Today we're joined by special guest, Hannah Crane. Hannah is one of Mother Natalia's spiritual daughters. Hannah talks with honesty about the reality of living a holy marriage and what it's like to raise children. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support the show...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Today's episode was recorded at SEEK23. This week we're joined by special guest, Cameron Fradd, from the Among the Lilies podcast. Fr. Michael and Cameron discuss how Cameron continues to learn what it means to be “child-like” through the raising of her children, as well as sharing some heart-wrenchingly beautiful stories of God’s goodness in the midst of fear and suffering. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitt...
Feb 15, 2023•49 min
On today's episode Mother Natalia takes a listener question on Ecumenism. We talk about some practicalities around ecumenism and the good desire for unity with others outside the Catholic faith. Mother Natalia also talks about the need for compassion as we interact with others, not just with those who are visibly suffering, but also with those whose pain and struggle are hidden. References: Christ the Eternal Tao by Hieromonk Damascene Mother Natalia and Father Michael Out and About: Part two of...
Feb 08, 2023•59 min
In today's episode Mother Natalia walks through two questions she's been reflecting on and challenges us to think about these same questions. At the very end she gives us homework - a third question to consider! References: John 1:34 John 4:1-42 (the woman at the well) John 4: 39-42 Matt 3:17 John 5:6 Mother Natalia and Father Michael Out and About Mother Natalia was recently on the Being Human podcast . She recorded two episodes with Dr. Greg, and the first episode dropped yesterday. Be sure to...
Feb 01, 2023•54 min
This week we’re back with another episode recorded at SEEK23! This week Fr. Michael is joined by special guests Joseph and Cesca O’Loughlin. They talk about truth and beauty found in the church and Jesus, and how it is our job to show that truth and beauty to those seeking Jesus. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support the show...
Jan 25, 2023•1 hr 6 min
This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Travis Crotty. Fr. Travis was recently named vocational director for the Diocese of Sioux City, as well as the chaplain of Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City. Fr. Travis joined Fr. Michael at SEEK23 to talk about vocations and how to handle a "no" in the discernment process. It's a short episode this week! References Spiritual Friendship with Fr. Travis Outcast Catholic College Friendships with Shaylee O' Follow and Contact Us! Follow us...
Jan 18, 2023•34 min
This week Mother Natalia talks about neediness and how it's necessary to be needy in our relationship with God. Mother Natalia talks about areas we can be needy, imitating children in their neediness, and how our need for fulfillment is ultimately fulfilled in heaven. References Matt 25 with James Parisi Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our W...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 3 min
This week Fr. Michael talks about miracles, and the daily miracles that happen in our lives. He talks about the ways in which we should seek out miracles, how we can ask for them, and then how to surrender even as we’re asking for a miracle. He talks about St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and how we can ask for miracles through his name. References: Darr Mine Disaster The Trisagion Prayers (starts at the usual beginning prayers) Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on Yo...
Jan 04, 2023•1 hr 8 min
This week we're joined by special guest, James Parisi. James is a seminarian in the diocese of Cleveland. He offers a personal reflection he's had on Matthew 25, which includes how do we see and love Jesus in the people next to us. References: Matt 25: 31-46 Father Michael and Mother Natalia Out and About Mother Natalia wrote a poem reflecting on love Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom...
Dec 28, 2022•1 hr 18 min
This week we're joined by special guest Shaylee O'Loughlin, Fr. Michael's niece! Shaylee talks about her experience as a new college student, the importance of making friends and getting a bit outside of your comfort zone, her love of music, and the importance of music within the liturgy. References: Childlikeness - Episode from Catholic Stuff Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monaste...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 4 min
This week we're joined by special guest Sister Onuphria, then Olivia. She talks about one of her favorite topics, naked saints! More specifically she talks about how their nakedness can remind us of the interior stripping we should do with God, to give him everything and allow him to guide us and care for us. References Servant of God Michelle Duppong My Elder Joseph the Hesychast by Elder Ephraim Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Gr...
Dec 14, 2022•59 min
This week Mother Natalia talks about surrender and surrendering to God's will. She talks about the need for direct surrender instead of passive surrender, and the reality of how hard it is to surrender to His will. References Arise O God: The Gospel of Christ's Defeat of Demons, Sin, and Death by Fr. Andrew Damick He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek Sweet Surrender by John Denver Man of God (IMDB Link) Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodread...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 5 min
This week Father Michael reflects on the call from Isaiah to expand the tent, which is reflected in the Church's Synod on Synodality. We talk about how it is important to be in relationship with people, even those who are not in communion with the church. Father Michael talks about the practice of use of the narthex and how we could incorporate that back into our regular practice. References: Isaiah 54:2 Cause for Joy Podcast The Case for Excommunication Today by Dr. Jeff Mirus Follow and Contac...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr
We're so excited to have been invited by FOCUS to record an episode ahead of SEEK23! On today's episode, Mother Natalia walks through St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter, Orientale Lumen, The Light of the East. This apostolic letter is responsible for the foundation of Christ the Bridegroom monastery, Mother Natalia’s community, so it’s near and dear to her heart. We talk about the beauty and diversity of the Eastern churches, the ultimate end-goal of unity in the churches, and the differences i...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 4 min
We're back with part 2 of the eight evil thoughts. This week Mother Natalia covers anger, dejection/sloth, listlessness/acedia, vainglory, and pride. References: Part One: Three of Eight Evil Thoughts The Philokalia Antirrhetikos (or Talking Back) by Evagrius Time and Despondency by Nicole Roccas Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Supp...
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr 5 min
This week we talk about three of the eight evil thoughts: gluttony, lust, and avarice. Mother Natalia gives some background on how the eight evil thoughts came into the common understanding and how they relate to the seven deadly sins. From there we move into a detailed description of these thoughts and how we can see them "in action" in our lives. Mother Natalia and Father Michael talk about the difference between an evil thought and sin which may be a reaction to the thought itself. References...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 7 min
Today we're joined by special guest, Fr. Boniface Hicks! Fr. Boniface is a Benedictine monk from St. Vincent Archabbey in Pennsylvania. In today's episode we talk about humility, both what it is and what it isn't. We talk about some practical examples of humility in action and there's some Greek and Latin review here too. References: Word from a Poustinik: Humility Companions of Christ Denver Fr. Boniface's Website Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Joi...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 14 min
This week Father Michael talks about the wrestling and grappling with God that we must undertake daily as part of our Christian life. References: For the Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann Gen 32: 22 - 32 Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support the show...
Oct 26, 2022•49 min
This week Fr. Michael reflects on four saints that inspire him to holiness and persistence despite the perceived dangers or negative perceptions from the world. Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia reflect on the inspiration these saints bring and how we can imitate them in our daily lives. References: Orthodox Wisdom Podcast Blood Sweat and Joy Dispassion, Vulcans, and Gethsemane Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitt...
Oct 19, 2022•1 hr 5 min
This week we're joined by special guest Matt Fradd of Pints with Aquinas . Mother Natalia talks about our online interactions and the way we perceive and interact with people online vs in-person. This topic is an extension of some of her reflection on the Bridegroom's Banquet video, so check that out if you haven't already! References Bridegroom's Banquet Videos Patris Corde by Pope Francis A Father's Heart Part One A Father's Heart Part Two Theology of Home by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering, Megan...
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 8 min
This week’s episode starts as a mini topic and then becomes a full blown topic! This week Father Michael takes a listener question on vocations and talks about how we can each live out our call within the church. Father Michael and Mother Natalia talk about areas we can serve the church directly in the liturgy but then also out in the wider community. References: Sophia Montessori Academy and their Gala Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodre...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 1 min
On this week’s episode Mother Natalia talks about running and how different experiences of a run can equate to experiences in our spiritual life. References Into Great Silence (Trailer) Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support the show...
Sep 28, 2022•58 min
This week we have another in-person, live episode, this time with many guests! Father Michael talks about feasting and fasting, and how they're both intertwined. We have a few guests talk about memories of their favorite feasts. References Live IG Recording For the Life of the World by Fr. Alexander Schmemann Convo with a Cradle Copt Mother Natalia and Father Michael Out and About Mother Natalia was recently on Pints with Aquinas Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're o...
Sep 21, 2022•1 hr 9 min
This week Mother Natalia talks about her retreat and the fruits of her retreat. She talks about how this retreat helped her learn or relearn to “just be” with Jesus, not necessarily learning anything, or having a divine revelation, but just learning to be and rest. References: The Diary of a Russian Priest by Fr. Alexander Elchaninov Sister Clare Crockett: Alone with Christ Alone by Sister Kristen Gardner (book) All or Nothing: Sr. Clare Crockett (video) Bridegroom's Banquet - the nuns of Christ...
Sep 14, 2022•1 hr 7 min
This week we're joined by special guests Fr. Nathan Symeon and his wife Ali. Fr. Nathan Symeon and Ali talk about married priesthood from their own perspective and experience. They talk about the joys and struggles, and ultimately how this path they're on is the one they believe is for their sanctification and holiness. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonpr...
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 12 min
This week we're joined by several special guests who participated in an escape room with Mother Natalia and Father Michael. Mother Natalia reflects on how they each reacted within the escape room (one of those haunted house type ones), and how the reactions tended to break down by gender lines. References: The Lament of Eve by Johanna Manley Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twit...
Aug 31, 2022•58 min
This week Mother Natalia and Father Michael are joined by two special guests, Mother Gabriella from Christ the Bridegroom Monastery and Natalie Bishay, a Coptic Orthodox since birth. Natalie shares some of the beauties of Coptic Orthodoxy, including their mentality of being servants and their process of electing men for the priesthood. Live Episode: We're excited to announce a live episode today, Wednesday, August 24th. Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church 5329 Sepulveda Blvd, S...
Aug 24, 2022•1 hr 8 min
This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia do a "reaction audio" of the canon for the Dormition of the Theotokos. They talk about the links back to the stories of the Old Testament, the paradox of Christian life that's talked about in the canon, and the overall beauty of the prayers. Live Episode: We're excited to announce a live episode next Wednesday, August 24th. Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church 5329 Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91411 Divine Liturgy will begin at 6:30 P...
Aug 17, 2022•59 min
This week Fr. Michael uses Aristotle's writings to talk about the three types of friend in preparation for an article he's writing on friendship. He talks about the three types of friends, examples of how those friendships can be seen in action, and how we see friendship growing. References Wylde Works Nichomachean Ethics by Aristotle Leaning In - Episode with Libby on Fasting Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Homework! John 15: 4-17 Spiritual Friendship Denver Companions of Christ Bridegroom's Ba...
Aug 10, 2022•1 hr 15 min
This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Travis! In today's episode, Mother Natalia reflects on Romans 12 where St. Paul describes the marks of a true Christian. Mother Natalia talks about some practicalities in interacting with others, those that are interested in our true Catholic selves and those that aren't. References Fr. Travis' Podcast: Outcast Catholic Romans 12: 9 - 21 Wisdom in the World (but not of it) Letter to Diognetus Bridegroom's Banquet - the monastery's annual fundraiser is...
Aug 03, 2022•1 hr 6 min
