I look forward to breaking apart more specifically in time. And as awesome as Josie is....we only scratch the surface of these beautiful, healing mysteries! We are ever aware that we are both simply "pencils in His hand", trying our best in grace to share what is truly an inexhaustible gift from God our loving Father Who has redeemed us through Christ. It is utterly striking just how vast this discussion is ...and how absolutely essential it is for us as human persons to begin ever anew to understand ourselves, each other, and our Creator if we are to ever truly see one another as gift - and cease allowing our differences to divide us in the infinite ways that we see around us and that cause us so much pain. For indeed, we were created with these very differences that were originally intended by our loving Father to draw us into unity. Our differences....should draw us into...unity?  How can that possibly be?  Stay tuned for more Faith & Good Counsel on that in time.... Kinda sad, isn't, that what we simply knew in our beings before the fall, we now have to effort so hard to comprehend as we struggle to see the dignity of others whom we view as "different" and to try to understand what is truly loving as gift of self to everyone, transcending time and space. Lots to ponder on.... So, what spoke to your heart today? What questions were inspired deep in your soul? I hope you'll take pen to paper again in your journal and prayerfully explore these and other big questions as we move forward with the series, and other offerings coming soon to Faith & Good Counsel.   LINKS & RESOURCES: Letter to Women Mulieris Dignitatem Message of the Vatican Council to Women, December 8, 1965 Nine Days that Changed the World Gaudium et Spes, 22:1 The truth is that only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light. For Adam, the first man, was a figure of Him Who was to come,(20) namely Christ the Lord. Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear. It is not surprising, then, that in Him all the aforementioned truths find their root and attain their crown. He Who is "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15),(21) is Himself the perfect man. To the sons of Adam He restores the divine likeness which had been disfigured from the first sin onward. Since human nature as He assumed it was not annulled,(22) by that very fact it has been raised up to a divine dignity in our respect too. For by His incarnation the Son of God has united Himself in some fashion with every man. He worked with human hands, He thought with a human mind, acted by human choice(23) and loved with a human heart. Born of the Virgin Mary, He has truly been made one of us, like us in all things except sin.(24) As an innocent lamb He merited for us life by the free shedding of His own blood. In Him God reconciled us(25) to Himself and among ourselves; from bondage to the devil and sin He delivered us,

You are not who they say you are...Let me remind you... (John Paul II) Links & Resources for this Episode: Who Are You? Journal Exercise Liberating a Continent The Nine Days of John Paul II  The Annunciation by Norman Faucheux  

"....a perfect example of what not to do if someone is having suicidal thoughts." That's quite a strong statement from Dr. Donna Fargason who returns today to talk about her professional concerns about - and personal exposure to - "13 Reasons Why" , a streaming TV series that targets youth and the issue of suicidality. Donna and I only scratched the surface in our dialogue on this most important topic of suicidality. Our conversation touches on some of the concerns we share about how certain societal/cultural influences (such as a seemingly harmless media program) can potentially affect in a harmful way the thoughts and actions of vulnerable young persons - and mature adults as well. This is only one example. After personally viewing the entire program series, Donna realized that she herself has been traumatized by the overtly graphic content of the program. And while the gravity and impact of the graphic content is perhaps more obvious to some, Donna is quite concerned as well about the more insidious messages that are embedded within the program content - and that parents do not seem to know that children and adolescents are viewing this program,  Media is a tool that wields mighty power upon the formation of thoughts and beliefs about ourselves as human persons (many, many times in ways we are not aware of), and can influence our choices of what might be a good (or not so good) next step when we are experiencing challenges and pain in our lives. Being aware of that influence as we make our viewing decisions is a vital component of the process of making well-informed decisions that impact our overall joy, life functioning, and relationships. What we choose to consume through all forms of media can have a powerful effect upon our mental and spiritual health. It's important to have a dialogue about vital issues such as suicide, no doubt. But what is the content, the essence, and the trajectory of that dialogue?  Does it lead ultimately to the dignity and the good of the person? Unfortunately, not all sources of dialogue and information out in the public arena are meaningful, legitimate, or helpful towards the end goal of the ultimate good for the human person - even though these sources may be well-intentioned. Consuming and acting upon information without careful (and prayerful), prudent consideration, and seeking proper help can lead unintentionally toward more harm and heartache. WHERE CAN I LOOK FOR HELP? For immediate need for someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, or exhibiting suicidal/self-harm gestures:  NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE:      800-273-TALK (8225) www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org CRISIS TEXT LINE:     741741 Call your local hospital ER Dial 911 to activate Emergency Services Contact your child's Pediatrician or Primary Health Care Provider Informational Resources: Family Focus, LLC - Dr. Donna Fargason 13 Mental Health Questions about "13 Reasons Why" - American Psychiatric Association  Why We Need to Pay Attention to 13 Reasons Why by Suzanne Jones, MA, LPC-NCC, MSN, PMHNP Evangelium Vitae' by John Paul II, March 25, 1995 Pope St. John Paul writes about the "Gospel of Life", and the dignity and gift of our lives and the immense love that God has for each and every human person.  Here he also speaks in EV (and in other writings as well) about the roots of the "Culture of Death", and the many ways it manifests in the world we are living in today.  Without knowing who we are as beloved human persons made for communal relationship with Him and each other, we are left bereft and without hope.  What believe about who we are as human persons and the purpose for which we exist matters - any distortions from the fullness of truth lead us to harm in infinite ways. The Catholic Guide to Depression: How the Saints, the Sacraments, and Psychiatry Can Help You Break its Grip and Find Happiness Again - by Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, MD

The wellspring of all that is the Elizabeth Wilson that I've come to know is so evident in this powerful interview, which was originally intended to focus upon the psychiatric and psychological burden suffered by women after an abortion decision. Everyone, however, can benefit from listening to today's episode as Elizabeth shared some incredibly wonderful "faith and good counsel" that really, in essence, applies to every person who experiences a significant crisis of some sort in our lives. And, at some point over the course of life...that's ALL of us, ya'll. So many things to love about Elizabeth's interview...but one thing stood out to me, and I do think it is a take home point for pondering upon in prayer.  Elizabeth said.. "If we do not have a belief in Divine Mercy, we will be stuck in judgment."    The more we learn about and open ourselves to receive Christ's Divine Mercy, the more we will see and experience just how far Jesus will go to pursue us, while never intruding upon our free will. Our sins and wounds and weaknesses keep us enslaved in a spiral of self-loathing, and judgment, and shame, making it seem impossible to trust enough to open to His Mercy. But Christ is very patient and gentle, always inviting and never imposing.  He just waits for us to open our heart-just a little bit-to receive His Mercy, unfathomable Love, and the freedom that is our birthright.  And his Mercy is meant for EVERY PERSON. This episode was recorded last spring, but perhaps it is somehow divinely providential that it is posted now just three days ahead of the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Thanks, Elizabeth for your kind patience, for we know that God's timing is always perfect. RESOURCES: "Divine Mercy in My Soul, the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska "Conversation of the Merciful God to a Despairing Soul: #1486   Woman's New Life Clinic    

British poet Sally Read lived in a place of great anxiety as an atheist, but could not grasp why.  She was perplexed by her anxiety, and a constant, tormenting fear of falling back upon a rock to be utterly destroyed. That is, until 2010 when, after painful, confusing existential crises and deep sufferings, God revealed Himself to her.  It was then that Sally began to realize that God had always been with her -that it was she who was blinded to His existence and His merciful love.  God knew the absolute moment that she would be ready to receive Him, to bear fruit for Him.  She now clings to the Rock Who is her redemption, serving Him through her gift for poetry and writing. A thoughtful, modern conversion story unfolds within the pages of  Night's Bright Darkness  through the beauty of poetic language written by Sally Read, a former psychiatric nurse, vehement atheist and radical feminist who is now devoutly Catholic. I'm so grateful for Sally's openness to join us for this delightful interview filled with immense depth as she speaks about the way in which God gently prepared her to receive Him. RESOURCES: Sally's poetry and books are featured here: Hermitage of the Three Holy Hierarchs Asketerion Sally's previous books Here are some additional interviews and articles about Sally Read, her conversion, and her beautiful poetry and writing. Posts about her story on Catholic Herald/UK  Former Atheist Poet Reveals Details of Her Catholic Conversion Former Atheist Psychiatric Nurse Now Calls Herself Eucharistic On Meeting Sally Read: Poet, Writer, Convert from Atheism Emotions and Beliefs God & I: Sally Read Atheists Becoming Catholics Makes Catholics Really Excited