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Did Advent 2020 pass you by? After a year of heartbreaks and challenges, you might be tempted to rush the Christmas holiday that's only days away. But the final moments of Advent still offer many opportunities to slow down and to prepare for the Lord's birth in our hearts. Faithful from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia share with producer Gina Christian some of their insights for making the most of the time at hand.

As Hunger Action Month concludes, producer Gina Christian shares the voices of those who have depended on (or worked at) the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's pantries and food distribution sites, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although September is a time to refocus on hunger, for too many, food insecurity is a year-round reality, and one we are all called to change.

Starting a new school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic requires detailed planning, a willingness to be flexible, and a determination to move students' education forward while keeping them safe. Producer Gina Christian speaks with I.H.M. Sister Maureen Lawrence McDermott, superintendent for secondary schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, to discuss how this academic year will look in the classrooms of the 17 archdiocesan high schools and four schools of special education.

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. Father Liam Murphy, Father Stephen Thorne, and I.H.M. Sister Kathleen Schipani discuss the spiritual lessons they've learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a deeper awareness of what it means to be the church when you can't physically be in church. They also share their favorite saints, and what they've been watching on Netflix these days. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. Tucker Brown, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, shares how God called him from the medical field to the priesthood, and from healing bodies to healing souls destined for eternal life. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. In the second of a two-part interview, Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Pérez shares his thoughts on "setting a welcoming table" at church, "not staying too long inside yourself" and choosing hope over fear, both during a pandemic and always. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. The first episode features a two-part interview with Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Pérez, who shares his insights on faith amid the pandemic, his return to Philadelphia and his love of pizza and Star Trek. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)

The coronavirus pandemic has moved Catholic Masses online, but should parishes try to set up last-minute livestreamed liturgies for Holy Week? Digital theologian Father Thomas Dailey and media consultant Dan Kearns share with Inside CatholicPhilly.com why Mass through a cell phone may not be the best option, and how parishes can develop a long-term approach to livestreaming.

The coronavirus pandemic has led thousands of families to seek help from Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Demand at some CSS food pantries is up by 100%, but donations are down due to grocery shortages and strict stay-at-home orders in the Philadelphia area. Sarah Hanley, president and CEO of the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how her team has created an emergency fund to enable CSS frontline workers to help those in critical need.

During the journey through Lent, we read in the Scriptures how Christ is transfigured before Peter, James, and John prior to his crucifixion. Henry Graebe, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how Christ's transfiguration prepares us for his Passion, giving us hope that new life transcends suffering and death.

Lent starts off with a call to confront temptation, as Christ enters the desert to be tested by the devil. Eric Tamney, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, shares how focusing on our intimate relationship with God can help us face anything that would seek to draw us away from his love.

A 17th-century bishop might not seem like the best source of advice on how to celebrate Valentine's Day, but St. Francis De Sales -- nicknamed "the gentleman saint" -- knew what true love was, and he wants to let you in on it as well. Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how St. Francis De Sales' love for Christ, along with devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, can help us to transcend the world's narrow definition of "love" and discover real joy.

Religion and politics can be volatile topics in themselves -- and when combined, the results can be explosive. Father Thomas Dailey shares how it's possible to live out the Catholic faith in both the spiritual and political contexts, and how you can "stand for what you believe without running over other people."

What does charitable giving look like in the digital age -- and in a Catholic Church wounded by scandal and secularization? Sarah Hanley, president and CEO of the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, shares how she and her team work to steward their clients' gifts with diligence and transparency, while encouraging donors to give from the heart to the ministries and causes that inspire them the most.

Holiness can seem out of reach for those living in the ordinary realm of home, office, shopping mall and traffic jams. But in this episode of Inside CatholicPhilly.com, Father Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S. shows how the cloistered Visitation Sisters (who live on one of the busiest roads in Philadelphia) embody a spirituality ultimately intended for, and ideally suited to, people living “in the world.” As part of a jubilee year, these women religious are welcoming visitors to experience the peace inside their monastery walls -- and to bring that serenity back to a world that needs it more than ever.

Are adjectives unholy, or just unhelpful? Father Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S. shares how Pope Francis recently asked the faithful to delete the descriptive terms (such as "authentically Christian"), which can actually intensify the divisions in our polarized culture. Instead, says the pope, simple language better communicates the reality of life in Christ. More than a grammar lesson, the pope's insights show that our words have power to open others' hearts to the love of God.

When your early life is marked by trauma and at-risk behavior, how do you reshape your future? Duane Price, a recent graduate of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's De La Salle Vocational School, shares with producer Gina Christian how he learned to "own his voice" and choose to believe in himself -- so that he can help others do the same.

Is there such a thing as "Catholic sportsmanship"? Or are Catholics just as rough and tumble during gametime as any other athletes and fans? Veteran sports reporter John Knebels shares with Inside Catholic Philly.com how Catholic faith and identity is still at the heart of Catholic League sports in Philadelphia -- and where that spirit could use some extra practice.

Philadelphia's Catholic League football teams are back on the gridiron, and veteran sports journalist John Knebels shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com what to expect this season, and which players and teams are destined for victory.

Even in the worst of times -- such as the clerical abuse crisis -- Catholics can still discern the voice of their true Shepherd. Meghan Cokeley of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia shares with producer Gina Christian how the "sensus fidei" (the sense of faith) can guide laity who are living out their baptismal vows. Although church leaders can and do fail, Christ never abandons the flock for which he gave his very life.