Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph

Why did five virgins get into the wedding feast and five didn't? Fr. Peter Dugandzic and Randi Hochenberger welcome our associate pastor, Fr. Monson, for a conversation on wisdom, grace, and being ready for the Bridegroom. Fr. Monson shares his journey from India to Kings Park and into a PhD in clinical psychology, and how St. John Paul II's vision of the human person brings faith and psyc...

Death is one of the most difficult realities we face—but the Christian faith does not ask us to ignore it. It teaches us how to face it with hope. Father Peter and Randi welcome Father Thomas, resident priest at St. Joseph’s and a hospice chaplain with Good Shepherd Hospice at Catholic Health. Together they discuss the dignity of the dying, the ministry of presence, the Anointing of the Sick, conf...

Faith grows when we live it together. Father Peter welcomes lifelong parishioners Jim and Maura Ruggiero to share lessons from 40 years of marriage, raising children in the faith, and serving their parish and community. From marriage preparation and family prayer to the fire department and a meaningful pilgrimage to Medjugorje, their story brings the gift of togetherness to life. Parish Page - htt...

What does it mean to give back to God? Father Peter welcomes longtime St. Joseph parishioner Pat Fitzpatrick to share stories of faith, family, and service—from preparing couples for marriage to coaching children with special needs. Continuing our “Entrusted” series, they explore giving that is prayerful, planned, and proportionate, and how small steps in generosity can deepen our relationship wit...

What are you making time for? Fr. Peter sits down with longtime St. Joseph’s parishioner, retired teacher, and lector Kevin Johnson to explore how faith shapes the way we use our gifts. Kevin shares stories from the classroom, parish ministry, and community service—and reflects on how even a smile can become a gift to someone else. Continuing our “Entrusted” series, this conversation invites us to...

“Do you love me?” Jesus asked Peter this question after Peter had denied him. His failure became the place where Jesus invited him to begin again. In Part 2 of our parish retreat, Fr. Melwin reflects on Peter and Zacchaeus, inviting us to respond to God’s mercy with generous hearts, forgiveness of others, and a daily commitment to reading Scripture. Take some time to listen and pray. How will you...

“Where are you?” God asked Adam and Eve this question when they hid from him—and Fr. Melwin invites us to hear it in our own lives. In Part 1 of our parish retreat, our summer associate reflects on temptation, our dignity as people made in God’s image, and the mercy waiting for us in confession. Take some time to listen and pray. Wherever you find yourself today, God is calling you to come home. R...

Longtime St. Joseph’s parishioners Anthony and Gina Ocello share how a renewed encounter with Scripture and a simple invitation to serve drew them more deeply into parish life. From gardening and the Knights of Columbus to Bible study and OCIA, their story shows how ordinary abilities become spiritual gifts when they are offered back to God. Anthony and Gina also speak candidly about marriage, par...

Father Peter returns from a pilgrimage to the shrines of Spain with stories from Montserrat, Our Lady of the Pillar, and Santiago de Compostela. Then he and Randi close the “Can We Talk?” series with a question close to home: Are we making room for real conversation with the people we love? Reflecting on the parable of the two sons, they talk about listening, allowing an encounter to change us, an...

Why is it sometimes so difficult to celebrate someone else’s good fortune? Randi Hochenberger welcomes Nicole Alimario back to  Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph  for a lively discussion about envy, gratitude, service, and God’s generosity. Jesus’ parable of the laborers in the vineyard can seem unfair: some people work all day, while others arrive at the final hour—and everyone receives the sa...

What does it really mean to forgive? On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Randi Hochenberger welcomes Father Monson back to  Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph  for a discussion about remembrance, hatred, mercy, and the freedom Christ offers us. Father Monson shares how the tragedy of September 11 became personally real when he worked with first responders and others still living...

Can we talk? As we begin September and a new message series at St. Joseph’s, Randi Hochenberger welcomes Father Melwin Matthew back to  Catholic Conversations  for a conversation about something we all need—but seem increasingly to be losing: the ability to truly talk and listen to one another. Father Melwin explains synodality as “walking together” and connects it to the Christian call to listen,...

What has God already given you that you could offer back to Him? In this episode of Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph, Father Peter sits down with Jean Marie Gibbs, a parishioner who wanted to become more involved at St. Joseph’s but wasn't quite sure where she fit. What began with a simple conversation eventually became the Guardians of the Gardens, a group of parishioners who care for the...

In this episode of Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph, Father Peter and Randi continue the “Formed, Not Finished” series by looking at one of the great turning points in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus asks His disciples the question every Christian eventually has to answer: “Who do you say that I am?”Peter’s confession of faith is a breakthrough—but it isn't the end of his formation. His story...

Who is forming you? In this episode of Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph, Father Peter and Randi look at the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman in Matthew’s Gospel—and discover a much bigger question: Who or what is shaping the way we see the world? Jesus challenges his disciples to move beyond human traditions, assumptions, and prejudices. The Canaanite woman, meanwhile, demonstra...

In this episode of Catholic Conversations, Father Peter and Randi discuss the profound miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 and what it reveals about our own lives today. Have you ever felt like what you have to offer—your time, your talent, or your resources—simply isn't enough? Join us as we explore the "impossible math" of God’s generosity. We look at how, when we offer our "f...

Missed Part 1? In last week's episode we explored what Natural Family Planning is and why the Catholic Church teaches it. In this second conversation, Father Peter and Randy are joined by Jessica Schaefer of the Gianna Center to discuss infertility, NaPro Technology, marriage, and the hope that comes from treating the whole person. See part 1 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4EBXGdflb9NX...

Why does the Catholic Church teach that contraception is wrong? Is Natural Family Planning really different? And why should anyone care today? This week on Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph, Father Peter Dugandzic, Randy Hochenberger, and physician assistant Nicole Alimario explore one of the most misunderstood teachings of the Catholic faith. Rather than beginning with rules, this conversation...

In this episode of Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph's, Father Peter Dugandzic and Randi Hochenberger explore the Catholic understanding of chastity, modesty, human dignity, virtue, Theology of the Body, and why these teachings remain just as relevant today as ever. They discuss Pope St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, the importance of rightly ordered love, freedom, shame, adverti...

Jamie and Mary Ramos have spent decades serving St. Joseph's Parish in Kings Park through music ministry, faith, and a remarkable witness to Catholic marriage. In this inspiring episode of Catholic Conversations, Fr. Peter Dugandzic sits down with Jamie and Mary to discuss their 36-year marriage, how God brought them together, the challenges of raising children in today's culture, trusting...

What does it really mean to put Jesus first — even before comfort, convenience, family expectations, and our own plans? In this episode of Catholic Conversations, Father Peter and Randi reflect on Jesus’ challenging words about taking up the cross and loving Him above all things. As part of the parish message series The Burden That Sets Us Free, they explore why discipleship is not about doing wha...

What does Jesus mean when He tells us not to be afraid? How can carrying a cross actually lead to freedom? And why do so many Catholics struggle to move from simply receiving the faith to actively living and sharing it? In this episode of Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph's, Father Peter Dugandzic and Randi Hochenberger continue the message series "The Burden That Sets Us Free." T...

What is it like to be a young Catholic navigating high school, social media, artificial intelligence, and the transition to college? In this episode of Catholic Conversations, Fr. Peter Dugandzic and Randi Hochenberger sit down with St. Joseph parishioner Thania Carrera, a graduating senior from Kings Park High School who completed her Sacraments just a few years ago and is preparing to begin her...

As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Fr. Peter is joined by his classmate and fellow priest, Fr. Robert Armato, for a thoughtful conversation about the greatest gift Christ has given His Church: the Holy Eucharist. Together they explore the Church's teaching on the Real Presence, the history behind the Feast of Corpus Christi, the development of Eucharistic doctrine, and t...

In this episode of Catholic Conversations at St. Joseph’s, Father Peter and Randi reconnect for a wide-ranging discussion on faith, technology, and what it means to be truly human in today’s world. As the parish wraps up a grace-filled Pentecost weekend filled with confirmations, OCIA celebrations, and community events, the conversation turns toward the new homily series, Closer Than We Realize. R...