The Catholic Dad Show
Your Hosts
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Matt Rice
Matt Rice has hosted 56 episodes.
Hometown: Bryan, Texas
Ministry Position: President and Founder of Ablaze Ministries
Contact: [email protected], 979-200-2888 ext. 700
Education:
Texas A&M, B.S. in Computer Science, 2000
Catholic Theological Union, M.Div with Biblical Studies concentration, 2008
Certificate in Youth Ministry, John Bosco Conference, Franciscan University
Ministry Background: I have been working in youth ministry since August of 2001 when I was the Director of Youth Ministry for St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Lewisville, TX.My most recent experience is here in the Brazos Valley, working at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bryan. We have served there since 2009, building the ministry from 9 teens to an average of 45+ teens per night. Before coming to St. Joseph’s in Bryan much of my experience was with high school youth- to be honest, middle school youth scared me! After years of ministry in the middle school age group, I have come to see how important it is to minister to these youth and help them ignite a fire for Christ and discipleship that will help them on their journey with Christ.
I’ve spoken at various conferences including National Conference of Catholic Youth Ministry, and the Dallas Ministry Conference. I’ve spoken at various parishes and schools within the Arch-Diocese of St. Louis and in the Diocese of Austin.
I’m also the co-host of our weekly podcast Ministry Leaders Anonymous through Next Level Ministry
Passions and interests: I am the proud father of six amazing children, three boys and three girls: Levi, Asher, Trinity, Eden, Isaac, and Gianna. I am the loving husband of my beautiful bride Weslei. Much of my passions and interests revolve around my family. I am a den leader, t-ball and baseball coach and stay at home dad.
I’m constantly reading books about our faith, the more I learn the more I fall in love with this beautiful Church that Christ founded. I want every Catholic no matter their age to truly realize this amazing gift, and I hope to be able to do everything that God wants me to do in order to realize this.
How did you become involved with Ablaze/why are you involved? As I noticed some unfortunate trends in youth ministry, I began talking with friends in ministry to develop a solution. Ablaze Ministries is the result of many discussions, much prayer and discernment. I truly believe that Ablaze presents a viable model to respond to the needs of every church.
Favorite quote/Bible verse:
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
– Matthew 18:10-14 979-200-2888 -
Chris Bartlett
Chris Bartlett has hosted 59 episodes.
Hometown: Round Rock, TX
Ministry at Ablaze: Director of Leadership Formation
Education:
MA Theology, St. Mary University-San Antonio
BA Theology with Religious Education Concentration, Franciscan University of Steubenville
BA Business, Marketing, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Ministry Background: It was the spring of my 8th-grade year on a retreat where my relationship with Christ and His Church became personal and real. Since that time, God has been gently calling my gifts into ministry. I served on retreat teams in High School & College and was blessed by an amazing internship in youth ministry. After graduation, I was hired as the Director of Youth Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas in College Station. It was an amazing season of growth. In 2008, I become the Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry at the Diocese of Austin. This is where ministry leadership became a professional passion. In 2011, I returned to parish ministry as the Director of Youth Ministry at St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock and have been there since.Passion & Interests: I delight in my family and love playing with my kids. I enjoy guitar, soccer, and Monday Night Game Night (ask me about it). I’m a bit of a nerd and my board game collection continues to grow.
How did you become involved with Ablaze? Next Level Ministry was founded along the way as the desire to share the vision of ministry broadened beyond my parish position. I see so many ministry leaders suffering and some leaving the church. This had to change. Next Level Ministry has been building ministry leaders and fostering excellence throughout the country for over 6 years! Next Level encountered Ablaze a couple of years after it’s founding. Ablaze desired to pour more intentionally into ministry leaders and choose to partner, not compete. This partnership has grown into the 360 approach of Youth Ministry that makes Ablaze Ministries so successful. I am humbled and honored to stand with the amazing ministry leaders in the Ablaze Ministries family.
Favorite Quotes and Verses:
The Hemorrhaging Woman (Mark’s account) and the Road to Emmaus in Luke can rock my spiritual world.
“Apathy is a bigger threat to the church today than heresy” – Chris Bartlett