Ready, Willing, & Able

Office of Education at the Catholic Diocese of Allentown
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  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

We are here to explore topics which will inform and edify Catholic parents. We hope our content will equip you to discuss the faith with your kids and bring the richness of the Catholic faith into your family life, so that you feel ready, willing, and able to live into your call as primary educators of the faith. 

  1. 6D AGO

    Special Needs and Sainthood

    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.

    40 min

  2. FEB 27

    What's the Big Deal about Baptism?

    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.  Books Love 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 Media FORMED: 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.

    25 min

  3. JAN 30

    Keeping Your Kids Catholic with Dr. Michael Rota

    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.

    26 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Make 2026 Your Holiest Year Yet! Featuring Bishop Schlert

    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.

    22 min

  5. 10/15/2025

    I'm Getting Married! Exploring Matrimony and Parenting in the Catholic Church

    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.

    35 min

  6. 09/26/2025

    One Year of Ready, Willing, & Able

    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.

    15 min

  7. 08/27/2025

    Raising Saints: Thinking Through Your Child's Vocation

    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.

    23 min

  8. 07/23/2025

    Serve the Lord (and the Ball)

    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.

    32 min
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About

We are here to explore topics which will inform and edify Catholic parents. We hope our content will equip you to discuss the faith with your kids and bring the richness of the Catholic faith into your family life, so that you feel ready, willing, and able to live into your call as primary educators of the faith. 

Information

  • Creator
    Office of Education at the Catholic Diocese of Allentown
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ready, Willing, & Able
  • Show Website
    Ready, Willing, & Able

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