Week 05 - This is a 5-week course designed to introduce people to the full scope of Catholic prayer as articulated by Teresa of Avila in her famous “four waters” analogy. It explains these four stages beginning with vocal and discursive prayer (such as meditation and mental prayer) to contemplative prayer and transforming union. Classes include instruction and hands-on practice of the various types of prayer and addresses common questions such as:What can we do to deepen our connection with God in prayer?How do we discern His voice in prayer?What are the main stumbling blocks in our prayer life?How do we handle distractions, dryness, and consolations.What are the signs of advancing prayer?Each week participants have a homework assignment. Instruction will include a once-a-week online course lasting one hour. It will consist of an opening prayer, review of the homework assignment, a 20 minute lecture, 15 minutes of prayer practice and 15 minutes for Q&A. ﾿ Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S., author and award-winning journalist is a member of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites. She is the Director of Communications and New Age Research for Women of Grace® and is a frequent guest on EWTN's Women of Grace® television show. She formerly worked as a Correspondent for the Catholic Standard & Times, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. For the last 10 years she has been the lead researcher for Women of Grace’s New Age Q&A Blog which is the largest blog of this kind in the world. The library of information now exceeds 1200 entries on everything from acupuncture and angels to wicca and yoga. She has also authored seven books, including The Learn to Discern Compendium: Is It Christian or New Age which has an imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Liguori Publications published the story of her conversion, entitled, We Need to Talk: God Speaks to a Modern Girl. Along with Johnnette Benkovic, she co-authored the Young Women of Grace Study Program which teaches girls ages 13+ about what it means to be authentically feminine. Her latest publication is The Catholic Guide to Mindfulness, published by Avila Institute, which has an imprimatur from the Diocese of Birmingham. Her national journalism awards include the Bernadine-O'Connor Award for Pro-Life Journalism, the Eileen Egan Journalism Award from Catholic Relief Services, and numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Philadelphia Press Association. Read More …

Week 04 - This is a 5-week course designed to introduce people to the full scope of Catholic prayer as articulated by Teresa of Avila in her famous “four waters” analogy. It explains these four stages beginning with vocal and discursive prayer (such as meditation and mental prayer) to contemplative prayer and transforming union. Classes include instruction and hands-on practice of the various types of prayer and addresses common questions such as:What can we do to deepen our connection with God in prayer?How do we discern His voice in prayer?What are the main stumbling blocks in our prayer life?How do we handle distractions, dryness, and consolations.What are the signs of advancing prayer?Each week participants have a homework assignment. Instruction will include a once-a-week online course lasting one hour. It will consist of an opening prayer, review of the homework assignment, a 20 minute lecture, 15 minutes of prayer practice and 15 minutes for Q&A. ﾿ Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S., author and award-winning journalist is a member of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites. She is the Director of Communications and New Age Research for Women of Grace® and is a frequent guest on EWTN's Women of Grace® television show. She formerly worked as a Correspondent for the Catholic Standard & Times, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. For the last 10 years she has been the lead researcher for Women of Grace’s New Age Q&A Blog which is the largest blog of this kind in the world. The library of information now exceeds 1200 entries on everything from acupuncture and angels to wicca and yoga. She has also authored seven books, including The Learn to Discern Compendium: Is It Christian or New Age which has an imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Liguori Publications published the story of her conversion, entitled, We Need to Talk: God Speaks to a Modern Girl. Along with Johnnette Benkovic, she co-authored the Young Women of Grace Study Program which teaches girls ages 13+ about what it means to be authentically feminine. Her latest publication is The Catholic Guide to Mindfulness, published by Avila Institute, which has an imprimatur from the Diocese of Birmingham. Her national journalism awards include the Bernadine-O'Connor Award for Pro-Life Journalism, the Eileen Egan Journalism Award from Catholic Relief Services, and numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Philadelphia Press Association. Read More …

Week 03 - This is a 5-week course designed to introduce people to the full scope of Catholic prayer as articulated by Teresa of Avila in her famous “four waters” analogy. It explains these four stages beginning with vocal and discursive prayer (such as meditation and mental prayer) to contemplative prayer and transforming union. Classes include instruction and hands-on practice of the various types of prayer and addresses common questions such as:What can we do to deepen our connection with God in prayer?How do we discern His voice in prayer?What are the main stumbling blocks in our prayer life?How do we handle distractions, dryness, and consolations.What are the signs of advancing prayer?Each week participants have a homework assignment. Instruction will include a once-a-week online course lasting one hour. It will consist of an opening prayer, review of the homework assignment, a 20 minute lecture, 15 minutes of prayer practice and 15 minutes for Q&A. ﾿ Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S., author and award-winning journalist is a member of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites. She is the Director of Communications and New Age Research for Women of Grace® and is a frequent guest on EWTN's Women of Grace® television show. She formerly worked as a Correspondent for the Catholic Standard & Times, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. For the last 10 years she has been the lead researcher for Women of Grace’s New Age Q&A Blog which is the largest blog of this kind in the world. The library of information now exceeds 1200 entries on everything from acupuncture and angels to wicca and yoga. She has also authored seven books, including The Learn to Discern Compendium: Is It Christian or New Age which has an imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Liguori Publications published the story of her conversion, entitled, We Need to Talk: God Speaks to a Modern Girl. Along with Johnnette Benkovic, she co-authored the Young Women of Grace Study Program which teaches girls ages 13+ about what it means to be authentically feminine. Her latest publication is The Catholic Guide to Mindfulness, published by Avila Institute, which has an imprimatur from the Diocese of Birmingham. Her national journalism awards include the Bernadine-O'Connor Award for Pro-Life Journalism, the Eileen Egan Journalism Award from Catholic Relief Services, and numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Philadelphia Press Association. Read More …

Week 02 - This is a 5-week course designed to introduce people to the full scope of Catholic prayer as articulated by Teresa of Avila in her famous “four waters” analogy. It explains these four stages beginning with vocal and discursive prayer (such as meditation and mental prayer) to contemplative prayer and transforming union. Classes include instruction and hands-on practice of the various types of prayer and addresses common questions such as:What can we do to deepen our connection with God in prayer?How do we discern His voice in prayer?What are the main stumbling blocks in our prayer life?How do we handle distractions, dryness, and consolations.What are the signs of advancing prayer?Each week participants have a homework assignment. Instruction will include a once-a-week online course lasting one hour. It will consist of an opening prayer, review of the homework assignment, a 20 minute lecture, 15 minutes of prayer practice and 15 minutes for Q&A. ﾿ Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S., author and award-winning journalist is a member of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites. She is the Director of Communications and New Age Research for Women of Grace® and is a frequent guest on EWTN's Women of Grace® television show. She formerly worked as a Correspondent for the Catholic Standard & Times, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. For the last 10 years she has been the lead researcher for Women of Grace’s New Age Q&A Blog which is the largest blog of this kind in the world. The library of information now exceeds 1200 entries on everything from acupuncture and angels to wicca and yoga. She has also authored seven books, including The Learn to Discern Compendium: Is It Christian or New Age which has an imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Liguori Publications published the story of her conversion, entitled, We Need to Talk: God Speaks to a Modern Girl. Along with Johnnette Benkovic, she co-authored the Young Women of Grace Study Program which teaches girls ages 13+ about what it means to be authentically feminine. Her latest publication is The Catholic Guide to Mindfulness, published by Avila Institute, which has an imprimatur from the Diocese of Birmingham. Her national journalism awards include the Bernadine-O'Connor Award for Pro-Life Journalism, the Eileen Egan Journalism Award from Catholic Relief Services, and numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Philadelphia Press Association. Read More …

Week 01 - This is a 5-week course designed to introduce people to the full scope of Catholic prayer as articulated by Teresa of Avila in her famous “four waters” analogy. It explains these four stages beginning with vocal and discursive prayer (such as meditation and mental prayer) to contemplative prayer and transforming union. Classes include instruction and hands-on practice of the various types of prayer and addresses common questions such as:What can we do to deepen our connection with God in prayer?How do we discern His voice in prayer?What are the main stumbling blocks in our prayer life?How do we handle distractions, dryness, and consolations.What are the signs of advancing prayer?Each week participants have a homework assignment. Instruction will include a once-a-week online course lasting one hour. It will consist of an opening prayer, review of the homework assignment, a 20 minute lecture, 15 minutes of prayer practice and 15 minutes for Q&A. ﾿ Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S., author and award-winning journalist is a member of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites. She is the Director of Communications and New Age Research for Women of Grace® and is a frequent guest on EWTN's Women of Grace® television show. She formerly worked as a Correspondent for the Catholic Standard & Times, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. For the last 10 years she has been the lead researcher for Women of Grace’s New Age Q&A Blog which is the largest blog of this kind in the world. The library of information now exceeds 1200 entries on everything from acupuncture and angels to wicca and yoga. She has also authored seven books, including The Learn to Discern Compendium: Is It Christian or New Age which has an imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Liguori Publications published the story of her conversion, entitled, We Need to Talk: God Speaks to a Modern Girl. Along with Johnnette Benkovic, she co-authored the Young Women of Grace Study Program which teaches girls ages 13+ about what it means to be authentically feminine. Her latest publication is The Catholic Guide to Mindfulness, published by Avila Institute, which has an imprimatur from the Diocese of Birmingham. Her national journalism awards include the Bernadine-O'Connor Award for Pro-Life Journalism, the Eileen Egan Journalism Award from Catholic Relief Services, and numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Philadelphia Press Association. Read More …

Presenter: Kathleen Beckman"What is God's special weapon against evil?  Kathleen Beckman delves into the topic of spiritual motherhood using the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of Our Blessed Mother and several female saints. Topics include:- Rome's Congregation for Clergy invitation to womenMary's spiritual motherhood, especially for priests and her role in the defeat of evil- The example of women Saints including St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Catherine of Siena, and Venerable Conchita Cabrera Read More …

10869 - Video 5 - Spiritual Motherhood: The Call and Gift of WomanGuests: Kathleen Beckman, Father Joseph AytonaToday we will conclude this Women of Grace series by highlighting one of the most powerful tools of intercession we have, the Holy Rosary. Why is the rosary so powerful? Why is it so necessary today? And what makes it the perfect prayer to pray, especially for our priests? These are the questions our guests will answer for us in this final episode on Spiritual Motherhood: The Call and Gift of Woman. Read More …

10868 - Video 4 - Spiritual Motherhood: The Call and Gift of WomanGuests: Kathleen Beckman, Father Joseph AytonaIf a mission is to be well-executed, it requires a plan, a footprint of where to go and what is to be accomplished. And so it is that we, as women, enter into the mission of spiritual motherhood with a special emphasis on the priesthood. Today, we will begin to discuss some strategies for being the women of grace God is calling us to be in this our day and time. Read More …

10867 - Video 3 - Spiritual Motherhood: The Call and Gift of WomanGuests: Kathleen Beckman, Father Joseph AytonaConchita Cabrera de Armida, Catherine of Siena, Therese of Lisieux, Faustina Kowalska - all of these holy women have something in common. They all lived the call of spiritual motherhood and, in a special way, to the priesthood. In doing so, they did incredible things for the kingdom of God. Their witness and example gives us much to think about as we look at the call and gift of our femininity and the pressing needs we can meet in light of it. Read More …

10866 - Video 2 - Spiritual Motherhood: The Call and Gift of WomanGuests: Kathleen Beckman, Father Joseph AytonaThe quintessential spiritual mother is, of course, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the one to whom God the Father entrusted His only begotten Son. What does Mary tell women about the charism of authentic femininity that is theirs? And what does her relationship with Jesus suggest to us about the relationship between the feminine person and the priesthood? Read More …