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 that 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.
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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 that 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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
The Saints 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.
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.
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.
Life is too short to be unhappy, hold grudges, or have regrets. The brevity of our lives should induce us to live in a state of readiness, to be prepared spiritually, and to actively serve God, appreciating each moment we have left, until He calls us into the life that never ends.
Padre Pio’s life was full of sacrifice, sufferings, and acts of renunciation. And still today, for millions of Catholics around the world, he is a powerful living presence, offering a wellspring of benefits for our spiritual and temporal needs. St. Padre Pio, pray for us!
We all do it, sometimes without being aware, but it is harmful to our spiritual health and well-being. We need to find a way to identify it in ourselves and limit its effect on us and others. St. Paul reminds us to ”give thanks in all circumstances, and rejoice always!”
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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” ?
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 that 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.
