#139 Unity Doesn’t Mean Sameness: Identity, Belonging, and the Catholic Faith with Angela Costley

2026-01-27

Download

Send us a textMany Catholics carry an unspoken assumption that belonging in the Church means setting parts of yourself aside — your background, culture, or story — in order to “fit.”But the Catholic faith has never been about sameness.In this episode of Persistence in Prayer, Kylie is joined by Angela Costley, a Hebrew Catholic theologian and contributor to From Sinai to Rome, to explore what it means to live fully Catholic without erasing one’s Jewish identity — and why this matters for the whole Church....

Send us a text

Many Catholics carry an unspoken assumption that belonging in the Church means setting parts of yourself aside — your background, culture, or story — in order to “fit.”

But the Catholic faith has never been about sameness.

In this episode of Persistence in Prayer, Kylie is joined by Angela Costley, a Hebrew Catholic theologian and contributor to From Sinai to Rome, to explore what it means to live fully Catholic without erasing one’s Jewish identity — and why this matters for the whole Church.

Together, they discuss:

What it means to be a Hebrew Catholic (and why the term matters)
How Jewish identity and Catholic faith are not in competition, but deeply connected
Why unity in the Church does not require uniformity
How honoring personal and cultural identity can actually deepen faith and prayer
What this teaches all Catholics about belonging, continuity, and communion

This conversation isn’t just about Hebrew Catholics — it’s about the broader truth that God works through real people, real histories, and real cultures to build one Body.

If you’ve ever wondered where your own story fits in the life of the Church, this episode offers clarity, depth, and a wider vision of unity.

Purchase From Sinai to Rome: Jewish Identity in the Catholic Church

If Persistence in Prayer has supported you in your faith, helped you make space for prayer, or brought clarity in a busy season, please consider supporting the show. Your donations help cover production costs and allow this podcast to remain accessible to women who need it. You can support the show by clicking HERE. Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying with me.

Connect with Kylie