Explore every episode of the podcast Seeking God's Grace

 The time of Lent creates for us an opportunity to practice fast, prayer and almsgiving. We focus on our relationship with God and focus on the renewal of our baptismal promises.
In this episode I chat with Fr Gerard O’Dempsey about how Lent is celebrated in our Churches, how we can prepare for the season of Easter Triduum and what happens in our churches during Easter.

Holy Week: how to celebrate it in daily life: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dQnd5sYUyRb

Enjoy the listening!

Here are some other podcast’s episodes talking about Lent which you might also consider:
Insignificance which matters - about the Holy Week: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/SSl0cKEUyRb
Holy Week: Tips for busy people: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dOrzFHPUyRb

Every year around the Ash Wednesday, Catholics around the world go to the churches to pray, receive ashes on their forehead and ... start anew.

This year, I would like to offer my 5 tips for Lent, hoping that it can inspire you to become closer to God, be nicer to yourself and one another.

In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolising Christ who is the light of the world. 

On that occasion, I am having a conversation with the Capuchin Friar - Fr John Nguyen and the priest of the Diocese of Parramatta - Fr Andrew Rooney.

We chat about the similarities and differences in our way of offering our life to God and living our vocation.

Enjoy the talk.

In this Christmas edition of the Podcast I share my thoughts on the reality in which God comes to us as Man. I reflect on the impact His coming brings to our life and the fact that we are living in the reality of Kingdom of God on earth and realities of things which are still yet to come.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas.

On this First Sunday of Advent, we celebrate the beginning of the Year of special celebration for the Sisters of the Holy family of Nazareth. We begin the jubilee of 150 years since the beginning of our celebration. This occasion is for me an invitation to start the reflection on: What are my 150 reasons to be grateful for this Congregation?

I share with you the first 15 reasons and invite you to join me in continuing this list of gratitude.

Let's celebrate together!

Christ the King celebration marks the end of the Liturgical Year and precedes the first Sunday of Advent. It is a great opportunity to use the weeks to come for preparation for Christmas.

In this Episode with Fr Gerard O’Dempsey, we discuss the liturgical customs and symbols found in our churches and practical ways of engaging the whole family in this time of the anticipation of Christmas.

As promised in the episode, below are a few useful links for  resources for individuals and families at this time:
ADVENT

https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/advent-at-home 

https://www.stjeromeonline.org/prayers-for-the-home-advent-wreath.html#:~:text=Leader%3A%20O%20God%2C%20by%20whose,then%20be%20sprinkled%20with%20water.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=16

https://mycatholicprayers.com/prayers/advent-wreath-prayer/

LITURGICAL YEAR

https://www.macs.vic.edu.au/MelbourneArchdioceseCatholicSchools/media/Documentation/Documents/2025-Liturgical-Calendar.pdf 

https://universalis.com/australia/0/calendar.htm?year=2025&submit=View

https://www.australiancatholics.com.au/calendar

https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/the-liturgical-year-a-journey-with-jesus/

In this episode I have a joy to chat with two members of our Congregation from the United States: Sr Joanne Mary Goscicki and Sr Anthony Gracyalny. I met both of them online, as regualar listeners to this podcast and this time was able to invite them to the conversation in person.

Both of them share their life and vocation story and talk about great things God has done in their life.
You will learn how Sr Joanne Mary  became a Business Manager in the school she graduated from as a young woman. You will hear stories of Sr Anthony learning Spanish. And these are only little bits and pieces. More stories unvailed as you listen to the full episode. Enjoy. 

In this Episode I offer the reflection which was accompanying me for the past week: how to be kind to yourself.

Being kind to ourselves is not an easy task. Sometimes we need a new start, new beginning in overcoming our shortcomings and weaknesses. For many, Sacrament of Reconciliation becomes very helpful. Others stop and reflect as things are occurring. We are able to be kind to ourselves and one another because Jesus “loved us first”. This is the title of the newest Encyclical written by Pope Francis: “Dilexit nos”. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html
Hope you will find in this reflection and Pope’s document some inspiration for your week ahead.

It was a great pleasure to invite back to my podcast two of my sisters:

Sr Amata Nowaszewska: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5W4xgXe1ldN3a1GLxxHjtl?si=ufAz_YUYS2-kx4a9geUIDg

and

Sr Rita Apura: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PsPEjUp4aQ7lVzhvHZARe?si=UtyoVDVCQpWZSuDHFUu9UQ

Together we shared our experiences of the meaning of the rosary prayer in our life.

You might be also interested in the episode talking about the rosary prayer which I recorded a few years ago: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cIDKroOMzlYrIPiXQtnLU?si=85f24881ca7347bd

In this Episode I reflect on the on quite common realities of our life today: loneliness and mental heath.

Loneliness has been described as an epidemic and is one of the most pressing public health concerns in Australia and internationally.

Loneliness and mental health challenges are biggest contributors to people's struggles these days.

Our human interactions, care and support for one another can help us at times when we feel down and depressed.

Our life of faith can be of a great support.

All of us need one another and need help from God.

Go to: https://www.lifeline.org.au if you need an immediate help.

This is the second part of talking about the Eucharist.

In Part 1 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0L8L8MNgCIzfMToxDsNTGr?si=bc96c8a56fac462b we talked about about the Introductory Rites and the Liturgy of the Word.

In this Episode we learn more about:

- what is happening during the main part of the Mass- Consecration

- why do we kneel in the church

- how to receive the Holy Communion

- and how to implement in daily life the Eucharistic attitude.

Enjoy the talk.

Fr Gerard O'Dempsey, Parish Priest at The Good Shepherd Parish, explains to us the parts of the Mass and their meaning.

This is Part 1 of our chat about the Eucharist.

- What is the meaning of words: Eucharist and Mass?

- Does Penitential Rite removes our sins?

- What is the Liturgy of the Word?

- Why do we stand and sit during the Mass?

- What does "collect" mean?

and some more important questions have been answered describing what is happening during the Mass from the beginning till the end of the Liturgy of the Word.

This time I chat with Fr Gerard O’Dempsey, a parish priest of The Good Shepherd Parish (https://www.facebook.com/goodshepherdparishplumpton, http://www.goodshepherd.org.au), where I go every Sunday to worship and serve as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.

As we talk, I learn the reasons why Fr Gerard loves Queensland more than New South Wales, how did he become a Capuchin Friar, what does he like cooking and where his passion for buses come from .

The main part of my chat is to unpack the meaning of church Liturgy. In his final message Fr Gerard encourages us to come to Sunday Mass with our little THANK YOU thoughts and intentions and bring them to God during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Enjoy the talk. 

In this chat I learn about Fr Raass vocation to priesthood.

Fr Raass (https://divineword.au/news/news-events/item/905-fr-asaeli-raass-svd-elected-as-next-provincial) was "offered to God" by his grandma. Did he have anything to say?

We also talk about his understanding of what it means to be a missionary and the power of a simple human hug.

Many of the episodes shared in this podcast are simply sharing people's stories.

Have you ever reflected what is your story?

I know people who tell me: I don't have a story!

This is not true. You have a story, because you have the gift of life.

We have a story because God wants us to continue ti share His love with others.

Each story is different

Each story is unique

Each story has a purpose

Each story is an integral part of the picture/ puzzle.

Your story matters and you matter.

What is your life story as you see it today?

In this episode I talk with Anthony Costa https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-costa-1ab8bb48/: A husband, father, musician and the owner of MInistry Digital Media https://www.ministrydigitalmedia.com.au .

Anthony shares with us stories about his journey in life and a desire to stay obedient to God's plan towards him. He talks about many ways he shares his skills and learn continuously.

Anthony talks about the impact of Covid on the milestone in his professional career, how he uses AI and why his daughter will not receive the mobile phone when she will start the high school.

Enjoy the chat.

In this short reflection upon my return from overseas I reflect on gaining life experiences:

- When and how do we gain them?

- How long does it take to learn ?

I share with you a short story found on the Internet and encourage you to reflect on your own life experiences.

This is the last chat/ interview I had privilege to record with our Sisters while attending the meeting in Rome. In this episode I talk to Sr Janice Fuller, a true champion of the leadership in our congregation. We learn about her life, experiences and love to our congregation.

Enjoy the chat.

This is another chat with the sister of my Congregation. Her name is Sr Paula Kozlowska. Sr Paula ministers in our mission in Ghana: https://www.nazarethfamily.org/?page_id=1903

Her experiences for the past 7 years of being there include learning new food, customs and bits and pieces of Twi language.

Enjoy the chat.

Have you ever wondered what is the Charism and Spirituality of Nazareth or any other religious congregation?

In this episode I talk with Sr Marie Kielanowicz, csfn, a member of our Congregation from our Congregation. Sr Marie not only explains some of those big terms, but also brings very interesting facts from the history of the church and our Congregation.

Enjoy the chat.

It was a my great joy to chat about life, vocation, internationality and being a migrant, with Sr Emmanuela Le from the Holy Family Province, USA.

https://nazarethcsfn.org/about-us/sisters-stories?rec_id=15

In this Episode I reflect on where and how we can experience God's responses to our life dilemmas, especially at the hard times.

As we celebrate the month of June, I encourage you to reflect on the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/teachings/litany-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-270

Finally, I share with you how you can be an instrument of the Holy Spirit, of God's voice to others.

Have a great week everyone.

This time I share with you a very light reflection on three ways how to stay positive when life brings us too much challenges.

Bible suggests that we should focus on God's love. How? Jesus' teachings emphasise the importance of maintaining a positive mindset through prayer, thanksgiving, rejoicing and trust in God's providence.

Enjoy listening and let me know what you discovered.

In this Episode I talk about the history and meaning of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ known as Corpus Christi.

I share with you my own reflection on what it means for me and what I believe it encourages us to do: to keep our focus on Jesus.

For the past couple of weeks the topic of "Responding versus Reacting" was coming back to me in many life situations.

This is why I decided to share it with you today. I am reflecting on the human experiences being inspired by some professional resources (great handouts from https://counsellorcronan.com are available from that Website and Etsy).

I am also sharing with you some examples of Jesus's attitude: was He responding or reacting in His life on earth?

Hope this episode will leave you with some food for thought and make you ponder.

On this Pentecost Sunday I share with you the reasons WHY do we need the Holy Spirit in our life and HOW do we use the gifts and fruits receive from the Holy Spirit.

You might like to listen also to the Episode 60 https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MEtRA7KMSotWAzwJno3IG?si=7fc6c9098cad4354 in which I also talk about the Holy Spirit which gives us superpowers.

On Ascension Sunday I talk about some aspect of Jesus's life which we do not reflect too often- about his HIDDEN LIFE.

It is in the context of the life of the Holy Family and the writings of the Foundress of my Congregation- Blessed Frances Siedliska.

What is the purpose of life which sometimes is unnoticed, forgotten and not recognised?

How can we better life our life focused on God and show him by our life?

These and more questions are part of this reflection.

Enjoy and share your own experiences.

In this Episode I talk about the readings for each Sunday of the week:

- What is their structure?

- How do we understand the sermon or homily?

- How can we create our own reflections about the readings from the Mass.

I offer my reflection for the readings for this 6th Sunday of Easter: https://www.ratisbonne.org.il/blog/sunday-readings-commentaries/the-6th-sunday-of-easter/ Which I shared on the Website of the Bat- kol Christian Centre for Jewish Studies.

I invite all of you to reflect on the readings, despite the fact if you go for a Mass or not - and share with me your homily/sermon whatever is the message God send to your heart.

In this Episode I talk about the ways of overcoming challenges in a meaningful way which take the attention away from ourselves and make us honest about things we do/ or don't do well. I reflect on the ways Jesus overcame life challenges.

Finally, I would like to share with you, as an addition to this episode, a story from YouTube: https://youtu.be/5ZfaPCwjguk?si=UOmZoti9d8PhPjYt

in which we learn from Nancy's Raynes near-death experience how our actions impact others for life.

This is one of the very reflective episodes when I share with you some of my thoughts about getting older as well as life challenges in the second half of life.

In this episode I refer to the story of Eileen Kramer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UTjhx2_CIk

And her turning 109 this year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4PgbLq2PnY

I also mentioned Dashun Wang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5dQRcNtZx4

I finish the sharing with a prayer of Thomas Merton:

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain

where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,

and that I think I am following your will

does not mean I am actually doing so.

But I believe

the desire to please you

does in fact please you.

And I hope I have that desire

in all I am doing.

I hope

I will never do anything

apart from that desire.

And I know if I do this

you will lead me by the right road

though I may know nothing about it.

I will trust you always

though I may seem to be lost

and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear,

for you will never leave me

to face my perils alone.

In this Part 2 of the chat with Dominic Arcamone- we talk about the understanding of the pastoral care, acting pastorally and our holistic approach to life.

Listen to Part 1 to learn more about Dominic's story on https://open.spotify.com/episode/54Q5FMSATsN3XNHHDoFtdM?si=87bbd389a2c4472d

In this Episode I had a pleasure to chat with Alasdair Croydon, Chief Executive Officer at Holy Family Services - A Ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth where I work as a Director of Mission.

See more: https://www.holyfamilyservices.com.au/

We talked about his career path from nursing to the aged care management, life values and the necessity to reflect in silence in order to grow in life.

Alasdair explains why he quotes often the poem Desiderata: https://www.desiderata.com/

and why Snoopy and Woodstock are his favourite cartoon characters. He shares his attitude to life taking every day as a brand new day and the necessity to learn from our own mistakes.

Enjoy this conversation and share it with others.

In this Episode I talk about the ethymology of the of the word "Easter" in different languages and I spend some times imagining what was going through the heads of those who lived at the time when Jesus died and rose from the dead. Finally, I suggest some ways of us experiencing Jesus in our lives.

All of it I share through the human eyes and emotions of the fact that it "doesn't make sense" and we can understand it only if we believe, or at least try to believe.

Happy Easter, everyone.

In this Episode I share with you my reflection about significant days of the Holy Week - starting on Palm Sunday and sharing some thoughts of what we see and experience in the churches and our personal experiences of God. I reflect not only on Jesus, but also on those who were creating the context of his last days on earth - those, who most likely were not even mentioned in the story of Jesus's death and resurrection yet form the story as we find it today.

If you are interested in a very detailed description of the Holy Week, please revisit my Episode 4. https://open.spotify.com/episode/7xqdqWhPjlYNP1MquuIYmE?si=75820801fcf54e5b

If you would like to get some tips on how to approach the Holy Week in the busyness of your life, you might like to listen to episode 53. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0u6e3mlqctedC5zmPvBdKu?si=625a1bc703e44b0d

In this first part of my chat with Dominic Arcamone, https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-arcamone-a97951ab/

we have an opportunity to hear the story of his life and dual vocation of Dominic: from priesthood to married life. We talk about his image of God and the way he experience God through relationships with others, especially his late wife, Anita.

We learn about the books he wrote:

Religion and Violence: A Dialectical Engagement Through the Insights of Bernard Lonergan, https://amzn.asia/d/dtErZ3g

Conversion as Transformation: Lonegran, Mentors, and Cinema, https://a.co/d/7siSlSq

A New Awareness: The Theological Insights of Sebastian Moore, https://a.co/d/0HtbTH5

https://wipfandstock.com/search-results/?keyword=Dominic+arcamone

https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=dominic+arcamone+books&crid=1TK33EMTFY8TS&sprefix=dominic+arcamone+books%2Caps%2C227&ref=nb_sb_noss

And... we pause the conversation till the next time we will talk with him to talk about the pastoral care in life and ministry.

In this Episode I am chatting with Nick Seemann https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-seemann-6b55942/ about life, faith, passion for community and the reality of living the values of life in the family which shares both Jewish and Catholic traditions.

Join me in listening to the insights ab out life and passion of the Managing Director and a founder of the Constructive Dialogue Architects https://www.constructivedialogue.com.au/ .

In this Episode I share with you my own reflection on the value which silence brings to our life. I connect this topic with the Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Lent - John 2: 13- 15) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A13-+25&version=NIV

What is your experience of silence? How does it help your personal life and relationship with God and others?

In this Episode 100 I share with you my reflection on the Gospel which we read in this 2nd week of Lent: Matt 17.1-9 Mark 9.2-9 Luke 9.28-36 

While reflecting about Transfiguration of Jesus and what it meant for His disciples and for Him, I also reflect on the past 100 weeks of creating this podcast.

Thank you for listening, everyone!

On this first Sunday of Lent, I wanted to share with you my reflection on the meaning of bearing the cross in our life. I hope that you will find it somehow helpful or at least feel encouraged to share your own reflection.

Happy First week of Lent, everyone :)

In this Episode 98, I am having a Zoom chat with an old friend of mine with whom I used to work back in Poland almost 25 years ago, at the beginning of his ordained life. I talk to Fr Tadeusz Zadorozny https://holyapostles.edu/faculty/fr-tadeusz-zadorozny/

about his life as priest ⁠https://stjosephct.org/fr-tad ⁠ and what keeps him going. We talk about his sacramental ministry, finding motivation and fulfilment in life.

We also talk about Ash Wednesday and Lent and our attitude to approaching it the best we can.

On 2nd of February of each year we celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life. Today, I am sharing with you some insights about that form of living and encouraging you to think about the gifts of your own, unique vocation in life.

Many people remember to pray before they go to bed, but mornings... are more difficult. How to start the day with a simple prayer, ritual or symbol of our offering of the gift of life to God? This is what this episode 96 is all about.

Below are three prayers I mentioned in this episode:

St. Thérèse’s Daily Offering

Oh my God! I offer You all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to His infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them in the furnace of His merciful love.

Oh my God! I ask of You for myself and for those dear to me the grace to fulfill perfectly Your holy will, to accept for love of You the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in Heaven for all eternity. Amen.

A Daily Offering for Children

For love of me you came to earth;
You gave your life for me.
So every day you give me now
I give back happily.

Take all my laughter, all my tears,
Each thought, each word, each deed,
And let them be my all-day prayer
To help all those in need.

Daily Offering of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network

Father, here I am. I know you are always with me. I place my heart in the Heart of your Son Jesus, who gives himself to us in the Eucharist each day. May your Holy Spirit strengthen me to live the Gospel in everything I do and say. For my part I give you this day–all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings–all I am and possess. With Mary, mother of the Church, I pray for the mission of the Church, for all Apostles of Prayer, and for the intentions of the Pope this month. Amen

All taken from: popesprayerusa.net

In this Episode I reflect on the Daily Examen- a practice many people include in their daily routine just before they go to sleep.

My reflection is based on years of practising it myself and sometimes forgetting, too :)

This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

Here are some links: https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/ On that page you will find many useful links related to the way of praying the Daily Examen according to St Ignatius of Loyola.

In this Episode we pray together and reflect on Psalm 33.

Get your Bible ready or open it online and start reading. I wonder if your prayer and reflection will be similar or different than mine?

In this Episode we talk about the power of words, value of silence and tips to listen most effectively to God's voice.

Happy New Year everyone!

In this episode I reflect with you on the New Year challenges and opportunities given us by the fact that we are alive. How do we make the most of each TODAY? How do we use it the best we can and how do we make it our favourite day.

I pray with you and for you for all the blessings in 2024.

In this Christmas Episode I share with you the reflection on Jesus's coming to the world and I break open to words of the Prayer to the Holy Family which we pray in each community around the world:

O Jesus, Word made flesh, saviour of the world, your life is for us an example of total dedication to your Father and to the work he entrusted to you. Help us to live fully our religious consecration, to spend ourselves completely in your salvific mission to the people of God.

Mary, Mother of God, obtain for us the grace of intimate union with your divine Son and in and through him with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

St. Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family, teach us to live a life of prayer, work, and self-forgetfulness, that we may become ever more docile instruments of the will of God.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, inspire us so to live our community life, that we may be a sign to others that Christ has come, that our hope is centered in him, and that we look forward to the glory of the resurrection.

O Holy Family, bless and protect all the families of the world; safeguard their unity, fidelity, integrity and dignity. Enable them to live according to God’s law that they may fulfill their sublime vocation. May their lives be a reflection of yours and may they enjoy your presence forever in heaven. Amen.

In the midst of busyness before Christmas and at the end of the calendar year, we reflect on our life in many ways. Today's reflection is my way prompting you and me to reflect on God's love to all of us and possibly helping us to find the motivation to keep going no matter what.

In this second Sunday of Advent I would like to share with you the little method of prayer called: The Method of Welcoming. It is adapted from the Contemplative Outreach Website. https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/welcoming-prayer-method/

The Welcoming Prayer is a method of consenting to God’s presence and action in our physical and emotional reactions to events and situations in daily life. The purpose of the Welcoming Prayer is to deepen our relationship with God through consenting in the ordinary activities of our day — “consent-on-the-go.”

I hope that it will help you and me not only during the time of Advent, but in our life- as a prayerful attitude.

In this Episode I talk about the main idea behind the season of Advent. What are the Biblical roots of the season? Who are the main heros of the Advent journey? What is the second coming of Saviour? And where we can find reference in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Happy Advent, Everyone!

Listen also: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5iy4xWTMdDcv2ABp0lVCmf?si=28c4719c9c4e4bc0

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NCiA6WF0TcWKVCCIbFo33?si=fa29d1b081ed4fa0