Catholics cannot simply complain about the culture around us. We have to learn how to build culture again.

In Episode 234 of the Huntley Leadership Podcast, Ron Huntley sits down with Victor Carpay to explore what it actually means for Catholics to renew culture—from the Mass outward, through families, friendships, education, institutions, leadership, and the common life of our communities.

If you're a priest, parish leader, Catholic educator, business leader, parent, or serious lay leader wondering what faithful cultural renewal can look like in practice, this conversation is worth your time.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* Why separating the Gospel from culture leaves people disconnected, unrooted, and searching for meaning * What Victor means by “culture” and why culture is more than what happens inside the parish * Why Catholic culture should flow from the Mass into family life, education, work, the arts, business, politics, and community * Why intellectual formation needs to be accompanied by friendship, prayer, action, and real community * Why Catholics need to think beyond programs and begin building institutions that can form future generations * What a Catholic intellectual renaissance might look like—and why it begins not simply with acquiring knowledge, but with learning to love reality, truth, goodness, and beauty * Why Victor sees tremendous opportunity for Catholics to become “creative minorities” who patiently build something lasting

About Victor Carpay

Victor Carpay is a 22-year-old Catholic young adult and a 2025 graduate of Newman Theological College with a BA in Catholic Studies. He is head of Frassati Catholic Men's House in Edmonton and serves as Head of Development and Communications for the Gregory the Great Institute, an Edmonton-based initiative devoted to equipping Christians to renew culture.

Victor also volunteers with Opus Dei in initiatives serving young men and is involved in a growing network of Catholic cultural and leadership initiatives across Canada.

Connect with Victor & the Gregory the Great Institute

Website: gregorythegreat.ca

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gregorythegreatinstitute

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Gregory-the-Great-Institute/61580155953310/

The Magnalia: https://www.gregorythegreat.ca/magnalia/

Victor welcomes questions and emails at vcarpay@gregorythegreat.ca

Mentioned in this episode

* Gregory the Great Institute * The Magnalia * The Renewing Culture Conference * Classical education and the Catholic intellectual tradition * St. Augustine's *Confessions* * St. Augustine's *City of God* * Christopher Dawson's *The Restoration of Christian Culture* * St. Gregory the Great * The Benedictine model of cultural renewal * The Catholic concept of the “creative minority”

Continue the conversation

If this episode gave you a new way to think about Catholic leadership, culture, or renewal, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast and share this conversation with another Catholic leader who should be part of the conversation.

Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6 Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥ @huntleyleadership

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QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

This is a different kind of episode.

What does it mean to face death with hope rather than fear?

When this conversation was recorded, Jean Alphonse knew he was nearing the end of his life. He had lived through war, cancer, the loss of his foot, and years of experiences that had brought him face-to-face with suffering and death. Yet what comes through most clearly in this conversation is not fear, but his deep confidence in Jesus Christ.

Jean passed away shortly after this episode was recorded, in December 2025. He left behind his wife, his three children, a loving extended family, many dear friends, and a Catholic Lebanese community he cherished.

Now, in the wake of Ron's own mother's death from cancer, Ron is sharing this conversation as a witness Jean left behind—a conversation about faith, suffering, death, purpose, and the hope of going home to God.

Jean's testimony is deeply personal. He speaks about encountering Christ, experiencing His presence during some of the hardest moments of his life, and coming to believe that death is not the end of our story. For Jean, the Christian hope of eternal life was not an abstract idea. It shaped the way he lived, suffered, served, loved, and ultimately prepared to die.

In this episode, you’ll hear Jean reflect on:

– Why he could face death without fear and what he meant when he said, "We're going home." – How his relationship with Jesus Christ changed the way he experienced cancer, suffering, and uncertainty. – What growing up amid war in Lebanon taught him about suffering, hope, and the importance of choosing to do good. – How surviving experiences of violence and death shaped his understanding of God's presence. – Why he believed we can lose something of our purpose when we spend our lives comparing ourselves with others. – Why Christian unity is found not in having identical preferences, but in coming together around Christ and a shared mission. – What it means to actively pursue a relationship with Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and the daily choice to walk with Him.

This is not ultimately a conversation about death. It is a conversation about how we live in light of what we believe about God.

Jean speaks about choosing God, discovering our purpose, using the gifts we've been given, refusing comparison, serving others, and becoming a source of joy and encouragement in the lives of those around us.

About Jean Alphonse

Jean Alphonse was a member of the Maronite Church, Our Lady of Lebanon, in Halifax, and came to know Ron while spending a season at Saint Benedict Parish.

Jean died in December 2025. He is remembered by his wife and three children, his extended family, many dear friends, and the Catholic Lebanese community he loved.

This conversation was recorded during the final season of Jean's life. Before his death, he expressed a desire to share this message with others. What he left behind is a testimony of faith, gratitude, courage, and hope.

Relevant Links

Find an Alpha course in Canada: https://www.alphacanada.org/

Our Lady of Lebanon — Maronite Catholic Church in Halifax: https://ourladyoflebanon.org/

Huntley Leadership Podcast: huntleyleadership.com/podcast

Ron's podcast episode with his mom: Building Faith Through Retreats | Patricia Cosgrove & Ron Huntley | Huntley Leadership Podcast #134 https://youtu.be/sDMLWv9oF9Q?si=5WR8pJ8yGqxQz_R7

Mentioned in this episode:

– Alpha – Scripture and the Gospels – Wisdom 3 – Revelation 21 – "Heaven Is for Real" – Mother Teresa – Ron's Episode with his mom: https://youtu.be/sDMLWv9oF9Q?si=5WR8pJ8yGqxQz_R7

If this conversation speaks to you, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast and consider sharing it with someone who may need Jean's witness of faith and hope.

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You can also listen to the podcast weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

Listen on Spotify ⇥ https://spoti.fi/3PYXGa6 Listen on Apple ⇥ https://apple.co/3vjltcS Subscribe on YouTube ⇥ @huntleyleadership

___

Work with Huntley Leadership!

Contact us to inquire about coaching or speaking ⇥ https://www.huntleyleadership.com/contact-us

Visit our course website ⇥ https://courses.huntleyleadership.com

___

Connect with Huntley Leadership!

Connect on LinkedIn ⇥ / huntleyleadership Follow on Twitter ⇥ / ron_huntley Follow on Instagram ⇥ / huntleyleadership Follow on Facebook ⇥ / huntleyleadership Subscribe to this YouTube channel ⇥ @huntleyleadership

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QUESTION: What kinds of videos and podcasts would you like to see from us?

We all want a good life.

But what happens when the very things God has given us—money, success, influence, family, pleasure, authority, even ministry—begin to occupy a place that belongs to God alone?

In Episode 232 of the Huntley Leadership Podcast, Ron Huntley sits down with Tom Corcoran of Rebuilt Parish to explore one of Jesus' most challenging encounters: the rich young man who asks, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

The conversation goes far beyond money. Tom and Ron explore the ache for more that exists within every human heart, the difference between practicing a faith of rules and encountering Jesus, and the ways good things can quietly become idols when we look to them for the happiness and fulfillment only God can provide.

The rich young man was moral, religious and apparently successful. Yet he knew something was missing. His story gives us an opportunity to ask the same question of ourselves: What am I really seeking, and am I willing to let Jesus show me what is keeping me from Him?

In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why the ache for "more" isn't necessarily a problem—and why becoming numb or indifferent to God can be far more concerning. * What the rich young man's question about eternal life reveals about the human search for lasting happiness. * Why following the commandments cannot be reduced to simply checking religious boxes. * How good things such as money, authority, popularity and possessions can become idols when they take the place of God. * How to recognize when an attachment has become something we're no longer free to surrender. * Why Jesus' willingness to challenge us is actually an expression of His love. * What the rich young man's decision to walk away can teach us about freedom, discipleship and the way Jesus invites rather than coerces us.

About Tom Corcoran Tom Corcoran is the cofounder and president of Rebuilt Parish, a Catholic renewal ministry serving dioceses and parishes around the world. He also serves at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, as associate to the pastor, where he oversees weekend message development, strategic planning, fundraising and staff development.

With more than 28 years of parish experience, Tom brings together pastoral insight and strategic clarity. He is the coauthor of *Rebuilt* and numerous other books and resources focused on Catholic renewal, discipleship, preaching, small groups and parish life.

In 2023, Tom Corcoran and Fr. Michael White were honored by Pope Francis with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award for outstanding service to the Church.

Relevant Links: Rebuilt Parish Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebuiltparish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebuiltParish/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/rebuiltparish LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/64728362 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rebuilt-parish-podcast/id1291771880

Book information: Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life by Tom Corcoran and Fr. Michael White. Buy it on Ave Maria Press: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/jesus-the-rich-young-man-and-the-meaning-of-life-special-edition

Buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1646804848?lv=shuf&bestFormat=true rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman

Parish Resources: rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman

The book explores the depth of this Gospel encounter and invites readers to move beyond simply understanding the passage toward an encounter with Christ. Tom also discusses the possibility of using the book with small groups and parish communities as a tool for reflection and formation.

For parish leaders Want to take a closer look at the missionary health of your parish? Take the Parish Missionary Health Assessment at huntleyleadership.com.

And if this conversation is useful to you, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast and share this episode with a priest, parish leader or Catholic leader who might benefit from it.