We begin our Advent series with a topic that is very much needed in this world. It can be difficult to find hope in our lives sometimes. There are so many things that can weigh us down, so many things that can sink us into despair. But our hope is in Christ and His promise of a better kingdom. From this hope, we can begin to see the world anew. Katy is back on the show to share with us what hope means to her and how we can better cultivate it in our minds, especially during this special season of Advent.

This next week we gather together for the holiday of Thanksgiving here in America. It is often a festive time with good food and good company. However, Thanksgiving doesn't just happen once a year. It happens every weekend when we gather for the Lord's Supper and give thanks to God for the saving life of His Son. At our best, it is a daily practice that enriches our life. Frs. Mark, Hightower, and Conroy join us this episode to talk about the spirit of thanksgiving, both as a holiday and a general state of being.

When Jesus tells us in the Gospel to bring the little ones to him and to not hinder them, it isn't just a passive missive. We are called to an active mission because the kingdom belongs to them. The question then becomes, how do we lead our children to the faith in a way that they can access? The CGS program gives a great opportunity for this access, not just for the children but for the adults who have been throughly trained to assist. In this episode, we sit down with Mary Larson and Sister Mary Rose to talk about the training that goes in to being a catechist and the fruits it can yield for those who undertake it.

When the Lord calls us, it isn't always a thundering voice from the mountains. Often it is a gentle feeling from the Holy Spirit, quietly leading us if we have the ears to hear. This is often true when it comes to pursuing a deeper commitment to Holy Mother Church. Deacons occupy a special position in our communities, having many of the duties as a priest but still having the ability to have a spouse and families. In this episode, Nicholas sits down with John and Missy Neuman, currently in the deaconate program, to discuss the duties of a deacon and the process of becoming one.

What does it mean to be a part of the body of Christ? It means that we are charged with bringing the light and message of Christ into the world. It means serving one another in mind, body, and spirit. We all have a role to play, and no role is greater than another. All are necessary, all are welcome, all are called. Shai joins Nicholas to show us how we can listen to the call to service and have the heart to say "Here I Am, Lord".

Austin Peppenger is not Catholic. In fact, when he was young, he was taught to fear and hate Catholics, among others. As he has gone through life he has challenged many of the misconceptions he was raised with. One of those was a complete 180* on Holy Mother Church. After interactions with the faithful, attending Mass, and listening to the wisdom offered by the guests of VOXSFX, his perspective has gone from viewing us as a reviled enemy to a people of genuine comfort, love, and understanding. Join Nicholas as we view the Church through the eyes of one who has been opened up to the love of God and a new attitude towards the Catholic faith.

The children's program called Catechesis of the Good Shepard, or CGS for short, is an amazing opportunity for kids to develop a deeper understanding of their faith. Using age-appropriate environments and materials to foster involvement in liturgy, history, and theology, children in CGS get to participate actively and learn at their own pace. The CGS program at St Francis Xavier is the most advanced in the Diocese of Helena, hosting trainings and providing a space to minister in this incredibly meaningful way. Shai and Michelle join Nicholas to explore the history and techniques that make this program so effective.

In light of the Holy Father's recent comments, which have caused quite the stir here in the USA, we thought it might be appropriate to expand on the Church's teachings on immigration. This is a tough topic, as there is much political rhetoric back and forth on this complicated issue. However, this is not a political show. VOXSFX isn't trying to tell you what to think or how to vote. We only ask that you listen with an open mind and then form your own opinions and conscience. Fr Conroy joins Nicholas to address this complex topic of immigration from a Catholic perspective.