Family Matters

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr. Philip Mamalakis on the trends in society and what conversations we can encourage with our children.

In "Out of the Mouths of Babes You Have Perfected Praise: A Discussion at the Intersection of Anthropology and Theology," Presvytera Melanie speaks with Sarah Riccardi-Swartz about her involvement with disability rights, how her Autistic daughter further developed her advocacy role, the need for the Church to listen to and incorporate the stories of those with disabilities and their guardians to develop a theology of disability, and the pure-hearted offerings to God in triumphant "Amens!" and Daniel Tiger songs.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Prevytera Melanie DiStefano about the launching of a new podcast series that is dedicated to special needs families.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Matt and Louise Heusel on medical practitioners' adverse reactions to prenatal discoveries of disabilities and the pressure put on parents to abort their children, how their daughter with Down Syndrome has enriched their family life, and the special gifts she contributes to their parish family.

Presvytera Melanie continues her conversation with William Christy, this time including his father and mother, Father Paul and Presvytera Mary, and his twin sister, Gabriella. Each family member shares their personal perspective related to William's diagnosis of cerebral palsy—the joys, challenges, and the way their love for God and his love for them was made manifest through their experiences.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh on theological "whys" of disability, the need for all of us to learn an etiquette regarding disability, and his exhilarating experience on an OCF Real Break mission trip when visiting "The Four Homes of Mercy," a group home for persons with disabilities.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Presvytera Elaine Stavropoulos regarding her daughter's Autism diagnosis, and the ministry to families with disabilities which blossomed forth as a result.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr. Philip Mamalakis on the trends in society and what conversations we can encourage with our children.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Natalie Kapeluck Nixon, the Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and founder of the St. Nicholas Program, a church camp experience for persons with special needs of all ages, and their families. https://www.uocyouth.org/stnicholasprogram

William Christy - On Faith, Wheelchair Basketball, and How The Teachings of the Fathers Shape His Response to His Disability Presvytera Melanie speaks with William Christy about being a young adult with cerebral palsy, a PK (priest's kid), his love for English literature, wheelchair basketball, and how the teachings of the Fathers of the Church encourage him and inform his worldview.

In "Out of the Mouths of Babes You Have Perfected Praise: A Discussion at the Intersection of Anthropology and Theology," Presvytera Melanie speaks with Sarah Riccardi-Swartz about her involvement with disability rights, how her Autistic daughter further developed her advocacy role, the need for the Church to listen to and incorporate the stories of those with disabilities and their guardians to develop a theology of disability, and the pure-hearted offerings to God in triumphant "Amens!" and Daniel Tiger songs.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Philip Mamalakis on the trends in society and what conversations we can encourage with our children.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Matt and Louise Heusel on medical practitioners' adverse reactions to prenatal discoveries of disabilities and the pressure put on parents to abort their children, how their daughter with Down Syndrome has enriched their family life, and the special gifts she contributes to their parish family.

Meet Bruce & Natalie Batson, an Orthodox couple from Indiana who have been married for 4 years with three children from Bruce’s previous marriage. They discuss moving across the country after meeting once, going from Buddhism to Orthodoxy via YouTube, what it’s like being a blended family, the emotional struggle that comes with being a step-parent, and how they overcome challenges that arise in life.

Meet Bruce & Natalie Batson, an Orthodox couple from Indiana who have been married for 4 years with three children from Bruce’s previous marriage. They discuss moving across the country after meeting once, going from Buddhism to Orthodoxy via YouTube, what it’s like being a blended family, the emotional struggle that comes with being a step-parent, and how they overcome challenges that arise in life.