The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Have you ever felt like your body is an obstacle, or that it's working against you? If so, this podcast episode is for you!
Today Jillian welcomes Sister M. Emmanuel Kurtzweg, OSF, RN and teammate, Stacey, to the podcast to talk about what it means to be "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps 139:14). Listen to hear more about:
FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) and how it's different from other fertility awareness methods.
Why part of Sr. Emmanuel's mission is to teach her Franciscan sisters about their fertility, and what we, as married women, can learn from that.
What advice Sr. Emmanuel would give to couples who are having a hard time with fertility treatments and are discerning taking a break.
It is our honor to walk with you!

Links:
Sr. Emmanuel's FEMM Info Page
Submit Your Intentions to the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration!

What does the theology of the body have to teach us about bodily suffering? What do Jesus' wounds have to do with our wounds? What can we learn from the theology of the body about abandoning ourselves to the will of God?
Today's episode is part III of a series on the theology of the body with guests Chris O'Neill, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Trey Weaver, Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. With Jillian, they'll explore what theology of the body has to teach us as we walk the path of infertility.

Links:
Part I: Getting Started With The Theology of The Body

Part II: What Does Theology of the Body Even Mean?

John Paul II, Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body

Karol Wojtyła, Love and Responsibility

What is hope really? Are there different ways to understand hope? How should we think about hope when we are also dealing with the reality of childlessness?

Today Jillian welcomes Cassi to the podcast to think about these important questions. They'll discuss:
What natural and supernatural hope feel like on the path of infertility

What hope has looked like for Cassi at different places on the path of infertility

Encouragement for those who feel that they will never be happy or fulfilled without a baby

It is our honor to walk with you on the path of infertility!

Links:
The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur
Fr. Paul's Email: fr.paul@springsinthedesert.org
Searching For and Maintaining Peace
Interior Freedom
Blog Post: The Seeds and Your Inner Fertility
Blog Post: Hospitality of the Heart
Blog Post: The Former Things are Passed Away

What does the theology of the body even mean? From it, what can we learn about Christ's body, and about God Himself? What does Christ's body tell us about who we are, and about our own capacity to love? What do our bodies tell us about what we were created for?
Today's episode is part II of a series on the theology of the body with guests Chris O'Neill, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Trey Weaver, Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. With Jillian, they'll explore what theology of the body has to teach us as we walk the path of infertility.

Links:
Part I: Getting Started With The Theology of The Body

John Paul II, Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body

Karol Wojtyła, Love and Responsibility

In case you missed it, Springs recently made a HUGE announcement! We've teamed up with Ascension to release "Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility," a fifteen-episode series free to all users in the Ascension app.
In this episode, we're hosting Monica Amery, Content Manager for the Ascension app, on the podcast to talk about what it was like to create this series and why this type of content is so important. We'll talk about:
Ascension's mission and content offerings, including these new resources for couples on the path of infertility
Why the "Scripture and Saints" series is such a valuable addition to the Ascension app
How working at Ascension gives Monica life and helps her give life to others!
It is our honor to walk with you!

Links:
Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility Audio Series