Fr. Edward Looney was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay June 6, 2015, and currently serves as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano, WI and Priest Celebrant of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil, WI.

• Link to Praying with the Church Through Advent
• Fr. Edward Looney Books

In this episode of the Catholic Momcast, hosts Maria Johnson, Victoria Hassan, and Stephen Driscoll welcome relationship coach Dana Nygaard to discuss navigating dating for young people. Dana shares practical advice rooted in faith, emphasizing the importance of self-worth, clear boundaries, and open communication. Together, they explore how parents can guide their children through the challenges of modern dating with grace and wisdom.

• https://clarityplease.com/
• https://www.dananygaard.com/
• https://www.christiancomfortcounseling.com/

In this episode, Maria Johnson and Allison Gingras catch up on their Advent experiences and recap some recent Advent articles by contributors.

Slow Down and Embrace the Advent Season by Tina Mayeaux

Prepare for Rest This Season: It CAN Happen by MaryBeth Eberhard

A Declaration of Hope by Kathryn Pasker Ineck

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton welcome Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, author of Born to Do This: 30 Days with Joan of Arc.

Jaymie Wolfe is a veteran editor and author, and Joan of Arc fan girl! Her latest book, Born to Do This: 30 Days with Joan of Arc, is available through Ave Maria Press.

• Link to Jaymie’s Born to Do This: 30 Days with Joan of Arc
• Pray the St Joan of Arc Novena with the Pray app

In this episode, Maria Johnson is joined by Catholic Mom contributor, Charlene Rack, for a lovely conversation with Rebecca and Stephen Grabill, authors of The Joy of Advent.

The Joy of Advent

Rebecca Grabill website

Review by Charlene Rack: The Joy of Advent

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton welcome Shannon Schmidt, co-author of Fat Luther, Slim Pickin's.

excerpt from the author profile at Ave Maria Press

Shannon Wimp Schmidt is the content director of the ecumenical youth ministry collaboration TENx10, coauthor of Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s: A Black Catholic Celebration of Faith, Tradition, and Diversity, cohost of the Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast, and a founding member of Catholics United for Black Lives.

• Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s
• Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast

Catch up on the Week 3 video with author Julianne Stanz for the Fall 2024 Book Club: Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace.

Our Book Club selection for Fall 2024 is Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace by Julianne Stanz, published by Loyola Press.

Use promo code BRAVING to receive 30% off the cover price of Braving the Thin Places when you purchase your copy direct from the publisher. Does not include shipping and handling. This coupon code expires November 20, 2024. 

Visit Julianne's website, JulianneStanz.com

Follow Julianne on X: @juliannestanz

Follow Julianne on Instagram: @juliannestanz

Join Catholic Mom team members Maria Johnson, Barb Szyszkiewicz, Allison Gingras, and Victoria Hassan for a round robin conversation about Advent traditions and practices.

• Advent sweatshirt from Catholic artist Nichole Lanthier on Etsy
• Kelly Guest article: "Prepare for Advent Prayer: Now is the time!" 
• Barb Szyszkiewicz book review, "3 Books to Buy Before Advent" 
• Advent Playlist
• Follow CatholicMomCommunity on Instagram for Snap Advent

Catch up on the Week 2 video with author Julianne Stanz for the Fall 2024 Book Club: Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace.

Our Book Club selection for Fall 2024 is Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace by Julianne Stanz, published by Loyola Press.

This week, author Julianne Stanz and our own Allison Gingras discuss the concept of a "crossing the threshold" and how that relates to our relationship with God, prayer, sharing faith with our children, four ways to combat despair, and the importance of encouraging others by calling them toward the light of Jesus.

Use promo code BRAVING to receive 30% off the cover price of Braving the Thin Places when you purchase your copy direct from the publisher. Does not include shipping and handling. This coupon code expires November 20, 2024. 

Visit Julianne's website, JulianneStanz.com

Follow Julianne on X: @juliannestanz

Follow Julianne on Instagram: @juliannestanz

Mary Clare Hallman serves as the Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life in the Diocese of Scranton, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering vibrant parish communities. With a background rooted in both pastoral ministry and organizational leadership, Mary Clare oversees a wide range of initiatives designed to support parish vitality, enhance liturgical and sacramental life, and strengthen ministries within the diocese.

excerpt from the Diocese of Scranton website:

The Catholic Church dedicates the month of October to the Holy Rosary. This year, this month takes on added significance because parishes in the Diocese of Scranton are participating in a Rosary Crusade, leading up to a large Rosary Rally that will take place on Nov. 16, 2024, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.

The Rosary Crusade, which is now underway, will look different in each parish. Some will celebrate Mass or schedule a special Holy Hour for the intention of an increase in family prayer. Others will have parishioners gather more often to recite the rosary – or ask families to sign a pledge card to recite the rosary as a family.... The Rosary Rally planned for Nov. 16 is being held to commemorate the first Rosary Rally held by Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., in the United States seventy-five years ago. That 1949 rally was held in Scranton and brought together 50,000 people. Father Peyton devoted his priestly life to spreading devotion to Mary and encouraging family prayer, especially the rosary. He used radio, television, and film, and 540 Rosary Rallies worldwide to accomplish his mission.

• Diocese of Scranton Rosary Rally
• Diocese to Host Rosary Rally on 75th Anniversary 
• Fr. Patrick Peyton
• Letter from the Bishop

Maria Johnson welcomes contributor Sherry Hayes-Peirce for an enlightening conversation about the Camino of Santiago and the power of pilgrimage.

Catholic Mom contributor Sherry Hayes-Peirce shares her experience of walking the Way of St. James, also known as the Camino of Santiago de Compostela, a 9th century walking pilgrimage to the city of Compostela where the remains St. James, son of Zebedee, are believed to be. Many routes leading to Compostela exist, originating in France, Portugal, or within Spain.

Sherry Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic social media strategist, blogger, conference speaker, podcast guest and contributing author of the Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers. She serves as Digital Engagement Coordinator for American Martyrs Catholic Community in Manhattan Beach, CA. Sherry has a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is grateful to be a digital disciple of Christ.

Read all articles by Sherry Hayes-Peirce.

• Walk In A Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino by Joyce Rupp
• The Way, My Way: A Camino Memoir by Bill Bennett
• Movie: "The Way" starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez
• Instagram: church_social_tips
• Facebook: Sherry Sheridan Hayes-Peirce