What does it really mean to live an integrated faith life? In this powerful bonus episode, Father John Gribowich sits down with Cindy Black, a 26-year veteran of Catholic ministry, for an intimate conversation about discovering God in unexpected places and people.

Cindy shares her compelling journey from a "porta crib Catholic" who rarely attended Mass to becoming a passionate minister serving in youth ministry, diocesan leadership, Catholic radio, and parish evangelization. But this isn't just another conversion story, it's a profound exploration of how God shows up in bar conversations with atheists, friendships with those the church has wounded, and the sacred space of simply listening without agenda.

Through raw honesty and vulnerability, Cindy and Father John tackle the messy realities of ministry today moving beyond "winning arguments" to genuine encounter, and recognizing that every person, regardless of their beliefs or lifestyle, reveals something about the mystery of God's love.

If you've ever felt that your strongest encounters with God happened outside traditional church settings, or if you're wrestling with how to authentically love people the church has marginalized, this conversation will resonate deeply.

Finding Faith Through Witness (0:00 - 7:00)

From Relational Ministry to Radical Love (7:00 - 14:00)

God in the Margins (14:00 - 22:00)

Accompaniment Over Conversion (22:00 - 31:00)

Formation as Transformation (31:00 - 40:00)

The Art of Accompaniment (40:00 - 52:00)

Cindy Black has served in Catholic ministry for 26 years across multiple roles including youth ministry director, diocesan director of youth and young adult ministry (9 years), Catholic radio station team member (8 years), and currently serves in the Office of Evangelization at her home parish in Indiana. She specializes in accompanying those becoming Catholic and teaches Theology of the Body. Cindy is known for her radical openness to encountering God in unexpected people and places, and her commitment to witnessing God's love without judgment or agenda.

Memorable Quotes

"The truth isn't a set of moral ideals. The truth is a person whose identity is love." - Cindy Black

"If every relationship and every encounter I want what's best for the person in front of me that's made in the image and likeness of God, whether they believe it or not, or believe in God or not... the world would be transformed." - Cindy Black

"God is either everything, Christ is either everything or he is nothing." - Father John

"My job in ministry is to be witnesses... and to not be an obstacle to get in the way of what the Lord wants to do in somebody." - Cindy Black

"The most prophetic way to live the Christian life in the context we're living in today is to radically listen without agenda when we encounter people." - Father John

"We've forgotten that we belong to each other." - Mother Teresa (quoted by Cindy)

"Modern man listens more to witnesses than teachers. And if we listen to teachers, it's because they're first witnesses." - Pope Paul VI (quoted by Cindy)

Books & Teachings

Catholic Programs

Key People Mentioned

Theological Concepts

Learn More About the Discipleship Study: Religion to Reality is built on comprehensive research into how Catholics are living their faith today. Visit our website for more details and resources from the study.