Podcast: Big City Catholics Podcast

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 Chapter Manager), and Vanessa Garcia (YCP Brooklyn’s founding chapter leader) join him to give insight on the journey behind Brooklyn’s newest Catholic community and what’s coming next for our diverse diocese.

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, respect, and true peace.

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 showed them how to be bishops not just through words, but through the witness of his life.

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, and his ability to bring people together across all walks of life.

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 Good News that Christ is risen.

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 the world.

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 impact of this tradition founded in 1996.

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 Christian populations and ongoing violence. Bishop Brennan invites listeners to pray, learn more, and stand in solidarity with the persecuted Church during Lent.

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 priesthood and the call for priests to strive for holiness, not perfection.