So, spend 10 minutes with me today and discover:

• The unexpected joy hidden in the small and slow aspects of Christmas.
• My honest reflections on grappling with the desire for immediate, grand transformations.
• A prayerful invitation to trust in the slow and small salvation of God.

Prayer of Teilhard de Chardin
Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—
and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you; your ideas mature gradually—let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste. Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ (Excerpted from Hearts on Fire.)

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

“Your inadequacies to the task at hand that you want to accomplish are nothing in the hands of a God who is infinitely powerful. All He has is messed up, sinful, insufficient people for the task that he wants to accomplish, and He laughs at us. All He asks is us to give Him a little bit of room and a small yes, and then get out of His way. Because here's the thing. I am neither the most talented, the smartest, certainly not the best looking of any of the people that I know, even in my local community. I'm not the best evangelist. I'm not the best theologian. I'm not the best writer or speaker. I'm not the best person to have a conversation with. I'm not the best listener. I'm not best at any of those things. And yet, God can still do big things through me and you because God is bigger than I am and bigger than you.”

In today’s episode:

• Delve into the crucial role of a foundational, daily prayer life for deepening your spiritual journey.
• Explore how parishes serve as hubs for equipping individuals to share their faith effectively.
• Be inspired by the current positive transformations within the Church, despite the challenges.

Tune in and be empowered to share your faith boldly and authentically.

More resources from our guest:

• The Contagious Catholic: The Art of Practical Evangelization by Marcel LeJeune
• Catholic Missionary Disciples
• Discerning Hearts

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

In today’s episode, I delve into the distinction between true evangelization and proselytism, drawing insights from Pope Francis. Together, we'll explore the BLESS method – a practical acronym designed to help us engage with others in a way that feels authentic. And here's a reassuring reminder: none of this is about success. Our Heavenly Father loves you just for trying, just for joining your heart to His, which longs for the return of the lost sheep.

Here's what you'll take away:

• The Distinction Between Evangelization and Proselytism: Understand the difference between true evangelization, driven by love and witness, and proselytism, characterized by manipulation and self-gain.
• The BLESS Method: Discover a practical approach to engage with others naturally through prayer, active listening, shared meals, serving, and sharing your faith.
• The Joy of Trying: Learn how being present in people's lives, actively listening, and serving their needs create opportunities for genuine and meaningful connections, setting the stage for sharing your faith.

For more on this topic, check out:

• Pope Francis on Proselytism
• BLESS Resource

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

In this episode, you will:

• Dive into the unexpected life situations that drive individuals to seek assistance and support from generous communities.
• Embrace the powerful connection between gratitude, faith, and the fulfilling sense of vocation in those dedicated to serving the less fortunate.
• Explore the impact of storytelling, showcasing the positive changes donors bring to people's lives through their heartfelt contributions.
• Learn to break down societal barriers and challenge preconceptions about homelessness by fostering genuine face-to-face connections with those in need.
• Discover the transformative potential of involving children and teenagers in service opportunities, sowing the seeds of compassion and empathy.

Join this podcast for a journey of faith, compassion, and the transformative power of service. As today’s guest Cindy says, “You don't have to go somewhere to be on a mission trip. You can do it right here in Omaha, right here with your St. Vincent de Paul, right here with your Catholic Church.”

• St. Vincent de Paul
• St. Peter Catholic Church
• StoryTel.org

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Today’s guest, Jim Beckman, breaks open the art of prayer. According to Jim, prayer is meant to be a real heart-to-heart with God, an open and honest exchange. As he puts it, “You can't deceive Him. You can't trick Him. You can't hide anything from Him. So why not just give up on that right away and just be who you are.”

Here's a sneak peek of what’s waiting for you in this episode:

• Embrace Spiritual Growth through Prayer: Prioritize honesty and consistency in your prayer life. These are the secret sauce for personal and spiritual development.
• Navigate Modern Culture for Authentic Prayer: Dial down the noise and distractions in your daily life. Create intentional spaces for prayer that are genuine and truly meaningful.
• Establish Your Daily Prayer Routine: Begin by dedicating a solid 15-20 minutes each day in prayer. Build a consistent habit that deepens your connection with the divine.
• Use Prayer for Healing and Challenges: Understand the transformative power of prayer. Address personal challenges and facilitate healing, especially for those in ministry leadership roles.

If you’d like to take your prayer life up a notch, check out these addition resources:

• Time for God by Jacques Philippe
• God, Help Me: How to Grow in Prayer by Jim Beckman
• Impact Center

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Now, let’s be real, most of us aren’t born experts at this stuff. That’s why I’m thrilled to bring you an episode featuring someone who truly gets it: Michael Hall. He’s the brains behind the book “Intentional Accompaniment” and serves as the Interim Director of Program Support for Catholic Christian Outreach in Canada (kind of like FOCUS in the US).
Michael walks us through practical tools and techniques for evangelizing in our everyday lives, whether it’s within our parish community or our own families. And the best part? He breaks it down in a way that feels totally doable.

Join us to:

• Discover how nurturing your relationship with God can naturally lead to authentic faith-sharing.
• Learn why taking small, intentional steps is the secret sauce to success.
• Find out how having a mentor to guide you along the way can make all the difference.

If you’ve ever felt hesitant about evangelizing or wondered where to even begin, this episode is tailor-made for you!

Also, check out Michael's book or see more resources from Catholic Christian Outreach.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

While we should celebrate a major victory in the fight against abortion, the work has really just begun. If we want to end abortion, not just make it illegal, then we have to change minds and hearts. Today's guest, Katherine Burow, tells us "A lot of people are pro-choice because they've never heard a compelling secular argument."

Katherines work as the Executive Director of the Abortion Dialogue Academy is to end abortion by changing the culture. They spend much of their time on Nebraska college campuses changing hearts on the topic of abortion through the use of a 7 minute argument.

She shares some of her wisdom with us today.

Want to hear more from Katherine? Check out her podcast Pro-Life in 7 Minutes.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Today, I talk to Dcn. Omar Gutierrez about Catholic Social Teaching and the lay person’s role to live ordinary mercy. He tells us, “All teachings of the Church [on this subject] start and end in the same spot: Jesus. Know him so that you can love him and so that you can be with him now and forever.”

The daily care for those in need starts with caring for those whom the Lord puts in our pathway.

But what does this look like practically, and how do we get started?

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)