Light of the Faith: Catholic Formation for Classical Educators

With Father Sebastian Walshe, Norbertine priest and member of the MODG Board of Governors.5:17 On our children keeping the faith16:20 The best ways to keep our kids Catholic21:26 The 5 marks of a healthy, happy family35:35 The art of leading your children to that sense of happiness50:43 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“There’s really only one reason, simply speaking…why they stop practicing their Catholic faith. …They become convinced that practicing the Catholic faith will make them less happy, or unhappy. That’s what it comes down to. If your children are convinced that being a Catholic and practicing the Catholic faith will make them happier people, they will continue to practice the Catholic faith, and if they think it will make them unhappy, they will stop practicing the Catholic faith. It’s that simple.” -Fr. Sebastian (9:31)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With David & Debbie Cowden, authors of " The Prayer Book for Tired Parents: Practical Ways to Grow in Love of God & Get Your Family to Heaven."5:05 Strategies for overcoming obstacles we face as parents, with the goal of enjoying our time with our families and ultimately to enjoy eternal life in heaven one day. 14:57 Embracing the title of being a tired parent18:42 Sacred Heart Enthronement and House Blessing22:20 Daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration30:57 Holy Reminders37:17 Prayer Intention Calendar44:47 Confession1:01:30 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“We show how even when you’re a tired parent, you can still answer that call to holiness joyfully. In fact, you’re specifically called to holiness in this way, because God gave you this vocation and He didn’t want you to be angry or resentful or anxious or feeling constantly fried.” -Debbie Cowden (14:39)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With Laura Berquist, MODG Founder and author of Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum and The Harp and Laurel Wreath.4:12 Natural and supernatural happiness. The true end of man. 13:52 How do we strive to live in accordance with the best thing in us? 15:05 The conformity achieved by friendship with God through prayer29:49 Saints on prayer (St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis de Sales)37:27 St. Thomas on the Our Father and the benefits of prayer41:55 Q&A hosted by Chris Sebastian“The ultimate goal of every means to this end is to conform to the mind and heart of Christ. Then our own hearts are transformed.” -Laura Berquist (14:42)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With Andrew Montanaro, professor of Sacred Scripture at the Christendom Graduate School of Theology. He received his Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from The Catholic University of America.6:07 Slowing down to receiving more out of Sacred Scripture. 11:17 The dual authorship of the Scriptures. 21:39 Reading the Scriptures in context. 48:15 Additional examples57:50 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“But in the end, the Bible is not about me, it’s about God…The object of approaching Scripture is God Himself for His glory, to participate in that glory more, to know more about the Truth Supreme…it’s like seeking the Kingdom of God first.” -Dr. Andrew Montanaro (56:22)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With Dr. John Nieto, tutor at Thomas Aquinas College in California since 1992, and alumnus of the school.6:43 How the Word of God works interiorly within us. Focusing on the Gospel of John.11:16 Jesus Christ is God’s Word in this sense, as a word spoken within the heart22:54 Our knowledge of the universe allows us to reason to the God who has made it30:03 Two consequences of the fact that all truth arises in conformity to the Divine Word37:33 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“God’s Word illuminates us insofar as the words of our heart are each, in one way or another, some likeness of the Divine Word.” -Dr. Nieto (17:37)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With Scott Roy, Director of Development and Admissions for Catholic Pacific College and is a MODG father of 6.4:17 How we pray affects what we believe, and what we believe affects how we live. How should we pray? 11:13 On the Liturgy of the Church. Why is it so important? 22:24 Meaning of the word ‘liturgy’ and how it relates to our social nature37:48 How does the Church participate in the work of God? 39:26 How God communicates via sign language, a sacramental perspective50:25 On the Domestic Church1:02:18 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“It’s written in our hearts that we have this God-shaped hole. We need this religion, we need liturgy, we need to speak in sign language. That’s why we need the liturgy.” - Scott Roy (43:52)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With Pater Edmund Waldstein, Cistercian monk and member of the MODG Board of Governors.6:45 On prayer as adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. We will focus on how supplication in particular fits into the lives of the laity8:46 Supplication, the first meaning of the word ‘prayer’18:55 The Our Father, how Our Lord taught us to pray38:20 On learning to pray as a child43:36 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“So the more we pray to God, the more closely we are united to Him, the more we become His friends, and the more He changes our heart and deepens our desire, makes us desire more what He wants us to desire, what is most good for us, what we are most in need of.” -Pater Edmund (17:55)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With Christopher Sebastian, MODG Director of Advancement and teacher of the Learning Support Literary Analysis for many years.4:33 How families can use measurable goals to grow in all areas of their lives. These are tools to help fulfill our vocations. 14:58 The secret to consistency - be specific20:09 S.M.A.R.T. Goals33:38 Thinking about the structure of your day46:12 Finding your family identity1:00:54 Examples of applying SMART Goals to your life1:21:17 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Veronica Jost“What we find…is that the negative environment trumps the positive habit. So we have to, when setting up our habits, think about the environment that we as parents and our children are being in.” -Chris Sebastian (45:54)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With Fr. Sebastian Walshe, Norbertine priest and former member of the MODG Board of Governors.8:31 The role of St. Joseph in our devotion to Christ13:26 Why does God normally prefer to communicate His greatest gifts of grace and salvation through created persons?20:05 Who is St. Joseph and what role does he play in the economy of salvation?25:00 What do we mean by a ‘type’? How do we recognizes a type in Scripture?31:44 St. Joseph as the patron and protector of the Universal Church46:11 Evidence that St.Joseph was bodily assumed into heaven“The purpose of St. Joseph, of devotion to St. Joseph I mean, is to draw us closer to Jesus…and we notice this, that in the Scriptures, when someone has little respect for St. Joseph, that turns into a lack of respect for Jesus.” - Fr. Sebastian (10:05)You can buy Fr. Sebastian's book here! --> St. Joseph, The Man Closest to Christ________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With Dr. Ron McCann, M.D., Chief of Staff elect at White River Medical Center and member of the National Catholic Bioethics Center and the Catholic Medical Association.5:45 Explanation of the principle of double effect. 12:21 Hospice and palliative care. Various papal teachings on end of life care. Benefits of hospice/various concerns. 24:04 Determining ordinary vs. extraordinary medical care30:30 Advanced Directives39:31 Organ donation48:46 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“Next time you see your doctor, ask them their view of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, because if they have the wrong answer, you need a new doctor.” - Dr. McCann (22:51)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

With Dr. Andrew Montanaro, professor at the Christendom Graduate School.6:05 Background on the book of Sirach and why it is also called Ecclesiasticus. 9:55 Wisdom Literature in Scripture. (Sirach, Proverbs, Job, etc.). Sirach focuses significantly on friendship. 20:42 On the Fear of the Lord28:00 The Role of the Sage40:43 The historical context of the Book of Sirach; the relationship between the Greeks and the Jewish people45:04 Sirach’s goal - preserving the Jewish faith. How this relates to classical education and homeschooling. 51:22 Q&A hosted by Chris Sebastian“The primary goal of ancient education - and it’s true of education today, good education anyway - was to implant in another heart what was in one’s own.” -Dr. Montanaro (34:40)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

Richard Berquist earned his PhD in Philosophy at the Catholic University of America, and his dissertation was on “Contact in Aristotle’s Natural Philosophy.”5:38 The overall theme is order, and ultimately how we are ordered towards Truth Himself. 14:05 Three different kinds of philosophy: rational, practical, and speculative. These three are aimed at different ends and thus are ordered accordingly. 24:02 Different kinds of order displayed by the different kinds of philosophy 31:03 A further division of the three kinds of philosophy46:10 On the principles of immateriality and immobility - these aid us in our understanding of speculative philosophy1:04:45 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“Studying philosophy is in some way primarily a mode of imitating God, so we’re trying to know as much as possible, ultimately, about God, so that we can be as like God as we can, and this is true even on a natural level…We’re trying to know as much as possible about all things because this is a way of approaching God.” - Dr. Berquist (1:15:41)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

Dr. John Nieto is a Professor at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA.0:01 Intro4:19 Various virtues related to truth. We are speaking about honesty in particular. Are all lies sins, even if the good to be brought out of one seems larger than the evil of the sin?13:31 Three aspects of our speech being true36:31 Every lie is a sin. Distinction between venial & mortal sin. 44:36 How Christ Himself is the Truth47:44 Q&A with Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“Christ Himself is the Word, Christ is eternally the Word of the Father. The Second Person of the Trinity is the Word proceeding from the Father, and in that sense He is like the truth of our mind within God. He comes forth in God…as expressing the truth of God. And then in the Incarnation He becomes sensible, a sensible expression of that Person, just as our words are sensible expressions of our thoughts.” -Dr. Nieto (44:36)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

James Berquist, whose doctoral dissertation in Philosophy is about Natural Law, talks about Natural Law and the Common Good, and current applications of these.0:03 Intro from Chris and Laura6:32 James begins. Proper understanding of the natural law is today’s goal. Good is to be done and evil is to be avoided. We’ll talk about the meaning of the word ‘good’. 18:48 What do we mean when we say ‘good’? Some examples. 26:46 Errors when we confuse the meaning of ‘good’46:54 The good actually exists in things, in reality1:02:40 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris SebastianWe desire the virtues for the sake of being able to contemplate God. You want to be temperate, you want to have fortitude, you want to have courage, you want to have wisdom, so that you can contemplate God to the best of your ability. -James Berquist (37:41)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

By Laura Berquist, MODG Founder and author of Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum and The Harp and Laurel Wreath.0:05 Introduction2:46 Laura begins. What are the ultimate goals of the MODG education? 6:53 On beginning to love the things that we naturally do not love18:56 MODG students have the beginning of classical formation, which is perfected in an understanding of Sacred Theology30:07 How can we get our students to be excited about Sacred Theology, the most exciting of all subjects? 43:58 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“The world is inviting, creature comforts are comfortable, and often students’ attention is focused on this world. So what’s the answer to that problem? St. Neumann says ‘We must turn from the world and love of the world to make ourselves new hearts. If our hearts are by nature set on the world for its own sake, and the world is one day to pass away, what are they to be set on, what to delight in then?’ If we would be happy in the world to come, we must make us new hearts and begin to love the things that we naturally do not love.” - Laura Berquist (6:14) ________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

Donna Steichen, author of "Ungodly Rage: The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism" and "Chosen: How Christ Sent Twenty-Three Surprised Converts to Replant His Vineyard", talks about the role of women in today’s world.0:06 Introduction6:22 Mrs. Steichen begins. What is the role of women in light of God’s design for the family? 9:55 The natural vocation of motherhood13:13 Feminism as “Eve’s Apple”23:17 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian. (What principles should we be focusing on to instill in our children? What are some ways families can participate in the prolife movement? How do we talk about these things with our daughters? What practical advice do you have for a mom who didn’t have an example of true motherhood growing up?)“Surely he didn’t make men to be in charge of everything while women raced behind, trying to catch up by becoming as much like men as they can? Surely He intends women to live in a way that’s distinctively suited to their nature as women.” - Donna Steichen (9:04) ________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

Fr. Thomas Dome, member of the MODG Board of Governors and long-time friend of Laura's, joins us for the very first Light of the Faith episode! This episode initially aired in the fall of 2020, and contains valuable suggestions about how to persevere in our vocations even during challenging times.0:00 Intro to the brand-new Light of the Faith series7:15 Fr. Tom begins. What is the vocation of the laity? How are we able to accomplish this? Practical advice, not just catchphrases16:15 Questions to ask ourselves to see if we are focusing on living out our vocation even in challenging times22:35 On using our gifts for the greater glory of God25:39 On the married vocation35:25 Discerning God’s Will42:35 Our vocation of charity46:00 Q&A with Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian (topics include the most important habit for lay people to develop, how we can encourage our children in their own vocations, and how we can encourage a deeper love of God in our children)“We have to realize that my vocation is responding to what God has given me today…How do we respond to what is now before us?” - Fr. Thomas Dome (32:10)___________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

MODG founder Laura Berquist discusses our history program and its focus on leading students to a deep understanding of the nature of government. Listen to hear Laura give an overview of the entire MODG history progression, which culminates in our students gaining an understanding of St. Thomas Aquinas’ definition of Law!________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

MODG founder Laura Berquist discusses our high school religion program and its focus on the motives of credibility for the truth of the Catholic faith. Listen to hear how the MODG Religion Program is designed to provide the foundation for our children to eventually enjoy the fullness of Sacred Theology, which is key to the Catholic intellectual tradition.3:13 Introduction7:28 Laura begins. Why do our children need to be able to know the argument for the reasonable of the Catholic faith? We have ordered our curriculum towards this.11:00 An overview of the religion program in the early years, as these are ordered to the later years11:18 K-5th overview20:10 - 6th-8th overview28:35 - High School overview. The goal for all students in our high school program is to be able to demonstrate the preambles of faith. How philosophy supports this endeavor.32:34 Laura makes the argument that she wants students to be able to make.59:52 Q&A with Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian“Faith is always seeking understanding…what we can know by reason, we want to know by reason. And that understanding that is achieved supports the truth of the Faith.” ~Laura Berquist (56:41)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse

MODG Alum Paul Habsburg (Class of 2020) joins the MODG community to discuss his journey in public speaking. Paul Habsburg has utilized his MODG skills in a variety of ways, including as a diplomatic trainee with the Order of Malta. This Order is a Catholic organization founded in the twelfth century which is dedicated to upholding human dignity through helping those in need, especially those in the midst of war or natural disaster.7:28 How MODG prepped Paul for public debate.15:30 The appeal of a clean logical system, exemplified by both MODG and TAC19:54 Paul’s experience in the United Nations and the Order of Malta28:45 On gaining the ability to problem solve, and how MODG classes helped37:07 Q&A hosted by Laura Berquist and Chris Sebastian"I have made the right choice, doing Mother of Divine Grace School and Thomas Aquinas College...if I were given the choice a thousand times over, it would be very easy all those thousand times to make the same choice." - Paul Habsburg (36:24)________________________________MODG exists to help Catholic families raise their children in a living Catholic culture in their homes, mentoring them in using the MODG Catholic classical curriculum to lead their children to good judgment concerning the good, true and beautiful.Visit our Virtual Open House and learn how we can help you build a Catholic culture in your home, too!https://modg.org/virtualopenhouse