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Jesus said to his disciples:
“Suppose one of you has a friend
to whom he goes at midnight and says,
‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey
and I have nothing to offer him,’
and he says in reply from within,
‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked
and my children and I are already in bed.
I cannot get up to give you anything.’
I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves
because of their friendship,
he will get up to give him whatever he needs
because of his persistence.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father among you would hand his son a snake
when he asks for a fish?
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him?”
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
Inevitably, there will be times in our lives when we feel that God isn’t listening to us. However, Jesus reminds us to trust in God’s faithfulness, for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we received in the Sacrament of Confirmation are poured out unto us through fervent prayer to our Father. Luke reminds us that while God may answer us in ways that we don’t expect or understand, God always provides through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I recently lost a dear friend and mentor of mine, someone whom I constantly looked to for guidance and tried to model my life after. When she became sick, I found myself constantly praying that, by some miracle, she would be healed. Since her passing, I have often felt discouraged and lost, wondering why my prayers seemed to go unanswered.
In these last couple of months, I’ve been reflecting on one of my friend’s favorite quotes, written by Sr. Ita Ford in a letter to her niece: “I hope you come to find that which gives life a deep meaning for you. Something worth living for, maybe even worth dying for. Something that energizes you, enthuses you, enables you to keep moving ahead.”
In these quiet moments of reflection, I am reminded that our omniscient God always hears our needs and concerns, answering our prayers in accordance with His will. So, whatever it is that gives life a deep meaning in our lives—our faith, our family, our friends—may we strive to live out our vocation and praise God in all that we say and do so that, at the end of our lives, we may be made worthy to enter into eternal life with God.
Father, sometimes we get discouraged and cynical. Deep down we know that despite our expectations, somehow and some way you must be answering our prayers. May the Spirit help us to look more closely at the gospel and see how you really answer prayer. Amen.
A PODCAST BY FAITH ND
Karen Dehais
Concluding this season is a conversation with Karen Dehais ’85, detailing her work with Catholic Charities, her continued service to Notre Dame, and thoughts on finding balance in her career and family life.
Mike and Elizabeth Tomasek
We sit down with Mike and Elizabeth Tomasek, who provide a glimpse into a marriage and family life defined by mutual growth in faith, support through career changes, and true confidence in the love they have for each other.
Prof. Meghan Sullivan
Prof. Meghan Sullivan shares the ways God has guided important moments in her life, including teaching philosophy at Notre Dame, creating the God and the Good Life course, and serving as a key leader in the conversation about faith and artificial intelligence.
Deacon Kevin Conneely
Deacon Kevin Conneely ’85, from Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, offers his perspective on family life, transitioning from trial lawyer to permanent deacon, and helping a community heal in the aftermath of unfathomable tragedy.
Dr. Joanna Fava
We join Dr. Joanna Fava ’01 for a moment of gentle conversation as she reflects on her work as a psychologist, how she helps people find hope in the midst of trauma, and where her faith guides her in a broader life of service.
Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC
A priest who has been a professor, administrator, and university president, Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC, has offered his gifts to many people and places over the years.
Bobby Kloska
Sit in the pub with Bobby Kloska ’90, a man whose deep faith, hopeful outlook, and profound joy may seem surprising given the many hardships he has faced in life.
Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM
We conclude this season with the unique perspective of Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM, a physician and Navy veteran who discovered a latent call to religious life with the Religious Sisters of Mercy.
Kristin Komyatte Sheehan
Having spent much of her time cheering from various sidelines, Kristin Komyatte Sheehan ’90 offers a seasoned perspective on the place of faith and virtues in all types of athletics.
Tim and Ryan O’Neill
Share in the music and story of The O’Neill Brothers, who have touched many lives through their talents on the piano as well as more recently by establishing a family foundation.
Laura Kelly Fanucci
We next share the story of Laura Kelly Fanucci ’03, a Catholic author whose joy shines even through moments of deep suffering, giving witness to an integrated life of love and compassion for others.
Dr. Craig Humphreys
Travel from Alaska to Africa with Dr. Craig Humphreys ’86 as he describes finding God in nature, the love of his family, and the people he has served around the world.
Fr. Joe Carey, CSC
Whether in the residence halls, wedding churches, or teaching communities of the Alliance for Catholic Education, Fr. Joe Carey, CSC, has become a resource, friend, and spiritual mentor to so many over the years.
Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas
We begin Season 12 with the beautiful and sometimes heart-rending story of Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas, a married couple who have combined their lives after the shared cross of losing their first spouses to a rare illness.
Prof. Margaret Pfeil
Season 11 concludes with Prof. Margaret Pfeil, including her long-time commitments of living at the local Catholic Worker community, advocating for peace, and seeking justice for all of God’s people.
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC, shares the moments that eventually led him to a vocation in religious life and priesthood, along with a specific ministry of forming aspiring Catholic teachers.
Avis Boyd
We continue this season with Avis Boyd, a longtime volunteer and alumna of Notre Dame, as she shares her perspective on moving through life with purpose, conviction, and a deep faith, even in the face of adversity.
Tim and Lindsay Will
Meet Tim and Lindsay Will, two graduates of the Alliance for Catholic Education program, who help us contemplate the meaning of loss, love, and the family ties that bind us to one another.
Dr. Andrew McShane
Hear the story of Dr. Andrew McShane, Director of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, as he reflects on a vocation that took shape over time through beautiful music, unexpected loss, and the lasting example of others.
Nan Tulchinsky
Sit courtside with Nan Tulchinsky, a longtime scorekeeper for Notre Dame Women’s and Men’s Basketball, as she shares stories of her remarkable life of dedication to her family, local community, and Catholic faith.
Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR
We begin a new season with Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, as he shares his path towards religious life and priesthood, co-founding a new expression of Franciscan life, and the unexpected calling of a new ministry.
Veronica Alonzo
We complete this season by speaking with Veronica Alonzo, Associate Superintendent for the Dallas Catholic Schools, about discovering meaning in personal loss, her vocation as an educator, and perspectives on Catholic education.
Dr. Jim O’Connell
Walk the streets of Boston with Dr. Jim O’Connell as he describes his long path to a medical career and the surprising, longstanding vocation of serving others through the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program.
Lisa Orchen
Lisa Orchen details her calling to ministry in the Church and how that has changed over the years as the demands of life have shifted, always requiring continual discernment of God’s will.
We welcome you to submit your prayers for yourself and others. A volunteer will offer them on your behalf at the Grotto, where a candle representing all prayer requests remains perpetually lit.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Receive each day’s gospel reading and a short reflection written by a unique member of the Notre Dame family, along with a prayer composed by a Holy Cross priest and a link to learn more about the featured Saint of the Day — right in your inbox!