February 21, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of Open Seat, Jenna Duckett, who recently came into the Catholic Church this year along with her husband and two children, shares her profound journey into the Catholic faith, discussing the initial hesitations, her quest for answers, and healing that led her to embrace Catholicism. Jenna helps to debunk some of the misconceptions she and her husband had before becoming Catholic as well as the resources she used to help her learn more about the Catholic faith.
Book Resources:
The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn
The Eucharist is Really Jesus by Joe Heschmeyer
Theology of the Body by Christopher West
Video Resources:
Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz
This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.
www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian
Open Seat es un podcast Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia ubicada en Adrian, Michigan. Somos un pueblo católico, no un lugar, que se esfuerza por vivir a Jesús celebrando los sacramentos y formando discípulos en Adrian y
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
JENNA (00:00):
I was so worried about coming into
(00:02):
the Catholic Churchbecause I thought,
if this is wrong, andI'm doing this, I'm
really wrong, But ifit's right, I absolutely
have to be Catholic.
And just thatmoment of receiving Jesus.
when you believe it and youhave faith in it you feel
the comfort, like youfeel the closeness
to him, thank you, Jesus.
(00:23):
Thank you, Jesus.
KATIE (00:24):
Welcome to Open Seat, the podcast where we
create a space for authenticconversations about faith,
unfiltered and unapologetic.
Here, we believe thatevery story matters.
Whether you're questioning,seeking, or steadfast in
your beliefs, you'll findsomething relatable in
these heartfelt discussions.
(00:46):
So grab your seat, getcomfortable, and let's dive
into today's story here atOpen Seat.
So today in the Open Seat,we have Jenna Duckett.
Jenna, welcome.
JENNA (01:00):
Hi.
KATIE (01:00):
So, why don't you just tell us a little
bit about who you are.
JENNA (01:03):
well, have lived here in Adrian Blissfield area, my whole
life.
I am married to my husbandJared, and we have two
kids, Luca and Miriam.
KATIE (01:14):
I think some people may have been blessed to be
be At that Mass where youboth came into the Church
your children got baptized,your vows got renewed.
Like every sacrament everdispensed in the Catholic
Church fell upon that day.
which is pretty cool, right?
I so you did decideto come into the church.
What made you decideto make that decision?
JENNA (01:36):
I came across the church on accident,
pretty much.
my husband and I, weknew that we wanted
to get back to churchwhen we had kids.
we were both Christian, butwe weren't going to church.
we weren't practicing ourfaith that much, but we had
always said, Oh, when we havekids, that's when we'll do it.
KATIE (01:57):
a good reason.
JENNA (01:57):
Yeah.
And, well, that's whatwe ended up doing.
We went to the churchthat I grew up in, like an
evangelical church, and thenwe moved to another church,
and I had a lot of questions.
Not always suspicion or,too confused, but I just had
a lot of questions,so I spent a lot of time
(02:19):
online, and like onYouTube, and looking things
up, and I came across.
this.
You know, Father Mike Schmitz.
I came across BishopRobert Barron, a lot
of interviews like that.
I was like, Oh, thesepeople seem to know what
they're talking about.
And it didn't reallyclick with me for a while
(02:39):
until, I had a cousin whohad sent me the Bible in
a Year podcast withFather Mike Schmitz.
And I said, Oh.
I want to read the Bible,but I don't know if I
want to do a Catholic one.
KATIE (02:52):
Yes, there's those extra books,
JENNA (02:54):
Yeah, yeah.
And, was, what kind of gotthings rolling more.
Is he knew that wehad kind of become more
Christian and he told me, you.
know, I really wantto send this to you I
think you'd like thisand that started things more
and then I really got intostudying church history and
(03:14):
theology and Like, oh,where does it teach
this in the Bible?
Where does it teach thatin the Bible And that's,
pretty much how I got here.
And we started comingto St. Mary's
because, I wanted to trythis one first because I
knew that my grandmother, mydad's mom, had come here.
I never was able to meet her.
She passed away beforeI was born, but I knew
(03:37):
there was sort of afamily connection there.
And we came hereand it was very welcoming.
I think the stereotype is,you know, Catholics are very,
you know, keep to themselves.
but no, it was very welcoming.
And, we really likedFather Mike here, so and we
kept coming back.
KATIE (03:56):
The other Father Mike, right?
Not Schmitz, but the other
JENNA (03:58):
Yes.
KATIE (03:59):
Newman.
JENNA (04:00):
So,
KATIE (04:00):
you and your husband both went through the
program together.
Do you think that that helpedstrengthen your relationship,
like walking in yourfaith together, or?
JENNA (04:09):
yeah, well, I think mostly we had
decided before we came to RCIA.
And I think it helped us,connect on it a little bit
more So it wasn't such apersonal journey, but more
of Meeting the communityand kind of getting out of
our shells a little bit.
Ah,
KATIE (04:29):
I, I just, I have like one memory of your
husband We were filling outthe paperwork or something.
and he just picked up abook that was laying on
the table and he just
JENNA (04:37):
reading it.
And
KATIE (04:38):
pretty far into this book and I'm
thinking, it's beenlike 15 minutes.
I'm impressed.
because.
First of all, those bookslay all over the church all,
JENNA (04:46):
the time, Yeah.
Yeah.
KATIE (04:48):
and no one picks them up, but he was
Really intense ininto this book.
So do you guys do a lotof studying, on your own?
Like, reading?
and Yeah,
JENNA (04:56):
We watch a lot of things.
We have a book of Sunday Massreflections.
and we're, we'redoing the Rosary
in here right now.
Oh, yay.
Mm hmm.
KATIE (05:05):
And your parents are now coming into
the church, right?
Okay, so did you have aninfluence on that,
JENNA (05:10):
I think so.
Yeah.
I don't want to takefull credit because,
it's their own journey,but my dad was raised
Catholic, he didn'treally know a lot
about his faith, but Hehad started reading a
little bit I read somebooks, just you
know, like psychologytype things that interested me
that talked a little bit aboutChristianity too, and he got
(05:32):
into that book, andhe wanted to read some more.
So I offered himRome Sweet Home, by Dr.
Scott Hahn.
I had liked that one.
I didn't thinkit would really strike a lot.
I was just like, oh, this bookwas good, you can read It,
But then he was like, wow.
I did not know,there was so much to this.
KATIE (05:53):
it's always amazing what we
can pass along to
JENNA (05:55):
someone else.
That
KATIE (05:57):
you just don't even know, it, what
it's going to do So whatdo you think has been your
greatest, gift sincecoming into the church?
JENNA (06:06):
Jesus and the Eucharist, I'd have to say.
KATIE (06:09):
The Eucharist!
JENNA (06:10):
Yes.
that well, thatwas the biggest thing that
pulled us to become Catholic,and that's, I mean, that's
KATIE (06:18):
What about it?
Cause I think it canbe one of the biggest sources
of division
JENNA (06:23):
Mm hmm.
KATIE (06:23):
Is, the Eucharist.
So what drew you to theEucharist?
JENNA (06:26):
studying, reading the Church Fathers
and Church History.
Okay, the, the peoplethat were taught by the
Apostles and the peoplethat taught them and taught
them, what did they believeabout Communion?
And that was veryconvincing to me.
I don't remember who itis, but basically, these,
this group of people overhere, like, basically don't
(06:49):
even associate with thembecause they don't confess
the bread and wine to be thetrue body and blood of Jesus
and with that and a few otherpeople, I believe it was
St. Ignatius Antiochand then seeing it in the Bible,
seeing it in scripture, andrealizing, it's not just,
(07:09):
oh, this this verse here,or this verse here, it's
seeing all of it together,the Old Testament and
the New, working togetherjust how connected it is.
I was like, I can'tsee this as symbolic.
I can't say this is symbolic.
and reading it back, Jesus is soclear that it really is his
body and blood.
(07:31):
It's not a metaphor.
It's not a parable.
He doubles down many times.
I mean, once you seethat, you can't unsee it
KATIE (07:39):
When you were going to your
former church, theevangelical church, did
they do communion?
JENNA (07:44):
Yeah, but it was, you know, it was symbolic.
It was, oh, we're doing thisthat Jesus did.
And I know there's some churchesthat, they see It as more of
a real presence of Jesus, but,well, that, That would bring
in the authority of church.
Yeah.
And, you know, whythe real presence
(08:04):
would be distinctto the Catholic Church.
KATIE (08:07):
When you received the Eucharist for the
first time, how was it?
JENNA (08:12):
I was I was nervous, there was a
little bit of me that waslike, I was like, okay
I want to know this is real.
I wanted to have an experience.
I know that doesn'talways happen.
But, I did!And I was, I don't know
if anyone saw me because Iwas, trying to hide it,
but I was sobbing whenI got back to the pew.
(08:35):
I was, I just, in my mind, Iwas like, thank you, Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus.
'CauseI was so worried about coming
into the Catholic Churchbecause I thought, if I'm,
if this is wrong, and I'mdoing this, I'm really
wrong, I'm really off.
But if it's right,I absolutely have
(08:56):
to be Catholic.
And just thatmoment of receiving Jesus.
You feel whenyou believe it and you
have faith in it you feelthe comfort, like you
feel the closeness to him,And that was, a really
powerful experience for me.
KATIE (09:12):
do you still feel that presence of peace and,
JENNA (09:17):
mm-hmm
KATIE (09:18):
every time you receive the Eucharist?
JENNA (09:20):
not every time, because, I've got
a 2-year-old with me andsometimes he's trying to run
away while I'm receiving.
But no, it's always,I always have that
feeling and almost everytime my mind goes back to
that first experience andany of the experiences I've
had after that and just like,every time.
KATIE (09:43):
Yeah, after I receive the Eucharist, I, always
feel like, oh my gosh,I can tackle the world.
JENNA (09:47):
Yes.
KATIE (09:48):
And we're given that final charge at the end
of Mass, go out and spreadthe gospel or go whatever.
And I'm like, oh, Iactually can do that.
Like, Idon't feel like I'm going
to be defeated again.
I'm okay, you know.
so you're right, the Eucharistis a super powerful thing
in this world that I thinkoftentimes we forget.
(10:09):
When you thinkof whoever's distributing
Jesus, right?
Yeah.
The body of Christ givingyou the body of christ,
to the body of Christ.
I don't know thatthere's a more holy moment
the the world than thathappening, So, how was the RCIA
process for you?
JENNA (10:25):
It was good.
KATIE (10:26):
You learned a lot about the Church and,
JENNA (10:28):
I had heard most of it from
what I had done beforeI went into RCIA.
But Like I said, a lot ofit for me was experiencing
it, coming into it, talkingto other people, sharing it
with other people, becausebesides, two of
my cousins, I didn't knowanyone that practiced
KATIE (10:46):
Is your husband's family Catholic?
JENNA (10:48):
No.
My dad, and his brotherwere the only people in
my family that were raisedCatholic from what I can
think of at the moment.
But, yeah, everyone elsewas Protestant.
KATIE (11:00):
And now you're slowly converting all of them.
I can imagine whatfamily holidays are like.
JENNA (11:06):
Yeah, Well,
KATIE (11:07):
Don't invite Jared and Jenna, they are to
come proselytize us all.
JENNA (11:11):
Yeah.
You know, it'sdifficult sometimes.
People arevery, attached to what
they believe and whatthey were raised with.
And that's how JaredAnd I started out, too.
We, we both had ourown reasons that
we did not want tobecome Catholic, but
it took time.
KATIE (11:30):
Trust in the slow, patient work of god.
JENNA (11:32):
Mm hmm.
Yep.
KATIE (11:33):
So, some of those misconceptions about the
Catholic Church that mayhave said, Oh, I don't
want to be Catholic.
Did, did those getcleared up for you?
And now you'relike, Oh, I totally
understand whypeople would think this
but it's not this way.
JENNA (11:46):
Yeah, yeah, That was one of the first
things I had come acrossthat made me start to
wonder, because I was, moreso, Catholics have too many
rules, I'm not interested.
And Jared was, they worshipthe saints, they do a lot of
all these crazy, Yeah.
KATIE (12:03):
And now you're doing rosary in a year?
JENNA (12:05):
Yes.
the first thing I cameacross, it was just a
simple statement of someonesaying like, no, no.
It's not exactly thatwe're praying to the
saints like they're God.
We're asking themfor their prayers.
It's just the waywe use the word pray
is different.
I was like, oh,that's interesting.
It's just little thingslike one at a time
(12:26):
when you realize thatthe things I was
told before were likemisconceptions.
They were just misunderstood.
Yeah, it was one thingat a time, and then I got
to the point where I waslike, Okay, well, what
about about this?
And what about this?
And what about this?
And I started digging for it.
Because I wasthinking, wow, they
have an answer forevery question I have.
(12:48):
I'm not to that.
KATIE (12:50):
That's a good thing.
I mean, if we didn't havean answer, that would be
problematic.
JENNA (12:56):
Yeah.
Yeah,
KATIE (12:57):
It's always amazing when people
like come up with thesemisconceptions, you know?
..hmm we pray to the saints.
.And I'm like, well,if I didn't have Saint
Anthony, everything inmy life would be lost.
Yes.
Right?
I tell the confirmation kidswhen they're choosing their
names for confirmation, you'relike enhancing your tribe.
Like you have your family,you have your extended
(13:18):
family, you have your familyfriends.
It's no different with theCatholic Church, right?
they're guiding me, they'rehelping me, that can't be
a bad thing.
And then if I add anotherone to the list, that
can't be a bad thing, Youknow, so you're just
enhancing your community.
JENNA (13:33):
it's your you realize, like, oh,
there is more of the bodyin Christ in heaven, too.
And, they want usin heaven as well.
They're perfected in Christ.
So, of course,they would pray for us.
KATIE (13:49):
Did you see the video, The Veil Removed?
JENNA (13:53):
Oh yes.
KATIE (13:54):
The guy almost doesn't Believe in the Eucharist,
but through, it's real short.
JENNA (13:57):
Yeah, I've seen that
KATIE (13:59):
I think that does the best job of explaining
communion and the communion ofsaints, all of it
interlocking, Because once yousee all those people in heaven
praying while the priestis calling down the, Holy
Spirit for the Eucharist tobe changed from the bread
and wine to the body and blood,it's like all of it right there.
(14:20):
And if anyone doesn't.
understand the Eucharist,they should watch a
seven minute video.
Literally like, Yeah.
you know, and it'savailable in all languages.
So there's really Spanish,English, Portuguese,
Chinese, everything.
It's on YouTube.
It's it's amazing.
But, when you aretalking, I'm like, oh my
gosh, that's that video.
like, everythingabout it is that video.
JENNA (14:43):
Mm-hmm I've read a few things about the
connection of Revelation,the book of Revelation and
how the Angels and Saintsare worshiping in heaven.
And that's what thatvideo reminds me
of too, is the imageyou see in Revelation.
And also, how we saythese words in the
(15:04):
Mass that, you know,the angels are saying in
heaven, so it's the nameof the video, the veil
removed, where there'sthis connection
between heaven andEarth at the consecration.
KATIE (15:15):
Yeah.
it's, always beenincredibly comforting to
me that any loved one thatwe've had is united with us
in the Eucharist.
So if I'm seeking solacein something I'm struggling with
someone being gone or something,the Eucharist will unite.
us.
And I'm not alone, becausenot only do I get the
body of Christ, but Ialso get that comfort
(15:36):
in that short period of time,where we are united on heaven
and And then you thinkabout that happens all
the time all over theworld, and you're like literally
never alone
JENNA (15:47):
Yeah.
Yeah, I I really likewatching people go
up for communion.
It's, I thinkthat's what gets me.
Sometimes that will be part ofmy prayer time after receiving
the Eucharist is watchingother people go up.
And no matter whatthe look is on their
(16:07):
face, whether it lookslike they're struggling,
whether it, looks likethey're excited to receive
the Eucharist, whatever it is.
I don't know, it's likeyou suddenly feel a
connection with thesepeople even if you've
never seen them at Mass before.
And And that's that'ssomething that's
really, really gets theidea of communion, community
(16:31):
with everyone for me.
KATIE (16:33):
yeah, community in communion, right?
so you're well read, youlisten to a lot of things.
What kind of stuff would you,recommend to people to listen
to, to enhance theirunderstanding or deepen their
relationship with the Eucharist?
You know, we have some peoplewho listen, who regularly
use the internet for things,and then we have those who
struggle to find the podcast.
(16:54):
So we're gonna cover everything.
JENNA (16:55):
And you also have, audio books too.
So I've done a lot of that.
So, for the Eucharist there'sSome of these I've read.
Some of these I'vegiven to my dad.
So I've listened to Jesusand the Jewish roots of the
Eucharist by Dr. John Bergsma.
That's a good book.
obviously, Dr. ScottHahn, anything, anything by him.
KATIE (17:16):
The Supper I think is a good one.
JENNA (17:17):
Yes, yes.
And, and Rome Sweet Home talksabout it a little bit too.
the Eucharist is ReallyJesus by Joe Heschmeier.
And he does a YouTubechannel too with,
Catholic apologetics.
It's called Shameless Popery.
And then there is there'sobviously Father Mike Schmitz
with Ascension, and theBible in a year, Of course.
(17:37):
That, That,connects everything, yes.
is the Counsel ofTrent, his council, not
council, like churchcouncil, but EL.
Trent.
Yeah, anything from CatholicAnswers, there's,
a lot on YouTube, for sure.
KATIE (17:56):
Yeah.
and social media has a lotin general, right?
There's a lot of priests who arepopping up who have
things on the Eucharist,Father Mike Schmitz is a big
player in a lot of things.
Bishop Barron?
JENNA (18:08):
Yeah.
KATIE (18:08):
Have you seen his video series on the
explanation of the Mass?
JENNA (18:11):
No, I haven't.
KATIE (18:13):
It's pretty good.
I wouldn't recommend itfor basic understanding,
but if you understand whatyou've read a lot about,
it, it's really powerfulto watch it and see the
explanations of things.
You know.
I think, there's a lot of goodmaterial in the Matthew Kelly
books.
JENNA (18:29):
Oh yes, mm
KATIE (18:31):
especially simple material.
Right?
right Good explanationsfor if you're trying to
get people to understandthe misconceptions of the
church.
He has a lot of goodapologetics on that
stuff in a simple way.
What, book in the Biblestrikes you or what,
verse in the Bible strikes you
JENNA (18:49):
Oh, that is hard.
there, there's a few.
The Garden of Gethsemane.
That that one, I think it,that, that's the one that
brings me back because,Jesus, He's, he's, scared,
it brings in his humanitya little bit, to where
it's more relatablein that He still asks
(19:11):
for the Father's willto be done and that's,
What comes to mind when,I'm nervous, or I'm scared, or
stressed, is that I cancount on his will,
and Jesus did, and evenwhat he went through,
that is so much morethan I could ever go through.
(19:32):
And, well, That that,was what changed the entire
world for the rest of history.
So of course I can get throughthis small thing in my life.
If I just ask your will be done.
KATIE (19:44):
Yeah, you're right.
The Garden of Gethsemaneis probably not one that,
I would say is ahappy recounting of
JENNA (19:48):
yes,
KATIE (19:49):
the Bible.
Just knowing thatall we have to do
is ask, and it will be done.
.And even the taskcould be carrying the
world on your shoulders to
JENNA (19:58):
Yes.
KATIE (19:59):
You will be given the strength to do so.
Mm-hmm .Now, I, Godwilling, won't ever have
to do that.
But alsonothing I'm going to ever have
to do will amount to that.
And Jesus was still given thestrength to do that.
So, that, that's a powerfulpowerful one to go back to
JENNA (20:15):
Yeah.
it's a good one to, to read.
Meditate on.
I would say a happier one that Ilike is the Magnificat.
KATIE (20:22):
Mary's yes.
JENNA (20:23):
Yeah.
KATIE (20:23):
To know that, your world was pretty
much falling apart at,like, 13, And then
you're just like, yeah,Lord, let it be done unto me.
No thanks.
JENNA (20:31):
Yeah, Yeah.
Yeah.
just Thinking about myself inthat position
it would be terrifying.
I can see how itwould be exciting in some ways.
Or really that, thatwhole time, from the time
the angel Gabriel cameto her, to going And
visiting Elizabeth.
that's, a lot to think about.
(20:53):
This is the very moment, like Isaid before, where History
really started to change.
KATIE (20:59):
the Eucharist, one of the most powerful
things, I think, is that,Mary was the first tabernacle.
JENNA (21:05):
Mhm, yes.
Right?
KATIE (21:06):
I mean, that whole concept there is just,
just, wow.
JENNA (21:10):
Yeah, that's another part that really interested
me about Mary being,like the new Ark
of the Covenant.
And she, she was really thefirst one to receive Jesus.
She was the firstone to accept Him.
And in a way that wewon't be able to either.
KATIE (21:27):
Yeah, Father Mike did an excellent
Father Mike Newman didan excellent homily about
the Eucharist and Maryand I was like, Ooh, okay.
That's a new thought.
Cause a lot of it, you hear.
the same repetitivelybut to have new ideas
of how the Eucharist isapplied to our lives, think
is always very helpfulalways very helpful.
But it seems like you'rereally on it about reading
(21:50):
and keeping up with things.
JENNA (21:52):
It helps me because I think sometimes we can.
take it for granted, too,go back and I know it's
not how everyone doesit, but I usually go back
into studying, Rememberingwhere the roots are
of it, and that, that'swhat brings me prayer
(22:13):
and relationship.
when I was younger, or even justbefore I started looking
into Christianity, andthe period from, when I
started going to church, Iwas going to Bible studies
and stuff before that, but,just the period from when I
went to my first church tocoming to the Catholic Church
was pretty short, maybe likea year or two, two years.
(22:37):
But, before that Istruggled a lot with
anxiety and depression.
I was on medication.
I had trouble in allmy relationships.
And that was, I, think, thebig thing that when I was
got pregnant with Luca, I waslike, I have to do something
about this.
Because I'm not stable.
and, so that's whatbrought me back to church.
(22:59):
But, A lot of that went away.
You know, there's, there'sstill things that come back
and it's a struggleto deal with, but you
can, you can tell peopleall of the, facts About
Catholicism, you cantry to convince them
as much as you want byhere it is in the Bible.
And some people mightsay, sure, but I'm not
(23:21):
so sure it's for me.
So I think the other partthat I would want to share is
that it actually transformedmy life spiritually.
And I know that depressionis different for
everyone, and some people,they need medication
regardless of whatthey're doing.
But, for me, it was a spiritualthing.
and I'm done with all ofthat now, It, especially
(23:45):
becoming Catholic.
it gave me a route outof that, and also a way
to understand it, whichI didn't think that,
church would give me.
I thought it was, you know, nicethings and positive
little scripture versesand stuff.
But I don't Struggle withthe things I used to.
(24:05):
and
KATIE (24:06):
it calmed the inner storm.
Right.
JENNA (24:08):
it was a, I, won't go into too much detail,
but it was, detail, was a bigtransformation for me.
KATIE (24:16):
I'm glad you caution.
Some people Still needmedication, still need help.
I think no matter what,everyone can seek solace
in that, maybe not to theextent that they would
be healed, but, they willseek some kind of solace.
There's a song out now,it's not a Catholic song,
it's just a Christiansong, talks about Psalm 23.
JENNA (24:33):
Oh, yes.
KATIE (24:34):
And, it's like, basically if you memorize
a piece of scripture,you can weaponize it.
and Formed the platformthat the parish often
dispenses, has some, anxietyand depression, some mental
health resources on it.
And they'rereally good, They teach you to
weaponize scripture, likewhen you get anxious, you can
(24:55):
just keep sayingI can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
And just repeat it.
But they also talkabout the biological
effects of like, justlowering your breath.
And as you repeat some of theprayers, a rhythm
slows down a lot, Likewe get in a world where
we get real fast and running,and this kind of slows your
rhythm down a little bit.
What particularly from theCatholic faith, though, helps
(25:17):
you to overcome those things?
JENNA (25:20):
I think the biggest thing is seeing just all
of it, Seeing theworld from a different
perspective.
Theology of the body washuge for me.
Mike Schmitz did a series onit, and then Christopher
West does a lot on that.
And that gave me a whole newperspective of our bodies,
and love, and having moreconfidence in myself because
(25:43):
I was very self conscious.
Like I said, I struggle withall these things a little bit
still, but the theanswers that I've
received through the ChurchThrough, what has come out of
the church, is something thathas given me a whole new
perspective on how I see theworld, And I think that
was a big part of my issuewas the culture that I grew up
(26:07):
in, the, the secularworld, secular culture
really took a toll onme, and the online stuff,
but it was, learning,again, you know, reading,
watching things, is whatwas really healing for me.
And then, figuring out prayer,And understanding the
Eucharist, in a new way,I remember thinking about
(26:30):
it, like, who am I praying to?
Cause whenever I pray, I wouldjust ask for things, but, was
like, okay, I'm praying toGod, but am I really thinking
about who I am talking to.
And that's something that helpedme a lot, too, that
I've experienced.
It's funny becausepeople say, oh, it's
about a personalrelationship with Jesus.
(26:50):
and Catholics, theyfocus on religion, not
relationship, but I never had.
a real relationship.
I wasn't really thinkingabout the person
of Jesus Christ orGod the Father, who
I was talking to,who loves me, until seeing it
through the Church.
KATIE (27:07):
So, you have two young children, Miriam and
Luca What advice would yougive Miriam and Luca
about faith, like today?
JENNA (27:15):
I would give them probably, just what I would
give them is the answer Jesusgives of the two
greatest commandments.
Essentially loveGod and love others.
And, to just, to follow that.
think the biggestthing for me is giving them
an example.
That's whatI pray over them at night when
they go to sleep is that theywould just, search for God.
(27:40):
That they would love.
God with all their heart andthat, as David who's
described as a manafter God's own heart.
so yeah, that's, that's what Iwould tell them is to love.
KATIE (27:50):
I'm guessing from the way they respond in church.
Not Miriam, becauseshe's too young.
Lucas clapping andrunning around.
So I'm guessing he'sfinding the love that
you're talking aboutjust the way he responds.
JENNA (28:03):
Yes.
He loves coming to church.
KATIE (28:06):
He's got all his little friends chasing
around.
Yeah.
so cute.
so cute.
Well, thank you so much forjoining us today, Jenna.
Thank you.
Once again, we thank youfor joining us today.
We hope that wherever youfind an open seat in your
life, you will invitesomeone to join you.
I was so worried about coming into
(00:02):
the Catholic Churchbecause I thought,
if this is wrong, andI'm doing this, I'm
really wrong, But ifit's right, I absolutely
have to be Catholic.
And just thatmoment of receiving Jesus.
when you believe it and youhave faith in it you feel
the comfort, like youfeel the closeness
to him, thank you, Jesus.
(00:23):
Thank you, Jesus.
KATIE (00:24):
Welcome to Open Seat, the podcast where we
create a space for authenticconversations about faith,
unfiltered and unapologetic.
Here, we believe thatevery story matters.
Whether you're questioning,seeking, or steadfast in
your beliefs, you'll findsomething relatable in
these heartfelt discussions.
(00:46):
So grab your seat, getcomfortable, and let's dive
into today's story here atOpen Seat.
So today in the Open Seat,we have Jenna Duckett.
Jenna, welcome.
JENNA (01:00):
Hi.
KATIE (01:00):
So, why don't you just tell us a little
bit about who you are.
JENNA (01:03):
well, have lived here in Adrian Blissfield area, my whole
life.
I am married to my husbandJared, and we have two
kids, Luca and Miriam.
KATIE (01:14):
I think some people may have been blessed to be
be At that Mass where youboth came into the Church
your children got baptized,your vows got renewed.
Like every sacrament everdispensed in the Catholic
Church fell upon that day.
which is pretty cool, right?
I so you did decideto come into the church.
What made you decideto make that decision?
JENNA (01:36):
I came across the church on accident,
pretty much.
my husband and I, weknew that we wanted
to get back to churchwhen we had kids.
we were both Christian, butwe weren't going to church.
we weren't practicing ourfaith that much, but we had
always said, Oh, when we havekids, that's when we'll do it.
KATIE (01:57):
a good reason.
JENNA (01:57):
Yeah.
And, well, that's whatwe ended up doing.
We went to the churchthat I grew up in, like an
evangelical church, and thenwe moved to another church,
and I had a lot of questions.
Not always suspicion or,too confused, but I just had
a lot of questions,so I spent a lot of time
(02:19):
online, and like onYouTube, and looking things
up, and I came across.
this.
You know, Father Mike Schmitz.
I came across BishopRobert Barron, a lot
of interviews like that.
I was like, Oh, thesepeople seem to know what
they're talking about.
And it didn't reallyclick with me for a while
(02:39):
until, I had a cousin whohad sent me the Bible in
a Year podcast withFather Mike Schmitz.
And I said, Oh.
I want to read the Bible,but I don't know if I
want to do a Catholic one.
KATIE (02:52):
Yes, there's those extra books,
JENNA (02:54):
Yeah, yeah.
And, was, what kind of gotthings rolling more.
Is he knew that wehad kind of become more
Christian and he told me, you.
know, I really wantto send this to you I
think you'd like thisand that started things more
and then I really got intostudying church history and
(03:14):
theology and Like, oh,where does it teach
this in the Bible?
Where does it teach thatin the Bible And that's,
pretty much how I got here.
And we started comingto St. Mary's
because, I wanted to trythis one first because I
knew that my grandmother, mydad's mom, had come here.
I never was able to meet her.
She passed away beforeI was born, but I knew
(03:37):
there was sort of afamily connection there.
And we came hereand it was very welcoming.
I think the stereotype is,you know, Catholics are very,
you know, keep to themselves.
but no, it was very welcoming.
And, we really likedFather Mike here, so and we
kept coming back.
KATIE (03:56):
The other Father Mike, right?
Not Schmitz, but the other
JENNA (03:58):
Yes.
KATIE (03:59):
Newman.
JENNA (04:00):
So,
KATIE (04:00):
you and your husband both went through the
program together.
Do you think that that helpedstrengthen your relationship,
like walking in yourfaith together, or?
JENNA (04:09):
yeah, well, I think mostly we had
decided before we came to RCIA.
And I think it helped us,connect on it a little bit
more So it wasn't such apersonal journey, but more
of Meeting the communityand kind of getting out of
our shells a little bit.
Ah,
KATIE (04:29):
I, I just, I have like one memory of your
husband We were filling outthe paperwork or something.
and he just picked up abook that was laying on
the table and he just
JENNA (04:37):
reading it.
And
KATIE (04:38):
pretty far into this book and I'm
thinking, it's beenlike 15 minutes.
I'm impressed.
because.
First of all, those bookslay all over the church all,
JENNA (04:46):
the time, Yeah.
Yeah.
KATIE (04:48):
and no one picks them up, but he was
Really intense ininto this book.
So do you guys do a lotof studying, on your own?
Like, reading?
and Yeah,
JENNA (04:56):
We watch a lot of things.
We have a book of Sunday Massreflections.
and we're, we'redoing the Rosary
in here right now.
Oh, yay.
Mm hmm.
KATIE (05:05):
And your parents are now coming into
the church, right?
Okay, so did you have aninfluence on that,
JENNA (05:10):
I think so.
Yeah.
I don't want to takefull credit because,
it's their own journey,but my dad was raised
Catholic, he didn'treally know a lot
about his faith, but Hehad started reading a
little bit I read somebooks, just you
know, like psychologytype things that interested me
that talked a little bit aboutChristianity too, and he got
(05:32):
into that book, andhe wanted to read some more.
So I offered himRome Sweet Home, by Dr.
Scott Hahn.
I had liked that one.
I didn't thinkit would really strike a lot.
I was just like, oh, this bookwas good, you can read It,
But then he was like, wow.
I did not know,there was so much to this.
KATIE (05:53):
it's always amazing what we
can pass along to
JENNA (05:55):
someone else.
That
KATIE (05:57):
you just don't even know, it, what
it's going to do So whatdo you think has been your
greatest, gift sincecoming into the church?
JENNA (06:06):
Jesus and the Eucharist, I'd have to say.
KATIE (06:09):
The Eucharist!
JENNA (06:10):
Yes.
that well, thatwas the biggest thing that
pulled us to become Catholic,and that's, I mean, that's
KATIE (06:18):
What about it?
Cause I think it canbe one of the biggest sources
of division
JENNA (06:23):
Mm hmm.
KATIE (06:23):
Is, the Eucharist.
So what drew you to theEucharist?
JENNA (06:26):
studying, reading the Church Fathers
and Church History.
Okay, the, the peoplethat were taught by the
Apostles and the peoplethat taught them and taught
them, what did they believeabout Communion?
And that was veryconvincing to me.
I don't remember who itis, but basically, these,
this group of people overhere, like, basically don't
(06:49):
even associate with thembecause they don't confess
the bread and wine to be thetrue body and blood of Jesus
and with that and a few otherpeople, I believe it was
St. Ignatius Antiochand then seeing it in the Bible,
seeing it in scripture, andrealizing, it's not just,
(07:09):
oh, this this verse here,or this verse here, it's
seeing all of it together,the Old Testament and
the New, working togetherjust how connected it is.
I was like, I can'tsee this as symbolic.
I can't say this is symbolic.
and reading it back, Jesus is soclear that it really is his
body and blood.
(07:31):
It's not a metaphor.
It's not a parable.
He doubles down many times.
I mean, once you seethat, you can't unsee it
KATIE (07:39):
When you were going to your
former church, theevangelical church, did
they do communion?
JENNA (07:44):
Yeah, but it was, you know, it was symbolic.
It was, oh, we're doing thisthat Jesus did.
And I know there's some churchesthat, they see It as more of
a real presence of Jesus, but,well, that, That would bring
in the authority of church.
Yeah.
And, you know, whythe real presence
(08:04):
would be distinctto the Catholic Church.
KATIE (08:07):
When you received the Eucharist for the
first time, how was it?
JENNA (08:12):
I was I was nervous, there was a
little bit of me that waslike, I was like, okay
I want to know this is real.
I wanted to have an experience.
I know that doesn'talways happen.
But, I did!And I was, I don't know
if anyone saw me because Iwas, trying to hide it,
but I was sobbing whenI got back to the pew.
(08:35):
I was, I just, in my mind, Iwas like, thank you, Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus.
'CauseI was so worried about coming
into the Catholic Churchbecause I thought, if I'm,
if this is wrong, and I'mdoing this, I'm really
wrong, I'm really off.
But if it's right,I absolutely have
(08:56):
to be Catholic.
And just thatmoment of receiving Jesus.
You feel whenyou believe it and you
have faith in it you feelthe comfort, like you
feel the closeness to him,And that was, a really
powerful experience for me.
KATIE (09:12):
do you still feel that presence of peace and,
JENNA (09:17):
mm-hmm
KATIE (09:18):
every time you receive the Eucharist?
JENNA (09:20):
not every time, because, I've got
a 2-year-old with me andsometimes he's trying to run
away while I'm receiving.
But no, it's always,I always have that
feeling and almost everytime my mind goes back to
that first experience andany of the experiences I've
had after that and just like,every time.
KATIE (09:43):
Yeah, after I receive the Eucharist, I, always
feel like, oh my gosh,I can tackle the world.
JENNA (09:47):
Yes.
KATIE (09:48):
And we're given that final charge at the end
of Mass, go out and spreadthe gospel or go whatever.
And I'm like, oh, Iactually can do that.
Like, Idon't feel like I'm going
to be defeated again.
I'm okay, you know.
so you're right, the Eucharistis a super powerful thing
in this world that I thinkoftentimes we forget.
(10:09):
When you thinkof whoever's distributing
Jesus, right?
Yeah.
The body of Christ givingyou the body of christ,
to the body of Christ.
I don't know thatthere's a more holy moment
the the world than thathappening, So, how was the RCIA
process for you?
JENNA (10:25):
It was good.
KATIE (10:26):
You learned a lot about the Church and,
JENNA (10:28):
I had heard most of it from
what I had done beforeI went into RCIA.
But Like I said, a lot ofit for me was experiencing
it, coming into it, talkingto other people, sharing it
with other people, becausebesides, two of
my cousins, I didn't knowanyone that practiced
KATIE (10:46):
Is your husband's family Catholic?
JENNA (10:48):
No.
My dad, and his brotherwere the only people in
my family that were raisedCatholic from what I can
think of at the moment.
But, yeah, everyone elsewas Protestant.
KATIE (11:00):
And now you're slowly converting all of them.
I can imagine whatfamily holidays are like.
JENNA (11:06):
Yeah, Well,
KATIE (11:07):
Don't invite Jared and Jenna, they are to
come proselytize us all.
JENNA (11:11):
Yeah.
You know, it'sdifficult sometimes.
People arevery, attached to what
they believe and whatthey were raised with.
And that's how JaredAnd I started out, too.
We, we both had ourown reasons that
we did not want tobecome Catholic, but
it took time.
KATIE (11:30):
Trust in the slow, patient work of god.
JENNA (11:32):
Mm hmm.
Yep.
KATIE (11:33):
So, some of those misconceptions about the
Catholic Church that mayhave said, Oh, I don't
want to be Catholic.
Did, did those getcleared up for you?
And now you'relike, Oh, I totally
understand whypeople would think this
but it's not this way.
JENNA (11:46):
Yeah, yeah, That was one of the first
things I had come acrossthat made me start to
wonder, because I was, moreso, Catholics have too many
rules, I'm not interested.
And Jared was, they worshipthe saints, they do a lot of
all these crazy, Yeah.
KATIE (12:03):
And now you're doing rosary in a year?
JENNA (12:05):
Yes.
the first thing I cameacross, it was just a
simple statement of someonesaying like, no, no.
It's not exactly thatwe're praying to the
saints like they're God.
We're asking themfor their prayers.
It's just the waywe use the word pray
is different.
I was like, oh,that's interesting.
It's just little thingslike one at a time
(12:26):
when you realize thatthe things I was
told before were likemisconceptions.
They were just misunderstood.
Yeah, it was one thingat a time, and then I got
to the point where I waslike, Okay, well, what
about about this?
And what about this?
And what about this?
And I started digging for it.
Because I wasthinking, wow, they
have an answer forevery question I have.
(12:48):
I'm not to that.
KATIE (12:50):
That's a good thing.
I mean, if we didn't havean answer, that would be
problematic.
JENNA (12:56):
Yeah.
Yeah,
KATIE (12:57):
It's always amazing when people
like come up with thesemisconceptions, you know?
..hmm we pray to the saints.
.And I'm like, well,if I didn't have Saint
Anthony, everything inmy life would be lost.
Yes.
Right?
I tell the confirmation kidswhen they're choosing their
names for confirmation, you'relike enhancing your tribe.
Like you have your family,you have your extended
(13:18):
family, you have your familyfriends.
It's no different with theCatholic Church, right?
they're guiding me, they'rehelping me, that can't be
a bad thing.
And then if I add anotherone to the list, that
can't be a bad thing, Youknow, so you're just
enhancing your community.
JENNA (13:33):
it's your you realize, like, oh,
there is more of the bodyin Christ in heaven, too.
And, they want usin heaven as well.
They're perfected in Christ.
So, of course,they would pray for us.
KATIE (13:49):
Did you see the video, The Veil Removed?
JENNA (13:53):
Oh yes.
KATIE (13:54):
The guy almost doesn't Believe in the Eucharist,
but through, it's real short.
JENNA (13:57):
Yeah, I've seen that
KATIE (13:59):
I think that does the best job of explaining
communion and the communion ofsaints, all of it
interlocking, Because once yousee all those people in heaven
praying while the priestis calling down the, Holy
Spirit for the Eucharist tobe changed from the bread
and wine to the body and blood,it's like all of it right there.
(14:20):
And if anyone doesn't.
understand the Eucharist,they should watch a
seven minute video.
Literally like, Yeah.
you know, and it'savailable in all languages.
So there's really Spanish,English, Portuguese,
Chinese, everything.
It's on YouTube.
It's it's amazing.
But, when you aretalking, I'm like, oh my
gosh, that's that video.
like, everythingabout it is that video.
JENNA (14:43):
Mm-hmm I've read a few things about the
connection of Revelation,the book of Revelation and
how the Angels and Saintsare worshiping in heaven.
And that's what thatvideo reminds me
of too, is the imageyou see in Revelation.
And also, how we saythese words in the
(15:04):
Mass that, you know,the angels are saying in
heaven, so it's the nameof the video, the veil
removed, where there'sthis connection
between heaven andEarth at the consecration.
KATIE (15:15):
Yeah.
it's, always beenincredibly comforting to
me that any loved one thatwe've had is united with us
in the Eucharist.
So if I'm seeking solacein something I'm struggling with
someone being gone or something,the Eucharist will unite.
us.
And I'm not alone, becausenot only do I get the
body of Christ, but Ialso get that comfort
(15:36):
in that short period of time,where we are united on heaven
and And then you thinkabout that happens all
the time all over theworld, and you're like literally
never alone
JENNA (15:47):
Yeah.
Yeah, I I really likewatching people go
up for communion.
It's, I thinkthat's what gets me.
Sometimes that will be part ofmy prayer time after receiving
the Eucharist is watchingother people go up.
And no matter whatthe look is on their
(16:07):
face, whether it lookslike they're struggling,
whether it, looks likethey're excited to receive
the Eucharist, whatever it is.
I don't know, it's likeyou suddenly feel a
connection with thesepeople even if you've
never seen them at Mass before.
And And that's that'ssomething that's
really, really gets theidea of communion, community
(16:31):
with everyone for me.
KATIE (16:33):
yeah, community in communion, right?
so you're well read, youlisten to a lot of things.
What kind of stuff would you,recommend to people to listen
to, to enhance theirunderstanding or deepen their
relationship with the Eucharist?
You know, we have some peoplewho listen, who regularly
use the internet for things,and then we have those who
struggle to find the podcast.
(16:54):
So we're gonna cover everything.
JENNA (16:55):
And you also have, audio books too.
So I've done a lot of that.
So, for the Eucharist there'sSome of these I've read.
Some of these I'vegiven to my dad.
So I've listened to Jesusand the Jewish roots of the
Eucharist by Dr. John Bergsma.
That's a good book.
obviously, Dr. ScottHahn, anything, anything by him.
KATIE (17:16):
The Supper I think is a good one.
JENNA (17:17):
Yes, yes.
And, and Rome Sweet Home talksabout it a little bit too.
the Eucharist is ReallyJesus by Joe Heschmeier.
And he does a YouTubechannel too with,
Catholic apologetics.
It's called Shameless Popery.
And then there is there'sobviously Father Mike Schmitz
with Ascension, and theBible in a year, Of course.
(17:37):
That, That,connects everything, yes.
is the Counsel ofTrent, his council, not
council, like churchcouncil, but EL.
Trent.
Yeah, anything from CatholicAnswers, there's,
a lot on YouTube, for sure.
KATIE (17:56):
Yeah.
and social media has a lotin general, right?
There's a lot of priests who arepopping up who have
things on the Eucharist,Father Mike Schmitz is a big
player in a lot of things.
Bishop Barron?
JENNA (18:08):
Yeah.
KATIE (18:08):
Have you seen his video series on the
explanation of the Mass?
JENNA (18:11):
No, I haven't.
KATIE (18:13):
It's pretty good.
I wouldn't recommend itfor basic understanding,
but if you understand whatyou've read a lot about,
it, it's really powerfulto watch it and see the
explanations of things.
You know.
I think, there's a lot of goodmaterial in the Matthew Kelly
books.
JENNA (18:29):
Oh yes, mm
KATIE (18:31):
especially simple material.
Right?
right Good explanationsfor if you're trying to
get people to understandthe misconceptions of the
church.
He has a lot of goodapologetics on that
stuff in a simple way.
What, book in the Biblestrikes you or what,
verse in the Bible strikes you
JENNA (18:49):
Oh, that is hard.
there, there's a few.
The Garden of Gethsemane.
That that one, I think it,that, that's the one that
brings me back because,Jesus, He's, he's, scared,
it brings in his humanitya little bit, to where
it's more relatablein that He still asks
(19:11):
for the Father's willto be done and that's,
What comes to mind when,I'm nervous, or I'm scared, or
stressed, is that I cancount on his will,
and Jesus did, and evenwhat he went through,
that is so much morethan I could ever go through.
(19:32):
And, well, That that,was what changed the entire
world for the rest of history.
So of course I can get throughthis small thing in my life.
If I just ask your will be done.
KATIE (19:44):
Yeah, you're right.
The Garden of Gethsemaneis probably not one that,
I would say is ahappy recounting of
JENNA (19:48):
yes,
KATIE (19:49):
the Bible.
Just knowing thatall we have to do
is ask, and it will be done.
.And even the taskcould be carrying the
world on your shoulders to
JENNA (19:58):
Yes.
KATIE (19:59):
You will be given the strength to do so.
Mm-hmm .Now, I, Godwilling, won't ever have
to do that.
But alsonothing I'm going to ever have
to do will amount to that.
And Jesus was still given thestrength to do that.
So, that, that's a powerfulpowerful one to go back to
JENNA (20:15):
Yeah.
it's a good one to, to read.
Meditate on.
I would say a happier one that Ilike is the Magnificat.
KATIE (20:22):
Mary's yes.
JENNA (20:23):
Yeah.
KATIE (20:23):
To know that, your world was pretty
much falling apart at,like, 13, And then
you're just like, yeah,Lord, let it be done unto me.
No thanks.
JENNA (20:31):
Yeah, Yeah.
Yeah.
just Thinking about myself inthat position
it would be terrifying.
I can see how itwould be exciting in some ways.
Or really that, thatwhole time, from the time
the angel Gabriel cameto her, to going And
visiting Elizabeth.
that's, a lot to think about.
(20:53):
This is the very moment, like Isaid before, where History
really started to change.
KATIE (20:59):
the Eucharist, one of the most powerful
things, I think, is that,Mary was the first tabernacle.
JENNA (21:05):
Mhm, yes.
Right?
KATIE (21:06):
I mean, that whole concept there is just,
just, wow.
JENNA (21:10):
Yeah, that's another part that really interested
me about Mary being,like the new Ark
of the Covenant.
And she, she was really thefirst one to receive Jesus.
She was the firstone to accept Him.
And in a way that wewon't be able to either.
KATIE (21:27):
Yeah, Father Mike did an excellent
Father Mike Newman didan excellent homily about
the Eucharist and Maryand I was like, Ooh, okay.
That's a new thought.
Cause a lot of it, you hear.
the same repetitivelybut to have new ideas
of how the Eucharist isapplied to our lives, think
is always very helpfulalways very helpful.
But it seems like you'rereally on it about reading
(21:50):
and keeping up with things.
JENNA (21:52):
It helps me because I think sometimes we can.
take it for granted, too,go back and I know it's
not how everyone doesit, but I usually go back
into studying, Rememberingwhere the roots are
of it, and that, that'swhat brings me prayer
(22:13):
and relationship.
when I was younger, or even justbefore I started looking
into Christianity, andthe period from, when I
started going to church, Iwas going to Bible studies
and stuff before that, but,just the period from when I
went to my first church tocoming to the Catholic Church
was pretty short, maybe likea year or two, two years.
(22:37):
But, before that Istruggled a lot with
anxiety and depression.
I was on medication.
I had trouble in allmy relationships.
And that was, I, think, thebig thing that when I was
got pregnant with Luca, I waslike, I have to do something
about this.
Because I'm not stable.
and, so that's whatbrought me back to church.
(22:59):
But, A lot of that went away.
You know, there's, there'sstill things that come back
and it's a struggleto deal with, but you
can, you can tell peopleall of the, facts About
Catholicism, you cantry to convince them
as much as you want byhere it is in the Bible.
And some people mightsay, sure, but I'm not
(23:21):
so sure it's for me.
So I think the other partthat I would want to share is
that it actually transformedmy life spiritually.
And I know that depressionis different for
everyone, and some people,they need medication
regardless of whatthey're doing.
But, for me, it was a spiritualthing.
and I'm done with all ofthat now, It, especially
(23:45):
becoming Catholic.
it gave me a route outof that, and also a way
to understand it, whichI didn't think that,
church would give me.
I thought it was, you know, nicethings and positive
little scripture versesand stuff.
But I don't Struggle withthe things I used to.
(24:05):
and
KATIE (24:06):
it calmed the inner storm.
Right.
JENNA (24:08):
it was a, I, won't go into too much detail,
but it was, detail, was a bigtransformation for me.
KATIE (24:16):
I'm glad you caution.
Some people Still needmedication, still need help.
I think no matter what,everyone can seek solace
in that, maybe not to theextent that they would
be healed, but, they willseek some kind of solace.
There's a song out now,it's not a Catholic song,
it's just a Christiansong, talks about Psalm 23.
JENNA (24:33):
Oh, yes.
KATIE (24:34):
And, it's like, basically if you memorize
a piece of scripture,you can weaponize it.
and Formed the platformthat the parish often
dispenses, has some, anxietyand depression, some mental
health resources on it.
And they'rereally good, They teach you to
weaponize scripture, likewhen you get anxious, you can
(24:55):
just keep sayingI can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
And just repeat it.
But they also talkabout the biological
effects of like, justlowering your breath.
And as you repeat some of theprayers, a rhythm
slows down a lot, Likewe get in a world where
we get real fast and running,and this kind of slows your
rhythm down a little bit.
What particularly from theCatholic faith, though, helps
(25:17):
you to overcome those things?
JENNA (25:20):
I think the biggest thing is seeing just all
of it, Seeing theworld from a different
perspective.
Theology of the body washuge for me.
Mike Schmitz did a series onit, and then Christopher
West does a lot on that.
And that gave me a whole newperspective of our bodies,
and love, and having moreconfidence in myself because
(25:43):
I was very self conscious.
Like I said, I struggle withall these things a little bit
still, but the theanswers that I've
received through the ChurchThrough, what has come out of
the church, is something thathas given me a whole new
perspective on how I see theworld, And I think that
was a big part of my issuewas the culture that I grew up
(26:07):
in, the, the secularworld, secular culture
really took a toll onme, and the online stuff,
but it was, learning,again, you know, reading,
watching things, is whatwas really healing for me.
And then, figuring out prayer,And understanding the
Eucharist, in a new way,I remember thinking about
(26:30):
it, like, who am I praying to?
Cause whenever I pray, I wouldjust ask for things, but, was
like, okay, I'm praying toGod, but am I really thinking
about who I am talking to.
And that's something that helpedme a lot, too, that
I've experienced.
It's funny becausepeople say, oh, it's
about a personalrelationship with Jesus.
(26:50):
and Catholics, theyfocus on religion, not
relationship, but I never had.
a real relationship.
I wasn't really thinkingabout the person
of Jesus Christ orGod the Father, who
I was talking to,who loves me, until seeing it
through the Church.
KATIE (27:07):
So, you have two young children, Miriam and
Luca What advice would yougive Miriam and Luca
about faith, like today?
JENNA (27:15):
I would give them probably, just what I would
give them is the answer Jesusgives of the two
greatest commandments.
Essentially loveGod and love others.
And, to just, to follow that.
think the biggestthing for me is giving them
an example.
That's whatI pray over them at night when
they go to sleep is that theywould just, search for God.
(27:40):
That they would love.
God with all their heart andthat, as David who's
described as a manafter God's own heart.
so yeah, that's, that's what Iwould tell them is to love.
KATIE (27:50):
I'm guessing from the way they respond in church.
Not Miriam, becauseshe's too young.
Lucas clapping andrunning around.
So I'm guessing he'sfinding the love that
you're talking aboutjust the way he responds.
JENNA (28:03):
Yes.
He loves coming to church.
KATIE (28:06):
He's got all his little friends chasing
around.
Yeah.
so cute.
so cute.
Well, thank you so much forjoining us today, Jenna.
Thank you.
Once again, we thank youfor joining us today.
We hope that wherever youfind an open seat in your
life, you will invitesomeone to join you.
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