Sharing the Faith with Dr. Tom Neal

In this solo episode, Dr. Tom Neal reflects on the people who have most shaped his life, especially a formative middle school tutor, exploring how genuine listening, compassion, and willing “the good of the other” shaped his Catholic faith and his approach to listening and supporting others.

Dr. Tom Neal welcomes back Mandie DeVries to explore mystagogy and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. They dive into how children—and adults—are gently led into the mysteries of the faith through signs: baptismal light, candles, the gestures of the Mass, the stories of scripture, and the very structure of the liturgy itself.

Dr. Tom Neal welcomes Mandie DeVries back to the podcast to explore how the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd introduces children to the mystery of divinization—sharing in God’s own life—through wonder, liturgical signs like the preparation of the chalice, and the parable of the prodigal son.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Orthodox theologian Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk about the Christian doctrine of deification (theosis) — our participation in God’s life by grace — and how this vision reshapes salvation beyond mere moralism, bridges Eastern and Western traditions, and speaks powerfully to ecumenism, suffering, ecology, and the work of IOTA and The Oxford Handbook on Deification.Click HERE to learn more about the International Orthodox Theological Association

Dr. Tom Neal talks with returning guest Father David Kelly about his decades of priestly and missionary service and how Catholic moral theology shapes our understanding of poverty, the common good, and the dignity of every human person. They discuss why shared moral truths—not relativism—are essential for justice, democracy, and a truly humane society.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Victoria Winter about how using imagination during prayer can draw people into a more intimate relationship with God, creating inclusive communities for special needs children through monthly Masses and socials, how a dramatic childhood near-drowning became her first conscious experience of God's love, and her autistic daughter's unique faith experiences.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Father David Kelly, a veteran Maryknoll priest, about his decades of missionary work in Latin America and his journey from Boston diocesan priest to missionary pastor, teacher, and spiritual mentor. Father Kelly reflects on learning from the faith of the poor amid suffering, the importance of humility, friendship, and staying close to God’s people.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Peter Andrastek, a senior ministry consultant with Evangelical Catholic, about his article “The Catholic Church Lacks an Imagination for Lay Agency” and the broader vocation of the laity. Peter emphasizes the need for pastoral leaders to understand and support laypeople's secular vocations, and suggests reframing the "parish" less as the primary place of evangelization and more as a center of apostolic formation, since the main “turf” of evangelization is the secular world itself.To learn more about Peter Andrastek, click HERE.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with theologian Dr. Petroc Willey about catechesis as a living “echo” of God’s good news rather than just classroom instruction. They discuss how parents are the primary catechists, forming their children through prayer, loving presence, beauty and order in the home, and rich storytelling that awakens imagination, and how praying with the Catechism helps catechists interiorize and share the faith more deeply.

Guest host Dr. Luke Arredondo talks with Fr. Stephen Koeth about his book, "Crabgrass Catholicism: How Suburbanization Transformed Faith and Politics in Postwar America", which which explores the profound impact of post-war suburbanization on American Catholicism. Fr. Koeth discusses how the move from urban ethnic parishes to suburban communities fundamentally transformed Catholic life, affecting everything from parish structure and education to political identity.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Chuck Marohn, Founder of Strong Towns, about the importance of place-based community development, drawing from his Catholic faith and personal experiences in Brainerd, Minnesota. They highlight the need for local investment and relational community building and reflect on Pope Francis's "Laudato Si'", an encyclical which gives insights on social justice and environmental impact.Learn more about Strong Towns: https://www.strongtowns.org/Learn more about the Civic Leader Summit in Pensacola: https://bit.ly/47RYlGg 

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Lenard Kelly about the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee's transition to Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation and family-centered faith formation. Dr. Kelly shares insights from his experience in the Diocese of Phoenix, which implemented Restored Order in 2005, emphasizing the importance of moving confirmation to an earlier age and refocusing catechesis on the family. He argues that faith is "caught more than taught" and that parents are the primary catechists, highlighting the need to move away from an "industrial conveyor belt" model of religious education.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Christopher Gawel about evangelization among members of Millennials and Gen Z, the challenges of religious disaffiliation and the importance of helping young people understand their identity as beloved children of God. They also discuss the need for parishes and families to create meaningful faith experiences and integrating service to others as a crucial component of faith formation.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Steven Serafin about the transition from traditional catechesis to family-centered faith formation and the importance of a parent's role in a child's faith journey. Dr. Serafin also highlights the Pathways program, which focuses on accompanying families through faith formation by creating intentional support networks, providing resources, and helping parents become primary faith witnesses to their children.Learn more about the Pathways program: https://www.fflcm.org/

Dr. Tom Neal explores the concept of discernment in the Catholic faith, emphasizing its importance in understanding God's will. He discusses discernment as part of a larger divine plan of repairing the world and shares insights on making decisions, highlighting the importance of moral choices, detachment from personal desires and to unconditionally trust in God.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Jacy Johnson about the theological concept of "The New Creation" and how the gospel is rooted in the Old Testament. They also discuss how God is both a creator and a recreator, how God creates out of love, can bring good from evil, and offers a new order of existence through the resurrection.

Dr. Tom Neal welcomes Fr. Dustin Feddon back to continue their discussion on the legacy and impact of Pope Francis. They highlight Pope Francis's unique approach, emphasizing mercy, synodality, and pastoral care. They reflect on his first words as Pope, his interactions with migrants, and his pastoral letters. The conversation also touches on the transition to Pope Leo XIV, noting his organizational skills and continuation of Francis's synodal approach.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Father Gavin Vavrek about three significant diocesan initiatives: adult faith formation, family-centered catechesis, and changing the age of confirmation from ninth grade to the age of discretion.Drawing from his experience in the Diocese of Tyler, Fr. Vavrek explains these changes aim to create a more holistic approach to faith development, transforming youth ministry from sacramental preparation to genuine discipleship and helping families more deeply engage with their Catholic faith.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Luke Arredondo about Pope Leo XIII's influence on contemporary Catholic theology, his significant contributions to the church and his efforts to balance church and state relations. They also discuss Pope Francis's successor, Pope Leo XIV, and his potential engagement with modern issues like AI, drawing parallels to Pope Leo XIII's approach to the Industrial Revolution.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Fr. Dustin Feddon about Pope Francis's legacy and impact on the Catholic church, his approach to bringing the church closer to the laity's lived experiences, and his willingness to engage with complex human realities.

Dr. Tom Neal reflects on the significance of the cross in the Christian faith, the liturgical practices of the Easter Triduum and embracing the transformative power of the cross.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Fr. Doug Martin about hearing confessions for twelve consecutive hours, his experiences with reconciliation as a Catholic convert and as a Catholic priest and words of encouragement to Catholics who don't regularly go to confession.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dcn. James Keating about his faith background, why prayer should be taken seriously, the power of external silence while praying and how to bring prayer into married life.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Austin Ashcraft about using nature and the outdoors as a teaching method, empowering young people to take risks, the importance of failure as a learning tool and how it connects to the Christian faith.Learn more about Austin Ashcraft:https://bit.ly/3F540MW

In his latest teaching episode, Dr. Tom Neal gives a lesson on the history of Lent, the purpose of fasting and different ways to practice it.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Tony Giangiulio about his faith journey, how he got involved with street evangelization, some of its misconceptions, the importance of his training and the goals of the St. Paul Street Evangelization program.Learn more about St. Paul Street Evangelization:https://streetevangelization.com/Contact Tony Giangiulio to learn more:https://bit.ly/40FBdFQ

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Mandie DeVries about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, teaching the Christian faith to her children and the importance of "order" in the spiritual life.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Claire Gallagher about why she's passionate about serving the members of Gen Z through her vocation, some of the misconceptions about them, why they're considered to be the "loneliest generation."

In this inaugural edition of "Sharing the Faith for Clergy," Dr. Tom Neal talks with Fr. Jim Schmitmeyer about the impact that preaching has had on his ministry, the importance of "the word" in the liturgy, the various genres of preaching and advice on how to approach reading and praying the scripture.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Fr. Dustin Feddon about how visiting a Florida prison as a seminarian altered the trajectory of his life, the impact that conversations with inmates has had on his ministry, and how those conversations led to the creation of Joseph House.Learn more about Joseph House:https://www.josephhouseus.org/

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Matthew Estrade about how dementia can impact the families of those who are diagnosed, how his Catholic faith impacts his work as a gerontologist, writing "The Peace With Dementia Rosary: Education, Intentions, Community," and how parishes and the lay community can help those with dementia.Learn more about Matthew's work:https://catholicaging.com

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Fr. Chris Winkeljohn about the history of the rosary, its place in the Catholic faith, how a new devotion to the rosary was introduced and how it affects the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.Learn more about the mysteries mentioned in the episode:https://www.catholicprayercards.org/rosary-hopeful-mysteries.html

In this special episode of Sharing the Faith, Dr. Tom Neal talks with Lucinda Coverston about her faith journey, what inspired her to start the Priestly Prayer Support Network, the network's mission and how the laity can get involved.Learn more about the Priestly Prayer Support Network:https://ptdiocese.org/ppsn

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Brant Pitre about what it means for Catholics to understand more about the Mass and how his "The Mass Explained" series is helping to teach the why behind it. They also do a deep dive on certain aspects of the Mass and how scriptures are an important part of them.Watch "The Mass Explained":https://bit.ly/4fBcOqX

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Alexa Schexnaildre about her three pillars of insight (understanding the cross, surrender, and accompaniment), how she has applied them to her unique life and how they can be used in times of hardship.Read Alexa's blog:https://forthegreaterpurpose.blog/

En este episodio el Señor, Luke Arredondo, el director del Centro de San Brendan para Evangelización y Espiritualidad en la diócesis, coversa con Luisa Derreza sobre las bellas experiencias que él ha tenido con las comunidades hispanas. También nos habla sobre que es el Centro de San Brendan, su visión para el centro, y porque es importante para él que la comunidad hispana sea parte de su visión.English Synopsis:In this episode, Luke Arredondo, the director of the St. Brendan Center for Evangelization and Spirituality in the diocese, speaks with Luisa Derreza about the beautiful experiences he has had with Hispanic communities. He also talks about what the center of St. Brendan is, his vision for the center, and why it's important to him that the Hispanic community be part of his vision.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Alexa Schexnaildre about her unwavering faith despite her long-standing health issues, what trust means to her, how trust helped to increate her faith in the Lord, and her "For the Greater Purpose" blog.Read Alexa's blog:https://forthegreaterpurpose.blog/

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Damon Cudihy about the basics of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process, the problems with IVF, the goodness of the children conceived by it, and why the process is a bad idea.Learn more about Dr. Cudihy:https://www.acadianaobgyn.com/Read Dr. Cudihy's article on IVF:https://www.acadianaobgyn.com/dr-cudihy-on-how-ivf-works/

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Dawn Eden Goldstein about how she accidentally became a biographer for Jesuits, being mentored by Fr. Francis Caravan, what she learned from doing research on Fr. Louis J. Twomey's relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King, and how she hopes to write a biography on Fr. Twomey.Donate to "A Priest in Good Trouble: The biography of Father Louis J. Twomey, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Jesuit Ally":https://bit.ly/4dZgRfH

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Professor Andreas Widmer about being mentored by Michael Novak, how Michael helped him build the Catholic business school at Catholic University in Washington, DC, how a theology of work can help us achieve excellence, and the influence that St. Pope John Paul II had on him throughout his career.Check out Andreas Widmer's website:https://andreas-widmer.com/Watch "The Gospel of Work" video series:https://www.cioccacenter.com/the-series

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Aida Bone about the importance of her Catholic faith, how she discovered her passion for helping those without a voice and her role as Director of Advocacy and Justice for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Maggie Peiffer about the struggle of balancing family and religious life, how her feeling of loss from a miscarriage led to the creation of her "Hidden Holiness" blog and its purpose.Read the Hidden Holiness blog:https://maggiepeiffer.substack.com/

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Susie Veters about her faith journey, blending faith with psychological science, the idea of human flourishing and how her studies have helped her personally.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Deacon Ken Primeaux about falling away from the Catholic faith, the "aha moment" that led him to becoming a deacon, and the importance of prayer.

Dr. Tom Neal talks with Dr. Mario Sacasa about his unique approach to dealing with stress and anxiety, balancing the spiritual and scientific aspects of it, how the repetition of prayer can help, and his "Overcoming Stress and Anxiety" course.Sign up for "Overcoming Stress and Anxiety":https://www.goodcatholic.com/product/overcoming-stress-and-anxiety/Listen to the "Always Hope" podcast:https://faithandmarriage.org/alwayshope/