Episode Transcript
[00:00:02] Speaker A: Hey, everybody. Welcome to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Podcast with Father Greg and jd. Each week, Father Greg and I will connect on a variety of topics related to our faith and our parish in Winona, Ontario. We are here to help spread the good news and further unite our parish community.
This is episode nine, and we are honoring the seven holy founders and featuring another great resource to help us advance in our faith. Now, remember, you can find us on the Spotify, the Apple podcasts, still the YouTube every week, but again, like, subscribe and then we'll find you. Every week, we'll show up in your inbox. Like, not us, but a version of the show will show up in your inbox, and we're inside your inbox, and.
[00:00:44] Speaker B: You didn't even know about it.
[00:00:46] Speaker A: The Lord is everywhere, and so we'll come to you every week. So what's exciting this week, Father Greg, you just blew in from a conference.
[00:00:54] Speaker B: Yeah, I was at a really cool event today with Bishop Crosby and a ton of people from the Hamilton Catholic Board. And, yeah, really great conversations with many principals and priests about how we can continue to have that stronger parish and school connection. Very, very great. So that's. I just came straight from that. And then last rites for someone who was very consoled by that. So, yeah, there we go.
[00:01:16] Speaker A: What a great day.
[00:01:17] Speaker B: Amen.
[00:01:18] Speaker A: And the connection between the schools and the parish, I think really critical right now as we're trying to increase the word and bring people. More people closer to schools would be a great vehicle for. Help us to help us do that.
[00:01:31] Speaker B: Amen.
[00:01:32] Speaker A: All right.
Just chatting with Lucia before. Great feedback on the recent episodes.
You're a phenom here, Sir Father. Phenom, Sir Father, God bless you.
[00:01:44] Speaker B: Great team. Great team.
[00:01:44] Speaker A: And so things are continuing to move along. Keep sharing and promoting us, and we will look forward to bringing you quality content every week. We'll do our best.
[00:01:53] Speaker B: Anyway, that's all we can do.
[00:01:55] Speaker A: I have a quick question before we begin this week.
[00:01:57] Speaker B: I am so ready.
[00:01:59] Speaker A: Is Gesundheit a blessing in disguise?
[00:02:06] Speaker B: Maybe.
I don't know.
[00:02:10] Speaker A: I think it. I think it could be sort of a German version of God bless you. So it might be kind of hidden for us.
[00:02:16] Speaker B: Do you. Do you have an answer to that question?
[00:02:17] Speaker A: I do not Google that.
[00:02:20] Speaker B: That's like next week's question, actually.
[00:02:23] Speaker A: That'd be great. A great cliffhanger to bring everybody back.
[00:02:25] Speaker B: There we go. To be continued. Is it a blessing? We will find out and get back to you.
[00:02:30] Speaker A: That potentially could be a Father Greg quality joke, right?
[00:02:33] Speaker B: There.
[00:02:33] Speaker A: But after that you better start us off with a prayer.
[00:02:35] Speaker B: Sure. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. God, we give you thanks and praise for this day and how you're with us and how you're always watching over us and just we ask that you would be guiding us by your Holy Spirit during this recording and during all those who listen and watched, that they would just know your presence, your love, your care. We ask Mary, St. Joseph, St. Michael, all the saints to guide them, to guide us and to lead us into the ways you know are best for us. We lift up all the people in our minds and hearts and any burdens or struggles and we pray this in Jesus name. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[00:03:10] Speaker A: Excellent. Thank you, Father. Great tie ins to your prayer with St. Joseph.
[00:03:15] Speaker B: St.
[00:03:15] Speaker A: Started my devotion this week.
Consecration. Super excited about that. And our Saints of the week have a connection to the Immaculate Heart of Mary again. So.
[00:03:28] Speaker B: Amen. Go for it.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: Fantastic. So we will reveal our Saints of the Week. You know, each week we strive to feature a saint or several saints and share some facts about their lives. As we strive to live at our mission as Catholics, we can always look to our saints for inspiration. The seven holy founders of the Servite Order going to try these names, Bonifilius, Alexis, Manettis, Amadeus, Hugh, Sustine and Buona Junta were seven men of the town of Florence who became bound to each other in a spiritual friendship. They eventually felt called by Mary, Mother of Jesus, towards whom they practiced an intense devotion. Get this. They reported a vision shared all but separately at the same moment. And none of them was aware that the others had also experienced it. And the call was to leave the world, the better to serve Almighty God.
So they are the Servite Order, officially known as the Order of Servants of Mary. And it's one of the five original mendicant orders. So there's another big word. We're getting some great language learning out of this. I'm going to circle back to mendicant in a minute.
So that order includes several branches of friars, contemplative nuns and a congregation of religious sisters and lay groups. And their objectives. Objections? No, they may have some objections, but they have objectives. More importantly, which is the sanctification of its members, the preaching of the Gospel and the propagation of devotion to the Mother of God with special reference to her sorrows.
So the mendicant orders, they advocate a lifestyle of poverty, traveling and living in urban areas for purposes of preaching, evangelization and ministry, especially to less wealthy individuals. So it's so good to have them working to help more people come to know Jesus.
[00:05:15] Speaker B: Amen.
[00:05:16] Speaker A: And there's a prayer to them that I really love.
Dearest founders of the Servite Order, you were called and you responded. You were given direction by Our lady herself and you obeyed. From that obedience, God raised up an army of servants who have spent centuries sharing his love and mercy with the world. Pray for me that I may always obey God's will and seek to serve him alongside those whom God has placed in my life. Seven holy founders. Pray for me, Jesus, I trust in you.
[00:05:50] Speaker B: Amen.
[00:05:50] Speaker A: I love that powerful ending. Jesus, I trust.
[00:05:54] Speaker B: Are you just adding that to all the prayers you give us?
I think it was in the last one or something.
[00:05:59] Speaker A: I think so. It's a. But what a.
[00:06:00] Speaker B: What a. I love that ending. You just keep putting in all the praise.
[00:06:04] Speaker A: It's a signature. It's a signature. Now let's slide into Ask Father Greg.
Every week we ask a question that is we question, question, question, question. Excellent. Or one that has been sent in by one of our listeners. This week we are going to focus on the chosen. And so for those who don't know, it's a Christian historical drama television series about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. They've just says four seasons are released now. You're watching it here at the parish on Saturday nights at 6:15 and just starting season two. We'll give you any spoilers, but. Oh my goodness, get ready.
[00:06:47] Speaker B: Whoa, Jesus, he's special. That's the spoiler.
[00:06:50] Speaker A: Oh, golly. And they're so they're planning seasons five, six and seven. Five is about to be released. Six and seven. So they're. They're coming too. Now one of the concerns about the show is that there are the inclusion of narratives that aren't specifically in the Bible.
So how would you approach viewing the show with our parishioners in that light?
[00:07:12] Speaker B: Great question. So, yeah, I think it's a great show. In fact, I just watched an episode yesterday. Cause I missed some sometimes I can't be there Saturday nights, but most of the time I am. And just like it's powerful, it's moving, it's exciting. I really want to encourage you to try it out. But I do think it's important to note that, yeah, there are times where stuff's in there that's like, okay, that wasn't actually in the Bible. And so you know what? I've. Whenever I'm there I like to say, okay, here's what was in the Bible, here's what wasn't in the Bible. But like, let's talk about how that impacted us and how did that bring us closer to God and the stuff that's not in the Bible.
I would say most of the time it's stuff that we're not sure didn't happen. It's a possible way things happen. And even if it didn't happen, it might still be thought provoking for our prayer and invite us to a deeper relationship with Jesus. So yeah, you have to, you have to watch it. Aware that, okay, maybe not everything in there is straight up quoting the Bible, so to speak. But at the same time a lot of it is very helpful to help you enter into maybe aspects of Jesus ministry you never imagined before. You never thought about how did this play out or what would this have looked like, you know, in real life. So in our Catholic faith, we actually really esteem the use of the imagination in prayer. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, really talked about something called contemplative prayer. And his definition of that is using our imagination to picture a Bible scene and then put ourself in it. So for example, you can pick the five loaves and two fishes maybe and you imagine yourself as one of the hungry crowd and you go, man, I really hope we get some food soon, but I really don't want to leave Jesus. But then you see Jesus in your imagination talking to a little while he's talking to the apostles and then they're talking. Andrew's talking to little boy and you see that, the handoff of the five loaves. Anyways, did it really happen like that? No.
Probably your imagination is not a total photo and video of what actually happened historically. But that doesn't void the value of actually trying to use your imagination to enter into something because it helps you process things that you do know happened and enter more deeply into them. And I think that the chosen is in a certain sense very much like that, that it brings to life and helps your imagination as you process things that did happen. And you just have to be aware that, okay, some of it's not there. And if anything, if that helps you go read the Bible and motivates you to go be like what was in the Bible and what wasn't, then that's another great fruit. So, you know, like a lot of things, we have to sift what we're taking in. We have to be good guardians of our memory, our imagination. And what are we taking in and so on. But it's very powerful, very beautiful. And I would still say, even if there's some creativity there, I totally recommend watching it.
[00:10:04] Speaker A: I'm super jazzed at how it fills some gaps and as you said, how things happen and how they could have happened. Rain and I will often pause and sort of talk about, okay, did that really happen? And sort of look for the reference for the back in the Bible for exactly what that passage was about.
So just. Just fantastic. And also giving context for geography, too.
[00:10:29] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:10:29] Speaker A: You know, we may have a reading in church that in one paragraph they travel to Judea, but it was days, you know, and so it really brings it to life, many of the aspects of life at the time and really what they were going through.
[00:10:46] Speaker B: Yeah. I also just love, like, again, it's not like a total video of what happened in history, but I just love the approachability of Jesus, who he's portrayed, I think pretty well by Jonathan Roumie and like, very personable, very loving, very warm, a bit of a sense of humor, but really, like, yeah, just. I think it's a great portrayal that helps people, especially those who don't know Jesus as well, start to feel like, hey, I can relate to Jesus.
[00:11:10] Speaker A: Perfect. Perfect. And I know that they have a very strong consulting team that makes sure that they are staying true to the Bible in whatever they do. Quote. And I know it consists of a Messianic rabbi, a Catholic priest, there's a university professor of the New Testament as well. So we can have some quick, a bit of confidence that they are being true to. To the story and the narrative.
[00:11:35] Speaker B: Yeah. And we could also just say, like, no, they're not promising that it's no creativity. Right. So it's. You have to kind of know the genre you're taking in. Yeah.
[00:11:43] Speaker A: It's a drum, actually. Reminds me of another question, but we'll save that one for next week. Just about bringing together theologians from different religions and whether that happens in our community very much. But we'll kind of put a pin in that one until next week.
[00:11:58] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:12:00] Speaker A: It is time for our resource of the week.
[00:12:02] Speaker B: Resource, resource, resource.
[00:12:05] Speaker A: This week, a small devotional called Jesus Calling, which is a daily devotional for enjoying peace in his presence.
Fantastic little resource.
And they really help you come close to Jesus and feel his presence with you every morning. And there's. Each. Is just a. Each day is a short reading. It's Bible referenced as well. And. And it's Jesus directly talking to you.
[00:12:34] Speaker B: Can I look at it?
[00:12:35] Speaker A: Yes, indeed.
[00:12:37] Speaker B: Fascinating. Oh, I see what you mean. It's written from the perspective of Jesus speaking to you, and it references Scriptures. Fascinating. I can. I can guess this is not a specifically Catholic thing, but it looks. It looks very nice. It looks very fruitful.
[00:12:52] Speaker A: Yeah. So what really caught me this morning was just the beginning of today's February 18th. And it just starts with, I am with you.
[00:13:01] Speaker B: Amen.
[00:13:02] Speaker A: And just feeling the power and the comfort of those words.
[00:13:05] Speaker B: Beautiful.
[00:13:06] Speaker A: All right, so Jesus calling. And just to recall the past couple of weeks, we had our mass journal from last week and the consecration to St. Joseph.
[00:13:14] Speaker B: That's awesome.
[00:13:15] Speaker A: Already referenced as well.
[00:13:16] Speaker B: And the Christian talking points are. They're over on my shelf there.
[00:13:19] Speaker A: Christian talking points are over on the shelf. And we also had formed in our first show, and we went through the podcast from Michael Schmitz.
[00:13:29] Speaker B: Oh, yes.
[00:13:30] Speaker A: And his people at Ascension Press. So we need to put a list of those together just so for easy, handy reference for us during this time, but also for. For anyone who's wanting to look back to, you know, what else have these guys talked about?
[00:13:43] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:13:43] Speaker A: That might help us advance in our faith.
[00:13:44] Speaker B: Good idea.
[00:13:46] Speaker A: Well, looking ahead to next week, Father, we're continuing to cruise through Ordinary time, Ash Wednesday, March 5th this year. So we should continue to think and pray about how we'll devote that time to. To Jesus through prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. This coming Saturday, February 22nd, is the Feast of the Chair of Peter the Apostle. Can you tell us a little bit about that feast?
[00:14:09] Speaker B: Yeah, sure.
St. Peter is the first pope. And so every pope, we often say they're in the shoes of St. Peter. And so the feast of the chair of St. Peter just recognizes that Peter was the first pope, but also that the popes are successors. So that chair is very important. Like, Jesus actually makes reference to something similar when he says that the scribes and Pharisees says they sit on the seat of Moses, so do what they tell you, but don't do as they do. So he's appealing to a living authority that is to some degree, guided by God and is to be followed. But that chair is replaced by the chair of Peter, which is now our living authority that continues to guide the church, that is also offered the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And so we celebrate that continuity of the popes. All the early popes were martyrs, by the way, which is quite fascinating. And it's a real way of not only honoring St. Peter himself, who Jesus clearly puts in charge of the other apostles, but also his successors. And the important role they play in the life of the church throughout the century, centuries.
[00:15:19] Speaker A: Excellent. And we will get to see the chair.
[00:15:22] Speaker B: We will get to see the chair if we go to Rome, as we are going to Rome. But the question is, are you going to Rome? There's our totally shameless plug for the Rome pilgrimage. May 11 to May 23. Come and hang out with your local podcast hosts and join us.
[00:15:37] Speaker A: Beautiful.
There is so much happening in our community. Our parishioners can, of course, check the bulletin every week to see what's happening, but for everyone else out there is not speaking specifically connected to our parish. What are some of the highlights of the coming weeks?
[00:15:50] Speaker B: Great question.
Well, let's see. February 28th, youth group event for those 10 to 18 and 6, 30 to 8:30. That's going to be cool. March 1st is the Bishop's annual charity dinner. So looking forward to that, Bishop Crosby. I just saw him today. Looking forward to seeing him again and lots of other cool people from around the diocese. If you haven't heard about this, you really want to come every year to this bishop's charity dinner. It's always awesome. And there's the Rome pilgrimage, May 11, May 23. And there's probably lots of other cool stuff, but that's the quick, rapid fire. And check our bulletin for more info.
[00:16:26] Speaker A: Beautiful. And none of these things happens in isolation. And there are so many people doing great work in our parish. Who do you want to recognize this week at Immaculate Heart of Mary?
[00:16:36] Speaker B: You know what, I'll be honest with you. This is going to sound funny, and I promise I'm not going to do this all the time, but I was thinking about who am I going to choose? And there's lots of great people and I'm going to get to them, I'm sure, over time. But I think last week I chose Bishop Crosby and Bishop Laughing. Is that right?
[00:16:50] Speaker A: Yes, indeed.
[00:16:50] Speaker B: They don't actually like. Okay, they do. They actually did do great stuff this last week in our parish, but they're not usually here. And I was just thinking of a good priest friend of mine. His name is Father David Reitzel. He's one of my best priest friends in the world. And like, what good is he doing at AM I get hearted Mary? He is being a great friend to Father Greg.
[00:17:08] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:17:08] Speaker B: And that is in turn helping Father Greg be the best priest he could be.
[00:17:11] Speaker A: Wow. So I love that.
[00:17:13] Speaker B: Yeah. So shout out to Father David Wrightsl, who I'm gonna send a link to this podcast to later for just being an awesome Brother priest who supports me in so many ways.
[00:17:21] Speaker A: And I think after such a great promotion, he'll be a new regular listener. So plus one on our regular listenership.
Oh, that's beautiful, Father. Well, that is just about all the time we have for this week, everyone. Thank you for your insights, Father. Let's close with a prayer.
[00:17:37] Speaker B: Sure. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. God, we thank you so much for this pleasant and fruitful time. We just ask that you would pour out your spirit upon us, all of us who are here listening to this, watching this. Help us as the Lenten season comes soon, to really help ourselves with your grace. Help us to prepare well for that season so that we can really dive deep into our relationship with you. And bless all our listeners. We pray this in Jesus. Name that name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:18:05] Speaker A: Amen. Well, thank you for that, Father. And thank you for continuing to remind us to exercise daily by walking with the Lord.
[00:18:12] Speaker B: Amen. Amen.
[00:18:14] Speaker A: Thanks also to our fans and friends and odds and ends for joining us again this week through the Immaculate Heart of Mary social media feeds or Apple podcasts and the YouTubers, Spotify and the YouTubers of course.
[00:18:26] Speaker B: It's way cooler when you put the.
[00:18:27] Speaker A: Before anything, just throw does it does. So if you like our show, be sure to like subscribe and tell your friends. And if you don't like our show, tell your friends anyway and let them discern for themselves.
We are J.D.
[00:18:42] Speaker B: And Father Greg.
[00:18:43] Speaker A: Have a great week everyone. We are leaving you smarter, happier and more blessed than you were yesterday. Bye for.
