An Army Chaplain on Faith and Leadership | Ep. 31 The TAC Podcast
The TAC Podcast
In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we are joined by Thomas Aquinas College alumnus Father Andrew De Silva—pastor at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in New Jersey and Captain in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps. Father Andrew shares valuable insights from his work with young adults across parish life, high school summer programs, and the military. We dive into why young Catholics are increasingly searching for objective truth, how genuine community and intellectual leisure provide an antidote to modern burnout, and the unique leadership lessons learned from serving both the Church and the armed forces. 00:00 – Highlights & Preview 00:49 – Welcome Father Andrew De Silva (Parish Pastor & Army Chaplain) 01:19 – What Young Catholics Are Searching for Today 04:00 – Institutional Distrust vs. The Search for Authentic Truth 06:50 – Great Books & Honest Dialogue at TAC 11:25 – Priestly Formation & Communicating the Faith with Authenticity 14:41 – Faith in the Military: Hierarchy, Doctrine, and Ministry to Soldiers 18:18 – Balancing Pastoral Duties & Preventing Burnout Through Leisure 24:21 – Vocations and True Friendship Formed in the Pursuit of Truth 26:00 – Intellectual Leisure: Deep Conversations Beyond the Classroom 28:39 – Mentorship and Leadership Formation in TAC Prefects 31:52 – Leading as a Military Chaplain vs. Leading a Parish 34:48 – Closing Thoughts
About Podcast
Each week, senior members of the teaching faculty open a window into the intellectual life of the College through conversations rooted in the Great Books and the pursuit of first principles. Together, they explore the foundational questions that have shaped Western civilization.
Grounded in the liberal arts tradition, the podcast invites listeners into the same kind of thoughtful, rigorous dialogue that defines the classroom experience. From ancient mathematics and astronomy to philosophy, theology, and modern science, each episode seeks to understand the truth of things by returning to first principles.
Occasionally featuring guest scholars and educators, the show offers rich discussions on the Great Books, liberal education, and the enduring relevance of classical learning.
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