Ready, Willing, & Able

Infertility and miscarriage are deeply personal struggles that many couples face, often accompanied by feelings of isolation and grief. In this month's episode, host Genevieve Anatalio engages in a heartfelt conversation with Ann Koshute, co-founder of the Springs in the Desert ministry of accompaniment for infertility and loss, about navigating these experiences through a lens of faith. 

In the episode, Koshute reflects on the spiritual dimensions of infertility, emphasizing that while medical solutions are often the focus, the emotional and spiritual toll can be profound. She candidly shares her own experience with infertility in her 15 years of m...

Today's episode examines the painful but important topic of children who fall away from the Catholic faith, asking how parents can cope with this rejection and help their “prodigal children” return home to the Church.

Host Genevieve Anatalio is joined by Celeste Behe, founder of the St. Monica Ministry, a global support community and prayer network for the families and friends of fallen-away Catholics. Behe shares her own testimony of having a son who left the faith, and how that heartbreaking decision spurred her toward learning about St. Monica and ultimately beginning the Ministry.

Anatalio and...

Today, host Genevieve Anatalio is joined by Catholic author Kevin Wilson to explore devotion to the saints. First, Wilson shares some of his background. His journey from writing about WWII soldiers to sharing stories of modern saints shows the importance of having trust in God’s often surprising plans for our lives. Anatalio and Wilson then discuss how to make the saints relatable, combat common misconceptions, and guide children in choosing patron saints — especially for Confirmation.

Wilson refers to his book “The Saint I Knew: Exciting ‘Encounters’ with Holiness” in the episode, a work which focuses on 20th- and 21st...

Days before the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, host Genevieve Anatalio interviews Dr. Matthew Spalding. Spalding is the Kirby Professor in Constitutional Government and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College and oversees the Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship at Hillsdale’s Washington, D.C. campus. He was also appointed Executive Director of the President’s Advisory 1776 Commission, and he is currently a senior academic advisor for America250 projects. Also a faithful Catholic, father of two, and longtime Knight of Columbus, Spalding breaks down why Catholics — or anyone — should car...

In this month's episode, host Genevieve Anatalio invites Father Matthew Kuna, Chaplain of St. Christopher Catholic Newman Center, Kutztown University and Berks Catholic High School, Reading, to dive into the topic of the Blessed Mother. 

Father Kuna reminds listeners of Mary’s role in the universal Church, as well as her particular significance to the Diocese of Allentown in this 65th anniversary year. Anatalio asks about Mary’s role in the Domestic Church – the family – and they discuss how the Blessed Mother walks with families through joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

The episode also offers so...

In this month's episode, host Genevieve Anatalio meets with Josh Ditsky to discuss the college decision process. As the Director of College and Career Counseling at Berks Catholic High School for the past 19 years, in addition to his 15 years of college admissions experience, Ditsky has wisdom to offer parents and students alike when it comes to navigating the important decision of where to attend college.  

Ditsky suggests that parents and students start by considering general necessities and the temperament and needs of the student, with intentional time set aside for the “college conversation.” He reminds parents that needs...

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 Lea...

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 ma...

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 a...

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 d...

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 an...

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...

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. Mari...

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...

In this month's episode, Genevieve O'Connor M.F.A, M.T.S. asks Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Zelenda Hodgskin, how to rescue our focus on faith when summer swoops in to ruin our routines. Hodgskin has lots of practical and anecdotal advice for how to keep the faith alive in our families through the summer, suggesting that parents host faith-themed movie nights and set aside special sacred spaces in the home. O'Connor also asks about keeping faith going when we are on vacation, noting that sometimes our beach trips involve leaving behind our worries and o...

Genevieve O'Connor, M.T.S., M.F.A meets with Maggie Riggins, Executive Director of Evangelization and Formation for the Diocese of Allentown, to talk about how  holiness is possible in any state in life. While some people worry that their lifestyle doesn't permit holiness (parents don't have time to spend 6 hours in prayer like a monk might!), Catholic Tradition reveals that EVERYONE is called to holiness. Riggins offers insight into how this holiness is possible by introducing "Salesian Spirituality." She explains that St. Francis de Sales, through his friendship and correspondence with St. Jane de Chantal, insisted that h...

Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS explains that Lent is all about making us better lovers, and therefore better reflections of the image of God in us. In a way, she says, Lent helps us to be MORE human in the way that God designed. Even two weeks before Easter, at the time of this episode release, O'Connor argues that it is not too late to ponder Lent and renew our efforts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. She offers parents an understanding of the reasoning behind these practices of the Church so that they can better implement them in their family...

Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS, is joined by Sister Immaculata Marie Policare to discuss the spiritual and practical importance of reading in Catholic families. Sister suggests that every encounter with Truth in the written word is an encounter with Jesus who is The Word. They discuss testimonies and research to highlight the benefits of reading for children of all ages. Genevieve and Sister agree that stories can play an important and helpful role in the moral formation of children and even college students. Later, Genevieve is rejoined by Dr. Mike St. Pierre to zero in on the idea that children...

Modesty can be a tough topic to discuss, especially with children and teenagers. Genevieve O'Connor, MFA, MTS and Dr. Mike St. Pierre open the episode with encouragement for parents. Modesty is important, and it IS possible to talk about it with both girls and boys. Later, Genevieve sits down with guest Lillian Fallon, author of Theology of Style: Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You and Ascension Presents Presenter. Genevieve and Lillian discuss 1) best strategies for approaching the topic of modesty with your kids 2) the theology of the human body that make modesty important, 3) the dynamics of men, women, boys...

Genevieve O'Connor, MTS, MFA sits with David Bereit, founder and former CEO of 40 Days for Life, and his wife Margaret Bereit, an educator with over twenty years experience, to discuss the liturgical season of Advent. They explain what Advent means, why it is so important for our culture today, and how families and children can benefit from diving deep into Advent. Margaret also shares tons of amazing resources and ideas for parents to bring Advent into the home for their kids.

See Margaret Bereit's Facebook Page for Advent children's book recommendations. Also see her blog post about...

Genevieve O'Connor, MTS is joined again by Dr. Mike St. Pierre. They discuss politics, particularly in the throes of this election season, and how parents can and should engage the subject as Catholics with their children. 

Mike underlines the importance of forming Children in patriotism, and shares how even negative political propaganda can be used as a tool for teaching truthfulness and digital citizenship. Genevieve and Mike also present insights from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on the relationship between Catholicism and politics. They examine how the Catholic Faith can form consciences--both in adults and children--to b...

Genevieve O'Connor, MTS sits down with Dr. Michael St. Pierre, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Allentown, to discuss how parents educate in the faith. Mike points out that the Church refers to families as the "Domestic Church," and underlines the importance of praying as a family. To help parents be true spiritual leaders in their homes, Mike suggests to parents that they develop a family prayer routine with both consistency and variety. Genevieve and Mike also discuss the benefits of forming connections between the faith lived out at home, in school, and at Mass. 

W...