In today’s episode we are sharing Heather Khym’s powerful keynote talk from our "They That Wait" Women’s Retreat, which was held on March 23, 2024 here in the Diocese of Tyler. Save the date for next year’s event: March 29, 2025! To see pictures from this year’s retreat, go here. Go here to learn more about Heather’s ministry: liferestoration.ca ab…

In today’s episode we are sharing Regina Boyd’s talk from our "They That Wait" Women’s Retreat, which was held on March 23, 2024 here in the Diocese of Tyler. Save the date for next year’s event: March 29, 2025! To see pictures from this year’s retreat, go here. Buy Regina’s book: Leaving Loneliness Behind: 5 Keys to Experiencing God's Love and Bui…

In today's episode we are sharing Rachel Bulman’s talk from our "They That Wait" Women’s Retreat which was held on March 23, 2024 here in the Diocese of Tyler. Save the date for next year’s event: March 29, 2025! To see pictures from this year’s retreat, go here. Rachel Bulman is a wife, mother of six, speaker, and author. She enjoys seeking truth,…

What does it mean to totally surrender to the will of God? In today’s episode we discuss passages from the book Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence and the practical ways we can live this out. Show Notes: Book: Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence: The Secret of Peace and Happiness by Fr. Jean Baptiste Saint Jure, S.J. & Saint Claude de la C…

We’re launching Season 5 of the podcast with a conversation on “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:11). What does it mean to “be still” and enter into prayer with the Lord when life is busy? We discuss common obstacles to prayer (especially as moms) and how we can still have fruitful and intimate prayer lives with the Lord in different seas…

On our final episode of 2023 we spend time discussing chapters 6-8 of “Hope: An Invitation” by Sister Josephine Garrett. We discuss Mary’s role in our walk with Christ, revisit the theme of the “Slow Work of God” and how this call to hope in the Lord helps us especially now in the Advent season. Show Notes: You can get your copy of Hope: An Invitat…

We are continuing our Fall Book Series of “Hope: An Invitation” by Sister Josephine Garrett. This week we are discussing chapters 3-5 which focus on types of discernment, the importance of community, and the role of the Saints in our lives. Show Notes: You can get your copy of Hope: An Invitation at OSV or Amazon. Download the free reflection guide…

We are beginning our 3-part series on the book “Hope: An Invitation” by sitting down with the author herself, Sister Josephine Garrett! We discuss some of our favorite parts of the book and the inspiration behind the stories Sister Josephine shares. Show Notes: You can get your copy of Hope: An Invitation at OSV or Amazon. Download the free reflect…

Navigating online conversations and spaces can be messy. Sometimes it can be difficult to know how to discern which voices are true and what arguments are worth fighting amidst all the noise. Dr. Luke Arredondo, Director of Faith Formation, joins us today to discuss how Catholics are called to witness the faith, even in online spaces, and how we ca…

We don’t have a full episode for you this week, but we would like to invite you to join us in an end-of-the-year Book Study! We’ll be reading Sister Josephine Garrett’s book, Hope: An Invitation, and we'll begin discussing the book on the podcast starting in mid-November. You can get your copy of the book at OSV or Amazon. Check out Sister Josephin…

In today's episode, we interview Father Steven Chabarria, newly ordained priest of the Diocese of Tyler. He shares his vocation story, and the impact his family life had on his discernment and walk with Christ. Show Notes: From Catholic East Texas Magazine: It Was All Worth It: The Journey of One Man Who Did Not Want to Be a Priest…

Fr. Justin Braun joins us today to continue our conversation about the marriage catechumenate and the importance of marriage formation. He gives us a pastor’s perspective on the importance of marriage ministry in the life of the parish, what is at risk if we do not offer this to couples, and the abundant joy and blessings that can come from authent…

We sit down with Fr. George Elliott, priest of the Diocese of Tyler and pastor of “Catholic Nacogdoches” to discuss what it means to have a parish that is focused on building disciples. We talk about how his parish is helping people through a discipleship pathway, how they are forming parish leaders, and how this model of discipleship has impacted …

When the Vatican published the Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life document last year, it raised a lot of questions about what marriage preparation should look like: Why is the Church asking for longer preparation? What do all the proposed phases and stages mean? In today’s episode, we talk about what the Marriage Catechumenate is, and why it ma…

What’s the point of baptism prep? What makes a good baptism program? In today’s episode, we discuss things that both parents and parishes can do to make that experience even better. Resources: Article by Marcel LeJeune: Sacramental Formation - Moving From Forms and Classes to Relationship and Conversion (Catholic Missionary Disciples - College Stat…

We continue our conversation with Catholic speaker and musician Noelle Garcia to talk about what it means to be a Catholic woman—this time zooming in to our vocations as wives and mothers. There are a lot of strong opinions out there on where women belong... should they work outside the home, what does it mean to be submissive to your husband... an…

In today’s culture we hear a lot of people asking, “What is a Woman?” Understanding our identity as men and women seems to be a challenge. But as women of faith, we see an opportunity to take that question even deeper: What is the spiritual impact of being a woman? In today’s episode we sit down with Noelle Garcia, a wife & Mom who serves as the Di…

We continue our conversation with Fr. John-Mary Bowlin of the Diocese of Tyler to talk about spiritual warfare—specifically, about the spiritual practices and disciplines we can engage in as Catholic families. If you have a child or loved one who has fallen away from the Faith, we hope this conversation can bring hope and encouragement and offer gu…

What does it mean to engage in the spiritual battle as Catholic families? In today’s episode we begin a two-part conversation with Fr. John-Mary Bowlin (priest of the Diocese of Tyler) on the spiritual battle and the role of parents in protecting their children from the Evil One.By St. Philip Institute of Catechesis & Evangelization

We are continuing our conversation about Body Literacy with Christina Valenzuela from Pearl & Thistle, this time focusing on how we share this education with our daughters. Christina explains why this conversation with our girls is so important and why they need to hear this from us as moms. She also offers very practical advice on how and when we …

We have talked about Natural Family Planning and Fertility Awareness before, but have you ever heard of Body Literacy? In today’s episode we sit down with Christina Valenzuela, founder of Pearl & Thistle, to talk about Lifelong Body Literacy for Women-- what it is, why it is important, and how this is helping women in all seasons of life. Show Note…

In this final part of the talk series from our favored. retreat, we are sharing the keynote by Sister Josephine Garrett entitled “Living as the Favored One”. Once we receive the loving Gaze of the Father, how do we live as women of faith? It doesn’t mean that we won’t struggle, but it does mean that we can be rooted in the love and mercy of God and…

This week we’re sharing Deanna Johnston’s keynote called “Receiving the Father’s Gaze” from our Women’s Retreat in the Diocese of Tyler, favored. In this talk, Deanna encourages women to reflect on their relationship with God, what it means to receive God’s loving gaze, and how the Blessed Mother models for us the way we can be at peace and have co…

On March 25th, the St. Philip Institute hosted a Women’s Retreat here in the Diocese of Tyler called “favored.” This first keynote given by Chika Anyanwu is called “Worldly Favor.” Chika talks about what can happen when our sense of worth and desires of our heart are not rooted in God first and foremost. She shares her own story in a beautiful way …

What can moms learn from St. John the Baptist? In today’s episode we talk about the qualities from this saint that can help us in our vocation (you know, besides being a voice “crying out in the wilderness” at our kids…). Resources: Year of Baptism & St. John the Baptist 2023 Eucharistic Congress Registration CET Article from Dr. Luke Arredondo…

At the beginning of Advent 2022, the Diocese of Tyler entered into the Year of Baptism and St. John the Baptist. In today’s episode we sit down with His Excellency, Bishop Joseph Strickland to discuss his hopes for our diocese over the coming year, and what we can receive by responding joyfully and intentionally to our baptismal call. Show Notes: Y…

Death can be a difficult reality to face; but in light of our Catholic faith we have a tremendous reason for hope! In today’s episode we sit down with Fr. Justin Braun, pastor of Sacred Heart in Texarkana, to discuss what it means to have a “happy” death, and what are some of the practical things we can do when accompanying someone in their final m…

How do we help our children to not only prepare for their sacraments, but also help them to have a relationship with Jesus? In today’s episode we talk about very practical ways we can accompany our children in their sacrament formation in a way that also nurtures their walk with Jesus for a lifetime. Resources: Sacrament Preparation Worksheets (htt…

During this episode, we visit with special guest, Noelle Garcia McHugh, to discuss Mary and how we can have a relationship with her. We address some of the following questions: How is Mary a model of motherhood? What does Mary teach us about trusting God? Mary experienced an absence of Jesus too-- what can we learn from her? How can we help bring h…

Also on YouTube: Slay Your Dragons Additional Resources: Temperance Worksheets Email us at podcast@stphilipinstitute.org or Join our Facebook Community!By St. Philip Institute of Catechesis & Evangelization

For NFP Awareness Week we’re throwing it back to a great episode from our archive! Are Natural Family Planning and contraception the same thing? Is it possible to use NFP with a “contraceptive mentality”? In today’s episode, we break open the Church’s teaching on these issues. Watch on YouTube: Is NFP Just Catholic Contraception? (Throwback Episode…

In today’s episode we break open the virtue of Fortitude-- how this is so much more than simply being “brave” but how it helps us to achieve difficult goods, and endure difficult things. Watch on YouTube: Beyond Comfort and Into Greatness (Fortitude) Other YouTube Episodes: How to Deal Justly (Virtue of Justice) The Virtue of Faith (SPI Podcast) Wh…

Justice is one of the least understood virtues! Is Justice about punishment and giving people what is coming to them? Or does it have more to do with being in right relationship with God and others? Continuing our series on the Cardinal Virtues, we unpack what Justice actually means and how to practically live this virtue out in daily life. Watch o…

How do we make “good” decisions? Better yet, how do we make decisions that also draw us closer to God? In today’s episode we discuss the virtue of prudence and offer some practical tips for living this out in family life. Watch on YouTube: How to Make Good Decisions Other Episodes: Can We Talk About Virtue (with Dr. Luke Arredondo) How to Keep Sata…

This week there’s an exciting new video on the St. Philip Institute’s YouTube channel! Joel McMichael is a seminarian for the Diocese of Tyler here in East Texas, and he shares his conversion story from growing up Baptist to converting to the Catholic Faith and entering seminary! Head on over to the St. Philip Institute YouTube channel and watch he…

We are excited to launch a new series of episodes that focus specifically on the virtues! In this introductory episode with Dr. Luke Arredondo, Director of Faith Formation, and host of the St. Philip Institute Podcast, we lay the foundation for what is virtue, the differences between the Cardinal and Theological Virtues, and why these are essential…

Fr. Justin Braun, Pastor of Sacred Heart in Texarkana and Chaplain of the St. Philip Institute, shares how the Eucharist played an important part in his vocation story. He offers practical advice on leading our children, particularly older teens, to a deeper love of the Eucharist and how we can increase Eucharistic devotion during Mass and in our h…

Let’s be honest: sometimes attending Mass with children can be *challenging*. Should parents automatically head to the cry room? Is there a survival guide for how to attend Mass with little ones? In today’s episode we offer practical tips for attending Mass with young children and ways we can bring the elements of the Mass into our homes. Watch on …

As Catholics we believe the Eucharist is the physical presence of Our Lord, but sometimes there can be a disconnect between believing that and living as if that were true. How can we be more receptive to the grace God offers us in the Eucharist? Click here to watch this episode on YouTube! Other Episodes: What does the Catechism Teach About the Euc…

The Church describes the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Christian Life… but what does that mean? What does that look like in family life? In today’s episode we define what the Eucharist is, why it is essential to our lives as Catholics, and we offer suggestions of how to make the Eucharist the center of our homes. Click here to watch thi…

What do we do when we find it difficult to trust God? How do we trust in His faithfulness, even in moments of suffering? In today's episode, we discuss what it means to trust God with everything and how to increase our trust in Him even when it hurts. NOTE: We're in the process of planning & discerning future episodes of the Life Beyond the Chariot…

Did you know that in the USA there are a growing number of Catholics but a decrease in the number of Catholic marriages? In today’s episode, we talk about why this is a crucial mission moment for the Church, and how we can invite couples to bring Christ into their marriages. We also define terms such as “convalidation” and “civil marriage” and what…

NOTE: Over the next several weeks we'll be planning & discerning future episodes of the Life Beyond the Chariot Podcast. In the meantime, we'll be throwing it back to some of our favorite episodes from the past year! We sat down with Sr. Josephine Garrett to discuss her vocation story and how to foster vocations in young women. She speaks about her…

NOTE: Over the next several weeks we'll be planning & discerning future episodes of the Life Beyond the Chariot Podcast. In the meantime, we'll be throwing it back to some of our favorite episodes from the past year! Can Moms really pray without ceasing? In today’s episode, Jackie Francois Angel joins us to talk about the very real struggle of maki…

NOTE: Over the next several weeks we'll be planning & discerning future episodes of the Life Beyond the Chariot Podcast. In the meantime, we'll be throwing it back to some of our favorite episodes from the past year! Interior designer Ronna Egan joins us for a discussion about making our homes a space that bring us joy and rest, and how home should…

NOTE: Over the next several weeks we'll be planning & discerning future episodes of the Life Beyond the Chariot Podcast. In the meantime, we'll be throwing it back to some of our favorite episodes from the past year! Having a healthy prayer life when you are a parent can be challenging. In this episode Fr. Josh Johnson, Vocations Director & Pastor …

Bishop Joseph Strickland recently declared a Year of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and the Eucharist for the Diocese of Tyler. In today’s episode, we ask him about the role of Mary in his own life, and how the Eucharist has been a source of strength in his priesthood. 2022: Year of Mary and the Eucharist- Diocese of Tyler Other Episodes: Having a rela…

In today’s episode we’re discussing the final two chapters of Habits for Holiness by Father Mark-Mary Ames, CFR. We look at the practical ways that we can cultivate happiness, healthiness, and holiness in an intentional way, and how to make sure that we have a plan in place to continue growing as disciples. We hope that you enjoyed this 4 part seri…

We speak with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, the author of Habits for Holiness, about the remembrance of our Christian dignity and what it means to be holy and effective witnesses of the Gospel. To learn more about the CFRs and Fr. Mark-Mary : www.Franciscanfriars.com Poco a Poco Podcast (YouTube) (Apple Podcasts) Franciscan Friars of the Renewal Ascensi…

We continue our series on“Habits for Holiness” by Father Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, and discuss Chapters 3-5. The focus this week is on creating a Catholic culture, simplicity & detachment, and responding to the cry of the poor. It’s not too late to join us this Advent! To receive your free reading plan and reflection guide please visit: https://mailchi.…