Sometimes the circumstances of life can be so challenging that it demands more from one friend than the other. After some time, this can make a friendship feel unbalanced. It can feel like the other is always taking from us and we’re always the ones left depleted. When we are the one in need of help, it’s ok to lean more on our friends, but there is a limit. We have to remember that the only one we can turn to that can handle all of us, all the time, without running out of anything Is God. Anoth...
Nov 16, 2021•21 min•Ep. 61
Please Note: There was a technical glitch in the sound of one of the Microphones. Apologies for the lower quality audio . Fr Peter Thompson - Rector at Vianney College, shares his life journey with us, his younger years, becoming a Vincentian father and his experience of becoming a formator and then a Seminary Rector. He also shares his experience of working with the young men, and the excitement for a new challenge ahead as he prepares to leave Vianney College. Behind the scenes, our hosts shar...
Nov 09, 2021•31 min•Ep. 58
Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Shout outs to Andrew Flores, Dr Peter McGregor and Sr Isobel This is the final episode of the beatitude series. The 8th beatitude is a reminder that the cross is the only way to heaven, and in our current climate, standing for our convictions is a challenge especially when the one we love is not the one the world tends to love. The world can't see past death and wants to avoid it at all cost, where as a Christ...
Nov 02, 2021•29 min•Ep. 60
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called Children of God. A common misunderstanding is that peacemakers are war and conflict averse. When in reality, peacemakers are rooted in true Justice, modelled on the Prince of Peace. Our hosts talk about the difference between Pax Romana and Pax Christi, and the way in which peacemaker and justice is linked to our identity. The episode makes a clarification of the type of drama we ought to avoid, and the drama we need to embrace, and the story ...
Oct 26, 2021•26 min•Ep. 59
*DISCLAIMER: Note this episode includes a conversation on sexual impurity, please check for appropriateness before allowing younger listeners to listen to this particular episode. There was a also a technical problem, the second half of the episode has been recorded on a separate day. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God. This episode talks about the cultural hyper-focus on sex in the world, as well as the hyper-focus on 'what not to do with our bodies' in Christian circles as op...
Oct 19, 2021•36 min•Ep. 57
Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Our hosts begin by discussing that we are broken beings in need of God's healing mercy. We have a fallen human nature and don't yet look like the perfect human, Jesus Christ. What did Jesus die for? 'My sins formed part of that terrible chalice' - Pope Benedict 16th The episode also covers the Corporal and Spiritual works of mercy which ought to be done with intention not as a tick-a-box, just as Jesus was moved at the death of Lazarus and he...
Oct 12, 2021•20 min•Ep. 56
In this week's episode, Padre and Stina sit down with Virtue Ministry's Writer & Graphic Designer, Emily Shaw to talk about motherhood, and one of the greatest lessons she's learned in her faith journey; to let go of control, and let God steer. Subscribe or Follow the Podcast and help up share our mission. Join our Community on Patreon for Exclusive Content, behind the scenes, merch and MORE, and watch our guest interviews on our YouTube Channel. Follow us on Social Media: Instagram AND Face...
Oct 05, 2021•57 min•Ep. 55
In this episode Padre and Stina unpack the 4th Beatitude and what it means to hunger and thirst for justice. Have you ever wondered where Gratitude fits into all of thus? Our hosts cover that in this episode, and the link between this beatitude and the 3rd commandment to 'Keep holy the sabbath'. Shout out to Mrs Anna Krohn T.B.G Padre - Byrnes and Mahoni Family Stina - Visit Family Subscribe or Follow the Podcast and help up share our mission. Join our Community on Patreon for Exclusive Content,...
Sep 28, 2021•21 min•Ep. 54
In this episode, our hosts continue the series on the Beatitudes - Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth - The episode outlines what it actually means to be meek, and how meekness takes true strength, and the link to the 4th Commandment - Honour thy Father and Mother. Shout out to Fr Connell Perry on his ordination to the priesthood T.B.G Padre - Fr Perry's Thanksgiving mass Stina - Open churches with some COVID restrictions having lifted Subscribe or Follow the Podcast and help...
Sep 21, 2021•17 min•Ep. 53
Continuing the series on the Beatitudes this episode looks at what it means to mourn with others. Our hosts point out that there is no virtue in crying, in and of itself, but that some people have been gifted the ability to feel compassion very deeply. We need to open our hearts to another, and to accompany others on their journey, and it's through this opening and meeting another with compassion that we are able to mourn with another. At the same time, we must not remain in misery, we must also...
Sep 14, 2021•26 min•Ep. 52
It has been almost a year of podcasting, and over 50 episodes released and 5years since the Launch of Virtue Ministry, all on the 8th September. In celebration we have a FUN BONUS episode this week where Padre and Stina spent some time being quizzed by Emily Shaw (from the Virtue Ministry team) about how well they know each other followed by some of their own handpicked questions for the other. Which of the two do you think did better? Have a look and find out. To find Behind-the-Scenes for this...
Sep 08, 2021•39 min•Ep. 51
In this episode Padre and Stina sit down with a local Deacon for the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, Rev. Connell Perry to talk about what it means to be a Deacon and his faith journey. Connell shares about his family, moving to Wagga and when he felt called to go to the Seminary. He shares about his experience at Vianney College and about his desire to serve families and young people in his ministry. Connell also shares about his upcoming Ordination to Priesthood on 11th September 2021, what he'll be d...
Sep 07, 2021•45 min•Ep. 50
Patreon Shout out - Matthew Tan, Grace Taylor, Melissa Murray, and Morgan Tame. Thank you for joining our community and financially backing our mission. If you would like to help us too, please visit our Patreon Page. https://www.patreon.com/LivingFullness Our hosts begin the Series on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12. The word 'beatitude' comes from the word 'blessedness' and is a pathway that Christ demonstrates how we live out our lives of joy and abundance not only in Heaven but also h...
Aug 31, 2021•26 min•Ep. 49
Stina and Padre have a chat about Stina's deportation update as well as some exciting news for Padre. Stina shares about her experience and relationship with God during this trial. Padre and Stina talk about different aspects that may come out of trial, including; loneliness Vs solitude: Self-reliance, Pelagianism Vs dependency upon God and leaning on neighbour; and the new form that friendships can take during this time. Father shares a joke that most priests are all too familiar with. Padre an...
Aug 24, 2021•28 min•Ep. 48
In this week's episode Padre and Stina have a chat about Mercy, it's roots, and what kind of Mercy God calls us to. Padre also explains the meaning behind Jesus' response to being offered 'wine mixed with gall'. Our hosts have a look at the ways we can live out this mercy towards our neighbour through the corporal and spiritual works of Mercy. T.B.G Padre - Class prep on Jesus' mediation Stina - Female Friends who reached out - Marie-Claire, Melissa, Lydia and Morgan Join our Patreon Page for ex...
Aug 17, 2021•21 min•Ep. 47
In this episode, the hosts talk about the Non-negotiables in a relationship -power and abuse, that we ought to walk away from when they come to light baring in mind the person exhibiting these behaviours are not yet ready to be in a relationship and need further healing. Then they speak about Core Values and the complementarity necessary in a relationship as opposed to compromising your core values. And asking the most important question: Are we thriving? and in the Christian context, are we tog...
Aug 10, 2021•27 min•Ep. 46
NEW: Patreon Page - Join our mission, and help us reach more people, and gain benefits including bloopers, behind the scenes, merch and mentoring. Click on the link: https://www.patreon.com/LivingFullness In this episode Padre and Stina have a look at the difference between guilt and shame and Stina shares why she feels very uncomfortable about a popular notion at present. They also take a look back at the Garden of Eden where it all began, and how we can now heal, as well as some practical cons...
Aug 03, 2021•23 min•Ep. 45
This week our hosts interviewed a local young ma, David Kennedy, who has been involved in local Youth Ministry from some time. He's currently working as a teacher whilst finishing his TAS and Religion teaching studies. David shares with us about his faith journey, and what he feels is vital for living life to the full - faith & live it with the people that we love. We explore a bit about how to surround yourself with people who help you strive and live life better, what true friendship looks...
Jul 27, 2021•44 min•Ep. 44
In this episode our hosts unpack healthy ways to dialogue about differences and friction in friendship, and arguing in a charitable way especially when an ugly fight might otherwise break out. Padre and Stina share a humorous, early argument they had in their friendship with a clash of prides, and the lesson they both learned through it. Some tips include; decide what is most important to us and recognize that what ever we decide will have consequences. I.e. If we choose to be right and to win, ...
Jul 19, 2021•26 min•Ep. 43
In this episode Padre and Stina answer one of the listener's questions starting with outlining what the gifts of the holy spirit are, and how they differ from charisms. Followed by tackling the question 'Why is it, that the gift of tongues, in Catholic circles, is viewed with an element of disdain?' Shout out to Padre's old teacher - Fr. Luke Joseph T.B.G Padre - 49th Wedding Anniversary of Mr and Mrs Byrnes Stina - House sitting - silence
Jul 13, 2021•15 min•Ep. 42
Padre opens up about a question he saw online regarding pastors and their friendships. Padre and Stina open up a conversation about what it means to have a friendship and what it means to have a pastoral relationship and whether they can ever co-exist. Lay people have a wonderful opportunity to engage their pastor/priest in deeper pastoral relationship, but it's not the lay person's role to dictate what kinds of friendships they should have. It's a lay persons role to support and respect their p...
Jul 06, 2021•18 min•Ep. 41
Each month we interview a guest - and this month Grace Ukich, a friend of Stina's and prayer coordinator for the Virtue Ministry team, joins the podcast. Grace shares with us a bit about herself, what drew her to medicine, whether she was always a Christian, what brought her closer to Christ and her role within the Virtue Ministry team. Our hosts then dive deep into a conversation on Prayer; How grace prays, what is the divine office and what is prayerful accompaniment. She also shares some advi...
Jun 29, 2021•43 min•Ep. 37
In this week's episode of Living Fullness, Padre and Stina, talk about The Virtue Challenge created by Sarah Swafford from Emotional Virtue Ministries also found in her Book, Emotional Virtue - a guide to drama free relationships. Virtue is governed by Love, For Love, and orders our thoughts, desires, and behaviours towards that which is true, good, and beautiful - towards love. It ultimately frees you to become who you were truly made to be. Both our hosts share their personal experience with t...
Jun 22, 2021•25 min•Ep. 40
How far is too far? is a question, as a Priest, many couples ask Padre. In this episode our hosts suggest that question comes from a problematic place and instead ask a question like 'what does affection in a healthy, God oriented relationship look like?'. Modern civilisation seems to equate intimacy with the breaking of boundaries as opposed to setting and respecting of them. When in reality, intimacy is more than the physical, it is also emotional, psychological and spiritual. When we enter in...
Jun 15, 2021•20 min•Ep. 39
In this episode Padre and Stina talk about Spiritual Direction, Mentorship and Counsel and help the listener determine if they should seek someone, and what to look for, as well as what to do if someone asks you to be their Spiritual Mentor. A Spiritual Director and Mentor should not be someone who interprets the Voice of God in your life, but instead be someone who helps you hear the voice of God in your own life. Seeking spiritual counsel is different to seeking therapeutic counselling, and th...
Jun 08, 2021•23 min•Ep. 38
In this week's episode of Living Fullness, our hosts sit down with the current Bishop of Wagga Wagga, Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, to get to know him a bit better and about his faith journey. Here are some of the questions that were covered What does a day in the life of a Bishop look like? How does a bishop do to unwind? What was your upbringing and your faith journey? - Shout out to Mazenod College - Victoria https://www.mazenod.vic.edu.au/ and Oblates of Mary Immaculate https://omi.com.au/ Some w...
Jun 01, 2021•41 min•Ep. 36
Our hosts explore the 4 temperaments in this week's episode of Living Fullness; Sanguine - Life of the Party Choleric - Natural born leaders Melancholic - Detail focused Phlegmatic - Peacekeepers The conversation unpacks their natural strengths, tendencies of weakness, spiritual suggestions and a couple of well known examples of people with these temperaments. Learning to identify our friend's temperaments can be both a fun and useful piece of information in order to love them better. Stina offe...
May 25, 2021•28 min•Ep. 35
In this episode of Living Fullness, our hosts take a closer look at Self-Knowledge, what it is, and how it serves various relationships including that of friendships, romantic relationships, family and even co-workers. How can we grow in self knowledge and what is it's true purpose? T.B.G Stina - Baptism reflection on the Presentation in the Temple Padre - Study on Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul 2nd) and Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict 16th)
May 18, 2021•25 min•Ep. 34
This episode of Living Fullness is a little unusual as Padre sits down with Stina to talk about the elephant in the room, the undefined turbulence she has mentioned on several occasions before. After 20years of being in Australia, Stina is facing deportation due to a clerical error not of her own doing, and the outcome of the situation is entirely out of her control. Listen to the episode to find out how they're both coping with this news as they explore how to manage crises in life and where fr...
May 11, 2021•27 min•Ep. 33
On this week's episode, we welcome a young country doctor in the making, who is also one of the writers at Virtue Ministry, Elise Drum. Padre and Stina talk to Elise about what it was like to move from a country town into the big city, adjusting to a new life style and to making new friends. AND THEN to readjusting back to a country town life when the people around her have essentially moved on in life. Elise may be young in age, but her wisdom is beyond her years. Her consistent deep thoughts a...
May 04, 2021•34 min•Ep. 32
