A New York Catholic Conversation Podcast: Recent Episodes
anewyorkcatholicconversation
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.
PLEASURE SEEKING. We all need recreation and leisure to relieve the pressures and daily grind of everyday life. But if we build our lives solely around pleasure seeking, we find that it ultimately does not provide the satisfaction, relief, and rest we desire. Our reward comes when we align our desires with God's will, the source of all relief, pleasure, and joy.
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ABIDE IN ME. To "abide" means to remain, to stay, to continue on. It means to endure or sustain without yielding. Jesus wants us to abide in Him. He says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. Remain in my love."
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WHY GOD ALLOWS EVIL PEOPLE TO PROSPER. When we suffer, we may be tempted to wonder why people who do not know God seem to prosper. But we know that God has a plan and that our suffering in this world has a purpose. Rather than look longingly at the prosperous in this world, we should heed the words of St. Bridget of Sweden, "Let go of what will pass, and gather that which is eternal."
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THE DEVIL NEVER QUITS. As Catholics, we believe that God has prepared a place for us with Jesus in Heaven if we do His will on earth. We also believe that Satan is real and is relentless in his desire to defeat every one of us. That's why we must heed the words of St. Peter, who said, "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (I Peter 5:8).
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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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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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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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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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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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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."
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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."
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SOUL LEAVES THE BODY? 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.
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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."
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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WINDOWS OF THE SOUL. It is with our eyes that we perceive all of the beauty of creation, but it is also with our eyes that we see temptation. We are greatly blessed with our ability to see, so we must take custody of our eyes and fix them on Christ, who guides us from darkness into the light.
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HOW THE DEVIL DECEIVES US. The Devil is more alive today than ever, and has worked his way into every aspect of our lives, without us realizing it. How do we ward off the enemy's blows and defend ourselves in this ongoing spiritual battle?
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PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORDER IN YOUR LIFE. There are numerous self-help guides online and in books that offer ways to improve any and all aspects of one's life. We check in with St. Francis de Sales, who provides some practical ways to help us strengthen our own personal commitment to our faith and to discipleship.
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REDEMPTION AND SALVATION. Redemption is understood as "deliverance from sin," but Salvation requires our cooperation and participation. For eternal salvation we need grace from God, and we must make our Redeemer the center of our lives.
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A LETTER FROM BEYOND. We pray for the souls in Purgatory because we believe that one day they will be joined with God in Heaven. But what of those souls who have turned away from God and who now exist in eternal damnation? Listen to the voice of one who calls out from a place in which there is no love, no faith, and no hope.
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DIFFICULTY & HOLINESS. We all strive to be good Christians, but the path to holiness seems filled with obstacles and difficulties. When we accept these challenges as God's will for us, we are able to accept the grace that feeds us and enables us to overcome, and give glory to God.
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MEDITATIVE PRAYER. Our greatest prayer as Catholics is the Mass itself, in which we express our thoughts and beliefs externally, through words proclaimed aloud. The other kind of prayer is Meditative, which is a quest to listen and talk to God. Through silence and stillness, we go deeper into our heart and soul, which is the dwelling place of Our Lord. Practiced faithfully, meditative prayer provides great benefits to ourselves and to the world.
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AM I WASTING THE GIFT OF TIME? Many of us are obsessed with time, and yet we don't seem ready, or prepare ourselves for the time when we will be held to account for our lives. Jesus warns us that the day will come, and we must use this gift of time on earth to be prepared.
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DEVOTION TO THE HOLY FACE. When we gaze into the Holy Face of Jesus in prayer, we enter into His passion and humbly align ourselves with the suffering Christ. And Jesus Himself told Sister Mary of St. Peter, "Those on earth who contemplate the wounds of My Face, shall in Heaven behold it radiant with glory, and they themselves shall shine with particular splendor in Heaven."
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MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY. Jesus uses the word "meek" in the Beatitudes - it represents a quality of the heart with which a person is willing to accept and submit to the will and desire of someone else - so necessary in marriage. And by embracing the virtue of humility, we can more readily love God above all things, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
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GROWTH, TRANSFORMATION, & THE JOY OF GOD. We are called to be saints, and we must keep striving for growth and transformation in our spiritual lives. A Benedictine nun, Sister Mary David, offers reflections on spirituality that are steeped in simple wisdom and practical advice. Her collected writings are in a book called The Joy of God.
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GRUMBLING. It's been called "faithless complaining." It's moaning and growling about everything and everyone around us, but it is dangerous because it can easily turn to bitterness and harden our hearts.
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TURNING BACK TO WORLDLINESS. Many of us make only a tepid effort at practicing our faith, and grow frustrated when the going gets tough. In our frustration, we turn back to the things of the world. Worldliness seems the easier path.
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THE 7 SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY. Are you looking for ways to enrich and strengthen your prayer life this Lent? Consider practicing the Spiritual Works of Mercy. They draw us into a deeper relationship with God and make us instruments of God's peace.
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REFUSALS. It is God's will to enter into our lives, and abide in us. He does not force us, He calls us. But we ourselves often block this from happening. We sometimes intentionally stand in the way of a fuller life with God. Let's talk about these impediments, these "refusals" to make room for God in our hearts.
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RELICS. We preserve and venerate these bones and fragments because they give a connectedness to the sacred, to the holy people of God – the Saints! Relics are not magic, but they prayerfully draw us closer to God, and they can be a channel through which God answers our prayers.
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INDULGENCES. Yes, they still exist, and they are a wonderful incentive to pray! Any act of prayer expressed devoutly provides a way to reduce the amount of punishment one must undergo for sins that have already been forgiven. God is merciful! Not only does He offer us freedom from eternal punishment, but also from the consequence or punishment required in this world, or in Purgatory.
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ARE YOU PLEASING TO GOD? As Catholics, our ultimate objective and goal is to join in everlasting life with God, by loving God above all things, and loving neighbor as ourselves. But are we doing our best to become more pleasing to God? Do we pursue the natural desires of this world, or the interior joy that Jesus promises us?
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WHAT THE SOULS IN PURGATORY TELL US. We don't talk about it much these days, but it's real -- a state of purification "so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven." Many Saints have heard from the souls in Purgatory, and have shared with us their requests. So, what is Purgatory like, and how can we benefit from what these souls have to say?
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A WALK THROUGH A CATHOLIC CHURCH. When you enter a Catholic Church, you are met with a variety of symbolic and real expressions of our faith. Everything that we touch and see is there to help us give honor and praise to God. Let's walk in and remind ourselves of the beauty and wonder that surround us.
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THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY. When we say the Rosary, we ask our Blessed Mother to "pray for us, now and at the hour of our death." In the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, we are invited through prayer to console her sorrowful heart and unite our suffering to hers, and by doing so receive beautiful graces of peace, consolation, and strength.
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THE PARTICULAR GOOD. The Evil One is at work when we are encouraged to become attached to our Particular Goods, even if they are not what is best for us. Whatever we desire is most important, not what God wants for us. Then the attachments that are particular to each one of us, lead us away from God.
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GOSSIP. It's something we all know we should not do, yet it seems to appear in so many of our conversations. It's harmful to ourselves, to those we talk about, and even to those who hear it. Let's discuss how we can identify gossip, and how we can stop doing it.
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SMALL SACRIFICES. The greatest penances most of us must deal with come in the small obstacles and frustrations of everyday life. If we can confront them and turn them into small sacrifices, we will achieve small victories which will strengthen our will, and draw us closer to God.
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PRIVATE REVELATIONS. We accept that God reveals Himself through Sacred Scripture, and is present in the Eucharist at Mass. But private revelations are messages or inspirations that come to all of us, in many different ways. When we breathe prayer to God, sincerely from the heart, we know that God reveals His love and mercy, for each and every one of us.
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THE 12 APOSTLES. Jesus picked these 12 ordinary men to follow Him and witness to His ministry on earth. After the Resurrection, He visited them to reassure them of His love, and to strengthen their faith. And when they were filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they became the foundation of the Church, which even the gates of hell cannot prevail against.
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THE BEATITUDES. Through the Beatitudes, Jesus deepens our commitment to the 10 Commandments and offers us a way of living on earth that promises eternal life with God in Heaven. They point to a true Christian way of life, and demonstrate what kinds of human lives are "Blessed" by God.
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THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA. This 14th-century mystic, author, and saint is a Doctor of the Church, known for bringing about the union of the Papacy, and for her writings, prayers, and "Dialogues." She teaches us to try and bring the peace and reverence of Our Lord to every situation, and reminds us that when we attach ourselves to Jesus, we love with His love.
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CONFIRMATION. “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit!” With these words spoken by the Bishop at the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. This sacrament enlightens our understanding of our faith in God; it calls us to increased charity toward our neighbor; and it fills our souls with sanctifying grace.
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS, PART 2. We continue our meditation and reflection on the stations, our spiritual mini-pilgrimage along the "sorrowful way" with Jesus. “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world."
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS, PART 1. This beautiful Catholic devotion can be meditated upon on any day of the year, because it prayerfully aligns us with the suffering Christ, and draws us closer to understanding His love for us, and our love for Him. Here are our reflections on the first seven Stations.
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THE WILL. It is the faculty of the mind by which we determine how we will act. We need a strong will to survive all of life’s challenges, and to truly love we must "will the good of another." A person who is "in Christ" chooses and desires what God desires, so that he or she can pray with sincere determination "Thy Will Be Done."
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HAPPINESS: THE NEW PANACEA. There is a desire in all of us to be happy, and it has become the new measure of a successful life. But as we pursue happiness, we learn that it does not come from physical stimulation, or a temporary satisfaction of the ego. Only when we place God above all things can we find the stability and calm that lead to true joy, and the peace of the Risen Christ.
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STEP TOWARD HEAVEN. We don’t need to completely overhaul our lives to do God’s will. But as we measure the steps we take, we must realize that each small act of charity we do gives glory to God, and is another step toward Heaven.
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THE POWER OF SANCTIFYING GRACE. Sanctifying Grace is a repeated gift which returns us to our original holiness, and enables us to live with God, and share in the divine nature of His Only Son.
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WHY EMBRACE SUFFERING? Once we are able to accept, and then embrace our own suffering, we align ourselves with the suffering Christ, who through the Cross, leads us into eternal life with God.
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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER. Jesus often used parables to reveal hidden lessons. And since a parable requires reflection for understanding, only those who are prepared to explore its meaning can come to know it. This one delves into four different reactions to the Word of God.
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LUKEWARM CATHOLICISM. God invites us into a life of holiness through His Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus expresses God’s love for us through His own Passion and Death on the Cross. If the warmth and fervor of our response to this great love is tepid or lukewarm, our faith is at risk of deteriorating into indifference, or worse.
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HOLY WATER AND ITS BENEFITS. Since it was removed from founts in churches during the pandemic, holy water has become almost a forgotten sacramental to many Catholics. When we reflect on its rich spiritual meaning and traditions, we rediscover the effects that benefit us all.
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SACRED SCRIPTURE. We read scripture to draw closer to God, and reading the Bible is itself an act of prayer. We encounter Jesus Christ is the gospels, and we can never exhaust the Word of God, for in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3.)
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OVERCOMING SELF. The two greatest commandments are to love God above all things, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet when we are continually preoccupied with our own thoughts, desires, and needs, the Word of God can become obscured, and seem distant.
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POPE BENEDICT XVI. With the passing of Joseph Ratzinger on the last day of 2022, many theologians and scholars have weighed in on the influence of his papacy, and on his impact on the Church. Here’s our take on what he meant to us, and to our fellow Catholics in the pews.
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ARE WE GIVING OUR ALL TO JESUS? In our faith journey, we must not hold anything back, because Our Lord wants us to love Him with all our hearts, and with all our souls, and with all our strength.
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WHY WE NEED THE CHURCH. Christ came into the world so that the world might be saved through Him, and He built His Church on the rock of Peter, the Apostles, and on those of us who have come to believe in Him. We need the Church because it is the vehicle through which God shepherds and accompanies us into eternal life.
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THE VALUE OF SILENCE. Whether embracing an interior silence for enhanced prayer, or simply biting one’s tongue to avoid sin, we are so often reminded of the power and importance of silence. It is another window into wisdom and grace.
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HOW WE USE OUR TIME. Time is valuable, and it’s not unlimited. Jesus reminds us that “at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." So we must vigilant, and careful not waste it, or let it slip away.
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TRIBULATIONS. Afflictions, hardships, and trials – we all face them, sooner or later in life. While we may cry out and say why me, why now, the endurance of tribulations often cause us to deepen our spiritual lives, and draw us closer to God.
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TIME FOR PRAYER. We must be intentional about our need to set aside time for prayer. Outer distractions constantly interfere with our interior lives, which need protection and nurturing. Our focus is on God, and our objective is Heaven.
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FRIENDSHIP WITH CHRIST. We honor Him as the Son of God, and worship Him as our Lord and Savior. And when we keep His commandments, he calls us "friends." How sweet to know that when we return this friendship, He can confidently call on us for love, for understanding, and for help.
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DOGMA & DEFINITIVE DOCTRINE. Our Catholic faith is based on the truth that is revealed to us by God, and authoritatively taught by the Church. Can a faithful Catholic disagree with Church teachings and still remain in full communion?
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JOY – BEYOND HAPPINESS. Everywhere in the Bible, we are called to be joyful, but at times true joy can seem elusive. Joy is better likened to a quiet, inner assuredness of the presence of God. Joy is within us, waiting to be discovered, and released!
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SAY THE ROSARY? The Rosary is revered by millions for its simplicity and its depth. It has been described as a beautiful rose bush, from which we can offer a fresh rose to God, every day!
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GRATITUDE. We teach our children to say "please" and "thank you," but our daily diversions often hinder our true desire and need to offer gratitude to God for our very lives and our many blessings. Let’s always remind ourselves and others to “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, his mercy endures forever!"
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WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MASS? We gather with others to worship, we listen to hear the revealed Word, we receive Him in Holy Communion, and we go forth to spread the Good News. Let’s take a moment to stop and reflect on the beautiful significance of each part of the Mass.
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WHAT WILL OUR JUDGMENT DAY BE LIKE? We say in the Creed that, at the end of time, “He will come again to judge the living and the dead," but that’s later, and it’s for everyone. We each must stand before the Lord when we die at our own particular judgment. Will we be ready?
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ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE. “Whoever enters through Me will be saved." But no matter where we think we are on our own spiritual journey, Jesus says to us, "Strive to enter," and do all that we can to fulfill God’s will.
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GRIEF. Grief is something that eventually touches us all, and it’s not the same for everyone. As we mourn during this time of separation and loss, grief can also force introspection, and a revival of our own faith and hope.
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THE SIN OF ENVY. Ever since the time of Cain and Abel, envy and jealousy have plagued mankind. We have to guard against it, because it harms us spiritually, and never leads to happiness.
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ANTIDOTE FOR A PREDOMINANT FAULT. Most of us have a nagging sin or persistent weakness that never seems to go away. Despite this, God’s mercy is always available to us when we trust in Him, and remain open to receiving Him in Holy Communion.
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CATHOLIC FUNERAL & BURIAL. The Catholic tradition of a Vigil (or Wake Service) for the deceased, followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass, and then Committal at a Cemetery, has undergone a variety of alterations and adjustments by grieving families and funeral homes for a variety of reasons recently. Let’s discuss how Catholics give thanks and praise to God for the gift of our loved one’s life.
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What is HOPE? Hope is a gift from God, one of the three Theological Virtues. It provides a quiet certainty that God’s promise is being fulfilled, even as we encounter and endure the difficulties and challenges of this life.
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What is a DEACON? Deacons are ordained by the Bishop through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and are members of the Clergy, along with Bishops and Priests. But even practicing Catholics today are not sure of the precise role of the Deacon in everyday parish life.
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Are you CONTENT? Marketing and advertising campaigns offer us innumerable goods and services that will relieve our discomfort, and make us happy. But true contentment comes when we place those things aside, and draw closer to God in prayer.
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AN ANNULMENT. Bringing a case before a tribunal seems like a daunting task, but the Annulment process is designed to find the truth as to whether a marriage was actually valid at the time of the wedding. It can take time and effort, and requires patience, but the result is a pathway or bridge back to the Sacraments, and a healthy life within the Church.
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FATHER SOLANUS CASEY. "Blessed" Fr. Solanus Casey was a modern day miracle worker and mystic, now on his way to Sainthood. When troubles arose in people’s lives, they would be told to "go see the holy priest." This simple Capuchin Franciscan friar has become an inspiration for many, because of his example of humility, and his love of the sick and the poor.
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WHAT IS YOUR PRIORITY? We can only be successful and achieve a goal when we concentrate and focus our attention on it. So where is your focus? What things do you value and desire most? Our Lord says, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."
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PUTTING THE "C" BACK IN THE C.Y.O. We as Catholics all need to become more intentional about our faith, and careful not to place work or play, or anything, above God. Frank has some good suggestions for C.Y.O. kids, their parents, their coaches, and for all of us.
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THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL. The medal has been circulating throughout the world since the 1830’s. It represents a special devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and people who wear it prayerfully are witnesses to its protection, its grace, and its promises.
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TRUST IN GOD. We’re told that unless we turn, and become like children, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. But in our daily thoughts and prayers, do we really trust, and place everything in God’s hands?
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COMPASSION. Compassion is empathy in action, and Our Lord provides us with great examples of it to follow. But it can be a challenging virtue to develop and maintain.
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THE TIME IS NOW. We sometimes reflect back on our past with regret, and often feel hesitation and uncertainty in anticipation of our future, but when it comes to answering God’s call to forgive and to love, the time to act is right now.
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TRUTH VS RELEVANCE. There are not multiple versions of Truth. Even if our beliefs are not accepted, we are called to follow the revealed truth, and distinguish it from versions of truth that are diluted to make it relevant to the current times. No, it’s not easy. He said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life"! Although we ourselves are sinful, let us try to be witnesses to the truth revealed to us by God.
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THE FORGOTTEN TABERNACLE. Catholics believe that the Risen Christ is present in the world today – in the Eucharist at the Mass and in the Tabernacle in the Church. And if we truly believe it, then we are called and compelled to reverently return to the Tabernacle on our knees, in silence, in meditation, and in prayerful adoration.
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PARENTS OF THE SAINTS. The lives of Saints in many cases provide us with inspiration and examples of holiness for our own lives. But Saints are not born; they are raised and called by God. And their parents' lives offer us some unique illustrations of how God works through us, for His own greater Glory.
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GROWING DURING LENT. We’re in motion during Lent. With a desire to return and draw closer to God, we avoid things that keep us from Him. Through prayer and self-denial, we begin again to align ourselves with the suffering Christ, who we can now more eagerly follow to the Cross, and beyond.
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MIRACLES. Miracles on earth have a purpose. The signs worked by Jesus attest that He is the Son of God, and they can draw us to faith in Him. For those who believe, God works miracles through His disciples, and through the Saints, to heal, to save, and to love.
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GUILT. A guilty conscience may be a warning that we have done something morally wrong. If we examine our conscience and admit our fault, we can seek the healing and mercy of God. Yes, guilt has a purpose – to bring us to the Lord.
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CORRECTION VS. CONDEMNATION. We are commanded to "judge not," and we do not possess authority to condemn, but there are times when we are called to offer a word of correction to those who are hurting themselves or others. Let’s discuss when, and how.
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MARRIAGE. We take a vow, and make a promise, and it’s forever. It is a sacred bond, a sacrament, and for it to be successful, we need the grace that comes from God.
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PRIDE. How much does it bother you when you feel ignored? And do feel as though you always need to be right? The Bible says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”. Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, and gave us a model to follow. So be aware of signs of pride within.
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DISCIPLESHIP. We are all called to be disciples, but what’s the best path to discipleship? We must each use the unique talents that we’ve been given, to build up the Body of Christ. Then we’ll be prepared to take up our cross, and follow Him.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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"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.
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ST. PADRE PIO. 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!
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BAPTISM. When we are baptized, we become a "new creation", born again through water and the Holy Spirit. With the sanctifying grace of this beautiful sacrament, we are now "heirs of Christ", called to rise with Him to newness of life.
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THE CALL TO HOLINESS. As anointed disciples of Jesus, we are working out our salvation in this life, to prepare for the next. We are all called to be holy, just as our Heavenly Father is Holy.
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THE FAMILY. The traditional family is a pillar, a structure that holds up communities and expands the life of mankind. And it is supported and strengthened by the humility, patience, obedience, and love of each individual member.
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SURRENDER. Sometimes, we really have no other choice. But more often, and in all things, we have to prayerfully remind ourselves to let go of our own ego and our false sense of control, and surrender ourselves to the all-powerful and merciful will of God.
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TEMPTATION. It’s been with us since the Garden of Eden, and Jesus teaches us to ask Our Father every day to "lead us not into temptation." So we need to be prayerful, vigilant, and disciplined.
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WHO CAN RECEIVE? Baptized Catholics who have fasted for one hour, and who are in the state of grace, can receive. But beyond the stated requirements, we as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church must recapture and re-establish the deeper meaning of the "Worthy Reception of Holy Communion."
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PATIENCE. It’s called a Virtue, but it’s a tough one to develop. And yet, once acquired and nurtured, patience is a path to a more prayerful and peaceful life.
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ANXIETY. We are not in control, and we don’t know what’s coming next. That alone causes a degree of anxiety in all of us, and we worry. Jesus addressed this during His ministry, and said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."
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THE ROSARY. It’s not for everyone, but many people who say the Rosary find it to be a spiritually engaging and enriching prayer. If you are less familiar with it, you may be surprised to learn of its depth, and its power.
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"WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SIN?" Sin is not exactly a hot topic on social media right now, but people of faith have to confront it, if we want to have a relationship with God.
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THE HOLY SPIRIT. “Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up thy rest”. Pentecost draws our attention to the third person of the Trinity. We believe He is the Lord, the giver of life. If He is our Advocate, are we calling on Him now, for all our needs?
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THE HOMILY. We don’t go to Mass just to hear a good sermon, but an effective Homily can get us to think, and act. It can enhance our experience at Mass, from the singing and the hearing, to the worshipping and receiving.
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THE REAL PRESENCE. Body and blood, soul and divinity -- all present in the Eucharist at Mass. This belief must be nurtured, refreshed, protected, and passed along. And blessed are those who have not seen, but believed.
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DISCERNMENT. We all face times in our lives when a big decision or a difficult choice must be made. What’s involved, and how should we go about it?
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DIVINE MERCY. 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" ?
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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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WHAT KIND OF CATHOLIC AM I? Well, it’s not really a multiple choice question. We can’t customize our own religion. Today there are those who accept the teachings of the Church, and those who do not.
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THE COMMANDMENTS, Part 2. The last 7 have to do with our relationship with the world, and how we deal with people. Let’s take a look, and see where we stand.
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SAINT JOSEPH. He’s always been present, and we’ve learned a lot more from him than we realize. The Church needs him now, so let’s turn to him in prayer and consecrate ourselves to him.
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THE COMMANDMENTS. They are still there, thank God, all 10 of them. They’re for us, and they provide a blueprint for living, and a guide to freedom. Let’s look at the first three.
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EVANGELIZATION. You mean me? Yes, we are all called to spread the good news of our faith, and draw people to a life with Christ. Let’s talk about who we can reach. And how.
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LENT. It’s a spiritual journey, in which we take on our burdens and faults and follow Him, though the darkness into His light.
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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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OBEDIENCE. Respect for Authority has been in decline for a long time. Without that, what will become of obedience?
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HUMILITY. It’s not really a destination, or even a goal in and of itself, but it is essential for a fruitful and rewarding spiritual life.
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PURGATORY. We’re asked to pray for the souls of the "faithful departed", and not just on November 2nd. But if they are in purgatory, will our prayers really help them attain eternal life with God?
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PERSEVERANCE IN THE NEW YEAR. Have you made resolutions, and thought about your goals for this year? Now is the time, and you’re going to need some tools to help you along the way.
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MARY, MOTHER OF GOD. She is the "New Eve", the first to say "Yes", the greatest evangelist. And when we call on her, she intercedes, and urges us to "do whatever He tells you".
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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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A CHRISTMAS REFLECTION. It seems like joy is in short supply this year, but it’s there, in abundance, if you know where to look.
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BEING CATHOLIC. What does "being Catholic" mean? Well, it doesn’t mean belonging to a club with strict rules. No, It is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life, and it is how you encounter and receive Jesus Christ!
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ADVENT. Is everything ready? If not, Advent is the time to once again prepare for a new birth, and a new life.
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SUFFERING. Why do we suffer? And why does God allow it? Maybe it’s because the light shines brighter in the darkness.
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ATTACHMENTS. “What’s keeping you from God? Do the things of this world hold more importance than they should? Start letting go, and try to detach. And start attaching yourself to the things that will last.”
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CONFESSION. Confess my sins to a priest? What sins? You may not have made a good confession in a long while. Here’s something to consider.
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RELATIVISM. There is no moral truth, right? It’s all subjective; what’s right for you is not necessarily right for me. Please do not impose your beliefs on me. What’s a Catholic to do?
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GOING TO MASS. You don’t get anything out of it? You are out of the habit of attending Mass? The Mass can be a beautiful experience. Try to think of the Mass in a different way.
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FORGIVENESS. It is hard to let go! Of anger, resentment, and grudges. But it’s the only path to a healthy spiritual life. And if we want to obtain God’s mercy, we need to develop a merciful heart.
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PRAYER. How is your prayer life? It can always be improved. Take inventory and notice how often you pray. And what do you say to God in your prayers? Refresh your prayer life, and start a new dialog with God, today!
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