A Pondering Heart Podcast

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” So begins chapter 3 of the Book of Ecclesiastes, and an apt sentiment for this episode. We won’t beat around the bush: in this episode, we share the bittersweet news about taking a step back from A Pondering Heart Podcast. Over the past year, we’ve taken a beautiful journey that has allowed us to dive deeper into our faith, have challenging conversations, and ponder out loud. We’ll talk about what’s next, embracing change in our lives, and extending our gratitude for your continued support and listenership with each episode.All of you have played such a beautiful role in this journey, and for that, we thank you! Onwards and upwards, ad majorem Dei gloriam! — Emi & RachelThings to ponder in this episode:A popular practice for the new year is to take on a word for the year. For 2022, Emi’s is ‘receive’ and Rachel’s is ‘intimacy’ (Rachel shares more here: https://rachelwong.substack.com/p/a-word-for-2022). Do you take on a word for the year? If so, what is it, and how might God be speaking to you through it? If you don’t take on a word for the year, no worries! There are other ways that God speaks to us. Take some time to reflect on the year that has passed, and how God might be calling you to deeper relationship for this year.Change is inevitable in our life, and this is felt most acutely as we go from year to year, or from one state of life to another. How do you cope with transition, and what does that look like for you? Read through Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: it’s a powerful reminder of the temporal nature of our life, and how ultimately we will one day belong to God alone.As we wrap up A Pondering Heart, what has been a key takeaway for you? How will you continue to ‘ponder out loud’ with the Lord?What’s on our heart?Emi: “End of a chapter, the start of something new” — a line from a musical that Emi was in a few years ago, called “Right Here, Write Now.”Rachel: An Address of Pope Paul VI, entitled “Reflections at Nazareth”: https://www.papalencyclicals.net/paul06/p6reflect.htmYou can continue to listen to (and re-listen to!) A Pondering Heart on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and beyond. Our Instagram and Facebook is @aponderingheartpodcast.Here are some ways you can keep in touch with Emi and Rachel beyond A Pondering Heart:Emi is a Vancouver-based Catholic writer and artist. You can follow her on Instagram @restlessnightwriter. You can also read her reflections on her website at eminamoro.com.Rachel is the host of The Feminine Genius Podcast, which you can listen to on all major platforms. You can follow her on Instagram @femgeniuspod and @rchlcwng. You can also read some of her reflections at rachelwong.substack.com.Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

"Picture a lot of jagged rocks, and then put them in a blender, and the push 'on.'" This was how Fr. Richard Conlin, one of our guests for this episode, described his experience of being at the seminary. But our relationships with people in general can be characterized in this way: unique beings coming into contact with one another, engaging in fun times and conflict, with the 'end product' being mutual and reciprocal love for the other.Today, we chat with Fr. Richard and returning guest Fr. Raffaele about the beauty of holy friendships: what the important building blocks are for it, why it's important for our life as Catholics, and the need for prayer as the central part of our relationships.Fr. Richard Conlin is an ordained priest in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, currently serving at Corpus Christi Parish in Vancouver. Fr. Raffaele Salvino is an ordained priest in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, currently serving at St. Matthew's Parish in Surrey.Thoughts to ponder in this episode:"It's a really interesting insight: We see that Jesus is alive by seeing how He can bring certain people together that otherwise wouldn't naturally come together." — This was certainly the case for Fr. Richard and Fr. Raffaele, and perhaps is applicable for a lot of folks who find themselves in intentional community or formation of some kind. How has Jesus brought you together with your friends? Was it someone that you expected, or in a way that you expected?"This likeness reveals that man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself." (Gaudium et Spes, 24) — As humans, we have the opportunity to form relationships with other people. From the beginning, we were never meant to be alone, though sometimes we act in ways that isolates us from others or we act out of selfish means. When have you made a gift of yourself for others? How did the other person respond? What did you learn about yourself in the process?Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

For many of us, there probably isn't a day that goes by without checking in on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or the host of other social media sites out there. Social media is a great way to stay connected with friends, learn something new or even share your faith, but as with all things we can also run the risk of spending too much time on our apps and lose sight of our intentions. As Catholics, how can we be good stewards of social media and use is to glorify God? It's a fine balance and a great opportunity: one that God can certainly use and work through, if only we cooperate with Him.Thoughts to ponder from this episode:On average, how much time do you spend on social media? If you have access to Screen Time or a similar kind of app, check to see how much time you spend on any given social media. Is it more or less than you expected? If it's more and you're hoping to curb it, what are some things that you can do to intentionally fill that time instead?The use of social media for evangelization is a beautiful way to use the tools we've been given for good, and can be a great way to live out the New Evangelization. How can you ensure that your online and offline life is aligned? How can you be more intentional with your use of social media?Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." We'll be the first to admit that sometimes we post on social media to seek attention or draw praise to ourselves! In everything that we do, we need to remember whose we are and why we're doing what we're doing, and with social media and digital evangelization, this is no different.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

One of the pillars of our faith is prayer. But... sometimes prayer is difficult. Painful. Boring, even! But in the same way that we need to grow and invest in our relationships with our loved ones, we also need to grow in our relationship with God — and prayer is a great way to do that. Join us as we dive deep into what prayer is, share our own prayer routines, and share encouragement and solidarity. We all struggle in prayer: You aren't alone, and God delights in your efforts. He can't wait to share time with you! Thoughts to ponder from this episode:What does your current prayer routine look like? If you find it difficult to pray or keep a consistent prayer routine, what do you see as an impediment? Ask God to help you pray and to encourage you.1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "pray without ceasing." While we can't always be in front of the Blessed Sacrament, there is a beautiful opportunity to invite God into every moment, even the mundane, boring moments, and use that as a time of prayer. How can you bring God into every moment of your life?From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 2560: "The wonder of prayer is revealed beside the well where we come seeking water: there, Christ comes to meet every human being. It is he who first seeks us and asks us for a drink. Jesus thirsts; his asking rises from the depths of God’s desire for us. Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God’s thirsts with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for Him." Jesus desires to have a relationship with you! How does this make you feel? How can you deepen your relationship with Him?Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

Welcome to Season 2 of A Pondering Heart Podcast! In this episode, we share some podcast and life updates, which sets us up quite nicely for the topic of today. Using the story of Jesus visiting His friends Mary and Martha, we dive into the topic of busyness in our lives. We look at what being too busy can do to our lives and relationship with God, the importance of observing the Sabbath (#Sabbathing), and some practical ways we can balance action and contemplation in our daily lives.Thoughts to ponder from this episode:"How are you?" / "Oh you know, I'm busy." — This is a common refrain in our conversations with people, to the point where we may not even realize how busy we are or what is keeping us busy. What keeps you busy? What does the busyness come at the expense of in your life?"Burnout is not a badge of honour." — Taking on different responsibilities, service roles, or tasks are not inherently evil. But if we find that there is too much going on in our life, we run the risk of becoming overwhelmed, stressed, and potentially burning out. What does burnout look like in your life? What are some steps you can take to prevent burnout?Balancing our inner Mary and Martha — The point of this episode is not to say that doing things is bad! Rather, call to mind your active life. Do you make time for rest, contemplation, and prayer? How can you honour the Sabbath in your particular way?Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

How did this happen!? Just three months after starting this podcast, we're here at the end of season 1 — and what an adventure it's been! Join us as we celebrate some of the great ways God has moved through the season: inspiring us and our guests, the incredible conversations we've had, and some takeaways that we'll bring with us into our next season.A big thank you to our guests from season 1: Deacon Raffaele Salvino, Mike & Camille Mendoza, Sr. Mary Sabina, and Fr. Mark McGuckin. And of course, thank you to all of you for supporting us and listening in! We look forward to bringing you more conversations and things to ponder in season 2!Thoughts to ponder from this season:What is your key takeaway from this season?What is something that you want to go deeper into this summer?What would you like us to ponder next season?We're taking a break this summer, but we'll be back soon! For all the latest updates on what's next for the podcast, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast.Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.God bless you! — Emi & Rachel

St. Teresa of Avila once said, "You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him." God delights in us and desires for all of us to dream big and dream with Him. But as we get older, sometimes we find it difficult to open up and dream. We may get self-conscious, afraid of failure, or maybe even afraid of putting in the work. But ultimately, God has made us for more than mediocrity: He calls us to live magnanimously, welcome Him into our dreams, and desires for us to succeed in them. Let's pay Him a compliment by being bold and magnanimously!Thoughts to ponder from this episode:From Be Healed by Bob Schuchts: "We were 'promised boundless treasures from the Father’s storehouse.' Jesus says all we have to do is ask. The Father delights in giving us good gifts." — Have you ever found yourself stopping short from asking God to fulfill the desires of your heart? What stops you from asking God? What might encourage you to be bold and ask?In Matthew 7, Jesus talks about asking, seeking and knocking. If even evil people give good gifts to their children, how much more will God give to those who ask Him? (Matthew 7:11) — Do you trust that God has your best interest at heart, and that He has nothing but the best for you? Ask Him for whatever it is that you need, seek His face, and knock on the door of His heart today.The story of the pearl necklace is a great example of God providing us with incredible things, and sometimes we hold onto the 'fake' pearl necklace out of insecurity or fear — What is your fake pearl necklace that you are holding on to? What might it take for you to surrender it to our Lord and trust Him?Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

Many times we think we know what we want in our life, and we pursue our dreams and desires independent of God. For Fr. Mark McGuckin, he had a desire to work in the TV and film industry. Ultimately, he got his wish: He graduated from the University of British Columbia's film program and then worked in Vancouver's TV and film industry. But through a powerful moment of conversion, Fr. Mark started asking the big questions about what life is all about. This led him to leave his work and followed God to the seminary, and in 2016, he was ordained a priest.Fr. Mark McGuckin is an ordained priest in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, currently serving at St. Joseph's Parish in Port Moody.Thoughts to ponder from this episode:Fr. Mark described some of the emptiness that he felt in the work that he was doing, which led him to ask deeper questions about life and God's existence. Have you ever found yourself asking life's "big questions"? How does this impact your current work and vocation?"We're co-authors of this life that we've been given. God is the main author, and we get to co-author this story with Him. He knows the major plot-points already, and He doesn't inhibit our free will, and He's inviting us to collaborate here." — The 'drama of life' as Fr. Mark describes it can be challenging, heart breaking, and terrifying, but it is never boring. God desires to write our story with us, though it requires an immense amount of trust especially in the more difficult parts. How is He calling you to co-author your story with Him?Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

In a recent Wednesday audience, Pope Francis spoke on the communion of saints and their relationship to us, decades and centuries later: "The saints are still here not far from us; and their representations in churches evoke that “cloud of witnesses” that always surrounds us." The saints are not only historical beings and exemplars of holiness — they also are our friends, continuously interceding for us and proving to us that no matter how far we stray from the path, there is always hope. In this episode, we share our love for the saints, the many medals we wear to honour their legacy, and share some of our favourite saints and how they continue to pray for us.We mentioned:Jennifer Fulwiler's Saint Name Generator, which you can find here: https://saintsnamegenerator.com/Modern Saints: Their Lives and Faces by Ann BallMeg Hunter Kilmer is a saint ninja! She also is the author of the book Saints Around the World.Thoughts to ponder from this episode:From Pope Francis' Wednesday audience (April 7, 2021): "The saints remind us that even in our lives, however weak and marked by sin, holiness can unfold." — What is your personal relationship with saints? Do you feel that they are out of reach or difficult to related to?Who are some of the saints in your life that you seek the intercession of? Who are some of the saints who have befriended you? Ask them to pray for you today and always!Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

When it comes to discerning God's will for our lives, it becomes almost impossible when we try to do it all on our own. We may feel scared to reach out to other people because of judgement or insecurity. But in our conversation with Sister Mary Sabina, she challenges us to not be afraid and to be bold in seeking accompaniment.In this episode, Sr. Mary Sabina shares her beautiful vocation story, the importance of accompaniment, and how she was tasked to create a community for discerning women in the Archdiocese of Vancouver and what a blessing that has been for the community and herself. And as a religious sister, she has a lot of advice when it comes to women who may be discerning a religious vocation!Sr. Mary Sabina is a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia currently stationed in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. She teaches at a local Catholic high school and also works for the Archdiocese of Vancouver as the Archbishop’s Delegate for Consecrated Life.Thoughts to ponder from this episode:"God speaks gently, and He unfolds His plan for salvation in time, over history, and He took time to do it. But it's really hard for us who are in time to wait for Him who is outside of time." — We've made different mentions this season of timelines, patience, and working with God in His time rather than our own. What does it mean for you to wait for His timing? How might you practice that in your life right now?Sister Mary Sabina emphasized the importance of accompaniment, and we can find that through spiritual directors, vocations directors, and even friends. Do you have people who are accompanying you on your journey? Take note of who they are in your life, and give thanks for them today.Regardless of what vocation you are called to, Sister Mary Sabina talks about the need for freedom in our lives, especially during discernment. This could be freedom from physical ailments, previous trauma, or chronic sins. What are some things that are keeping you from experiencing true freedom? What might some steps be that you can take to seek freedom?Learn more about the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia by visiting their website, https://www.nashvilledominican.org/.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.