Big City Catholics Podcast

On this episode of Big City Catholics, Rev. Christopher Bethge, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Brooklyn, joins Bishop Brennan from a vocation retreat of discernment at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY. They discuss vocations, serving God as His disciples, and the responsibility to be consciously inviting, helping one another hear God's voice.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Rev. Heanue discuss the season of Lent and the importance of looking at this world through the lens of the Beatitudes. Bishop Brennan preaches Jesus' words 'Go the Extra Mile' and Lent is that opportunity for us to come out of our comfort zone, clasp our hands with Jesus, and walk this journey of faith with Him.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Rev. Heanue discuss persecution in the Church, never underestimating the power of prayer, and staying vigilant to attacks on human dignity. Going into the season of Lent, Bishop Brennan calls us to walk with Christ through prayer and the sacrament of Reconciliation.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Rev. Christopher Heanue are joined by Rev. Joseph Gibino, Pastor of Holy Trinity, Whitestone and Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis. They discuss the Eucharistic Revival and the upcoming Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage as an opportunity to answer the call from Christ to journey with Him in celebration of the Eucharist.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan is visited by Rev. Alonzo Cox, Pastor of St. Martin de Porres in Brooklyn and Coordinator, Ministry to the African Americans. They discuss important topics such as the vibrant, multicultural community of his parish, the celebration of Black History Month, and the recent panel discussion on race, hosted in celebration of Martin Luther...

On this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Rev. Christopher Heanue discuss the recent March for Life. For 50 years, tens of thousands of pro-life advocates have converged in Washington D.C. on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling which legalized abortion in all 50 states. The march is a celebration of life from the moment of conception to the moment...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Rev. Christopher Heanue are visited once again by Deacon Kevin McCormack, the Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services for Brooklyn and Queens, as they discuss topics like the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, March for Life, and the importance of Catholic Schools.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan is visited by Fr. Jose Diaz, pastor of Mary’s Nativity - St. Ann’s Parish, as they discuss the SEEK conference they are attending in St. Louis, MO. They reflect on their experience of spending a week with seventeen thousand college students and missionaries from around the country, all attending this convention.

On this New Year's episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Rev. Christopher Heanue discuss the recent passing of the retired Pope Benedict XVI on December 31 as they reflect on his life, his example, ministry, and his impact on our world and our Church.

On this year-end episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Rev. Christopher Heanue remind us that the Christmas season begins on December 25, The Nativity of Our Lord, and continues through the Baptism of the Lord, on January 9. During the Christmas season, we celebrate The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and the Saints and Martyrs who followed Christ.

On this special Christmas episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Rev. Christopher Heanue reminisce on this Advent season and discuss the beauty and the mystery of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas to everyone and God bless you all!

On this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Rev. Christopher Heanue talk about all the excitement surrounding the Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day celebration at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph and the powerful symbol of the light of Christ as the congregation walk with torch in hand through the streets of Brooklyn and Queens. Next, they discuss St. Juan Diego’s mission of faith...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue discuss the benefits of this longer Advent season. They discuss those heartfelt emotions that arise as you observe all the decorations and traditions and why it shouldn’t stop with those feelings but let it draw you deeper in contemplation and prayer. Bishop Brennan also talks about the pivotal role our B...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue discuss the upcoming Advent season. They speak to the importance of using this time for preparation, directing our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. Advent devotions remind us of the true meaning of the season, helping the faithful not...

Bishop Robert Brennan and Fr. Christopher Heanue wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. While this holiday is uniquely American, it speaks to the global importance of family, the role of tradition in educating our children, and the ever-present need for gratitude for the blessings we have received. May God bless you and keep you this Thanksgiving Day.

This week Bishop Robert Brennan calls into Big City Catholics podcast from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Fall Plenary Meeting to discuss this year's conference agenda and a day in the life of a conference attendee. Please join us in praying for all the bishops at this year's conference, especially Bishop Brennan, Bishop DiMarzio, and the Auxilliary Bishops of the Dioces...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue reflect on the one-year anniversary of the Bishop’s installation. They talk about the Synod feedback, the Bishop’s travels to our parishes, and the challenges we must focus on in the upcoming year.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue discuss the solemn celebration of All Souls Day and the importance of commemorating those who have come before with prayer. Bishop Brennan explains that God has connected us to one another and that we are united in prayer, as well as the relevance of the role of the wake, Funeral Mass, and burial in our f...

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue discuss the recent pilgrimage of more than 3,000 of the faithful from the Diocese of Brooklyn to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It was quite a sight to behold, our diocese filling the largest Roman Catholic Church in North America to the brim!

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue are joined by Rev. Thomas W. Ahern, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in South Ozone Park and the new Director of the Propagation of the Faith, to discuss the importance of World Mission Sunday.

In this episode, Bishop Robert J. Brennan and Deacon Kevin McCormack, the Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services for Brooklyn and Queens, have a touching conversation about loss, grief, and faith at challenging times. Next, they discuss Saint Giovanni Calabria, canonized Oct 9, 2022, who had dedicated his life to the plight of the poor and the ill before his death in 1954.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue are joined by Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary located in Bismarck, North Dakota and author of From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan is visited by Deacon Kevin McCormack, our new Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services for Brooklyn and Queens.

In this episode, Bishop Robert J. Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue are joined by Sr. Maryann Seton Lopiccolo, the Episcopal Delegate for Religious in the Diocese of Brooklyn, a position she has held since 1998. They discuss how Sr. Maryann first discovered her calling to religious life and how the religious communities working in our diocese have changed. They reflect on the importance of Rel...