Say Yes to Holiness Newsletter #369
Inspiration for the week of June 1, 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 Memorial of Saint Justin the Martyr!
Saint Justin Martyr was an early Christian writer and teacher. He lived in the second century and is known for defending Christianity. He used philosophy to explain the faith to others, but eventually he was killed for his beliefs and is now remembered as a martyr.
This weekend, we celebrated the Feast of the Holy Trinity in which we celebrated the the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
The Most Holy Trinity is one of the greatest mysteries of our faith.
One God. Three Divine Persons. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
A mystery so profound that even the greatest saints, including Saint Justin the Martyr, struggled to describe fully.
But the Trinity is not merely a doctrine to understand.
Rather, the Trinity is a relationship to enter. It is a life to receive, and a love to participate in.
Because the deepest truth about reality is that God is Love. A Love eternally shared between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
So, this week’s Food for the Head, Heart, Hands, and Feet will focus upon helping us live more deeply in the love of the Holy Trinity as we continue our journey toward holiness.
Food for the Head
“The Holy Trinity, the one true God, is of its nature unity, equality and love.” — St. Fulgentius of Ruspe
Our world is marked by division—arguments, competition, isolation, and confusion.
But at the center of reality stands the Holy Trinity—the perfect communion of unity, equality, and love.
This reveals something important—we are created in the image of the Trinity.
This means that we are created for communion, not isolation. We are meant to be a self-gift, not consumed by selfishness. We are to live in love, not division.
And the more we live in authentic love and unity, the more we will reflect the image of God within us. And as we do, the more we bear witness to the possibility of living in unity, equality and love. And when we bear witness, we become sources of unity, equality and love and can heal relationships that are strained and divided.
This is our opportunity when we live in union with the Trinity.
This week, resolve to seek unity in one relationship that has become strained or divided.
Food for the Heart
“The Father loves not only the Son, but also Himself and us, by the Holy Ghost.” — St. Thomas Aquinas
One of the most beautiful truths of the Trinity is that we are included in that love.
Because God does not merely tolerate us, He delights in us.
The same love that flows eternally between the Father and the Son is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and this means that we are not outsiders looking in, rather, we are invited into the very life of God.
Because the Trinity is not distant.
The Trinity dwells within us. The God who created the universe desires to make His home in your soul.
Pause and reflect on that reality.
This week, resolve to spend time in silent prayer simply resting in the knowledge that you are loved by God.
Food for the Hands
“Rise and hurry to the Church: here is the Father, here is the Son, here is the Holy Spirit.” — St. Ambrose
The Trinity is not merely something we think about.
The Trinity is Someone we encounter.
This happens most especially in the life of the Church at every Mass, every sacrament, every act of prayer, and every moment of grace.
The Father is who draws us close. The Son is who redeems us. And the Holy Spirit is who sanctifies us. Now, this does not mean that the Father is not part of the Son’s work to redeem, or the Spirit’s work to sanctify, or that the Son or the Spirit do not draw us close or redeem.
But the more we participate in the life of the Church, the more deeply we enter into the life of the Trinity, and as we do, we increase our capacity to be in union with the Trinity. And the more we are union with the Trinity, the more we can help others do the same.
This week, resolve to make an intentional visit to a church outside of Mass simply to spend time with God and to help others do the same.
Food for the Feet
“Today I put on a terrible strength invoking the Trinity, confessing the Three with faith in the One.” — St. Patrick
The Christian life is not easy. Saint Patrick knew this as his journey to faith was through his time as a slave in the land to which he eventually proclaimed the Good News.
He faced temptation, discouragement, fear, and many spiritual battles.
Yet Saint Patrick did not walk alone.
Neither do we.
St. Patrick proclaims in his famous prayer, “The Breastplate of Christ,” that our strength comes from invoking the Trinity.
The Father goes before us.
The Son walks beside us.
The Holy Spirit dwells within us.
So, no matter what lies ahead this week, remember, you do not face it by yourself.
The power of the Trinity accompanies you.
This week, resolve to begin each day by slowly making the Sign of the Cross and consciously entrusting your day to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Exhortation
“A great mystery, a mystery of love, an ineffable mystery.” — St. John Paul II
As we continue to contemplate the Trinity, let us be mindful that the Trinity is not a mystery that can be fully explained.
But the Trinity can be entered.
Never forget that the saints did not become saints because they solved the mystery of the Trinity. Instead, they became saints because they surrendered themselves to it.
So this week, receive the Father’s love; follow the Son, listen to the Holy Spirit, and allow the life of the Trinity to transform your own.
Because holiness is nothing less than participating in the very life of God.
Your Mission This Week
Seek unity where division exists
Rest in the love of the Father
Encounter God intentionally through prayer and the Church
Begin each day invoking the Holy Trinity
This week, continue to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to live more deeply in the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, so that together, we can tell the Master of Death, “NOT TODAY.”
All the best,
Christina
PS—Go check out my new book, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time is now available for purchase on Amazon.
Below are the Latest Happenings In the Say Yes to Holiness Community!
Check out my christinasemmens.com website.
The website is where I blog, so you can find out the latest by checking out the website. ALSO, if you would like to work with me or talk about spiritual direction, make sure to sign up for a FREE consultation. Looking forward to hearing from you!
The latest Say Yes to Holiness Online Retreat is still available!
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 #262
“Hope Springs Eternal”—1:1 with Paul McCusker, Senior Director Creative Content, Augustine Institute
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
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
THIS WEEK! I will be holding a Zoom Q&A to answer questions about my new book, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7pmCST.
Click here for the Zoom link to join the meeting. Also, keep sending your questions to me at: christinasemmens@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing you there!
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 reviews below to help you determine if you should pick up a copy today…
“Christina's book is both thoughtful and practical. I appreciate the careful attention to crafting a solid plan for reinvigorating and reenergizing parish life from from the 'ground up' - in other words, she writes with wisdom and experience about starting small and engaging individuals and small groups who can then passionately spread this message like fire. Helpful resource for anyone seeking to help take their parish community to a place of deep spiritual, practical, and holy love for the Lord and for one another!”—Matthew Koscal
“This book is for anyone who wants to see their parish thrive. Whether you are a priest or lay person, read Solving the Parish Puzzle for clear guidance on taking an average parish to the next level of discipleship. What we have been doing is not working. It’s time for something new. Semmens lays the groundwork so we can put the pieces together.”—Carol Wiget
“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.
And if you already have a book, please consider posting a review on Amazon as well.
To learn more, click here: The Catholic Leadership Puzzle