Podcast: Big City Catholics Podcast

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan is joined at the SEEK24 Conference by Rev. Jose Diaz, Pastor of Mary’s Nativity – St. Ann’s Parish. They reflect on the reactions of the joyful, young religious participants, families, and missionaries there. This event provides the opportunity to connect thousands of people desiring to hear Christ’s call, with their minds opened, their hearts lifted — and for their lives to be forever changed.

On this special edition of Big City Catholics during the Octave of Christmas, Bishop Brennan explains the meaning of the word “behold” used often in the Bible. It means to look deeply and contemplate. Bishop Brennan calls us to put aside our wants and let the Lord speak to us through our current circumstances.

In this Christmas edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue discuss this fourth Sunday of Advent being a time of  joy and hope as we reflect on the mysteries of our salvation. They explain the Christmas message “Don’t be afraid,” for God is always accompanying, helping, and fulfilling His promises because He loves us. During the octave or eight days following Christmas, we continue the ongoing celebration of the birth of Christ. As Mary, Joseph, and Zachariah said yes to God, Bishop Brennan calls us to fully commit to God, even amidst the challenges in our lives.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue help guide us into Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. During this time, it is an opportunity to experience John the Baptist’s message of repentance and the joy of God’s mercy. They explain that despite all the discrimination, persecution, and prejudice throughout the world, we must all stand in solidarity and follow St. Paul’s call to “rejoice always.” Bishop Brennan tells us that no matter how tough life gets, we should rejoice for the Lord is near and will never abandon us.

As we step into the second week of Advent, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue reflect on the traditions around the diocese in this edition of Big City Catholics. These customs include the Annual Bishop’s Christmas Luncheon to support schools and the youth, as well as the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Grand Army Plaza. They both highlight the importance of the nativity scene as a tool of evangelization which captures Christ entering into the reality of human life and being in solidarity with us. Bishop Brennan reminds us that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates Mary’s patience and hope that we too shall possess as we prepare for the great feast of Christmas.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue introduce Advent as a penitential season where we prepare our hearts to receive The Christ Child. The diocese is taking the necessary steps to provide prayerful programming and activities for the faithful to eagerly celebrate and rush forth to meet Jesus Christ for the fullness of salvation. Bishop Brennan encourages people to make this season different as it is the beginning of the new liturgical year and an opportunity for a fresh start to repent and believe the Good News.

In this edition of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue discuss the letter released regarding the statistics and realities of the diocese. They include the decline of Mass attendance and leadership, the needs of the faithful, and cultural adaptations. Bishop Brennan calls us to preserve, practice, enhance, and grow our Catholic life together. The responsibility we each bear as faithful Catholics is to evangelize and share the Good News of the Gospel.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert J. Brennan is joined by Archbishop Nelson Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, who are together again at the US Conference of Bishops Fall Plenary Meeting in Baltimore. They talk about how the two of them were ordained together years ago and reminisce on their interesting journey since then. Bishop Brennan and Archbishop Pérez then speak to what is discussed at the Baltimore’s Bishops Meeting.

In this week’s episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Fr. Heanue continue this month’s theme of prayer and remembrance by discussing how fragile life is and recognizing our temporal existence on this earth. Bishop Brennan calls us to recognize that throughout our life we are invited towards God. He explains that in the end, we will be judged by love, how we loved, by the one who loves us. The response of our life matters to ultimately enter eternal life with God in Heaven.

Prayer and remembrance is the theme of this week’s Big City Catholics. As Bishop Brennan remarks, prayer is about placing ourselves before God, humbling ourselves before Him, and asking that we and the world be conformed to His will. During the month of November as we celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls’ Day, we are reminded of the hope for eternal life and our faith in the resurrection.