"Pure, holy simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world." This is what St Francis of Assisi tells us. And in this Say Yes to Holiness podcast, Christina shares Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet that helps you ponder how simplicity, perseverance and sacrifice can help you find wisdom and peace in your daily life. In this podcast, Christina speaks about: How true wisdom is clear, concise and direct Perseverance and the great chain of prayers Why loving sacrifice is pleasing to God Register for the FULLY ALIVE: PURSUING HOLINESS IN THE MIDST OF ACHIEVING WORLDLY SUCCESS WORKSHOP happening the week of October 25th.  ​CLICK HERE to learn more and register​ In this FREE 4-day workshop learn how to create a plan for your daily life that will prioritize your purpose, organize the chaos, and help you accomplish more of your goals with less stress so you can experience the peace and abundance God created you for! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Say Yes to Holiness

Episode #92--Simplicity, Perseverance and Sacrifice--Finding Wisdom and Peace in Your Daily Life

In this 1 on 1 podcast conversation, Christina has the privilege of speaking with Whitney Maslak, Singer, Musician, and Recording Artist. Whitney and I connected through my Say Yes to Holiness website, and our conversation focused upon music, particularly the release of Whitnek's upcoming album. Based in the Rocky Mountains near Yellowstone National Park, Whitney Maslak is a classically-trained vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who is inspiring audiences throughout the world with her interpretation of classical sacred music. Dubbed “The Singing Organist,” Whitney accompanies her vocals herself not only with pipe organ, but also with acoustic guitar and piano. The sacred music she records covers many centuries—from medieval Gregorian chant and early music, to classical sacred arias, to beloved traditional hymns. Whitney’s debut single, O God Beyond All Praising, was released on February 12, 2021. This beautiful hymn set to Gustav Holst’s theme from the “Jupiter” movement of The Planets is set to be a fan favorite for years to come. In the meantime, Whitney is working on a full-length album of other traditional hymns which is planned to be released later in 2021. Along with working on her first album, Whitney also devotes a large amount of her time to being an organist and cantor at her local parish, providing music for weekend Masses as well as funerals and weddings. In addition, she provides lessons to both children and adults in piano, guitar, and voice. Whitney loves bringing inspiring music to a world that so desperately needs to find hope. She has discovered that sacred music carries the message of Christ’s love and peace in a way that nothing else can, and she is so grateful to be able to share her music with people all over the world. May this podcast help inspire, encourage and accompany you to continue doing WHATEVER IT TAKES so we can tell the Master of Death, “Not Today!” You can find out more about Whitney here: https://www.whitneymaslak.com/  You can watch videos of her music here: https://www.whitneymaslak.com/videos Or you can purchase her music here: https://www.whitneymaslak.com/shop And you can also watch this podcast on the Say Yes to Holiness YouTube channel --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #91--"The Singing Organist"--1 on 1 Podcast Conversation with Whitney Maslak

In this conversation, Christina speaks again with Anne DeSantis, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, & Non-Profit Director of the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith.  This time, we spoke about Anne's new book, Love and Care for the Marginalized: Spiritual Outreach Reflections for Catholics. Our discussion focused upon how each of us can grow in our awareness of who is marginalized as where the marginalized are, and how we can respond as Christ asks us to. Her book consists of 40 reflections designed to help you pray and reflect, but more importantly, to take some small action each day to grow in love and care for the marginalized in your midst--like a homeless person, an immigrant, an elderly person in a nursing home, or an estranged family member.  The biggest takeaway for me from our conversation is that the only truly effective action is one combined with prayer, and this is Anne's latest book helps you cultivate that attitude and habit in your mind, heart and soul.  Anne also writes for three on-line publications: CatholicMom, Catholic 365, and Catholic Lane, hosts the on-line program called "Journeys in Faith with Anne DeSantis" on Fiat Ministry Network and Patchwork Heart Ministry, and cohosts a weekly podcast with Bill Snyder called  the "Sewing Hope Podcast" on Patchwork Heart Ministry, as well. In addition to her apostolic work, Anne is wife, mother, and former homeschooling parent to her two grown daughters, Alaine and Shawn.  She and her husband Angelo DeSantis have been married for over 30 years and they reside within the Philadelphia area suburbs, and are both members of the Third Order of Mercy which is a prayerful/active member of the Mercedarian Religious Order.  You can find out more about Anne at: https://www.annedesantis.com/ You can purchase her book here  To sign up for her upcoming event at Mayslake Ministries, register here --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #90--Love and Care for the Marginalized--1 on 1 Conversation with Anne DeSantis

Episode #89--Searching For Meaning In Our Lives Finding meaning in your life is about pursuing your true purpose. But you can only find your true purpose by embracing the mystery of God's love, mercy and grace. In this Say Yes to Holiness podcast, Christina shares Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet that reflects upon the mysteries of life that are all around us by sharing wisdom that can assist us in our search for meaning in life. In this episode, Christina speaks about: How God's mercy sanctifies and transforms each person The sacraments as a source of grace and healing What is necessary to find your personal mission in life For more information:  http://www.sayyestoholiness.com  On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness/  On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness  On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens  www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #89--Searching For Meaning In Our Lives

In this 1 on 1 podcast conversation, Christina sits down to speak with Rhonda Gruenewald, founder of VocationMinistry.com and author of two books, Hundredfold and The Harvest. This conversation was very timely, especially as Worldwide Priesthood Sunday is occurring the weekend of September 25-26. During our conversation, Rhonda and I spoke about the challenges inherent in discerning a vocation as well as how to go about promoting a culture of vocations--be it in a family, parish, school, or someone's personal life. And for me, it came down to an attitude that can be captured in one word--intentionality. Rhonda is a full-time wife and mother of two teenagers, and converted to the faith thanks to her husband of 19 years, David. Prior to volunteering in the field of vocations, she graduated from the University of Texas in Austin and taught English, speech, and debate at a public high school for 6 years. Rhonda converted to Catholicism in 1999 and became active in parish life at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. Vocation Ministry has worked with more than 6,000 vocation promotors and ministries nationwide with that number increasing each year. “The demand is there,” says Rhonda. “People everywhere are passionate about increasing and nurturing vocations. I see it all over the country. This passion stems not only from a desire to foster more healthy vocations, but truly from people’s love for Christ and his Church. The Church of tomorrow already exists – we just have to begin to awaken it!” Rhonda wrote Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry and its accompanying resource book and developed the website VocationMinistry.com to provide information, activities, and inspiration for anyone seeking to establish or revive a vocation ministry. The goal of Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry and VocationMinistry.com is to provide information, activities, and inspiration to anyone starting, reviving, or refreshing a Vocation Ministry, and to make those ministries thrive. It is designed to inspire parishes to get involved in vocation work, to help new ministries start strong by providing a clear guide to the nuts and bolts of the ministry and to reinvigorate long-standing committees with fresh ideas that attract new workers to his vineyard. Now, the website and the book are in Spanish, too, as Sembrando Semillas. Her latest book, The Harvest: A Guide to Vocation Ministry in Education, is a 200-page comprehensive guide that provides practical advice and inspiration, including 75 impactful activities, easily implemented in classroom settings. This ground-breaking approach will give our Catholic educators the resources needed to positively affect the Church and our youth for generations to come. As author and founder of Vocation Ministry, a 501 c3 nonprofit, Rhonda has been showcased on EWTN Live with Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, Sirius/XM Catholic Radio Seize the Day with Gus Lloyd and the Busted Halo Show, and it was a great joy to have her on the Say Yes to Holiness podcast.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #88--"Cultivating a Hundredfold Harvest"--1 on 1 Podcast Conversation with Rhonda Gruenewald, Author and Founder of VocationMinistry.com

How can we find true rest in the midst of our daily lives? To being with, by intentionally placing ourselves in God's presence. In this Say Yes to Holiness podcast, Christina shares Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet that focuses upon helping you finding true rest in the midst of your daily life. In this episode, Christina speaks about: Ways you can move through difficulties and challenges What leads you to experience Peace How to make a perfect offering of your will For more information:  http://www.sayyestoholiness.com  On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness/  On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness  On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens  www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #87--Finding True Rest In The Midst Of Our Daily Lives"

How can we become who God created us to be? By aligning our lives in accordance with His love for us. In this Say Yes to Holiness podcast, Christina shares Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet that will help you in the struggle to align your life so that you can become who God created you to be. In this episode, Christina speaks about: Choosing the path of salvation The power of a daily resolution Allowing the Mother of God to intercede and direct us For more information: http://www.sayyestoholiness.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens  www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #86--"Aligning Our Lives With The One Who Loves Us"

This week’s Say Yes to Holiness 1 on 1 Conversation podcast episode is with Dan Cellucci, CEO of the Catholic Leadership Institute. This conversation continues the OSV Innovation Talk speaker series. An unspoken fear looms over Catholics this year: “What if things don’t go back to normal?” In his OSV Talk, "What If They Don't Come Back?," Dan Cellucci proposes a much-needed response: What if that’s a good thing? What if God is calling us to be much greater than the “old normal”? In this stirring talk, Cellucci reminds us that Christianity is not about meeting a bare minimum. It’s about seeking more abundant life—in every time and in every place. Dan Cellucci is CEO of Catholic Leadership Institute, an apostolate providing leadership training and consulting to more than 280 bishops, 2,700 priests, and 27,000 lay leaders in over 100 dioceses. Dan is a sought-after advisor and presenter for the Church, and oversees research associated with CLI’s Disciple Maker Index. This comprehensive survey tool has reached over 1,200 parishes and 227,000 Catholics. Working with this incredible data and more than 25 years of field experience, Dan and the team have embarked on an ambitious plan to define what the Next Generation Parish and Diocese look like in the next decade. For more information:  http://www.sayyestoholiness.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens  www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #85--"What If They Don't Come Back?"--1 on 1 Conversation with Dan Cellucci

Gratitude is the doorway into true peace and rest? Seems too simple, doesn't it? But in this Say Yes to Holiness podcast, Christina shares Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet that speaks to how practicing gratitude is the key that unlocks the door that helps us enter into true peace and rest in the midst of our busy, and far too often, extraordinarily stressful lives. In this episode, Christina speaks about: Becoming steadfast in our faith What "praying unceasingly" really means Gratitude as the key to finding rest and experiencing true peace For more information: http://www.sayyestoholiness.com  On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness/  On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness  On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens  www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #84--"Gratitude As The Doorway Into True Peace and Rest"

In this 1 on 1 conversation, Christina speaks with Chris Bartlett, founder of EQUIPT about EQUIPT's innovation mission and purpose of providing book summaries from a Catholic perspective in order to help Catholics come to know God and make Him known in the world.  Catholic Book Summaries for Catholic Disciples? Yep. Do you have a HUGE pile of books next to your bed that you are intending to read, but never get around to reading them? Well, you might want to check out this conversation that I recently had with Chris Bartlett, founder of Equipt. What exactly is Equipt? It is a book summary platform that offers summaries of the most relevant books in leadership, Christian formation, and spiritual growth through the lens of Catholic Discipleship. Very simply, it's Cliffnotes (or Blinkist) for Catholics. But better. I came across Equipt soon after they launched their service, and I immediately reached out to Chris to have a discussion about this innovative and timely idea, and Chris graciously agreed to sit down with me. During our conversation, I discovered that Chris lives in Round Rock, Texas with his wife and children where he also serves as the Director of Leadership Formation for Ablaze Ministries. I had come across Ablaze Ministries before as they intentionally invest into ministry leaders, especially those involved with youth, so had seen some of their brilliant work which includes a 360 approach towards Youth Ministry. It is from his work with Ablaze and supporting ministry leaders that Equipt emerged as a needed resource, especially in order to assist people in being formed holistically. Equipt focuses upon sharing three books a month, one book for spiritual development, one for human formation and another for leadership best ideas/practices. The idea of these three categories came from the need seen to help people grow in their their baptismal call as priest (spiritual), prophet (formation) and king (leadership), and the desire to help people "know God and make God known." Additionally, the summaries come in audio and PDF form, and the best part (for me at least) is that each summary ends with a "takeaways" breakdown from which you can easily develop some daily resolutions and apply the ideas immediately to your life. And all that for barely more than a cup of latte! Needless to say, I am a HUGE fan, but I think you'll be convinced once you listen to our conversation, too! For more information: http://www.sayyestoholiness.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens  www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #83--"Cliffnotes for Catholics"--1 on 1 Conversation with Chris Bartlett, Founder of EQUIPT

Can my life actually make a difference?  Short answer, yes.  In this Say Yes to Holiness podcast, Christina shares Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet that focuses upon cultivating the virtue of faith actually ensures that our lives make a difference--in ways far beyond any we can imagine. Can My Life Actually Make A Difference?   For more information: http://www.sayyestoholiness.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness/  On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness  On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens  www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #82--"Can My Life Actually Make A Difference?"

Episode #81 --"Growing Your Faith in the Midst of Life" Christina shares Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet that focuses upon how we might cultivate the virtue of faith and become more faithful in our day-to-day lives.  In this episode, Christina speaks about: Cultivating a faithful habit of mind Being a faithful intercessor for others Growing in faithfulness during day-to-day life For more information: http://www.sayyestoholiness.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens  www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #81--Growing Your Faith in the Midst of Life

In this podcast, Christina shares Food for the Head, Heart, Hands, and Feet to assist you in setting aside fear and anxiety to become an abiding place of mercy.  For more information: http://www.sayyestoholiness.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens www.christinasemmens.com   --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #80--Setting Aside Fear And Anxiety To Become Abiding Places of Mercy

In this special episode of the Say Yes to Holiness podcast, Christina speaks about how to create an Unhackable life by stepping into flow.  This is the recording of the planning and on-hands workshop held in early July that focused upon helping you close the gap between dreaming and doing by specifically talking about flow and how to step into it in order to create the Unhackable life of freedom, happiness, and fulfillment you desire. Best of all, this workshop gives you some very practical ways to improve your clarity, focus, and increase your productivity by up to 500% through some practical exercises! For more information: http://www.sayyestoholiness.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness On Twitter: semcsem  On Clubhouse: csemmens  www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Special Episode--"Creating an Unhackable Life By Stepping Into Flow"

In this episode, Christina shares food for the head, heart, hands and feet to help you grow in awareness and understanding of how it is that prayer transforms us and makes all things possible in our lives--in particular, being able to experience more purpose, peace and abundance in our daily life. For more information: http://www.sayyestoholiness.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayyestoholiness/  On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoholiness On Twitter: semcsem On Clubhouse: csemmens www.christinasemmens.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #79--How Prayer Transforms Us

A podcast designed to help you find purpose, peace and abundance in your daily life on the journey to holiness Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/support

Episode #92--Simplicity, Perseverance and Sacrifice--Finding...