Advertise on podcast: The Gathering Place, a Podcast from Blessed is She

How do we bring our Catholic faith into our everyday relationships? 💜 In this episode of Catholicism for Catholics, Dr. MaryRuth Hackett shares how our friendships, workplaces, schools, and homes can become places of mission. Our faith isn’t meant to stay within the walls of a church, it’s meant to transform the way we love, serve, forgive, and encounter the people around us. Together, we’ll explore how living a life rooted in Christ and virtue can become a quiet but powerful witness to others. From small conversations to inviting someone into community, evangelization often begins with simply loving the person right in front of us. ✨ In this episode: How our prayer life should shape the way we liveThe connection between virtue and evangelizationHow to share our faith with humility and confidenceWhy authentic relationships can open doors to ChristSimple ways to invite others into the beauty of Catholic life Our faith is not just something we practice, it’s something we live. When Christ transforms our hearts, others begin to see that love through us. Subscribe to Catholicism for Catholics for more conversations about growing deeper in faith and living out the Catholic life with joy. 🖥️ Learn more about Blessed Is She: https://blessedisshe.net

As we close out the month, Jenna and Beth are slowing down for a conversation about rest, abiding, and remaining close to Jesus in every season. So many of us live exhausted spiritually, emotionally, and physically - and yet the Heart of Christ continues to invite us into peace, trust, and communion with Him. We’ll also share a vision for Abide and where Blessed is She is heading in this next season of formation and community. Come ready to exhale, pray, and remember that you do not have to carry everything alone. Reflection Questions: What keeps me from truly resting with God? What might change if I believed Jesus was already holding what I’m trying to control?

Real love almost always requires sacrifice. In this vulnerable conversation, Jenna and Beth will talk about the cost of loving well: forgiving when it’s hard, staying when it’s uncomfortable, serving when we’re tired, and choosing charity when resentment feels easier. Together, we’ll look at the example of Jesus and remember that love becomes fruitful when it’s rooted in Him rather than our own limited capacity. If you’ve been carrying the heaviness that sometimes comes with loving others faithfully, this week is meant to encourage and strengthen you. Reflection Questions: Where has loving someone felt costly for me lately? Am I allowing Jesus to sustain me, or trying to love from my own strength alone?

Love is easy to talk about but much harder to live. This week, Jenna and Beth are reflecting on how Jesus teaches us to love through Scripture, prayer, sacrifice, and daily encounters with others. We’ll discuss how staying close to the Word of God softens and forms our hearts over time, especially when we feel impatient, disconnected, or spiritually dry. We’ll also be featuring our Compact Bible and talking about the beauty of keeping Scripture close in the middle of busy life—whether in the carpool line, at your desk, or during quiet morning prayer. Reflection Questions: Who is God asking me to love more intentionally right now? How can I make more space for Scripture in my everyday life? Join us LIVE on Tuesdays at 1pm ET for The Weekly Visit in the ⁠BIS Member Community⁠.

In this episode, Beth and Jenna talk more about the burning love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We are called to love like Jesus loves, but we can't do that if we don't first receive His love. Whether it be how we respond to those who hurt us, how we love our neighbors, how we talk about people, or what we consume, it all comes down to Love.

Check out our 21 day ebook: https://blessedisshe.net/products/in-his-heart-ebook-by-blessed-is-sheTo watch the full conversation and get started on our 7 Day Heart Speaks to Heart challenge, head to our member community: https://connect.blessedisshe.net/New here? We're SO glad you're here! Hit that *subscribe* button and the bell to be notified when we upload!SUBSCRIBE to our free daily devotions: https://blessedisshe.net/subscribe/Check our our FREE RESOURCES for you: https://blessedisshe.net/free-resources/Catholic Resources + How To Guides: https://blessedisshe.net/catholic-resources-how-to-guides/Download our FREE study guide: https://blessedisshe.net/study-guide/Find out more: https://blessedisshe.net/about/Check out our Shop: https://blessedisshe.net/shopShop our Amazon favs: https://www.amazon.com/shop/blessedissheBlessed is She exists for any woman who wants to radically follow Jesus through a vibrantly Catholic life every single day. We create beautiful and accessible resources, products, and experiences to foster community and deepen faith, both online and in person. We invite you into this community, no matter where you are on your walk with Christ.You belong here.

What does it actually look like to live the Catholic faith in marriage and family life? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 In this episode of Catholicism for Catholics, Dr. MaryRuth Hackett shares honestly about her journey from Protestantism to Catholicism, raising children in the faith, navigating spiritual differences in marriage, and learning how to evangelize first through love and example. 🫶🏽 Together, we explore: What makes Catholic family life differentHow to share the faith without forcing itRaising children with wonder, not just rulesWhat to do when a spouse or child struggles with the faithThe importance of living the faith before preaching itTrusting God with the people we love most “If you don’t love being Catholic, don’t expect your family to love it either.” Whether you’re married, parenting, praying for loved ones, or simply trying to live your faith more authentically, this conversation is full of wisdom, encouragement, and practical insight. We’re so grateful you’re here. Subscribe to our ⁠YouTube channel⁠ and join us for more episodes of Catholicism for Catholics from Blessed is She. 🤍

In this episode of Catholicism for Catholics, Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett reflects on how our Catholic faith shapes our relationships, especially with our families of origin. Sharing from her own experience as a Protestant convert to Catholicism, Dr. Hackett opens up about the challenges, misunderstandings, and grace that can come when faith journeys look different within a family. Her story reminds us that evangelization doesn’t begin with arguments, it begins with living a joyful, authentic Catholic life. In this conversation, she highlights three important ways we can integrate our faith into our relationships: Live your faith — Let your life reflect the joy and grace of the sacraments.Be well-formed — Grow in your understanding of what the Church teaches and why.Act with courage — When others ask about your faith, respond with charity and confidence.Whether your family shares your faith or not, this episode offers encouragement to love well, witness authentically, and trust the Holy Spirit at work in every conversation. If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate faith conversations with family members or how to live your Catholic faith more fully in everyday relationships, this episode is for you. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more episodes in the Catholicism for Catholics series from Blessed is She.

In the spiritual life, following Jesus often means walking the narrow way. It's the path of humility, surrender, and obedience. In this conversation, Jenna and Beth reflect on what it means to lay down our lives with Christ, not only in big moments, but in the small, daily “deaths” that shape our hearts to become more like Him. They talk about how God lovingly reveals our weaknesses, not to shame us, but to invite us into deeper transformation. When we begin to see our sins, limitations, and struggles more clearly, it can actually be a sign that the Lord is working in our hearts. Jenna and Beth also reflect on the beauty of obedience: how choosing God’s will over our own can feel costly, but ultimately leads to freedom, healing, and new life. Jesus shows us that the path to resurrection always passes through surrender. If you’ve ever struggled with vanity, pride, weakness, forgiveness, or the call to surrender more deeply to God, this conversation is for you. The Lord meets us exactly where we are and gently leads us forward on the path that leads to life. ✨

Are you wondering, “How do I become Catholic?” You’re not alone and you’re in the right place! In this episode of Catholicism for Catholics, Alison Oertle walks through the beautiful invitation of the Catholic Church and explains the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the process through which adults are welcomed into the fullness of the faith. Becoming Catholic isn’t just about joining a church, it’s saying yes to a lifelong relationship with the God of the universe. Through baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, we receive His grace, live in communion with the Church, and grow closer to Jesus every day. Alison compares the OCIA process to a love story with God, starting with inquiry (getting to know Him), moving through the catechumenate (falling in love and learning about the faith), and preparing for initiation at the sacraments. Whether you’re a new Christian or already walking with Him, OCIA is a chance to encounter Jesus and experience His love in a profound way. 💜 “The future depends on love.” What you fall in love with shapes your life. Let this invitation into the Church transform your heart, your daily life, and your understanding of God’s grace. If you’re ready to explore the Catholic faith, consider contacting a local parish to attend an inquiry session, the first step in your journey with Jesus and His Church. ⛪️ Head over to our YouTube channel to watch our Catholicism for Catholics series.

Jesus says something striking in the Gospel of John: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” 🙏🏽 But what does that actually mean for the way we live? In this conversation, Jenna and Beth reflect on the invitation to follow Jesus on the narrow way, a path that isn’t always easy, but leads to the fullness of life we’re truly made for. They talk about what it looks like to choose belief, to walk in truth, and to trust that Jesus Himself is the path forward. They also dive into: 🌿 Why who you surround yourself with shapes your faith 🌿 How God’s mercy is louder than our mess 🌿 What it means to choose belief even when faith feels hard 🌿 Why honesty and consistency are the only things we can control in prayer 🌿 And the freeing realization that God might care about your dreams more than you do Whether you’re thriving in prayer or just trying to show up, this conversation is a reminder that Jesus is the way and walking with Him leads to real life.

What does it actually mean to live an abundant life? 🌿 In this episode, Jenna and Beth are talking about the kind of life Jesus promises, not one of control, comfort, or perfectly executed plans, but one marked by trust, surrender, and deep awareness of God at work in the ordinary. They explore what it looks like to move from thinking we depend on God…to actually living with radical dependence. To loosen our grip on timelines, expectations, and the illusion of control, and instead become open, expectant, and ready for the ways He is moving. Because sometimes what feels like a detour is actually His plan.If you’ve ever felt discouraged by how things should have gone, or struggled to trust God’s timing, this conversation is for you. There is more happening than we can see and He is closer than we think. 💜 Come be reminded: – You don’t have to be in control – Your timeline isn’t the measure of God’s faithfulness – The abundant life is found in relationship, not perfection Let’s learn to live with a little more ✨alacrity✨, a cheerful readiness for whatever God is doing next.

Join Jenna and Beth as they dive into the beautiful rhythm of following Jesus in everyday life. From moments of personal conversion to learning how our lives can witness to others, this conversation explores how intimacy with the Lord transforms not just us, but the people around us. They reflect on the ways God invites us into deeper relationship, whether through prayer, obedience, or simply giving Him our whole hearts. They also reflect on how that connection shapes our ability to share His love with the world. Along the way, they touch on discernment, spiritual growth, and the joy of letting the Good Shepherd guide us. ✨ If you’ve ever wondered how your personal faith can impact others, this discussion is for you. Topics Covered: - How we individually relate to Jesus - Living a life of virtue in modern times - Conversion as a pathway to witness - Hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd vs. the enemy - Spiritual intimacy and relational discipleship - Practical insights for following Jesus in daily life 💌 Join us LIVE every Tuesday at 1pm ET and deepen your walk with Christ.

This week on the podcast, Jenna + Beth are talking about what it really means to guard your heart and why staying connected to Jesus changes everything. Inspired by Week 2 of our Lent devotional Who Do You Say That I Am? by Debbie Herbeck, we dive into Jesus’ words in Gospel of John 10: “I am the gate… I am the Good Shepherd.”If He’s the gate… what are we letting through? From honest conversation about social media and “brain rot,” to the vulnerability of childhood exposure to pornography, to the quiet ways we feel helpless in a chaotic world, this episode is a raw and hope-filled look at: - Playing “fast and loose” with our souls when we scroll - Why we don’t have the grace to carry burdens God never asked us to hold - The lie that more information = more control - Closing the doors to sin and reopening the windows to light - Becoming holy so our prayers become powerful and effective (James 5:16) If you’ve felt overwhelmed, distracted, helpless, or spiritually exposed, this conversation is an invitation to come back to the Gate. To let Jesus protect what enters your heart. To deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow the One who already won the battle. ✨ It’s not too dark. ✨ It’s not too far gone. ✨ It’s not too serious for Him. Let’s close some doors in Jesus’ name and walk into the light together. 💜 Resources mentioned in this episode: Mary Fabyan Windeatt's books on the Saints: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Fabyan-Windeatt/author/B00IVUY8UY?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4207d765-23e1-4d90-bcb7-91ce8b8b0f4b Our Blessed is She Lent devotional written by Debbie Herbeck: https://blessedisshe.net/collections/lent A whole website dedicated to the analogy of the horse and chariot: https://www.horseandchariot.com/intellect-will-passions

In this episode of Catholicism for Catholics, Alison Oertle unpacks the Mass, the Divine Liturgy. What is it? How does one participate fully? And why does it matter? With so many ways to pray and worship as Catholics (personal prayer, small groups, times of praise) the Church calls the liturgy the primary act of worship. It is more than attending; it is coming together as the Body of Christ, joining with the worldwide Church, and even the angels and saints in heaven, to praise and receive God. This episode explores: The meaning of the word liturgy (“the work of the people”) How to participate consciously, actively, and fully The Scripture, prayers, and sacraments that guide the Mass How the Eucharist connects participants to Christ’s sacrifice and nourishes daily life Ways to enter into the heavenly reality that the Mass reveals The Mass is not just a routine; it is a real encounter with Jesus, a chance to set aside distractions, receive His grace, and leave sent to live as His light in the world. ✨ Subscribe to our YouTube channel and tap the bell to be notified for future episodes. Blessed is She is grateful to walk alongside women on this journey of faith.