Liturgy, Culture, and the Living Voice of the People

Called to Lead: Pastoral Leadership for Today’s Church

In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo sits down with Dr. Tony Alonso, Aquinas Associate Professor of Theology and Culture and the inaugural Director of Catholic Studies at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Known worldwide as a Latin Grammy-nominated composer of sacred music, Dr. Alonso is also an award-winning scholar whose research explores how consumer culture and everyday practices shape our worship. Together, they discuss the connection between music, material culture, and pastoral leadership. Dr. Alonso reflects on how the songs we sing and the spaces we build form our Christian identity, the unique role of Latine theology in shaping modern ministry, and how pastoral leaders can cultivate an authentic "art of listening" through the liturgy itself.

About Podcast

This podcast dives into the art and spirit of leadership in the Catholic Church. Through storytelling and dialogue with pastoral leaders, ministers, and scholars, the podcast bridges academic theology with practical ministry. These conversations invite listeners to better understand how today’s leaders answer God’s call and work to build just and inclusive communities.

Presented by the Markey Center in Santa Clara University’s Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries. (https://www.scu.edu/cas/graduate-program-in-pastoral-ministries/markey-center-for-leadership-and-ministry/)