"The gospel is good news. And when you have good news, you want to share it with people. That's really why our faith should be relentlessly public, because if you have really good news, you just want to shout it from the rooftops. And I would encourage people to remember that it's that times a million when it comes to Christ's saving love." Join us for an inspiring conversation with Maria McCann, pro-life advocate and public speaker, as we explore what it means to live out our Catholic faith courageously in the public sphere.

Our discussion explores:

• Why Bishop Robert Barron calls Christianity a "relentlessly public religion" and what that means for everyday Catholics
• The spiritual challenges of pro-life advocacy and confronting cultural brokenness daily
• How to avoid both savior complex and abdication of responsibility in social issues
• Why changed behavior, not just changed minds, is the true measure of transformation
• The danger of "cafeteria Catholicism" and treating faith as merely intellectual assent rather than lived reality
• Practical steps to act yourself into a new way of thinking rather than waiting to feel motivated
• How proximate justice differs from utopian thinking while still pursuing meaningful societal change
• The importance of being equipped with solid apologetics to have effective conversations
• Simple ways to publicly witness your faith: praying before meals, crossing yourself near churches, wearing religious medals
• Maria's experience with Cardus's NextGen Fellowship for Christian young professionals

Maria shares powerful insights from nearly a decade in the pro-life movement, emphasizing that engaging in public life isn't just about political activism—it's about having mercy on our vulnerable neighbors and letting our hearts be broken by injustice. She offers encouragement for Catholics who feel intimidated about speaking up, reminding us that we can pursue meaningful change without expecting to create utopia.

This episode challenges the prevailing Canadian culture of niceness that discourages public expressions of faith, calling Catholics to remember their task as Christian citizens: to help see Christ's love and freedom preside over all aspects of modern life.

Resources:

Maria McCann's website: mariamccann.ca
For Life London Association
London Against Abortion
Cardus NextGen Fellowship: nextgen.ca

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