Podcast: Big City Catholics Podcast

This week on Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Father Cosmas Nzeabalu, the Coordinator of the Nigerian Apostolate for the Diocese of Brooklyn, discuss their recent visit to the Archdiocese of Onitsha in Nigeria. They highlight the growth of Catholic education in Nigeria, including the new Catholic university, and reflect on Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, known to many as Father Tansi, the first Nigerian to be beatified by the Catholic Church. They also discuss the significance of the annual Flight to Egypt Mass held in the Diocese.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan’s guest is Barbara Freitas, a missionary with the Shalom Catholic Community in Brooklyn. She reflects on how chance meetings during her recent volunteer work at the World Cup opened doors to share her faith, and she also speaks to the profound impact of the Shalom Halleluya Music Festival. Father John Hwang also joins Bishop Brennan to discuss Pope Leo XVI’s video message delivered at the festival.

In this week’s episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Father John Hwang visit and speak with three young adults from Mary of Nazareth Parish in Brooklyn at the Damascus Summer Camp in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The campers representing the Diocese of Brooklyn share what makes this unique summer camp experience so special as they grow in faith, worship together, and have fun along the way.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan discusses the power of the Damascus Summer Camp experience. Young adults taking part in the camp encounter Christ through daily Mass, Adoration, Confession, and weekly Eucharistic Processions. Tune in for a conversation about a new generation of young Catholics who are boldly living their faith and growing in their love for the Lord this summer.

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 to Brazil, where he will join the Shalom Catholic Community for their 28th Annual Halleluya Festival.

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 with reflections on Catholic identity, patriotism, and faith in America.

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 ministry provides the sacraments, spiritual care, and a compassionate presence. It’s a conversation about gratitude, human dignity, and seeing Christ in the face of the poor.

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 with humility, gratitude, and hope as it nears its 250th anniversary.

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 discovering a place to call home in the Church.

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.