Say Yes to Holiness Newsletter #361
Inspiration for the week of April 6, 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of the weekly Say Yes to Holiness newsletter—designed to help inspire, encourage and accompany you on the path towards holiness.
Happy Easter!
Jesus Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Is there anything more that needs to be said?
In light of this great mystery, I will simply share Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet to help you meditate and immerse yourself in the great Mystery of the One who became like us so as to help us become like Him.
May these thoughts help you more deeply celebrate the beauty, joy and peace of this Easter week on your journey towards holiness…
Food for the Head
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is Risen and you are overthrown. Christ is Risen and the demons are fallen. Christ is Risen and the Angels rejoice. Christ is Risen and Life reigns. Christ is Risen and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being Risen from the dead is become the First Fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages.” — Saint John Chrysostom
In the reality of death’s defeat, how will we live out this Easter season so that the First Fruits are evident in our own life?
This week, resolve to live out the Easter season rejoicing with the angels and saints.
Food for the Heart
“Why should we today sing Alleluia, Praise the Lord? Because this day we are fed, freed, assured of the truth, and given promises of being endowed, in our resurrection, with the gifts of clarity, agility, brightness, and impassibility, which Christ showed in his resurrection.” — Saint Vincent Ferrer
As Saint Vincent reminds us, Alleluia means “Praise the Lord”! And why do we praise Him?
Because He has given us everything.
This week, resolve to give thanks to the Lord for all of His graces and blessings.
Food for the Hands
“At Easter, we rejoice because Christ did not remain in the tomb, his body did not see corruption; he belongs to the world of the living, not to the world of the dead; we rejoice because he is the Alpha and also the Omega, as we proclaim in the rite of the Paschal Candle; he lives not only yesterday, but today and for eternity (cf. Heb 13:8).” — Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that Christ is alive, and has been yesterday, today and for all eternity.
Although we are called to live with Christ for all eternity, we must begin now.
This week, resolve to begin living eternity with Christ today.
Food for the Feet
“If you suffer with Him, you will reign with Him. If you die with Him on the Cross of tribulation, you will possess the eternal dwelling place in the splendor of the saints”.—St Claire of Assisi
Saint Claire of Assisi reminds us that in the midst of all of life’s tribulations with its difficulties, challenges and disappointments, we are gaining possesion of an eternal dwelling place in the splendor of the saints.
This week, resolve to offer all of your sufferings to Christ so you may reign with Him.
Exhortation
”All I want to know is Christ and the power flowing from His Resurrection!” — Saint Francis of Assisi
Throughout this Easter week, make the words of Saint Francis your own.
May you continue to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to know Christ, so that together we can tell the Master of Death, "NOT TODAY!"
All the best,
Christina
Below are the Latest Happenings In the Say Yes to Holiness Community!
Our Lenten Online Retreat has now concluded, but it is still possible to participate!
This retreat saw us read the spiritual classic, Rooting Out Hidden Faults: How the Particular Examen Conquers Sin by Father James McElhone, CSC. This online retreat included a brief reflection and daily resolution that is designed to help you incorporate the use of a particular examen in your daily life to help you take the next step on our pilgrimage towards holiness.
If you are interested, in using this online retreat during the Easter season, you can simply go to the Say Yes to Holiness podcast (you can also find the podcast on Spotify and Apple) or watch the episodes on the Say Yes to Holiness YouTube channel.
Finally, if you participated in the retreat and would like to make a donation in support of the work associated with this endeavor, you can click the link below.
Latest Post on the Women of the New Evangelization (WINE) blog:
Harden Not Our Hearts (Mar 9)
Do Not Be Terrified (Nov 16)
Gaining Wisdom of Heart (Sept 9)
Guest appearance on the Equipcast Podcast:
"When God Asks, How Do You Answer?: The Power of 'Yes' with Christina Semmens
Article on Catholic365.com Platform:
We Are All Eucharistic Missionaires!
Latest episode of the Say Yes to Holiness podcast...
Episode #260—”Helping Your Marriage Flourish—1:1 with Katie Zulanas, Executive Director, Couple to Couple League”
Subscribe to the Say Yes to Holiness podcast!
You can listen to the latest episodes of the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts.
You can also watch the podcast on the Say Yes to Holiness YouTube channel
Click Here to Check Out All the Podcast Episodes
The Say Yes to Holiness YouTube Channel
The latest offering is available—the Lenten Book Online Retreat—”Rooting Out Hidden Faults” by Father James McElhone on YouTube—Click here to be taken to the playlist
The content found at the Catholic Leadership Puzzle is now going to be in a book!
Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, April 21st!
The book focuses upon how we each can help to create life-giving communities where we can become the holy men and women that God created us to be.
More information on preordering will be coming soon. In the interim, here is an endorsement of the book for your consideration…
“From my perspective, the value of Solving the Parish Puzzle is that it brings much-needed clarity and integration to a space that is often fragmented. Parish leaders, ministry teams, and disciples are usually generous and committed, but not always aligned around a common mission or framework. This book provides a language and structure that helps unify efforts, ensuring that what we do is not simply activity, but intentional participation in forming missionary disciples and building communities that truly accompany people toward Christ.
As a leader, what stands out is how the book reinforces that healthy ministries do not emerge from isolated talent or charisma, but from a disciplined commitment to principles that can be learned, practiced, and replicated. By identifying the twelve “puzzle pieces,” it gives leaders a roadmap for sustainability. It shifts the focus from short-term success or programmatic growth to long-term fruitfulness rooted in evangelization, formation, relationships, and accountability. That is exactly what is needed to form leaders who can endure, multiply, and build environments where others can flourish.
What I find most compelling is the insistence on integration and the rejection of the “Christmas tree” mentality. That diagnosis is both honest and accurate. Too many of our parishes are doing a lot but not always moving in the same direction. The call to rediscover the “why,” to place everything at the service of mission, and to intentionally build communities where people are known, formed, and sent, is not only helpful but also, urgent. The Church does not need more activity. It needs greater coherence, deeper conviction, and leaders who can align people and purpose toward the work of making saints.”
Cristofer Pereyra
Chief Executive Officer
Tepeyac Leadership Initiative (TLI)
I pray that you will consider purchasing a copy when it becomes available and posting a review on Amazon as well.
To check out more resources; click here: The Catholic Leadership Puzzle