The Luella Jonk Show

In this episode, I sit down with Sr Orianne Pietra René, a Winnipeg-born religious sister with the Daughters of Saint Paul who's bridging ancient faith and modern technology in the most unexpected ways. From her conversion to Catholicism at age 12 to a chance confession that changed everything, Sister Orianne's journey into religious life—and social media ministry—is anything but conventional.

I'll walk you through:

✅ How a random priest at a youth conference asked one question that redirected her entire life

✅ What it really means to "feed the spiritually hungry" through Instagram and digital platforms

✅ The deepest spiritual hunger women face today: the fear of not belonging and not mattering

✅ Why social media amplifies what's already broken in our society—and how to navigate it with grace

✅ The dangerous temptation of believing you're the savior instead of pointing people to Christ

✅ Setting boundaries in online ministry when vulnerability crosses into inappropriate territory

✅ How to "offer up" your suffering and make it redemptive instead of wasted pain

✅ The critical difference between virtual connection and incarnate, sacramental relationship

Whether you're struggling to find authentic connection in a screen-saturated world, wondering how to integrate faith into your digital life, or searching for meaning in your own seasons of suffering, Sister Orianne offers profound wisdom on bringing intentionality to every space we inhabit—online and off.

🔔 Remember: We are incarnate beings who need incarnate relationships. Social media is powerful in its place, but it will never replace the fullness of what we're called to. The dose makes the poison—or the medicine.

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Sister Orianne's relevant links:

In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Thomas Morrow, a Catholic priest, theologian, and author whose expertise in marriage and family has helped countless couples build stronger, more resilient relationships. With a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and decades of pastoral experience, Fr. Morrow brings both scholarly wisdom and practical insight to the challenges modern couples face.

From his bestselling work on overcoming sinful anger to his latest book Marriage for God's Sake, Fr. Morrow understands that lasting relationships require more than good intentions—they demand understanding, sacrifice, and the willingness to confront our own weaknesses head-on.

I'll walk you through:

✅ The hidden ways anger sabotages even the strongest marriages and how to recognize its patterns

✅ Why modern relationship advice often misses the mark on commitment and sacrifice

✅ Practical tools for navigating conflict without destroying connection

✅ How understanding marriage as a vocation transforms the way we approach partnership

✅ The role of forgiveness and humility in keeping love alive through life's inevitable challenges

✅ Why addressing our own character flaws is the secret to becoming better partners

Whether you're struggling with recurring conflicts in your relationship, trying to balance the demands of business ownership with showing up for your partner, or simply wanting to deepen your understanding of what makes marriages thrive, Fr. Morrow offers time-tested wisdom that speaks to both the spiritual and practical dimensions of love.

🔔 Remember: Great relationships aren't built on avoiding problems—they're built on having the courage and tools to work through them together.

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Fr. Morrow's relevant links:

In this deeply informative episode, I sit down with Michael Podhajsky, a canon lawyer who brings compassion and clarity to one of the most misunderstood processes in the Catholic Church—annulments. As someone who's been married for nearly 28 years and has walked alongside friends and family through divorce, I realized how little I actually understood about this process, which is why I sought out Michael on LinkedIn.

What struck me most about Michael isn't just his expertise in canon law—it's how deeply he cares about the people navigating one of life's most painful chapters. He approaches each case not just as a legal matter, but as an opportunity for healing, reflection, and ultimately, freedom.

I'll walk you through:

✅ What an annulment actually is (and what it isn't)—clearing up common misconceptions about the process

✅ Why annulments focus on the sacramental bond, not invalidating your entire relationship or lived experience

✅ The step-by-step process of seeking an annulment and what to realistically expect in terms of time and cost

✅ How children are never considered "illegitimate" regardless of the annulment outcome

✅ When you might need a canon lawyer versus working directly with your parish tribunal

✅ Why the annulment process, though difficult, can actually be profoundly healing and provide closure

✅ How truth-seeking through reflection helps people understand what went wrong and move forward differently

Whether you're Catholic and wondering if you need an annulment, supporting someone through this process, or simply curious about how faith intersects with the painful reality of broken marriages, Michael offers grounded wisdom and pastoral care. His reminder that canon law exists to serve people—not punish them—is a message of hope for anyone feeling stuck between their past and their future.

🔔 Remember: The annulment process isn't something to fear or avoid. With the right support, it can bring the closure and freedom you need to begin again.

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Michael's relevant links: