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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
Sunday May 24, 2026
Sunday May 24, 2026
DO IT NOW. There seems to be in many of us an inherent need to delay or put off for tomorrow what doesn't need to be done today. That's understandable, but the followers of Jesus know that His earthly ministry was urgent and action-oriented, and serves as a stark reminder that we should never delay when God calls us.
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Wednesday May 06, 2026
Wednesday May 06, 2026
DO I HAVE A GUARDIAN ANGEL? Although many of us do not think about or interact with angels, the Catholic Church teaches that every person is assigned a Guardian Angel by God, to guide, protect, and help our souls toward salvation. And even when we are not aware, our Guardian Angel is at work. St. Jerome once said, "How great is the dignity of souls, that each person has from birth, received an angel to protect it."
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Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
THE CROSSES IN OUR LIVES. To take up our cross and follow Jesus, we must learn to live the doctrine of abandonment, accepting, with thanksgiving, everything that happens to us as God's will. Rather than giving in to fatalism or guilt, we engage with and embrace our crosses. As Job said, "We accept good things from God, should we not also accept evil?"
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Monday Apr 06, 2026
Monday Apr 06, 2026
THE SIN OF GOSSIP. When idle chatter and casual conversation turn into language that lacks charity and is hurtful, it can often damage the reputation of another person, and alter the way they are perceived, forever. We've become desensitized to how profoundly gossip negatively affects everyone, and when we engage in it, we are exposing ourselves to a serious sin.
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Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
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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Friday Mar 13, 2026
Friday Mar 13, 2026
THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES. Our spiritual lives are richer when we can take pleasure in God's divine company, and speak to Our Lord humbly and lovingly, without inhibitions. But how? Let's check in with Brother Lawrence, who developed a simple method of focused prayer, which can help us connect with God in all seasons and at every moment, without limiting the conversation in any way.
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Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
EMOTIONAL INFIDELITY. When two people in a marriage are intentional about building unity and serving each other, they are protecting their marriage from potential dangers and temptations. But cultivating intimacy with someone other than one's spouse, or slowly transferring affections and attention to someone outside the marriage, is exposing oneself to sin with something we may call "emotional infidelity."
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Friday Feb 13, 2026
Friday Feb 13, 2026
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.
Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com