Catholic Education Matters

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, Troy Van Vliet sits down with Darryl Weaver, President of Vancouver College, to discuss his journey into Catholic education and his vision for forming young people academically, spiritually, and personally. Darryl shares how teaching science at a Catholic boarding school in Malawi transformed his career path, his experiences in public and independent education, and what ultimately brought him to Vancouver College. They explore the growing demand for Catholic education, the importance of a strong Catholic identity and moral foundation, the unique benefits of single-gender education, collaboration among Catholic schools, and the need for long-term financial planning and sustainable growth. Darryl also discusses Vancouver College’s major campus expansion, successful capital campaigns, future plans for its music program, and why families are increasingly seeking schools that prioritize character, faith, and helping students become better human beings. 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 (00:00) - Intro (01:07) - Meet Darryl Weaver & The Mission of Catholic Education (04:07) - From Medical School Rejection to Teaching in Malawi (09:15) - The Growing Hunger for Faith Among Young People (12:51) - Why Strong Leadership Shapes Catholic School Culture (15:59) - Darryl’s Journey to Vancouver College (17:30) - The Growing Demand for Catholic Education (21:00) - Single-Gender Education & Building Lifelong Brotherhood (25:57) - The Power of Collaboration & the Edmund Rice Network (31:08) - Building Financially Sustainable Catholic Schools (35:59) - Vancouver College’s Capital Campaign & New Music Hall (38:25) - Why Families Are Choosing Catholic Education (48:00) - The Future of Catholic Education: Faith, Innovation & Growth (55:00) - Tuition, Accessibility & Long-Term Planning (01:03:02) - Making Catholic Education Accessible to More Families (01:07:32) - Leading the Future of Catholic Education (01:16:17) - Final Thoughts on Catholic Education (01:17:02) - Outro

In this powerful conversation on Catholic Education Matters, Troy Van Vliet speaks with Father Vincent Lampert, a Catholic priest who served as a diocesan exorcist for 19 years, to discuss the reality of Satan, demonic activity, and the Catholic Church’s approach to exorcism. Father Lampert shares firsthand experiences from his ministry, explains how people can become vulnerable to demonic influence, and emphasizes the importance of prayer, the sacraments, and a strong relationship with Christ. He also discusses how the Church carefully distinguishes demonic activity from mental or physical illness, why a person must freely seek help, and the different forms of demonic influence. Perhaps most importantly, Father Lampert explains the devil’s four-stage strategy of deception, division, diversion, and discouragement, while reminding listeners that evil is never greater than God’s mercy and power. The conversation ultimately offers a message of hope, faith, and the importance of keeping Christ at the center of our lives. 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 (00:00) - Intro (02:41) - Is Satan Real? Father Lampert’s Answer (04:01) - How Father Lampert Became an Exorcist (08:31) - How Demonic Influence Begins (13:18) - Chilling Stories From the Ministry of Exorcism (17:28) - How the Church Determines Possession (22:22) - Why Demons Seek to Possess the Human Body (35:48) - The Devil’s Four-Stage Plan: Deception to Discouragement (38:32) - Why Young People Are Returning to the Catholic Church (40:04) - Why We Need God in a Secular World (43:07) - Finding Meaning Through Detachment and Faith (44:30) - The Devil’s Four Ds: Deception, Division, Diversion & Discouragement (48:53) - Why True Happiness Can Only Be Found in God (52:28) - Can Science and Faith Coexist? (55:18) - Why Catholic Education Matters (01:00:33) - Keeping Christ at the Center of Catholic Schools (01:08:20) - Outro

This episode of Catholic Education Matters features an inspiring conversation with Dylan Drego, a Catholic educator, speaker, and creator of the Latin Prayer Podcast, as he shares his incredible journey of faith—from growing up in Dubai to discovering a deeper relationship with Christ through Catholic education, mentorship, and the rich traditions of the Church. Dylan reflects on the life-changing impact of prayer, the Rosary, the Latin Mass, and the Eucharist, while offering practical advice on raising children in the faith, overcoming vice through grace and sacrifice, and pursuing holiness in everyday life. Together, Dylan and host Troy Van Vliet discuss what it truly means to become a saint in the modern world, emphasizing that authentic Catholic living begins with prayer, intentional family life, and a wholehearted commitment to Christ. 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 (00:00) - Intro (02:43) - Dylan’s Journey: India, Dubai, Canada & Finding His Catholic Identity (07:32) - Success, Wealth & Discovering What Really Matters (11:08) - The Purpose of Life: Becoming the Best Version of Yourself (15:55) - “What Would the Saint Version of Me Do?” (18:23) - Why Dylan Started the Latin Prayer Podcast (28:05) - How the Latin Mass Changed His Family’s Faith (33:43) - Teaching Children to Pray the Mass with Intention (41:05) - Can You Experience This at Any Catholic Mass? (45:52) - Overcoming Anger, Addiction & Vice Through Sacrifice (49:23) - Praying with the Saints & the Holy Souls (55:07) - The Rosary, Catholic Education & Rebuilding the Family (01:06:47) - Technology, AI & Forming Young Catholics in the Digital Age (01:26:42) - Final Advice for Parents Raising Children in the Faith (01:30:00) - Outro

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet sits down with veteran educator, actor, and filmmaker Jimmy Crescenzo, founder of the East End Boys Club, to explore how faith, mentorship, and authentic relationships can transform the lives of young people. Drawing from his own experience growing up without a father, Jimmy shares how adversity shaped his mission to help at-risk youth build confidence, resilience, and purpose through theatre, filmmaking, and life-skills mentoring. Together, they discuss the importance of strong families, the role of community in supporting the next generation, the unique strengths of Catholic education, and why placing God at the center of education and life provides young people with the foundation they need to flourish. This inspiring conversation is a powerful reminder that one committed mentor—and one caring community—can change the course of a life. 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 (00:00) - Intro (02:35) - Growing Up in an Italian Family & Losing His Father at Eight (07:21) - Why Family Dinners and Adversity Shaped His Life (09:12) - Turning Adversity Into Strength Instead of Victimhood (13:45) - From Acting and Teaching to Founding the East End Boys Club (17:20) - Reaching the Young Men Everyone Else Overlooked (20:20) - Expanding the Mission: Boys Clubs, Girls Programs & Lasting Mentorship (26:00) - Mentors, Life Skills & Why the Program Is Free for Every Student (30:15) - The Challenges Facing Education Today & the Importance of Faith (34:17) - Why Catholic Education Continues to Produce Strong Leaders (37:09) - Can Faith Be Integrated Into Mentorship Programs? (41:03) - Bureaucracy, Community Support & Serving Youth Outside the System (47:01) - Why Independent and Catholic Schools Are Thriving (50:45) - Ensuring Every Child Has Access to a Faith-Filled Education (54:02) - Incredible Success Stories from the East End Boys Club (58:20) - Why Relationships Matter More Than Résumés (01:01:45) - Preparing Young People for Careers, Leadership & Life (01:04:59) - The Simple Skills That Make Young People Stand Out (01:08:05) - Building Lasting Connections Through Respect and Gratitude (01:12:30) - Final Reflections: Faith, Mentorship & Changing Lives

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet chats with renowned wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and St. John Paul II Academy parent John Banovich to explore an extraordinary journey of faith, suffering, resilience, and purpose. John shares the life-changing story of surviving a devastating head-on collision with an impaired driver that left him clinically dead, severely injured, and facing years of recovery and more than 140 surgeries. He reflects on how the experience deepened his faith, inspired his work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and led him to speak to over 100,000 students across Canada. The conversation also touches on John's experiences during the Croatian War, the lessons he learned about mercy and forgiveness, and how encounters with God's presence in the wilderness shaped his award-winning career in wildlife photography and filmmaking. Through powerful stories of survival, service, and spiritual renewal, John reveals how suffering can become a path to purpose and how the beauty of creation can draw us closer to God. 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 (00:00) - Intro (03:56) - Surviving a Deadly Head-On Collision and Miraculous Recovery (10:33) - From “Why Me?” to Trusting God’s Plan (17:35) - Serving in the Croatian War and Rediscovering Faith (21:33) - The Bishop’s Powerful Lesson on Mercy in War (24:42) - Transitioning from Trauma to Photography and Filmmaking (29:09) - Encountering the Holy Spirit in Canada’s Wilderness (34:08) - Creating Award-Winning Wildlife Art and the New Photography Book (37:31) - Exclusive Wildlife Prints and Limited Edition Art Collection (42:24) - Why I Never Photoshop My Wildlife Photography (43:45) - Finding God Through Nature and Catholic Education (45:02) - Wildlife Photography Adventures: Bears, Helicopters, and Remote Wilderness (49:12) - Life on the Road: Chasing Wildlife Across British Columbia (52:20) - Upcoming Art Show, Books, and Final Reflections (53:25) - Outro