Episodes

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss how to choose a Bible by explaining differences between translations and versions, from the Septuagint (Hebrew to Greek) and St. Jerome’s Latin Vulgate to modern English options. Lavinia contrasts literal word-for-word translations with dynamic translations and paraphrases, noting dynamic versions can help beginners but preferring more literal renderings. She surveys many English Bibles, highlights the King James Version’s influence, and recommends th...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss Jesus’ Beatitudes, focusing on Matthew 5 and contrasting it with Luke’s blessings and woes, emphasizing that the Beatitudes are meant to challenge comfortable assumptions and serve as a roadmap for holiness. They explain “makarios” (blessed/happy/fulfilled) and describe the Beatitudes as a rhetorical teaching device pointing to God’s unearned grace. Key themes include spiritual poverty and humility as dependence on God; mourning as sorrow over sin and...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek continue previewing their November 2026 Catholic pilgrimage to Florence and Rome, expanding beyond the first days in Florence (Duomo, Baptistry, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, leather school) to include a day trip to Lucca to visit the shrines of Saints Elena Guerra and Gemma Galgani, with discussion of Guerra’s influence on Leo XIII’s 1900 consecration to the Holy Spirit and her 2024 canonization. They also plan a foodie-focused visit to Arezzo, an Americ...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek preview the sold-out November 2026 Italy pilgrimage (itinerary available at cwbs.org) and focus on the Florence portion, explaining pilgrimage as deepening encounters with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through daily Mass and visiting historic Church sites. They discuss Florence’s walkable layout, safety, food, and religious art, then outline plans to visit the Franciscan church of Santa Croce (built in the late 1200s), celebrate Mass there, and see tombs o...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek continue an introduction to Sacred Scripture by emphasizing the unity of the New Testament and the Catholic “three-legged” deposit of faith: Scripture, oral Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial teaching, including the fourth-century councils that affirmed the canon. They explain how Gospel authorship was preserved through tradition, and define “gospel” from the Greek euangelion (“good news”), noting its origin in imperial proclamations later applied to Christ’s ...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek continue their introduction to scripture by explaining what the Bible is and how its canon was formed. After reading a Gideon Bible introduction describing scripture’s purpose and authority, they discuss the meaning of “Word of God” as writings inspired by the Holy Spirit for human flourishing. The episode focuses on how the New Testament developed from early liturgical readings and apostolic-era writings, contrasted with later heretical Gnostic gospels. They...

On Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek encourage listeners to join a Bible study, such as Catholic Way Bible Study (CWBS.org), in person when possible or via Zoom, and stress that engaging Scripture can change one’s life and even inspire new “daughter” studies. They explain Scripture as God’s written revelation within a broader progressive revelation: first known through nature, then through God’s choice of Israel, oral sacred tradition, Christ’s coming, the Gospels, and ongoing do...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek introduce an overview of what Scripture is and is not as their Bible study begins (including a Gospel of Matthew study at Christ the King in Lexington, Kentucky). They explain Scripture as the “Word of God” through the Greek concept of logos—word, reason, and a Person in Jesus—emphasizing that God speaks, heals, guides, and loves through it. Citing Hebrews, they describe the Word as “alive and active,” cutting through excuses “between bone and marrow.” They d...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek continue discussing Cardinal Cantalamessa’s Sober Intoxication of the Spirit, focusing on the requirements to receive and operate in the Holy Spirit. After previously addressing personal holiness, they emphasize humility as surrendering control to God, drawing on Revelation 2:7, Ash Wednesday’s “to dust,” and C.S. Lewis’ definition of humility as thinking less about oneself. They connect anxiety and societal need for control, warn against factionalism in poli...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek continue discussing Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa’s book "Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled With the Fullness of God," highlighting his Vatican influence and emphasis on the real, powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in daily life. They revisit three requirements for cooperating with grace: personal holiness, humility, and living Christianity in community. Personal holiness is framed as an encounter with Jesus expressed through prayer, Scripture, sacra...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemacheck continue discussing Raniero Cantalamessa’s book The Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled with the Fullness of God, emphasizing a Spirit-filled Catholic life marked by humility, joy, prayer, and service rather than “hysteria.” They describe praying in the Holy Spirit for the sick, the reality of healing (including “ultimate healing” in death), and how saints and the early Church lived charisms such as prophecy, encouragement, and jubilant joy. They stres...

fter a hiatus, Real Living returns to discuss Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa’s book The Sober Intoxication of the Spirit, which inspired a Lexington, Kentucky Pentecost novena program at the Cathedral of Christ the King called Nine Days of Power. The hosts explain the original Pentecost novena, emphasize that the Holy Spirit comes whenever welcomed, and highlight the book’s theme—drawn from St. Ambrose and echoed in Acts 2—that Spirit-filled believers can appear “intoxicated” while being rooted i...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavenia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the complex topic of judgment and non-judgmentalism within society and Christianity. They discuss the often misconstrued statements of past popes, the balance between calling out sin and practicing love, and the scriptural guidance on making moral judgments. The conversation also touches on the cultural shift towards moral relativism, the importance of personal testimony, and the central Christian duty of lovin...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the historical, pagan, and modern secular aspects of Halloween. They discuss the Protestant skepticism around the holiday, its Celtic roots, and the Catholic traditions surrounding All Hallows' Eve, All Saints, and All Souls' Day. The episode also touches on the evolution of Halloween customs, from ancient practices to contemporary commercial influences, emphasizing the importance of retaining the spiritual significa...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek dive into the history and significance of Halloween by examining it from three perspectives: Christian, Pagan, and secular. They discuss Halloween's origins, from its roots in the Christian tradition as All Hallows' Eve to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The hosts also touch on modern secular traditions and compare cultural observances across regions. Additionally, they explore the concept of purgatory and how it ...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the fascinating world of angels and archangels. They share lesser-known facts and stories about St. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, exploring their roles in religious texts and their divine interventions. The conversation touches on the theological perspectives about the nature of angels, including insights from Vatican II and writings of theologians such as St. Thomas Aquinas. Listeners are encouraged to call u...

In this episode, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the significance of angels and archangels in Christian tradition. Celebrating the Feast of the Archangels, they discuss the roles and meanings of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, and share insights from scriptures and personal experiences with guardian angels. The conversation covers the historical and theological context of angelic beings, their roles as divine messengers, and the protection they offer. The hosts enco...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek continue their discussion about the recent Encounter Ministries Conference held in Toledo, Ohio in 2025. With over 4,000 attendees, the conference emphasized encounters with Jesus Christ through the sacrament of the Holy Spirit. They discuss key takeaways from talks by Mary Healy on the baptism of the Holy Spirit and Randy Clark on leadership and humility in ministry. Randy Clark shares personal stories that illustrate th...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss Mary Lou's experiences at the Encounter Ministries Conference held in Toledo, Ohio. The central theme focuses on yielding to the gifts of the Holy Spirit to enter the supernatural dimension of faith, a topic punctuated by various speakers like Mary Healey. Mary Healey emphasizes the importance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, citing biblical references and personal testimonies to illustrate the transformative power of...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek explore the concept of spiritual sloth, its consequences, and its contrast with viewing faith as an adventurous journey. They delve into how sloth, considered one of the seven deadly sins, leads to a lack of spiritual fervor and complacency. The discussion highlights the importance of perceiving and living faith as an exciting adventure filled with unknowns, likening it to travel where unexpected circumstances can either be a b...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss the dangers of lukewarmness in faith, inspired by an article from Simply Catholic. The episode delves into the spiritual hazards of indifference and compares it to silent killers like hypertension. They reference the Book of Revelation and the Church of Laodicea to illustrate the grave consequences of lukewarm faith. The discussion extends to practical advice on maintaining a fervent faith life through communion, ...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavina Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss the universal call to Holiness and its relevance in everyday life. They address common misconceptions, emphasize the necessity of God's grace, the importance of human cooperation, and the role of suffering in spiritual growth. The episode highlights practical steps for cultivating Holiness, including maintaining a prayerful relationship with God and staying focused on divine priorities amidst modern distractions. Time T...

In this episode of 'Real Living,' Lavina Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the often misunderstood concept of Holiness in the Catholic faith. They explore how the Second Vatican Council's document, Lumen Gentium, emphasizes the universal call to Holiness, making it clear that Holiness is not just for clergy or religious figures, but for everyone. The discussion touches on the principles of Holiness as described by St. John Paul II, including the necessity of God's grace, the need for perso...

In this episode, Lavina Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the significance of living in the power of the Holy Spirit. They discuss the reasons why being alive in the Holy Spirit is essential, especially in a world plagued by confusion and conflict. The conversation touches on signs of the Holy Spirit in one’s life, including an inner call to love, forgive, and serve others. They address the importance of forgiveness and overcoming past hurts, the virtue of patience, and the necessity of da...