Ahead of Easter, faith — and, especially, Catholicism — is suddenly everywhere: with social media influencers, a documented rise in converts and even a Hollywood swell.
And the new podcast “Catholics and Cappuccinos,” hosted by actress and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Siobhan Fallon Hogan, is offering insight into all of the above with revelatory conversations with celebs as well as influential priests like Fr. Donald Haggerty.
Guests include Kevin James, Patricia Heaton, “Raging Bull” star Cathy Moriarty and Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in “The Chosen.” Federico Castelluccio, otherwise known as Furio in “The Sopranos,” chats with Fallon Hogan in an upcoming episode.
I recently discovered the pod when a clip hit my Instagram (please note my very virtuous algorithm).
In it, Fallon Hogan was talking to James about how she used to attend mass with her “very faithful” SNL co-star, the late Chris Farley. She also recalled his memorial at St. Malachy’s. In a sea of megastars with the gift of gab, who would eulogize him?
It was a shut-in whom Farley would regularly visit and bring food.
“He was so humble,” Fallon Hogan said of her friend.
Like any good Catholic, the podcast host infuses the conversations with plenty of humor. The chats are relatable and entertaining.
“This is why the podcast works — because it’s not preachy,” Fallon Hogan, 64 told me. “It’s just talking to people about their faith journey, their life, their families and where they came from. Then we mix in the priests and the nuns, who have their own struggles, of course.”
Even if you don’t recognize her name, you’ve likely seen the actress in movies or on TV. Besides being on “SNL” for the 1991-1992 season, she’s had memorable roles in “Forrest Gump” (as a bus driver) and “Men in Black” (as a farmer’s wife) and played Elaine’s roommate, Tina, on “Seinfeld.” She’s also acted in three Lars Von Trier movies, including “Dancer in the Dark.”
And while Catholicism is forgiving, Fallon Hogan’s industry is not. The mother of three credits her religion as a source of hope and stability.
“My business is weird. Work isn’t steady. In between jobs, you have to have faith that God has a plan and something else will come along. You can’t fall apart,” she said.
On the podcast, guests share their own accounts of how faith has provided necessary guardrails.
James revealed that he fasted for 40 days while praying for his daughter to weather a difficult period. Moriarty recalled how, after being nominated for an Academy Award for “Raging Bull,” she flew to Europe instead of playing the Hollywood game, saying, “I never wanted to be a movie star, I just wanted to be an actress.”
The church has undeniable cultural momentum right now. Roumie’s “The Chosen” is wildly popular. In Pope Leo XIV, we have our first American Pope — and perhaps the first pontiff to know the 1985 Chicago Bears song “Super Bowl Shuffle” exists.
And, across the country, young people and families are converting to or returning to the faith. According to the prayer app Hallow, which has compiled national data, the average Catholic diocese has seen a 38% increase in 2026 over last year.
“It’s insanely inspiring for me to see young people coming back because you think it’s falling apart,” said Fallon Hogan, who believes it’s fueled in part by the isolation caused by the pandemic and smart phones. “It’s getting stronger.”
She also credits the NAPA Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing Catholicism to all sectors of our society.
“The NAPA Institute is where all of these actors and writers and producers have found each other,” said Hogan Fallon.
“Catholics and Cappuccinos” tapes in New York City, and the set is decorated with personal effects like a Virgin Mary statue that belonged to her mom and a picture of the actress during her First Communion.
Her dream would be to sit across from 2025 Heisman winner and NFL prospect Fernando Mendoza because the Hoosier is “completely unafraid” to showcase his religion.
“He’s carrying the torch for young people,” she said.
The actress doesn’t read the comments, but she’s heard that her podcast inspired someone to return to mass and attracted Protestant listeners.
Despite the great feedback, she’s keeping humble. Or, at least, her sister is keeping her humble.
“She told me, ‘Easy easy. Don’t go around thinking you’re some great theologian now. Stay in your lane.’”
I think she’s found it.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
