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A New York Catholic Conversation Podcast
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A New York Catholic Conversation Podcast

Author: anewyorkcatholicconversation

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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

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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.

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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.
152 Episodes
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Taking Guilt Too Far

Taking Guilt Too Far

2025-08-1611:39

TAKING GUILT TOO FAR. A guilty conscience can warn us that we've done something wrong, and prompt us to admit our fault and ask for forgiveness. But if guilt becomes a persistent feeling of doubt and uncertainty, a fear that you can never be saved, then it becomes an unhealthy obsession and blocks our relationship with God. That is taking guilt too far.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
IS GEN Z DISCOVERING THE CATHOLIC FAITH? After years of secularization and indifference to God and religion, there are real signs that Gen Z is discovering the beauty of Catholicism as a better way of living. Let's invite and welcome young people today to join us on this "noble path to happiness." Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
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.   Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
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." Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
Sacramentals

Sacramentals

2025-06-2209:51

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." Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
Ingratitude

Ingratitude

2025-05-1808:04

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." Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
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 Bible, and enhances our daily prayer lives.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer

2025-04-0911:15

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.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
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. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
Stop Worrying!

Stop Worrying!

2025-03-0609:31

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?" Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
Jubilee Year

Jubilee Year

2025-02-1811:23

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.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
Carmelite Spirituality

Carmelite Spirituality

2025-02-0510:43

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.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
A Demon Speaks

A Demon Speaks

2025-01-2310:53

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. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
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.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
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.    Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa

2024-11-2910:40

MOTHER TERESA. In dedicating her life to the poorest of the poor, St. Teresa of Calcutta has become one of the most beloved women of all time, and the work of the Missionaries of Charity continues around the world. The simplicity of her life and the authenticity of her vocation are an inspiration for all of us in our own journeys of faith in Christ.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
THE DIARY OF SAINT MARIA FAUSTINA. The Polish nun who lived a cloistered and contemplative life is now known throughout the world as "The Apostle of the Divine Mercy." In her Diary, Sister Faustina reveals her intimate and mystical union with God, and now when we gaze on the Image of the Risen Christ with Blood and Water flowing from His side, we bow our heads and say together, "Jesus, I Trust in You." Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
Bad Thoughts

Bad Thoughts

2021-12-1810:32

BAD THOUGHTS. Most of us experience them on a regular basis, and they are not sinful, in and of themselves. But it’s important to be conscious of our thoughts, so that they do not become occasions of sin. Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
The Right to Life

The Right to Life

2024-10-2712:40

THE RIGHT TO LIFE. As Catholics, we believe in the sanctity of human life, and we take a moral position on abortion based on God's law and Church teaching. We are made in the image and likeness of God, and we are all called to defend life from conception until natural death.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE. Saint Paul says that love is patient, love is kind; it endures all things; and love never fails. But to "will the good of another" is a constant challenge,  and a very difficult thing to do. It requires us to break free from the ego and self-absorption, so that we can really see the heart and needs of others.  Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com 
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