A New York Catholic Conversation Podcast

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.   Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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." Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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?" Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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. Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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. Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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." Join the conversation: [email protected] 

ASH WEDNESDAY.  "Gotta get my ashes!”  Ok, but what else do I need to think about, as I prepare for Lent this year?  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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. Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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: [email protected] 

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." Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.   Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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." Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.   Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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. Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.   Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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. Join the conversation: [email protected] 

THE BREVITY OF LIFE.  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.   Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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! Join the conversation: [email protected] 

TRY NOT TO COMPLAIN. 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!" Join the conversation: [email protected] 

TAKING GUILT TOO FAR. 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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

IS GEN Z DISCOVERING THE CATHOLIC FAITH? 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." Join the conversation: [email protected] 

SILENCING HABITS THAT SEPARATE US FROM GOD. 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.   Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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." Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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." Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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." Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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" ? Join the conversation: [email protected] 

THE LORD'S PRAYER. Jesus said to His disciples, "This is how you are to pray; 'Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name.'"  This prayer is said when we are baptized, and when we are buried, and at every Mass, every day, in every church throughout the world.  It is said to be the perfect prayer, because Our Lord Himself connects us to God Our Father in an intimate way, every time we say it.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

HOW IS IT GOING THIS LENT? We start on Ash Wednesday with good intentions, but as the days wear on, we may start falling short.  It's a good time to readjust and strengthen an abstinence you may have taken on.  And remember to check the ego for envy or jealousy, so that you will remain free to love with a joyful and forgiving heart. Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

STOP WORRYING!  When we worry, we are focusing outside of the present moment. We are overthinking the past, and harboring anxiety about the future. But Jesus insists that we place our trust completely in our heavenly Father, and He challenges our lack of faith; "Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan?" Join the conversation: [email protected] 

JUBILEE YEAR.  The Church celebrates a Jubilee every 25 years, and in 2025 the theme is 'Pilgrims of Hope,' a year dedicated to hope for a world that is suffering.  In this "Holy Year," the Pope calls all Christians to re-establish a proper relationship with God and with one another. It is a time for the true joy that comes from spiritual renewal, personal restoration, and sincere forgiveness.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY.  Although Carmelite Spirituality traces back to the Middle Ages, it still helps us today because of its focus on prayer, contemplation, and service to God.  It includes devotion to our Blessed Mother and is based on a deep desire to experience God's presence in everyday life.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

A DEMON SPEAKS.  We all experience the presence of evil in our lives in different ways, and Jesus Himself confronts Satan directly in the Bible. What if the Devil spoke, and explained how he deceives and destroys people, especially those of us who have faith?  Let's listen to the voice of evil, when a demon speaks. Join the conversation: [email protected] 

MEDICALLY-ASSISTED SUICIDE.  Whether it is called "compassionate" or "dying with dignity," any effort to end one's life before natural death is considered by the Church to be "morally unacceptable" and opposed to God's will. Suffering at the end of our lives may well serve as a reminder of our spiritual need for grace and mercy in the judgment which is to come.    Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

THE NINE CHOIRS OF ANGELS. We don’t notice them or think about them much, but upon reflection, they are always with us. They are bearers of good news; they are there to protect us, and to assure us of God’s love and mercy. Our Angels exist to help us know the will of God, for each and every one of us.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

LET THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK IN YOUR LIFE. "Leave room for the Holy Spirit!" In our Creed we say that the third Person of the Blessed Trinity is "the Lord, the giver of life." We constantly need to remove those things from our lives that block or prevent the flow of grace and peace and love that come from the Holy Spirit of God, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.    Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

MOTHER TERESA. In dedicating her life to the poorest of the poor, St. Teresa of Calcutta has become one of the most beloved women of all time, and the work of the Missionaries of Charity continues around the world. The simplicity of her life and the authenticity of her vocation are an inspiration for all of us in our own journeys of faith in Christ.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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." Join the conversation: [email protected] 

ADVENT.  Is everything ready? If not, Advent is the time to once again prepare for a new birth, and a new life. Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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.  Join the conversation: [email protected] 

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?   Join the conversation: [email protected]