This week we have a unique episode! Our first time interviewing two women who share a similar passion: the way of beauty. Megan and Laura's sister, Emily, and Holly join us around the table to discuss how they find God's love through beauty. They are both artists, and describe how their love for art's creative process ultimately points them to God. Both share how this love for art has helped them both put on and attend the Regnum Christi Artist retreat in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"The Church needs art and artists, for beauty is the promise of happiness. The greatness of art is rooted in the fact that it seeks and finds a bridge to the human soul... Art opens up to us a path to the divine, showing us a beauty that reflects the glory of God."-Pope St. John Paul II, Letter to Artist, 1999

RC Artist Retreat: https://www.regnumchristi.com/en/stained-and-sainted-an-artists-retreat-in-cincinnati/

Holly's website: https://www.hollyschapker.com

Books mentioned in the podcast:

"This Beautiful Truth" by Sarah Clarkson

"God is beauty" by Pope St. John Paul II (commentary by Christopher West)

"A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken

Around the table, we are delighted to invite our guest, Elsa Hoffman, whose knack for storytelling illustrates God's presence with her throughout her life. She shares how she first came to find Jesus as her best friend, and how, in the many different apostolates she's been a part of, her main desire is for others to encounter Him and be set on fire to give His love to others. Enjoy this week's episode and, if God inspires, maybe share with a friend who needs light and encouragement!

An exciting new apostolate, First Fruits, is launching and Kathleen Conklin is here to share with us all about it! Her story of being impacted as a young child in a faith-filled family, her deep desire as a wife and mother to pass that faith on, and her adventures of moving cross-country and founding K4J (Kids for Jesus) all contribute to how God has prepared her for such a time as this to help start a new apostolate for young families. Enjoy hearing how God prepared her and how you can learn more to form yourself, your spouse, and your children into a faith-filled family!

To learn more about the “First Fruits” apostolate, a dynamic small-group experience designed for parents in the early stages of parenting, visit: www.firstfruits.family. Or contact Kathleen at kconklin@legionofchrist.org