In this special episode, Michele Kenaga, the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, fills in for Dr. Tom Neal and talks with Dr. Carmina Chapp about family catechesis and the concept of the "domestic church." They also discuss the importance of family faith formation and the challenges of implementing family catechesis in parishes, particularly in a secular culture that often pulls families away from faith.

Dr. Tom Neal welcomes Dr. Christopher Gawel back to the podcast to continue their discussion about understanding the religiosity of Gen Z. They discuss five key characteristics of this generation, including their view of science and faith, the importance of personal identity, the pursuit of happiness versus joy, the ethics of kindness, and their digital-native lifestyle. Dr. Gawel emphasizes the need for the Church to engage with young people by understanding their perspectives, providing opportunities for personal spiritual experiences (like adoration), and maintaining an authentic online presence.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Jennifer E. Morel about her experiences as a mother of two children, John and Joy, with a focus on her daughter Joy's special needs. Dr. Morel shares her journey of navigating healthcare, family support, and personal growth, emphasizing how having a child with Down syndrome has transformed her teaching approach and understanding of vulnerability. Through personal stories, she highlights how her children have taught her about flexibility, compassion, and the beauty of accepting individual differences, while also challenging societal norms about perfection and independence. 

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Jon and Maggie Peiffer about their faith journey, the challenges of praying together with young children and the importance of maintaining their faith. They also discuss the daily grind of raising a family and the role of faith in their marriage.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with returning guest Mandy DeVries about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) and its impact on children's spiritual lives. Mandy, a formation leader in CGS since 2004, emphasizes the importance of preparing children for sacraments like First Communion and Confirmation. She highlights Sofia Cavalletti's findings that children aged 6-9 can deeply engage with faith, and that early spiritual formation is crucial. Mandy shares personal anecdotes and insights on nurturing children's faith, stressing the need for love, patience, and respect for their spiritual capacities.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Chuck Marohn, Founder of Strong Towns, about the importance of place-based community development, drawing from his Catholic faith and personal experiences in Brainerd, Minnesota. They highlight the need for local investment and relational community building and reflect on Pope Francis's "Laudato Si'", an encyclical which gives insights on social justice and environmental impact.

Learn more about Strong Towns: https://www.strongtowns.org/

Learn more about the Civic Leader Summit in Pensacola: https://bit.ly/47RYlGg 

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Lenard Kelly about the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee's transition to Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation and family-centered faith formation. Dr. Kelly shares insights from his experience in the Diocese of Phoenix, which implemented Restored Order in 2005, emphasizing the importance of moving confirmation to an earlier age and refocusing catechesis on the family. He argues that faith is "caught more than taught" and that parents are the primary catechists, highlighting the need to move away from an "industrial conveyor belt" model of religious education.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Christopher Gawel about evangelization among members of Millennials and Gen Z, the challenges of religious disaffiliation and the importance of helping young people understand their identity as beloved children of God. They also discuss the need for parishes and families to create meaningful faith experiences and integrating service to others as a crucial component of faith formation.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Steven Serafin about the transition from traditional catechesis to family-centered faith formation and the importance of a parent's role in a child's faith journey. Dr. Serafin also highlights the Pathways program, which focuses on accompanying families through faith formation by creating intentional support networks, providing resources, and helping parents become primary faith witnesses to their children.

Learn more about the Pathways program: https://www.fflcm.org/

Dr. Tom Neal explores the concept of discernment in the Catholic faith, emphasizing its importance in understanding God's will. He discusses discernment as part of a larger divine plan of repairing the world and shares insights on making decisions, highlighting the importance of moral choices, detachment from personal desires and to unconditionally trust in God.