Catholic Education Matters

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet sits down with Marnie Wynans, a devoted Catholic wife, mother of five boys, grandmother of five, doula, and co-founder of the annual Catholic Women's Retreat on Quadra Island. Marnie shares her deeply personal journey through infertility, miscarriage, and the challenges of building a family, explaining how these difficult experiences strengthened her faith, deepened her trust in God's providence, and inspired her involvement in the pro-life movement. She discusses her vocation as a doula, accompanying mothers and families through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum life with compassion, practical support, and a servant's heart rooted in her Catholic faith. Marnie also reflects on the power of prayer, the importance of authentic Catholic friendships, and how a desire to build community led her to establish a women's retreat that has grown into a thriving annual gathering focused on spiritual renewal, fellowship, Eucharistic adoration, and deepening relationships with Christ. Throughout the conversation, Marnie shares how God can bring tremendous good out of life's most difficult moments and encourages families to embrace faith, the dignity of life, motherhood, and the beauty of living in service to others.

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In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, Troy Van Vliet sits down with Darryl Weaver, President of Vancouver College, to discuss his journey into Catholic education and his vision for forming young people academically, spiritually, and personally. Darryl shares how teaching science at a Catholic boarding school in Malawi transformed his career path, his experiences in public and independent education, and what ultimately brought him to Vancouver College. They explore the growing demand for Catholic education, the importance of a strong Catholic identity and moral foundation, the unique benefits of single-gender education, collaboration among Catholic schools, and the need for long-term financial planning and sustainable growth. Darryl also discusses Vancouver College’s major campus expansion, successful capital campaigns, future plans for its music program, and why families are increasingly seeking schools that prioritize character, faith, and helping students become better human beings. 

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In this powerful conversation on Catholic Education Matters, Troy Van Vliet speaks with Father Vincent Lampert, a Catholic priest who served as a diocesan exorcist for 19 years, to discuss the reality of Satan, demonic activity, and the Catholic Church’s approach to exorcism. Father Lampert shares firsthand experiences from his ministry, explains how people can become vulnerable to demonic influence, and emphasizes the importance of prayer, the sacraments, and a strong relationship with Christ. He also discusses how the Church carefully distinguishes demonic activity from mental or physical illness, why a person must freely seek help, and the different forms of demonic influence. Perhaps most importantly, Father Lampert explains the devil’s four-stage strategy of deception, division, diversion, and discouragement, while reminding listeners that evil is never greater than God’s mercy and power. The conversation ultimately offers a message of hope, faith, and the importance of keeping Christ at the center of our lives.

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This episode of Catholic Education Matters features an inspiring conversation with Dylan Drego, a Catholic educator, speaker, and creator of the Latin Prayer Podcast, as he shares his incredible journey of faith—from growing up in Dubai to discovering a deeper relationship with Christ through Catholic education, mentorship, and the rich traditions of the Church. Dylan reflects on the life-changing impact of prayer, the Rosary, the Latin Mass, and the Eucharist, while offering practical advice on raising children in the faith, overcoming vice through grace and sacrifice, and pursuing holiness in everyday life. Together, Dylan and host Troy Van Vliet discuss what it truly means to become a saint in the modern world, emphasizing that authentic Catholic living begins with prayer, intentional family life, and a wholehearted commitment to Christ.

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In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet sits down with veteran educator, actor, and filmmaker Jimmy Crescenzo, founder of the East End Boys Club, to explore how faith, mentorship, and authentic relationships can transform the lives of young people. Drawing from his own experience growing up without a father, Jimmy shares how adversity shaped his mission to help at-risk youth build confidence, resilience, and purpose through theatre, filmmaking, and life-skills mentoring. Together, they discuss the importance of strong families, the role of community in supporting the next generation, the unique strengths of Catholic education, and why placing God at the center of education and life provides young people with the foundation they need to flourish. This inspiring conversation is a powerful reminder that one committed mentor—and one caring community—can change the course of a life.

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In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet chats with renowned wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and St. John Paul II Academy parent John Banovich to explore an extraordinary journey of faith, suffering, resilience, and purpose. John shares the life-changing story of surviving a devastating head-on collision with an impaired driver that left him clinically dead, severely injured, and facing years of recovery and more than 140 surgeries. He reflects on how the experience deepened his faith, inspired his work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and led him to speak to over 100,000 students across Canada. The conversation also touches on John's experiences during the Croatian War, the lessons he learned about mercy and forgiveness, and how encounters with God's presence in the wilderness shaped his award-winning career in wildlife photography and filmmaking. Through powerful stories of survival, service, and spiritual renewal, John reveals how suffering can become a path to purpose and how the beauty of creation can draw us closer to God.

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In this special live panel discussion on the future and importance of Catholic education, host Troy Van Vliet brings together an outstanding group of Catholic educational leaders including Dr. Gerry Turcotte of Corpus Christi College and St. Mark’s College, Scott Roy of Catholic Pacific College, Anthony Walters of St. John Paul II Academy, and Mich DesLauriers for a thoughtful and engaging conversation about why Catholic education matters now more than ever. The panel explores the challenges facing young people in today’s increasingly secular and digitally driven culture, including loneliness, confusion around truth and identity, and the search for meaning and purpose. Throughout the discussion, the speakers explain how Catholic education offers students something deeper than academics alone — providing hope, authentic community, moral formation, spiritual grounding, and a clear sense of purpose rooted in faith in Jesus Christ.

Drawing from decades of experience in Catholic schools, colleges, and universities, the panelists share personal stories and powerful insights about the role of prayer, service, virtue, leadership, and authentic Christian witness in shaping young people. The conversation dives into important themes such as objective versus subjective truth, the importance of living faith through action, the integration of intellectual and moral formation, and how Catholic schools help students develop confidence in their beliefs while engaging respectfully with a world that often challenges Christian values. From classroom culture and athletics to service projects and daily prayer, this discussion highlights how Catholic education seeks to form not only successful students, but compassionate, resilient, and faith-filled leaders prepared to serve their communities and live with integrity in today’s world.

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In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet speaks with Mauricio Morales, director of Opus Dei’s Glenwood Centre in Vancouver, a vibrant character-building community for men focused on integrating faith into everyday life. Morales shares how Glenwood provides mentoring, spiritual direction, residence, and formation programs for high school students, university students, and professionals, all rooted in the vision of “sanctifying ordinary life” inspired by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. Through personal accompaniment, practical guidance, and strong community life, the Centre helps men grow in virtue, leadership, and purpose—especially amid modern cultural confusion about identity and masculinity. The conversation highlights the power of authentic friendship, mentorship, and living faith with intention, showing how small, consistent efforts toward excellence and integrity can transform lives and positively influence others in subtle but profound ways.

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In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet welcomes Dr. Geri Forsberg, a distinguished scholar in media ecology and communication, to share her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to earning a fully funded PhD at New York University and her work as a professor at Western Washington University. Dr. Forsberg reflects on the stark contrast between Christian and secular education, her efforts to build a faith-based community among professors, and her decades-long mission to reintroduce Christian thought into higher education. The conversation explores concerns about ideological influence in universities, the loss of moral and historical grounding in society, and the importance of restoring truth through education, publishing, and cultural engagement. Together, they emphasize the urgent need to bring faith, critical thinking, and a strong moral compass back into schools, while offering hope through grassroots initiatives, renewed scholarship, and a growing movement to reclaim the spiritual foundations of Western education.
 

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This episode of Catholic Education Matters features a rich and engaging conversation with Clay Imoo, a longtime youth ministry leader in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, who shares his journey from a non-religious upbringing to a life transformed by his Catholic faith after his conversion in 1993. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience, Clay discusses his current role supporting children, youth, and families across parish ministries, equipping leaders through training, resources, and mentorship. He highlights his passion for forming young people through authentic relationships, emphasizing that true evangelization begins with listening, accompaniment, and genuine care—captured in his key message that people won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Clay reflects on the pivotal experiences that shaped his vocation, including World Youth Day, his early involvement in parish youth ministry, and even professional setbacks that redirected him toward ministry work. He also shares powerful stories of impact, including young people who have gone on to religious vocations and leadership roles, underscoring the lasting fruit of investing in youth. The conversation explores the importance of strong Catholic identity in schools, the role of clergy presence and the sacraments, and how youth ministry helps foster openness to all vocations—priesthood, religious life, marriage, and single life. Blending insight, humor, and personal storytelling, Clay ultimately reveals a mission rooted in helping others encounter Christ and live a life of purpose, faith, and lasting impact.

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