Sharing the Faith with Dr. Tom Neal
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.
Episodes
65 episodes
Episode 62 - Sharing the Faith: A Teaching on Divinization
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 th...
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Episode 62
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57:18
Episode 61 - Sharing the Faith: The Doctrine of Deification
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 W...
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Episode 61
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48:51
Episode 60 - Sharing the Faith: Understanding the Dignity of the Human Person
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 di...
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Episode 60
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41:54
Episode 59 - Sharing the Faith: The Power of Imagination in Spiritual Life
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 dr...
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Episode 59
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42:41
Episode 58 - Sharing the Faith: Six Decades of Missionary Work and Spiritual Mentorship
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...
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Episode 58
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34:15
Episode 57 - Sharing the Faith: Understanding the Secular Vocations of the Laity
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 ne...
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Episode 57
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46:36
Episode 56 - Sharing the Faith: A Moment in Evangelization
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, lovi...
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Episode 56
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41:30
Episode 55 - Sharing the Faith: The History of Catholic Suburbanization
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 A...
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Episode 55
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47:31
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...
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Episode 54
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25:41
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 ...
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Episode 53
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46:40
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...
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Episode 52
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47:50
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 o...
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Episode 51
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42:10
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...
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Episode 50
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48:59
Episode 49 - Sharing the Faith: The Intersection of Faith and Urban Development
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 investm...
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Episode 49
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45:06
Episode 48 - Sharing the Faith: The Benefits of Restored Order
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...
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Episode 48
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44:24
Episode 47 - Sharing the Faith: Evangelization Among Millennials and Gen Z
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 Go...
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Episode 47
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45:24
Episode 46 - Sharing the Faith: The Importance of Family-Centered Catechesis
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, w...
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Episode 46
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50:58
Episode 45 - Sharing the Faith: The Concept of Discernment
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 decisi...
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Episode 45
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50:18
Episode 44 - Sharing the Faith: Theology of the New Creation
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...
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Episode 44
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43:25
Episode 43 - Sharing the Faith: The Impact of Pope Francis
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...
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Episode 43
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47:44
Episode 42 - Sharing the Faith: A Transition to Restored Order
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...
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Episode 42
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44:19
Episode 41 - Sharing the Faith: The Influence of Pope Leo XIII
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 su...
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Episode 41
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45:16
Episode 40 - Sharing the Faith: The Legacy of Pope Francis
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.
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Episode 40
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50:02
Episode 39 - Sharing the Faith: A Reflection on the Cross
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.
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Episode 39
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44:26
Episode 38 - Sharing the Faith: The Importance of Reconciliation
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...
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Episode 38
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46:03