In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Ministering to the Youth – The Iner Life – January 30, 2026

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Fr. Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Ministering to the Youth

  • (3:31) What makes working with Youth different from ministering to adults?
  • Why is ministering t the youth so important for the life of the Church?
  • (15:59) threats that young people are facing?

(19:15) Break 1

  • How do we have good boundaries for our children?
  • (23:26) Lourdes – Resiliency – Fr. is right about it. As a young person, I went to Catholic school and when I complained about getting hit on the knuckles, mom said, ‘well, I’m sure you weren’t praying the Rosary dear.’ But I did well in school.
  • The danger of self-esteem.
  • Mary – I think it’s never too late to turn it around. Even in their 70’s my parents shared that they wished they hadn’t sweated the little things. It’s ok to make mistakes. God loves everyone.
  • How do you pray the family rosary?

(36:52) Break 2

  • (42:29) Helen – I’m a teacher who teaches theology of the body to teens. We need to get down to the middle schoolers and educating them better about our faith and TOB is a wonderful program that ministers to them.
  • Teresa – I have a new family that moved in next door. Little girl is in 4 or 5th grade. She likes me. We haven’t related that much, but I noticed she’s doing an exercise and I think she’s a cheerleader. Doing suggestive gyrations. How can I be there for her without being judgmental?
  • (46:10) Theresa – I am a widow with 7 kids. Can’t get my kids to go to church. Such a heavy burden on my shoulders. When the father is taken out of the home, it’s tragedy. Feel so wounded.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.