The role of Catholic schools in unleashing the Gospel must not be underestimated. Archbishop Vigneron writes that, “Our catholic schools must be training grounds for future saints.” It’s these training grounds where countless young people are invited to encounter Jesus, grapple with the tough questions, and grow into a wholehearted Christian worldview, where the dignity of the human person is consistently upheld. Listen to disciples in the Archdiocese who have been impacted by Catholic...

Loss, as painful as it can be, is something we all will face in this life. And being thrust into a season of grieving can be disorienting and overwhelming. Yet, our faith in Jesus and his resurrection always gives us a reason to remain hopeful. In this episode, hear from three courageous women who have suffered tremendous loss yet, through it all, remained faithful and allowed grace to inform their grief. 0:00 We introduce this episode’s topic of grief, and contextualize it in the hope...

Join Open Door Policy as we revisit the inspiring stories of guests who have responded to the call to share their gifts in service of their parish communities. Our spiritual homes at our parishes are supposed to be founded upon prayer and a culture of encounter with Jesus. Listen as your peers share how God is unleashing the Gospel through them by leading and serving in their parish communities. Show notes: (00:18) This mini-sode’s theme is introduced: unleashing the Gospel by leading...

The process of discernment is oriented towards the life that God created you for—a life of holiness, and authentic happiness! In this episode, hear from joyful missionary disciples whose lives have been marked and changed forever through a process of discernment, and allow their witnesses to inspire you and the way you live according to God’s mission for your life. (00:00) Discernment helps us grow in faith, hope, and love. Learn how the process of discernment in itself can help one grow...

In this Open Door Policy mini-sode, we revisit some of the conversations with two of our guests who recognize and celebrate the importance of their grandparents on their paths to becoming joyful missionary disciples. Take a listen! Show notes: (00:00 - 02:10) We introduce this epsiode’s topic, by highlighting the importance of grandparents in the life of Jesus and in the lives of the faithful. We introduce Kate Bryan, who shares her desire to be a joyful witness to the Gospel, by sharing...

In this bonus episode, hear from some of our guests from our most recent Open Door Policy season, as they share about their experiences of Confession, how they handle the nerves that can accompany seeking the sacrament, and their desire to share the goodness of it with others. In this episode, you’ll hear great anecdotes from our guests and our co-hosts, Emily Mentock and Fr. Patrick Gonyeau, as they discuss the role of Confession in their lives! Show notes: (00:16) We introduce this...

In the inaugural edition of Open Door Policy “mini-sodes,” listen to some of our favorite moments from past shows, where guests share why they love the Eucharist and how it has changed their lives. Hear how Sr. Maria Veritas encounters Jesus as her spouse daily, in the Blessed Sacrament, how Melissa Florian’s desires that fueled addiction were transformed into a hunger for the Eucharist, and how Fr. David Pellican’s love for the Eucharist is propelling his dream of cultivating a love for the...

“It’s like sitting in God’s living room.” This episode of Open Door Policy is a season finale! Join hosts Emily Mentock and Fr. Patrick Gonyeau as they share their highlights from the previous season. Together they marvel at how God is alive and active in the life of each guest who has joined them. From storytelling to music, from mental health struggles to a new vocation to the permanent diaconate, each guest has exhibited how unique God’s plan is for each life. Your hosts share their dreams...

Hosts Emily Mentock and Fr. Patrick Gonyeau welcome Deacon Fred Billotto, who has been propelled into service of the Gospel by a great love for the laity and docility to the Holy Spirit. Listen in as Dcn. Fred shares about his discernment to become a permanent deacon, the impact of investing in his parish community, the role of scripture in his life, and finally his dreams for the future. Our God-given missions are not simply places we pour out our time and energy, but rather, they are the...

This episode of Open Door Policy is overflowing with consecrated love for Jesus in the Eucharist. Two members of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Sr. Mary Martha and Sr. Maria Veritas share insight into how they have encountered the Lord, grown to serve the Lord as brides of Christ, and witness to God’s love through their service — including writing for Detroit Catholic. This episode includes “treasures from prayer,” and asks the question, “What saint has captured your...

Open Door Policy brings you the inspiring testimony of a young Catholic missionary serving in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Anna Picasso serves as a Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionary at Wayne State University, and surrounding campuses. Anna shares her story of growing up Catholic, but falling away from the faith in high school. Intentional friendships during a semester-long trip to Rome in college led to a life-changing encounter with Jesus through returning to the...

In this episode of Open Door Policy, Dr. Marlon De La Torre, the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship, shares his story – one that, at times, might sound like the words from a great audiobook. Listen as he describes his journey from a culturally Catholic youth, to an adventurous and faithful disciple, following wherever God leads him, all the way from California to Ohio, and, most recently, to right here in Detroit. (0:18) Emily and Fr. Patrick...

This episode of Open Door Policy is a generous taste of modern Irish Catholicism. Eileen Newell joins hosts Emily Mentock and Fr. Patrick Gonyeau in this discussion of Eileen's walk with the Lord. Her upbringing, the witness of her parents’ faith, and a trip to El Salvador helped her answer the big questions of life that she encountered in college. These days, serving on the Catholic Schools Council and her involvement with Family of Parishes prove to be experiences of God at work through...

Elizabeth Spencer joins Fr. Patrick and Emily in the virtual studio, where she shares how her experience of encountering Jesus in a personal way as a college student led to her career dedicated to ministry in youth and family faith formation. 0:35 Fr. Patrick opens by asking Emily about her highlights from her recent trip to Rome, where she represented the Communications team from the Archdiocese of Detroit. She shares the powerful experiences of praying at tomb of St. Aloysius for her...

Emily and Fr. Patrick welcome Alex Lynch to the podcast, and she reflects on her journey as a joyful missionary disciple as she has cultivated faith and community in her family and ministry involvement in her parish. (1:05) Emily reflects on her two-year anniversary working with the Archdiocese of Detroit. Fr. Patrick asks her what her favorite memory is of serving the city of Detroit and Emily relays her connection to the community through her work on the Open Door Policy podcast....

Emily and Fr. Patrick welcome Bishop Donald Hanchon, who shares the story of his journey through the priesthood and how his many years serving minority communities in Detroit have formed him as a joyful missionary disciple with a heart for God’s people. (0:55) Fr. Patrick and Emily discuss what they are excited about and grateful for in the liturgical Christmas season. (3:30) Fr. Patrick and Emily discuss their key moments of formation in their personal faith lives as Catholics. (4:45)...

Emily and Fr. Patrick welcome guest Josh Ross, worship leader and music director at St. Anastasia parish. Josh shares his story of how God has worked in his life through his pursuit of a vocation in music and the power of music as worship to transform the communal Church. (0:45) Fr. Patrick and Emily discuss what they are grateful for during this Thanksgiving season, highlighting growing in love for God, connecting with others, Unleash the Gospel, and the work of the Holy Spirit here in...

Father Patrick and Emily speak to guest Father David Pellican about his journey as a joyful missionary disciple, from his childhood growing up with seven sisters in rural Michigan raising pigs, to his call to the priesthood, to his current work of bringing students at Divine Child Schools into encounters with Christ. (0:25) Fr. Patrick and Emily open by discussing local community outreach. Fr. Patrick shares about his ministry of sharing the gospel and prayer with those in the local...

Sheila Breen joins Emily and Fr. Patrick to share her story of growth throughout her faith journey. She reflects on how her husband Deacon Breen’s illness set them on the path to opening themselves fully to God’s grace and taking up their cross as an offering in service to others as prayer warriors. (0:50) Emily and Fr. Patrick share stories of gratitude to God in their praise reports. (3:05) Emily introduces guest Sheila Breen, wife of the late Deacon Breen, and they discuss her...

Mike Stechschulte has served as the Editor-in-Chief for Detroit Catholic for almost ten years. He shares with Fr. Patrick and Emily how he developed a love for storytelling, and how his current role gives him a unique birds-eye view on all the different ways that God is working here in Southeast Michigan. "We just have such a robust dynamic archdiocese, and I think that there really is something in the church for everyone. We have robust pro-life ministries, we have ministries of service...

Marek Dziekonski joins Emily and Fr. Patrick in the virtual studio (back from summer break!) to tell his story of meeting Jesus after a parachuting accident and moving to the United States to serve as a missionary. (2:00) Emily and Fr. Patrick after taking a few months off for “summer break,” and introduce the episode guest. (4:45) Welcome Marek Dziekonski! Marek shares about his life growing up in Poland and what his family would do for vacation in the summer. He introduces his family:...

Marquette Method instructor Laura Sparling discusses her journey to joyful missionary discipleship and how she witnesses God changing lives through NFP. Show notes: (0:18) Emily and Fr. Patrick catch up and talk about the beauty of Michigan water and some of our Archdiocese of Detroit parishes that sit right on the waterfront. (3:27) Emily introduces this episode’s guest, Laura Sparling, who is a mother of five, an oldies music lover, and married to an American hero. Laura talks more...

Colleen Vermeulen, Director of the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan, shares her experience of reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church, how it empowered her faith journey, and how the scriptures keep discipleship grounded. Show notes: (0:32) Emily and Fr. Patrick share updates, reflect on the Solemnity of Pentecost, and introduce this episode’s guest, Colleen Vermeulen. (6:19) Colleen talks about her life growing up in a Catholic family, making her sacraments, and playing violin...

Fr. Jake VanAssche, administrator at St. Damien of Molokai Parish in Pontiac, discusses his priestly vocation and the graces that come when we remain open to God. Show notes: (0:25) Emily and Fr. Patrick catch up and share some updates from their lives, including Tigers games, street ministry, reading Romans, a trip to South Bend and more. (6:45) Fr. Patrick introduces this episode’s guest, Fr. Jake VanAssche, Administrator of St. Damien of Molokai Parish in Pontiac! He shares some fun...