Big City Catholics Podcast

In this special edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue are joined by the Ordination Class of 2023 who reflect on their first year of priestly ministry. Bishop Brennan calls for prayers to vocations, particularly the priesthood, as it is the one that takes great courage and humility.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan is joined by Deacon Kevin McCormack, Superintendent of Schools, who announces the closures of three Catholic schools within our diocese. While they discuss the realities of these changes, Bishop Brennan describes it as a moment of reflection and an opportunity to see the positive impact Catholic education brings to the lives of people.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan is joined by our diocesan Auxiliary Bishop and Rector of St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, Bishop James Massa, and Fr. John Cush, faculty of the seminary and editor of Homiletic and Pastoral Review. They discuss seminary formation as a holistic blend of human, spiritual, academic, and pastoral formation to serve Christ. Fr. Cush discusses his book Nothing But You Lord which reflects on the priesthood through the lens of Bishop Robert Barron.

You won’t want to miss this edition of Big City Catholics where Bishop Robert Brennan speaks to Maryellen Quinn, Director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People and Elizabeth Harris, a retired NYPD Detective who has worked with sex abuse survivors and is now the Victim Assistance Coordinator. They talk about the important work that has gone on for 20 years to keep children safe and improvements being made to diocesan policies.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue recap the many events surrounding Easter. They explain both the beauty and challenges of this time as it aligns with what we celebrate in the Triduum, the triumph of good over evil, recognizing the great things God is accomplishing right in our midst.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, we listen to Bishop Brennan's Easter Sunday Homily. He explains that Jesus our risen Lord never gives up on us. Christ meets and walks with us always, appearing to us in the gift of the Eucharist so that we may be more aware of His presence in our lives.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan speaks from the Holy Chrism Mass at The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, a joyous celebration of our unity through the blessing and distribution of the sacred oils for the sacramental life of the Church. Bishop Brennan explains our identity as a people of God united as one through our faith in Jesus Christ and His continued presence in the Church.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue speak about God's mercy and our faith in Him through difficult times. Bishop Brennan describes how deeply moved he was by the solidarity he witnessed as he celebrated Mass for Haiti at Holy Innocents Church. As we enter Holy Week, Bishop Brennan calls us to trust and walk with God, who has always been faithful to us.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan is joined by Deacon Kevin McCormack, Superintendent of Schools for the diocese. They discuss important issues in today's society and stress how the choices we make in life shouldn't be handled with quick solutions. Bishop Brennan encourages us as we live our lives to accompany one another and walk with Jesus who came so that we may have life and have it in abundance.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue discuss the premiere of Cabrini, a film about Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. They speak on Mother Cabrini's impressive life as a missionary and her powerful impact on society as a promoter of human dignity despite heavy resistance. Bishop Brennan encourages us to see the film of this first American citizen to be canonized as a saint and to continue to seek her intercession.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue discuss the impactful presence of the black Catholic community and their diverse heritage in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Bishop Brennan expresses his appreciation for their generosity in service to the Church, unified fidelity to the Gospel, and continuation of faithful discipleship to Jesus Christ.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue discuss holiness as the number one vocation for every one of us. Bishop Brennan explains that beyond this common call, God has blessed us with specific gifts and talents to live out our purpose and answer the call to holiness. During Lent, we continue our journey to grow closer to God through professing our faith and embracing His eternal love for us. For more about the 2024 Lenten Pilgrimage and a full schedule, visit dioceseofbrooklyn.org/Lent

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue welcome us into the blessed season of Lent. They invite us to join the Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage, visit participating station churches on our journey to Christ, and download the Free Passport App. Bishop Brennan encourages us to unite ourselves with the Lord through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. For more about the 2024 Lenten Pilgrimage and a full schedule, visit dioceseofbrooklyn.org/Lent

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan is joined by Rev. Joseph Gibino, Director of Evangelization and Catechesis. They discuss Lent as a time of grace where we see God's immense love for us, a season of salvation in Christ, and renewal of our baptismal commitments. They invite us to join them for this year's Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage, an initiative of intentional discipleship of journeying with Christ both physically, spiritually, and even digitally through the free Lenten Pilgrimage App. For more about the 2024 Lenten Pilgrimage and a full schedule, visit dioceseofbrooklyn.org/Lent

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan speaks to the outpouring of love and support with the passing of his mother. Both he and Fr. Heanue discuss how there can be faith in our mourning, faith in the next generation of priests and leaders, and with the highlight this week on Catholic Schools, faith in the growth of young minds being the future of the Catholic Church.

In this special edition of Big City Catholics, the youth of our diocese reach out to Bishop Brennan and "Ask The Bishop'' anything. This time, we feature the students from World Youth Day Holy Hour and Reunion. Listen in as they "Ask the Bishop" their questions and hear Bishop Brennan's reply.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue discuss the importance of being consistent voices in the fight for life and human dignity. We need to show that we are not living in contradiction, and that we will walk in solidarity as witnesses for life from conception to natural death.

Bishop Brennan hosts this episode of Big City Catholics from St. Louis, Missouri. He is joined by Queens College's campus ministry team, including FOCUS missionaries and students, as they take part in the SEEK24 conference that connects thousands of people seeking to hear the call and have their lives forever changed. They share their personal experiences of the last semester, including their discernment of God's call, speak on special moments of community, and explain the roles they play in keeping God present in the Diocese.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan is joined at the SEEK24 Conference by Rev. Jose Diaz, Pastor of Mary's Nativity - St. Ann's Parish. They reflect on the reactions of the joyful, young religious participants, families, and missionaries there. This event provides the opportunity to connect thousands of people desiring to hear Christ's call, with their minds opened, their hearts lifted — and for their lives to be forever changed.

On this special edition of Big City Catholics during the Octave of Christmas, Bishop Brennan explains the meaning of the word "behold" used often in the Bible. It means to look deeply and contemplate. Bishop Brennan calls us to put aside our wants and let the Lord speak to us through our current circumstances.