In this special episode, Michele Kenaga, the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, fills in for Dr. Tom Neal and talks with Dr. Carmina Chapp about family catechesis and the concept of the "domestic church." They also discuss the importance of family faith formation and the challenges of implementing family catechesis in parishes, particularly in a secular culture that often pulls families away from faith.

Dr. Tom Neal welcomes Dr. Christopher Gawel back to the podcast to continue their discussion about understanding the religiosity of Gen Z. They discuss five key characteristics of this generation, including their view of science and faith, the importance of personal identity, the pursuit of happiness versus joy, the ethics of kindness, and their digital-native lifestyle. Dr. Gawel emphasizes the need for the Church to engage with young people by understanding their perspectives, providing opp...

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Jennifer E. Morel about her experiences as a mother of two children, John and Joy, with a focus on her daughter Joy's special needs. Dr. Morel shares her journey of navigating healthcare, family support, and personal growth, emphasizing how having a child with Down syndrome has transformed her teaching approach and understanding of vulnerability. Through personal stories, she highlights how her children have taught her about flexibility, compassion, and the beauty ...

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Jon and Maggie Peiffer about their faith journey, the challenges of praying together with young children and the importance of maintaining their faith. They also discuss the daily grind of raising a family and the role of faith in their marriage.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with returning guest Mandy DeVries about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) and its impact on children's spiritual lives. Mandy, a formation leader in CGS since 2004, emphasizes the importance of preparing children for sacraments like First Communion and Confirmation. She highlights Sofia Cavalletti's findings that children aged 6-9 can deeply engage with faith, and that early spiritual formation is crucial. Mandy shares personal anecdotes and insights on nurturing c...

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Chuck Marohn, Founder of Strong Towns, about the importance of place-based community development, drawing from his Catholic faith and personal experiences in Brainerd, Minnesota. They highlight the need for local investment and relational community building and reflect on Pope Francis's "Laudato Si'", an encyclical which gives insights on social justice and environmental impact. Learn more about Strong Towns: https://www.strongtowns.org/ Learn more about the Civic Lead...

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Lenard Kelly about the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee's transition to Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation and family-centered faith formation. Dr. Kelly shares insights from his experience in the Diocese of Phoenix, which implemented Restored Order in 2005, emphasizing the importance of moving confirmation to an earlier age and refocusing catechesis on the family. He argues that faith is "caught more than taught" and that parents are the primary catech...

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Christopher Gawel about evangelization among members of Millennials and Gen Z, the challenges of religious disaffiliation and the importance of helping young people understand their identity as beloved children of God. They also discuss the need for parishes and families to create meaningful faith experiences and integrating service to others as a crucial component of faith formation.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Steven Serafin about the transition from traditional catechesis to family-centered faith formation and the importance of a parent's role in a child's faith journey. Dr. Serafin also highlights the Pathways program, which focuses on accompanying families through faith formation by creating intentional support networks, providing resources, and helping parents become primary faith witnesses to their children. Learn more about the Pathways program: https://www.fflcm.o...

Dr. Tom Neal explores the concept of discernment in the Catholic faith, emphasizing its importance in understanding God's will. He discusses discernment as part of a larger divine plan of repairing the world and shares insights on making decisions, highlighting the importance of moral choices, detachment from personal desires and to unconditionally trust in God.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Jacy Johnson about the theological concept of "The New Creation" and how the gospel is rooted in the Old Testament. They also discuss how God is both a creator and a recreator, how God creates out of love, can bring good from evil, and offers a new order of existence through the resurrection.

Dr. Tom Neal welcomes Fr. Dustin Feddon back to continue their discussion on the legacy and impact of Pope Francis. They highlight Pope Francis's unique approach, emphasizing mercy, synodality, and pastoral care. They reflect on his first words as Pope, his interactions with migrants, and his pastoral letters. The conversation also touches on the transition to Pope Leo XIV, noting his organizational skills and continuation of Francis's synodal approach.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Father Gavin Vavrek about three significant diocesan initiatives: adult faith formation, family-centered catechesis, and changing the age of confirmation from ninth grade to the age of discretion. Drawing from his experience in the Diocese of Tyler, Fr. Vavrek explains these changes aim to create a more holistic approach to faith development, transforming youth ministry from sacramental preparation to genuine discipleship and helping families more deeply engage with t...

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Luke Arredondo about Pope Leo XIII's influence on contemporary Catholic theology, his significant contributions to the church and his efforts to balance church and state relations. They also discuss Pope Francis's successor, Pope Leo XIV, and his potential engagement with modern issues like AI, drawing parallels to Pope Leo XIII's approach to the Industrial Revolution.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Fr. Dustin Feddon about Pope Francis's legacy and impact on the Catholic church, his approach to bringing the church closer to the laity's lived experiences, and his willingness to engage with complex human realities.

Dr. Tom Neal reflects on the significance of the cross in the Christian faith, the liturgical practices of the Easter Triduum and embracing the transformative power of the cross.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Fr. Doug Martin about hearing confessions for twelve consecutive hours, his experiences with reconciliation as a Catholic convert and as a Catholic priest and words of encouragement to Catholics who don't regularly go to confession.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dcn. James Keating about his faith background, why prayer should be taken seriously, the power of external silence while praying and how to bring prayer into married life.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Austin Ashcraft about using nature and the outdoors as a teaching method, empowering young people to take risks, the importance of failure as a learning tool and how it connects to the Christian faith. Learn more about Austin Ashcraft: https://bit.ly/3F540MW

In his latest teaching episode, Dr. Tom Neal gives a lesson on the history of Lent, the purpose of fasting and different ways to practice it.