On this final episode of Beyond Sunday, in anticipation of the Feast of the Holy Family, Rakhi and Nicole unpack how we, as families, can grow in holiness. They revisit some of the themes that have come up over the last year of hosting this podcast, and they offer encouragement to listeners striving to live lives of holiness with their families. Looking to the Holy Family as a model of humanity and docility to the Lord, they invite listeners to entrust their families to the Lord and continue to use 52 Sundays in the new year as a way to weave the Sunday experience into their weeks. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning, tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca — or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

(01:34) Rakhi and Nicole commence their fifty-third and final episode of Beyond Sunday. They encourage listeners to remain committed to bringing the light of Christ through their families by using 52 Sundays weekly and following Unleash the Gospel on social media. They share what they’re grateful for from this past year by pulling something from their “virtual gratitude jar” to share. 

(05:36) They encourage reflecting on the past year with the Lord and the Blessed Mother and revisit some of the most prominent themes that arose on the podcast in the past year. 

(12:14) They highlight how the Holy Family can inspire us to live out holiness in our own families. They note how we can carry the same disposition as the Holy Family in whatever the Lord calls us to. 

(15:08) They encourage listeners to extend the season of celebration that Christmas brings by having an Epiphany party, surrounding themselves with people who encourage us in our faith, and seeking out strong relationships. They also encourage listeners to strive to make time for the Lord, especially when things get busy or overwhelming and to trust God is working, even if we don’t see fruit. 

(20:27) They offer a challenge to listeners to pick one thing from 52 Sundays to commit to incorporating into each week in the new year. They also invite listeners to remember they are human and entrust their families to the Lord and his holy will.  

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning, tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca — or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Reflecting on the fourth Sunday of Advent’s Gospel reading, Rakhi and Nicole unpack the power and joy of God’s surprises, especially in relation to our life of discipleship. They note how surrendering to and following the Lord wherever he calls us is not always easy, but highlight how he equips those he anoints for a particular purpose. They encourage listeners to lean on the Blessed Mother and follow her example of peace following the Annunciation, and wish their listeners a very merry Christmas.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning, tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca — or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

(02:01) Rakhi re-joins Nicole on the podcast, and she shares about her surprise 40th birthday party. They talk about how Christmas sneaks up very quickly this year, with only one day to celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent. They talk about how they keep Christmas gifts a surprise in their families. 

(08:11) They discuss how to hold a posture of joyful anticipation and trust, counting on the surprises that God might have for us. They talk about leaving space for the unexpected and looking for how God is moving in our lives in unexpected ways. 

(13:52) Looking at this Sunday’s Gospel reading, they talk about how Mary and Zechariah have different reactions to God’s plan for their lives. They share how it can be difficult to release control as God often calls us to do. 

(17:55) They share how God will ask specific things of each of us and how to discern in faith. They share from their own experiences how this is often very hard to do but that discipleship is not always easy. They discuss the idea of being anointed to do the work God calls us to, no matter how challenging it is, and how God equips us for it. 

(20:35) With Mary as our example, they highlight how to remain peaceful in the midst of the challenge of God’s plan for our lives. They also note the role that Elizabeth and Mary play in each others’ lives as they accept God’s will. They encourage listeners to turn to the Blessed Mother as a source of comfort, especially if they don’t have anyone to turn to for support in their life as a disciple. 

(22:12) They offer this week’s challenge, inviting listeners to pray the Litany of Mary found in this week’s 52 Sundays and considering throwing Jesus a birthday party. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning, tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca — or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Cohosts Nicole and Tara continue to discuss the Advent season, focusing on the third week of Advent and noting the shortness of the final week this year. They propose praying with the “O antiphons,” ancient prayers prayed by the Church, to help us enter into the final days of Advent, and share how praying reflecting on them might be particularly impactful for you and your family. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca — or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

(02:07) Nicole and Tara talk about how the fourth week of Advent is literally one day this year, given where it falls on the liturgical calendar. They talk about “pink week” and how they like to spend the week rejoicing. They share some of their favorite family traditions. 

(06:12) They introduce the “O antiphons,” ancient prayers to be prayed during the final days of Advent. They discuss some of them, unpacking what they reveal about God and his love for his people throughout salvation history. 

(12:36) They talk about the importance of being vulnerable with our kids about traditions that are especially meaningful to our faith and emphasize the impact sharing our faith can have on our kids. They also share how traditions like praying the “O antiphons” can help our kids better understand the universality of the Catholic Church. 

(17:43) Continuing to unpack the “O antiphons,” they discuss the reality of darkness but the hope that Jesus brings to the darkness. They share how they invite their children to recognize the light of Christ in their own lives. They highlight the beauty of a lighted Christmas tree and how it symbolizes the reality that we celebrate at Christmas: Christ has come to “shine on those who dwell in darkness.”  

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca — or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

On this episode of Beyond Sunday, co-hosts Nicole and Tara discuss their Advent dive into this Sunday’s Gospel reading focusing on John the Baptist. They explore the beauty of remaining steadfast in faith, drawing from John's example of anticipation. They highlight celebrating saints like St. Lucy and Our Lady of Guadalupe during Advent, emphasizing their own stories of waiting and anticipation and how they can serve as models to us and our little ones.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca — or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

(01:12) Co-hosts Nicole and Tara introduce themselves and discuss how their Advent candles fare through the season. They discuss this Sunday’s Gospel reading and what they love about John the Baptist. 

(06:49) They talk about the beauty of being a cradle Catholic and how you don’t have to stray from Christ to have a powerful testimony. They discuss the disposition of waiting and how John the Baptist models this for us. 

(09:06) They begin to unpack other ways we can celebrate in the midst of waiting during the Advent season, starting with celebrating and sharing the story of St. Lucy (feast day: December 13) with our kids.

(14:13) They also discuss how they celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe (feast day: December 12) and highlight how she models waiting with anticipation, especially by appearing pregnant. They discuss the feeling of anticipation experienced during pregnancy.

(19:43) They recommend that listeners use 52 Sundays to find meaningful ways to celebrate the saints who teach us how to wait well and propose this week’s challenge of praying the Hail Mary daily. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

On this episode of Beyond Sunday, Nicole is joined by guest co-host Tara Stenger, one of the other minds behind 52 Sundays, and the two discuss some of their experiences in entering the Advent season with intention. They talk about some of their favorite Feast of St. Nicholas traditions and encourage listeners to set new liturgical year resolutions as they share some of their own. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Mission Development Projects Program. This Advent, share the joy of the birth of Christ by educating children living in desperate conditions, feeding abandoned babies, or providing a safe learning space for disabled children. Learn how you can change lives at pimeusa.org/52-projects.

(00:32) Tara Stenger, guest co-host for this episode, introduces herself and shares a little about her family. They discuss this Advent as the official start to the new liturgical year, highlighting how the 52 Sundays resource can help families enter the liturgical year with intention. 

(04:17) The two discuss Advent, how quickly the season seems to go by and introduce this coming weekend’s Gospel reading about staying awake. They talk about how to make a theme of it for their families throughout the week. 

(10:09) They talk about the Feast Days that will show up at the beginning of Advent (the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of St. Nicholas) and share how they make the Feast of St. Nicholas special for their families. 

(14:45) They talk about acts of charity and works of mercy like a Giving Tree and how they incorporate those things into the celebration of St. Nicholas and the Advent season. 

(18:09) With Advent on their minds, they discuss liturgical New Year resolutions. Nicole shares a few resources she uses with her little ones at adoration, including “Adoring Christ with the Saints” from Catholic Sprouts. They discuss the value of modeling authentic prayer and relationship with Jesus in adoration to our kids. 

(23:46) They ask listeners to consider how Jesus asks their family to be more watchful and hold an outlook of joy at the beginning of this new liturgical year. They also encourage them to use 52 Sundays intentionally as a way to help their whole family grow throughout the liturgical year. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Mission Development Projects Program. This Advent, share the joy of the birth of Christ by educating children living in desperate conditions, feeding abandoned babies, or providing a safe learning space for disabled children. Learn how you can change lives at pimeusa.org/52-projects.

Rakhi and Nicole provide practical insights for entering the new liturgical year as parents during the upcoming Advent season, discussing the balance between stillness and holiday busyness. The duo addresses the complexities of consolation and desolation in the spiritual journey, offering encouragement to lean on Jesus honestly during challenges. They encourage listeners to lay their burdens at Jesus' feet during this season of hope and to commit to one specific commitment during Advent.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Mission Development Projects Program. This Advent, share the joy of the birth of Christ by educating children living in desperate conditions, feeding abandoned babies, or providing a safe learning space for disabled children. Learn how you can change lives at pimeusa.org/52-projects.

(02:05) Rakhi and Nicole discuss the links between our Catholic faith and superheroes as we approach the upcoming celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. They talk about how they celebrate this solemnity.

(06:04) Acknowledging that Advent is right around the corner, they discuss how they can practically enter into the liturgical season, which commences a new liturgical year. They then shift to talking about and sharing suggestions on how to prepare internally — how to prepare space in our hearts for Jesus to come.

(11:06) They discuss the reality that the stillness we are invited into during Advent doesn’t have to be inactive and how to balance the stillness with the busyness of the holiday season. They talk about how to realistically incorporate prayer throughout the day to remain connected to God and the need to “tell Jesus what you want.”

(15:29) They talk about how times of consolation and desolation with the Lord differ and how to navigate those shifts and changes in our spiritual life. They also note how the holidays can bring up grief and highlight hardship, encouraging listeners to lean on Jesus in those challenges.

(17:25) They talk about the need to be real with Jesus, and Nicole shares a powerful prayer analogy offered by Catholic speaker Mari Pablo at a previous Engaging the Young Church Conference. They emphasize the need to relate to Jesus honestly, especially in the midst of suffering or dry seasons of prayer.

(20:20) Rakhi talks about how Advent is a time of hope, placed in a dark season, and challenges listeners to lay all of the things that weigh heavily on us at the feet of Jesus and anticipate God’s goodness during this season of waiting. They also encourage listeners to look for how Christ is present in their lives.

(22:43) They propose this week’s challenge to decide on one thing to commit to preparing your heart as a parent during Advent. They challenge listeners to consider what the Lord is asking right now and commit to that one thing.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Mission Development Projects Program. This Advent, share the joy of the birth of Christ by educating children living in desperate conditions, feeding abandoned babies, or providing a safe learning space for disabled children. Learn how you can change lives at pimeusa.org/52-projects.

In this episode, Rakhi and Nicole chat about all things Thanksgiving, from the theological to the practical. Listen as they unpack some of the theology of the Eucharist, how to approach the difficulties that can accompany family gatherings graciously, and how to make the most of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend as a family. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Mission Development Projects Program. This Advent, share the joy of the birth of Christ by educating children living in desperate conditions, feeding abandoned babies, or providing a safe learning space for disabled children. Learn how you can change lives at pimeusa.org/52-projects.

(01:42) Rakhi and Nicole chat about Blessed Solanus Casey in anticipation of the anniversary of his beatification, in addition to the Thanksgiving season and the theme of gratitude. They talk about having a posture of gratitude through all circumstances and remaining rooted in the joy of Christ. 

(09:13) Nicole shares the idea of practicing daily gratitude by writing blessings down and recommends adopting the practice during Advent. They discuss the connection between the Eucharist and thanksgiving and how to approach the Mass with gratitude with small practices. They talk about some of the theology of the Eucharist.

(13:07) They move on to discuss family gatherings and how to maintain an attitude of gratitude in family gatherings that might come with difficult relationships. They encourage preparing for tough conversations and choosing to love and seek the good in our family members. 

(15:06) They talk about the rush to Christmas that seems to always follow Thanksgiving and how to aim to be intentional about enjoying the Thanksgiving weekend and maintaining an attitude of gratitude throughout the Advent season that follows. 

(18:49) They introduce this week’s challenge to listeners, encouraging them to do the family gratitude prayer exercise for this week found on 52sundays.com. They make recommendations on how to adapt it for your kids and what to expect. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Mission Development Projects Program. This Advent, share the joy of the birth of Christ by educating children living in desperate conditions, feeding abandoned babies, or providing a safe learning space for disabled children. Learn how you can change lives at pimeusa.org/52-projects.

On this episode of Beyond Sunday, Rakhi and Nicole offer listeners helpful ideas on how to celebrate Advent and various feasts leading up to the Christmas season. They share some of their own favorite practices, share what they know works for others, and encourage listeners to make a plan for Advent as it quickly approaches. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Mission Development Projects Program. This Advent, share the joy of the birth of Christ by educating children living in desperate conditions, feeding abandoned babies, or providing a safe learning space for disabled children. Learn how you can change lives at pimeusa.org/52-projects.

(02:05) Rakhi and Nicole talk about how quickly Advent and Christmas are approaching and the importance of approaching this season intentionally. They introduce this weekend’s Gospel reading about the ten virgins and the lesson of being prepared for the coming of Christ.

(07:03) They talk about planning to celebrate some of the feast days that lead up to Christmas and highlight some of their favorites. They also share how they plan for liturgical events through their own planning and calendaring. They share some of their families’ favorite ways to celebrate the feasts of St. Nicholas, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Lucy. 

(11:39) They also share some thoughts on other Advent traditions, including the Jesse tree, highlighting The Jesse Tree for Families, a resource by Detroit local Colleen Pressprich. They talk about different types of Advent wreaths and ways to help our kids interact more fully with the Advent wreath throughout the season. 

(14:15) Rakhi and Nicole talk about different things they do to help their little ones enter into and understand the season. They also note the variety of Advent devotionals that are available to Catholic families and mention traditions that they’ve heard of that other families have found to be beneficial. 

(16:42) They encourage listeners to identify a few feast days they want to celebrate, make a plan to celebrate them and consider what sort of daily Advent devotional or prayer will best suit their family. They encourage them to be realistic and to lean into the hope that Advent ushers into our lives. 

(19:03) Rakhi and Nicole mention the importance of protecting our time and prioritizing these spiritual practices in very concrete ways. 

(22:28) They offer their challenge to listeners to start coming up with a plan for how they will celebrate Advent as individuals and as a family. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Mission Development Projects Program. This Advent, share the joy of the birth of Christ by educating children living in desperate conditions, feeding abandoned babies, or providing a safe learning space for disabled children. Learn how you can change lives at pimeusa.org/52-projects.