#075: "One Step Enough For Me": Journeying with St. John Henry Newman (with Steven C. Warner)

Just a few weeks ago we celebrated the canonization of five new “blesseds” into the sainthood, one of which was Saint John Henry Newman, Cardinal of the Church. Saint Newman was instrumental in the founding of the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854, which, in time evolved into University College Dublin, today the largest university in Ireland.

Saint John Henry Newman’s life has impacted countless people across the world, but today we speak to Steven Warner, who works at the Notre Dame Newman Center for Faith & Reason in Dublin, Ireland.

#074: Passing the Torch (with Amanda Bruce)

Amanda Bruce

Amanda Bruce

Today’s show is all about transitions. I’m happy to be joined by Amanda Bruce, the new Interactive Media Director for NPM. We’ll hear from Amanda about her new role within the association and the important work she will be doing. 

But first, and on a more personal level, this will be my last episode as host of “Ministry Monday.” Hosting this program has been a unique honor and privilege. It has allowed me to hold conversations with pastoral ministers, composers, teachers, authors, and witnesses from across the country. It has allowed me to help animate the importance of NPM in a new way using a new medium. Most importantly, it has allowed me to connect with so many of you, our faithful listeners. It is my sincere hope that, in some way, this program has been able to serve as a “ministry companion.” At a time when serving in ministry can feel lonely or isolated, I hope that these conversations have helped you feel connected, appreciated, and valued. 

I am overjoyed that NPM will be continuing “Ministry Monday,” and that Amanda Bruce will serve as host. The work of NPM is more important than ever because your work – the work of pastoral ministry – is more important than ever. 

And so, before we get to today’s interview, I want to share with you two important thoughts from two different voices – one from the very beginning of NPM, and one from the more recent past. I hope that they can serve as both a reminder and a challenge as we all continue to work and serve. 

SHOW NOTES

You can learn more about Amanda Bruce by visiting the Ministry Monday “about us” page.

You can read the full text of the articles by Fr. Elmer Pfeil and Dr. Tony Alonso on the NPM website.

The music you heard in today’s episode is from the album “Sacred Improvisations,” performed by Fr. Robert Koopmann, OSB.

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode. 

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.

#073: Commemorating Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (with Kate Williams)

Kate Williams

Kate Williams

This is a special rebroadcast of our episode from February, 2019, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we hear that “there is a season for everything: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to laugh, and a time to mourn.” As pastoral ministers, we know that there is a need for pastoral ministry in all seasons of life. Our work calls us to be attentive and present in times of great joy and celebration as well as in times of great sadness and mourning. Sometimes we do better with the celebrating than the mourning.

Today, we’re discussing ministry to those who know the pain of loss. Specifically, we are talking about ministry to those who have struggled with the inability to conceive, who know the pain of losing a child before birth, and those who have faced their child’s death at the time of birth. How are we present to them? How do we minister in this time of deep and, often, isolated sadness? How can we accompany them on their grief journey? To explore these questions and more, we’ll speak with author and editor Kate Williams.

SHOW NOTES

You can learn more about Kate Williams by visiting the GIA Publications staff page.

You can order the book, “Of Womb and Tomb,” by visiting the GIA Publications website. Here you can also order the accompanying music collection, both in print and audio recording. You can also follow “Of Womb and Tomb” on Facebook.

The music you heard in today’s episode: “Turn My Heart, O God” (Marty Haugen), and “I Have Been Anointed” (Steve Warner).

Visit NPM's digital resource library, referenced at the end of the episode. 

All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.