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
Dr. Tom Neal reflects on the spirituality of marriage and family, drawing especially from Pope Francis’s "Amoris Laetitia" to show how ordinary family life—its joys, wounds, and daily demands—becomes a path of sanctification and mystical growth. He then offers practical guidance on cultivating prayer in the home, highlighting the parents’ witness, daily intercession for children, and the creative use of sacramentals to ro...
Dr. Tom Neal speaks with Chris Vander Woude about the life and heroic death of his father, Tom Vander Woude, Sr., a humble husband, father, farmer, and pilot whose daily faith prepared him for the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life to save his son with Down syndrome. They discuss Tom’s impact on his family and community, the emerging cause for his canonization, and the alleged miracles and devotions that have followed his witnes...
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.
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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 ...
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 st...
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 ...
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 y...
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 chil...
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...
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.
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 i...
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.
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