Just One Small Thing Podcast for Catholic Parents

Hey friends! Please enjoy this short episode explaining how the Eucharist IS the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Join us, and let's continue to work to BRING THE EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL HOME!

Explore with me how I came to know, believe and love the Church’s teaching on Mary! Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

Storytime! Since we are talking about the saints celebrating their feast days this week, including St. Dominic, I took this opportunity to share my own Dominic/Holy Rosary stories. Both take place in France outside of Toulouse, but they are set about 10 years apart.   In part one, I am a solo traveler to rural France where I realize my High School French is 0% helpful and no one there speaks English at all. Through a strange and beautiful prayer exercise in the “green cathedral,” I am introduced to St. Dominic.    In part two I am married and pregnant with my fifth baby. During this trip I learned the hard way that mid-zed SUVs don’t fit well inside medieval towns and stay three doors down from where St. Dominic once lived.    I hope you enjoy these stories and they inspire you to start or keep praying a daily Rosary! Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

This week on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast we are exploring what it means to be Catholic. This is an important question to tackle as we build and nurture our identity as Catholics. It is our goal to nurture our identity as Catholics here at Catholic Sprouts, which is why we are launching the CLUBHOUSE today. The CLUBHOUSE is a membership for Catholic kids, and I’m explaining all of the details in this episode. You can learn more and join us (doors open 8-1!) right here: https://catholicsprouts.com/clubhouse/ Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy  

Well, I decided to spill the beans on a project that we have been working on for a long time, and I am hopeful will come into being this fall: a church history book told through biographies of the saints. I have grown frustrated with how many church history books tell history either through secular leaders (like emperors) or heretics. So, we decided to write a history of the church told through the movement of the Holy Spirit as demonstrated through the lives of the saints.    This week on the Catholic Sprouts podcast I talk through the biographies of saints celebrating feast days this week, and two of the saints celebrating feast days are included in this upcoming history book: St. Christina the Astonishing and St. Simeon Stylite. These two oddballs are great examples of how God can use ANYONE to build up His Church if we are open to the moments of the Holy Spirit.   We are still pulling this book together, but you can plan to look for it later this fall! Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

We are finally done with all of the CST topics! Yay! From here forward this podcast will be weekly, and will explore, in a more adult way, the topics we are covering on the Catholic Sprouts podcast. The plan is to hit record on this podcast as soon as I finish recording the Catholic Sprouts Podcast, and that is exactly what I did today!   So, friendship. I have often felt like I was a “bad friend”, simply because I have been blessed with so many amazing friends! In my rambling way, in this episode I discuss how good Christian friendships are, often, meant to make us feel uncomfortable. I also share that I’m not interested in a friendship with a mom where all we do is talk about our kids (sorry, not sorry). And, at the end I reflect on Jesus’s desire to be our friend, and how I need to be a better conversationalist (and slow down) when I am in prayer.   I hope you found these thoughts helpful--and that you have a wonderful Christian friend in your life that will challenge you to embrace holiness! Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

This is the last episode covering the topics of Catholic Social Teaching! Yay!!! Thank you for following along, and I hope you enjoy this last episode.    This episode explores the fact that the land and animals are a gift from God, and how amazing that truth is to hold onto as we interact with nature and animals. Also, we become co-workers with God when we plant a seed of care for an animal. I share about how experiencing the death of a beloved animal was so powerful for me, and helped me see the difference between a person and an animal. Finally, I explore the story of Cain and Abel--and how even though we might not be tilling the earth or raising flocks, we still need to be making an acceptable offering to God with what the earth gives us.    Our exploration of Stewardship of the Land and Animals comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

The Church teaches that all people, regardless of race, are created in the image and likeness of God. Also, Christ died and shed His blood for ALL people. Therefore, all people are worthy of love and should enjoy equal rights. Also, we are not called to simply “tolerate” people. We are called to love them.   Unfortunately, we all will need to teach very clearly on the issue of race. This came to the front in my family after the murder of Geroge Floyd. We also need to make sure that our children see race in the right way. God is wonderfully creative and humanity is the peak of His creation. Therefore, when we see a variety of races we should rejoice in our God and His creativity!    Finally, when racism comes up in your home, I encourage you to share the story of Venerable Augustus Tolton with your family. He experienced terrible racism within the Catholic Church, and yet he gave his life to the Church as a hold priest. His story is included in Catholic Social Teaching for Youth, our newest resource.    Our exploration of Racism comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

Terrorism is the use of violence against non-military people for political or personal gain. Terrorism attempts to control or change through fear. 9-11 Was the greatest act of terrorism this country has seen, and when our children learn about the events of that day, we need to be clear that terrorism is wrong.   However, the Bishops teach that when terrorism occurs, we need to look for causes in our own behavior. Why did this group feel that the only course of action they could take was an act of terrorism. Also, the only way for us to avoid terrorism in the future is to focus on justice and love for all people.   The example of Blessed Stanley Rother is a powerful reminder that even in the face of fear and danger, we must continue to love. Also, love looks like faithfulness and fighting for those we are asked to care for.    Our exploration of Terrorism comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth   Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

As the Church teachers, war is a terrible phenomenon that should be avoided at all costs. To illustrate this, the Church offers us the “Just War Doctrine” something that applies to every few modern conflicts. In order for a war to be “just” it must: Be the result of damage by the aggressor that is lasting, grave and certain. All other means of resolution must have been exhausted There must be a serious prospect of success and peace following the conflict. The war must produce less evil that it seeks to eliminate through the conflict.    The opposite of war is peace--and peace is something that we all should be striving for out in our own hearts, homes and communities.    Our exploration of War comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth   Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

Today’s episode explores the fifth theme of Catholic Social Teaching as laid out by the US Bishops. I am discussing both topics, Dignity of Work and Workers Rights, together in this episode.   Above all else, I desire for my children to learn that work has dignity--and this applies to all work: jobs, chores around the house and school work. We are like our Creator when we work, and we are often allowed to be co-creators through our work. Therefore, our work gives us dignity. Also, through our work we are refined and made better versions of ourselves.    St. Joseph is the perfect example of work. While he worked Christ stood at his side, sharing in his work and in conversation. We should all approach our work like this!   In this episode I also outline the five rights our Church defines for all workers. Workers have a right to productive work and fair wages. They also should be free to organize, work in safe conditions and own private property. The Church also defends worker’s right to strike.   Our exploration of Dignity of Work and Workers Rights comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth   Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

According to a recent study, up to 3 Million Americans are currently homeless. The US Bishops refer to this as a tragedy, which we are all asked to help remedy. Afterall, as JPII said, a home is not just a roof and four walls. A home is where life takes place, and each human person has a right to a home.   In this episode I share my own experience with homelessness, which I witnessed as a teacher for at-risk youth. Modern homelessness often looks like “couch-surfing” and places youth at terrible risk for abuse.   I also share my (sinful) tendency to judge before loving. It is hard for me to not see those who are homeless as lazy, or pause before helping to wonder why this person is homeless. Mother Teresa is a wonderful example of avoiding these sins, and just diving in and helping--of loving first.    Finally, this episode on homelessness reminds us that sheltering those who are homeless is one of the corporal works of mercy. In Matthew 25, Christ shares what we will all be asked at the final judgment--and how if we fed, clothed and sheltered those most in need, we are actually serving Jesus Christ and earning the eternal reward. Therefore, we need to strive to care for those who are homeless, aware that they are Christ in disguise.   Our exploration of Care for those who are Homeless comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth   Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

The fourth theme of Catholic Social Teaching asks us to care also for those addicted to drugs. They too were created in the image and likeness of God and even drug addiction does not remove that dignity. This topic can be hard for many of us as we wrestle with feelings that drug addiction is the addict’s fault and, in a way, it serves them right. This, of course, is not how we are called to treat those suffering with addictions.   Teaching about drug addiction, however, gives us a great opportunity to speak to our children about true freedom and how, as Catholics, we should never submit to the authority of anyone except God. With all addictions, drug addicts are slaves, and we are slaves to our various addictions.    When teaching about drug addiction we need to have two very different conversations with our children. First, that drugs are bad, dangerous and can ruin your life. Next, that no matter who drugs have affected someone's life, they are worthy of love and our help.   Our exploration of Care for those with Drug Addiction comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth   Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

Once again, we are called to love and care for our elders because all humans, no matter how old or infirmed they may be, are still children of God and because of this filled with a special God-given dignity. Caring for our elders is also part of the 4th commandment.   Care for elders also touches on an important Catholic concept: Memento Mori, or our call to remember our death. Often we neglect our elders because their decline reminds us of our own death, and that makes us uncomfortable. However, as Catholics we are called to remember our deaths, live in a way worthy of eternity and walk with others as they approach death.   Our exploration of Care for our Elders comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

For several years Pope Francis has been outspoken about the love and care we should offer those with disabilities, in particular, we need to make sure that those who are disabled have access to the sacraments. This means more than having functional elevators and sign language interpreters. It means welcoming those with sometimes several mental disabilities.   The care for those who are disabled is based on the truth that ALL humans are created in the image and likeness of God. Because of this we have a special dignity, and that dignity can never be diminished or lost. What is further, our “humanness” is not lessened when we can’t walk or talk, think or speak. No matter what we might be unable to do, we remain filled with God-given dignity   Our exploration of Care for those with Disabilities comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth   Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

Health Care is the first of five that the US Bishops include in the fourth theme of Catholic Social Teaching: Care for the Poor and Vulnerable. JPII reminds us that we should not only care for the poor, but practice a preference for the poor and vulnerable, as often they need special defending in our world.    The Church defends that Healthcare is a basic human right. Since all humans were made in the image and likeness of God we all should have access to life-saving medicine regardless of race, education or financial status. Providing Healthcare for the poor, however, can be very expensive and it often becomes a divisive issue in politics, and even within our families as we attempt to navigate the stress of providing good healthcare for our families.   As Christians, however, we need to focus on the people in need. It is easy (I feel this!) to think about Healthcare in terms of the taxes I pay, which are already shockingly high as a small business owner. However, when we encounter a real person in need of healthcare they are unable to access for one reason or another, we are reminded of the personal aspect of this issue and our need to share our resources as that all people have access to this basic human right.    Our exploration of Freedom of Religion comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

Today we are tackling the third and final topic in the Rights and Responsibility section of Catholic Social Teaching, as laid out by the USCCB: Freedom of Religion.   Following the Second Vatican Council, the Church taught that all people have a right FROM and FOR religion. This means that we can’t force people to be part of a certain religion. It also means that a person can not be hindered or prevented from practicing a certain religion, unless they are endangering or infringing on the rights of other people. Therefore, all people must be free to seek and follow God in the way their conscience leads them.   With children, we MUST follow up a conversation on freedom of religion with a reinforcement that the Catholic Church, the Church founded by Jesus Christ, is the One, True Church. Where the Church recognizes that each person must be free to either love or reject God, and therefore, be part of His Church or not, this does not mean that all religions are equally good choices. They are not. The lie of Moral Relativism is something we must actively fight to protect or children from.    In this episode I mention this book published by the University of Mary. Highly Recommend: From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age https://a.co/d/iEyWg4U   Our exploration of Freedom of Religion comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth   Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

Today’s discussion dives into Immigration, which the USCCB has placed under the third theme of Catholic Social Teaching: Rights and Responsibilities. Immigration is a tricky topic that is regularly in the news, especially in this moment as Title 42 expires here in the US, and around the world as war engulf the Sudan and many countries are struggling with terrible famines.   The USCCB lay out three principles we much keep in mind as we discuss Immigration: Each person has a basic right to move (or migrate) in an effort to find a better life for himself or his family. A country has a duty to care for its citizens first, and therefore has the right to patrol it’s borders and limit the number of immigrants it welcomes. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, we are Christians and we must approach all issues of immigration with love, mercy, justice and a spirit of generosity.   I am no expert on this topic, so what I offer here is the START of a conversation. One thing that has really worked on my heart is the concept that an undocumented immigrant is one of the most vulnerable people among us and we should strive to speak up for them, just as we speak up for the unborn.   Our exploration of Immigration comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

Criminal Justice is the first topic we are discussing under the third theme of Catholic Social Teaching as laid out by the USCCB. The third theme is called Rights and Responsibilities. In this section we investigate the rights each person is entitled to, simply because they are human and created in God’s own images. But, it is not enough to simply defend our own rights. We also have a responsibility to work to defend the rights of others, especially those who are small, weak, overlooked or abused.   Criminal Justice sits at the intersection of Rights and Responsibility and as we discuss Criminal Justice we must keep in mind the rights of both the victims of crimes and those who have been convicted. Both groups have rights, and we need to strive to create a system that works to restore the health of both.   Another interesting concept to explore as Catholics is the difference between Justice and Mercy. Our legal system uses the symbol of Lady Justice, a blindfolded woman holding scales. And while Justice strives to be emotionless, black and white and impersonal, mercy is different. Mercy takes into account the person before us, their story, needs and experiences. As Catholics, when possible, we are called to extend mercy to others, not strive for perfect justice. Afterall, justice belongs to God alone.   Our exploration of Criminal Justice comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth   Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy

The second theme of Catholic Social Teaching laid out by the USCCB is the call to family and community. Although the topics we have been talking about recently might sound quite different from Civic Duty and Political Activism, they are related. Humans are social beings and we need each other. We are training in the family--the school of love--but at some point we need to go beyond our family and look to the rights of all people.   Civic Duty describes the grass-roots activism we are all called to, an activism that works to care for the weakest among us so all people are treated with dignity.   Political Activism describes our calling as Catholics to work within the established political system to bring about positive changes. We are called especially to work on behalf of those who are weak, overlooked or mistreated.   In this episode I point out that our faith transcends politics. This, unfortunately, can make voting VERY hard as Catholics. Also, we are ALWAYS Catholic, not just when we attend Mass, and we need to take our morals and values with us to the polls and community meetings.   Our exploration of Civic Duty and Political Activism comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.   Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights. To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth   Thank you for listening to the Just One Small Thing Podcast. Tuning in each week means so very much! Want to hear more great Catholic content perfect for the whole family? Make sure to tune in each day to the CATHOLIC SPROUTS PODCAST. https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/   Looking for a way to support this podcast? Here are some ideas: Say a prayer for us! This would be SUCH a gift! Share this podcast with a friend! Purchase something in the Catholic Sprouts Shop: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/  Drop Nancy an email at nancy@catholicsprouts.com with a word of encouragement or an idea for a future episode.   This podcast is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we all meet there one day!   Your sister in the small things, Nancy