Episode 54 - Sharing the Faith: The Concept of the Domestic Church
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.
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Episode 53 - Sharing the Faith: The Five Characteristics of the Religiosity of Gen Z
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.
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Episode 52 - Sharing the Faith: The Aspects of Spiritual Motherhood
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.Â
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Episode 51 - Sharing the Faith: Maintaining Faith Through Married and Family Life
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.
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Episode 50 - Sharing the Faith: Nurturing a Child's Spiritual Formation
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.
The church's mission is to evangelize and declare the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dr. Tom Neal, the Chief of Evangelization and Mission Engagement for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, discusses the gift of faith and what it means to evangelize through bi-weekly episodes alternating between teaching and conversations.
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