BROOKLYN’S BISHOP LAUNCHES A NEW PODCAST
BIG CITY CATHOLICS
A big city Catholic since he was a boy, Brooklyn’s new Bishop Robert Brennan now hosts a new weekly podcast titled ” Big City Catholics,” where he talks to the faithful through this modern and popular form of communication.
Raised on Long Island to a father who was a New York City police officer, he often spent time in Brooklyn and Queens, never thinking one day he would be the Bishop of Brooklyn. Now back home in New York, following a brief tenure as Bishop of Columbus, Bishop Brennan’s podcast shares stories of his travels throughout the diocese and the pastoral joys of his episcopal ministry in the “big city.” Co-host Father Christopher Heanue joins Bishop Brennan as they explore questions of faith that impact the everyday lives of parents, friends, and professionals living in the big city with all its challenges.
“For more than two thousand years, the Catholic Church has shared the message of Jesus Christ in every corner of the world and by all means possible. But we know there are people who either haven’t heard or truly do not understand the love and compassion God has for each of us. I pray that this podcast will both reaffirm the faith of listeners and engage those who have stood on the sidelines. May our new audience come to understand and know the power of God,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.
“For me, it is an honor to be asked to participate with Bishop Brennan in this great endeavor. In every role we have, Christ has a special purpose in mind for us, and so we explore what it is that Jesus Christ is calling us to do today,” said Father Christopher Heanue, Rector of the Co-Cathedral of St Joseph.
The latest podcast features Monsignor James P. Shea, author of the ground-breaking book, From Christendom to Apostolic Mission. Monsignor Shea has been the sixth president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, since 2009.
Big City Catholics is available on popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or on the Diocese of Brooklyn website, podcast.dioceseofbrooklyn.org.
Attached photos: Courtesy: DeSales Media
Bishop Brennan recording in the podcast room
4-year-old Robert Brennan at Unisphere 1966 World’s Fair grounds (B&W)
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ABOUT BISHOP BRENNAN:
On November 30, 2021, Bishop Robert Brennan was installed as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, serving the people of Brooklyn and Queens. Born in the Bronx and raised in Lindenhurst, Long Island, Bishop Brennan attended St. John’s University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science. He then studied for the priesthood at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York.
Bishop Brennan was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre on May 27, 1989. He was later ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre on July 25, 2012. On January 31, 2019, Pope Francis announced his selection of Bishop Brennan as the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. He was installed as the Bishop of Columbus on March 29, 2019.
On a national level, Bishop Brennan serves on the Pro-Life committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
ABOUT FATHER HEANUE:
Father Christopher Ryan Heanue is the Rector of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph located in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.
He was ordained a priest by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio on June 27, 2015. Father Heanue was raised in Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians parish in the Woodside section of Queens, also known as St. Mary’s Winfield.
He is a graduate of Cathedral Prep, spent one year at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and completed his studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with a minor in business from St. John’s University and was awarded a Master of Divinity from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Father Heanue was awarded a Master’s in Business Administration from St. John’s University in May 2021.
In January 2018, Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio named him the leader of the Irish Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn.