Dr. Terry reflects on how his own mortality, the changes he notices as he ages, is a reminder that Jesus too was a unique and particular person; not some abstract being, but one of us; fully human.

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Dr. Terry tells a story of wonder, awe and discovery about his own daughter and draws parallels to the leap of faith Jesus took to enter humanity.

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Fr. Michael kicks off week two of our Virtual Pilgrimage by focusing on John the Baptist and how he stood apart calling for repentance and truth. Telling the story of his friend, Ken Feit, Fr. Michael shares a sound poem that Ken composed on John the Baptist and his own poem touching on the true joy of the season.

Week 2 of Heart to Heart's Virtual Pilgrimage exploring stories of the Incarnation of Jesus seen in everyday life. 

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In her final reflection, Lauren invites us to look with God upon the world as it is today, seeing its chaos, beauty, and need through the loving gaze of the Trinity who still comes among us.

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For Friday of the 1st Week of Advent Lauren Hackman-Brooks guides us in an imaginative prayer watching with God as Mary says "Yes" to the the Angel Gabriel.

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For Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent Lauren Hackman-Brooks begins leading us in a Contemplation on the Incarnation, an Ignatian meditation of God's love for all.

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Join Fr. Michael Rossman, SJ for this reflection on Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent.

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Join Fr. Michael Rossman, SJ for this reflection on Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent.

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Join Fr. Michael Rossman, SJ for this reflection on Monday of the 1st Week of Advent.

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Week 1 of Heart to Heart's Virtual Pilgrimage exploring stories of the Incarnation of Jesus seen in everyday life.

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Fr. Michael introduces the new virtual pilgrimage from Heart to Heart: And the Word Was Made Flesh, Incarnations Stories for Advent & Christmas. It runs from Nov 30th through Jan 4th.

Each Sunday from the first Sunday of Advent through Epiphany Sunday Fr. Michael will release a video on the Incarnation and introduce two speakers who will each offer 3 audio reflections released daily during the week (Mon-Wed for the first speaker, Thu-Sat for the second).

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Repentance. Forgiveness. Mission.

from Luke 9:1-6
esus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.

Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092425.cfm

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
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Barrington, IL 60010

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Thank you for praying and fasting with us these 40 days.

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Fr. Michael leads a Guided Examination of Conscience based on James 4:1-2  inviting us to trade self-reliance for gratitude, trust, and peace. Let the wars within give way to healing that radiates outward.

"Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask."
 — James 4:1–2 (NABRE)

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Fr. Michael offers prayers for Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan in this culminating prayer for our 40 Day Novena of Prayer and Fasting for Peace.

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Still your hearts and minds and find inner peace in Christ Jesus.

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Saint John Paul II, one of the most influential voices for peace in the 20th and early 21st centuries, tirelessly proclaimed the dignity of every human life as the foundation of a just and peaceful world. Throughout his papacy, he called on individuals, nations, and the Church to build what he called a “civilization of love,” where justice, solidarity, and forgiveness triumph over hatred and division.

In his many addresses for the World Day of Peace and writings like Centesimus Annus, Evangelium Vitae, and Solicitudo Rei Socialis, he taught that true peace is rooted not just in diplomacy or policy, but in the conversion of hearts, the respect for life, and the recognition of each person as a child of God.

This prayer is drawn from those teachings. It seeks to echo his urgent call to become peacemakers in a world torn by violence, fear, and injustice—by becoming people of compassion, truth, and mercy, beginning in our own hearts and homes.

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Fr. Michael leads a guided meditation inspired by Pope Francis' writings on care for our common world. 

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In this 4th week of our novena for peace we  invite you to pray on the writings and  teachings of our late beloved pontiff, Pope Francis. He  consistently taught that peace is rooted in justice, dialogue, and care for all, especially the poor and vulnerable. 

In the third year of his pontificate, in 2015, he issued his landmark  encyclical Laudato Si’. In it, he links care for creation to peace, warning that environmental destruction fuels conflict. He urges religious leaders and all people of goodwill to work together for reconciliation, forgiveness, and the dignity of every person.

In his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls for a culture of encounter, solidarity, and fraternity beyond borders. He condemns war, nuclear weapons, and the arms trade as failures of humanity. Francis emphasizes nonviolence as a political and personal path, echoing the Gospel’s call to love enemies. 

Our prayer this week is inspired by Pope Francis’ teaching in especially these two encyclicals. It’s written in the form of a call and response litany. If possible, we encourage you to pray it with others. Or you may wish to simply pray it by yourself. 

Thank you for joining us in this 40 day Novena of Prayer and Fasting for Peace. 

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Fr. Michael leads a guided imagery prayer for peace inspired by the apparitions of Mary at Medjugorje and his own pilgrimages to that holy site.

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This week's novena prayer for peace is inspired by Our lady's message of peace appearing at Medjugorje.

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Fr. Michael introduces the apparitions at Medjugorje and the impact they have had on the world and how they have sustained him as a priests.

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Fr. Michael leads a guided imagery prayer for peace inspired by the teachings of Pope Leo XIV.

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Prayer for Peace Inspired by the Teachings of Pope Leo XIV

Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Shepherd of all nations, look with mercy upon this world so often torn apart by pride, indifference, and violence.

You who calmed the winds and stilled the waves, speak Your word of peace over our hearts and over every place where hatred has taken root.

Send forth Your Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth and reconciliation, to renew the face of the earth. Convert the hearts of those who plot destruction. Strengthen all who labor to build bridges between peoples and cultures. Comfort those who mourn their loved ones, whose lives have been stolen by war and terror.

Lord, teach us never to grow accustomed to the suffering of our brothers and sisters. Awaken in us a holy restlessness, that we may not remain silent before injustice, nor numb before the cries of the innocent.

O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, remember the land of Your Promise. Grant that swords may be turned into plowshares, and all Your children may dwell secure in Your peace.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and Queen of Peace, wrap Your mantle around all nations. Intercede for us, that hatred may yield to understanding, revenge to forgiveness, and war to peace.

May the day soon dawn when every people and nation lift their voices together in a hymn of praise, and all humanity recognize in one another the image of our loving God.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Given on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Fr. Michael shares two images that Jesus gives for His sacred heart: the sun bursting with love and the vulnerable heart, pierced and on fire with love.

from Luke 15:3-7
Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes:
"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,     
'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'

Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062725.cfm

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

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