Ave Explores
Everyday Faith for Everyday Catholics
Displaying all 8 Episode of Ave Explores with the tag “wilderness within”.
-
Palm Sunday: Holy Week is a Dramatic Pause with Fr. John Nepil
April 11th, 2025 | Season 28 | 43 mins 23 secs
ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. john nepil, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within
Join Fr. John Nepil, vice rector at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, as he explores the power of authenticity in faith and formation. He shares why “being normal” is essential—not only for preparing men for the priesthood but for all Catholics seeking to live and share their faith meaningfully. Fr. John also reflects on the significance of Holy Week, especially the Triduum liturgies, as a time to recognize God’s work in our lives throughout Lent. He challenges us to embrace the “dramatic pause” of these sacred days and enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.
-
Renewing Your Relationship with Jesus each Lent with Courtney Roach
April 3rd, 2025 | Season 28 | 49 mins 50 secs
ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. john nepil, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within
Courtney Roach, digital marketing manager for FOCUS and host of The Daily Nothings podcast, reflects on her journey to Catholicism and how her conversion ten years ago deepened her love for Jesus. She shares how Lent offers a renewed opportunity to grow in intimacy with the Lord. In this episode, Courtney discusses the power of authentic relationships, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who live their faith, and why turning to Christ before turning to your phone is key to true fulfillment—especially as a young adult.
-
4th Sunday of Lent: Finding Healing in Lent by Embracing God’s Love with Brya Hanan
March 28th, 2025 | Season 28 | 43 mins 4 secs
ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. john nepil, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within
The wounds we carry can leave us feeling fractured, but God’s love has the power to restore and heal. In this episode, Brya Hanan—author and licensed marriage and family therapist—shares how Lent invites us to pause, reflect, and tend to the weeds in the garden of our hearts. Discover how embracing vulnerability before the Lord can open the door to his abundant and limitless love.
-
3rd Sunday of Lent: Lent is Meant for Mercy with Fr. Josh Johnson
March 21st, 2025 | Season 28 | 42 mins 23 secs
ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. john nepil, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within
At this middle point of the Lenten journey, Fr. Josh Johnson sits down with Katie to discuss the value of making a good confession in Lent, spending time praying about conversion and brokenness, and what it's like to hear confessions as a priest, in the confessional.
-
2nd Sunday of Lent: Lent Demands Vulnerability with Oscar Rivera
March 14th, 2025 | Season 28 | 50 mins 38 secs
ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. john nepil, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within
During Lent, when life feels busy, noisy, and overwhelming, making room for the Lord is more important than ever. In this episode of Ave Explores: Lent with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, Oscar Rivera, host of Ave Spotlight, explores how Lent challenges us to embrace vulnerability and authenticity—not just with God, but with others. When we resist the temptation to close ourselves off and instead open our hearts, we create space for real spiritual growth. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how Lent serves as a training ground for deeper faith and genuine connection.
-
1st Sunday of Lent: Jesus's Heart is Safe with Mari Pablo
March 7th, 2025 | Season 28 | 39 mins 32 secs
ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. john nepil, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within
Being rooted in love is key to thriving in life and experiencing a fruitful Lent. In this episode of Ave Explores: Lent with Sr. Josephine Garett, CSFN, Mari Pablo shares how trusting in Jesus’s love and mercy—and seeking refuge in his Sacred Heart—has guided her through life’s challenges and the depths of her own heart. During Lent, as we intentionally pray, fast, and give, Christ offers us comfort, rest, and transformation.
-
Ash Wednesday: Don't Fear the Wilderness with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN
March 5th, 2025 | Season 28 | 41 mins 40 secs
ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. john nepil, fr. josh johnson, june jameson, katie mcgrady, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, sr. josephine garrett, wilderness within
In this powerful episode, Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, author of Wilderness Within, invites us to see Lent as more than a checklist of holy practices. Instead, it’s a season to step into the wilderness of our hearts, where God is ready to work, heal, and lead us to deeper hope in him. Discover how reevaluating relationships, paying attention to God’s movement in our lives, and embracing the unknown can transform your Lenten journey. Don’t fear the wilderness—enter it with faith.
-
Lent Teaser: Finding Fulfillment: Comedian Shayne Smith’s Journey to Catholicism Through Lent
February 26th, 2025 | Season 28 | 51 mins 34 secs
ave explores, ave maria press, brya hanan, courtney roach, csfn, fr. john nepil, fr. josh johnson, lent with sr. josephine garrett, mari pablo, oscar rivera, shayne smith, wilderness within
Comedian Shayne Smith had everything he thought would make him happy—success, wealth, and recognition—but still felt deeply unfulfilled. His search for meaning led him to a church, where he encountered Christ and Our Lady for the first time and embraced Catholicism. In this episode of Ave Explores, Shayne shares how his first Lent, spent journeying through RCIA with a group of women in Brooklyn, became a crash course in what it truly means to live the faith. Through the sacrifices and lessons of the Lenten season, he discovered that Catholicism isn’t always easy—but it’s always worth it.