Abiding Together

Welcome to season 18 kickoff with our annual tradition of the Word of the Year episode! Each year, we ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share what our words for 2026 mean to us and chat about the Saints journeying with us this year. We are excited to be back and look forward to what this year will bring!
 
Heather's One Thing - Big God, Little Devil by Dr. Sean Tobin (listen to Dr. Sean on the Restore the Glory Podcast too!)
Heather's Other One Thing - Let There Be by Amanda Cook
Sister Miriam's One Thing - Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch, OP (buy on Amazon here)
Michelle's One Thing - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi



Other Resources Mentioned: 
Example of Grafting

 
Announcement:
Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!
 
Journal Questions:
What was my word for 2025? How did the Lord work in and through me with that word?
What is my word for 2026?
How does my heart sit with the word revealed to me?
How is the Lord inviting me into deeper love & intimacy in this new year?
What is the Lord asking me to delight in?
Has the Lord entrusted a particular saint to journey with you this year?
 
Discussion Questions:
Reflect on and share about your word for 2025 and the graces you encountered through that word.
What images, phrases, artwork, or Scripture verses have been on your mind when praying about your word of the year?
What is your word for 2026? How did the Lord reveal it to you?
Do you feel surprised, apprehensive, or delighted by your word for 2026? How can you hold onto hope this year?
What is the Lord asking you to grow in?
 
Quotes to Ponder:
"For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice." (T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding")
 
"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love." (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity)



Scripture for Lectio:
"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40:31)
 
Sponsor - CORDA:
CORDA translates the stories of the saints into scents, and helps you create a place of prayer and peace in your home with their handcrafted Catholic candles.
Backed by 3,500+ 5-star reviews, CORDA candles have a beautiful modern design, are made with great ingredients like clean coconut wax and phthalate-free fragrances, and have an awesome burn time of 45 hours!
Plus, there's CORDA Rewards: earn points with every purchase that you can redeem for free products, gift cards, and free shipping. 
You should also check out their special wedding favors, bulk order discounts for nonprofits and businesses, and their super easy Catholic fundraisers!
Learn more and explore all of CORDA's handcrafted Catholic candles at cordacandles.com/abiding
 
Timestamps:

00:00 CORDA
01:38 Intro
02:25 Lent Announcement
03:10 Welcome
06:43 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder
08:24 Sister Miriam's Word of the Year
12:28 Heather's Word of the Year
17:16 Michelle's Word of the Year
25:13 Being Honest with Ourselves and with God
29:20 Our Saints of the Year
33:18 What if I don't have a Word of the Year?
34:26 One Things

In this episode, we end our journey at the Stable, the humble place where God chose for us to meet His Son. We reflect on the stable of our own hearts, how Jesus chooses to meet us in our own poverty now, and why His very presence brings healing. We also talk about how when we sit in our emptiness, release control, and surrender each part of our lives to God, He is able to work more powerfully in our lives. Finally, we ponder Mary's quiet and loving gaze upon the Christ Child and how we are invited to slow down and notice Jesus smiling back at us. 
Friends, we've deeply enjoyed journeying with you this year. As we take a break, please know you are in our prayers. We will see you on January 19th, 2026 when Season 18 begins! Have a blessed and merry Christmas!
 
Heather's One Thing - Our Abiding Together staff: Camille, Kate, and Kristina!
Heather's Other One Thing - The Sisters of Life new St. Francis convent in Steubenville
Heather's Third One Thing - Every Sacred Sunday's Edition of the  Catechism of the Catholic Church
Sister Miriam's One Thing - Our listeners and Patreon supporters. Thank you!
Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - Philosophy and Healing (with Fr. Matthew Rolling) from the Restore the Glory Podcast
Michelle's One Thing - The beauty of the different religious orders!
 
Finally, we arrive
at the Stable —
the poorest of places,
and yet, the holiest of all.
Here, in straw and silence,
the Infinite takes on skin.
The cry of a newborn
splits the night open,
and suddenly,
everything is sacred again
The invitation into the mess
 Into our own poverty…
The cry of our humanity …
Worship is not what we think it will look like. 

 
Other Resources Mentioned: 
The Nativity Painting by Caravaggio
Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You by Dr. James Friesen
 
Journal Questions:
Where do I find myself in "unsatisfactory condition"?
What are the scandalous places within me that I want to keep away from the Lord?
How am I managing my own creativity rather than welcoming the Holy Spirit into my creativity?
What beliefs am I carrying deeply about God? How does God want to heal these beliefs?
Where am I afraid?
How can I make space for Jesus and spend time with Him in this Christmas season?
 
Discussion Questions:
How are you tempted to sanitize the Mystery of the Incarnation in your own life?
Where in my life do I need a new perspective?
When have you experienced God coming to you in a way you weren't expecting Him to?
How am I seeking control in this season? How can I surrender that control?
What are the stables of my life that God is inviting me into deeper surrender?
 
Quote to Ponder:
"I am so glad Jesus was born in a stable, because my soul is so much like a stable. It's poor and in unsatisfactory condition - Yet, I believe that if Jesus can be born in a stable, maybe he can be born in me." (Dorothy Day)
 
Scripture for Lectio:
"In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7)
 
Sponsor - Fully Mediterranean:
Our sponsor today is Fully Mediterranean, a company dedicated to helping people discover the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, a way of eating and living that is both deeply nourishing and beautifully simple. At Fully Mediterranean, they believe that good health and good food go hand in hand—and that both of these begin in the same place: around the table, where we slow down, gather, connect, and are reminded of God's goodness in the everyday moments of life. It's where we feed not only our bodies, but also our relationships. And it's often where we rediscover joy, connection, and presence.
Fully Mediterranean was built on a mission to help people discover a simple, nourishing way of eating and living—a way that brings peace, beauty, and balance into everyday. Their approach is not about pressure or perfection. It's about gently integrating habits that help you live fully, with a sense of gratitude and mindfulness that aligns beautifully with our Catholic faith.
What makes the Mediterranean lifestyle so special is that it's not just a way of eating; it's a way of living. It's a lifestyle shaped by mindfulness, by community, and by gratitude. It's about slowing down, savoring what God provides, and sharing meals with the people He places in our lives. It's about choosing foods that nourish the body He entrusted to us—vibrant  vegetables, wholesome grains, fresh herbs, lean proteins, and healthy fats—while also embracing the joy and connection that come from preparing and enjoying meals with others.
Fully Mediterranean provides practical, realistic tools, guidance, and inspiration to help you bring these values into your kitchen and everyday life. Through recipes, programs, workshops, and practical nutrition guidance, we help women simplify healthy eating, feel confident in the kitchen, and rediscover the joy that comes from preparing meals that are both good for the body and soul-satisfying.
In a world filled with noise, pressure, and quick fixes, the Mediterranean lifestyle offers something gentler and more grounded—an invitation to live intentionally, joyfully, and wholeheartedly. It encourages us to choose foods that honor the bodies God created, to gather more often with the people we love, and to find celebration in simple, nourishing routines.
Whether you're looking to support your long-term health, gain energy for your daily responsibilities, or create more meaningful rhythms in your home, Fully Mediterranean is here to guide you every step of the way. We want to help you build a lifestyle that supports your well-being and draws you closer to living the full, abundant life God desires for you. 
Because at Fully Mediterranean, we believe that when you nourish your body well, you nourish every part of your life. And when you gather at the table with gratitude, intention, and love, you reflect God's goodness in the most natural, beautiful way.
If you're ready to bring more peace, health, and joy into your kitchen—and your life—we invite you to explore all that Fully Mediterranean offers. Discover delicious recipes, practical tips, and inspiring resources designed to help you integrate the Mediterranean way of living into your daily routine with ease and grace.
Join us and use the code Abidingtogether20 to receive 20% off any of our products, including our course, ebooks and Substack membership. Join the 30-day Mediterranean challenge starting January 1st for just $8. Visit us at www.fullymediterranean.com, Substack: fullymediteranean.com.substack.com and @fullymediterranean
 
Chapters:  
00:00 Fully Mediterranean 
01:37 Intro
02:30 Welcome to the Stable
05:56 Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse
07:12 The Poverty of Our Hearts
11:26 Surrendering the Messy Parts of Our Lives
15:30 Healing Our Image of God
19:31 What it Means to Ponder
21:37 Making Space in the Midst of a Busy Season
28:27 Season 18 Announcement!
28:58 One Things
 
Music used under license i94Cr0

In this episode, we journey to Elizabeth's house, the place of the Visitation. We reflect on Mary's haste as she makes the journey to visit Elizabeth and how Elizabeth creates space for Mary as the mystery of the incarnation unfolds. We also ponder Elizabeth's years of longing for a child, how God fulfills our desires in ways different than we expect, and why we should hold onto hope instead of disappointment. Finally, we talk about cultivating a deeper sensitivity to God's presence, trusting that even when His work is hidden, beauty is unfolding within our lives.
 
Heather's One Thing - High King of Heaven / Jesus We Love You by Bethel Music
Sister Miriam's Half Thing - As part of the Sacred Anchor Marketplace, any Religious Order/ Clergy will have a free storefront with no charges to list or commission fees. (The only cost will be bank fees of about 3% of any sale). Sign up here!
Sister Miriam's One Thing -  Forgiving as Unity with Christ by Dr. Robert Enright
Michelle's One Thing - Notre Dame Football (especially Marcus Freeman)
 
And then,
we travel to Elizabeth's house,
high in the hills.
Two women meet,
and the air is thick with recognition.
Promises leap,
joy erupts,
and prophecy dances between them.
This is the place of friendship,
of shared waiting,
of laughter through tears.
Because God often comes to us
in the embrace of another who believes.
 
Journal Questions:
In what places of my life can I allow mystery to breathe and unfold?
Who can I share the deep places of disappointment with and not feel judged?
Where do I feel disappointed?
How can I be a nest for others?
What promise is leaping within you right now wanting to be recognized?
Where do I run when God is doing something new in me?
Who is my Elizabeth?
 
Discussion Questions:
When has the Holy Spirit asked you to do something that didn't make sense in the natural world?
How can we cultivate a home for others within our own hearts?
Where is the Holy Spirit moving in your life and in other's lives?
When was the last time you experienced someone speaking prophetically over your life?
 
Quote to Ponder:
"If there ever comes a time when the women of the world come together purely and simply for the benefit of mankind, it will be a force such as the world has never known." (Matthew Arnold)
 
Scripture for Lectio:
"Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her." (Luke 1:45)
 
Sponsor - Chews Life:
Rosaries for Every Age and Season of Life.
Sister Lucia of Fatima once said, "There is no problem, no matter how difficult, that we cannot solve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary."  At Chews Life , that isn't just a beautiful quote, it's the heartbeat of everything they do.  Chews Life is a Catholic-owned small business whose mission is simple but bold: to equip every Catholic, in every age and season of life, with Rosaries for life. Whether you're a new mom juggling family life, a student on the go, or someone rediscovering the beauty of prayer, Chews Life creates practical and beautiful ways to make the Rosary part of your everyday rhythm. 
 For the Littlest Catholics one of the most beloved parts of the Chews Life mission is their dedication to helping children grow up surrounded by prayer. Their silicone Rosaries  are soft, durable, and made for little hands to safely explore and grow in their love for the Rosary. Parents often say that watching their child hold one feels like watching them reach out to hold Our Lady's hand.  Each design is thoughtfully created to be both faith-filled and family-safe, something little ones can hold, and carry as they begin learning the gentle rhythm of prayer. It's never too early to begin planting those seeds of devotion.  
For women, Chews Life offers their signature excuse-proof Rosary bracelet, a gemstone Rosary that is both beautiful and wearable. Designed to help you pray throughout the day, this bracelet is a quiet but powerful companion for busy women who long to stay connected to God in the middle of everyday life.  Whether you're at work, running errands, or caring for your family, these bracelets make it easy to keep prayer close. Each one includes Chews Life's signature "bookmark" crucifix charm, allowing you to pause your Rosary and pick it up right where you left off. Because real life and real prayer go hand-in-hand.  Made with genuine gemstones and durable materials, every bracelet is a tangible reminder that holiness grows in the middle of ordinary moments, and that beauty and faith were always meant to belong together.  For the Men in Your Life: Crux Invicta  That same level of craftsmanship and devotion extends to the men's line, Crux Invicta, Chews Life's brother brand. The name means "The Cross Invincible," and it captures the heart of what this collection stands for: bold, rugged faith rooted in strength and sacrifice.  Crux Invicta features paracord and gemstone Rosary bracelets designed for durability and purpose. Each piece carries the reminder that victory comes through the Cross, offering men a tangible way to live out their faith in the everyday battles of life.
And for those looking to go deeper and learn more about the mysteries of the Rosary, Chews Life founder Shannon Wendt invites you on a journey of prayer through her new book, The Way of the Rosary: A Journey with Mary through Scripture, Liturgy, and Life .  This book is a heartfelt invitation to walk with Mary and discover the mysteries of the Rosary as they unfold through Scripture, the rhythm of the Liturgy, and the ordinary moments of daily life. Shannon's reflections reveal how Mary accompanies us in joy and in sorrow, guiding us always closer to her Son
From their baby-safe silicone Rosaries, to their gemstone Rosary bracelets, to the Crux Invicta men's line and The Way of the Rosary book, every part of Chews Life's mission is designed to make prayer not just accessible but truly lived.  Because for Chews Life, prayer isn't something you fit in when you can. It's something that fits beautifully into the life you're already living.  
You can explore the full collections and learn more at  ChewsLife.com  and CruxInvicta.com .  And as a special thank-you to Abiding Together listeners, use the code ABIDE15 for 15% off your order on either site.  
 
Chapters: 
00:00 Chews Life
01:37 Intro
02:30 Welcome to Elizabeth's House
06:02 The Shared Gift of the Visitation
08:15 Having A Safe Place to Allow Mystery to Unfold
10:08 The Holy Spirit Reveals Jesus
12:!5 Sacred Companionship
13:40 When We Carry Disappointments
16:50 Speaking Life Into Other People
18:36 Living Out of Our Insecurities
19:49 Being A Safe Place for Others
22:37 Having Sensitivity to the Presence of God
25:26 One Things

 
Music used under license i94Cr0

In this episode, we journey to the house of Loreto, a simple home where the Annunciation took place. We reflect on how God meets us in the quiet, ordinary places of our own lives and how He meets us where we are, no matter how isolated we may feel. We also explore Mary's free and wholehearted yes, given without a request for details, and consider where the Holy Spirit may be inviting us to trust and surrender in our own hidden spaces. As Advent is a time to rest in stillness, we talk about making room for God in our schedules, noticing His gentle invitations in the everyday, and allowing His Word to take root in us even when the fruits of our yes are not yet visible.
 
Heather's One Thing - Registration for Glory: Women's Gathering is open! Michelle and I would love to see you there!
Sister Miriam's One Thing - Live Dialogue with Pope Leo XIV and Teens at NCYC 
Michelle's One Thing - Trader Joe's winter peonies 
 
Next, we come to the House of Loreto,
a humble home,
walls worn by daily life,
where the eternal interrupted the ordinary.
Here, a young woman listens
and her "yes" ripples through all of time.
This is the place of surrender,
of saying yes to what we cannot yet understand.
The Word takes root
in the quiet soil of her trust.
 
Other Resources Mentioned: 
Litany of Loreto
"The Annunciation" painting by Henry Tanner
 
Journal Questions:
Where am I missing God's presence in the ordinary moments?
What does God want to announce to me this Advent?
Where have I said no to the Lord in the past?
What parts of your life feel uncontrollable?
How can I choose to surrender this Advent?
 
Discussion Questions:
Where is the Lord inviting you to say yes?
How has God interrupted and nudged you in the ordinary moments of life?
Where is the Lord inviting you to surrender?
How has God slowly unraveled His plan for your life?
 
Quote to Ponder:
"This is a serious warning cry: Surrender without reservation to the Lord who has called us. This is required of us so that the face of the earth may be renewed."  (Edith Stein)
 
Scripture for Lectio:
"The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth…" (Luke 1:26)
 
Sponsor - Small Town Catholic Living:
Have you ever dreamed of living in a community where families flourish, bible studies abound, and you can walk to daily Mass and adoration?
Have you desired to send your kids to an authentically Catholic school but could never afford the tuition or can afford it, but it lacks deeply rooted Catholic tradition and culture?
Small Town Catholic Living is a thriving Catholic community located in Beloit, Kansas. It's a place where strong faith, family values, and small-town charm come together.
Here, families and kids walk and ride their bikes around town, young families fill the local 120 year old Romanesque-Gothic Catholic Church, and Eucharisstic adoration is offered 24/7. There is also a PreK-12th grade Catholic school so that your kids can receive an authentic Catholic education for a fraction of what other private schools cost. 
The town also features all the important necessities of life such as a full-service local hospital, an impressive recreation center, retirement communities, and remote workspace offices. Fishing, hunting, camping, and boating are popular at the nearby Waconda Lake. 
If you've been dreaming of living in a community where your children can grow up surrounded by others living out their faith, where people truly know you, or a place that has taken a step back from the business of this world, we invite you to learn more by visiting our website at smalltowncatholicliving.com.
It's not impossible to be spiritually fed while fulfilling your mission to raise your family! 
 
Chapters: 
00:00 Small Town Catholic Living
01:15 Intro
02:24 Welcome to Loreto
03:28 Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse
05:02 God Comes in the Ordinary
08:14 In the Fullness of Time
10:15 God Invites Us to Respond to His Invitations
11:50 When We Feel Like We are Isolated
15:20 Saying Yes to God Even When We don't Understand
19:19 The Quiet Work of Faith
21:55 Will We Make Space for God?
26:35 One Things
 
Music used under license i94Cr0

In this episode, we begin our Advent journey in Eden, a place of freedom, communion, and life without shame. Eden is not only a moment in history, but also an interior garden within each of our hearts. We talk about the deep ache we all feel for union, rest, and peace, and how this longing reveals our original design for communion with God. We also reflect on the shame that often accompanies this desire for communion with others, especially when our desires are left unmet, and how bringing these places of poverty to Jesus opens us up to real, lived communion with Him.
 
Heather's One Thing - The Renew Conference in Toronto
Heather's Other One Thing - Her Advent Worship Playlist
Sister Miriam's One Thing - Sacred Anchor Artisans (Catholic Etsy!) founded by Tim and Molly Olsen
Michelle's One Thing - The Inspired Living and this Chrism Candle
Michelle's Other One Thing - Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR
 
Welcome, dear friends…
to this Advent journey,
a pilgrimage of the heart,
through four sacred spaces
where heaven once touched the earth.
 
These are the places of Advent.
Eden.
Loreto.
Elizabeth's home.
And a stable under starlight.
 
Each one holds a mystery…
a whisper of God's coming,
a rhythm of waiting,
a quiet invitation to abide.
 
We begin… in Eden —
the garden of beginnings and original designs,
Here, everything was whole once,
every breath in attunement with God's own.
But even in the ache of what was lost,
something sacred remains,
a longing, a promise,
a memory of shalom harmony still written in our bones.
 
Eden reminds us:
our waiting is not empty.
It is the remembering of love
that has never stopped pursuing us.
 
Journal Questions:
What are the unique gifts that God has placed inside of you?
When do I experience shame in the ache for communion?
When have I recently experienced a rupture from Eden?
Who in your life allows you to feel at home and at ease?
How can I return to Eden through a daily practice?
 
Discussion Questions:
How have you experienced yourself as a gift?
When have you experienced an ache for Eden in your life?
When do you feel exiled from Eden?
What glimpses of Eden have you seen in your life recently?
 
Quote to Ponder:
"We all long for Eden, and we are constantly glimpsing it: our whole nature at its best and least corrupted, its gentlest and most human, is still soaked with the sense of exile." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien)
 
Scripture for Lectio:
"Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." (Genesis 2:25)
 
Sponsor - Altar + Home:
Altar and Home by Conception Abbey exists to bring the beauty of Benedictine spirituality into your domestic church. The way we as Benedictine monks punctuate our days with prayer. The way we balance prayer and work (ora et labora). The way we pray with scripture in lectio divina. The way we live in community to support one another. Incorporating these treasures into your daily lives can draw you and your domestic church into Christ one day – one prayer – at a time.
Our online store offers intentionally Catholic products for every occasion and every season. Lectio Divina rosary guides, daily journals, greeting cards, sacrament gifts, icons, and prints, along with books, bibles, and everything you need to make your home a sacred space. 
Make Advent and Christmas a time of joy and peace with our Monk-Curated Collections—bundled sets specifically chosen by the monks to share our lives with each of you. They make the perfect gift for the Catholic in your life.
Through this Altar + Home ministry, the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey share the prayer God calls us to at the altar into the domestic church of our customers as we seek to cultivate one holy, apostolic, Catholic Church.
We invite you shop with us at www.altarandhome.org. Use the discount code ABIDE to get 20% off your order.
 
Chapters: 
00:00 Altar + Home
01:25 Intro
02:17 Welcome to Eden
09:38 Our Heart is a Garden and Place of Communion
11:18 We are Made as a Gift
13:32 Healing from Shame in Our Ache
17:57 Homesickness and Exile
20:23 God is Longing for Us
22:16 Imaginative Prayer
24:13 The Goodness of Our Bodies
26:06 Inviting the Lord into Communion
27:47 Advent is a Time of Preparation
29:32 One Things
 
Music used under license i94Cr0