Living Fullness

How to know when to end a relationship

In this episode, the hosts talk about the Non-negotiables in a relationship -power and abuse, that we ought to walk away from when they come to light baring in mind the person exhibiting these behaviours are not yet ready to be in a relationship and need further healing. 
Then they speak about Core Values and the complementarity necessary in a relationship as opposed to compromising your core values. 
And asking the most important question: Are we thriving? and in the Christian context, are we together becoming more like Christ?
Shout out to Daniel Ang from Sydney Centre for Evangelisation - Seminary talk
and Sarah Swafford - 'no altar switch'
T.B.G
Padre - A Productive Meeting
Stina - Inner Wheel Fundraiser 
 
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Guilt, shame and Identity

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In this episode Padre and Stina have a look at the difference between guilt and shame and Stina shares why she feels very uncomfortable about a popular notion at present. 
They also take a look back at the Garden of Eden where it all began, and how we can now heal, as well as some practical considerations. 
 
T.B.G
Stina - Rest, recharge and a good Long John
Padre - Ordination of Rev. Peter Paul

Family, Faith, Footy & Friendship w David Kennedy

This week our hosts interviewed a local young ma, David Kennedy, who has been involved in local Youth Ministry from some time. He's currently working as a teacher whilst finishing his TAS and Religion teaching studies. 
 
David shares with us about his faith journey, and what he feels is vital for living life to the full -  faith & live it with the people that we love. We explore a bit about how to surround yourself with people who help you strive and live life better, what true friendship looks like as well as how we can be more of that person. 
David shares some humorous answers to the rapid fire questions
Shout outs to:
- Family - Kennedy family, extended family and cousin Nicholas
- Charles Sturt University
- Chosen Youth
- Gilroy brothers
- Pook Sisters

Fighting Fair in Friendships

In this episode our hosts unpack healthy ways to dialogue about differences and friction in friendship, and arguing in a charitable way especially when an ugly fight might otherwise break out. Padre and Stina share a humorous, early argument they had in their friendship with a clash of prides, and the lesson they both learned through it.  
Some tips include; decide what is most important to us and recognize that what ever we decide will have consequences. I.e. If we choose to be right and to win, then we've places ourselves as a priority and we need to accept that we may hurt the other person. If we choose to avoid or to win by being non-responsive, then we demonstrate we are not invested in the other person. If we choose love, then we may well lose the argument, and may need to invest more, but we will demonstrate respectful listening and speaking and that will go further in winning them over. 
Note: the term heretic can sometimes we thrown around quite recklessly in circles, this is quite severe and hurtful. 
Close friends should also consider the cause of the argument the problem, not the other person, and work together to overcome the problem. 
Don't let these things fester - seek clarity instead of doubting if something could have caused offence. 
At the end of the day - reconcile 'do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil' - Ephesians 4:26-27
And remember; Friendships that hold mercy at is core can afford to make mistakes and will grow, but friendships that hold up unattainable ideals of perfection will suffocate under that pressure - so bring things to the table. 
T.B.G
Padre - Fr. Bradley Rafter
Stina - The witness from a woman in a prayer tribe from the other side of the globe '...despite all the challenges, I cannot be anything but Christian'.
 

Gifts, Charisms and Speaking in Tongue

In this episode Padre and Stina answer one of the listener's questions starting with outlining what the gifts of the holy spirit are, and how they differ from charisms. Followed by tackling the question 'Why is it, that the gift of tongues, in Catholic circles, is viewed with an element of disdain?'
Shout out to Padre's old teacher - Fr. Luke Joseph 
 
T.B.G
Padre - 49th Wedding Anniversary of Mr and Mrs Byrnes
Stina - House sitting - silence 

Should I befriend my pastor/priest?

Padre opens up about a question he saw online regarding pastors and their friendships. Padre and Stina open up a conversation about what it means to have a friendship and what it means to have a pastoral relationship and whether they can ever co-exist. 
Lay people have a wonderful opportunity to engage their pastor/priest in deeper pastoral relationship, but it's not the lay person's role to dictate what kinds of friendships they should have. It's a lay persons role to support and respect their pastor's needs not to be the one to fulfil them.  
Mentions: Vianney College Students, and Fr Scott Armstrong,
T.B.G
Stina - Gratitude
Padre - Romano Guardini  
Padre speaks about a document he used through his own formation 'Integrity in Ministry' and it's role in shaping pastoral relationships. 

Grace Ukich - Life journey, prayer, and accompaniment

Each month we interview a guest - and this month Grace Ukich, a friend of Stina's and prayer coordinator for the Virtue Ministry team, joins the podcast. 
Grace shares with us a bit about herself, what drew her to medicine, whether she was always a Christian, what brought her closer to Christ and her role within the Virtue Ministry team. Our hosts then dive deep into a conversation on Prayer; How grace prays, what is the divine office and what is prayerful accompaniment. She also shares some advice on what to do if you're someone used to reciting set, formal prayers and would like to try informal vocal prayer for for someone; as well as the impact of friendship on her personal life. 
The episode concludes with a rapid fire round. 
 
Shout out to - The Convent and to Prepare and Enrich program for couples
If you would like to hear more from Grace and pray for our ministry, Join the Prayer Tribe by becoming a prayer partner today!
Also, Please keep Grace and her fiancé Sam in your prayers as they prepare to enter into Marriage in Late August 2021. 

Virtue Challenge yourself because you're more than 1-in-a-MILLION

In this week's episode of Living Fullness, Padre and Stina, talk about The Virtue Challenge created by Sarah Swafford from Emotional Virtue Ministries also found in her Book, Emotional Virtue - a guide to drama free relationships. 
Virtue is governed by Love, For Love, and orders our thoughts, desires, and behaviours towards that which is true, good, and beautiful - towards love. It ultimately frees you to become who you were truly made to be. 
Both our hosts share their personal experience with the Virtue challenge and how it shaped their personal development and growth as well as their relationships with people and with Christ. 
If you are interested in doing the Virtue Challenge, here are some steps to follow:
1. Pray
2. Ask someone to be your accountability partner (send them this podcast so they know what you're after). 
3. Set achievable goals - you can find a list of traits to download (originally created by Sarah Swafford) here 
- Virtue Challenge - Women
- Virtue Challenge - Men 
Or create your own list, remembering that although men and women are different, we do share humanity and therefore share many of the same qualities and traits. We are equal in dignity and complementary in nature. 
4. Just Start - You are more than 1-in-a-MILLION. You are ONE-in-ALL-of-ETERNITY, and there will forever be something missing without you becoming ALL that you were made to be. 
T.B.G
Padre - Vocations Day - Men some young, striving, dedicated men - inspirational
Stina - Flowing waters on a River walk
 

Respect & Communicate the turn on boundaries

How far is too far? is a question, as a Priest, many couples ask Padre. In this episode our hosts suggest that question comes from a problematic place and instead ask a question like 'what does affection in a healthy, God oriented relationship look like?'. 
Modern civilisation seems to equate intimacy with the breaking of boundaries as opposed to setting and respecting of them. When in reality, intimacy is more than the physical, it is also emotional, psychological and spiritual. When we enter into only one of those facets without appropriately seeing the other aspects of a person, we are only ever seeing them in parts. It doesn't allow for intimacy - Into-Me-See
It seems to be that moving in together is the height of intimacy in a relationship. This makes sense when we have lost sight of the gift of life and instead value our status and our assets that we've worked hard for. Sharing of these most valuable things therefore seems to appear to be a form of intimacy when in reality these are external things, they are not part of who we are as a person. 
It is VITAL to communicate the impact and effect of affection to your significant other. Every person will be affected differently. Every couple is different, and therefore every couple need their own set of boundaries. 
An encouraging message to couples to have confidence and freedom to move within the boundaries set by the church regarding intimacy, and to not feel like you need to create a checklist of behaviours in order to act 'morally', and there is no need to check for morality within every detail of intimacy with you priest. Morality is the result of a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ, therefore it's more than a check box. 
 
T.B.G
Padre - a friend in ministry who has been through a rough patch and thriving through it
Stina - An invitation by a not so familiar person at church

Spiritual Director & Mentor - Do I need one?

In this episode Padre and Stina talk about Spiritual Direction, Mentorship and Counsel and help the listener determine if they should seek someone, and what to look for, as well as what to do if someone asks you to be their Spiritual Mentor. 
A Spiritual Director and Mentor should not be someone who interprets the Voice of God in your life, but instead be someone who helps you hear the voice of God in your own life.  
Seeking spiritual counsel is different to seeking therapeutic counselling, and the two should be not be misused. It may be necessary to share information about your therapy with your spiritual mentor or director, but we should never seek advice from our spiritual mentors about what to do therapeutically. They are not one and the same, and should not be treated as such. 
One piece of advice to consider in choosing your mentor is words from St. John of the Cross '... one ought to take care who we entrust ourselves to. As the master is, so will the disciples be'. 
Some things to consider if you're asked to be one; 
1. Why me?
2. Pray about it, don't rush
3. Are you the right fit for what they need?
4. Does your current state in life allow for this relationship?
5. Is it the right time?
6. Is it an appropriate relationship?
 
TBG
Padre - Diving into study and growing in appreciation of God in asking Mary to be so intimately involved in salvation. He wanted to free us by using human freedom. 
Stina - a gift from a friend - oil diffuser necklace for stressful times