Six Picks for Summer Reading, Watching and Listening with Michael O'Connell
Host Mike Jordan Laskey is joined by Jesuit Media Lab fellow, Michael O'Connell, on this special episode of "AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast" to kickstart the summer.
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46:08
Embracing Undaunted Joy with Author Shemaiah Gonzalez
Today we’re talking about joy. It can be a hard thing to hold onto in this moment: The headlines are scary; our lives are full of stress and worry; and, everywhere we turn there seems to be some new reason to be afraid.
But none of that is of God. And indeed, even in such moments, joy is waiting to be found.
It’s worth remembering that Jesus tells us he has come so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. That’s a joy-filled life he’s describing, not one that cowers in the shadows in fear and worry. Jesus wants us to step out and into the fullness of God’s creation.
Today’s guest is author Shemaiah Gonzalez. Shemaiah has degrees in English, intercultural ministry and creative nonfiction writing. And her new book, “Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight” gives us a roadmap back to a life full of joy.
Host Eric Clayton and Shemaiah discuss joy and delight and abundance and what it means to tell stories at the intersection of all three. We hope when the conversation concludes, you feel a bit more joyful—and perhaps inclined to pick up a copy of Shemaiah’s book.
Get her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Undaunted-Joy-Revolutionary-Cultivating-Delight/dp/031016317X
Visit her website here: https://www.shemaiahgonzalez.com/
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35:48
Pathway to Priesthood: Knowing When You're Ready with Joe Lorenz, SJ, and Orlando Portalatin, SJ
Welcome to “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.
In these conversations, we’ve been talking with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. We’ve reflected back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and we’ve wrestled with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination.
This is the final episode of the season—so we went big. We have two Jesuits today: Orlando Portalatin and Joe Lorenz.
Orlando is from Puerto Rico. Before joining the Society of Jesus, he had a 20 year career in human resources management. He says he doesn’t have a late vocation—he was just late to respond! Joe is from Maryland. He studied Arabic in college and as a Jesuit, taught English in Beirut for over 200 students.
As you listen to Orlando and Joe share their stories and reflections, I invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org. And I invite you to pray for all of the Jesuits who will be ordained this year as the begin their priestly ministry.
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41:36
Shakespeare Through a Catholic Lens with Luke Taylor, SJ
If you stop and think about it, it’s amazing that the work of William Shakespeare, more than 400 years old, is still read by pretty much every student in the English-speaking world starting in high school or before. Our guest today, Luke Taylor, SJ, has recently co-written and edited a volume that brings together two of his passions: the Bard’s work and Catholic education. The book is called “Exploring Catholic Faith in Shakespearean Drama: Towards a Philosophy of Education,” and Luke worked on the text with fellow authors David Torevell and Brandon Schneeberger.
Luke is a Jesuit scholastic from the UK who’s studying theology at Boston College. Before he entered the Society of Jesus, Luke earned a doctorate in comparative literature from Harvard and taught at the college level. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked Luke about how the book came about and why he thinks Shakespeare’s work continues to be studied all these centuries later – and what particularly about the Bard’s work makes him perfect for a Catholic audience. They also talked a bit about Shakespeare’s disputed religious background and the likelihood he at least had some brief encounters with Jesuits. It was a fascinating conversation and we think you’ll love getting to know someone who has thought so much about the intersections between Shakespeare’s work, Ignatian spirituality and Catholic faith.
"Exploring Catholic Faith in Shakespearean Drama": https://www.routledge.com/Exploring-Catholic-Faith-in-Shakespearean-Drama-Towards-a-Philosophy-of-Education/Torevell-Schneeberger-Taylor/p/book/9781032741864?srsltid=AfmBOooEudxwsHTMxBt97rbMFZePoyvTFahb0t9LXLlQHBa64Kg7SL02
AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.
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49:31
Pathway to Priesthood: The Power of Relationships with Chris Williams, SJ
Welcome to “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.
In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination.
On this episode, Eric talks with Chris Williams about what it means to integrate the various facets of Jesuit life into a single vocation.
Chris was raised in Spearfish, South Dakota. He studied theology and secondary education at Creighton University; it was there that he began to feel the call to the priesthood and Jesuit life. For Chris, spiritual direction—both the opportunity to receive direction from wise directors and give direction himself—has been a key part of his Jesuit formation. For that reason, as you’ll hear, he has particular love for the great Jesuit spiritual master, Peter Faber.
As you listen to Chris’ stories and reflections, consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.
Jesuits and friends come together to look at the world through Ignatian eyes, always striving to live Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam -- For the Greater Glory of God. Hosted by Mike Jordan Laskey and Eric Clayton. Learn more at jesuits.org. A production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.
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