First Witnesses

Join your hosts to discuss the prayer practices of Lectio Divina and Visio Divina. You will learn the steps of these prayers and then the hosts will actually pray one with you. We know you will love learning about these beautiful forms of prayer!

Sarah Nielson joins us to share how praying the Liturgy of the Hours has blessed her days. She helps us to see how the laity can pray this prayer; it is not just for religious! We know you will love learning from her.

Fr. Zane Langenbrunner joins us to talk about the Liturgy of the Hours. He gives us information about the prayers and explains how it can bless our life of prayer. It is always a joy to learn from and pray with Fr. Zane and this episode is no exception!

Join us for a great discussion with a beautiful disciple, Addi Krebs. We talk about Adoration and it leads to a discussion of many ways to join your hearts to the Lord. Addi is a wonderful witness to the faith!

This episode includes two amazing guests who are praise and worship leaders for youth! Will Gray and Emily Oberley offer such great wisdom in this topic and we know you will learn so much from them!

We are joined by music teacher and choir director, Vanessa Proulx, and junior high students, Tim Proulx and Theo Grab, to discuss praise and worship. They offer great wisdom about this topic and also talk about what it has meant in their lives. It is always incredible to hear from such young disciples!

We are starting a new series of episodes on praise and worship. The hosts discuss the introduction of this topic and how it is right and just to praise the Lord!

Please join us as we welcome guest Mary Jo Parrish, founder of Kingdom Builders ministry. We discuss healing and prayer as part of the healing journey. She has great experience about this topic from her many years in ministry so she brings great knowledge to the subject!

Cindy Black joins us to discuss how sharing our stories can be an integral part of a healing journey. She speaks to her own experience with this topic and also how she has seen it play out in the lives of people she works with through the church. This is a powerful episode!

Patrick and Jacque Florea join us to boldly and bravely share their story of addiction and how overcoming it was healing for their faith life and their marriage. This powerful episode invites us to take a look at another way that people in our lives may need God's healing power.

Justin Aquila, a mental health counselor, joins us to discuss healing and trust. Justin offers his expertise and insight about healing and how it affects mental health. We also discuss how this relates to our faith. You won't want to miss this episode with Justin!

Fr. Zane Langenbrunner joins us again to discuss healing litanies! We will continue our discussion on these beautiful litanies and how they can bring healing to our hearts and draw us near to the Lord.

For this episode, Fr. Zane introduces us to 3 beautiful healing litanies. He walks us through the meaning and power of these litanies and we pray one together, too. These prayers can be a wonderful help in your healing journey!

This is the first episode of many on the topic of healing and trust in the Lord. Rebecca Downey joins us to share some aspects of her faith journey and when the difficulties in her life really required her to trust the Lord. You will love listening to this wonderful disciple!

Join us as Alivia Buescher and Erin Klingenberger, two young disciples, share their beautiful insights on growing and staying strong in their faith. They also share what they learned from their families that helped shape their faith journey into where it is today. These young ladies have so much to teach us!

Geena Howe and Ashley Zent are two young women who love the Lord! They give us great insights about what led to their strong devotion to their faith and how they continue to stay strong in their discipleship when it is difficult. We know you will find them to be so inspiring!

On this episode, we talk to Cam Kreiger and John Zarse about their experiences on retreats. We discuss how going on retreats can greatly impact our faith life in so many positive ways. We also talk about how the people we meet on retreats can add to our community in Christ!

Join the hosts with guest Abby Lyon to discuss how to wait well. We will talk about discernment and how to trust in the Lord's plans and timing for our lives. Abby has unique experiences with discernment and she gives great insights into how discernment can help us grow close to the Lord.

On this episode, the hosts will share with you 10 books that helped shaped their spiritual lives in many ways. They will also explain why they found each book so powerful. Enjoy this episode that gives some great ideas of books to help you grow in holiness!Amy's Top Ten BooksThe BibleImitation of Christ By: Thomas a KempisSearching for and Maintaining Peace By: Fr. Jacque PhillipeStory of a Soul Autobiography of St. Therese of LisieuxHabits for Holiness By: Fr. Mark Mary AmesThis Present Paradise By: Clarie DwyerLeft To Tell By: Immaculee IlibagizaSincerely, Stoneheart By: Emily Wilson33 Days to Morning Glory By: Michael GaitleyThe Lamb’s Supper By: Dr. Scott Hahn Honorable Mention: Practice of the Presence of God by Brother LawrenceShannon's Books1. Searching for and Maintaining Peace – Fr. Jacques Philippe2. Time for God – Fr. Jacques Philippe3. Plan of Life – Fr. Roger Landry4. Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves – Jason Evert5. Interior Freedom – Fr. Jacques Philippe6. 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory – Matthew Kelly7. The Art of Living – Dr. Edward Sri8. The Screwtape Letters – CS Lewis9. Theology of the Body for Beginners – Christopher West10. The Rescue Project – Fr. John RiccardoZac's Books:10 Books (in view of Bible and Catechism coming as primary resources):1. Fr. Jacques Philippe - Searching for and Maintaining Peace and Interior Freedom (for forming the interior life of a Christian)2. Theology of the Body - Many titles by Christopher West, i.e. TOB for Beginners3. Virtues - Open Light resources or Edrward Sri - The Art of Living or Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love4. The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis - stirs the heart and presents God's love in a tangible way - fun as adults too esp if sharing with kids5. Fr. Jon Ricardo - Rescued or Heaven Starts Now (great presentation of the kerygma, the "why" of our faith)6. Gregory of Lisa Popcak - Parenting with Grace or Holy Sex 7. The Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman (or their variants, i.e. ... For Children)8. Daily Saint Journal for daily prayer - now with Sophia Institute 9. Give us This Day or Magnificat - daily mass readings and reflects, great for daily prayer10. Any form of Liturgy of the Hours for daily prayer - an actual Breviary, Ibreviary, Laudate, ordering from Word on FireRunner Ups and Resources:-Introduction to the Spiritual Life - Brant Pitre (great overview of how to pray / forms of prayer)-The Joy of Believing - Archbishop William Lori - The shortest printed summary of the catechism (by reviewing its shorter form the Compendium)-Pray a Litany for daily prayer - Litany of Trust, Litany of Humility, Litany for Marriage-Some Catholic Apps can help with prayer now: Laudate, Ibreviary, Exodus 90, Hallow

"The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman is such an important book for both marriage and family! Please join us as the hosts discuss the five love languages; they will define them and discuss how impactful they have been in their marriages and families. This can give great hope and really be transformative for your marriage and family!

Fr. Dan joins us to discuss the book that was given to school families: "A Year of Daily Offerings." He talks about how this book can add to family's daily prayer life and remind you of God's presence and love all throughout the day.

The hosts discuss the book "Searching For And Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacque Philipe. Fr. Philipe's small and mighty work gives great insight about how to maintain peace in all circumstances of life. We all know that family life can be challenging at times and this book offers great hope to families seeking peace!

Jessica Patton, a classroom teacher at St. Vincent's, joins us to talk about how she brings faith into her classroom in simple, everyday ways. We also speak about how families can use these same ideas at home!

Abby shares with listeners about her path of discernment with the Lord, from religious life to her current vocation and role as a classroom teacher. She gives great insights about listening to the Lord and how to discern well.

Join your hosts with guest, Fr. Caleb Kruse, as we discuss his vocational discernment and the way his family led him to a deep faith and love of the Lord. This is our finale episode for Season 1!

Join Fr. Zane Langenbrunner to hear how his family life shaped his vocation and how he is living his priestly ministry now!

Join Maggie and Sam Schenkel, St. Vincent parishioners (and school staff for one!), who reflect on the virtue of service and charity. Their witness, lived out by giving to others, has shaped their own lives for the good and has been a tremendous source of hope!

Join Chris and Tarrah Roberts, St. Vincent parents and parishioners, who understand the value of community. In the Christian journey, we become who we surround ourselves with.

Join us for an inspiring witness from our St. Vincent's youth ministry team: Director Lindsay Lushis, High School Director Emily Oberley, Jr. High Director Katie Steigmeyer, and "Rockstar of Ministry" Caleb Perkins. Learn how youth ministry can be one way that parents can access new sources of hope in the formation of their children.

Join college students and St. Vincent's parishioners, Marie Johnson and Zoi Garwood, who reflect on the hope and peace provided by authentic Christian friendship. Two of the most joyful young people you might encounter, listening will certainly inspire you!

Spoiler alert: we aren't called to a vacation from our vocation, but vocation well lived doesn't need a vacation! Join long time St. Vincent parishioners, Terry and Teri Coonan, who are beacons of hope to many in the St. Vincent community and have an inspiring witness to share!

Join St. Vincent couple Jason and Stephanie Nees (and St. Vincent educator), who inspire others by giving witness in our parish community in many service initiatives. Serving can become a powerful way to lead our children to encounter the Lord!

Join Mrs. Kamy Schreck and Ms. Maggie Castleman, with your cohosts, for reflections on the use of morning in particular for prayer and growth in our walk with the Lord. Parents in particular can make great use of this time and set up their family for great days!

Join your cohosts with St. Vincent's parishioners and 2nd grade teacher, Danielle and Derek Parr, great examples of first witnesses to their children!

Join St. Vincent parishioners Ann and Nick Gray (Ann serves as our school staff as well), who reflect on their journey as first witnesses to their children.

Join parishioners and school family Dan and Gina O'Brien for great tips on how to joyfully live family life as domestic church.

Join your cohosts for a two part series on the domestic church. Here, join guests Sarah and Dan Nielson, St. Vincent parishioners, who joyfully live out domestic church in their family!

If you can pray with and for your kids, protect your kids, and connect regularly with your kids, then when you teach them, they are ready to listen. Join cohosts Shannon Linder, Amy Johnson, and Zac Coyle as they discuss 10 things to teach their own children. Get some great ideas to do the same in your family!Zac's Top Ten:10 Things to Teach: 1. Teach identity (behavior follows identity) – loved children of God2. Teach Jesus really is who He says He is -everything else we worship consumes us-authentic freedom makes us more alive – not less alive – the fruits of the Holy Spirit vs. addiction/attachment3. Teach how to pray and how to have silence – use the Oratory! (or a good space wherever a family lives)4. Teach how to encounter God: nature, prayer, sacraments, scripture, lived experience (virtues)5. Teach discernment – consolation vs. desolation -Fr. Mike Schmitz has a great 4m video on Youtube on this: is this a good door (moral)? Is this door open? Is this wise for me (requires self- knowledge)? Do I want this door? -discernment over friends and relationships6. Teach God gives us vocation – has a plan for us that matters!-vs. you can be anything - actually a scary reality for a child / overwhelming7. Teach TOB – love must be free, total, faithful, fruitful. Otherwise, it is the opposite – using -pornography is a great evil, hurting all involved in it, and children need to be taught that8. Teach a rightly ordered life – God, family, work / others, play9. Teach impulses should always be checked first – considered and connected (with family input) – then acted10. Teach effects of sin: darkens intellect, disorders passions, weakens willTeach by example more than by instruction – prayer, silence, service, generosity, patience, gentleness, etc.Shannon's Top Ten:1. Your identity lies in who you are, not what you do. 2. The Creator of the universe deeply knows you. 3. You are infinitely loved by God, and there is nothing you can do to change that.4. Nurture your relationship with your Guardian Angel. 5. Invest in personal growth. 6. Stay close to the sacraments 7. Only Jesus can truly satisfy. 8. Live in gratitude. 9. Pay it forward.10. True freedom is found in obedience. Amy's Top Ten:God-family-friends: in that orderMarriage: being on a team and putting marriage before kids. Happy marriage requires growing in faith both independently and together: foundation is in Jesus, job is to get each other to heaven. Kids: feel unconditionally loved, security in that: being together is our favorite thing. Vocation: not your job; the life God calls you to; we all have a universal call to holinessTo whom much is given, much is expected; God has a plan and you need to use the gifts He has given youHabit of prayer; must be daily; pray all through the day; see Jesus with you all throughout the dayTravel: make great memories, visit religious sites, always go to Mass; visited SO many churches Money is a tool; not what we strive forSpirituality is different for everyone, and all kinds are good: meet people where they are; see Jesus in everyone“What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?” Service to the poor and community. You can’t live in this world and not realize how people are suffering.

Join St. Vincent parents Liz and Scott Arnold to reflect on this aspect of witnessing our faith to our children, connecting with them intentionally. They have many great ideas and practices to share!

We're thrilled to feature St. Vincent de Paul School dad, Sgt. Dave Klein of the FWPD, with great reflections on our role as protectors of our children, in both real time and digitally.

Prayer is the root of discipleship and witness. Join hosts Zac Coyle, Shannon Linder, and Amy Johnson for experiences of prayer, with a focus on building a daily prayer routine.

Welcome to First Witnesses, where we share hope with parents to live as first witnesses (teachers) to their children. This episode will introduce content in upcoming episodes and a model to witness well: pray, protect, connect, teach.