The Real + True Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode Edmund Mitchell welcomes special guest Nick Sawicki, the Associate Director of Development for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and a member of CAPP USA, the American branch of a Vatican foundation that promotes Catholic social teaching. Nick brings a wealth of experience to the conversation, including his work with America's Catholic social teaching initiatives and his legal background from Fordham University.

Show Notes:

(00:00) The episode begins with Nick’s background and his deep connection with Catholic social teaching, rooted in his experiences at his home parish, which was led by the inspiring figure: Venerable Nelson Baker. Nick recounts how Father Baker's life and work in the "City of Charity" in Buffalo left a profound impact on him, shaping his understanding of faith in action. Nick discusses how Father Baker's dedication to serving the poor and needy during the Great Depression exemplifies the true spirit of Catholic social teaching.

(10:18)  In this section of the podcast, Nick and Edmund discuss the multifaceted nature of poverty, emphasizing that beyond material poverty, the Church also recognizes moral and spiritual poverty. They explore the significance of Catholic social teaching, particularly how the Seventh Commandment ("Thou shall not steal") extends beyond just avoiding theft. Nick highlights the Church’s teachings on the universal destination of goods, the tension between private property rights, and the common good. The discussion also touches on the complexities of economic systems and the moral foundations necessary for true human dignity and justice.

(15:58)  In this segment, Edmund and Nick discuss the importance of understanding the Church's teachings on private property and its deeper spiritual significance. Edmund shares a personal story about his children and their attachment to belongings, which sparks a conversation about the dignity and fulfillment that come from owning property. Nick explains that while private property is important, it must be balanced with the Church’s teachings on the universal destination of goods, ensuring that possessions serve the common good. The discussion also highlights the role of Catholic social teaching in guiding how we relate to and use our material possessions.

(25:24)  In this closing segment, Edmund and Nick discuss how Pope Francis emphasizes Catholic social teaching through his actions and decisions, sparking conversations about living a life aligned with the Gospel. Nick shares practical ways to cultivate a healthier relationship with material goods, like using the Jesuit practice of the Examen to reflect on motivations behind purchases. They also discuss the dangers of consumerism, which can distract from spiritual growth. Nick encourages listeners to explore Catholic social teaching further by visiting cappusa.com, which offers valuable resources for understanding and applying these principles in daily life.

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In this episode, Edmund is joined by Dr. Bob Schuchts, founder of the John Paul II Healing Center and the author of the best-selling book Be Healed: Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life. They delve into topics around sexual sin and the 6th and 9th Commandments, exploring issues of adultery, chastity, and healing within a ministry context. Dr. Schuchts shares his personal and professional experience and insights around presenting God’s plan for sexuality and addressing the reality of people’s experience of sexual sin in their families and marriages.

00:00 Edmund introduces Dr. Bob Schuchts, a therapist and founder of the John Paul II Healing Center, who has spent over 30 years working in ministry and family therapy. They discuss the 6th and 9th Commandments, focusing on the complexities of adultery and covetousness and the broader implications of sexual sin. Dr. Schuchts emphasizes the profound impact of sexual sins and violations on individuals and relationships, advocating for a deeper understanding of these issues through his work and the Catechism.

09:08 This part of the episode focuses on the unintended consequences of “vows” made in response to personal trauma, like adultery witnessed in one's family growing up. Dr. Bob explains that vows made out of fear or judgment can have a negative impact on our lives. He highlights the importance of approaching vows and commandments not from a place of fear but through a positive perspective of living one's values in the Holy Spirit's power and freedom. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of such vows for healing and living authentically in accordance with God's design.

17:03 In this segment, the discussion centers on overcoming the denials associated with adultery. Dr. Bob and Edmund discuss the four specific denials: denial of the act itself, denial of wrongness, denial of consequences, and the denial of hope. Dr. Bob emphasizes the role of shame and isolation in perpetuating sexual sin and highlights the importance of confronting these feelings to foster healing and communion. They discuss strategies for encouraging openness and healing in ministry settings, suggesting practical exercises for acknowledging and confronting one’s past within a supportive community.

25:21 In the closing of the episode, the conversation focuses on understanding and practicing chastity within and outside marriage. Dr. Bob emphasizes that chastity is about seeing sexuality through God's perspective and highlights the importance of understanding divine intentions for sexuality, as illustrated in the Theology of the Body. Practical advice for growing in chastity includes recognizing personal violations of chastity and pursuing healing through the Sacrament of Confession and the Eucharist. For married couples, discussing feelings of use within the relationship and fostering mutual respect and dignity is advised. Dr. Bob and Edmund also discuss the broad implications of sexual teachings in understanding human relationships and personal growth in love.

This episode is sponsored by UNLEASHING THE POWER OF THE EARLY CHURCH:
Study "Acts of the Apostles" with Dr. Mary Healy online at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Visit shms.edu/online

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Summary: In this podcast, Emily and Edmund discuss how to effectively use the third pillar of the Catechism. We dive into the challenges and strategies for presenting the Church's teachings on morality effectively to a modern audience. We also discuss the importance of understanding the audience and some aspects of effective catechesis. This episode also covers the significance of approaching catechesis and evangelization with a focus on God's love and the invitation to a relationship with Christ. Additionally, we recommend resources for understanding modern evangelization and its relation to the Church's teachings and the third pillar of the catechism.

Show Notes: 

(00:00) In the opening of the podcast Edmund and Emily set up the discussion of the third pillar of the catechism, focusing on how to present the Church's teachings on morality effectively. They emphasize the importance of approaching catechesis and evangelization with an understanding of God's love and the invitation to a relationship with Christ. They explore the structure of this pillar, highlighting its emphasis on living in Christ rather than just following rules. The conversation underscores the significance of contextualizing moral teachings within the broader framework of the Gospel. By examining the structure of the Catechism, they emphasize the importance of the order and how it contributes to sound catechesis.

(10:48) Edmund and Emily emphasize the significance of understanding foundational truths before presenting specific moral teachings. They discuss the importance of recognizing that humans are created for goodness and love, emphasizing God's invitation to happiness through beatitude. They stress the importance of meeting their audience where they are at by authentic listening and understanding their perspectives to effectively catechize and evangelize. Drawing from Sherry Waddell's insights in Forming Intentional Disciples, they highlight the importance of the spiritual journeys of belonging, believing, and behaving in the context of catechesis. They also discuss the approach taken in their videos. The discussion encourages catechists to approach teaching with a deep understanding of the foundational truths of faith and the context of their audience's experiences.

(19:31) Emily and Edmund discuss practical ways to respond when individuals react critically to Church teachings. The hosts share insights from their experiences and discussions with church ministers. Drawing from the catechism, they highlight the importance of starting with the foundational belief that humans are created for goodness and are inherently attracted to it. They emphasize the significance of meeting people where they are and accompanying them through dialogue to effectively address their concerns. The discussion encourages catechists and parish leaders to focus on understanding the underlying beliefs of those we are catechizing and evangelizing and connecting them back to Church teaching.

(26:54) In the closing of the podcast, Emily and Edmund encourage listeners to study the third pillar of the Catechism. They also suggest reading Pope Francis' "Evangelii Gaudium" (The Joy of the Gospel), highlighting its relevance in understanding contemporary evangelization. The hosts emphasize the document's incorporation of recent church teachings, its focus on modern contexts and audiences, and its discussions of the challenges and temptations within the Church's evangelization efforts. They invite feedback from listeners, aiming to plan future episodes to address their needs. 

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In this podcast, we’re joined by Jennifer Baugh, the founder of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP). Parish ministries often overlook one crucial age range – people who have recently graduated college but haven’t yet fully established themselves in a career or marriage. For the Church to better evangelize and accompany this age range, we need to understand their unique needs. We discuss Gen Z and the various methods YCP uses to reach this age range, as well as practical ways parish leaders can learn from YCP. 

(00:00) Edmund introduces Jennifer Baugh and she shares her personal story of growing up Catholic but rediscovering her Catholic faith. She also shares the origins of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) and what prompted her to start this ministry. Edmund and Jennifer discuss this often overlooked demographic – that of people who have just graduated college but haven’t yet established themselves in a marriage or career and are searching for community and are open to hearing how someone could live out their faith in a secular and professional context. These individuals don’t always fit in a parish young adult or college ministry but also have a hard time finding community among the adult ministries in parish, as these are often filled with older married adults with children.

(10:49) Jennifer explains why YCP uses “networking events” to attract young Catholic professionals. She also speaks about the fruit they’ve seen from these events, and what parish leaders can learn from them. She offers a few examples of how a parish leader could practically implement these principles into their parish ministry. One challenge is finding balance between a purely social gathering and a direct and explicit evangelizing event. The key here is balance and intentional invitation into something deeper as a next step to the networking event. 

(19:23) YCP offers one-on-one mentorship and has seen fruit from this model. Jennifer shares what YCP has learned from this mentorship program and what parish leaders can learn from this model. Jennifer also shares what she has seen as the unique challenges Gen Z is facing in general and in relation to the faith. 

(24:48) Jennifer shares how the catechism had a huge impact on her faith journey. She discusses the need to not just present intellectual knowledge when we present the faith, but the need, especially with younger generations, to present a personal invitation to a new way of living with Jesus that is compelling. YCP has found that using the stories of lives of Saints helps give a concrete practical example of this life in Christ to people who are struggling to fully embrace the Catholic Church. She also explains the importance of volunteers and hospitality to help people build relationships, not just gain knowledge. 

(31:38) We close this episode with Jennifer sharing that parish leaders can visit youngcatholicprofessionals.org to find out more about the ministry. She also shares about the national conference and ways that parishes can help host events for their local young Catholic professionals in collaboration with YCP.

This episode is sponsored by: "An Introduction to Sacred Scripture" With Dr. Dr. Mary Healy, shms.edu/online

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Summary: In this podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Timothy O’Malley, Notre Dame Professor of Theology and Director of Education at the McGrath Institute. This episode tackles the relationship between catechesis and evangelization and what parish leaders can practically do in light of this relationship. The need to evangelize plays out on the ground in parishes. And many parish leaders don’t know where to start when it comes to practically making a difference in the “age of disaffiliation,” as Dr. Tim describes it. Dr. Tim also unpacks the need for developing a Eucharistic culture in order to more effectively evangelize in a world where most people are greatly influenced by a culture at odds with the Gospel. 

Dr. O’Malley researches and teaches at Notre Dame in the areas of liturgical-sacramental theology, marriage and family, Catholic higher education, catechesis, preaching, and spirituality. He is also the author of nine books on topics related to the liturgy, OCIA, the Eucharist, sacramental theology, marriage and family, and liturgical formation.

Show Notes: 

(00:00) Edmund introduces us to this podcast’s guest, Dr. Timothy O’Malley who is a Notre Dame Professor of Theology and Director of Education at the McGrath Institute. Dr. Tim shares his background and how he became interested in theology and academia. Dr. Tim describes his perspective on the modern phenomenon of people leaving the church in large numbers. He describes this as an age of disaffiliation. 

(07:42) Dr. Tim explains why culture is such an important factor when we are discussing evangelization. Even among people who attend Mass weekly, they will at most only experience a Christ-centered culture for a very small percentage of their week. He offers some suggestions on how parish leaders can help people cultivate a Christ-centered culture in their lives and how parishes can build a more robust culture to invite people into this meaningful and Eucharistic life. Dr. Tim also explains a common mistake in sacramental preparation - that the sacraments are just about presence.

(16:59) The conversation turns to the reality that the Mass is often the first and only place people experience the Church in their lives. Should the Mass be a place for evangelization? How can and should parish leaders practically balance the opportunity for evangelization with the reality of the Mass? Dr. Tim explains how the Mass is the ordinary space of evangelization for Catholics. He also addresses preaching, liturgy, and reverence.

(23:56) How should parish leaders understand parish membership? Dr. Tim speaks about the idea of belonging to a parish and the need to accompany people with real authentic relationships and empathy. The conversation also turns to the importance of being flexible to the specific needs of individuals, instead of rigidly applying processes to large groups of people without understanding the unique needs of families. He suggests fostering a eucharistic culture in parishes and responding to requests for sacraments with an improv attitude of "yes, and" rather than a mere institutional style of "yes, but."

(29:24) Dr. Tim shares about the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame. He also explains the relationship between the McGrath Institute and Notre Dame as a two-way bridge that brings the best of academic life to the Church and the best of Church life to the academy in order to foster a fruitful conversation. The institute is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant Catholic culture in the United States and around the world by forming leaders who are equipped to renew the Church and serve the common good. Through its various programs, the institute seeks to promote the renewal of the Catholic imagination and the revitalization of Catholic intellectual and cultural life

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Summary:  This episode is a concise and practical explanation of a way to use a unique feature of the catechism to unlock scripture. Using the index of citations, found in the back of the catechism, we can look up specific passages of scripture and find all the paragraphs of the catechism that reference this scripture passage. This is a great way to read scripture and the catechism together and view scripture through the eyes of the Church. This is also a wonderful way to incorporate the catechism into our time of prayer with scripture, while also making us more familiar with the catechism in an effective way. 

(00:12) Edmund sets up the problems we face when we try to read or pray with the Bible, as well as when we try to read through the catechism. It can be hard to read through large passages of the catechism without a way to make it relevant to our own life. When reading the Bible, it can at times be hard to pray with passages without knowing how the Church might interpret or view the passage in light of Divine Revelation. Praying with the catechism AND the Bible can be a powerful way to unlock both. 

(02:54) Edmund explains the index of citations, found in the back of the catechism. Using the index of citations, we can look up a passage of scripture and see everywhere that verse or passage is cited throughout the catechism. We’ll see paragraphs of the catechism listed, which we can turn to and read to shed more light on the passage of scripture.

(04:27) Edmund uses Luke 19:1-10, the story of Zacchaeus meeting Jesus, as an example passage for using the index of citations. The catechism references this passage of scripture in paragraphs 2712, 1443, and 2412. By reading these three short paragraphs, we can shed more light on how the Church views this story of Zacchaeus meeting Jesus. 

(15:33) Edmund recommends other Scripture passages to try combining with the catechism: John 6:54, Luke 1:37, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Genesis 3:15, Luke 3:21, and Isaiah 43:1-7. Edmund also makes some final suggestions on other ways to use the index of citations, the Bible, and the catechism. One suggestion is to read the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday and referring to the index of citations to then look up the  catechism paragraphs

This episode is sponsored by The CatholicTV Network on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/CatholicTV

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S2E8 Podcast Show Notes: Mari Pablo 

 Mari Pablo, a seasoned religious educator and youth minister, joins Edmund on this episode of the Real+True Podcast. Their discussion starts with dissecting Maris’ pedagogy in presenting the Church’s moral teaching, the importance of ‘first principles,’ building trust with students, and finally the power of personal testimony. Edmund asks Mari how she’d respond to a family member or co-worker who confronts her with a difficult question related to Church teaching; her response is powerful. Learn how to bring the powerful truths of our faith to life in a way that impacts hearts, and honors the beauty of our Catholic tradition.

Show Notes:

(00:12) Edmund welcomes Mari Pablo to the Real+True podcast. Mari graduated from Franciscan University with a double major in theology and psychology. Mari holds a Master of Theology from the Augustine Institute. She has worked in youth ministry for over 15 years. Mari currently serves with The Evangelical Catholic. Edmund and Mari discuss Mari’s first encounter with the Catechism. When teaching theology, Mari shares that her goal is to help her students see God’s plan for their lives: “What God teaches about morality will make them the happiest and freest and give them the best life possible.” 

(08:45) Going back to first principles: Mari discusses her pedagogy in presenting the Church’s moral teaching. She explains that she builds moral truths off of the truths of God and the human person: “Truth is real and you are created good.” And then after that foundation is in place, she then presents the Church’s teaching on morality within the context of that larger framework and worldview. This is also done once there is a foundation of truth set with her classroom.

(17:34) The power of personal testimony: Mari shares the impact of implementing her own testimony when presenting the Church’s more difficult teachings. She says she isn’t afraid to admit to her students that her heart has been changed over time on morality and her conversion has been an ongoing process. She emphasizes the power of personal testimonies, and even the testimonies of her students. 

(24:06) When you’re asked a hard question: Edmund asks Mari to walk the listeners through a confrontation with someone asking a challenging question about the faith, “Take a breath, take a step back. Ask questions, and thank them for the question. Respond lovingly. Be patient. Break it down. Ask the Lord to help you. Know when to end the conversation, and when to say, “I don’t know the answer but I’d love to get back to you.’” Edmund encourages listeners, “when you’re reading the Catechism, ask yourself, ‘what does this have to do with Jesus?” Always bring everything back to Jesus.”

This episode is sponsored by Religious Freedom Week 2023, http://www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek

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“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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