Fr. James Kubicki S.J. – A Heart on Fire on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

By far, this book is the BEST on the subject of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that I have seen in a very long time.  So very practical and deep in its spiritual appreciation of this beautifully essential devotion for our lives, Fr. James Kubicki helps all to rediscover the devotion to the Sacred Heart.   He presents the history of this timely devotion, with help of the apostles, Church Fathers, the Saints, and contemporary Catholics,  in an engaging and easily digestible way.  And the prayers…the incredibly deep and radiant prayers…Fr. Kubicki breaks them open a new for us all to appreciate, encouraging us not to “say the prayers”, but to “pray the prayers”.  Wonderful, simply wonderful!  I cannot recommend this work more highly.  Pick up more than one copy and become a missionary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by passing copies on to others

You can find the book here

“At first communion, I was taught to say first thing every morning, Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee!’ Reading Father Kubicki’s splendid book has only made that prayer all the more sincere and meaningful.” —Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

Jesus - Devotional Prayers dedicated to Our Lord text and Mp3 audio downloads 7“A fresh and attractive reconsideration of this centuries-old devotion in the Catholic Church. Blessed Basile Moreau (1873), the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, who entrusted his priests to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, wrote: ‘The primary purpose of the devotion to the Sacred Heart is to return love for love.’ Fr. Kubicki develops this theme in a way that speaks well to today’s generation of believers.” —Rev. Peter D. Rocca, C.S.C., Rector, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame

“I invite everyone to renew his devotion to the Sacred Heart of Christ in the month of June, making use of the traditional prayer of the offering of the day and keeping in mind the intentions that I have proposed to the whole Church.” —Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus Address, June 1, 2008

IP#484 Fr. Aaron Wessman – The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast

Part 2 of our conversation with Fr. Aaron Wessman on  “The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World

In The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World, Fr. Aaron Wessman shines a light on the increasingly polarized times we live in, from vitriolic rhetoric on social media to deep division within families, friends, workplaces, and parish communities. This is a powerful call for us to put aside our anger and that which fuels it, and to follow God’s call to bring Christ’s light to our fractured world.

You can find the book here.

From the book description:

“Christians and other people of good will are longing for a response that can lead the way out of the divisiveness and vitriol of our times. I wrote this book to provide some assistance to readers to discern a way out of the toxicity in which we live, and to stimulate courage and hope, so that all people can see the age in which we live more clearly and respond with the grace necessary to follow more fully the call God has spoken—a missionary call to deepen Christ’s incarnational movement in our world.”
-Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman


About the Author: Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman, a priest of the Roman Catholic Church, is the 1 st -Vice- President (Vicar General) and Director of Formation for the Glenmary Home Missioners. He has a PhD from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium) in Systematic Theology (2019). He serves as an at-large board member for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men Religious (CMSM) and is a guest lecturer at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. The religious order he belongs to, Glenmary, is a missionary society of apostolic life of the Catholic Church that conducts mission in rural, poor, and non-Catholic areas of the United States, primarily in the southeast and Appalachia. Visit glenmary.org for more information.

IP#483 Fr. Aaron Wessman – The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World, Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast

Part 1 of our conversation with Fr. Aaron Wessman on  “The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World

In The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World, Fr. Aaron Wessman shines a light on the increasingly polarized times we live in, from vitriolic rhetoric on social media to deep division within families, friends, workplaces, and parish communities. This is a powerful call for us to put aside our anger and that which fuels it, and to follow God’s call to bring Christ’s light to our fractured world.

You can find the book here.

From the book description:

“Christians and other people of good will are longing for a response that can lead the way out of the divisiveness and vitriol of our times. I wrote this book to provide some assistance to readers to discern a way out of the toxicity in which we live, and to stimulate courage and hope, so that all people can see the age in which we live more clearly and respond with the grace necessary to follow more fully the call God has spoken—a missionary call to deepen Christ’s incarnational movement in our world.”
-Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman


About the Author: Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman, a priest of the Roman Catholic Church, is the 1 st -Vice- President (Vicar General) and Director of Formation for the Glenmary Home Missioners. He has a PhD from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium) in Systematic Theology (2019). He serves as an at-large board member for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men Religious (CMSM) and is a guest lecturer at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. The religious order he belongs to, Glenmary, is a missionary society of apostolic life of the Catholic Church that conducts mission in rural, poor, and non-Catholic areas of the United States, primarily in the southeast and Appalachia. Visit glenmary.org for more information.

IP#353 Sally Read – Annunciation on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Podcast


It was truly a delight to once again to talk with Sally Read!  This time we discuss her beautiful new book  “Annunciation: A Call to Faith in a Broken World”.

You can find the book here

From the book description:

Sensing the precarious nature of faith in an overwhelmingly secular world, Read, through meditation and anecdote, began writing down the compelling reasons for holding onto both God and Church. Taking the Annunciation as her template (that most fundamental yes to God), she explores common experiences of the spiritual life: His presence and invitation (And he came to her); the fears we have to let go of (Do not be afraid); the realization of our identity in God (Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord) and what our vocation might be (Let it be to me according to your word); and when God feels very distant from us (And the angel departed from her).

Drawing on Scripture, lives of the saints, and the lives of people she has known personally and professionally as a nurse, Read shows how God is with us always―through suffering, spiritual dryness and depression, as well as in joyful and mystical ways. This book was inspired by a mother’s loving response to a daughter―but what has resulted is something that will speak to any believer engaged in the bliss and bewilderment of a relationship with God.

Check out our previous conversation:  IP#309 Sally Read – Night’s Bright Darkness on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

IP#323 John Galten – The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude De La Colombiere on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

What a joy to discuss the 2nd edition of “The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude de la Colombiere” with John Galten, who wrote the forward to the book.  Filled with an abundance of wisdom this little work is a must for those seeking solid spiritual guidance.  In this podcast, we discuss the great legacy of St. Claude as well as the historical and spiritual richness of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  John is a delight to talk with him, his joy for Christ and deep respect for St. Claude is utterly engaging.

To obtain a copy of the book visit here

This book contains a great treasure of spiritual insight and guidance for the soul who is seeking God. –Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J., Author, Inside the Bible

Saint Claude has been one of my most important spiritual guides for a half century. This little jewel is a must for those who seek God’s will and mercy expressed in the most authentic devotion to Christ. –Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., Author, Arise from Darkness

IP#318 Fr. John Burns – Lift Up Your Heart on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast



“Lift Up Your Heart: A 10-Day Personal Retreat with St. Francis de Sales” is outstanding.  A wonderful “introduction to the devout life”… literally!  Fr. John Burns breaks open up the teachings of the great spiritual director and Doctor of the Church St. Francis de Sales in a wonderfully fresh new way.  Very practical and perfect for meditation during prayer times during the day, this is a mini-retreat we can all benefit from.

You can find the book here

From the book description:

This practical book goes right to the heart of helping you kick the habit of floating along on your spiritual journey to start actively pursuing holiness and devotion to God. During the course of the retreat, you ll learn the basics of forming a daily prayer routine, including how to offer yourself to God, meditate on his love, and maintain peace in the face of suffering and clarity in the midst of temptation.

The meditations will help you:

  • Adopt gratitude as a daily prayer practice.
  • Examine and reorder your priorities and relationships to better reflect your love for God.
  • Discern between good and evil in your life.
  • Desire to love and serve as Jesus did.

In a very real sense, Burns helps you take St. Francis de Sales as your spiritual director for ten days. As you do so, you’ll feel God’s fatherly love and restart your faith life, equipped with the tools to connect with God and live for heaven now.

In Conversation with Dr. Anthony Lilles – The Spiritual Impact of Pope Benedict XVI – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

In Conversation with Dr. Anthony Lilles – The Spiritual Impact of Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)

In this special In Conversation podcast, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss the life of Joseph Ratzinger and the impact he has had on the spiritual life and growth of the church, especially in some of its darkest moments. Anthony also shares a personal anecdote about a time he met then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in Rome.

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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)

Here a the books that were referenced in the conversation with Dr. Lilles:

 

 

In Conversation with Fr. Vincent Twomey – The Heart of Pope Benedict XVI’s Spiritual Legacy – Discerning Hearts Podcasts


In Conversation with Fr. Vincent Twomey – The Heart of Pope Benedict XVI’s Spiritual Legacy (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)

In this special In Conversation podcast, Fr. Vincent Twomey and Kris McGregor discuss the life of Joseph Ratzinger as priest and professor before becoming a bishop, cardinal, and eventually Pope.   Fr. Twomey, a one-time student of Pope Benedict and life-long friend, reflects on his spirituality and contribution to theology.

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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)

During the conversation, Fr. Twomey mentions several books that he feels are important for those seeking a greater experience of Pope Benedict’s writings.


Here a the books that were referenced in the conversation with Fr. Twomey:

 

 

In Conversation with Fr. Joseph Fessio – The Spiritual Legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI – Discerning Hearts Podcasts


In Conversation with Fr. Joseph Fessio – The Spiritual Legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)

Fr. Joseph Fessio

In this special In Conversation podcast, Fr. Joseph Fessio and Kris McGregor discuss the profound spiritual legacy of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) and the long-lasting impact he will have upon the Church and the world.  Fr. Fessio also shares several stories from their time together over the years.

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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)

During the conversation, Fr. Fessio mentions several books that he feels are important for those seeking a greater experience of Pope Benedict’s writings.


Here a the books that were referenced in the conversation with Fr. Fessio:

 

 

In Conversation with Dr. Larry Chapp – The Life and Legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI – Discerning Hearts Podcasts


In Conversation with Dr. Larry Chapp – The Life and Legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)

Dr. Larry Chapp

In this special In Conversation podcast, Dr. Larry Chapp and Kris McGregor have an in-depth conversation about the life and legacy of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) and the long-lasting spiritual impact he will have upon the world.

Remember the encouragement of Pope Benedict when he said, “Do not be afraid to cast out into the digital sea” Kris and Dr. Chapp reflect on how Benedict’s words have inspired and influenced their respective ministries within the digital landscape and the challenges now faced by Christians within it.

Click here for Dr. Chapp’s blog site: Gaudium et Spes 22

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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)