Big City Catholics Podcast

Listen to this episode of Big City Catholics where Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue discuss Pope Francis' call during this holy year to walk together in unity amongst our rich diversity. They explain that we are one body of Christ that needs to come together, looking to God for hope.

Fr. Alonzo Cox joins Bishop Brennan on this episode of Big City Catholics to discuss human dignity. Bishop Brennan calls us to bear witness to hope and truth, and to see that divine spark of the image and likeness of God as we look into the eyes of each other. He reminds us that Jesus calls us to to not only tolerate and respect each other, but to love one another, including our enemies.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan is joined by Dan Tully at the SEEK Conference in Washington, DC. As a FOCUS missionary, Dan talks about his rewarding calling from the Lord to live out God's great commission in a full-time capacity by leading others to discipleship, and living in God's love through the vocation of marriage.

In this week's episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan visits the SEEK Conference in Washington, DC, where he is joined by Omar Cortez, Director of Campus Ministry at Queens College. They discuss the presence of faith on campus at the college's Newman Center and hear inspiring stories from student leaders as they reflect on their experiences and passion for Jesus.

Happy New Year! Celebrating this happy occasion, Bishop Brennan gives his homily at the opening of our 2025 Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope. Pilgrimages can bring challenge and unfathomable joy. Bishop Brennan invites us to go forth and begin our journey as joyful missionary disciples of Jesus, giving witness to the tenderness of God's own love, and sharing Him with one another.

Bishop Brennan gives his Christmas homily from The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph with a message of good news that the reality of God is visible through the flesh of Jesus. Bishop Brennan proclaims that God is our light in the darkness and nothing can separate us from His love.

The joy of this season continues to grow as Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue recount the special events celebrated in our diocese, all visual signs of the Church coming together in preparation for Christmas. Bishop Brennan reminds us that through the ups and downs of life, the one constant is God, who dwells among us. He urges us to bring Christ to one another.

In this special Advent episode Bishop Brennan discusses the joy of knowing the Lord is near. As we embark on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, Bishop Brennan urges us to rejoice in the Lord always, through both the good times and challenges of life, and to let Christ shine within us.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue reflect on this time of Advent as a special opportunity to prepare for the arrival of Christ through prayer and penance. Bishop Brennan encourages us to avoid the distractions of the season, and instead go deeper into the longing for Christ's return and the ultimate hope of His redemption and salvation.

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue discuss the Thanksgiving and Advent season. Centering around gratitude and confidence in God’s promises, Bishop Brennan is especially thankful for our diocese’s vibrant World Youth Day, and wants to let all young people know that they are loved, and the Church will always be home to them.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Deacon Kevin McCormack, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, joins Bishop Brennan to discuss the celebration of 125 Years of Catholic Charities work with the people in our diocese. Bishop Brennan calls us to announce the Good News of Christ, recognize God's immeasurable love for us, and walk together as disciples.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue are joined by Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens (CCBQ). They recap how the CCBQ has supported our diocese, overcome changes in neighborhoods, Superstorm Sandy, COVID 19, and discuss their continued efforts of walking with others who are struggling. Bishop Brennan calls us to band to...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue reflect on the important themes of November, including remembrance, particularity of those who have died, and hope that we receive from God. Bishop Brennan explains that we are a diverse communion of saints, connected with each other through Jesus Christ. He urges us to unite in prayer and community as we face challenges and chan...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue celebrate All Saints Day as they reflect on the stories of many saints and those in the process of sainthood who have been depended on Christ and shared a friendship with Him. Bishop Brennan reminds us that we all have a universal call to holiness as we strive like the saints to know the Lord Jesus and attach ourselves to Him.

Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue are joined by Dennis Poust and Kristen Curran from the NYS Catholic Conference to discuss the negative consequences of Proposition 1 on human dignity. Disguised under the name "the Equal Rights Act," Proposition 1 is a dangerous amendment with regard to abortion, parental rights, and religious liberty. Bishop Brennan urges Catholics to Vote NO on Proposition 1. "It is...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, 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 they do in the diocese, supporting abuse survivors and implementing prev...

On this episode of Big City Catholics, Fr. Thomas Ahern, Diocesan Director of the Propagation of the Faith, and Fr. David Costello, member of the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle, join Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue to discuss the Church's global celebration of World Mission Sunday. Bishop Brennan calls us to commit to a missionary spirit to build up the Church of God.

Fr. Joseph Miller joins Bishop Brennan on this special episode of Big City Catholics as they record from their retreat in Assisi, Italy. They recount the life of St. Francis and share their pilgrimage experience through the city, walking in the footprints of St. Francis, who dedicated his life to walking in the footprints of Jesus.

Tim Cecere, President of St. Francis College, joins Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue on this edition of Big City Catholics to talk about the value of a Catholic college education. They discuss how St. Francis College instills a Catholic identity by embracing people of all faiths that want to give back to the community while providing an education to students that will have an immeasurable impact on t...

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan is joined by two guests from religious congregations celebrating significant anniversaries, Sr. Maryann Seton Lopiccolo, member of the Sisters of Charity of Halifax, and Sr. Joanne Callahan, Provincial leader of the Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk. They reflect on the founding of the congregations and celebrate their continued contributions to our...

Ruth Nelson joins Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue on this episode of Big City Catholics to discuss her book, Our Lady of the World's Fair, sharing the fascinating story of the transport of Michelangelo's Pietà from the Vatican to the 1964 World's Fair in New York City. They talk about the positive impact this living legacy had, which brought people closer to the Lord, and its continued message of lo...

In this week’s episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue kick off the start of a new pastoral and school year by discussing the upcoming pastoral plans and events in our diocese as well as reflecting on the anniversary of 9/11.

Father Nicholas Apollonio, Pastor of St. Gabriel's Church in East Elmhurst, joins Bishop Brennan on this episode of Big City Catholics as they discuss the 50-year celebration of the Neocatechumenal Way. Father Apollonio shares his personal experiences, encountering God through the program, and the major influence of community, which ultimately led to his vocation of priesthood and evangelization.

From Olympic Athlete to Diocesan Priest, Father Joseph Fitzgerald joins Bishop Brennan on this episode of Big City Catholics as they discuss his recent visit to the Olympics in Paris. They also speak on the importance of reinvigorating our faith. They call us to dive deeper, be a witness to the Lord, and encourage others to get closer to Him.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue discuss the fraternal organization of the Knights of Columbus, founded by Blessed Michael McGivney and rooted in charity and support for life, vocations, and religious liberty. Bishop Brennan calls us to contemplate our universal call to holiness so as to have that power to transform the world.