Ready, Willing, & Able

In this month's episode, host Genevieve Anatalio meets with Josh Ditsky to discuss the college decision process. As the Director of College and Career Counseling at Berks Catholic High School for the past 19 years, in addition to his 15 years of college admissions experience, Ditsky has wisdom to offer parents and students alike when it comes to navigating the important decision of where to attend college.  Ditsky suggests that parents and students start by considering general necessities and the temperament and needs of the student, with intentional time set aside for the “college conversation.” He reminds parents that needs can vary dramatically, even among siblings.  For most questions regarding the college decision process, he admits that the best answer is “it depends on the student.” That said, he and Anatalio discuss some important factors that parents and students can consider. They also agree that, when it comes to cultivating faith, the Holy Spirit can work in a variety of different institutions.  Pivoting to the practical side of things, Ditsky shares his thoughts on the importance of standardized testing and how to maximize the chance of acceptance. The interview concludes with a word to 2026 high school seniors who need to pick their college in the next few days.  Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

In this month’s episode of “Ready, Willing, & Able,” host Genevieve Anatalio dives into the topic of parenting children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The principals of the Diocese of Allentown’s three special learning centers join her on the show, each offering unique insights into this beloved population. Her first guest, Kaylee Simcik from John Paul II Center for Special Learning in Shillington, speaks about seeing children with special needs through a Catholic lens and encourages parents to advocate for their children’s participation in the Sacraments. Her second guest, Beth Grys from Mercy School for Special Learning in Allentown, highlights the deep faith present in people with disabilities and how it is both possible—and essential—to nurture that faith. Finally, Bob Giba from St. Joseph Center for Special Learning in Schuylkill Haven shares how his own journey of faith has been closely connected to his work with the special needs community. Anatalio and her guests agree that while disabilities can present challenges for both children and parents, they need not be limitations in the faith. Rather, they can be extraordinary opportunities for grace. Listeners will also hear about the many offerings of the Diocese’s special learning centers, as each principal highlights what makes them most proud of their school. Learn more about John Paul II Center here.Learn more about Mercy School here.Lear more about St. Joseph Center here. Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

In this episode, host Genevieve Anatalio explores the Sacrament of Baptism, adding depth to the familiar practice and helping families deepen their appreciation for the graces God gives through it.  Anatalio is joined by Katie Albright, Director of Catechesis for the Diocese of Allentown, to clarify what Baptism really does, what the faithful tend to underestimate about it, and ways parents and families can increase their appreciation for it. They emphasize the profound impact Baptism has not only on the person receiving the Sacrament, but on the entire family--and the entire Church. The conversation illuminates many important points about Baptism but only scratches the surface of everything there is to learn. Albright has also shared some resources for diving deeper into this Sacrament and the Catholic Faith in general. BooksLove Unveiled, by Edward Sri (Love Unveiled: The Symbolon Book God: What Every Catholic Should Know, by Elizabeth Klein (God) Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know, by Michael Barber (Salvation) Jesus the Bridegroom, by Brant Pitre (Jesus the Bridegroom)Digital MediaFORMED: This site has many videos on Baptism and countless other topics (formed.org).Podcast on Catholic Saints: St. John the Baptist (St. John the Baptist - Catholic Saints - Apple Podcasts) Podcast on Catholic Saints: St. Josemaria Escriva (St. Josemaria Escriva - Catholic Saints - Apple Podcasts)Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

In this episode, host Genevieve Anatalio dives into the challenges and solutions for keeping children engaged in the Catholic faith throughout their lives. Anatalio is joined by Dr. Michael Rota, a professor of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, to explore the factors leading to religious disaffiliation and the practical steps parents can take to nurture their children's faith. Dr. Rota describes how social scientists have identified numerous factors that challenge religious retention in modern day America, including lack of consensus and the digital age. However, he also shares data-supported points for what helps children believe and practice their faith for years to come. Anatalio and Rota agree on the importance of parental unity, religious activity, and supportive community in fostering a lasting faith.Read the original article that inspired the episode here. Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

Bishop Schlert announces that 2026 is a jubilee anniversary for the Diocese, marking 65 years after its institution. He and newly married host, Genevieve Anatalio, discuss ways to make this anniversary year especially holy, both specifically for the Allentown Diocese and for people across the country. One initiative in Allentown will be centered around promoting a culture of Vocations. Bishop hopes the faithful will feel free to look for and reach out to young men and women who might have a vocation to the priesthood and religious life, citing studies that show how this outreach is instrumental in the discernment process of many priests. Anatalio asks Bishop how the faithful, especially couples who are already married and parenting, might assist in this initiative surrounding religious vocations, as well as what advice he has for discerners. Bishop shares insight on promoting a faithful household and overcoming fear in discernment. Finally, Bishop reminds listeners that a holy and successful 2026, and particularly a successful Vocations initiative, depends on devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Therefore, parishes in the Diocese of Allentown will have regular Eucharistic Adoration and opportunities to visit Jesus in the tabernacle throughout the coming year. He also underlines the importance of the Blessed Mother’s intercession as the Mother of Vocations and the model of a free “yes,” to God. Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

In this month’s episode, host Genevieve O’Connor dives into the topic of marriage in the Catholic Church, just days before her own wedding. O’Connor speaks to the Allentown Diocese’s Director of Marriage and Family Life, Rhady Tulloch, and her husband David Tulloch. The couple share the ideals and expectations they had for their parenting roles going into their marriage, and how a strong scriptural foundation helped those ideas strengthen and develop when God blessed them with children. The Tullochs help O’Connor break down the Catholic understanding of marriage as a Sacrament and a Vocation, and how these concepts deepen and inform one’s life as a parent. They insist that attention and care for one’s marriage have a huge impact on the way one parents, and they give some practical suggestions for how to “water the garden” of the relationship. Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

The Catholic Parents Podcast “Reading, Willing, and Able,” is coming up on its one-year anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, host Genevieve O’Connor MFA, MTS sits down again with her first ever guest, Dr. Mike St. Pierre.O’Connor and St. Pierre discuss the success of the podcast, noting its Honorable Mention from the Catholic Media Awards. But the real reason they do the show, they emphasize, is to serve Catholic parents in the Diocese of Allentown, and to help them see how faith is woven into every aspect of their lives.O’Connor and St. Pierre revisit some of their favorite episodes, highlighting key takeaways from Episode 4: Navigating Modesty with Lillian Fallon and Episode 9: Serve the Lord (and the Ball). O’Connor also reflects on the wealth of resources offered to parents from some of her previous guests, including reading material for kids in Episode 5: The Word Made Flesh and the Words We Read, and resources for activities, reading, and even crafts in Episode 3: Bringing Advent Alive with Bereits.O’Connor invites listeners to stay tuned for another great year and announces an exciting upcoming guest: Bishop Alfred Schlert!Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

In this month's episode, host Genevieve O'Connor M.F.A., M.T.S. invites the Diocese of Allentown’s Director of Vocations, Rev. John Maria, to speak about vocation and discernment as it pertains to parents and their kids. Some parents struggle to help and to trust during their children’s journey to discover their Vocation, so Fr. Maria offers the reminder that everyone is primarily called to holiness. He encourages parents to focus on instilling that call to holiness in their children, predicting that the next steps in discernment will then be more natural and less intimidating. Fr. Maria also adds a word of comfort to parents who fear "losing" their child to whatever their vocation may be. Lastly, Genevieve and Father talk through understanding the celibate vocation as the "higher" vocation, agreeing that both marriage and priesthood/religious life are beautiful and important, and while celibacy offers the heaven-like ability to be focused exclusively on the Lord, the important thing for all parents to remember is that everyone is called to sainthood.Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

This month's episode of Ready, Willing, & Able takes inspiration from Bethlehem Catholic High School's Baseball team's Bible Study, and explores how athletics and faith can feed and support each other. Host Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS sits with the chair of the Bishop's Commission for Young Adults, John Pellosie, and Commission member Adrian Anatalio, DPT to discuss. The Commission for Young Adults has emphasized sports this summer, including a weekly volleyball game. Pellosie and Anatalio explain that the Commission's focus on athleticism attends to how the Catholic understanding of the human person is as a body and soul unity. Plus, they observe the powerful way that sports serve as lessons in virtue and can teach children the benefits of consistent hard work and discipline. Athletics can nourish a person physically, spiritually, and communally. O'Connor and her guests agree that faith can also improve one's sports, and not just vice versa. Anatalio also shares insights from his work as a physical therapist, noting how our physical limitations can teach us important lessons to pass on to our kids about God's grace. Have an idea or question for the podcast? Submit your thoughts here!Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

In this month's episode, Genevieve O'Connor M.F.A, M.T.S. asks Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Zelenda Hodgskin, how to rescue our focus on faith when summer swoops in to ruin our routines. Hodgskin has lots of practical and anecdotal advice for how to keep the faith alive in our families through the summer, suggesting that parents host faith-themed movie nights and set aside special sacred spaces in the home. O'Connor also asks about keeping faith going when we are on vacation, noting that sometimes our beach trips involve leaving behind our worries and our prayer practices. Hodgskin shares that intentionally seeking out shrines and churches in new places can become beautiful opportunities for family bonding and faith building. When our Catholic Faith is truly the center of our lives, it will not fall to the back burner in the summer, but rather continue to animate all that we do. Below are the websites that Hodgskin recommends to parents:For movies: WatchCredo and Formed.For researching saints: CatholicCulture and Catholic/Saints. For activity inspiration: CatholicIcing and CatholicMom.For finding churches and shrines while traveling: TheCatholicTravelGuide  and MassTimes.Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

Genevieve O'Connor, M.T.S., M.F.A meets with Maggie Riggins, Executive Director of Evangelization and Formation for the Diocese of Allentown, to talk about how  holiness is possible in any state in life. While some people worry that their lifestyle doesn't permit holiness (parents don't have time to spend 6 hours in prayer like a monk might!), Catholic Tradition reveals that EVERYONE is called to holiness. Riggins offers insight into how this holiness is possible by introducing "Salesian Spirituality." She explains that St. Francis de Sales, through his friendship and correspondence with St. Jane de Chantal, insisted that holiness is possible for all walks of life. Riggins describes a few of St. Francis' key suggestions for how to make our daily lives holy, including the "Direction of Intention," the "Salesian Preparation of the Day", and the "Little Virtues." Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS explains that Lent is all about making us better lovers, and therefore better reflections of the image of God in us. In a way, she says, Lent helps us to be MORE human in the way that God designed. Even two weeks before Easter, at the time of this episode release, O'Connor argues that it is not too late to ponder Lent and renew our efforts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. She offers parents an understanding of the reasoning behind these practices of the Church so that they can better implement them in their family lives. She says that by healing and honing the desires that so often get the better of us, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving can make us not only better spouses and parents, but also better people in general. Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS, is joined by Sister Immaculata Marie Policare to discuss the spiritual and practical importance of reading in Catholic families. Sister suggests that every encounter with Truth in the written word is an encounter with Jesus who is The Word. They discuss testimonies and research to highlight the benefits of reading for children of all ages. Genevieve and Sister agree that stories can play an important and helpful role in the moral formation of children and even college students. Later, Genevieve is rejoined by Dr. Mike St. Pierre to zero in on the idea that children today lack exposure to the "world of words" and tend to prefer a "world of images." The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of DistractionUncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Approach to Reading, Spelling, and Literacy The Read Aloud Revival PodcastThe Chronicles of Narnia - Wonder - The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street - The World According to Humphrey - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Jane EyreWant to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

Modesty can be a tough topic to discuss, especially with children and teenagers. Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS and Dr. Mike St. Pierre open the episode with encouragement for parents. Modesty is important, and it IS possible to talk about it with both girls and boys. Later, Genevieve sits down with guest Lillian Fallon, author of Theology of Style: Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You and Ascension Presents Presenter. Genevieve and Lillian discuss 1) best strategies for approaching the topic of modesty with your kids 2) the theology of the human body that make modesty important, 3) the dynamics of men, women, boys, and girls regarding modesty, and 4) the role of school uniforms in the modesty conversation. Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

Genevieve O'Connor, MTS, MFA sits with David Bereit, founder and former CEO of 40 Days for Life, and his wife Margaret Bereit, an educator with over twenty years experience, to discuss the liturgical season of Advent. They explain what Advent means, why it is so important for our culture today, and how families and children can benefit from diving deep into Advent. Margaret also shares tons of amazing resources and ideas for parents to bring Advent into the home for their kids. See Margaret Bereit's Facebook Page for Advent children's book recommendations. Also see her blog post about Advent resources for moms. Take a look at the website Margaret recommends in the episode here. See the book she recommended here. Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

Genevieve O'Connor, MTS is joined again by Dr. Mike St. Pierre. They discuss politics, particularly in the throes of this election season, and how parents can and should engage the subject as Catholics with their children. Mike underlines the importance of forming Children in patriotism, and shares how even negative political propaganda can be used as a tool for teaching truthfulness and digital citizenship. Genevieve and Mike also present insights from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on the relationship between Catholicism and politics. They examine how the Catholic Faith can form consciences--both in adults and children--to be sensitive to important political issues. Ultimately, they agree, our confidence as Catholics is placed on the Lord--and not on any particular political candidate.  Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless. 

Genevieve O'Connor, MTS sits down with Dr. Michael St. Pierre, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Allentown, to discuss how parents educate in the faith. Mike points out that the Church refers to families as the "Domestic Church," and underlines the importance of praying as a family. To help parents be true spiritual leaders in their homes, Mike suggests to parents that they develop a family prayer routine with both consistency and variety. Genevieve and Mike also discuss the benefits of forming connections between the faith lived out at home, in school, and at Mass. Want to suggest a topic for the podcast? Fill out this form! God Bless.