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Be Alive!

Be Alive!

By Diocese of St. Augustine

Be Alive! features interviews with youth and young adults on various aspects of the Catholic faith. The voices of the young church will inspire and encourage you along your own faith journey!
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The Lord Calls Each Person To Their Own Way

Be Alive!Nov 30, 2023

00:00
22:46
The Lord Calls Each Person To Their Own Way

The Lord Calls Each Person To Their Own Way

In this episode we are joined by 2022 Christus Vivit award winner Catherine Coffey as she shares not only how she encountered God, but how encounters with Him will look different for each of us. Our faith offers a variety of devotions and ways to pray, but we are not called to pursue all of them. The Lord calls each person to their own way, and we develop our way as we continue to be intentional and consistent with prayer.

Nov 30, 202322:46
God Qualifies the Called

God Qualifies the Called

In this episode our guest, Mackenzie Tucker, shares about his encounter with Christ at SEEK and answering the call to serve as a FOCUS missionary.

Nov 09, 202320:41
Encountering God Through Daily Prayer

Encountering God Through Daily Prayer

In this episode of Be Alive we are joined by Chris and Mary Kate Mueller as they share how they individually encountered God, how they met and discerned their vocation, and how they continue to encounter God through prayer in their daily life despite the busyness and challenges that life brings.

Oct 26, 202328:20
Going Down the Mountain

Going Down the Mountain

Be Alive is back for another season! As we start diving into the topic of encounters, Fr. Bob and Kaitlyn talk to Carlos Esquivia-Cruz, a young adult from St. Catherine of Siena, who encountered God through serving as a summer missionary at Camp Covecrest with Life Teen. Carlos shares how a mountain top experience changed his relationship with Christ and what he did to maintain that relationship upon returning home.

Oct 12, 202332:37
Eucharistic Miracles

Eucharistic Miracles

Fr. Bob and Kaitlyn talk with Audrey Allen, a student at St. Francis Academy and parishioner of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gainesville. Audrey shares her eucharistic witness and how her faith and belief in the Eucharist grew through doing research and learning more about eucharistic miracles. 


Jun 01, 202324:05
The Gift of Receiving Christ in Holy Communion

The Gift of Receiving Christ in Holy Communion

Aaron Gibson from San Juan Del Rio joins us in this episode as he shares about serving at his parish as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and how he has grown in his own relationship with Christ by taking on this great responsibility. 


Jun 01, 202321:22
Prefigures of the Eucharist in the Old Testament

Prefigures of the Eucharist in the Old Testament

In this episode we are joined by March Roth, a young adult member of the Brazilian community and Catholic Campus Ministry Jax. In connection with the National Eucharistic Revival, March shares his knowledge on the prefigures of the Eucharist in the Old Testament. 


May 25, 202321:58
Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of the Eucharist

Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of the Eucharist

Annabelle Craig from Epiphany Catholic Church joins us on the podcast to share about her encounters with Christ in the Eucharist and the importance of not only relying on powerful encounters or strong feelings of consolation to grow in intimacy with our Lord. 


May 18, 202321:52
Experiencing Christ's Sacrificial Love

Experiencing Christ's Sacrificial Love

We each have our own personal relationship with Christ which means that we each experience his love differently. Sophia Stetter, from Queen of Peace parish in Gainesville, joins us to share how she has experienced Christ’s love through encounters she had in adoration. 


May 12, 202325:20
Fostering a Relationship with Christ Through Adoration

Fostering a Relationship with Christ Through Adoration

We are back with season 5 of Be Alive! This season focuses specifically on the Eucharist as we are in the midst of the National Eucharistic Revival. In this episode Fr. Bob and Kaitlyn are joined by Mikala Edenfield, a young adult from Epiphany Catholic Church, as she shares about her journey of becoming Catholic and how she has fostered her relationship with our Lord in the Eucharist through adoration. 


May 04, 202315:49
Discerning Religious Life

Discerning Religious Life

Sr. Mary Rachel of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and a UF alumni, joins us to share her vocation story and how she surrendered her will to the Lord despite the plans she originally had for her life.

Oct 20, 202224:43
Receiving a Heart Transplant

Receiving a Heart Transplant

Mary Alice Klenk, a young adult parishioner at Epiphany Catholic Church in Lake City, joins us to share her story of having great faith in the midst of being diagnosed with Myocarditis, experiencing heart failure, and having to undergo a heart transplant.

Oct 13, 202222:05
Maintaining Peace in a Chaotic World

Maintaining Peace in a Chaotic World

In this episode Fr. Bob and Kaitlyn have the privilege of speaking with Josie Delac about how we can maintain peace in the midst of busyness, stress, and the chaos that life can bring at times. We talk about the importance of silence, daily prayer, and remembering we are not the ones in control of everything, but we are in control of how we respond. 

Sep 29, 202232:57
Finding Hope in the Midst of Chronic Illness

Finding Hope in the Midst of Chronic Illness

Fr. Bob and Kaitlyn are joined by Ciera Wood as she shares her journey of battling Crohn's disease, how she has managed to find hope despite the obstacles she's faced, and how she's been able to raise awareness and witness to others through sharing her journey on social media.

Sep 22, 202232:49
Coming to America: A Vocation Story

Coming to America: A Vocation Story

In this episode, we get to hear from Diego Vasquez, a seminarian in our diocese, as he shares his vocation story and how he came to the United States from Venezuela! 

Sep 22, 202225:17
Natural Family Planning, a Tool for Married Couples and Single Women

Natural Family Planning, a Tool for Married Couples and Single Women

Be Alive is back with a fourth season! In this episode we welcome Kaylee Kuhlman, a Natural Family Planning instructor, to talk about NFP. NFP is not moral contraception, rather, it is a way of living God's plan for marriage by honoring one’s spouse’s sexuality and fertility. We also discuss how NFP is not just a tool for married couples, but how it can also be used by single women to learn more about a woman's fertility and dig deeper into fertility related health issues such as irregular cycles.

Sep 01, 202223:13
The Power of Reconciliation

The Power of Reconciliation

Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation we are freed from our sins and recover the grace of friendship with God. In this episode, Fr. Bob and Kaitlyn speak with Molly Vought, a rising senior in high school, about the power of Reconciliation and how to overcome the fear some may have of going to confession.

Jun 27, 202222:26
Beating the Odds

Beating the Odds

More than 65% of young people who attend Mass on Sunday and another parish event on a weekly basis quit attending Church within 3 months of their freshman year of college. This is known as the statistic of the double dipper. In this episode Fr. Bob and Kaitlyn talk to Veronica Reilly, a freshman in college, about how she managed to continue to pursue her faith in college despite the odds being against her.

May 31, 202226:12
Balancing Faith & Sports

Balancing Faith & Sports

Being involved in sports, especially as a student, can make maintaining a strong spiritual life difficult. Join Fr. Bob and Kaitlyn as they talk to UNF Basketball player, Rhetta Moore, about how she manages to keep Christ at the center of her life as a college athlete and full-time college student. 

May 17, 202219:51
Synod on Synodality

Synod on Synodality

In October of 2021, Pope Francis opened the process for the Synod on Synodality. What exactly is the Synod on Synodality and what is its purpose? Join Fr. Bob and Kaitlyn as they discuss the synod and its phases with Mel Rio, a young adult who served on the steering committee for the synod in the Diocese of St. Augustine. 

May 06, 202233:27
Called to Mission

Called to Mission

Joined by Ansley Anderson, we dive into the topic of serving on mission both locally and abroad. Hear from Ansley as she shares about her mission trips to Honduras and her experiences on Urban Plunge, a local mission trip for high school teens here in the Diocese of St. Augustine. 

Apr 25, 202221:03
Holy Places in the Diocese

Holy Places in the Diocese

Be Alive is back! Join Fr. Bob and our new co-host, Kaitlyn Dedek, as they talk to Rebecca Harkness about the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche. Listen as she shares her story of being adopted and how special the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche truly is.

Apr 18, 202219:18
Investing in the Future of the Church

Investing in the Future of the Church

This week Fr. Bob and Liz sit down with two of our ECHO apprentices here in the Diocese of St. Augustine. Learn more about this great program and how it encourages us all to invest in the future of our faith.


To learn more about ECHO from Notre Dame visit https://mcgrath.nd.edu/service-learning/echo-graduate-service-program/ 

Nov 04, 202117:47
There is Always Something to be Grateful For

There is Always Something to be Grateful For

This week Fr. Bob and Liz are joined by an amazing young woman, Nicole, as she shares about her experience seeking asylum in the United States and being separated from her family for the process. Listen and be inspired to find faith and gratitude even in the middle of life's struggles.


To learn more about immigration legal services and refugee resettlement efforts in our diocese visit Catholic Charities Jacksonville at https://www.ccbjax.org/

Oct 28, 202109:32
Discipline in Faith and Life

Discipline in Faith and Life

Fr. Bob and Liz are joined by Cassidy, a member of Comunita Cenacola, to share a little bit about her journey and how living in community has helped develop disciple in prayer and faith life, but also in relationships and communication.


To learn more about community visit https://www.hopereborn.org

Oct 21, 202120:37
Inspiring Faith in Your Family

Inspiring Faith in Your Family

In an episode recorded prior to our little break, Fr. Bob and Liz sit down with Frank Palmieri to talk about his journey to the faith and the effect that had on his family. Hear about what a youth can inspire in their family's faith life and feel inspired to share with your own family.

Oct 14, 202125:41
Real Talk About Mental Health

Real Talk About Mental Health

Fr. Bob and Liz are back with beloved guest Marlys Adjevi to talk about mental health and the church. Hear about trends we have noticed within the last year in our world and the church and encouragement for all.

See more about catholic-based providers within our diocese at https://family.dosafl.com/therapists/

Oct 07, 202128:13
Centered on Christ

Centered on Christ

Joined by newlywed Kim Powell, Father Bob and Liz take on the idea of relationships (friendship or romantic) centered around Christ. We discuss how these relationships are different and how can we cultivate more of them in our lives.

Jun 10, 202122:38
Why Witness

Why Witness

We return for Season 2 with guest Sarah Ward to discuss the topic of our witness. Hear about sharing your story with others and why it just may be what we need now more than ever before.

Jun 04, 202118:46
A Church of Welcome

A Church of Welcome

Diocese seminarian Justino Moreno sits down with Fr. Bob and Liz to share about his family's journey to the United States and how the Church worked to welcome them. Hear about efforts in our own diocese to create a place of support and welcome for immigrants and how you too can make your church a place of welcome.

Mar 11, 202119:04
The One with Saint Friends

The One with Saint Friends

Joined by Kaitlyn Manson, this episode discusses the impact the Saints can have on our lives. Hear how Saints can accompany us, educate us, and inspire us on our own journeys to sainthood.

Mar 04, 202125:28
The Message for You, The Message for Now

The Message for You, The Message for Now

Linnette Cordoba joins the podcast to discuss how Scripture can speak into our lives. She shares tips for making scripture a part of your regular prayer life and how you can hear God speaking to you through this ancient holy text.

Feb 25, 202123:47
Back to Basics

Back to Basics

Fr. Bob and Liz chat with youth Jonah Brewer about how the pandemic and lockdown changed his perception of our faith practice. Hear about the new perspective he gained during the lockdown and how we can feel inspired to return to the sacraments today.

Feb 18, 202119:20
Loving Our Neighbor
Feb 11, 202124:49
Celebrating Diversity in the Church

Celebrating Diversity in the Church

This episode Fr. Bob and Liz are joined by Marlys Adjevi to discuss the wealth of diversity within our Church and how we can better explore and celebrate it. Hear about expressive worship from different cultures and embracing the call for our church to be truly universal

Feb 04, 202130:34
The Journey of Discernment

The Journey of Discernment

Fr. Eric Stelzer and Will Powell join Fr. Bob and Liz to chat about discernment. Hear the journey these men of faith have taken and gain tips for applying discernment in your own life. 

For more information on vocations in the Diocese of St. Augustine, visit https://vocations.dosafl.com

Jan 28, 202129:39
Working Together for a Culture of Life

Working Together for a Culture of Life

This week, Fr. Bob and Liz sit down with Morgan English to discuss her heart for the Pro Life Movement. Hear this young adult share about finding her call to action and tips for searching your heart to find your own.

For more information about Pro Life Activities in the Diocese of St. Augustine and how to get involved visit https://life.dosafl.com

Jan 21, 202128:11
Introducing Be Alive!

Introducing Be Alive!

In this shorter episode we meet Fr. Bob Hoffman and Liz McGillin, the hosts of the Be Alive podcast. Hear them share how young people have impacted their own faith journeys and what to expect from the show moving forward.

Jan 12, 202108:40