Catholic Exchange

The family is proclaimed to be The Domestic Church or, as St. John Paul II said, the building blocks of society. The family's role in God's providence is so great that it can often come under attack. In our confused and chaotic age, how can parents protect their family and raise a saintly household?

Today's guest, Kathleen Beckman, returns to the CE Podcast to share how families can put on the armor of God and protect their loved ones. Mrs. Beckman also discusses the necessary steps you can take to make a Eucharistic home and why thanksgiving and Mary are powerful weapons against demons. With her experience in the ministry of exorcism, Kathleen Beckman will help you to feel prepared for spiritual battle while encouraged to bring your children up in faith.

Kathleen's books include:

• A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare
• Praying for Priests: An Urgent Call for the Salvation of Souls
• God’s Healing Mercy: Finding Your Path to Forgiveness, Peace, and Joy
• When Women Pray: Eleven Catholic Women on the Power of Prayer

Kathleen Beckman is a frequent contributor at Catholic Exchange. Check out her articles here and the following:

• Our previous interview, How Families Can Prepare for Spiritual Warfare.
• Mary, Culture, Family, and Spiritual Warfare
• Exorcists Witness: Mary, Defender Against Demons
• Temptation: The Ordinary Ways the Devil Attacks Us

You can find her work at KathleenBeckman.com and foundationforpriests.org.

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Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen died over forty years ago. However, his work remains as influential and inspiring it was when he was alive (if not more so!). What keeps people coming back to the televangelist and bishop after so many decades? Examining his work on the sacraments, Michael is joined by Al Smith, the founder and director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Mission Society of Canada and the editor of three Fulton J. Sheen anthologies, who takes a look at the work of the Archbishop.

In today's episode, Al Smith and Michael Lichens discuss how they've discovered Fulton J. Sheen in youth and how his work has continued to influence them. We also take a look at the writings and homilies of Ven. Sheen on the sacraments and his advice for newly-wed couples. Finally, we discuss Fulton Sheen's advice for welcoming children into our lives.

Other topics we discussed:

• How much writing did Fulton Sheen accomplished while hosting a popular TV series.
• How Ven. Sheen's writings can help us to find a road map to the sacramental life.
• Bishop Sheen's call to see the sacraments with a divine sense of humor.
• The origin, power, and efficacy of the Seven Sacraments.
• The power of baptism throughout our lives.
• Why Fulton Sheen said that it takes "three to get married."

Articles & Resources

You can purchase Archbishop Sheen’s Book of Sacraments at your local Catholic bookstore or online through Sophia Institute Press. You can also find the previous anthologies, The Cries of the Jesus from the Cross: A Fulton Sheen Anthology (2018) and Lord, Teach Us To Pray: A Fulton Sheen Anthology (2020).

You can check out these previous articles and interviews from Al Smith, available here on Catholic Exchange:

• “Every Catholic Home Needs a Good Book on the Sacraments”
• “How Bishop Sheen Helped Me to Reconcile With the Blessed Mother”
• “Fulton J. Sheen: My Guide As I Learn to Pray”
• “What Fulton J. Sheen Can Teach Us About Prayer”
• “Ven. Fulton J. Sheen as a Lenten Guide”

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The Catholic Exchange Podcast is honored to welcome back long-time contributor and author Fr. Edward Looney as our guest host. In today's episode, Fr. Edward Looney interview's author Anthony DeStefano about his latest illustrated book, Our Lady's Wardrobe. Mr. DeStefano is the author of A Travel Guide to Heaven, The Grumpy Old Ox, and is a frequent television host.

• Why parents should feel encouraged to pass Marian devotion down to their children.
• The reasons for why Mary has so many different titles.
• Which Marian devotions children and youth tend towards.
• How Our Lady of Lourdes affirms God's love for us.
• The power of art and illustrations of Our Lady, especially at a young age.

Listen below or find Catholic Exchange on Apple, Google, Spotify, or on your favorite podcasting app.

Fr. Edward Looney's articles can be found on Catholic Exchange, and you can find our previous interview with him at this link. Fr. Looney is also the author of the best-selling books, A Lenten Journey with Mother Mary, A Heart Like Mary’s, Meditations after Holy Communion, and A Rosary Litany.

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Longtime Catholic Exchange contributors and frequent podcast guests Fr. Edward Looney and Jeannie Ewing discuss Mrs Ewing’s much read article, “St. Joseph: Our Patron Saint of a Happy & Holy Death.” In this conversation, Jeannie discusses ways that St. Joseph’s example and support can help us to become better people in our faith, familial, and personal lives. Meanwhile, Fr. Edward gives his insights into the power of the saints in his life as a parish priest.

Listen below or find Catholic Exchange on Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you love to listen to podcasts.

Other subjects we discussed:

• How St. Joseph can help you through the trials of grief and mourning.
• The humility we can learn from St. Joseph and how that will ultimately allow God to take control.
• The power of saintly intercession in helping you to grow in your struggles while conquering personal vices.
• What St. Joseph’s radical trust and obedience can show us in our modern day.
• How St. Joseph’s intercession can help us with our interior struggles.

Links, Books, & Resources

• Jeannie Ewing is the author of multiple books, including From Grief to Grace. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Also check out her website, jeannieewing.com.
• Fr. Edward Looney recently joined us (listen here) to discuss his latest book, Meditations After Holy Communion. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at the handle @FrEdwardLooney. His website is edwardlooney.com.
• If you want to hear more from Fr. Looney, check out his podcast, “How They Love Mary” on your favorite podcast app.
• You can find the Litany to St. Joseph here.

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Photo by Anna Hecker on Unsplash

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After a year of frustration and uncertainty, more people are able to return to Mass at their local parish. For many, this upcoming Easter weekend will feel like a homecoming of sorts after being physically absent during the last Paschal season. If you are among these pilgrims who can now come home, now is a great time to learn the art of meditating on the Catholic faith.

Today, Michael is joined by long-time CE contributor and returning guest Fr. Edward Looney to discuss the practical steps you can take to your time at Mass to a new level.

In what promises to become a spiritual classic, Fr. Edward Looney’s Meditations after Holy Communion guides your prayers during those intimate moments with the Lord following Holy Communion, elevating your soul and mind and leading you into a deeper relationship with Christ.

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