Thankful for an Irish Trojan Catholic Kind of Weekend
Both Anne and Haley traveled south for the long Thanksgiving weekend; Haley avoided the cold by escaping to Florida to be with family, while Anne ventured into enemy territory with friends to see Notre Dame play USC in a season-defining game. But hey, did you know there is a new Catholic Church/Center on USC's campus? Hear what Anne has to say about.
After digesting football (college team won; NFL teams not so much), we enter into Haley's favorite time of year: no, not Christmas - it's ADVENT folks. And the theme this week is HOPE.
Are You a Good Witch or a Gladiator?
Last weekend was a big weekend for movie openings: Wicked and Gladiator 2. Haley and Anne haven't seen either one..."which" one will you see first? Wicked discusses timeless themes, one of them being "inclusion." What does it mean to be truly inclusive...Haley and Anne discuss this as well as the miraculous medal. We are all over the place; a melting pot of topics!
Question of the Week: Why?
It's not what you think! Yes, the election happened this week. But in today's Gospel we think about the question "Why?" in a different way. Also, Why was Haley so stressed this week? Why are sports stressful? Why do we enjoy one particular athlete over another? Why do we pick up a book and stay with it? So many Whys out there to be discussed! Join us!
Holidays and Holidays and Holidays, oh my!
This weekend wrapped up four straight days of "holidays" (some made up) and kicked off the trifecta of holidays that is the last two months of the calendar. In other words, there was lots for Haley and Anne to talk about that does not include Election Day: honoring loved ones, candy corn, the ethics (and popularity) of sports betting, peacemakers, and apostles. Do you know what the Calavera Catrina is? Take a listen and learn!
Eye of the Needle
Anne and Haley gather around the flame where a lot is hot—or was in the Bay Area with a recent heat wave. Fortunately, it subsided and feels like Fall. This new season is a busy time and a tough time for many in our country. Recent events prompt questions like “Are you prepared? If so, how?” Jesus asks this question in our spiritual lives too.
The spiritual stew speaks to the question: What must we do to inherit eternal life? Jesus gives a provocative answer with a poignant question, leaving Anne and Haley with plenty to chew on.
Haley commits to reaching our goal of 24 for 2024 and not to let so much time pass before she reconvenes with her family of origin. Anne speaks to revisiting discipline so as not to be disappointed. Together, they will discuss the author of that quote in a future episode. Listen up and listen in….
The Gossip Stops Here
Anne and Haley are recovering from a devastating Notre Dame loss (double whammy for Haley as a Ravens' fan), while tying this week's Gospel to gossip (gasp!) and the humility of Jesus. As 9/11 approaches, both Haley and Anne share ways to reflect, remember, and keep life (and football) in perspective. Also, have you ever read a book that made you cry?
Come, Join Me at the Table
So much happens when we gather around the table: for meals, for prayer, for the Eurcharist....for football games. Football? Well, maybe not. But Football Season is upon us and with that comes the emotions that unite us - and divide us. Once again, Haley strives to not become to attached to her teams. And in the Spiritual Stew, Anne keeps us grounded in the historical context of the week's readings.
Whose Voice Do You
Need to Hear?
It's been a few weeks since our last podcast and a lot has happened! Haley and Anne provide their personal recap of the Olympics, with a discussion of “success.” Haley also shares an emotional moment when she heard a special person's voice. Notre Dame Swimming is the heart of all she is and it's been a tough week. Just as Elizabeth's baby leapt when hearing Mary's voice: Whose Voice Do You Need to Hear?
Who Are the Shepherds
in Our Lives?
During a historic time in our country, it's more important than ever to have leaders in our lives to shepherd us in a positive way. Haley shares her shepherds; who are yours? Experience is a valuable teacher, but only if we learn the right lessons. Speaking of teachers, Anne heads back to school soon with a Leadership 101 goal of her own, while Haley is enjoying her month of self-care (while still working)... tune in!
2 Funerals, A Retreat, and
A Holiday
It was an A-List Holiday Weekend as the entire country enjoyed the HOT four-day Fourth of July. Both Anne and Haley traveled for the long weekend, spending time with family and friends-like-family. Haley's emotional few weeks grounded her in Community and Faith, while Anne's cousin inspires us all.
(Spoiler Alert: No sports talk this episode! That's a first!)
Olympic Dreams & Heartbreaking Loss
Halfway through our 24 episodes in 2024, Haley and Anne talk sports, heartbreak, celebration, and loss. And - take note! - Haley watched her first golf match. Well, the last few holes of the PGA Tournament...and actually found it exciting.
Bill Walton and Billy Joel
What a couple of weeks. As Haley waited out the weather delay at the Men's Lacrosse National Championship game, news broke that Bill Walton had passed away. So many connections and a roller coaster day. Anne celebrated a special night on the dance floor and Haley cheered on the Florida Panthers so she could attend the Billy Joel concert.
Commencement and Commissioning
What is the difference between Commencement Mass and Baccalaureate? How are Commencement and Commissioning the same? What about a Charge? And what do they all have to do with Pentecost and the Holy Spirit? Lots of word play in this week's episode of Faith Fondue!
Hawaii, the Derby, Award Season Oh My!
It was a busy and diverse weekend for Haley and Anne. Haley's family was literally all over the United States, experiencing unique events (just too bad they weren't all together). While Anne walked us through Awards season and commencements - this time of year is a time to celebrate, reflect, look forward and look ahead...all with love for one another.
It Ain’t How Hard You Hit…
...it's how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. - Rocky Balboa
It's the Eye of the Tiger as we look forward to Spring. Is it Spring? Is it not Spring? It's definitely confirmation and Masters season; both signature Springtime events; very different and yet the same. Just like Rocky. Tune in!
April Fools’ Day
How long is too long for a homily? (Hint: if you're still talking about it the next day, not too long...) Easter came and went, along with many of our March Madness brackets. Anne attended Good Friday mass in Basque, while Haley attended Easter mass in a gym. Both Haley and Anne spent time over the Easter weekend imagining what it was like to live 2000+ years ago, reliving the readings. April approaches along with The Masters...and Passover.
St. Patrick’s Day
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Happy (belated) Laetare Sunday! Coming off of a very long week (for Haley) and only two more meatless Fridays until Easter, Anne and Haley discuss why Catholics abstain from meat during Lent. And what is there to laetare - aka rejoice - about in this week's Gospel (hint: it's a hard one!) With the anticipation of Holy Week approaching, we all know the tomb will be empty and Jesus will be risen, but do we know where Kate Middleton is?
We Are All Prodigal
In this episode we talk about the weekend's Gospel, known to most Christians as the Prodigal Son. But what does it mean to be "prodigal?" (Hint: I think we all are!) Tune in as Anne shares details of her upcoming presentation in Denver on Wisdom and Women, and Haley talks about her two day Lenten Retreat planning, emphasis on the "two" days. We are not quite halfway through Lent: how are we doing?
Our Lenten Journey(s)
What a week! SuperBowl Sunday, SuperSick Monday (what is that?!), Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday/Valentines Day... and so begins our Lenten Journey. With so many options, apps, websites, books, journeys, videos, tchotchkes to help us navigate the Season of Lent, how do we know what to do?
Retreat to the Desert
In our third episode of season four, one of us is happy about the Super Bowl match up, and one of us is still recovering from the Ravens' loss. Anne and Haley gear up for Ash Wednesday with a discussion of following Jesus's lead and retreating to a deserted place in order to restore ourselves so we can better serve others.
(our) Fisherman’s Nets
We're back! In episode 2 (of 24) Anne and Haley talk about our fisherman's nets. What nets hold us back from being the person God wants us to be? There's also some football talk, life updates, and brotherly love.
Epiphany and the Magi
Welcome Back to the Faith Fondue Podcast! After a year+ break, educators Anne Stricherz and Haley DeMaria are excited to dip back into the fondue pot...discussing their Faith, Sports, and anything else that comes to mind. Though, not politics; like the fondue pot's country of origin, we're neutral!
In this first episode of Season Four, Anne and Haley briefly catch up, discuss their feelings about the story of the Magi, talk a little poetry, and discuss New Years Resolutions.