A New York Catholic Conversation Podcast
What do two Catholic men who believe in God and love the Church sound like when they have a conversation? Listen to ‘”A New York Catholic Conversation” to hear for yourself. For several years every Thursday morning, Frank Alagia and Deacon John Catalano would have breakfast after the 7am Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and they would talk about things they cared about; the daily Gospel message, the Sacraments, Holy Days, forgiveness, and any number of topics of interest to Catholic people. Both men are deeply committed to the teachings of the Catholic Church and to a sacramental life with Christ, and they want their loved ones to know that this life is available to everyone! They are not scholars but they are passionate about their faith, and they engage in a lively, brief exchange every week about all things Catholic. They have a beautiful faith and a true love, and they want you to have it as well. Join Frank and Deacon John each week and see if their Conversation makes sense for you. Contact us at anycatholicconversation@gmail.com or john@jc.training -------------------------- DEACON JOHN CATALANO was ordained by Cardinal Timothy Dolan in 2016 and assigned as Deacon to his home parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Catharine’s in Pelham, NY, where he has lived with his wife Josephine for thirty years. John and Josephine have three adult children: Angela, Christina, and Joseph. John has a Master’s degree in Church Management from Villanova University and is the author of a book, ”Does God Speak to Us? What about Me?,” a dialog between himself and his two Catholic daughters, about faith and hope in the Church today. Deacon John’s background is in Advertising Sales, where he worked at places like NBC, USA Networks, and Fox Television, and has now developed a training program for Parishes called ‘Building Community through Parish Leadership’. John has served for several years at the 7 a.m. Mass on Thursdays at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, and is pleased to be working with Frank Alagia on their podcast. -------------------------- FRANK ALAGIA is a life-long resident of Rockville Centre, NY and parishioner at St. Agnes Cathedral. He was one of the most highly-recruited schoolboy athletes as a senior point guard at St. Agnes High School. He attended St. John’s University, where he earned a B.S. degree in Communications. He co-captained the basketball team in his senior year under Coach Lou Carnesecca and was named to the prestigious East-West All-Star team. He was also enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as the Naismith Award winner in 1976. Frank has enjoyed a 45-year career on Wall Street and has been a daily Communicant for most of his adult life. He and his wife, Marie, have been married for 35 years and have four children.
Episodes
SILENCING HABITS THAT SEPARATE US FROM GOD. We know that "God speaks in silence," so there is a need for us to quiet those internal disturbances within us that prevent intimacy with God. The scholars and saints tell us we must cultivate a "holy silence" that penetrates all the faculties of our bodies and souls, and thus hasten our return to God.
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WHAT THE PROPHETS TELL US. The great Jewish prophets of the Old Testament were understood to be messengers from God, intermediaries between God and the community. They exhorted and encouraged people to change their ways, to live better lives, and to prepare for the light that was coming into the world. Even today, the prophets provide a roadmap to follow the one who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
SACRAMENTALS. Holy Water, Rosary Beads, the Angelus, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy; these are the objects and prayer-rituals that the Church provides to elevate our minds and direct our thoughts to God. They express the beauty of our faith and "dispose us to holiness."
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SOUL LEAVES THE BODY? At the moment we stand before God, all of the decisions and choices we have made during our lives are made clear to us. Yes, He is the God of Divine Mercy, but we must turn to Him, now, before it is too late.
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INGRATITUDE. Jesus said, “Ten were cleansed, were there not? Where are the other nine?” If we do not stay close to Jesus in the Eucharist and in prayer, we can fall prey to ego, pride, and a lack of humility. As St. Thérèse of Lisieux said, "Jesus does not demand great action from us, but simply surrender, and gratitude."
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MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN. These four Evangelists all had the same goal — to proclaim that Jesus Christ was the Son of God who came into the world, suffered, died, and rose from the dead, so that all mankind would be saved from sin. But they each came to the story from a different point of view and wrote to different audiences. Knowing more about these subtle differences helps increase our understanding and appreciation of the ...
DIVINE MERCY. His Merciful Forgiveness extends to all who are in need, and ask for it. If this is true, and we believe it, why not say the prayer as often as possible – "Jesus, I Trust In You" ?
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GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER SUNDAY. As we enter into His Passion on Good Friday, we prayerfully follow Him to the Cross, and to His tomb. And when we awaken on Easter Sunday, we recognize once again, that ‘He Is Risen’ today, and every day, for the rest of our lives.
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THE LORD'S PRAYER. Jesus said to His disciples, "This is how you are to pray; 'Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name.'" This prayer is said when we are baptized, and when we are buried, and at every Mass, every day, in every church throughout the world. It is said to be the perfect prayer, because Our Lord Himself connects us to God Our Father in an intimate way, every time we say it.
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HOW IS IT GOING THIS LENT? We start on Ash Wednesday with good intentions, but as the days wear on, we may start falling short. It's a good time to readjust and strengthen an abstinence you may have taken on. And remember to check the ego for envy or jealousy, so that you will remain free to love with a joyful and forgiving heart.
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GROWING DURING LENT. We’re in motion during Lent. With a desire to return and draw closer to God, we avoid things that keep us from Him. Through prayer and self-denial, we begin again to align ourselves with the suffering Christ, who we can now more eagerly follow to the Cross, and beyond.
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STOP WORRYING! When we worry, we are focusing outside of the present moment. We are overthinking the past, and harboring anxiety about the future. But Jesus insists that we place our trust completely in our heavenly Father, and He challenges our lack of faith; "Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan?"
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ASH WEDNESDAY. "Gotta get my ashes!” Ok, but what else do I need to think about, as I prepare for Lent this year?
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JUBILEE YEAR. The Church celebrates a Jubilee every 25 years, and in 2025 the theme is 'Pilgrims of Hope,' a year dedicated to hope for a world that is suffering. In this "Holy Year," the Pope calls all Christians to re-establish a proper relationship with God and with one another. It is a time for the true joy that comes from spiritual renewal, personal restoration, and sincere forgiveness.
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CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY. Although Carmelite Spirituality traces back to the Middle Ages, it still helps us today because of its focus on prayer, contemplation, and service to God. It includes devotion to our Blessed Mother and is based on a deep desire to experience God's presence in everyday life.
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A DEMON SPEAKS. We all experience the presence of evil in our lives in different ways, and Jesus Himself confronts Satan directly in the Bible. What if the Devil spoke, and explained how he deceives and destroys people, especially those of us who have faith? Let's listen to the voice of evil, when a demon speaks.
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MEDICALLY-ASSISTED SUICIDE. Whether it is called "compassionate" or "dying with dignity," any effort to end one's life before natural death is considered by the Church to be "morally unacceptable" and opposed to God's will. Suffering at the end of our lives may well serve as a reminder of our spiritual need for grace and mercy in the judgment which is to come.
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PERSEVERANCE IN THE NEW YEAR. Have you made resolutions, and thought about your goals for this year? Now is the time, and you’re going to need some tools to help you along the way.
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THE NINE CHOIRS OF ANGELS. We don’t notice them or think about them much, but upon reflection, they are always with us. They are bearers of good news; they are there to protect us, and to assure us of God’s love and mercy. Our Angels exist to help us know the will of God, for each and every one of us.
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LET THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK IN YOUR LIFE. "Leave room for the Holy Spirit!" In our Creed we say that the third Person of the Blessed Trinity is "the Lord, the giver of life." We constantly need to remove those things from our lives that block or prevent the flow of grace and peace and love that come from the Holy Spirit of God, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
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