"Now the Mass is the center of our spiritual life as a family." | Heather Soderquist

Many years ago, Heather made a Lenten commitment that changed her life forever. In this episode, hear how Heather committed to spending time in the Blessed Sacrament chapel every day during a season of life when she was questioning the future of her marriage. Hear how Jesus not only restored, but redeemed her marriage, and the fuller life that she, her husband, and her children have come to experience because of the power of those prayers prayed in Jesus’ Eucharistic presence.

(00:44) We meet Heather Soderquist, a member of Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington Hills, part time youth minister, wife, and mom to five. She shares a bit about her family and the work she does in youth ministry. 

(02:18) Heather talks about the time she spent working in a medical lab, which she did previously, and shares how this job helped her discover ways to grow in her faith and memorize Scripture. She shares that this time, her husband lost his father and his job and describes the toll these challenges started to take on  their marriage. 

(06:49) Heather shares how in the midst of these difficulties, during Lent, she committed to spending time in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, which was available to her at work. She shares how during this time, she struggled to share the difficulties she was facing with others, but felt she could talk to Jesus about them and shared how, ultimately, she doubted the future of her marriage. 

(08:30) Heather shares how journaling her prayers was impactful for her. She describes how she wanted freedom from the difficulties of her marriage, but that by spending time in the chapel, she understood that God was not inviting her to pursue a divorce. It was this reality that led her to learn more about her faith and going to daily Mass and Confession. Through these changes, she started to see changes take place within her marriage and her heart toward her husband. 

(15:40) Heather shares how when she was determined to follow God’s will and not get a divorce, she thought she was submitting herself to a life of suffering; she explains how God was able to redeem her marriage. She talks about the ways her conversion experience started to affect her husband’s faith as well. 

(21:16) Fr. Mario highlights the power of sharing prayer with a spouse and with children, and notes the impact of Heather’s Lenten commitment to spending time in the chapel on the rest of her life. 

(23:46) Heather shares how she approaches prayer as a busy parent and how she and her husband incorporate prayer into their marriage. 

(28:28) Fr. Mario points out how Jesus is constantly revealed as a healer in Scripture and how he desires to heal our wounds. 

(31:00) Heather explains that sharing her story is important to her because she wants others to experience the fullness of life that she has found in Jesus’ presence, and in living according to his will.