This episode continues our annual tradition of sharing our Word of the Year! 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 2024 mean to us and chat about how our words from last year have impacted our lives. At the beginning of the episode, we also share an announcement about this year’s Lenten book study. We are excited to be back and look forward to seeing what this season will bring.

Heather’s One Thing - Her husband Jake’s upcoming course on our God-given Identity. Register here!

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - The Trini-Tea tea party, a ladies tea party in Front Royal, VA on January 27, 2024 to benefit the SOLT Sisters’ Motherhouse Campaign. You are invited! Register for the event here.

Michelle’s One Thing - Her 2023 reading recommendation list!

Announcement:

We are excited to announce that our Lenten book study will be: A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C. Visit our website for more information!

Journal Questions:

• If you had a word for 2023, what did God teach you through that word?
• Take some time to reflect and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your word of the year. You could start with a scripture or just silence. After prayer and reflection, what is your word of the year?
• How does your 2024 word of the year build upon previous words of the year or seasons?
• Who can you discuss your word with and remind them of their word throughout 2024?

Discussion Questions:

• What themes has God been using as an opportunity to encounter Him?
• Are there specific scriptures, saints, or quotes that will serve as a guide or reminder of your word during the year?
• What is one change you can make in the coming year to be more open to the will of God?
• How can you place tangible reminders of your word in your daily life?

Quote to Ponder:

"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice." (T.S. Eliott)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:10-12)

Sponsor - Franciscan University:

One of only 15 faithfully Catholic universities endorsed by the Cardinal Newman Society, Franciscan University of Steubenville continues to lead the renaissance of Catholic higher education called for in Ex corde Ecclesiae. Franciscan integrates excellent academic programs with a dynamic faith environment to serve over 3,800 students from all 50 states and 18 countries on campus, including 1,300 students online. Ranked in the top tier of Midwest universities by U.S. News & World Report since 1998, Franciscan offers over 100 programs of study including 45 undergraduate programs, 10 graduate programs, and 17 online programs—all grounded in Franciscan’s acclaimed Catholic core curriculum. Everything from accounting to engineering, nursing, evangelization, criminal justice, psychology and many more. It’s home to the largest undergraduate Theology Program in the U.S., and has a well-regarded Priestly Discernment Program, which has seen over 250 members ordained to the priesthood since 1985. They also have a study abroad program in a beautifully restored 14th-century Carthusian monastery in Austria attracts up to 200 students each semester.

For more about Franciscan University of Steubenville and its mission to educate, evangelize, and send forth Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus Christ, visit Franciscan.edu or connect with Franciscan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.