Lights, Catholic, Action!

In this episode, Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on 40 years of Catholic faith, sharing how Scripture, the Eucharist, and a renewed hunger for the Bible are transforming hearts across the Church. From the explosive growth of biblical literacy to the joy of welcoming his 26th grandchild, Hahn offers a hopeful, deeply personal look at why now may be one of the most exciting times to be Catholic.

From building massive glass installations around the world to creating Christmas traditions for local families, this episode reveals how art can draw people closer to meaning, wonder, and God. A glassblower, architect, and devout Catholic, David Gappa shares how molten glass, daily prayer, and family life came together to shape a vocation that blends faith, beauty, and craftsmanship in unexpected ways.  Learn more about David's work at https://vetroartglass.com/

'Memento mori', what does that mean? Estate-planning attorney Jenna Lusk—raised Catholic and formed at Texas A&M’s St. Mary community — explains how Memento Mori and good preparation (wills, powers of attorney, clear communication) spare families real heartache and reflect a life of faith. She also shares ways young adults can build Catholic community in Fort Worth (from personal invitations to post-Mass hangouts and monthly potlucks).

A lesson in relentless prayer. Author and speaker Tim Francis shares how his mother’s relentless prayers pulled him from addiction and a reversion to the Catholic Church. Through hard evidence, debates in his living room, and a startling documentary on modern miracles, his belief in the Eucharist was ignited. Now a nationwide speaker, he explains practical ways to “pray the Mass,” why daily sacraments change lives, and how his parish missions spark real returns to Confession, Adoration, and Sunday worship.

What if your Catholic high school sent you to work in corporate America one day a week while preparing you for college and deepening your faith? Cristo Rey Fort Worth President Dani Ray Barton shares how the school has grown since its 2018 launch. The school has over 300 students, 75 corporate partners, a new STEAM center, and alumni have landed full-time offers and generous scholarships. Additionally, Barton discusses concrete ways families and businesses can get involved.

Sharing her journey from public-school educator to diocesan leader, Dr. Melissa Millard is a champion for Catholic schools as places that form joyful disciples—not just strong students—by weaving faith into every moment of the day. In her new role, she focuses on growing enrollment and funding (especially tuition support and safety), so more North Texas families can access Catholic education and “set the world on fire."

From flaming batons and Miss America pageants to breaking some of DFW’s biggest stories, CBS 11 reporter Amelia Mugavero shares how God used rejection, late nights, and even the Dallas police ambush to lead her into a vocation of telling hard stories with courage and compassion. Hear how her Catholic faith sustains her through tragic events like the Kerrville flooding, the pressures of social media, and the chaos of live TV — and why she tries to live as a modern-day Esther, “born for such a time as this.

Growing up in a lively Catholic family of seven, siblings Julia and Michael Marincel share how their parents’ late conversion, homeschooling, vibrant Maronite parish life, and quirky traditions (like epic Easter confetti-egg wars) formed them into a sign-language interpreter for the Deaf community and a seminarian for the Diocese of Fort Worth. Hear how they wrestled with college, vocation, community, and staying faithful in secular spaces—and how God keeps surprising them as they learn to serve the Church in very different but beautifully connected ways.

Some of us are formed in the faith from a young age, while others come into the Church later in life. Behind it all are faithful staff and volunteers at parishes helping guide others to the truth of the faith and ultimately a relationship with Jesus. Behind them is Laura Nelson, diocesan Director of Faith Formation and OCIA and our guest for this episode. She talks about how she dove deeper into her faith and how the diocese encourages others to do the same.