Just One Small Thing Podcast for Catholic Parents

This summer, I conducted an experiment around HABITS in my house.
Instead of assigning the kids daily chores, I gave each of them a list of habits. And I did this for ALL of my kids, from age 15 down to 4.
 The habits included:
✅Exercise
✅Prayer
✅Reading
✅Cleaning/Yardwork
✅Music Practice
✅Life Skills
 So, that's what we did. We did it imperfectly, but looking back, I can tell that something important shifted in my home, and I made some headway teaching my children that the right habits can make us holy. 
If you take time to listen, I would love to hear your thoughts! Have you done something similar in your home... or had great success teaching your kids holy habits in a completely different way?
Links Mentioned:
Holy Habits for Catholic Teens: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/collections/holy-habits-for-catholic-teens
3 Secrets of Busy Catholic Moms Who Pray Every Day: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/pages/the-secret-to-daily-prayer-for-catholic-moms

That's right! 
Next July, Catholic Sprouts will be leading a family pilgrimage to Poland...and you are invited! 
Remember, a pilgrimage helps us leave behind the distractions of daily life, seek God with greater intention, and remember that our whole life is a journey toward our true home in Heaven. And maybe this pilgrimage to Poland is a part of the journey God has planned for your family! 
Learn More Here: https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/family-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-catholic-sprouts-with-nancy-and-bill-bandzuch/ 
As you consider coming with us, check out a few of the highlights I'm most excited about:
Daily Private Mass
Every day of the pilgrimage, a priest traveling with our group will celebrate a private Mass for us, and in some incredible places!
The Divine Mercy Shrine and Tomb of St. Faustina
This is where Jesus appeared to St. Faustina and entrusted the world with the message of Divine Mercy. 
Our Lady of Czestochowa and the Black Madonna
One of the most beloved Marian shrines in the world. Pope St. John Paul II entrusted his entire pontificate to Our Lady of Czestochowa under his motto "Totus Tuus." 
Wadowice — Hometown of Pope St. John Paul II
Tour the childhood home of JPII, celebrate Mass in the church where he was baptized, and taste kremowka — the cream cake he famously loved. 
Auschwitz and the Death Block of St. Maximilian Kolbe
Stand in the place where St. Maximilian Kolbe volunteered to die in place of a stranger and spent his final days leading fellow prisoners in prayer. 
Wieliczka Salt Mines and the Chapel of St. Kinga
Deep underground, generations of Polish miners carved an entire chapel from salt — altars, chandeliers, and sculptures, all in honor of God. 
Wawel Cathedral, Krakow
One of the most stunning cathedrals in Central Europe, where Polish kings were crowned and saints are buried. 
Rafting the Dunajec River and the Tatra Mountains
A beautiful, leisurely raft through stunning mountain scenery — a moment of joy and rest in the middle of a deeply meaningful journey. 
Think about it, pray about it…and maybe see you in Poland!
Learn More Here: https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/family-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-catholic-sprouts-with-nancy-and-bill-bandzuch/

Although I feel incredibly inadequate to do so...in this episode, we are tackling Eucharistic Devotion. 
Please listen to this with two things in mind: your journey and the journey you are inviting your children on as they prepare to receive their First Holy Communion and continue to receive throughout the remainder of their lives.
Many of us are worried simply that our children BELIEVE that the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. And this is good...but this is only the beginning! In fact, there are six steps in Eucharistic Devotion:
Belief
Longing
Reception
Worship
Friendship
Union
In this episode, I walk you through each step. I am still very much on this journey, a journey that will only be complete when we reach heaven. 
The Eucharist is the source and the summit of our life in Christ.
For this reason, the Eucharist is the focus of our newest Catholic Sprouts Kids Challenge.
Grab a copy of our new EUCHARIST CHALLENGE, and walk with your children from belief to reception, worship, friendship, and ultimately union with Christ.
https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-sprouts-kids-eucharist-challenge

It's not a secret that I LOVE the Saints. I love using the Saints when I teach my kids the Faith, because it is literally the easiest way to SHOW them what it looks like to follow Jesus.
I also love reading about the Saints on my own. 
In particular, I love Saints who were mothers. And so, to celebrate the launch of a new season of the Catholic Sprouts Podcast (listen here: https://catholicsprouts.com/podcast), I'm counting down my top Mom Saints and sharing an invaluable lesson I learned from each.
6. St. Marguerite D'Youville: Babies and Mission
5. St. Monica: How our children can be transformed by our sacrifice.
4. St. Clotilda: The Quiet Witness of a Mother.
3. St. Margaret Clitherow: Living life so well that I can challenge my children to follow in my shoes. 
2. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Drawing all the strength I need from the Eucharist.
1. The Blessed Mother: Remaining joyfully obedient. 
Thank you for listening, and if you are looking for a fun way to bring the stories of the Saints into your home, check out our HUGE WAREHOUSE SALE, where several of our Saint Books are marked down...some up to 60% OFF!
https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/collections/warehouse-sale

I get LOTS of emails that say something like, "I'm worried my kids will grow up and leave the Church."
I don't want you to worry about this, but if you aren't teaching the Faith at home…you probably should be worried. 
Study after study shows that CCD programs, youth programs, and even a wonderful Catholic School education alone won't transfer the Faith to the next generation. They simply MUST receive the Faith from their parents.
If you read that and can only think, "but how?!?" go take a listen. 
You really don't need to worry. You've got everything you need, and I'll help you get started.
Also--if you need some tools in your home that will make teaching the Faith doable (even if you are short on time and aren't a theologian), check out our HUGE Warehouse sale, which is going on now.
Everything is marked down — up to 50% OFF! https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/collections/warehouse-sale