Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 56 minutes ago
For much of her life, but especially during the time when her husband was pastoring and her kids were hitting their teenage years, Lois Heron sought to incorporate fasting into her relationship with Jesus. Familiar with Christ's teaching in Matthew 17:21, Lois primarily thought of fasting as a way to reinforce a serious prayer request.
As she began to research more deeply into the question of fasting, she found in the lives of the saints a much more complex and rich understanding of its purpose: as a means of detachment and surrender, as an exercise to cultivate gratitude, and even as a way to practice self-denial in order to strengthen her will against temptation.
Watch more of Lois's story: chnetwork.org/journey-home/jeff-and-lois-heron-former-wesleyan-ministers
The Coming Home Network was established to help inquiring clergy and laity of various faiths -- or even no faith at all -- with fellowship, resources, and encouragement as they explore the possibility of becoming Catholic.
Find out more about our work: chnetwork.org
Join our FREE Online Community: community.chnetwork.org
Facebook: facebook.com/CHNetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/chnetwork
Instagram: instagram.com/cominghomenetwork
Support our mission: chnetwork.org/compass
For much of her life, but especially during the time when her husband was pastoring and her kids were hitting their teenage years, Lois Heron sought to incorporate fasting into her relationship with Jesus. Familiar with Christ's teaching in Matthew 17:21, Lois primarily thought of fasting as a way to reinforce a serious prayer request.
As she began to research more deeply into the question of fasting, she found in the lives of the saints a much more complex and rich understanding of its purpose: as a means of detachment and surrender, as an exercise to cultivate gratitude, and even as a way to practice self-denial in order to strengthen her will against temptation.
Watch more of Lois's story: chnetwork.org/journey-home/jeff-and-lois-heron-former-wesleyan-ministers
The Coming Home Network was established to help inquiring clergy and laity of various faiths -- or even no faith at all -- with fellowship, resources, and encouragement as they explore the possibility of becoming Catholic.
Find out more about our work: chnetwork.org
Join our FREE Online Community: community.chnetwork.org
Facebook: facebook.com/CHNetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/chnetwork
Instagram: instagram.com/cominghomenetwork
Support our mission: chnetwork.org/compass
