Maria Johnson and Inés Mersch discuss the challenges and graces of committing to a 54-day novena.

• Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.

  Links in Show:
  • Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch
  • Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson

Maria Johnson and Lisa Hendey discuss the new animated series, Chime Travelers.

In this episode, Maria is joined by Lisa Hendey to talk about her children's series Chime Travelers, now debuting as a fun new animated series. Based on her bestselling books, the series follows twins Patrick and Katie, who travel through time by the sound of church bells to encounter the saints while learning lessons about faith, courage, and everyday challenges.

Developed by Family Theater Productions, the show blends adventure, humor, and heart in this faith-based programming for younger audiences. Lisa shares the long journey from page to screen, her role as a creative consultant, and her hope that this series helps children see that the lives of the saints are not just history but a roadmap for becoming who God created them to be.

Links:

Chime Travelers Website

Family Theater Productions

Lisa Hendey Website

In this episode, Maria and Kristina have a conversation about Kristina's latest article in which she explores focusing upon what our children get right.

Links:

Kristina Talbot's Origianl Article: Helping Teens Explore What's Right with Them

In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Root, Executive Director of House of Mercy, to talk about serving those in need with dignity, the growing demand in her community, and how faith fuels this mission of mercy in action.

Link in Show:

House of Mercy Food Pantry in Manassas VA

Today's guest, Dr. Lisa Gulino, is a lay ecclesial minister with over 30 years' experience in pastoral ministry and teaching in higher education. She has served in Diocesan Ministries for a total of 22 years—Diocese of Fall River and Diocese of Providence. Additionally, she has several years in Parish Ministry.

Lisa received her Doctorate in Ministry from the Catholic University of America in Spiritual Formation with emphasis in evangelization and catechesis. She wrote her dissertation on the spiritual and faith formation of the domestic church.

Since 2007 Lisa has served as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph College for both theology and pastoral ministry courses. Her work with the Congregation of Holy Cross began in 2018 as a facilitator and advisor with the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame's STEP Program. And she also serves as a faculty member for the Permanent Diaconate program for the Diocese of Fall River.

Lisa grew up in Attleboro, Massachusetts in the shadow of our Lady's Mantle as she lived close to Lasalette Shrine and visited often with her family. She is the fifth of six children. She is the proud aunt of 11 nieces and nephews and 14 great nieces and nephews.

Links:

The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life

Links to the Research

Today we're joined by Barbara "Babs" Costello of Brunch with Babs, sharing the kind of wisdom that feels like a hug from your grandma. We talk about her unexpected second act and her sweet new children's book, Did Your Mother Ever Tell You?, a gentle, updated take on the sayings many of us grew up hearing.

Links for this Episode:

• Did Your Mother Ever Tell You?
• Babs Costello, aka @BrunchwithBabs

• brunchwithbabs.com

Maria Morera Johnson, Allison Gingras, and Father Charlie McCoy get together to talk about Easter season films, inspired by an earlier show about Pope Leo's favorite films.

Maria, Allison, and Fr. Charlie brief chat about Pope Leo's favorite movies and launch into a discussion about Esater movies, including a little foray into the land of Veggie tales.

Links for this Episode:

• Pope Leo's Top Four Movie Pics
  
  
• Momcast 381: Poep Leo's Favorite Films

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Cathy Daub, co-founder (with husband Andrew) of Team Iron Will, who shares how her family's search for support after their son Will's diagnosis led to a mission of walking alongside and uplifting other families with children with Down syndrome.

In this heartfelt conversation, we sit down with Cathy, founder of Team Iron Will, who shares the story behind a mission born from love, need, and deep faith. After navigating the early days of raising a child with Down syndrome and struggling to find the right resources, Cathy and her family felt called to ensure other families wouldn't have to walk that road alone. Named in honor of their son Will, Team Iron Will exists to accompany, support, and uplift families on a similar journey—offering not just resources, but real hope and community along the way.

Links in Show:

Team Iron Will