Ave Explores

Keeping Lent Simple with Claire and Mike Couche of Finding Philothea

February 23rd, 2024  |  Season 23  |  33 mins 24 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, cfr, claire and mike couche, csfn, fr. agustino torres, fr. tim anastos, katie prejean mcgrady, lent 2024, made for heaven journal, manny gonzalez, mark hart, sr. josephine garrett, tanner kalina

Do you ever have BIG plans for Lent, only to feel overwhelmed as the weeks go on?

Claire and Mike Couche, founders of Finding Philothea, share how embracing simplicity—through carving out time for prayer, focusing on small acts of fasting, and learning generosity through acts of service—can wield greater impact than grand gestures of repentance and self-denial. When we complicate Lent, our practices can muddy the waters and make this time of prayerful rest overly stressful. When we keep Lent simple, however, we can see that it’s a time to prepare us for Heaven.

Lent isn't Just for Easter with Mark Hart

February 16th, 2024  |  Season 23  |  38 mins 41 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, cfr, claire and mike couche, csfn, fr. agustino torres, fr. tim anastos, katie prejean mcgrady, lent 2024, made for heaven journal, manny gonzalez, mark hart, sr. josephine garrett, tanner kalina

What’s the purpose of Lent? It’s a simple question, and one Mark Hart answers in a very honest and straightforward way: Lent prepares us for heaven. If we view Lent merely as a spiritual bootcamp to get ready for Easter, we will miss out on all the season has to offer. However, by approaching Lent with a broader perspective, we'll realize that these forty days can prepare us not only for the rest of our lives but also for the joys of heaven.

The Wilderness of Lent with Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR

February 14th, 2024  |  Season 23  |  29 mins 27 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, cfr, claire and mike couche, csfn, fr. agustino torres, fr. tim anastos, katie prejean mcgrady, lent 2024, made for heaven journal, manny gonzalez, mark hart, sr. josephine garrett, tanner kalina

When Ash Wednesday rolls around, many of us are ready—even excited—to start our Lenten resolution. However, as the weeks go by, our resolve can wane. What do we do when our Lenten practices become challenging to maintain?

Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR, the author of Made for Heaven, offers us a way to enter this season as he explains why he felt called to write about going into the wilderness of Lent with a willing spirit and a ready heart. If we “fight” Lent, we close ourselves off to God’s greater plan for these forty days. If we go into the desert remembering that Jesus went there first, we will see growth in our faithfulness.

Evaluating Relationships for Lent with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN

February 9th, 2024  |  Season 23  |  36 mins 57 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, cfr, claire and mike couche, csfn, fr. agustino torres, fr. tim anastos, katie prejean mcgrady, lent 2024, made for heaven journal, manny gonzalez, mark hart, sr. josephine garrett, tanner kalina

As we approach Ash Wednesday, the question on every faithful Christian's mind is, "What should I do to make this Lent an intentional time to grow closer to God?" In this episode, Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, offers a new focus to this sacred season by encouraging us to examine the very fabric of our relationships—with ourselves, with others, and most importantly, with God. She provides practical advice on how intentional fasting, heartfelt prayer, and compassionate almsgiving can be tools to strengthen our most important connections. Through this, you will learn that going into Lent “blind” won’t set you up for success, but going into Lent “examined” can lead you to a preview of Heaven.

You Deserve to Be Healed with Heather Khym

October 26th, 2022  |  Season 17  |  46 mins 11 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, bob schuchts, catholic in recovery, csfn, fr. rob galea, fr. sean kilcawley, healing, heather khym, jackie mulligan, jennifer hubbard, katie prejean mcgrady, leticia ochoa adams, regina boyd, roy petitfils. rachael killackey, sacraments, scott weeman, sr. josephine garrett

Heather Khym, author of Abide and cohost of the Abiding Together podcast, shares her story of healing and her journey to understand God's love for her. Khym explains why all of us are called to and deserve, an abundant and healed life in Christ.

Jesus Heals the Whole Person with Jackie Mulligan of Reform Wellness

October 26th, 2022  |  Season 17  |  31 mins 40 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, bob schuchts, catholic in recovery, csfn, fr. rob galea, fr. sean kilcawley, healing, heather khym, jackie mulligan, jennifer hubbard, katie prejean mcgrady, leticia ochoa adams, regina boyd, roy petitfils. rachael killackey, sacraments, scott weeman, sr. josephine garrett

Jackie Mulligan, CEO of Reform Wellness, says healing only happens when we know Jesus, rely on him, and allow him to heal us. We come to be healed through this relationship with Jesus.

Wounds Can Be a Teacher with Leticia Ochoa Adams

October 19th, 2022  |  Season 17  |  47 mins 37 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, bob schuchts, catholic in recovery, csfn, fr. rob galea, fr. sean kilcawley, healing, heather khym, jackie mulligan, jennifer hubbard, katie prejean mcgrady, leticia ochoa adams, regina boyd, roy petitfils. rachael killackey, sacraments, scott weeman, sr. josephine garrett

Leticia Ochoa Adams, author of Our Lady of Hot Messes discusses her experience with childhood trauma and her grief following her son's death by suicide. She offers practical ways to engage with struggle, learn from wounds, and help others as they travel the same road.

Creating a Sanctuary of Healing with Jennifer Hubbard

October 19th, 2022  |  Season 17  |  49 mins 18 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, bob schuchts, catholic in recovery, csfn, fr. rob galea, fr. sean kilcawley, healing, heather khym, jackie mulligan, jennifer hubbard, katie prejean mcgrady, leticia ochoa adams, regina boyd, roy petitfils. rachael killackey, sacraments, scott weeman, sr. josephine garrett

Jennifer Hubbard discusses how she found healing, peace, and new purpose after losing daughter, Catherine, in the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012.

Healing from Addiction with Scott Weeman

October 12th, 2022  |  Season 17  |  39 mins 21 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, bob schuchts, catholic in recovery, csfn, fr. rob galea, fr. sean kilcawley, healing, heather khym, jackie mulligan, jennifer hubbard, katie prejean mcgrady, leticia ochoa adams, regina boyd, roy petitfils. rachael killackey, sacraments, scott weeman, sr. josephine garrett

Scott Weeman, executive director of Catholic in Recovery, discusses how twelve-step programs and the Sacraments work together to help people heal from addiction.

Identifying as a Beloved Daughter with Rachael Killackey

October 12th, 2022  |  Season 17  |  44 mins 43 secs

ave explores, ave maria press, bob schuchts, catholic in recovery, csfn, fr. rob galea, fr. sean kilcawley, healing, heather khym, jackie mulligan, jennifer hubbard, katie prejean mcgrady, leticia ochoa adams, regina boyd, roy petitfils. rachael killackey, sacraments, scott weeman, sr. josephine garrett

Rachael Killackey, founder and executive director of Magdala Ministries, discusses pornography addiction by women. Killackey says that naming wounds and identifying the source of trauma can lead to deeper healing and awareness of your identity as a beloved daughter of God.