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Appropriate for all ages and a wide range of settings, from Catholic school events to parish fundraisers, this comedy routine will keep the audience laughing, while teaching about prayer, the saints, spiritual discernment, and how to keep on being Catholic in a crazy world.
The American Book of Exodus: Thriving Spiritually in Tough Economic Times
When one compares the Book of Exodus with America’s current economic situation, the parallels are striking. God takes the Israelites from a land of plenty and leads into the desert, with its many temptations and trials, before he shows them the Promised Land. In the desert, God comes and provides for His people, helping them learn to trust and obey Him. Their temptations are many: to grumble and complain, to fear God isn’t with them, to despair that that manna God sends them will not be enough, to turn to idols for comfort, et cetera, but they persevere, and God proves faithful. This talk injects hope and understanding into our present difficult conditions. People come away from this presentation with grateful hearts, spiritually renewed, and with a deeper understanding that their present hardships are but a path allowed or ordained by God, as He holds their hands and guides them towards the Promised Land.
Discerning Our Relationships and Our Vocational Calling
This talk gives people insights into how to discern God's will in one's vocational calling in life and one's relationships. Our discernment is clouded when we hold onto what St. Ignatius of Loyola calls "disordered attachments"--those things/needs/people that we place in our lives as a higher priority than God. Only good things happen when we surrender our lives fully to Our Creator. For as Jesus says, in Luke 9:24, "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, will save it."
Recovering from the Losses of Life: From Grief to Joy
Live long enough, and you will experience many losses, great and small. This talk offered eye-opening and comforting words for anyone experiencing grief and loss, from the loss of loved ones, jobs, relationships, health, or money, to the disappointment of a loved one leaving the Catholic Church. When such things happen, we can feel abandoned, bereft, angry—every difficult emotion possible, and it is generally known that we have to pass through the dark night of grief after loss in order to heal. Yet what we don’t always know is that God’s plan through our grief is to give us new kernels of joy, and in fact, the very keys to His kingdom within us. Based on nine years of experience as a grief counselor and bereavement educator, Mrs. Watkins offers insight and hope into the sanctity of the grief process and the hidden hope that lies within it.
Sexuality and Healing
Sexuality is one of the most
powerful forces in the world. God's plan for us is that
it be a source of tremendous love and union, never lingering hurt. Through true stories, helpful insights, and
a humorous activity,
this talk, or expanded workshop, will uncover hidden
forces that drive us and prayers that can help us. Learn how God's love can keep us in, or restore us to, a
state of wholeness and peace in the area of our
sexuality. Learn of its purpose, its sacredness, and how
the pictures that the world paints of sexuality can be
very different from the life-giving pictures that God paints.
The Healing Power of Forgiveness and the Sacrament of Reconciliation
As a much neglected, sometimes
feared, frequently misunderstood Sacrament,
Reconciliation is a precious, heavenly gem waiting to be
discovered or rediscovered by Catholics. The grace of
this Sacrament is most powerful. After hosting this
eye-opening, engaging, emotionally stirring and effective talk, parishes across
the country have seen many of their members decided to
receive the Sacrament regularly.
For helpful handouts regarding the particulars of going to a priest for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and for preparing one's soul beforehand, please click on the following document links: "How to confess to a priest," and "Preparing for Reconciliation with the 10 Commandments."
The Blessed Mother and You
How to nurture and develop a relationship with the Blessed Mother that will transform your life. Who was the Mary in Scripture? Who is Mary for us now? While Mary sometimes remains the hidden masterpiece of the Divine Mind, her life on earth and her apparitions from heaven are a glimpse into the unfathomable depths of God's love and mercy. Now, more than ever, Mary is vying for our attention, teaching us how to come back to God and how to remain close to Him. Since the 1980's, reported visions of Mary have proliferated throughout the world. What is Mary saying to us, and how can her words change our lives? How can we connect with our Mother in Heaven, feel her transforming caress, experience her transcendent love? From past apparitions, such as Fatima, La Salette, Lourdes, to modern day encounters, you’ll be amazed at what she has done for others and what she can do for you. Never underestimate the prayers of a mother.
Spiritual Direction and
Discernment (How do I know what God is saying to me?)
This talk, a condensed version of the Making Holy Choices retreat (see above), is for people truly seeking to discern the will of God in their lives. With an extensive background in Ignatian spirituality and several years working as a spiritual director, Mrs. Watkins offers helpful insights into the various forms of God's communication with us, insights that every Christian needs to know to better navigate life. Sharing surprising, true stories, she reveals how challenging and fruitful spiritual discernment can be. Participants will come away with a greater understanding of how to discern when God is speaking to them, what He is saying, and how to follow Him in peace.
Other topics include:
- The Four Parts of the Mass
- Spiritual Gifts: The Charisms of the Holy Spirit
- Medjugorje
- Ecumenism
- Women's Spirituality
- Prayer
- Dancing with God
- God's Unfathomable Love
- The Afterlife
- Living your faith fully
- Sharing your faith
- Transforming the world in Christ
Presentations normally last
for one hour and can be delivered as keynote talks or
expanded for retreat settings. Additional projects
exist or can be developed for your particular group.
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