The Real + True Podcast

“I'm convinced most of our problems in catechesis is we spend more time talking about what God wants of us than who God is.” Deacon Bob Rice, professor of Catechetics at Franciscian University of Steubenville, joins us to dive into the heart of catechesis, what our youth are most hungry for, how we can share the Gospel with those far from God, and how to make the bridge between dogma and everyday life. “They all need Jesus. They just don't know they need Jesus.” 

Show Notes: 
(00:12) Edmund kicks off the episode by introducing the guest: Deacon Bob Rice. He's a Catholic deacon, professor, podcaster, speaker, musician, and author at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Edmund starts the conversation by asking Deacon Bob, “How did you first discover the Catechism?” Deacon Bob shares his mystical experience while reading the Catechism for the first time, and emphasizes that it's an expression of the deposit of faith and not the deposit of faith itself.

(06:50) The importance of the preparation step: “Catechesis is oftentimes almost presented like an answer to a question no one was asking.” Deacon Bob and Edmund discuss the Ecclesial method and the importance of preparation in catechesis. They stress the need to understand the audience and their struggles instead of focusing solely on programs. Deacon Bob emphasizes that we need to see the goodness in people and treat catechesis as a way to build relationships and understand their needs.

(14:55) “How do you know when it’s time to talk about Jesus?” Deacon Bob emphasizes that building relationships and understanding people is key to evangelizing effectively. He reminds us that everyone is made in the image and likeness of God and shares the importance of seeing the good in others. “Culture is made up of men and women who are made in the image and likeness of God.“ =

(20:33) Formally handing on the faith: advice to parents, teachers, and catechists. Dcn. Rice gives us his insights into how to bring “dogma into everyday life.” He shares, “love how the Catechism is structured. Morality is called Life in Christ. So it's about being like Jesus.” He gives us three things to keep in mind: First, “Always make it about Jesus.”  Second, use the beauty of your own witness and that of the saints. Third, connect everything to the Gospel message.

(26:57) “What do you see as the hunger in our youth?” Our guest shares that he sees human contact as the greatest hunger right now with young people. Additionally, he adds “truth and being able to trust the source” are dynamics young people struggle with right now.   

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Emily and Edmund welcome John Galvan, Vice President of Assessments at the National Catholic Education Association. John has served in Catholic ministry for many years and brings to the podcast a wealth of wisdom and fever for sharing the Catholic faith. Together with our host, he discusses the power of experiences, practical ways to share the faith in your home, and what’s giving him hope these days.   

Shownotes: 

(00:04) Edmund and Emily welcome you to this episode of Real+True’s podcast. They introduce the topic of this podcast, “Evangelizing Catechesis in Catholic Schools” and our guest. John Galvan. John is the NCEA Vice President of Assessments and has been in the ministry of Catholic Education for over 30 years. He is well-versed in Catechetics and what it means for our sense of belonging in life, in and out of the Church. He holds a B.A. in art, M.A. in practical theology, and an M.Ed. in educational leadership & administration. John shares the mission of Catholic education, “it's not a concept, it's an encounter with a person. It's an encounter with the living God through Jesus Christ.” 

(05:55) “How do you encourage teachers to help form students within Catholic education while also knowing that some of it is just up to God's grace?” Our hosts and guests take time to wonder at the power of God’s grace and his specific plan of conversion for each soul. They talk about the many seeds that were planted in their hearts through Catholic education. 

(11:27 ) Emily shares, “If you're involving students in those experiences, then it's gonna be seen as not just information, but more relevant to their lives.” The discussion covers the power of experiences in helping students encounter Christ. Emily and John share about their testimonies and how they came to encounter God, encounters that we built on their previous Catholic education. The discussion goes on to cover the issue of ‘relevance’ and how to bring students to an understanding of God in their lives. 

(22:54) Practical ways to bring faith into your home and “creating that culture of encounter for students.” John discusses how he as a father shares his faith with his daughter, including praying with her before bed. He discusses how many children evangelize their parents and often families grow together in the faith if the children are engaging their faith in school. 

(27:07) ‘What excites you about the future of Catholic education?” John shares the hope he has to be seeing ministries like Real+True share the Gospel and bring the light of the Catholic faith to our world. He shares that the Church has changed in his lifetime and is growing and that brings him hope.

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Summary: “I think to look at the catechism as a just book would be a mistake.” Edmund welcomes Julianne Stanz, author, speaker, USCCB consultant and Director of Parish Life and Discipleship for the Diocese of Green Bay. Julianne shares her extensive knowledge on discipleship and how she sees the role of the Catechism within the life of a missionary disciple. Get to know her story, how her relationship with the Catechism changed over time, and how the Church defines the two dimensions of the Catechism itself. 

(00:37) Julianne Stanz, a nationally known speaker, retreat leader, storyteller, the Director of Parish Life and Discipleship in Diocese of Green Bay and a consultant to the USCCB Committee on Catechesis and Evangelization is welcomed onto this episode of the Real+True podcast. She is the author of Braving the Thin Places, Start with Jesus: How Everyday Disciples Will Renew the Church, Developing Disciples of Christ, and co-author of The Catechist’s Backpack. 

 (4:40) What is missionary discipleship? Julianne shares, “You hear good news every single time you go to Mass, the Gospel of the Lord.” And that our relationship with good news will change how we share it. Do we see it as good? Edmund shares that the context of being on a mission trip prompts him to behave differently — including being much more open to the Holy Spirit, and to pray with people on the spot. But once he returned home, he saw that behavior left behind. Julianne shares that context is important when we’re talking about missionary discipleship. 

 (12:48) “God does not use our ability, he blesses our availability.” Julianne encourages listeners who want to share the Gospel but aren’t sure how to pray, “Lord, use me." And then pray for the opportunity for him to use you in just very concrete ways.” Edmund highlights that the Informative Dossier, ​​a Church document which explains the Catechism in more depth, says that the Catechism is conciliar (from the Church) and missionary (for the purpose of sharing the Gospel.) Julianne shares, “When you receive the Eucharist, you become a tabernacle with feet,” highlighting the reality that our lives as missionary disciples are extensions of our relationship with Jesus. 

 (21:35) “What has your experience of the Catechism been?” Julianne shares about her conversion and encountering the Catechism as a 17-year-old student in Dublin and how her relationship with the Catechism changed overtime as she saw it less of a textbook but more of an encounter with God. And this led her to her excitement when she was asked to be an Advisor for Real+True. Edmund invites Julianne to address mistakes she often sees in evangelization “Recognize the person in front of you is not somebody that is half full that you need to fill up with information. But God already dwells in the person's heart because he always precedes us.”

This episode is supported by NCEA, https://www.ncea.org/NCEA2023/whyattend

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Summary: Edmund and Emily invite Pete Burak to this episode of the Real+True Podcast. Pete is the Director of i.d. Young Adult Ministry, and Vice President of Renewal Ministries in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He’s a graduate of Franciscian University, and Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Pete has been in young adult ministry for a decade and shares his insights into the roadblocks young adults are facing in their journey with God, how to reach those with no religious affiliations, and practical steps for using the Catechism as a resource. 

 Show Notes 

(00:37) Edmund and Emily introduce this episode’s guest Pete Burak. Pete shares about Renewal Ministries, i.d. and the important role young adults play in the life of a parish. They discuss the struggles that young adults face in trying to live faithful lives– including a need for community and a fear of authority. Pete mentions the “nones” of our culture, those who do not ascribe to any religion.  

 (12:55) A look at the state of young adults: Pete explains what he sees in the culture. He describes the phenomenon of “Nones,” those who, when asked what religion they affiliated with, would respond, “None.” This number of people is rising and alarming. Our guest Pete dissects this with an understanding of the broken trust and broken credibility with authority in all realms (politics, sports, and even within the Church.) Emily mentions that the mission of Real+True is a counter argument to the attitude that the Church is only focused on rules and controlling behavior. But rather, through the Catechism, we see that our Catholic faith is an experience of God revealing himself to us and desiring for us to respond. 

 (23:08) “Catechesis is a moment in the process of evangelization.” Emily shares her insights into the role of relationship in the process of sharing the Gospel with another person. 

Making this personal: the role of personal testimony in sharing the Gospel. Pete mentions young adults’ desire for stability, a desire for the sacred as they build their lives. And that ultimately the Catholic Church is that place of stability and sacredness they search for. Edmund makes the point that, “People are shying away from institutional religion, but also seeking wisdom from somewhere.” Real+True exists to be that “somewhere.” 

 (30:26) Pete Burak shares, ”our generation's allergic to commitment… yet I've found it incredibly refreshing for young adults to be challenged to commitment.” Pete, Emily, and Edmund discuss the task of unlocking the greater mysteries of the Catholic faith, past the moral or political questions that arise more naturally. “How do we make people excited about the Trinity?” 

(37:21) Practical suggestions: “If you want people to engage with the Catechism, you need to know the Catechism.” Pete encourages us to encounter the Catechism for ourselves and to turn to it in discussion and dialogue. “Instead of trying to quote it, I say, "Hey, why don't we just read it?" Having the Bible and the Catechism on hand as a catechist is an idea Pete suggests for anyone handing on the faith. 

This episode is supported by NCEA
http://www.ncearise.org/

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 “The dogmas of the faith are points that we can start at to begin the lifelong adventure of trying to understand them.” Edmund welcomes the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Br. Guy Consolmagno. Together they dive into the mystery of the universe, science, and how all of God’s creation leads back to him. Listen to hear practical advice of walking with science-minded skeptics of the faith, and how ‘bridges of faith’ can help bring others close to Jesus. 

(00:04) Edmundo welcomes us to this episode and introduces us to the episode’s guest Brother Guy Consolmagno who is the Director of the Vatican Observatory. He earned his Ph.D. from Georgetown University and holds the Carl Sagan Medal for Outstanding Communication by an Active Planetary Scientist to the General Public. Br. Guy explains why the Vatican has an observatory and the role it plays in modern astronomy. 

(03:40) “How can science supplement our faith and not be against it?” Edmund asks Br. Guy to explain the relationship between faith and reason, and how science and theology intertwine. He goes on to tell us that reason comes from God. And also, that we can’t overlook the desire we have for good explanations and the pleasure we receive in them. Science is powerful because we enjoy it and because it leads us to a greater understanding of God. 

(10:20) “Is Christianity just to fill in the gaps that science can’t explain?” Br. Guy addresses this question that Edmund poses to him. And goes on to explain that many scientists he encounters believe in God, and have some sort of faith system. Br. Guy shares that wearing the collar of a religious has opened the door for many fruitful conversations between him and his colleagues about faith since it clearly shows that Br. Guy is religious.  

(15:21) The danger of looking to science for certainty: Br. Guy describes what he sees in our culture concerning how people search for absolute answers about the world around them, and ultimately religion does offer the answers we are all looking for. The conversation goes on to “The universe has to be logical or it wouldn't work. But it doesn't have to be beautiful. And yet it is.” The discussion revisits the idea of certainty and Br. Guy shares a quote from Anne Lamot:, "the opposite of faith isn't doubt. The opposite of faith is certainty." He says, “If you had certainty, then you wouldn't need faith.”

(20:35) Edmund asks Br. Guy about his popular books, the stories behind their names, and why he wrote them. Br. Guy shares the interpretations of his books and the purpose of his writings. They discuss the importance of bridges of faith, of finding ways to connect with those who are skeptical of the faith, and using science and what we know of the universe to proclaim God’s goodness. 

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Emily and Edmund welcome to the Real+True podcast Dr. Petroc Willey, Ph.D, who has dedicated his life to studying and sharing the gift of the Catechism with our Church. This episode tackles the questions, “what’s the difference between catechesis and evangelization? Do they overlap at all? And how do we encounter Christ in the Catechism?” Dr. Petroc Willey, Ph.D shares how he first encountered the Catechism, a powerful and practical way to pray with the Catechism itself, and how to appreciate the Catechism for the gift that it is to us. 

(00:10) Edmund and Emily introduce this episode, its mission and its guest. Today, they are joined by Dr. Petroc Willey, Ph.D, Ph.D. professor of theology at the Franciscian University of Steubenville. Dr. Willey is the Director of the Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, Consultor for the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation (now the Dicastery for Evangelization) in Rome, and is on the Board of Advisors for Real+True. Edmund shares how he encountered Dr. Willey and the impact of Dr. Willey

(03:40) “How did you encounter the Catechism, Dr. Willey?” Our guest shares how a project to write a commentary on the Catechism introduced him to the book that would change his life. “It (the Catechism) was asking of me a response of faith, and it was challenging me into entering a relationship with Christ the whole time. It wasn’t a book that could just stay on the shelf.” Edmundo then shares his personal story of encountering the Catechism. 

(10:20) Catechesis and Evangelization: what’s the difference? And how do they overlap? Evangelization is a process, and catechesis is a moment within it. Dr. Willey explores this and details that the Church considers primary catechists to be parents. “The catechist needs what's in the catechism in order to introduce the other person to Jesus Christ and his saving truth.” The goal of catechesis is ‘insertion into the mystery of Christ.” 

(19:50) Introducing others to Christ: encountering the Catechism and encountering Christ. Dr. Willey shows us an example of how the Catechism speaks to the human heart, and the “depth of its spirituality.” Dr. Willey switches out the word “mankind” with the name of the person he’s speaking to as an example of how powerful the Catechism is. Emily asks Edmund to explain how to pray with the Catechism, following the structure of Lectio Divina. 

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What role does ‘beauty’ play for our catechesis in the modern world? Emily and Edmund welcome Dr. Jem Sullivan, an expert in catechesis and sacred art, and professor at the Catholic University of America. Together they explore how beauty is a path for catechesis, including architecture, sacred music, paintings, sculptures, mosaic, and stained glass. They give practical tips to incorporating beauty into our classrooms and homes, and allowing the power of art to be a ‘pre-sacrament’ in our lives.

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Join us for a NEW season of the Real+True podcast. We have some exciting changes planned – including interviewing expert guests about the intersection between the catechism and the modern world.

Plus: we'll be talking about how we can continue to use the catechism to answer relevant and important questions people have, and where we see the catechism as a source of inspiration for our lives and the call to evangelize.

Learn more at realtrue.org/podcast

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Show Notes: (00:11) Your hosts Emily and Edmund welcome you to the Unit 12 podcast. This unit’s theme is: Jesus died to destroy death and rose to restore life until he comes again. These videos cover Catechism paragraphs: https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/988-1065 (988-1065). Proclamation video: How to die well. Explanation video: What happens after we die?  Connection video: Why Catholics believe in “life everlasting”(02:40) The Proclamation video is highlighted. Edmund and Emily discuss how to have a healthy relationship with death, which is the Christian approach. Some people avoid the topic altogether, while others can become obsessed or preoccupied. But our faith informs how we can die well, which means that we’ve lived well. Emily highlights the Hail Mary prayer that ends, “pray for us now and at the hour of our death.”  (10:38) Stand out Catechism paragraph: Edmund’s favorite passage was CCC https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/1018 (1018) “As a consequence of original sin, man must suffer "bodily death, from which man would have been immune had he not sinned.” Edmund liked this passage because it helped him see that Christ freely chose to die for us. Emily chose: CCC 1039 “In the presence of Christ, who is Truth itself, the truth of each man's relationship with God will be laid bare. The Last Judgment will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life.” This section caught her eye because it brings to light the right vision for how we view our death. (19:09) Explanation video: Our hosts marvel at the unbelievable reality that our bodies will be resurrected at the end of time, both the just and the unjust alike. Emily makes the point that “Jesus’ resurrected body gives us hope, that the things that he said will come true.” Edmund points out that Jesus appeared many times in his resurrected body, and the accounts are credible and logical to believe in. (25:27) Connection: Edmund shares that our belief about the resurrection of our bodies should change how we treat our bodies now.  “What is the truth that Jesus came to reveal to us about our bodies? It is through our bodies that we are called to experience communion with others, and with God.” (31:47) Recapping Pillar I of Real+True. Our hosts reflect on the past year, and the 13 units Real+True has published so far. Emily shares that she hopes the Real+True audience grows to appreciate how the Catechism is a living voice for the Church. 

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Show Notes: (00:11) Your hosts Emily and Edmund welcome you to the Unit 11 podcast. This unit’s theme is: Jesus gave the Apostles and the Church the power to forgive sins. These videos cover Catechism paragraphs https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/976-987 (976-987): Proclamation video: Is there room for mercy in the justice system? Explanation video: How does the Catholic Church forgive sins? Connection video: How to forgive (and why it's important)(05:55) The Proclamation video is discussed: Edmund shares about his own experience with justice and reconciliation. Emily shares that her father studied restorative justice and how this shifted her vision for how reconciliation can happen in a society. Edmund shares that he is inspired by those who have hopeful dreams for the legal system. They hosts express gratitude to our animation team and their new brainstorming for the next set of Catechism videos. (11:27) Stand out Catechism paragraph: Edmund’s favorite passage was CCC 982 There is no offense, however serious, that the Church cannot forgive. "There is no one, however wicked and guilty, who may not confidently hope for forgiveness, provided his repentance is honest. Christ who died for all men desires that in his Church the gates of forgiveness should always be open to anyone who turns away from sin.” This struck Edmund because he felt “the gates of forgiveness” was a beautiful image for how gracious God is toward us. Emily chose: CCC 979 - "If the Church has the power to forgive sins, then Baptism cannot be her only means of using the keys of the Kingdom of heaven received from Jesus Christ. the Church must be able to forgive all penitents their offenses, even if they should sin until the last moment of their lives.”(17:06) Explanation video: “Has it ever been hard for you to forgive?” Emily highlights that God desires to forgive us, and that we would forgive each other. Edmund shares that making these videos prompted him to really ask himself, “do I really believe in forgiveness?” (23:32) Connection: practical application of forgiveness. This video gives a step-by-steep guide to how to ask for forgiveness, and offer forgiveness to others. Emily shares that her dream for this video is that it would help people who are dealing with unforgiveness find peace through forgiveness. Edmund underlines that forgiveness is hard, and that it takes courage and God’s grace to live in a culture of forgiveness. Thanks for listening!

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