We Love to Share the Stories of Our Souls!
Below are descriptions of some of the talks we currently offer. Please reach out if you are interested in inviting us to your next event. (And don’t be afraid to ask if you’d like us to speak about a topic or theme you don’t see listed here.)
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
given by Julia Monnin
“When I share my story with others, I always like to joke that if I were going to give the really brief, five-second version of my story, I would simply say the title of the Scripture passage of Luke 7:36–50 which reads ‘A Sinful Woman Forgiven,’ and walk away. . . .
Yes, if we only had five seconds and you asked me, ‘Julia, what’s your story?’ I would simply answer, ‘I’m a sinful woman forgiven.’ Because, in essence, this pretty much sums up my soul’s journey: where I’ve been, where I am, and where the Lord, in His mercy, is continuing to draw me. But when I share my conversion story in person, those listening (for better or worse) get to hear the extended version. And, as always, I’m humbled to share with them the goodness of our great and merciful God, who ransomed, healed, restored, and forgave me, and who continues to draw me into the depths of His love.”
St. Mary Magdalene “Apostle to the Apostles”
given by Julia Monnin
Julia shares insights into the life of this great saint who, after a profound conversion, loved the Lord with such ardor and zeal that she followed Him all the way to the foot of the Cross and was also graced to be the first our Resurrected Lord appeared to at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday. Julia draws her inspiration from the book Saint Mary Magdalene: Prophetess of Eucharistic Love by Fr. Sean Davidson. As Fr. Davidson writes, “A study of the life of Saint Mary Magdalene is a source of profound encouragement. We can only marvel to see such a poor broken sinner rising from darkness in an explosion of love for Christ and then running with the greatest confidence along the way of perfection. She emerges from the desperate ruins of her life and becomes heaven’s champion of love. … She is hope for sinners.”
6 - Session Prayer Series
given by Julia Monnin
In this 6-session series, Julia discusses in full Part Four (the section on prayer) of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Trusting in God's Mercy
given by Julia Monnin
While sharing some of her own witness story, Julia turns to the wisdom of Scripture as she sheds light on the beauty of God’s infinite love and the endless abyss of His mercy.
The Four Temperaments: A Spiritual Perspective
given by Julia Monnin
Though we are complex beings in which there are endless reasons for any of our tendencies to react, having a basic understanding of the four temperaments has helped many to find truer and more lasting peace in their relationship with themselves, with others, and with Christ.
Do you love me . . . Will you fight for me?
given by Julia Monnin
A day of recollection spent unpacking the beauty of authentic masculinity and femininity aimed at helping those in attendance better embrace what it truly means to be “man” and “woman.” Given by Julia Monnin for both women and men. (Couples are encouraged to attend together.)
Heroic Virtue
given by Julia Monnin
What it is, what it isn’t, and the perfect opportunity the challenges of parish life give us to grow in it. A day of recollection given by Julia Monnin for priests, staff members, and parish leaders.
Finding Faith
Author Angela Schwieterman shares her testimony of God’s endless mercy and His gentle call to follow Him home to the fullness of the faith. Her journey of “Finding Faith” includes the story of her unique conversion into the Roman Catholic Church after persevering through the trials of a difficult pregnancy and her new role that came after as the mother of a trach- and ventilator-dependent daughter.
Holding on to Hope
Author Amy Tester shares the heart wrenching story of her soul as she gives witness to the power of hope and trust in God even in the midst of great pain, suffering, and loss. Though Amy admits that she is a work in progress and that each day brings with it many ups and downs, her faith in God—even during the pain and struggle—always carries her through. In fact, her hope in Him runs so deep that those who know her best would all easily attest to the fact that, even in the tearful moments of life, a smile rarely leaves her face.
The Healing Power of Christ on the Narrow Path of Chastity
Beth Dunn shares the story of her soul: a story of God’s healing in her personal identity, including gender. As Beth found healing on the narrow path of chastity, she uncovered clue after clue about the missing elements of her femininity, until the mystery of broken trust was solved, and the pain of lost love was healed.
Learning to Trust
Krista Schulze speaks about God’s boundless love and goodness as she shares her testimony of learning to trust in Him in every circumstance. During her talk, Krista (a mother of seven) reflects on how she saw God working in her life, even before she had the faith foundation to fully understand His love. More specifically, Krista talks about how she learned (and is still learning) to trust in God’s goodness, even through the trials and tribulations that have come along the way.