IP#148 Emily Stimpson – The Catholic Girl’s Survival Guide for the Single Years on Inside the Pages

Emily Stimpson is a delight to talk with and her book “The Catholic Girl’s Survival Guide for the Single Years: The Nuts and Bolts of StayingSane and Happy While Waiting for Mr. Right” is a great subject to discuss!  With style and class, and a great big portion of honest hopeful heart sharing, Emily crafts a work that is a must for all Catholic women, not just the single girl.

Filled with humor and reflection, as well as practical insight, it is “steeped in the Church’s teachings on the feminine genius, marriage, and theology of the body, The Catholic Girl’s Survival Guide dishes with both wit and wisdom on some of the most pressing questions single women face: vocation, dating, sex, finances, work, depression, and more.” Not to missed, and must be passed on to others!

You can find the book here

Also visit EmilyStimpson.com

“Emily Stimpson has written a book that manages to be light-hearted about the serious subject of singleness for Catholic women, but is still full of practical, nitty-gritty suggestions for growing through difficulties. Always uplifting, “The Catholic Girls Survival Guide for the Single Years,” offers timeless truths that help women see beyond current circumstances to grasp the bigger picture of life as a beloved daughter of God. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is a single Catholic woman—or anyone who wants to learn how to love single women better. I don’t know of another book that does what this book does for single women—it’s simply outstanding! Kimberly Hahn, Author “Life-Giving Love”

Divine Mercy with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. Esseff begins a series of reflections on Divine Mercy and it’s importance in the life of the Church today.  He exhorts us to remember that it is not about Msgr.-John-Esseffsomething that occurs outside of ourselves, but that the spirit of the Divine Mercy lives in us by virtue of our baptism and through our participation in the sacraments.  And we are called to assist Jesus to reaching out to our brothers and sisters, in Him, with Him, and through Him.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:  “Building A Kingdom Of Love

The Freedom that flows from Forgiveness – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff discusses the freedom that comes from forgiveness. It can be very difficult to for us to forgive, but not for God.  How can we forgive those who have really hurt us…emotionally and physically.  How is this forgiveness a matter of justice…we forgive for we have been forgiven.  What is an unjust wound?  How does this all connect to the Divine Mercy?

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:  “Building a Kingdom of Love

The Transformation of Resentments – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff discusses to be truly alive in joy and happiness we have to forgive. Forgiveness is always a choice and in that is joy. We shouldn’t put conditions on our forgiveness…that can be a challenge for some, but it is necessary. We need to take the person where they are…we don’t love them because they have changed, but we love them where they are at. We can become slaves to our resentments. Resentments, hatred, bitterness, retaliations harden our hearts and destroy us. Allowing the love of Jesus to penetrate our hearts we are freed. We can not perfectly forgive, it is grace from the Father that allows to enter into that forgiveness.

The transformation of resentments is a key:

For ourselves

  1. To name them, the painful moment or event
  2. To look inside as to why and to what it touched so deeply within me
  3. To allow yourself to feel fully the depth of impact of the pain
  4. Talk to yourself about the experience and then begin to journal or share it with another
  5. Choose what will bring peace, joy, relief and tranquility
  6. To cling to continuation of pain brings anxiety, anger, turmoil and desolation

For another

  1. Listen to the painful experience
  2. Don’t talk to them out of their pain, don’t try to fix the situation for them
  3. Offer them a choice to continue in the pain or begin to move out of the pain; to continue in the pain gives the power over to the one they resent and diminishes your own power

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:  “Building a Kingdom of Love

Happiness and Joy – What it really looks like – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the true meanings of happiness and joy.  What does it really look like?  How can we live a life of happiness and joy?  Msgr. Esseff discusses the beatitudes and forgiveness and the keys to a proper understanding.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:  “Building A Kingdom Of Love

“Christ our Hope” – Easter Morning with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

 Msgr. Esseff reflects on Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter message.  The more we aware of our death, the more we are aware of the resurrection!  In a time were the darkness seems to be spreading, Christ is the brightest light of Truth shining shining in our times!  We are called to be bearers of the light to the world.  How do we do that?  It is not “I” who will do it…but Christ who will accomplish the will of the Father through our surrender to Him.

 

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:  “Building A Kingdom of Love

Holy Saturday with Mary – reflections by Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff calls us to deeply ponder the role of the Blessed Virgin Maryduring the Passion of Christ, but also in our own lives as well.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website: “Building a Kingdom of Love”

 

Good Friday with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff offers this special reflection on Good Friday.

Holy Thursday and the Role of the Priesthood in the Life of the Church – Discerning Hearts

 Msgr. Esseff offers a reflection on the Priesthood, particularly in the light of the Holy Thursday liturgy.  The priesthood of the baptized is so very important, the role for each of us to be Jesus in the world today; however, those who have been called to the vocation of priesthood have a particular mission to fulfill.  Msgr. Esseff discusses the importance of the priests relationship with God, the Father and his unique role in the celebration of the Holy Mass.  He also talks of the need of prayer for priests and the value of priestly friendship.