Living Fullness

Continuing the series on the Beatitudes this episode looks at what it means to mourn with others. Our hosts point out that there is no virtue in crying, in and of itself, but that some people have been gifted  the ability to feel compassion very deeply. We need to open our hearts to another, and to accompany others on their journey, and it's through this opening and meeting another with compassion that we are able to mourn with another. At the same time, we must not remain in misery, we must also remain open for God's healing grace and mercy, that will comfort us.    Our hosts link this beatitude to the 7th Commandment, thou shalt not steal.  At first, this seems a bit odd. But theft is linked to greed, and greed prevents us from being able to see past ourselves, it prevents us from seeing the sadness in another. Instead we must be generous.    It's also useful to consider, when in a given moment we struggle to meet the other with a deep sense of compassion, what is going on? what blockage stands in the way?    Our hosts also discuss 'what does it mean to be a sensitive person?' and is this a bad thing?   TBG Stina - Rebecca Abbott from Eternity News Padre - Kindness of people during a pandemic.    Subscribe or Follow the Podcast and help up share our mission. Join our Community on Patreon for Exclusive Content, behind the scenes, merch and MORE, and watch our guest interviews on our YouTube Channel. Follow us on Social Media: Instagram AND Facebook    

It has been almost a year of podcasting, and over 50 episodes released and 5years since the Launch of Virtue Ministry, all on the 8th September. In celebration we have a FUN BONUS episode this week where Padre and Stina spent some time being quizzed by Emily Shaw (from the Virtue Ministry team) about how well they know each other followed by some of their own handpicked questions for the other. Which of the two do you think did better? Have a look and find out. To find Behind-the-Scenes for this episode and for our guest episodes, and lots of laughs. Jump over to Patreon and join our community for instant access to exclusive content.  Thank you to our Patreon Supporters and to our Vm Prayer Tribe Special shout outs to Sarah and Andrew Swafford, Chris Stefanick, Sr Miriam Heidland, Pope Emeritus Benedict. 

In this episode Padre and Stina sit down with a local Deacon for the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, Rev. Connell Perry to talk about what it means to be a Deacon and his faith journey. Connell shares about his family, moving to Wagga and when he felt called to go to the Seminary. He shares about his experience at Vianney College and about his desire to serve families and young people in his ministry.  Connell also shares about his upcoming Ordination to Priesthood on 11th September 2021, what he'll be doing to prepare and what this means to him. Video interview available on our youtube channel.  Behind the scenes, our hosts share their experience of Connell over the years, and he discusses why he is so passionate about the Saints. Access only to our Patreon Community - join our financial support community by becoming a Patreon supporter and receive exclusive content including chats with our guests. 

Patreon Shout out -  Matthew Tan, Grace Taylor, Melissa Murray, and Morgan Tame. Thank you for joining our community and financially backing our mission. If you would like to help us too, please visit our Patreon Page.  https://www.patreon.com/LivingFullness Our hosts begin the Series on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12. The word 'beatitude' comes from the word 'blessedness' and is a pathway that Christ demonstrates how we live out our lives of joy and abundance not only in Heaven but also here on earth. They help to bring the living out of the commandments to fulfilment. Each beatitude has a relational promise attached.  Quote ' Despise what Jesus despised on the Cross, and love what Jesus loved on the Cross' - Thomas Aquinas First Beatitude - Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.  Our hosts discuss different forms of poverty as well as the difference between economic poverty and being poor in spirit, and one way this Beatitude is linked to the First Commandment.  St Louis IX letter to his son T.B.G Padre - Narranderra Parish response to Fr Rafter moving to the Seminary.  Stina - Integration of mind, body, and spirit in the healing journey.    

Stina and Padre have a chat about Stina's deportation update as well as some exciting news for Padre.  Stina shares about her experience and relationship with God during this trial. Padre and Stina talk about different aspects that may come out of trial, including; loneliness Vs solitude: Self-reliance, Pelagianism Vs dependency upon God and leaning on neighbour; and the new form that friendships can take during this time.  Father shares a joke that most priests are all too familiar with.  Padre and Stina talk about the need to continue to nurture friendships, despite being in a global pandemic. Padre asked Stina the question, what future endeavours come next? and Padre shares his EXCITING NEW ENDEAVOURS.   T.B.G Stina - Human frailty and space to breathe Padre - Seminarians reactions to the news    Shout out to Narranderra St Mel's Parish with Fr Bradley Rafter.    Join us on Patreon for as little as $3, $5, or $8 per month, and help us continue to produce episodes. In return we offer you behind the scenes with guests, bloopers, merch and more.  Link - https://www.patreon.com/LivingFullness

In this week's episode Padre and Stina have a chat about Mercy, it's roots, and what kind of Mercy God calls us to. Padre also explains the meaning behind Jesus' response to being offered 'wine mixed with gall'.  Our hosts have a look at the ways we can live out this mercy towards our neighbour through the corporal and spiritual works of Mercy.  T.B.G Padre - Class prep on Jesus' mediation Stina - Female Friends who reached out - Marie-Claire, Melissa, Lydia and Morgan  Join our Patreon Page for exclusive content, behind the scenes, bloopers, and merch https://www.patreon.com/LivingFullness

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    Join our Patreon Page for exclusive content, behind the scenes, bloopers, and merch https://www.patreon.com/LivingFullness

NEW: Patreon Page - Join our mission, and help us reach more people, and gain benefits including bloopers, behind the scenes, merch and mentoring. Click on the link: https://www.patreon.com/LivingFullness 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

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

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'.