Catholic Single Mothers

Catholic Single Mothers

por Momentum

Temporada 3

Navigating the Highs and Lows of Our Faith Journey

In this episode, Navigating the Highs and Lows of Our Faith Journey, we sit down with Jackie Cere, Director of the Dominus Vobiscum Retreat Centre and a spiritual director with over 25 years of experience. Jackie has been a dedicated supporter of Momentum since its inception and a member of our leadership team, with a deep heart for single mothers. She brings profound wisdom on the journey of discernment, consolation, desolation, and hope, sharing how these spiritual movements, rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, can help navigate life's highs and lows and foster trust in God’s plan. Items of Note in This Episode: Ignatian Discernment: Jackie explains how St. Ignatius’ principles of consolation and desolation can guide us in making decisions and finding peace amidst uncertainty. Learn more about these principles at IgnatianSpirituality.com. Dominus Vobiscum Retreat Centre: Located in Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, Quebec, the Dominus Vobiscum Retreat Centre is a place of peace and renewal, offering retreats that help families grow in prayer and deepen their faith. To learn more about Dominus Vobiscum, visit www.dominusvobiscum.ca. For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent those of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

God's Perfect Plan

In this episode, God’s Perfect Plan, Rose, Talitha, and Claire from the Momentum Leadership Team share their reflections on the deep longing for marriage and the dream of a perfect family. They discuss how they navigated the challenges of waiting, trusting, and ultimately surrendering to God’s will. Items of Note in This Episode: Biblical Reflection: Claire shares the powerful and comforting passage from Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Dr. Seuss Inspiration: Talitha references the beloved Dr. Seuss book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, reflecting on the concept of being present in the moment and not living in a state of limbo. From Suffering to Hope – Romans 5:3-5: Rose highlights this passage, which beautifully connects suffering to hope: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Rose Hawthorne Lathrop: Rose introduces listeners to Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, who became a Catholic and dedicated her life to serving the poor and terminally ill. Her story is a testament to finding God’s purpose in unexpected ways. For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

It's Not the End of the Story

In this episode, “It’s Not the End of the Story,” we are joined by Andorra Howard, a member of Madonna House DC, who shares a beautiful testimony of hope and faith. Andorra reflects on the life of Catherine Doherty, the founder of Madonna House, who herself was a single mother. She also shares her experience of being raised by a single mother and reflects on the profound impact of leading a Momentum retreat focused on God the Father. Through Andorra’s heartfelt sharing, we are reminded to look up and see God even in the most challenging of circumstances. Other items of note: Madonna House Apostolate, where Andorra serves, is a Catholic community of lay men, women, and priests dedicated to serving God through prayer, hospitality, and service to others. Founded by Catherine Doherty, Madonna House is rooted in simplicity and love for Christ, offering a place of retreat, reflection, and spiritual renewal. For more information, visit www.madonnahouse.org. Catherine Doherty's autobiography, “Fragments of My Life,” provides a deeply personal account of her journey, including her struggles and triumphs as a single mother and her unwavering faith in God. For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Listening with Intention

In part two of our parenting series, Elena Borrega returns to explore the transformative role of listening in parenting. She shares how practicing presence and compassion when listening to our children creates a safe space for them to feel heard, express themselves, and build problem-solving skills. Elena beautifully connects this approach to the way God listens to us—attentively, patiently, and lovingly. Through this conversation, she offers single mothers valuable insights into nurturing their children’s emotional and spiritual growth by embracing intentional listening. For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Mothering Ourselves and our Children

In this episode, “Mothering Ourselves and Our Children,” which is part one of a two-part series on parenting, we have the privilege of speaking with Elena Borrega, a seasoned educator and spiritual director, who has spent over four decades working with families, children, and teachers. Elena shares her insights into parenting through the lens of faith, particularly for single mothers. She shares how healing ourselves is essential in becoming the parents our children need. Elena offers heartfelt reflections on how cultivating a relationship with God enables us to parent our children with greater awareness and compassion. Other items of note that Elena mentions during the episode: Ignatian Spiritual Director (Montreal Ignatian Spirituality Centre): A spiritual director trained in the Ignatian tradition helps guide individuals through spiritual exercises and discernment, rooted in the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Montreal Ignatian Spirituality Centre offers programs that focus on personal reflection, prayer, and deepening one’s connection with God. For more information, visit www.ignatiancentremtl.org For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Temporada 2

Reach Out for Support

In this episode, we sit down with Nadia, a single mom who shares her journey. From the loss of her father at a young age to becoming a mother, Nadia opens up about the challenges she faced and the support she received along the way. She expresses tremendous gratitude to those who helped her and shares her message to women: keep reaching out for support. Other items of note that Nadia mentions during the episode: The Sisters of Life: The Sisters of Life are a contemplative/active Roman Catholic community of women religious, who profess the three traditional vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and a fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life. Their missions include serving women who are vulnerable to abortion, giving them the support and resources to be able to choose life for themselves and their children; hosting weekend retreats; evangelization; outreach to college students; and helping women who have suffered after abortion to encounter the mercy and healing of Jesus Christ. https://sistersoflife.org/ McGill Newman Centre: The McGill Newman Centre in Montreal is a Catholic student center affiliated with McGill University. It serves as a hub for Catholic students and others interested in exploring and deepening their faith. Named after John Henry Newman, an important figure in the Catholic Church known for his work in education and theology, the Newman Centre aims to provide a supportive community and a range of spiritual, social, and intellectual activities. https://newmancentre.org/ For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

You are Not Alone

In this episode of the Catholic Single Mothers Podcast, Tessa shares her deeply personal journey as a single mother. Despite enduring a challenging marriage in another country, Tessa found the courage to leave and return to Canada, not knowing she was pregnant at the time. Through perseverance, and support of key people, she navigated the uncertainties of single motherhood, discovering the power of self-love and the trust that she was not alone along the way. For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Keep Stretching Your Heart

In this episode, we delve into Catherine's journey as a single mother, a spiritual director, and a source of wisdom. Catherine opens up about her experiences raising her children alone since they were just 5 and 7 years old. Through heartfelt reflections, she offers us glimpses into pivotal moments of insight and inspiration in her spiritual journey. Catherine shares how her relationship with God has been a guiding light, helping her to continually expand and stretch her heart.  Other items of note that Catherine mentions during the episode:  Jesuit Order: A Roman Catholic order of religious men founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, noted for its educational, missionary, and charitable works.  Spiritual Exercises: The Spiritual Exercises, composed from 1522–1524, are a set of Christian meditations, contemplations, and prayers written by Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th-century Spanish priest, theologian, and founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).  For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Hope in the Face of Adversity

Josephine is a single mom, a dedicated nurse by profession, and a resilient cancer survivor. In this episode, she shares about her unwavering faith in God and how it serves as the foundation for her strength and positivity. Josephine provides insight and inspiration about how to find hope in the face of adversity.   Other items of note that Josephine mentions during the episode: Divine Mercy Image: The image of the Divine Mercy is a depiction of Jesus Christ that is based on the devotion initiated by Saint Faustina Kowalska. Jesus is shown, in most versions, as raising his right hand in blessing and pointing with his left hand on the Sacred Heart from which flow forth two rays: one red and one pale. St. Padre Pio Healing Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me. I thank you for sending your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the world to save and to set me free. I trust in your power and grace that sustain and restore me. Loving Father, touch me now with your healing hands, for I believe that your will is for me to be well in mind, body, soul and spirit. Cover me with the most precious blood of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. Cast anything that should not be in me. Root out any unhealthy and abnormal cells. Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild and replenish any damaged areas. Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection by the power of Jesus’ precious blood. Let the fire of your healing love pass through my entire body to heal and make new any diseased areas so that my body will function the way you created it to function. Touch also my mind and my emotion, even the deepest recesses of my heart. Saturate my entire being with your presence, love, joy and peace and draw me ever closer to you every moment of my life. And Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to do your works so that my life will bring glory and honour to your holy name. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers.

Freedom from Shame

In this episode, Fr. Rob Elford reflects on shame, its impact on our lives, and offers suggestions on how to free ourselves from it. Fr. Elford, a former naval officer who followed a calling to the Priesthood, now serves as the Pastor at Stella Maris Parish in Halifax. Additionally, he serves as the Chaplain for Momentum. For more information about Momentum and our services, please visit: www.momentummothers.org or contact momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Podcast do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Momentum: Catholic Single Mothers

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