Say Yes to Holiness Newsletter #364
Inspiration for the week of April 27, 2026 and launch of revised website on FRIDAY!
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.
THANK YOU again for a PHENOMENAL Book Launch! My latest book, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, and One Leader at a Time ended up as a #1 Amazon New Release. :)
Also, this Friday, on the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, the launch of my revised christinasemmens.com website will be happening!
The new website will make it easier for anyone to connect and request an opportunity to work with me as a spiritual mentor or leadership coach.
Now that the PSA is done, here is this week’s newsletter…
Happy Easter! He is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Welcome to the Fourth Sunday of Easter, often known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Church invites us to reflect more deeply on the voice of Christ—the Shepherd—and our response as His sheep.
Because the reality is simple:
He is always calling.
The question is… are we listening?
As we continue to journey through this Easter season, this week’s Food for the Head, Heart, Hands, and Feet will help you recognize His voice, trust His guidance, and follow Him more faithfully on the path to holiness.
Food for the Head
“When uncertain about God’s will… we neglect things that are God’s will for us every day… Lacking answers about the future, we should prepare to receive them by living today to the full.” — Father Jacques Philippe
We often want clarity about the big things:
What is God’s will for my future?
What decision should I make?
Where is He leading me?
But in doing so, we miss something essential:
God’s will is already present in today.
The voice of the Good Shepherd is not hidden in some distant future—it is speaking right now through:
your daily duties
your prayer
the people in front of you
the opportunities to love
Clarity comes not from overthinking—but from faithfulness.
This week, resolve to be fully present to today—faithful in prayer, in your duties, and in loving those around you.
Food for the Heart
“Faith is above all a personal, intimate encounter with Jesus.” — Pope Benedict XVI
The Shepherd does not lead from a distance.
He calls you by name.
This means Christianity is not primarily about rules, ideas, or even good intentions—it is about relationship.
And relationships require time.
If you struggle to hear God’s voice, it is not because He is silent.
It is often because we are distracted.
The more time you spend with Him, the more familiar His voice becomes.
This week, resolve to set aside intentional time each day to be with Jesus in silence—no agenda, just presence.
Food for the Hands
“As Christ has His work, we too have ours… we must rejoice in ours also.” — Saint John Neumann
Following the Good Shepherd is not passive.
It is active.
Each of us has been given work to do—not just tasks, but mission.
And that mission is lived out in the ordinary:
your family
your work
your community
your daily responsibilities
Too often, we wait for something “greater.”
But holiness is found in what is already in your hands.
This week, resolve to approach your daily work with joy—as participation in God’s mission, not just obligation.
Food for the Feet
“Do not let the past disturb you… begin again with joy.” — Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Sheep don’t follow perfectly.
They wander.
They hesitate.
They get distracted.
And yet—the Shepherd never stops calling them back.
The same is true for you.
Whatever has happened:
mistakes
missed opportunities
sin
failure
None of it disqualifies you.
The only thing that matters is this:
Will you SAY YES now?
This week, resolve to let go of the past and begin again—immediately, joyfully, and without hesitation.
Exhortation
”Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.” — Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
“We firmly believe… that just as Christ is risen… so we too will live with Him.” — Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Good Shepherd laid down His life for you.
He knows you.
He calls you.
He leads you.
And where is He leading you?
To life.
Not just eternal life—but a life of:
peace in uncertainty
joy in suffering
purpose in the ordinary
love in all things
But you must choose to follow.
Not someday.
Not when it’s clearer.
Not when you feel ready.
Now.
Your Mission This Week
Be faithful to today instead of worrying about tomorrow
Spend intentional time listening for the Lord’s voice
Embrace your daily work as your mission
Begin again—no matter what
The Shepherd is speaking.
So this week, do WHATEVER IT TAKES to listen… to trust… and to follow…
So that together, we can tell the Master of Death:
“NOT TODAY.”
He is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
All the best,
Christina
Below are the Latest Happenings In the Say Yes to Holiness Community!
My newly revised christinasemmens.com website launches THIS Friday!
Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think, AND if you have been wanting to work with me in some capacity, please sign up for a FREE consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!
The Lenten Online Retreat is still available for you 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. If you are interested, simply go to the Say Yes to Holiness podcast (plus, you can find the podcast on Spotify and Apple) or watch the episodes on the Say Yes to Holiness YouTube channel.
Finally, if you 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:
Mercy, Peace and Exultation (April 12)
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
Update from The Catholic Leadership Puzzle
My new book, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time is now available for purchase on Amazon!
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, and is a compilation of the work I have been sharing on The Catholic Leadership Puzzle Substack.
I encourage you to read the review below to help you determine if you should pick up a copy today…
“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)
Again, I pray that you will consider purchasing a copy of the book. If you do purchase a copy, send me an email saying “I purchased your book” and I will make sure you are sent information so you can participate in a special “Zoom Q&A” about the book.
Also, I humbly ask you to consider posting a review on Amazon as well. If you do, I will enter you into a special drawing for a one hour 1:1 consultation with me ($250 value).
To learn more, click here: The Catholic Leadership Puzzle