Big City Catholics Podcast

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue engage in a conversation full of faith, community, and hope as they reflect on the Diocese of Brooklyn's prayerful response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, and the relief efforts through Catholic Relief Services. They also share in the upcoming summer milestones, including Bishop Brennan's travels to Nigeria and t...

Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue host Father Michael Bruno, Vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life of our diocese and Professor of History at St. Joseph’s Seminary, for a special July 4th episode of Big City Catholics, marking America's 250th anniversary. They trace the history of Catholics in the founding and shaping of the United States. The conversation weaves personal family immigration stories...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan visits South Carolina, where Sister Migdalia “Meggie” Flores, of the Farmworkers Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese of Charleston, along with the Vincentian Daughters of Charity, brings the Church directly to the fields. For workers who spend months away from their families and often lack access to Mass and other pastoral support, the ministr...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan joins Father Heanue, fresh from the USCCB meeting in Florida, where the U.S. bishops consecrated America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Their conversation touches on the beauty of that ceremony, the meaning of Juneteenth, and Pope Leo's recent words on slavery and human dignity, woven together by a shared call to embrace our nation's history wit...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan co-hosts with Lucero Manzanares, Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, as they welcome Kiana Carrington, President of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) Brooklyn, to discuss the successful launch of the chapter and the growing desire among young adults for authentic Catholic community, integrating faith into their careers, and...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue welcome four members of the Diocese of Brooklyn's 2025 priest ordination class. Each priest shares the joys and graces that have shaped their early ministry, offering an inspiring glimpse into what it means to serve the Church today.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Father James Kuroly and Father Joseph Zwosta join Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue to discuss the encyclical by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas: Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence. They unpack how the Church grounds its response to AI not in fear or rejection, but in the timeless principle of human dignity. Topics include A...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue explore the Church's pastoral response to assisted suicide legislation and the call to accompany the dying with compassion and dignity. They also discuss Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, as well as the upcoming consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart, focusing on themes of love, mercy, healing, and rene...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan sits down to talk about the brand-new Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) Brooklyn chapter and how young adults are connecting faith with professional life through mentorship, community, networking, and authentic Catholic fellowship. Lucero Manzanares (Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry), Steven Mezzacappa (YCP Regional Chapte...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father John Hwang reflect on Pope Leo XIV's first year as Pope, highlighting his defining themes of peace, care for the poor, and social justice, all rooted in his missionary experience and Augustinian spirituality. Bishop Brennan encourages listeners to embrace Pope Leo's call to allow Christ to convert our hearts.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue reflect on Pope Leo’s call for peace—“War No More”—linking pro-life values to the dignity of every human life. They also examine the rising acceptance of political violence among young adults, while offering hope in the Church’s role—through Catholic education and young adult ministry—in forming a generation rooted in faith, r...

In this second of a two-part episode of Big City Catholics, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez joins the conversation to share personal and heartfelt memories of Bishop William Murphy — a globally connected yet deeply humble leader who helped shape both his own ministry and that of Bishop Brennan. Together, they reflect on Bishop Murphy’s authentic friendships and remember a compassionate mentor who showe...

In this two-part episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue remember Bishop William Murphy of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Msgr. Joseph DeGrocco, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lindenhurst, joins Bishop Brennan for a warm conversation about Bishop Murphy's life and legacy, recalling his defining traits: his infectious joy, deep love for his diocese and its people, an...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan shares his Easter homily, which centers on the Resurrection of Jesus and the theme of being “fearful yet overjoyed.” He acknowledges the real anxieties of modern life and encourages us to hold fast to the hope and courage that come from faith in Christ, who walks with us each day. Bishop Brennan calls us not to be afraid, but to go and tell the...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan shares his Chrism Mass homily, reflecting on a young Confirmation candidate’s statement that he “can’t imagine life without God” as a witness to God’s constant love. He connects this to the Gospel and Pope Leo’s call to be “fishers of men,” reminding priests to remember their “first love” and all the faithful to bring hope and God’s presence to...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan highlights the 30th Annual Way of the Cross—a powerful public witness of faith that processes across the Brooklyn Bridge into Lower Manhattan, with a stop at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Featuring guests from the lay Catholic movement Communion and Liberation—Christopher Vath, John Ronan, and Luca Lupi—who reflect on the meaning and impa...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue welcome Edward Clancy, Director of Outreach for Aid to the Church in Need, an organization dedicated to supporting Christians through funding, education, and rebuilding efforts. Together, they raise awareness about the global persecution of Christians ahead of ACN’s Courage and Faith Week, highlighting the sharp decline of Chr...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue reflect on vocations to the priesthood and religious life, sharing their own stories and the influence of joyful priests and Eucharistic Adoration in their discernment. They highlight encouraging signs of young people exploring vocations today. The conversation also explores the many forms of ministry within the diocesan pries...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue reflect on the Lenten season and recent diocesan activities. Bishop Brennan shares highlights from the Lenten Pilgrimage and explores the meaning of the Lenten scrutinies and their connection to baptism. As we continue our Lenten journey and celebrate the Jubilee year honoring St. Francis, Bishop Brennan invites listeners to b...

Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue record this episode of Big City Catholics from St. Joan of Arc parish, one of the station churches for the Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage. They explore how pilgrimage is a sacred act of sacrifice, prayer, and charitable giving of one's time—one that draws pilgrims ever closer into the presence of the Lord. As Lent is a season of transformation and preparation, we are e...

Deacon Kevin McCormack, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, joins Bishop Brennan on Big City Catholics to discuss transition plans following the news of seven school closures. While announcing the pursuit of global settlements in sexual abuse cases, Bishop Brennan introduces Maryellen Quinn, Director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People, and Elizabeth Harris, Victim Assist...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue reflect on the approach of Lent and the need for thoughtful, intentional preparation rather than last-minute resolutions. They emphasize that Lent is meant to foster true spiritual growth, not simply physical sacrifice, and highlight how prayer, fasting, and almsgiving work together to deepen our relationship with God. Bishop...

Cathedral Club President Harry D’Onofrio and spiritual director Father Michael Falce join this episode of Big City Catholics to explore the Cathedral Club’s legacy of lay Catholic leadership. The conversation highlights the club’s bipartisan community, expanding scholarship support for Catholic education in Brooklyn and Queens, and its mission to mentor young people and live out faith through serv...

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop-Elect Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez shares the story of his unexpected appointment by Pope Leo XIV to lead the Diocese of Palm Beach, reflecting on the surprise call and his vision for the growing Florida diocese. The conversation touches on youth ministry, Catholic education, pro-life advocacy, and answering God's call to serve.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue reflect on the cultural life of the Diocese, from Bishop Brennan’s missionary experience in Peru to celebrations like the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia and the Mass honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They highlight upcoming events that celebrate diversity and affirm the Church’s commitment to human dignity. The episode also...