Ready, Willing, & Able

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...

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 anniver...

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 a...

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...

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...

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....

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 hop...

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 scriptur...

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 emphasi...

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...

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....

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...

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 EVERYON...

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,...

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 ag...

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 an...

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 o...

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 dig...

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...