“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” So begins chapter 3 of the Book of Ecclesiastes, and an apt sentiment for this episode. We won’t beat around the bush: in this episode, we share the bittersweet news about taking a step back from A Pondering Heart Podcast. Over the past year, we’ve taken a beautiful journey that has allowed us to dive deeper into our faith, have challenging conversations, and ponder out loud. We’ll talk about what’s next, embracing change in our lives, and extending our gratitude for your continued support and listenership with each episode.

All of you have played such a beautiful role in this journey, and for that, we thank you! Onwards and upwards, ad majorem Dei gloriam! — Emi & Rachel

Things to ponder in this episode:

• A popular practice for the new year is to take on a word for the year. For 2022, Emi’s is ‘receive’ and Rachel’s is ‘intimacy’ (Rachel shares more here: https://rachelwong.substack.com/p/a-word-for-2022). Do you take on a word for the year? If so, what is it, and how might God be speaking to you through it? If you don’t take on a word for the year, no worries! There are other ways that God speaks to us. Take some time to reflect on the year that has passed, and how God might be calling you to deeper relationship for this year.
• Change is inevitable in our life, and this is felt most acutely as we go from year to year, or from one state of life to another. How do you cope with transition, and what does that look like for you? Read through Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: it’s a powerful reminder of the temporal nature of our life, and how ultimately we will one day belong to God alone.
• As we wrap up A Pondering Heart, what has been a key takeaway for you? How will you continue to ‘ponder out loud’ with the Lord?

What’s on our heart?

• Emi: “End of a chapter, the start of something new” — a line from a musical that Emi was in a few years ago, called “Right Here, Write Now.”
• Rachel: An Address of Pope Paul VI, entitled “Reflections at Nazareth”: https://www.papalencyclicals.net/paul06/p6reflect.htm

You can continue to listen to (and re-listen to!) A Pondering Heart on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and beyond. Our Instagram and Facebook is @aponderingheartpodcast.

Here are some ways you can keep in touch with Emi and Rachel beyond A Pondering Heart:

Emi is a Vancouver-based Catholic writer and artist. You can follow her on Instagram @restlessnightwriter. You can also read her reflections on her website at eminamoro.com.

Rachel is the host of The Feminine Genius Podcast, which you can listen to on all major platforms. You can follow her on Instagram @femgeniuspod and @rchlcwng. You can also read some of her reflections at rachelwong.substack.com.

Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

"Picture a lot of jagged rocks, and then put them in a blender, and the push 'on.'" This was how Fr. Richard Conlin, one of our guests for this episode, described his experience of being at the seminary. But our relationships with people in general can be characterized in this way: unique beings coming into contact with one another, engaging in fun times and conflict, with the 'end product' being mutual and reciprocal love for the other.

Today, we chat with Fr. Richard and returning guest Fr. Raffaele about the beauty of holy friendships: what the important building blocks are for it, why it's important for our life as Catholics, and the need for prayer as the central part of our relationships.

Fr. Richard Conlin is an ordained priest in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, currently serving at Corpus Christi Parish in Vancouver. Fr. Raffaele Salvino is an ordained priest in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, currently serving at St. Matthew's Parish in Surrey.

Thoughts to ponder in this episode:

• "It's a really interesting insight: We see that Jesus is alive by seeing how He can bring certain people together that otherwise wouldn't naturally come together." — This was certainly the case for Fr. Richard and Fr. Raffaele, and perhaps is applicable for a lot of folks who find themselves in intentional community or formation of some kind. How has Jesus brought you together with your friends? Was it someone that you expected, or in a way that you expected?
• "This likeness reveals that man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself." (Gaudium et Spes, 24) — As humans, we have the opportunity to form relationships with other people. From the beginning, we were never meant to be alone, though sometimes we act in ways that isolates us from others or we act out of selfish means. When have you made a gift of yourself for others? How did the other person respond? What did you learn about yourself in the process?

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!

Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.

For many of us, there probably isn't a day that goes by without checking in on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or the host of other social media sites out there. Social media is a great way to stay connected with friends, learn something new or even share your faith, but as with all things we can also run the risk of spending too much time on our apps and lose sight of our intentions. As Catholics, how can we be good stewards of social media and use is to glorify God? It's a fine balance and a great opportunity: one that God can certainly use and work through, if only we cooperate with Him.

Thoughts to ponder from this episode:

• On average, how much time do you spend on social media? If you have access to Screen Time or a similar kind of app, check to see how much time you spend on any given social media. Is it more or less than you expected? If it's more and you're hoping to curb it, what are some things that you can do to intentionally fill that time instead?
• The use of social media for evangelization is a beautiful way to use the tools we've been given for good, and can be a great way to live out the New Evangelization. How can you ensure that your online and offline life is aligned? How can you be more intentional with your use of social media?
• Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." We'll be the first to admit that sometimes we post on social media to seek attention or draw praise to ourselves! In everything that we do, we need to remember whose we are and why we're doing what we're doing, and with social media and digital evangelization, this is no different.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @aponderingheartpodcast to stay up to date with us!

Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.