Nativity is one of the largest Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Arlington with 60 ministries and over 6K registered families. Your hosts, Father Ed Bresnahan (Parochial Vicar) and Mary Castellano (Director of Social Media) share how our parishioners deepen their faith in extraordinary ways by serving the community across the street and around the world. Listen today!
50. 3rd Sunday of Advent Reflection
How does one find Joy amidst anxiety? Fr. Bresnahan and Mary unpack this and the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent with special guest Lauren Nguyen and her 9-month-old daughter on the latest episode of The Nativity Podcast! Follow along with the Sunday readings here.
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49. 2nd Sunday of Advent Reflection
Joined by long-time parishioners, Wren & Marta Griffith, The Nativity Podcast presents the 2nd Sunday of Advent mini-series reflection! Follow along with the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent here.
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48. 1st Sunday of Advent Reflection
Back by popular demand is our Advent mini-series! Every Sunday this Advent Fr. Bresnahan and Mary will unpack the Sunday Mass readings with a special guest to help you enter deeper into this beautiful liturgical season. Our 1st Sunday of Advent reflection features Father Jonathan Smith, who served Nativity as a transitional Deacon in 2020. Follow along with the Sunday readings here.
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47. Honduras Mission Trip Stories
Listen to the powerful stories of this three-day exploratory mission trip with Father Bennett, Alison Fram, Rebecca Judge, and Ana Gonzalez. The purpose of this mission trip was to visit the El Colirio Clinic, which was built with funds from Operation Starfish. Our missionaries spent their time in various villages and communities building relationships with the Honduran people, witnessing their needs, and discerning how Nativity could continue to partner with the poor.
If you are a young adult (college-age or 20s and 30s) interested in joining us for Operation Starfish’s next mission trip to Honduras (July 7-11, 2025), please contact Alison Fram at afram@nativityburke.org.
46. Adoration & 40 Hours Devotion with John & Cheryl Ostrowski
Nativity parishioners John & Cheryl Ostrowski share why they are personally devoted to Jesus Christ in Eucharistic adoration. Listen to their powerful testimonies and sign up for one hour of Eucharistic adoration during Nativity’s 40 Hours Devotion from October 20-22, 2024. Learn more about this devotion and sign up HERE for 30 minutes of prayer!
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45. The Pannucci Family and The Fall Festival!
Steve & TusaRebecca Pannucci share how they participate in the life of our active Catholic parish with 2 small children, including being the chairs of the Nativity Fall Festival! Learn more about our Annual Fall Festival happening on September 28, 2024.
All are welcome!
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44. Special Religious Development & New Monthly Sensory Mass
Nativity’s Special Religious Development (SPRED) is a Religious Education program in which children who are developmentally disabled come together for spiritual catechists in non-traditional instructional methods. Learn more about SPRED at Nativity.
Beginning on Sunday, August 11th, Nativity will offer a monthly Sensory Mass for persons with sensory input challenges at the 1:00 pm Mass. This Mass will be on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Learn more online about the monthly Sensory Mass.
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43. LIVE from The National Eucharistic Congress!
9 Nativity parishioners share powerful thoughts and insights about their experience of gathering with 60,000 Catholics in Indianapolis to revive our worship of Jesus Christ fully present in the Eucharist. This episode features 4 interviews from July 18-20, including a special segment from our friends at Food For The Poor!
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42. The Tiago Family | A Nativity Family's Story of Perseverance & Following God's Will
Listen to the powerful story of perseverance and following God’s Will through loss and transition with Joe, Beatrice, and JJ Tiago!
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41. Update on Haiti & Operation Starfish | Featuring Jim McDaniel & Alison Fram
On today’s episode, Jim McDaniel offers the parish a highly anticipated update on the 12 Nativity Villages in Haiti as of April 2024. Jim has been the director of Nativity’s Operation Starfish ministry for 26 years, and Alison has led several mission trips with young adults. Get the full backstory of our outreach to Haiti in season 1 episode 1 HERE.
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40. Roundtable Disucssion | Palm Sunday | Featuring Erica & Luis Apaestegui
Listen to the final episode of our Lenten mini series with special guests Erica & Luis Apaestegui! Erica & Luis share how their faith has influenced their marriage, Erica’s introduction to Catholicism, and how they enter into Holy Week together. Check out this powerful episode today!
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39. Roundtable Disucssion | 5th Sunday of Lent | Featuring Matt Stockburger
“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat…” You’re probably familiar with this hymn, but what does the scripture actually mean? Listen as our guest, Matt Stockburger, helps us unpack the meaning of this week’s Gospel (John 12:20-33) and how we can apply this challenging lesson to our lives this Lent. Click here to read the blog post referenced in this episode.
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38. Roundtable Disucssion | 4th Sunday of Lent | Featuring Anna Marty
You may be familiar with John 3:16, but what about the rest of that passage? Hear how this famous scripture ties into the Lenten season in the 4th episode of our Lenten mini series! Follow along with the Gospel: John 3:14-21
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37. Roundtable Disucssion | 3rd Sunday of Lent | Featuring Janet Basseglia
Today we are joined by one of our beloved Nativity School teachers, Janet Basseglia! Janet helps us unpack the Sunday Gospel about the Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13-25) in this 3rd roundtable episode in our 2024 Lenten podcast series.
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36. Roundtable Disucssion | 2nd Sunday of Lent | Featuring Maria Ammirati
We’re going to the mountain tops! In this 2nd Sunday of Lent Gospel reflection we welcome our newest Nativity staff member, Maria Ammirati. The Gospel reading is Mk 9:2-10 (The Transfiguration)
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35. Roundtable Disucssion | 1st Sunday of Lent | Featuring your hosts!
Journey with The Nativity Podcast this Lent as we enter deeper into the liturgical season by inviting guests to have a roundtable discussion on the Gospel readings for each Sunday. This first episode features your hosts, Fr Bresnahan and Mary Castellano.
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34. Nativity is Pro-Life!
This special podcast episode discusses how Nativity Catholic Church embodies the Pro-Life message in all areas of parish life, featuring the Chairs of our Pro-Life Committee, Rick & Linda Loffredo, and our guest co-host, Father Bennett!
Pro-Life Resources:
Local Pregnancy Resource Centers
National March for Life – Friday, January 19, 2024
Virginia March for Life in Richmond – Wednesday, Feburary 21, 2024
Her Pregnancy and Life Assistance Network
Listen now!
33. Advent Mini Series | 4th Sunday of Advent Reflection w. Sister Donatella!
Each week of Advent, we invite one guest on the show to have a roundtable discussion about the Sunday Gospel to help you enter deeper into this liturgical season. Listen to our final episode on the importance of prayer, featuring Sister Donatella!
Listen now!
32. Advent Mini Series | 3rd Sunday of Advent Reflection w. Deacon Kelly
Each week of Advent, we invite one guest on the show to have a roundtable discussion about the Sunday Gospel to help you enter deeper into this liturgical season. Joining us for a powerful episode 3 is Deacon Kelly!
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31. Advent Mini Series | 2nd Sunday of Advent Reflection w. Father Bennett
Each week of Advent, we invite one guest on the show to have a roundtable discussion about the Sunday Gospel to help you enter deeper into this liturgical season. Joining us for episode 2 we have our new Parochial Vicar, Father Jonathan Bennett!
Listen now!
30. Advent Mini Series | 1st Sunday of Advent Reflection w. Anna Lisa Licud
Fr Bresnahan and Mary Castellano are back for another 4-part Advent mini podcast series! Each week of Advent, we invite one guest on the show to have a roundtable discussion about the Sunday Gospel to help you enter deeper into this liturgical season.
On our first episode, we have the new Coordiantor of Marriage Enrichment Ministry, Anna Lisa Licud!
Listen now!
29. Season 3 | Episode 3 | That Man Is You
That Man Is You (TMIY) is a national men’s ministry. Today we interview two leaders of the TMIY group here at Nativity, Tim Yeager and Bob Sands. They share about the transformative power of Catholic fraternity and how TMIY has personally helped them grow as men of faith. Click here to learn more about TMIY at Nativity.
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28. Season 3 | Episode 2 | Stella Marina
On today’s episode we interview Meg Hanrahan and Melinda Engelbrektsson, the founders of Stella Marina, a ministry that supports mothers in Haiti. Listen to Meg and Melinda share their incredible dedication to mothers in need! Click here to learn more about this ministry.
Listen now!
27. Season 3 | Episode 1 | No Hands But Yours
We’re back with season 3 of The Nativity Podcast! On this episode, Fr Bresnahan and Mary Castellano interview 3 leaders of No Hands But Yours, a Nativity ministry that serves food, clothing, and necessary supplies to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Click here to learn more about this ministry.
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26. Lenten Mini Series | Episode 4 | Holy Week & Easter w. Fr Bob!
In this final episode of our Lenten mini series, Nativity’s Pastor, Father Bob Cilinski, shares with us his insights on the power of Holy Week and the climax of Easter.
25. Lenten Mini Series | Episode 3 | The Raising of Lazarus
Rebecca Judge, Nativity’s Director of Youth Ministry, joins The Nativity Podcast as we discuss the depths of the Gospel reading about the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45) and how the lessons from this passage relate to our own lives.
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24. Lenten Mini Series | Episode 2 | The Blind Man
Fr Cedric Wilson joins The Nativity Podcast for the first time! Fr Wilson shares beautiful insights and reflections on the Gospel reading about The Blind Man from John 9:1-41.
Listen now!
23. Lenten Mini Series | Episode 1 | Temptation in the Desert
Fr Bresnahan and Mary Castellano are joined by special guests for a mini series on Lenten Sunday Gospel reflections! On today’s episode we are joined by Deacon Kelly to talk about Christ’s Temptation in the Desert.
Listen now!
22. Advent Mini Series | Week 4 | Anchored in Christ
In this final episode of our podcast mini series, Fr Bresnahan, Mary Castellano, and Alison Fram wrap up the discussion on Advent in a conversation about the true reason for the season: our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Listen now!
21. Advent Mini Series | Week 3 | Joy in the Desert
This week’s episode of our Advent mini series is on finding Joy in the desert. Fr Bresnahan and Mary Castellano are joined by Alison Fram to bring you spiritual enrichment every week this Advent season to help you prepare for Christmas!
20. Advent Mini Series | Week 2 | Preparing
Fr Bresnahan and Mary Castellano are joined by Alison Fram to bring you a 4-part mini series on the various themes of Advent! Tune in every week until Christmas for a conversation on prayer and practical tips to help you enter into this special liturgical season. This week’s episode is on preparing.
19. Advent Mini Series | Week 1 | Waiting
Fr Bresnahan and Mary Castellano are joined by Alison Fram to bring you a 4-part mini series on the various themes of Advent! Tune in every week until Christmas for a conversation on prayer and practical tips to help you enter into this special liturgical season. This week’s episode is on waiting.
18. Season 2 | Episode 9 | Bonus Episode with Your Hosts!
Fr Bresnahan and Mary recap the highlights of Season 2 of The Nativity Podcast!
17. Season 2 | Episode 8 | Nativity Jubilee Celebration
Fr Bob returns to the podcast to share about our 50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration, sanctuary renovations, and more!
16. Season 2 | Episode 7 | Walking With Purpose
Today we interview 3 ladies from our women’s Bible Study called “Walking With Purpose.” Erin, Jennifer, and Hope share how this community of women who journeying together through seasonal Bible studies has helped them grow closer to Jesus Christ and one another. Click here to learn more about this ministry.
15. Season 2 | Episode 6 | Deacon Kelly
We interview Deacon Richard Kelly, Nativity’s Permanent Deacon, on his vocation to both the deaconate and married life. We talk about his call to serve, his work with Nativity’s Bible Studies, and more!
14. Season 2 | Episode 5 | Pastoral Care Ministry
Today we interview Cat Sands, our Pastoral Care Minister, who brings Jesus to those who are homebound, walks with families as they say goodbye to their loved ones, and more.
13. Season 2 | Episode 4 | Theater Ministry
On this episode we interview Kimberly Siepmann, Director of Nativity Theater Ministry, about how theater can bring about a community that leads people to Christ.
12. Season 2 | Episode 3 | Creation Care
Happy Spring! Today we interview Kim & George Young from Nativity’s Creation Care Ministry on our responsibility to take care of our common home. Read Laudato Si’ here Click here to learn more about this ministry.
11. Season 2 | Episode 2 | Star Wars Day with Deacon Peter Clem!
May the 4th be with you! On this Star Wars Day podcast we interview Nativity’s Transitional Deacon, Peter Clem, on preparing for his ordination into the Catholic priesthood!
10. Season 2 | Episode 1 | Appalachia Home Building
We’re back with Season 2 of The Nativity Podcast! Listen as Bob Corsi shares the amazing work he and Nativity’s Knights of Columbus are doing to help families in need in Appalachia with the Appalachia Home Building Project.
9. Season 1 Finale | Episode 9 | Bonus Episode
Fr Bresnahan and Mary discuss their favorite moments & lessons learned from Season 1 in this bonus season finale of The Nativity Podcast!
8. Season 1 | Episode 8 | Becoming Catholic
Today we hear the powerful conversion story and faith journey of Ron Riggins, the leader of Nativity’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Learn more about how you can become Catholic today!
7. Season 1 | Episode 7 | Forever & Always
On this episode we interview Jennifer Sturgeon, Nativity’s Director of Marriage Enrichment Ministry, and her husband Mark. We discuss their journey together, their work with engaged & married couples, and more in this special Valentine’s Day Weekend episode of The Nativity Podcast!
6. Season 1 | Episode 6 | Conversation with a Counselor
Today we interview Catholic Charities Mental Health Counselor Marguerite Turner on ways to take care of your mental health, what to say to someone who may be struggling, and how the pandemic has changed the way we conduct mental health services.
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5. Season 1 | Episode 5 | A Powerful Week of Service
On this episode we interview 4 teenagers from Nativity’s Youth Ministry about their experience at WorkCamp, a week of service and spiritual growth for high school students hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Listen as our teens share their incredible testimonies from this powerful week encountering God!
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4. Season 1 | Episode 4 | It's Always Christmas at Nativity!
Our pastor, Fr Bob Cilinski, joins Fr Bresnahan and Mary in this special Christmas episode as we celebrate our patronal feast, the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas to our Nativity Family!
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3. Season 1 | Episode 3 | Welcome to the Family!
Today we’re talking about Baptism! Joined by Anna Marty, Nativity’s Baptism Coordinator, and Alison Fram, Director of Nativity’s Young Family Ministry, we’re discussing the beautiful sacrament of Baptism, offering practical advice for new parents, and welcoming you into our Nativity Family!
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2. Season 1 | Episode 2 | Faith for All Seasons of Life
On this episode we are joined by Diane Fields! Diane shares how her ministries have adapted over the years to fit with the ever changing stages of life.
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1. Season 1 | Episode 1 | It Makes a Difference to the One
On our first episode, we interview Jim McDaniel, Coordinator of Nativity’s Operation Starfish Ministry, which works with and serves the people of Haiti in partnership with Food for the Poor. Listen to Jim’s AMAZING story, and then share it with a friend!
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Pilot Episode
Get to know your hosts, Fr Bresnahan & Mary Castellano, in this fun introduction to the podcast and brief synopsis on what we hope to achieve
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