A humming activity period sets the scene as we sit down with three alumni who chose to come back to Rockhurst High School and teach theology. What unfolds is a grounded, energizing look at how faith formation actually works in a Jesuit college prep: mentors who shaped their vocation, a curriculum that moves from Scripture to social justice and vocation, and a community that treats retreats, service, athletics, arts, and even BBQ metaphors as real places to find God in all things.

We unpack why formation is more than memorizing answers—it’s learning to ask better questions and training the mind and heart to hold them with patience, charity, and intellectual honesty. We welcome Mr. Jon Feder '10, Mr. Ryan McAnany '12 and Mr. Luke McLellan '00 who explain “identity before action,” the idea that you can’t know what to do until you know who you are, and how cruciform love anchors Rockhurst’s signature values of brotherhood, leadership, and service. They walk through the four-year sequence: freshman Scripture, sophomore tradition and sacraments, junior philosophy and ethics with tracks in world religions or faith-and-reason apologetics, and a senior year focused on social justice and vocation. Along the way, we talk about collaboration between theology, campus ministry, retreats, and service—and how the school evolves its methods without losing its mission.

There’s heart here too: stories about teachers who kept relationships alive long after graduation, a duct-taped cell phone, Kairos road trips, and the Z-Man sandwich that somehow sparks real ethics debates. Whether you’re Catholic, another faith, or simply curious about how a Jesuit education forms young people to think deeply and love well, this conversation shows how Rockhurst turns big questions into a way of life.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who cares about education and character, and leave a quick review with your biggest question about faith and formation. We read them all and might feature yours next time.