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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 -------------------------- 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
4 days ago
4 days ago
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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Friday Feb 06, 2026
Friday Feb 06, 2026
GOD'S WILL — BOTH ABSOLUTE AND PERMISSIVE. If God’s will if omniscient and all-powerful, how can "free will" also prevail? God lovingly allows our free will, so that through our own spiritual journey and discernment, we may find our way to freely love Him and serve Him, above all things.
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Thursday Jan 15, 2026
Thursday Jan 15, 2026
OFFERING IT UP. It sounds like old-school Catholicism, but "offering it up" is our prayerful response to the hurt, disappointment, and antagonisms we are all called to bear in our lives. It means asking God to use these crosses as fertilizer for growth in our quest for inner peace, patience, and holiness.
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Friday Jan 02, 2026
Friday Jan 02, 2026
THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL. Jesus tells the story of a man who tore down his barns to build bigger ones, so that he could store all of his material wealth safely for years to come. But God demanded his life suddenly, that very night. And the lesson is, "Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself, but is not rich in what matters to God."
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Saturday Dec 20, 2025
Saturday Dec 20, 2025
THE LITTLE WAY. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux showed us a way to God by performing day-to-day tasks and actions with great love. It is through a humble dependence on God — recognizing our "littleness" — that our love and trust expand into the Heart of Jesus.
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Saturday Nov 22, 2025
Saturday Nov 22, 2025
THE LAW OF THE GIFT. Vatican II proclaimed that the human person cannot fully find himself except through the sincere gift of himself. The Council referred to Jesus' teaching that "whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Pope St. John Paul II said, "In this way Jesus proclaims that life finds its center, its meaning, and its fulfillment, when it is given up as a gift to God."
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Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET MARRIED IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Many young Catholics today choose to be married in a special location, with the beauty of a mountaintop or the stunning sunset at the beach as a backdrop -- a destination wedding. But there are some good reasons to reconsider and reflect on this, and to intentionally decide to get married in the sacred beauty of the Church.
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Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
THE SAINTS. They are great role models, with much to show us and teach us. And we believe that they intercede for us. So let’s remind ourselves to reach out to them, and call on them for our needs, and embrace them sincerely in prayer.
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Sunday Oct 26, 2025
Sunday Oct 26, 2025
THE IMPORTANCE OF VIRTUE. To grow in virtue is to improve as a human being - to become a better person today than I was yesterday. Virtue must be sought out and acquired intentionally. You become virtuous by continually striving for virtue.
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Friday Oct 10, 2025
Friday Oct 10, 2025
HEAVEN, BUT ON WHOSE TERMS? Jesus taught that entry into Heaven goes through a narrow gate, "and those who find it are few." But many people believe that all will be saved, and just being a good person will be enough. If we truly aspire to eternal life with God, we must prepare ourselves by embracing heavenly values — mercy, forgiveness, non-judgment — and thus enter into Heaven on God's terms.
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