In this episode of the Growing Hearts Podcast, host Lucia sits down with Margeaux Valdez, Religion Teacher and Mentor at Tangara School for Girls, to reflect on the powerful lessons from a recent service project in Cebu, Philippines.

Mags shares how travelling with 14 Year 11 girls to help local schools and communities opened their eyes to the deeper meaning of joy, gratitude, and service. From teaching hygiene lessons in mountain schools to painting murals and visiting orphanages, the trip offered moments of reflection and transformation — both for the students and their teacher.

Together, Lucia and Mags explore how authentic joy comes from relationships, community, and faith rather than material possessions, and how parents can help their children develop a generous heart and a spirit of gratitude in everyday life.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. The Power of Service in Education: How hands-on service projects help students grow in empathy, perspective, and gratitude.

2. Lessons in Joy and Gratitude: Discovering joy among people who have little, and learning how gratitude transforms our mindset.

3. Faith as the Source of True Happiness: Reflections on how faith and trust in God provide strength and joy, even in hardship.

4. Rethinking Success and Possessions: Why comfort and material comfort don't necessarily lead to happiness — and how parents can model detachment and simplicity.

5. Building Gratitude at Home: Practical ways to cultivate daily gratitude and resilience in children, through conversations, reflection, and simple habits.

6. Teaching the Value of Work and Sacrifice: Encouraging children to appreciate effort and responsibility, and to understand that blessings are meant to be shared.

7. The Gift of Being Present: How disconnecting from screens during the trip reminded students of the beauty of human connection.

Join the Conversation

We'd love to hear from you! How do you help your children develop gratitude and empathy?

What small acts of service have made a difference in your family life?

Do you think your children understand where true happiness comes from?

You can:

• Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

• Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

• Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

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In this episode of Growing Hearts, we are joined by Lourdes Mejia, Principal of Montgrove College, to explore how parents can accompany their children through the joys and challenges of growing up — while making their faith truly their own.

Drawing on more than a decade of experience, Lourdes shares wisdom on fostering authentic relationships with God, balancing freedom with family prayer, and helping children gradually take ownership of their faith. This conversation highlights how faith is first nurtured at home and how schools and parents can work hand in hand to create opportunities for young people to encounter Christ in a personal and lasting way.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Faith begins at home – why the family environment is the first school of love and the foundation of a child's relationship with God.
• Freedom and ownership – helping children grow in faith without it feeling imposed, and encouraging them to discover personal meaning in prayer and practice.
• Connecting faith and family life – breaking down the divide between "religious practices" and daily family relationships, so that loving God feels natural.
• Navigating the teenage years – how to embrace questions, challenges, and moments of doubt as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.
• The role of listening – why attentive listening and guiding with gentle suggestions helps children discover their own path to God.
• Hope for the future – Lourdes' vision that students grow into happy, hopeful people who know how to love, serve, and face life's challenges with courage.

Join the Conversation

Faith is a journey we walk together as families. It grows not just through routines, but through the everyday love, conversations, and examples children experience at home. It's something children learn to make their own, step by step. Lourdes reminds us that when parents live their faith with joy and openness, they give their children the strongest foundation to build their own relationship with God.

As you reflect on this episode, consider:

• How can I make prayer and faith practices in my home more meaningful and personal for my children?

• In what ways can I encourage freedom and ownership in my child's relationship with God?

• How can I create intentional moments of connection — whether over a meal, during a car ride, or on a simple walk — to really listen to my child?

• Do I trust that God is guiding my child's heart, even when I can't see the results right away?

We'd love to hear your thoughts! How do you accompany your children in their faith journey? Share your experiences and continue the conversation with us.

You can:

• Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

• Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

• Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this episode of the Growing Hearts podcast, we speak with Matt Aldous, Headmaster of Redfield College, about the deeper purpose of Catholic education. Matt reflects on how schools can be more than places of academic learning—they can become environments where students learn to encounter Christ in the ordinary moments of daily life.

Drawing on his experience as a teacher, leader, and parent, Matt shares insights into the habits and values that shape young people: love for prayer, the practice of confession, and the resilience to always begin again. He also highlights the vital role of parents, especially fathers, as spiritual leaders in the home, and how schools can complement this by offering opportunities for mentoring, sacraments, and personal growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The deeper purpose of Catholic education: how schools can help students encounter Christ in the ordinary moments of daily life, beyond academics.
• Love for prayer and confession: why these habits are essential for resilience, humility, and spiritual growth in young people.
• The role of parents, especially fathers: the importance of consistency and spiritual leadership in the family home.
• Faith and freedom: how fostering personal choice helps students develop a genuine relationship with Christ.
• The school as a community for families: how shared wisdom, sacraments, and everyday practices strengthen both students and parents.
• Living with hope: encouraging students to see each day as a new opportunity to grow, begin again, and discover God in the ordinary.

Join the Conversation

We'd love to hear your reflections on this episode! Catholic education is more than academics—it's about helping young people discover God in the ordinary moments of daily life.

• How have you seen schools support faith and character in your own family?

• Have there been small, everyday practice at home or at school—that made a big difference in your child's faith journey?

• How do you encourage consistency, prayer, or openness to God in your family life?

We also invite you to share stories of hope: times when you've seen young people rise above challenges, nurture a closer friendship with God, or simply take small steps that showed growth. These moments remind us that every new day is a fresh opportunity to begin again.

Join the conversation on our social media channels or leave a comment on our website. Together, let's inspire one another to nurture faith, resilience, and joy in the ordinary moments of family and school life.

You can:

• Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

• Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

• Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this episode of the Growing Hearts Podcast, Lucia Garcia is joined once again by Fr Sam for a deep dive into the sacrament of confession. Building on last episode's discussion on forgiveness, Fr Sam helps us understand why confession is not just about "telling God directly," but about loving Him in the way He asks to be loved.

Discussion Points:

• Why confession is more than a formality — it's God's chosen way of healing us.

• The "battle at the confessional door" and why saying our sins out loud matters.

• How confession restores us completely — as if the sin never happened.

• The power of hearing the words of absolution spoken aloud.

• Practical tips for overcoming hesitation, shame, or nerves when approaching the sacrament.

• Confession as a doorway to spiritual direction and growing deeper in love with God.

Fr Sam also shares insights on how going to confession regularly helps us live a freer, humbler, and more merciful life. He reminds us that confession isn't about perfectionism but about being at peace with who we are, trusting in God's boundless mercy.

Join the Conversation

Confession can feel intimidating, but it's one of the most profound ways we encounter God's love. As Fr Sam reminds us, God doesn't just forgive reluctantly — He restores us completely.

Take a moment to reflect:

• What holds me back from going to confession more regularly?

• How have I experienced healing or peace after confession?

• In what ways can I encourage others to see confession as a gift rather than a burden?

We'd love to hear your thoughts! Share your reflections with us and join the conversation.

You can:

• Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

• Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

• Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this episode, we are joined by Chehade Richa, a father, mentor, and teacher. Together, we delve into how parental reactions influence children's emotional development and worldview. We discuss the significance of consistency and authenticity in parenting to prevent fostering a 'two-faced' nature in kids. Discover how building trust and open communication, along with virtues like charity and patience, can create a nurturing environment for your children.

• Parental Reactions as a crucial factor in shaping children's emotional development and worldview.

• The importance of being truly present, investing time, and sharing personal stories to build trust.

• Integrating virtues, such as charity, patience, and forgiveness into parenting practices to nurture character and resilience in children, balancing love and expectations.

  You can:

  • Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

  • Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

  • Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

  Remember to hit FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes!

In this episode of the Growing Hearts Podcast, Father Sam explores the deeply human and deeply divine reality of forgiveness. He talks about why forgiveness is so central to the Christian faith, why it can feel so hard, and how it shapes our relationships — especially in family life.

Father Sam shares personal reflections, gospel stories, and practical insights to help us see forgiveness not just as a duty, but as a path to healing and true freedom.

Discussion Points:

• Why Forgiveness Is Necessary

Without forgiveness, we remain tied to the people or events that hurt us, trapped in what Father Sam calls a "victim mentality."

• Forgiveness in the Christian Faith

At the heart of Christianity is God's unconditional forgiveness, most powerfully shown on the cross.

Christians are called to forgive without limits, because we have first been forgiven.

• Divine Forgiveness vs. Human Forgiveness

God forgives fully, restores us completely, and forgets our sins because of His love.

Human forgiveness can be incomplete; we often struggle to truly let go.

• The Role of Feelings and the Challenge of Letting Go

Forgiveness isn't always about feeling ready; it's often a choice before it becomes a feeling.

Sometimes people hold on to hurt because it gives a sense of identity or emotional power.

• Forgiveness in the Family

The home is the first place children learn what forgiveness looks like.

True forgiveness in families includes mercy and helping each other grow into better people.

Parents shouldn't fear hurting their kids by setting expectations — children need to see love, joy, and a call to something greater.

Join the Conversation

Forgiveness isn't just about forgetting or excusing what happened — it's about choosing freedom and love over resentment. Father Sam invites us to see forgiveness not as a one-time decision, but as a process that draws us closer to God and makes us more like Him.

Reflect on these questions and share your thoughts with us:

• When have I experienced real forgiveness — either giving or receiving — and how did it change me?

• What does forgiveness look like in my family? Do we make space for both mercy and growth?

• How can I help my children — or those around me — experience forgiveness as something healing and hopeful?

We'd love to hear your stories. Share your reflections and keep the conversation going with us!

You can:

• Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

• Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

• Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this episode, Fr Phil and Fr Paul explore what kids need most from their parents, emphasizing the importance of understanding reality and the imperfect love we receive. We discuss how parents can instil faith, beauty, and hope in their children, and how to be a living example of joy and faith. Learn practical tips on teaching young kids to pray, create family traditions, and broaden your teenagers' horizons. Discover the profound impact of showing children that life can be awesome.

Discussion Points:

• The importance of giving children experiences of beauty to open their perspectives.

• How to promote a Living Faith: with naturalness and freedom.

• How to help children understand that God is alive, and we can talk to Him through simple prayers.

• The importance of knowing that suffering is a reality that can exist alongside hope.

• The importance of expanding teenagers' horizons and the meaning of self-giving.

Join the Conversation!

You can:

• Follow us on Instagram @thegrowingheartspodcast

• Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

• Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this heartfelt and lively conversation, Fr. Phil and Fr. Paul dive into the life and message of St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, to explore what it truly means to become a saint in everyday life. With wit, honesty, and real-life examples, they dismantle the myth of the saint as a "spiritual superhero" and propose something far more attainable—and transformative: holiness through ordinary life.

This episode touches on why sanctity isn't about doing something extraordinary, but about allowing God to work in us, especially through our work, our relationships, and even our study habits. Whether you're a student stressed about exams or a parent guiding your child's formation, this episode offers clarity and hope rooted in the deep message of divine filiation: you are a beloved child of God.

Discussion Points:

• How the vision of Opus Dei reframes daily work and study as pathways to holiness.

• The connection between childlike trust and spiritual growth.

• The concept of gift-mentality and rediscovering wonder in ordinary life.

• Study as prayer and service: practical tips for students.

• What schools inspired by St. Josemaria try to cultivate: personal mentoring, deep friendship, and family involvement.

• How one-on-one relationships reflect the Gospel pattern of encounter, and how Jesus models this personal, loving attention.

Join the Conversation

Do you sometimes feel like holiness is out of reach or only for a select few?

How have you experienced God working through your ordinary, everyday responsibilities?

If you're a parent or educator, how do you help children see their work and life as a path to holiness?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts or questions by emailing us at [insert contact info], or join the discussion on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

Other Resources:

Who is St Josemaría Escriva? What is Opus Dei?

The Heart of Work: St Josemaría's vision

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this heartwarming and laughter-filled episode, Ponch sits down with two sisters, Lucia "Cia" and Anica, to explore the beautiful (and sometimes chaotic!) reality of growing up in a family of four daughters. Together, they reflect on the shared memories, road trips, dinner table conversations, and life lessons that shaped them.

From pillow forts and Macca's breakfasts to intentional parenting and the power of saying "I'm sorry," this episode dives deep into how family culture, communication, and individual respect laid the foundation for strong sibling bonds and personal growth.

Whether you're a parent, sibling, or just someone reflecting on your own upbringing, this episode will remind you that the little moments—when approached with love, presence, and intention—are what ultimately form the strongest family ties.

Discussion Points:

• How everyday moments like family meals, road trips, and kitchen time can become lasting sources of connection and joy.

• Exploring how a home filled with four sisters stayed grounded through open dialogue, mutual support, and intentional parenting.

• The normal ups and downs of sibling life, and how choosing to say sorry and forgive quickly helps preserve relationships.

• Why it matters when children, especially teen, feel their opinions and feelings are genuinely considered—whether it's choosing a house or navigating social situations.

• How doing chores, being relied on, and helping one another builds a sense of ownership and unity within the family.

• Celebrating the beauty of unique personalities and different career paths—all nurtured under one roof without comparisons or competition.

Join the Conversation

We'd love to hear from you!

What are some of your favorite childhood memories with your siblings or family? Have you experienced moments when your parents (or you as a parent) made space for dialogue and understanding? How do you encourage individuality while keeping family unity strong?

🎧 Share your thoughts with us on social media or send us a message—we might feature your story in a future episode!

💬 Message us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

📩 Or send us an email at [email protected]

👩‍👧‍👦 Know a parent who needs to hear this? Share the episode!

You can:

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

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In this episode of the Growing Hearts Podcast, we delve into the challenges and opportunities of nurturing faith during the teenage years. Our special guest, Seb James, shares his personal journey and insights from his extensive experience working with teenagers. Seb, a journalist and director of the Nairana Study Centre, discusses the importance of faith, the role of parents and mentors, and how to support teenagers in their spiritual and personal growth.

Discussion Points:

Challenges Teenagers Face Today:

• Identity and the need for unconditional love.

• Influence of social media, technology, and peer pressure.

• Helping young people understand their true identity and worth as children of God.

Role of Parents and Mentors:

• Building loving and trusting relationships with teenagers.

• Setting boundaries and providing guidance.

• Importance of fathers spending quality time with their sons.

Support Systems for Teenagers:

Seb shares the activities and intentional programs offered at Nairana Study Centre, including:

• Optimal Work Sessions

• Study time

• Community Service trips and Local service initiatives

Openness at the Study Centre

Seb acknowledges that some parents may have concerns or questions—and that's a good thing:

• "It is okay to have worries and doubts—it is a very natural thing. We want parents to be very concerned; they need to know what we are doing."

To foster this trust, Nairana organises regular events to engage with parents:

• "That's why in these places we have a lot of days or activities where we get parents to come and we try to explain what we are trying to do. For example, at the end of every school term, we have a night where we explain what Opus Dei is (…)"

For families of all backgrounds:

• "We believe also, if you are non-Christian or Catholic, that these activities will help your son grow in virtue, become a man of character."

He warmly invites parents to engage in person:

• "If you have doubts or concerns, please come and visit us. I'm very happy to sit and talk."

Resources Mentioned

• Nairana Study Centre

• Mirrabooka Study Centre

• Optimal Work

Join the Conversation

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Share your experiences and insights on nurturing faith during the teenage years. How have you supported your teenagers in their spiritual and personal growth? What challenges have you faced, and what strategies have worked for you? Join the conversation on our social media channels or leave a comment on our website.

You can:

• Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

• Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

• Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes