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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 Jan 09, 2022
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
HELL. People prefer to think of eternal life in terms of peace, happiness, and everlasting joy. But those who turn from God in this life, face the prospect of eternal torment and everlasting pain. We don’t know who ends up in hell, but the Bible is clear that not everyone goes to Heaven.
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Friday Dec 31, 2021
Friday Dec 31, 2021
WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE? When people criticize the Church, or say what turns them off, what do we say in response? We know we cannot convert people simply by "winning the argument," but we can and should confidently defend the Church by offering answers in a knowledgeable and non-threatening way.
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Saturday Dec 18, 2021
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
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.
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Friday Dec 10, 2021
Friday Dec 10, 2021
THE COMING OF CHRIST. Advent is a season of reflection, prayer, and action, as we ready ourselves once again for the coming of our newborn king. Adventus Christi invites us to rediscover how Jesus enters our lives every day in the Sacraments, especially in the Eucharist. What are you doing this year to prepare?
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Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
SANCTIFYING GRACE. Grace leads us to virtue, and makes us fit for the kingdom of God. When we do what God asks, He will bless us, always. And He blesses us, with sanctifying grace.
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Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
THE FORGOTTEN SACRAMENTAL. The Brown Scapular is part of a centuries-old prayer tradition, which came about through the intercession of our Blessed Mother. It is another way to honor Our Lord when we wear it devoutly, and it is believed to help us ward off temptation, and avoid the snares of the devil.
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Thursday Nov 11, 2021
Thursday Nov 11, 2021
COMMITMENT. Making a commitment includes defining a goal, and working towards it every day without quitting, whether in a career, a marriage, or the spiritual life. But if we focus only on the ultimate goal, it can become a grind. Satisfaction and true joy come from concentration on, and passion for, the small steps we take each day.
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Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
GUARDIAN ANGELS. Yes, we as a Church believe that angels exist! They are located in our Bible readings, in our prayers, and in our lives. And each one of us has a Guardian Angel, protecting and guiding us! Isn’t that a good thing to realize and pray about, as we continue on our spiritual journey toward God?
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Thursday Oct 28, 2021
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
SACRIFICE. It’s not a word that we use or think about much these days, but it is a true expression of love, and an essential component in any meaningful relationship. We do it, for the Lord.
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Sunday Oct 17, 2021
Sunday Oct 17, 2021
"MY KIDS DON'T GO TO MASS." Sound familiar? Many parents of adult children who were baptized but do not practice their faith, are living with this reality now, and it’s not a new problem. But there are positive steps we can take to deal with this, and good reason not to lose hope.
Join the conversation: anycatholicconversation@gmail.com