The Springs in the Desert Podcast: Catholic Accompaniment Through Infertility

Do you feel desperately in need of healing – spiritually and physically – on the path of infertility and loss? This episode is for you!
Jillian and Fr. Paul talk about the "Sacraments of Healing," Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. They'll discuss:
Why healing is a necessary part of our path to holiness
How regular Confession can strengthen us in our lives and marriages
If Catholics on the path of infertility should ask for the Anointing of the Sick

It is our honor to walk with you!

Links:
Springs Examen
Purchase the Examen Here
Podcast Episode on Hope

Examen podcast series:
Relationship with God
Relationship with spouse
Relationship with others
Relationship with self

This month, we'll be talking with Fr. Paul about the seven sacraments. In each episode, we'll explore one or two of the sacraments and how we can understand them in a new light on the path of infertility.
Jillian and Fr. Paul begin with the sacrament of Baptism. They'll discuss:
What happens to our soul at Baptism, and why the sacrament should still comfort us even years and decades later
Why Romans 6:4 shines light on how we are called to live through difficult seasons
How all Christians are called to bear witness to their Baptismal grace in the world through nourishing the spiritual lives of others
It is our honor to walk with you!

Are you ready to learn more about the theology of the body? Where to even begin? Who is the theology of the body actually for? What terms do we need to know in order to understand it?
Today's episode is part IV 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 suggest some resources, texts, and videos to start with or use on your journey of diving deeper into the theology of the body!

And don't forget to email your questions to info@springsinthedesert.org!

Links:
Part I: Getting Started With Theology of the Body
Part II: What does "Theology of the Body" even mean?
Part III: What Jesus' Body Teaches Us About Our Suffering
John Paul II, Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body
Theology of the Body Explained
Paul VI, Humanae Vitae
Karol Wojtyła, Love and Responsibility
John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio
John Paul II, Mulieris Dignitatem
John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia
Paul VI, Gaudium et Spes
Paul VI, Lumen Gentium
Edward Sri, Men, Women, & The Mystery of Love
Patricia Polacco, Luba and The Wren
Michael O'Brien, Island of the World
Sigrid Undset, Kristin Lavransdatter
Sheldon Vanauken, A Severe Mercy
Other resources:
The Passion of Christ in the Gospels
Moana (2016)
Lion King
Life is Beautiful (1997)
Babette's Feast (1987)

Father's Day is coming up, so we're having Kenn Cramer back on the podcast to talk about ministering to men and our personal relationships with God the Father. Jillian and Kenn will reflect on:
The importance of ministering specifically to men in a season of infertility/loss
How parishes can observe Father's Day and Mother's Day in a way that honors the varied experiences of people in the pews
Growing in relationship with God the Father

Links:
How Can We Educate Our Priests About Infertility? w/ Kenn Cramer
Infertility Awareness
Mother's Day resource for pastors

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!