EquipCast - Episodes Tagged with “Catholic Faith”

Coach's Corner 17: A Clear Path for School Parents

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0600

One of the largest opportunities for evangelization is in our Catholic schools. But breaking into this mission field comes with its own struggles. Many parents are juggling so many responsibilities and pressures. They're dealing with work, family, and all the demands of modern life, which can make it hard to prioritize their faith journey. Plus, the church's efforts to engage them might not always resonate or fit into their busy lives. But the key is to meet them where they are.

Join me today for a discussion about how to engage school parents in the clear path to discipleship.

[01:12] Challenges Facing Catholic Schools
[05:00] The Role of Parents in Faith Formation
[07:23] Building a Clear Path of Discipleship
[09:42] Pro Tips for Engaging School Parents

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 167: Our Mission to Love: How to share your faith without being pushy

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0600

I was recently asked, "How do you share your faith without coming across as pushy?" It’s a big question—how can we invite people into a relationship with Jesus without making it feel manipulative? The answer is simple: We love.

The core of the Great Commission—"go and make disciples"—is the call to love because God is love. If we let that love shape and transform us, we become agents of love in our communities. This means nurturing our relationship with God first and letting that love overflow into our relationships with others.

In this episode, I talk with Peter Andrastek, Senior Consultant at The Evangelical Catholic. We explore how to share our faith through genuine connections and meaningful conversations. It’s about finding a balance: reaching out with urgency, yet having the wisdom to do it gently. Join me as we dive into what it means to be a missionary disciple, sharing the love we've been given in a way that feels authentic and true.

[03:25] The Importance of Evangelization
[09:55] Deprofessionalizing Evangelization
[17:41] Building Relationships for Mission
[28:35] Understanding and Loving Others
[33:21] Balancing Holiness and Mission
[45:42] Stories of Evangelization

Also check out:

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Step 2: Conversion Moment – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Does your parish have Alpha, Christ Life, a parish retreat, or some other initiative that creates an opportunity for people to hear about Jesus, reflect on their faith, and take a step towards a real and lasting relationship with him? The Clear Path step Conversion Moment is designed to help individuals encounter Jesus and make a personal decision to follow Him by offering a clear proclamation of the Gospel.

My guest, Marlo Monico, shares her experience building and sustaining a Conversion Moment. She shares stories of significant personal transformations and emphasizes the importance of hospitality, community, and continuous invitation in evangelization efforts.

[01:30] Deep Dive into Conversion Moments
[04:51] Building a Clear Path of Discipleship
[23:28] Content and Impact of Alpha
[28:35] Stories of Transformation
[40:00] Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
[46:59] Building Community and Small Groups
[52:13] Encouragement and Final Thoughts

For more on the Clear Path, read the book, A Clear Path to Discipleship, or check out our “cheat-sheet” Clear Path Definitions and Phases. Also, here our Options for Conversion Moments guide.

If you were inspired by Marlo, check out St. Columbkille’s Alpha.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 133: How to Engage Outsiders: Strategies for Sharing the Catholic Faith with Mallory Smyth

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

How important is it to care about what outsiders think of the Catholic Church? Discover the significance of bridging the gap between the Church and those who may feel distant. In this episode, we dive into Mallory Smythe's remarkable journey back to Catholicism, exploring her encounters with saints, the power of personal narratives, and strategies for engaging outsiders in conversations about faith. Mallory's compelling journey, shared in her book, 'Rekindled,' not only offers a shot in the arm for your faith but also provides a roadmap for engaging with others and fostering a deeper connection with the Church.

As she beautifully puts it, “[Jesus] changed the lives of the disciples, and his last command was to go out to the world and make disciples…and it's the same thing for us. Like God actually calls us to go into the world and to meet people where they are, not compromising our own beliefs. But reach the hand out, and bring them in, in a way that they can understand and accept.”

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn in this episode:

Strategies for engaging with outsiders and sharing your faith
The transformative power of personal narratives in evangelization
Insights into Mallory's encounters with saints and their impact on her faith
Practical tips for navigating doubt and rediscovering the joy in your Catholic journey

Also, check out the resources mentioned in this episode!

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 128: Lampstand Initiative: Illuminating Faith Through Prayer and Community with Fr. Pat McLaughlin

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever had a moment that deeply touched your soul, making you feel connected to God and changing your life? We often think of monumental conversion moments, but what if I told you that such transformative encounters could be a part of your daily life—through prayer?

Prayer is more than just speaking to God; it's about creating a sacred space for genuine conversation. It's about building a relationship with Jesus, allowing Him to speak to us, fostering spiritual growth, and helping us understand ourselves and God's will. Beyond that, prayer lets us receive grace and feel God's immense love. And here's the beautiful part: these encounters aren't just for us; they're meant to be shared, strengthening our faith and enriching our communities.

Today, I sit down with Fr. Pat McLaughlin for a conversation about the Lampstand Initiative. It's a program designed to transform our prayer lives, bringing us closer to Jesus. But it doesn't stop there. The Lampstand Initiative empowers us to not only deepen our own prayer lives but also to teach others, creating a ripple effect of prayer and evangelization in our communities.

In this episode, we explore:

How a listening heart in prayer can bring a profound connection with Jesus.
How sharing the blessings of your prayer can amplify the impact and foster a culture of evangelization.
How to teach people to teach others to pray through the Lampstand Initiative.

Learn more about the Lampstand Initiative. Or deepen your own prayer life by picking up one of these books: WRAP Yourself in Scripture and The Parish as a School of Prayer.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 127: Uncover Your Charisms Through Spiritual Openness with Sherry Weddell

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Ever felt the exhilaration of God's presence when using your unique spiritual gifts? Can you imagine what it would be like to discover and unleash your charisms for the benefit of your community? It's a journey of openness, spiritual growth, and the grace of God propelling us forward.

Join me in an inspiring episode featuring Sherry Weddell, co-founder of the Catherine of Sienna Institute. She sheds light on charisms, reminding us that these divine gifts are meant to be shared, illuminating the lives of others with God's love and mercy. “These are ways that you and I have been empowered by God to be an instrument of His love and His beauty and His mercy and His healing and His provision for other people."

In this episode, we delve into the world of spiritual gifts, exploring the transformative power of charisms and their role in shaping our faith.

Get Ready to:

Understand the essence of charisms and how they impact our spiritual journey
Recognize the stages of spiritual development and the importance of openness
Learn about the Called and Gifted discernment process to discover your unique spiritual blueprint
Discover how to create a culture of discipleship and openness within your community
Gain insights into the profound connection between charisms and evangelization

If you're curious to learn more about how charisms can ignite your faith and guide you on a path of intentional discipleship check out The Catherine of Sienna Institute and Sherry’s book, Forming Intentional Disciples.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Coach's Corner 2: Closing Churches

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0600

Did you know that in July of this year more than 20 parishes in our diocese will cease having Sunday Mass? Maybe one of these parishes is your own. The cessation of Sunday Mass will be one of the hardest events for faithful Catholics to process. It feels like the death of a loved one. However, this is not the first time God's people have had to deal with their worship in a particular place coming to an end. I’d like to offer lessons from the past. Why is this happening and what should our response be?

References:
Vatican document on Pastoral Planning

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)