Raising Saints: Helping Kids Hear God's Voice

Today we are fielding two questions from Peter.  He asks: Where is heaven? and Why can't we see Jesus? 

We are leading listeners through Lectio Divina, a prayerful reading and reflection, of the Road to Emmaus story in Luke's Gospel. Listen as we read the Gospel story and then take some time imagining the scene, prompting thoughts, questions and conversation with God through the story.  This is part 1, to be continued in our next episode. 

A question from Alexandra's son, John, age 8.  He is curious about St. Thomas the Apostle. Why didn't he believe it when the other Apostles told him that Jesus had risen from the dead?  This question led us to a discussion about the gift of faith.  

Also, we introduced the idea of leading Lectio Divina for our listeners for the whole family to listen to together. Coming in our next episode, so stay tuned. 

The Sullivan kids join us today to discuss fasting for Lent. We bounce around some ideas and brainstorm with the kids. And we discuss keeping it simple and specific. Also, there's a non-sequitur in the middle in which Matthew, age 5, tells us all about what he ate for the day! 

Today we answer a question from 5 year old, Nate, who asks: "Why is there not a picture of God, if He is the main character at St. Columba (Fr. Connolly's parish), in the pictures in the stained glass?"

So we discuss how we don't know what God the Father, the first person of the Holy Trinity, looks like, but that we do see Jesus, the second person of the Holy Trinity, represented in the stained glass and other artwork. And we talk about how we see Jesus present in the Eucharist also. 

 Today we are brainstorming and sharing some ideas and suggestions for entering into Advent.

Today we are sharing some positivity - we discuss what are we thankful for during the time of Covid

Today is a heavier episode, and we are discussing a very important topic - how to help our young people and children so that they don't become a part of the growing group of "former Catholics." Specifically, we discuss the following questions:

How do we communicate to our children why they should stay in the church? 

And if they do stay, how do they sustain their faith in the midst of a culture that is so hostile to religion? 

Today we answer two questions from 8 year old Patrick:

If God knows everything and knows what we are going to do, do we really have free will? 

If God wants you to be a priest, do you have to do it? 

Welcome back!!!  We are so excited to be back with you for season 3!!! 

In this episode we are talking about the domestic church, what that is and means.  We briefly discuss the experience of practicing the faith during the pandemic.  Also, all this togetherness can sometimes bring strife within the family, so we are sharing our thoughts on how to handle sibling rivalry situations.  And this leads nicely into a discussion about how to raise siblings to be lifelong friends and support each other. Throw in some good old Fr. Connolly and Alexandra tangents, and we have the season 3 premiere! 

Today we are wrapping up the season before the summer with some random questions about the hosts.  

Can Fr. C wear shorts and sneakers when it's hot? 

What are some of our favorite Bible stories?

How did the Sullivans introduce their children to prayer?

Happy Easter!  Today we are talking about Divine Mercy.  What is mercy? What is the celebration of Divine Mercy?  What is the Divine Mercy chaplet? Well, we pray it at the beginning of the episode.  Join us! And we share #HowIHeardGod this week!

In today's episode, Fr. Connolly speaks with the Sullivan children, Samantha, John and Matthew and their very good friends Kaitlyn, Nathan and Madeleine.  Each child has a question about the quarantine, Coronavirus and the cancellation of Masses and sacraments. 

Today we finish our conversation with Cynthia O'Connor about her daughter who is a religious sister. We talk about the joy of finding your vocation,   Fr. Connolly sings a boy band song, and Cynthia tells us about a panini press that had to be returned because of her daughter's vow of poverty! 

We answer two kids' questions today.  Cassidy, age 10, wants to know how we can be sorry for our sins when we don't know how.  And Joseph, age 5, wants an answer to the age old question about why there is evil in the world. Plus, #HowIHeardGod is back this episode!

We are continuing our conversation with Sister Marie Pappas, a Sister of the Resurrection and DRE at St. Columba in Hopewell Junction, NY. 

She tells us more about her vocation and answers some rapid fire questions sent in from some local children. 

This episode we begin a series on vocations.  We start by interviewing a religious sister, Sister Marie Pappas of the Sisters of the Resurrection.  Sister Marie currently runs the religious education program of St. Columba parish in Hopewell Junction, NY.  In part 1 of the interview, Sister Marie tells us her vocation story. 

Last week, we spoke about the theology behind the Eucharist.  This week we talk about what it means for us and why we should care.  Learn about some Eucharistic miracles, and hear a couple examples of our personal experiences of Jesus' True Presence.  Also, more of our new segment, #HowIHeardGod 

We address the now famous Pew Research study that said only 30% of Catholics believe in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.  We touch on some biblical passages to help explain what happens during the consecration.  And we introduce a new segment, #HowIHeardGod. 

Welcome back! Here's what you've got to look forward to this season! 

Today is a little different.  We break from our usual format of answering questions to talk as the Holy Spirit moved us.  We discuss the darkness in the world around us, and how we will all likely encounter resistance to our faith.  But that we should be not afraid because God is always with us.  And we encourage all our listeners to be lights of Christ in the world.  Plus, if you're a Batman fan, Father Connolly does an impression of Bane from The Dark Night.  

Father Connolly brought a question from the 3rd grade class at St. Columba school.  A student asked: What is the point of the sacraments? As we answer this question we also address a question from a parent, Kristy, who wonders why we go to Confession rather than just asking Jesus to forgive us privately.  And then Will in 4th grade asks us to tackle a difficult issue - how to show compassion to a frustrating classmate! 

Please forgive the background noise and the 3 year old yelling for mommy in this episode!  (#CatholicMomLife) 

As we complete 40 days of Lent, Evie brings us a perfectly timed question - why did Jesus wander in the dessert for 40 days?  And her younger sister,  Chiara, age 8, asks why we are supposed to abstain from eating meat on Fridays in Lent.  But did you know that the Church recommends we do this year round?  

In this episode, we answer 3 questions all about faith.  First, Grace, age 7, and her 2nd grade faith formation class, would like to know when CCD was started.  Then, Marcelo, age 6, wonders how faith develops in people!   Our final caller, Nick, 6th grade, wants to know what "the word" is when we say at Mass "only say the word and my soul shall be healed."  That question was actually submitted by two kids - the exact same question - one caller, one by email!  WOW!

If you are a parent, you have probably heard one, or both, of today's questions.  Mason, 2nd grade, would like to know if Jesus was alive during the time of the dinosaurs.  And Gracie, age 11, is curious if her beloved dog will be in heaven.  

This week we talk a little about Lent and what we personally are doing for Lent.  We answer a question from Mary, age 7, about why we receive ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday.  And also, find out why and when our priests use incense, thanks to Alexandra's son John, age 6.    

As we enter Lent, we have a few questions today wondering about Good Friday.  Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?  And if He knew He had to die, why did He pray to God the Father asking to not have to die on the cross? 

Ever wonder what Purgatory is and what we do when we are there? And, what's the reason for all the different colors during the church year?  Find out on today's episode. 

In our first ever episode we tackle questions about God and creation.  Find out how we answer the questions: who made God, and why Adam and Eve believed the lie of the devil in the Garden of Eden.