13 Reasons Why You Matter

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for youth and young adults. Yet despite the many TV shows, movies, and articles on this topic, suicide, depression, self-harm, and loneliness remain difficult subjects for adults of any age to discuss. Speaking with honesty, humor, and personal experience, Noelle Garcia tackles these issues head-on, encouraging those who are struggling (or know someone who is) that God's mercy and love are waiting for them; that you, and your life, truly matter.

The Roots of the Crisis

The clergy sexual abuse scandals have rocked the Catholic Church and caused a crisis of faith (and of evangelization) for many. When facing such a daunting and terrible crisis, it can be difficult to find the right way forward.

In this talk, Dr. Tim Gray explains with conviction and insight that to make any real and lasting change, we must keep faith, and look closely at the deep roots behind this crisis. Times of great scandal and corruption in the Church can be followed by times of even greater renewal and revival, if faithful men and women will enter the constructive conflict that truth requires.

“Tim offers a voice of reason and hope in the midst of these dire scandals. This talk brings light to the darkness.”

Know Your Story: The Love of God in the Narrative of Your Life

People love stories. But when we lose sight of where the story of our life is going, the “narrative” and meaning of our lives becomes confusing to us, and we can lose hope. In this dynamic talk, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, renews our sense of hope and wonder (and humor), revealing that the reason we love stories is that we are part of a good story; one that answers the deepest desires and longings of our hearts. Whatever chapter our lives are in, God can transform our story, so that we can know and experience the beauty, adventure, and love for which we were created.

Suffering & The Love of God

Why would an all-powerful, all-loving God allow suffering and evil in the world? As Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D. explains, unsatisfying answers to this important question are the #1 reason for atheism today. But by answering this question with logic and love (as well as with scientific, peer-reviewed evidence for the existence of life after death), we can not only answer this question truthfully and satisfactorily, but also teach our fellow Christians how to suffer well, in preparation for the limitless love of God that awaits us in eternity.

This talk was recorded by FOCUS, at SEEK 2013. focus.org

The Battle Within

Jeff Cavins, an internationally-recognized authority on Scripture, provides an ultra-practical guide on how to battle sin in the areas of our lives where we tend to fall, and he helps us examine the root causes of our sin in order to understand the “why” behind our actions. 

In this presentation, Jeff explains four major wounds that exist as part of our human nature, and he equips his listeners with three “secret weapons” we can use to help us effectively overcome sin and serve the Lord from a place of freedom and love.

The Life of Padre Pio: Pray, Hope and Don't Worry

Matthew Arnold recounts the life story of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, a twentieth century saint and mystic who is known around the world as Padre Pio.
This presentation includes fascinating details about St. Pio’s ministry of hearing confessions, his ability to read souls, the multitude of miracles attributed to his intercession, and how he bore the stigmata, that is, the wounds of Christ. All are wise to learn from the advice of this holy man to “pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Letter to the Elderly

Narrated by Christopher O. Blum

In 1978, Pope John Paul II became one of the youngest popes ever elected. At the time of his death in 2005, he was also one of the longest serving popes, having lived into his early 80s. From his own experience of growing old, and only five and a half years before his death, John Paul wrote and shared this moving letter, addressed “To my elderly brothers and sisters.” His letter shares and cherishes the experiences, beauty, agony, and dignity of growing old and drawing closer to God. “The years pass quickly,” he writes, “and the gift of life, for all the effort and pain it involves, is too beautiful and precious for us to ever grow tired of it.”

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Many people have heard of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but few people know her story. In this talk, speaker and catechist Luis Soto (who himself was born and raised in Mexico) shares the little-known history and life-changing importance of Mary's appearance to a peasant man named Juan Diego, and the miraculous image she left behind. Loved by millions (including St. John Paul II), Our Lady of Guadalupe is a patron and example of how to share the Gospel with the whole world.