In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet chats with Kyle Neilson to explore his powerful journey from an evangelical Protestant upbringing to a deep and thoughtful conversion to Catholicism. Kyle shares how a secular pursuit of success and a passion for golf gradually gave way to a profound encounter with Christ, sparked by Scripture, study, and an honest search for truth. Through examining Church history, authority, and key theological questions—such as sola scriptura, the canon of Scripture, and the nature of worship—Kyle discovered the coherence and fullness of the Catholic faith, a journey he ultimately shared with his wife and, over time, his entire family. The conversation also weaves in Troy’s own reversion story as a cradle Catholic and his passion for Catholic education, highlighting how faith, discipline, and authentic community can transform lives. Together, they reflect on the beauty of the Church, the importance of formation, and the hope found in vibrant Catholic initiatives like the NAPA Institute, underscoring why Catholic education and faithful leadership matter now more than ever.

If you are interested in our school, make sure to check out our website:
🌐 https://www.sjp2academy.com/

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• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:58) - Raised Evangelical: Early Faith, Doubt, and Searching
• (02:37) - A First Conversion: Realizing God Was Missing
• (04:06) - A Life-Changing Encounter with Christ in Scripture
• (06:21) - Letting Go of Idols and Learning True Surrender
• (07:28) - Studying Church History and Questioning Sola Scriptura
• (11:48) - Who Decided the Bible? Authority, Councils, and Tradition
• (13:43) - Marriage, RCIA, and Entering the Catholic Church Together
• (18:03) - An Entire Family’s Gradual Conversion to Catholicism
• (23:26) - Cradle Catholic Reversion and the Power of Catholic Education
• (31:15) - The NAPA Institute and Renewing Catholic Leadership
• (35:27) - The Vision and Impact of the NAPA Institute
• (36:21) - Teamwork Consulting: Building Mission-Driven Organizations
• (38:20) - Why Strong Leadership Shapes Culture
• (40:38) - Addressing Dysfunction and Protecting Culture
• (45:53) - Hiring with Discernment in Catholic Education
• (46:31) - Final Reflections and Closing Blessing
• (46:53) - Outro

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet sits down with Murray and Patty Neilson to share their powerful family journey from Protestantism to Catholicism, sparked by their son Kyle’s studies in Christian history and theology. The Neilsons reflect on confronting long-held misconceptions about the Catholic Church, discovering the beauty, continuity, and sacramental life of the faith—especially the Eucharist—and how their conversion in 2005 deeply transformed their family, ultimately leading all three of their children and 14 grandchildren into active Catholic life. The conversation also explores the importance of Catholic education as a “third leg of the stool” alongside family and parish life, the role of conversion and reversion stories in deepening faith, and a strong commitment to stewardship and philanthropy.

If you are interested in our school, make sure to check out our website:
🌐 https://www.sjp2academy.com/

Follow us on social media:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjp2academy/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjp2academy
🐦 X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/SJPIIAcademy

• (00:01) - Welcome to Catholic Education Matters
• (01:30) - Protestant Roots and a Son’s Question That Sparked Everything
• (03:38) - Confronting Misconceptions and Discovering the Catholic Church
• (05:53) - Books, Crisis, and the Pull Toward the Eucharist
• (09:32) - Entering the Church Together: RCIA, Family Unity, and Belonging
• (13:29) - Discovering the Real Presence: The Eucharist as the Center
• (16:34) - Why Catholic Education Matters: Faith, Formation, and Future Generations
• (24:18) - Stewardship, Philanthropy, and the Challenge of Giving Big
• (26:17) - “You Can’t Outgive God”: Learning to Ask and Give Generously
• (27:51) - A Hand-Carved Corpus and a Providential Gift to the School Chapel
• (32:16) - Art, Faith, and Saying Yes to Life
• (37:23) - The Joy of Giving and Why Generosity Fulfills the Soul
• (40:30) - Quiet Catholic Impact: Charity, Healthcare, and Pro-Life Witness
• (43:25) - Catholic Education and Forming the Next Generation of Leaders

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, Archbishop Richard Smith joins host Troy Van Vliet to reflect on his transition to the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the city’s remarkable cultural diversity, and the unique challenges and blessings of Catholic education in British Columbia. He contrasts BC’s partially funded system with fully funded models elsewhere in Canada, emphasizing the importance of intentionality, sacrificial giving, and permeating every aspect of education with the Catholic faith. The discussion highlights the transformative impact of St. John Paul II Academy, the vital role of families, parishes, and schools working together, and the hope young people find in Christ. Archbishop Smith also shares his early experiences visiting Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, speaking candidly about the profound suffering caused by addiction and homelessness, the dignity of every person, and the need for deeper collaboration and creative solutions. Through themes of mission, compassion, and community, the episode underscores the heart of Catholic education and the call to serve those most in need.

If you are interested in our school, make sure to check out our website:
🌐 https://www.sjp2academy.com/

Follow us on social media:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjp2academy/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjp2academy
🐦 X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/SJPIIAcademy

• (00:01) - Welcome to Catholic Education Matters
• (00:35) - First Impressions and Settling Into a New Archdiocese
• (03:53) - Why Catholic Education Matters
• (07:53) - Building St. John Paul II Academy and Personal Transformation
• (11:05) - Introducing Catholic Liberal Arts and Faith-Infused Learning
• (15:50) - Family, School, and Parish: The Three-Legged Stool of Formation
• (18:25) - The Downtown Eastside: Confronting Suffering and Addiction
• (26:22) - The Role of Government vs. Private and Faith-Based Action
• (31:00) - Christianity, Family, and the Foundations of a Healthy Society
• (38:01) - Family as the Heart of Faith Formation
• (41:10) - Creating Sacred Spaces That Reflect the Faith’s Beauty
• (43:15) - Closing Reflections and Hope for the Future of the School