So, your kid might have left the Church… but don’t panic. This episode of The Inner Life with Patrick Conley is basically spiritual CPR for any parent or loved one feeling crushed by the slow fade (or full sprint) of a child away from Catholicism. Patrick is joined by Fr. Bobby Blood, who shares gentle wisdom.

 

You can catch the entire episode here!

 

 

💔 First, Stop the Self-Blame Spiral

 

Wrong question:“What did I do wrong?”

 

Better question:“Where are we now, and how can I love them where they are?”

 

Fr. Blood gets it; it’s super tempting to rewind the mental tape and analyze every moment. God lives in the present, not in your guilt reel.

 

“Look at right now,” he says. “Not just where you’ve been, but where God is taking you.”

 

 

🤷‍♂️ Why Do People Leave?

 

Short answer: It’s complicated.

 

Long answer: It’s really complicated.

 

Common reasons that Father has noticed:

 

-Bad experiences with clergy or fellow Catholics 

 

-Disagreements with Church teaching 

 

-Not "getting something" out of Mass

 

Sometimes, people don't even know the real reason themselves. It's usually a bunch of small hurts that snowball into, “I’m out.”

 

 

Fr. Blood’s Frontline View from the High School Trenches

 

As a spiritual director at Boylan Catholic High School, he sees kids drifting and coming alive in faith.

 

Teens can be deeply moved by retreats, good mentors, and community. 

 

Father's go-to move is to create space for open dialogue. Jesus isn't afraid of questions, and neither is he.

 

 

🙏 Faith = A Gift (You Can’t Force It)

 

Faith isn’t just willpower. It’s a theological virtue... infused by God Himself.

 

Yes, some people need to walk away to eventually walk back in with ownership and fire 🔥.

 

“Sometimes God allows the wandering, knowing the comeback will be powerful.”

 

 

 

Can We Blame God??

 

Okay, tough question. Patrick plays devil’s advocate: If faith is a gift, is it kinda God’s fault when people leave?

 

Fr. Blood’s response: “Let’s put the ball back in God’s hands.” 

 

Translation: God’s bigger than your worries. Let Him take over. Tell Him to go full Divine Full-Court Press on your kiddo.

 

 

The Community Matters... Like, A Lot

 

No one comes back alone; it takes encouragement and witness.

 

Think of your parish, school, or family not as a bunch of finger-wagging doctrine police, but as cheerleaders of grace 📣.

 

Father says that everyone has a unique way of witnessing. You don’t need to be St. Augustine; you just need to be you, walking with Christ.

 

 

🕊️ A Word on Shame vs. Accountability

 

Some parents might say, “Hey! I should look back at what I did wrong!”


Fr. Blood and Patrick see the point... a little accountability can be good.


But shame is a no-go. It's paralyzing and not from God.

 

 

TL;DR: Fr. Bobby’s Spiritual Strategy

 

Love them where they are.

 

Talk to God before talking to your kids.

 

Don’t panic; God is not done writing their story.

 

Surround them with joyful, faithful witnesses.

 

Let go of shame. Cling to hope.

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

So, your kid might have left the Church&hellip; but don&rsquo;t panic. This episode of The Inner Life with Patrick Conley is basically spiritual CPR for any parent or loved one feeling crushed by the slow fade (or full sprint) of a child away from Catholicism. Patrick is joined by Fr. Bobby Blood, who shares gentle wisdom.
&nbsp;
You can catch the entire episode <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/05/fallen-away-family-members-the-inner-life-may-27-2025/">here</a>!
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="548" data-end="551">
&nbsp;
💔 First, Stop the Self-Blame Spiral
&nbsp;
Wrong question: &ldquo;What did I do wrong?&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Better question: &ldquo;Where are we now, and how can I love them where they are?&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Fr. Blood gets it; it&rsquo;s super tempting to rewind the mental tape and analyze every moment. God lives in the present, not in your guilt reel.
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="881" data-end="971">
&ldquo;Look at right now,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Not just where you&rsquo;ve been, but where God is taking you.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
</blockquote>
<hr data-start="973" data-end="976">
&nbsp;
🤷&zwj;♂️ Why Do People Leave?
&nbsp;
Short answer: It&rsquo;s complicated.
&nbsp;
Long answer: It&rsquo;s&nbsp;really complicated.
&nbsp;
Common reasons that Father has noticed:
&nbsp;
-Bad experiences with clergy or fellow Catholics&nbsp;
&nbsp;
-Disagreements with Church teaching&nbsp;
&nbsp;
-Not "getting something" out of Mass
&nbsp;
Sometimes, people don't even know the real reason themselves. It's usually a bunch of small hurts that snowball into, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m out.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1375" data-end="1378">
&nbsp;
Fr. Blood&rsquo;s Frontline View from the High School Trenches
&nbsp;
As a spiritual director at Boylan Catholic High School, he sees kids drifting and coming alive in faith.
&nbsp;
Teens can be deeply moved by retreats, good mentors, and community.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Father's go-to move is to create space for open dialogue. Jesus isn't afraid of questions, and neither is he.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
🙏 Faith = A Gift (You Can&rsquo;t Force It)
&nbsp;
Faith isn&rsquo;t just willpower. It&rsquo;s a theological virtue...&nbsp;infused by God Himself.
&nbsp;
Yes, some people need to walk away to eventually walk back in with ownership and fire 🔥.
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="2043" data-end="2121">
&ldquo;Sometimes God allows the wandering, knowing the comeback will be powerful.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2123" data-end="2126">
&nbsp;
Can We Blame God??
&nbsp;
Okay, tough question. Patrick plays devil&rsquo;s advocate:&nbsp;If faith is a gift, is it kinda God&rsquo;s fault when people leave?
&nbsp;
Fr. Blood&rsquo;s response: &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s put the ball back in God&rsquo;s hands.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Translation: God&rsquo;s bigger than your worries. Let Him take over. Tell Him to go full Divine Full-Court Press on your kiddo.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2470" data-end="2473">
&nbsp;
The Community Matters... Like, A Lot
&nbsp;
No one comes back alone; it takes encouragement and witness.
&nbsp;
Think of your parish, school, or family not as a bunch of finger-wagging doctrine police, but as cheerleaders of grace 📣.
&nbsp;
Father says that everyone has a unique way of witnessing. You don&rsquo;t need to be St. Augustine; you just need to be you, walking with Christ.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2894" data-end="2897">
&nbsp;
🕊️ A Word on Shame vs. Accountability
&nbsp;
Some parents might say, &ldquo;Hey! I should look back at what I did wrong!&rdquo;
 Fr. Blood and Patrick see the point... a little accountability can be good.
 But shame is a no-go. It's paralyzing and not from God.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="3204" data-end="3207">
&nbsp;
TL;DR: Fr. Bobby&rsquo;s Spiritual Strategy
&nbsp;
Love them where they are.
&nbsp;
Talk to God before talking to your kids.
&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t panic; God is not done writing their story.
&nbsp;
Surround them with joyful, faithful witnesses.
&nbsp;
Let go of shame. Cling to hope.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.