“The Church makes the time. The Church makes the culture.”

Fr. Humbert Kilanowski, O.P.

Who is Fr. Humbert Kilanowski?

Fr. Humbert Kilanowski, O.P. is a Catholic priest of the Dominican Order. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island, where he teaches mathematics and assists in campus ministry at Providence College. Born and raised in Connecticut, he earned his doctorate at The Ohio State University in Columbus and did his priestly studies at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.

Raising a Catholic Generation: Finding God, Faith and Community

In this episode, I talk to Fr. Humbert Kilanowski, O.P. about Raising and Forming a Faithful Catholic Generation. He explains:
-What are some of the greatest challenges Catholic young people face today when it comes to living and understanding their faith?
-How can Catholic education move beyond simply teaching young people about the faith to helping them develop a personal relationship with Christ?
-World Youth Day has brought together millions of young Catholics from around the world. What do you think explains the continued appeal of these large Catholic gatherings to young people?
-How can parishes, schools, and families create communities where young Catholics feel that they truly belong rather than simply attend?
-What is one thing you would say to a young Catholic who feels disconnected from the Church but is still searching for meaning, purpose, and God?

DIVINE PROVIDENCE

Sometimes, the most meaningful encounters begin with an unexpected connection.

I first heard from Fr. Kilanowski after he met my uncle, a Carmelite priest in Prague. Fr. Kilanowski works in Rhode Island, and he reached out to me. I took the opportunity to invite him onto the Christian Circle Podcast.

During our correspondence, he told me about the work of the Dominicans and encouraged me to visit their parish in Greenwich, NY. I had heard of the parish but, since I am not on social media, knew very little about what was happening there. I wondered if it was simply another new approach to parish outreach or marketing.

That changed when I visited in person.

What I found was a church filled with young people on a weekend: attending Mass, praying before the Blessed Sacrament, and building a community around their faith. It was then that I began to understand that the Dominicans were doing something right.

When we finally sat down to record this episode, I was especially interested in hearing Fr. Kilanowski’s perspective on raising a generation of young Catholics.

He shares his own journey of seeking God, finding community, and discovering his place in the Church. He reminds young people that the search for God is worth pursuing and that the Church must make room for them, meeting them within the realities of their time and culture.

The Longing for Community

We also discuss why large gatherings, such as SEEK and World Youth Day, matter. We are wired for community, and young people need opportunities to encounter others who share their faith. But building community does not always require a major event. Sometimes, it begins with something as simple as coffee and donuts after Mass, giving people a reason to stay, talk, and get to know one another.

Fr. Kilanowski also offers a message to young people: pray, discover the talents God has given you, and find ways to offer those gifts in service to Him.

One point that particularly stayed with me was his reminder that the habits we develop when we are young often remain with us throughout our lives. This is why spiritual formation during these formative years matters so much.

Raising a Catholic generation is not simply about getting young people into church. It is about helping them encounter Christ, find genuine community, discover their gifts, and develop a faith that will sustain them throughout their lives.

Listen to the Episode

What can parishes do to make young people feel welcome? How can we help the next generation find a home in the Church?

Join our conversation with Fr. Kilanowski on the Christian Circle Podcast.

Listen, share the episode with a young Catholic, a parent, or someone involved in parish ministry, and consider what your own parish can do to help build a thriving Catholic community.