A new youth and young adult podcast launches in the Diocese of Metuchen

The Diocese of Metuchen is launching a new podcast entitled "No Half Saints” from the Office of Communications and Public Relations and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

The podcast will go live in August and is hosted by Jay Donofrio, diocesan director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

The name, ‘No Half Saints’ comes from a St. Thérèse of Lisieux quote: “You cannot be half a saint. You must be a whole saint or no saint at all.” 

It is no coincidence that the Diocese is launching the “No Half Saints” Podcast during the Jubilee of Hope. As Pope Leo XVI recently told more than a million Catholic youths at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Youth, being a “digital missionary” is not just about generating content, “but of creating an encounter between hearts.”  

Donofrio explained the inspiration for the title and theme of the podcast, saying, “We are all called to be saints. When I was searching for a podcast theme and came across that quote from St. Thérèse, I instantly knew that this podcast would revolve around our mission of trying to become saints.”

The Office of Communications and Public Relations is thrilled that Donofrio will be releasing the first episode of his new podcast later this month. “It is our hope that the ‘No Half Saints’ podcast will, in the words of the Holy Father, break ‘down the logic of division and polarization, of individualism and egocentrism,’ fostering, instead, ‘a culture of Christian humanism,’” said Adam Carlisle, diocesan Secretary for Evangelization and Communication, stressing there is hope for the future. “After a decades-long decline in religious affiliation, particularly in the West, we are witnessing a religious resurgence in this country and Gen Z is leading the way,” he said, adding, “As Bishop Checchio wrote in his pastoral newsletter, ‘Lighting a fire in the heart of our world,’ ‘The time is ripe for renewal.’”

The main goals of this youth and young adult centered podcast is to first help bring viewers closer to Jesus Christ. The vision is to highlight the youth and young adult ministry leaders throughout the Diocese while providing value to listeners interested in the landscape of youth ministry. “No Half Saints” will put the viewer into the world of what youth and young adult ministry looks like, hopefully inspiring faith-filled young adults to get involved within their parishes and communities.

The hope is that this podcast can become an evangelization tool while actively building trust between parishioners and the great youth leaders within their parishes.