Danielle and Fr. Steve interview Joe Balistreri, Director of Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Joe's life has been profoundly touched by the power of music, the beauty of God's creation and his desire to share this with others.

Rapid Fire Questions - 0:40

Question Discussion - 04:54

Joe's Testimony - 13:34

Discussion of the Unleash the Gospel Letter - 30:56

Episode Summary - 50:57

Episode 46: A Conversation with Joe Balistreri, Director of Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit

The Unleash the Gospel Pastoral Letter set the Archdiocese of Detroit boldly on a mission to transform joyful missionary disciples in southeast Michigan. Open Door Policy is a vessel for these disciples to share their experiences and bear witness to the life-changing power of Christ.

The name of the podcast, Open Door Policy, is a tribute to Blessed Solanus Casey, God’s doorkeeper, and it reflects on our need to let people walk into our lives and tell us their experience of God.

Join hosts Emily Mentock and Fr. Patrick Gonyeau to hear inspiring testimonies from disciples across metro-Detroit of what led them to Jesus and how he changed their lives.

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The role of Catholic schools in unleashing the Gospel must not be underestimated. Archbishop Vigneron writes that, “Our catholic schools must be training grounds for future saints.” It’s these training grounds where countless young people are invited to encounter Jesus, grapple with the tough questions, and grow into a wholehearted Christian worldview, where the dignity of the human person is consistently upheld. Listen to disciples in the Archdiocese who have been impacted by Catholic schools and have lent their gifts to the mission of Catholic education; and be inspired by Archbishop Vigneron’s vision of allowing Catholic schools to be the heart of the evangelistic efforts of the Church. 


00:00 We introduce today’s topic of unleashing the Gospel through Catholic schools by referring to Archbishop Vigneron’s strategic vision for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit, Unleashing our Catholic Schools and highlighting how Catholic schools play an integral role in unleashing the Gospel. 


01:28 We revisit our conversation with Fr. David Pellican, chaplain at Divine Child High School. We hear his dream of creating an environment where young people can authentically encounter Jesus through their experience at school. Next, we hear from Marlon De La Torre, Director of Evangelization and  Missionary Discipleship for the Archdiocese, who had a powerful encounter with Jesus during his time at Catholic school. He describes how, through Catholic school, he began to discover that God was real and  had a plan for his life.


08:27 Guest, Eileen Newell, who serves on the Catholic Schools Council for the Archdiocese of Detroit, shares about how her Catholic school was a space where she could ask hard questions and find answers in her Catholic faith. She goes on to share how her experience was not just intellectual or religious, but was full of a rich community and oriented her towards her commitment to promoting Catholic schools even today. 


13:37 We highlight that, at Catholic schools, each student is seen as a whole human person, a saint in the making. In a discussion with Beth Spizarny and Fr. Steve Pullis Associate Superintendent of Detroit Catholic Schools, Laura Knaus shares how, as an adult, she grew to deeply appreciate this aspect of Catholic schools: where she adopted a Catholic worldview, which holds each person as a reflection of God himself. 


17:49 We highlight Archbishop Vigneron’s desire that cost would not be a hindrance for any family seeking Catholic education for their children. Fr. Patrick Gonyeau and Eileen Newell reiterate this desire and they invite parents facing that challenge to seek solutions with other families, principals, and pastors, reiterating that a Catholic education is worth the investment, and a faith-filled education is worth our Church helping parents access for their children. 


19:58 We reflect on the exciting mission of Catholic education and the 84 schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit that are doing this important work of evangelization. For more information on Detroit Catholic Schools, visit detroitcatholicschools.org.

Bonus Episode: The Impact of Catholic Schools

Loss, as painful as it can be, is something we all will face in this life. And being thrust into a season of grieving can be disorienting and overwhelming. Yet, our faith in Jesus and his resurrection always gives us a reason to remain hopeful. In this episode, hear from three courageous women who have suffered tremendous loss yet, through it all, remained faithful and allowed grace to inform their grief.


0:00 We introduce this episode’s topic of grief, and contextualize it in the hope promised by Jesus and taught by the Church in her prayers and funeral Mass. We introduce https://www.unleashthegospel.org/episodes/episode-81-alex-lynch/ (Alex Lynch,) who lost her husband and shares how she processed this grief with her church community. 


1:36 Alex shares that her husband, Brian, was diagnosed with cancer about two years prior, and that, while he was in treatment, they suffered a miscarriage, and later, they believed they were unable to conceive, which eventually led them to discern becoming foster parents. As his cancer progressed, they were unable to continue fostering, but eventually became pregnant again, and welcomed their youngest two months before Brian passed. She shares how, after he passed, her parish community was a tremendous support that helped her get through that time of grief. She comments on how she makes a point to reach out to and support other moms who, so often, are suffering through trials silently and how grateful she is for those who still reach out to her.  


6:20 We introduce guest, https://www.unleashthegospel.org/episodes/episode-77-sheila-breen/ (Sheila Breen), who lost her husband, Kevin, to a rare degenerative disease. Fr. Patrick asks about her process of grief and she shares how it has been a season of tremendous grace. She shares about praying a prayer of surrender when her husband was first diagnosed, and that, while it’s been a time of great challenge, there has been a true outpouring of grace. 


11:51 Sheila shares that carrying a cross seems to simplify things and that all the unnecessary concerns seem to fall away. Although this season was incredibly difficult for her, she and Kevin trusted completely in God and depended on his grace in the sacraments. She shares that there is a peace she has felt since his passing that she knows comes only from the Lord. She goes on to describe how she and Kevin even grew to offer up suffering and, in doing so, draw closer to God.    


16:59 We introduce https://www.unleashthegospel.org/episodes/episode-52-teresa-tomeo-talks-about-media-and-answering-gods-call-in-our-lives/ (Teresa Tomeo), who shares about her experience of losing and grieving the loss of her mother at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares how she could see God’s hand over it, even though it was a tremendous loss. She notes the details of her death including the date and her peaceful passing as a grace from the Lord. While it was painful and they weren’t able to celebrate a funeral Mass as hoped due to the pandemic, she speaks about the support and guidance she received from her pastor. She shares about how God showed up through it all, even at her mother’s burial, and how she continued to trust in him.


20:42 We encourage those facing loss to reach out to and lean on their faith communities. We invite those listeners who aren’t currently facing loss to consider serving those who are grieving in their parishes. Thanks for listening!

Bonus Episode: Grief and Hope

Join Open Door Policy as we revisit the inspiring stories of guests who have responded to the call to share their gifts in service of their parish communities. Our spiritual homes at our parishes are supposed to be founded upon prayer and a culture of encounter with Jesus. Listen as your peers share how God is unleashing the Gospel through them by leading and serving in their parish communities. 


Show notes: 


(00:18) This mini-sode’s theme is introduced: unleashing the Gospel by leading and serving our parish communities. Joshua Ross shares about his role as worship leader and music director at St. Anastasia in Troy, and the power of worship. Our next guest, Curtis Simpson Jr., who serves as the Director of Evangelical Charity at Corpus Christi Parish, was drawn into serving his parish because of his love for the people in need. 


(05:17) Beth Allison, who currently serves as the Engagement Coordinator at St. Aloysius Parish, shares her story of moving from interior design to youth ministry. Her heart was slowly changed by encounters and encouragement from mentors in her life. She shares about the peace and joy she felt in transitioning into what the role God was calling her to. Josh Ross shares further insights into how he followed God’s call through the many years between starting piano at 3 years old, and now as an adult leading his parish in worship. 


(13:19) What can parish ministry look like? Our guest Beth shares about her work in administration, doing social media, volunteer coordination, and coordinating neighborhood outreach to people facing homelessness. Her gifts are put to use in a variety of ways.


(17:58) Elizabeth Spencer, who serves as the Parish Catechetical Leader at St. Anastasia in Troy, gives us a glimpse into her journey to serving her parish, from studying at Sacred Heart Major Seminary to a suggestion from her mother-in-law. Her time is spent focused on making her parish a family.  


Thanks for listening to Open Door Policy! Find more episodes at unleashthegospel.org/podcast

Bonus Episode: Called to Serve our Parish Communities

The process of discernment is oriented towards the life that God created you for—a life of holiness, and authentic happiness! In this episode, hear from joyful missionary disciples whose lives have been marked and  changed forever through a process of discernment, and allow their witnesses to inspire you and the way you live according to God’s mission for your life.


(00:00) Discernment helps us grow in faith, hope, and love. Learn how the process of discernment in itself can help one grow in holiness. 


(01:31) We hear from Open Door Policy guest, Marek Dziekonski and his process of discernment, during which he prayed the difficult prayer, “not my will, but your will be done.” He goes on to describe going on a long-term mission, the challenge of discerning that opportunity, and the way a wise person’s words helped him identify the Holy Spirit working in his life and discern.


(06:50) With Marek’s reflections in mind, we return to the thoughts of previous guest, Deacon Chris Beltowski who shares how encountering Jesus is critical to authentic discernment.


(08:23) Deacon Chris describes the feeling of wanting to be better early on in his marriage, and striving after virtue and holiness. He shares an experience of encountering Jesus through Theology of the Body and being transformed by that experience. It was then that his heart began to stir and seek to discern where God was calling him to serve, eventually leading him to the diaconate.  


(10:53) We note the way Deacon Chris met with a deacon to ask questions before taking any formal steps towards the diaconate, as a healthy, necessary part of discernment and highlight how detachment can be a good thing. We recall how Fr. Jake Vanassche offers a helpful perspective of “trying on a vocation.”


(11:47) Fr. Jake remembers an experience of serving as an altar server at the young age of 7 or 8 and  recounts how this began to plant seeds for his discernment of the priesthood. He goes on to describe how these seeds didn’t quite grow, but how God worked on his heart, over time.


(23:01) We challenge the common fear of being unhappy or unfulfilled in discernment by revisiting Michelle Piccolo’s testimony of discernment, who shares her experience of seeking God’s peace as a way to discern her mission and vocation as a consecrated virgin. She highlights the importance of seeking out information about what she was discerning. 


(32:25) We revisit Bishop Hanchon’s reflections, during which he shares how a medical complication aided him during his discernment of the priesthood, along with the importance of spending time before the Blessed Sacrament throughout the process of discernment. Through this process he began to understand how his vocation was a response to God’s desire for his life.


(35:59 - 37:27) We conclude by noting that the journey of discernment isn’t always easy, but is ultimately a pursuit of the true happiness God has created us for.

Bonus Episode: The Journey of Discernment

In this Open Door Policy mini-sode, we revisit some of the conversations with two of our guests who recognize and celebrate the importance of their grandparents on their paths to becoming joyful missionary disciples. Take a listen!


Show notes: 


(00:00 - 02:10) We introduce this epsiode’s topic, by highlighting the importance of grandparents in the life of Jesus and in the lives of the faithful. We introduce Kate Bryan, who shares her desire to be a joyful witness to the Gospel, by sharing her grandfather’s challenge to her: to be a strong witness. 


(02:11 - 04:48) We reflect on how our connectedness with our grandparents helps us understand that we represent our families of origin and our family of faith and note how our grandparents’ experiences of life across generations contain a unique wisdom. Former guest, Eileen Newell shares how her relationship with her Irish grandmother strengthened her faith.


(04:49 - 05:56) Calling back to the examples of Sts. Anne and Joachim, we invite all grandparents listening to remember their importance, authority, and unique role in sharing the faith. We also invite listeners to reach out to  their grandparents and celebrate the connectedness of family.

Episode 46: A Conversation with Joe Balistreri, Director of Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit

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