The post How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Coronavirus appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Pro-Tip: Be sure to listen to the very end

We take a break from the cloffice and set up in the living room for a (somewhat) deep dive into the actual definition of fasting and a conversation about whether giving up other things (like television or video games) constitutes actual fasting.  We discuss how fasting keeps us spiritually awake, counteracting autopilot behavior, and how fasting constitutes one of the two wings of prayer that makes our prayers (and penance) even more efficacious. 

The post The Truth About Fasting appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

We wrestle with the world’s view that happiness can only be possible under better circumstances and we discuss how God’s wisdom provides a much better perspective than our own.

The post I’ll Be Happy When… appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Join Greg, Jennifer, Mac and Katherine as they point out the perennial power of the liturgical seasons, and remind us of how much we absolutely need seasons like Advent and Lent in our lives today.

The post The Good of Seasons appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Greg is prepping to deliver a series of three different talks for an upcoming parish mission and solicits help from Mac, Katherine and Jennifer on the most important things to talk about when discussing Mary, Confession, and the Eucharist.

The post Until Greg Reads Faces appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

A failed boating excursion turns into an opportunity to record an outdoor podcast wherein we discuss the value of true friendship, the difficulty of cultivating and maintaining friendships, and how to go about finding a true friend that will accompany you (and that you can accompany) during good times and bad.

Sirach 6:5-11 counsels that:

“Pleasant speech multiplies friends, and gracious lips, friendly greetings.  Let those who are friendly to you be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.  When you gain friends, gain them through testing, and do not be quick to trust them.  For there are friends when it suits them, but they will not be around in time of trouble.  

"Another is a friend who turns into an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your disgrace.  Others are friends, table companions, but they cannot be found in time of affliction.  When things go well, they are your other self and lord it over your servants. If disaster comes upon you, they turn against you and hide themselves.

"Stay away from your enemies, and be on guard with your friends.

"Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one finds a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price, no amount can balance their worth.  Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; those who fear God will find them.  Those who fear the Lord enjoy stable friendship, for as they are, so will their neighbors be."

The post Sirach 6 and the Value of Friendship appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

A continuation of our conversation about how to react to confusion in the Church and how we can help improve negative situations through our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  

We talk about turning inward to examine our own consciences and ways to focus on increasing our own holiness.  For the sake of the Church we must continue to look at Jesus on the cross.  One way to do that, as we continue through the month of October, is by returning to more frequent recitation of the Rosary as a way to combat evil.

The post Land Of Confusion appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Katherine came across an essay that gave words to a long festering frustration with which we’ve each struggled:

What do we do when the shepherds of the Church aren’t clearly leading we the sheep?

The article specifically urges bishops and theologians to press Pope Francis for greater clarity in regards to vague and ambiguous statements that are quickly and easily misconstrued and manipulated by the media and those with a bias against particular teachings of the Catholic Church.

In cases such as these, how should ordinary Catholics react and respond to various news stories that come out of the Vatican and our own various chanceries?  

In this episode we discuss our reactions and responsibility to this elephant in the Cathedral, the responsibility of the pope and bishops to be shepherds of clarity and clear teaching.

LINKS MENTIONED:
OnePeterFive Article

The post Shepherdless Sheep appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Cardinal Sarah’s book, “The Power of Silence,” got our attention.  Are we afraid of silence?

We all seem to have major issues with noise entering into our heads through social media, internet, games, and more.  

How can we help our children embrace silence if we ourselves struggle with it so much?

In this episode we share a clever tactic on how to use the devil’s techniques against him.

Links Mentioned:
The Power of Silence

The post Shut Up, Already appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

What to do when your gift is to evangelize online.  Are we being genuine with the message that we preach or are we simply prisoners to our online personas? These are the kinds of questions Amy Welborn brings up in a recent article, “The Hazards of Online Faith-Writing.”

Amy brings up the question that personas force us to be “on” at all times and potentially imprisons those of us that focus our energies on online ministry.  

Links Mentioned:
Amy Welborn’s Article
OK Catholics YouTube Channel
Catching Foxes Discussion on Amy’s Article

The post Responding to Amy Welborn and the Hazards of Online Ministry appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

St. Theresa of Jesus describes Contemplative Prayer as “nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.”

Contemplative prayer, the Catechism teaches, is a choice of time and duration that arises from a determined will (2710).  It is the prayer of the child of God, the simplest expression of the mystery of prayer, an intense time of prayer that is a gaze of faith, focused on Jesus.  

Additionally, Contemplative prayer is hearing the Word of God and is silence, the “symbol of the world to come.”

An exploration of Catechism paragraphs 2709 through 2719, in this episode we work though the complexities of what should a very simple action: experiencing God through Contemplative Prayer.

The post The Simple yet Difficult Expression of Contemplative Prayer appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Part 2 of 2 - If you’re like us, then you loved Highlander when it came out in the 1980’s.  Swords, Scotland, and Sean Connery.  What’s not to love?

Well, watching it 30 years later, apparently there’s plenty!

Grab some Scotch and join Mac and Greg as they revisit a classic from their teen years - Highlander!

There can be only one…podcast…that mocks Highlander.  And this is it.

Film: Highlander
Release Date: March 7, 1986
Rating: R
Description: An immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his immortal opponent, a murderously brutal barbarian who lusts for the fabled "Prize."

Watch on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B079N4DM13)

​Watch Part 1 here - WAM004

The post Highlander – Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Part 1 of 2 - If you’re like us, then you loved Highlander when it came out in the 1980’s.  Swords, Scotland, and Sean Connery.  What’s not to love?

Well, watching it 30 years later, apparently there’s plenty!

Grab some Scotch and join Mac and Greg as they revisit a classic from their teen years - Highlander!

There can be only one…podcast…that mocks Highlander.  And this is it.

Film: Highlander
Release Date: March 7, 1986
Rating: R
Description: An immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his immortal opponent, a murderously brutal barbarian who lusts for the fabled "Prize."

Watch on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B079N4DM13)

Watch Part 2 here - WAM004b

The post Highlander – Part 1 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

We all want deeper relationships with God, and as St. Therese of Lisieux says, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”

But if “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God,” as St. John Damascene writes, then why is prayer often so difficult?  And why is it such a challenge to establish a regular, ongoing prayer routine?

In this episode we talk about what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about prayer, and how we are to go about doing it, particularly when we let our own lives get in the way.

The post How Then Shall We Pray? appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Joseph Pronechen from the National Catholic Register recently wrote an incredibly insightful column about Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s 1974 statement about the end of Christendom, as well as the antidote to the crisis of faith very much in existence in the world today.

In 1974, Archbishop Sheen clarified by saying, “Christendom is economic, political, social life as inspired by Christian principles. That is ending — we’ve seen it die. Look at the symptoms: the breakup of the family, divorce, abortion, immorality, general dishonesty.”

In this episode we break open both Pronechen’s article and analysis, as well as work towards a deeper understanding of Sheen’s prophetic words from 1974 and what they mean in today’s world.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Links:
Joseph Pronechen's article about Archbishop Sheen at the National Catholic Register

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

The post Fulton Sheen and the End of Christendom appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Mac, Katherine, Jennifer and Greg break open Scripture, Tradition, and the Early Church Fathers to have a better understanding of not only the necessity of baptism.

But trying to figure out if this is a “one and done” sacrament that isn’t necessary for the rest of our Christian life is tougher than it looks.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

The post Are You Living Out Your Baptism? appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

The gang discusses preparing our hearts, minds, souls and bodies for Mass.  ​

Start by leaving your phone at home!

We talk about how being deliberate about how you approach Mass with your minds and with your clothes will transform your experience of encountering Christ in the Eucharist.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

The post How Then Shall We Dress? appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Part 2 of 2 - Do you have the eye of the tiger? Ready to take on Thunderlips, Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, and really bad 80’s fashions?

Then get ready to join Mac and Greg as they revisit another childhood favorite - Rocky III! (that’s an exclamation mark, not another Roman numeral)

Film: Rocky 3
Release Date: May 28, 1982
Rating: PG
Description: To get back on top, this boxer needs help from the last person he’d ever think of — his greatest rival.

Watch on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/60010836)

Click here to listen to Part 1

The post Rocky 3 – Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Part 1 of 2 - Do you have the eye of the tiger? Ready to take on Thunderlips, Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, and really bad 80’s fashions?

Then get ready to join Mac and Greg as they revisit another childhood favorite - Rocky III! (that’s an exclamation mark, not another Roman numeral)

Film: Rocky 3
Release Date: May 28, 1982
Rating: PG
Description: To get back on top, this boxer needs help from the last person he’d ever think of — his greatest rival.

Watch on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/60010836)

Click here to watch Part 2 of 2

The post Rocky 3 – Part 1 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Continuing our discussion of church documents, we begin to unpack the opening paragraphs of Sacrosanctum Concilium, getting stuck in the opening paragraph with both agreements and issues with the wording. 

Reform?  Modern times? What??

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

Links:
Sacrosanctum Concilium -  We get through one whole paragraph. 

The post How To Read Tough Documents appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Part 1 of 2 - Grab your fedora and bullwhip and prepare to relive your childhood as Mac and Greg sit to watch one of their favorite movies together for the first time: Raiders of the Lost Ark!

Film: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Release Date: July 16, 1982
Rating: PG
Description: To stop Hitler, he'll take on a devious rival, an old flame, an army of Nazis and snakes. Lots of snakes.
Watch on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/60011649)

Click here to watch Part 2

The post Raiders of the Lost Ark – Part 1 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Grab your fedora and bullwhip and prepare to relive your childhood as Mac and Greg sit to watch one of their favorite movies together for the first time: Raiders of the Lost Ark!

Film: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Release Date: July 16, 1982
Rating: PG
Description: To stop Hitler, he'll take on a devious rival, an old flame, an army of Nazis and snakes. Lots of snakes.
Watch on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/60011649)

Click here to listen to Part 1

The post Raiders of the Lost Ark – Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

The gang pontificates on how important it is to read original church documents, especially in the light of the changes the church has seen since the Second Vatican Council.  

We discuss this in light of the recognition that the language is often dense and difficult to understand.  These documents call us to a greater and deeper holiness.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

The post Why Read Church Documents? appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

Part 2 of 2 as Mac and Greg continue taking on the unthinkable and force their way through Twilight. Lots of jokes about vampire puking ensues.

Click here for Part 1

The post Twilight Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

In this episode Mac and Greg take on the unthinkable and force their way through Twilight. Lots of jokes about vampire puking ensues.

To watch along, download the podcast, start up Twilight (we rented it from Amazon) and hit start when we start.  Then you can share in the mocking of this modern day ... um ... classic?

Film: Twilight
Release Date: 2008
Rating: PG-13
Description: The first film in the TWILIGHT franchise. Two hearts, two fates and two worlds - human and vampire - collide when Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) fall in love. 
Watch on Amazon

Click here for part 2

The post Twilight Part 1 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

How do you set aside time for prayer, and could your prayer life be improved?​

In this episode we discuss the difficulties of maintaining consistent prayer, and overcoming roadblocks to more “advanced” prayer like daily Mass, the Rosary, and Liturgy of the Hours.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

The post The Difficulties of Prayer appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

In this second episode of Watch a Movie with Mac and Greg we take on the second half of the 2018 stinker "The Hurricane Heist."

Rated PG-13, The Hurricane Heist is about a deadly hurricane with mile-high waves that provides the perfect cover for stealing $600 million from a U.S. Treasury outpost in Mississippi.

It's currently available on Netflix. 

To enjoy Watch a Movie with Mac and Greg, download the podcast (in two parts), pop in your earbuds and listen on your phone while simultaneously watching the film on your TV, computer, or other screen.

Click here for part 1 of our running commentary.

The post The Hurricane Heist Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

In this first episode of Watch a Movie with Mac and Greg we take on the 2018 stinker "The Hurricane Heist."

Rated PG-13, The Hurricane Heist is about a deadly hurricane with mile-high waves that provides the perfect cover for stealing $600 million from a U.S. Treasury outpost in Mississippi.

It's currently available on Netflix. 

To enjoy Watch a Movie with Mac and Greg, download the podcast (in two parts), pop in your earbuds and listen on your phone while simultaneously watching the film on your TV, computer, or other screen.

Click here for part 2 of our running commentary.

The post The Hurricane Heist Part 1 of 2 appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

What is the proper way to receive communion at Mass - in the hand or in the tongue? And should you kneel when receiving? These and other questions are bounced around on this episode of What We're Dealing With.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

Hosted by Greg and Jennifer Willits from the Adventures in Imperfect Living Podcast and Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

Support our Work:
Greg and Jennifer's Patreon Page
Mac and Katherine's Patreon Page

The post On the Hand or On the Tongue? appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.

In each episode We team up with Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town Podcast.

The goal is long form conversations and deeper dives into topics that have been on our minds lately.

This inaugural episode revolves around a recent talk and letter given by Robert Cardinal Sarah. This talk has dramatically impacted how we receive the Eucharist at Mass.

Note: This was a bonus podcast initially available exclusively to both our supporters (like you!) and/or Mac and Katherine’s supporters. It is now publicly available thanks to their support!

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback!

The post Responding to Cardinal Sarah appeared first on Greg and Jennifer Willits.