Casting the Net: A NYPriest Podcast

Fr. Kareem Smith, Pastor of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Co-Op City (and Fr. Connolly's classmate!), an incredibly joyful, prayerful, and selfless priest, shares how he heard God calling him to the priesthood, especially through the gift of Catholic education.

Fr. Matthew Breslin, Parochial Vicar of the Church of St. Joseph, Chaplain at Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School in Somers, NY, and Associate Vocations Director for the Archdiocese shares the profound impact of the early loss of his father and the example of good priests on his decision to follow God's call to the priesthood and joyfully live the life of a spiritual father.

Listen as Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco shares his vocation story as well as his insights into the roles that service, excellence, and the beauty of the Church's liturgy play in the discernment of a vocation. Join Archbishop Cordileone this summer at the "Fons et Culmen Sacred Liturgy Summit." The Summit will take place at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, CA from July 1-4. More information is available at liturgysummit.org. Please like, share, and subscribe to "Casting the Net" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube!

Fr. Michael Connolly and Fr. George Sears discuss the beauty and the drama of the season of Lent, the liturgies of Holy Week, and the glory of Easter from the perspective of a parish priest.

Fr. John Figueroa, the Parochial Vicar at St. Augustine Church in ossining, told God he'd say "yes" to whatever He willed, and the rest is history! Fr. Figueroa shares his beautiful journey to the priesthood from training in a bodybuilding gym in the Bronx, to choosing to receive Confirmation, praying with the Missionaries of Charity, even discerning with the Carmelites, all culminating in a joy-filled priestly ministry in the Archdiocese of New York. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Please like, share, and subscribe!

What a joy to interview my pastor! Fr. Brian McSweeney, Pastor at St. Augustine's Parish in Ossining, left behind a promising career in finance and a comfortable life to answer the question, "What does God want me to do?" and the priesthood has been the key to his great joy! Listen as he shares his story of hearing God's call to this beautiful life. Please like, subscribe, share, and, most importantly, pray for us!

Fr. Peter Pompesello, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, is an Army Chaplain currently serving the Archdiocese for Military Services. Listen as Fr. Pompesello, or, "Fr. Uncle Sam," as he's known on social media, shares his incredible journey to the priesthood. His joy is palpable, whether its coming from celebrating the sacraments and accompanying his people or from jumping out of airplanes! Fr. Pompesello's story s sure to inspire you! Please like, share, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! And please keep praying for priests!

Fr. Hartley Bancroft is the Pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Millbrook. He may not have known that he was going to be a Catholic priest when he was studying physics at Duke University, but he was inspired by a challenging question at his pastor's funeral. This began a journey of discernment which has found Fr. Bancroft joyfully ministering to God's people as a holy priest of Jesus Christ! Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Please like, share, and subscribe!

Fr. Justin Cinnante, O. Carm. is a Carmelite priest and the Chaplain at Iona Preparatory High School. "Fr. Justin" is a household name in the Hudson Valley thanks to the loving ministry and infectious smile and humor of this beloved priest! Hear how after years of parish and high school ministry as a diocesan priest Fr. Justin discerned a "call within a call" to join the Carmelite order. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Please like, share, and subscribe!

Fr. Zachary Alspaugh, Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick's Church in Yorktown Heights, had a somewhat longer journey to the priesthood than most, but ultimately followed God's call home to the Catholic Church and even the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Listen to Fr. Zachary's fascinating experience which found him serving the homeless in Manhattan with the Presbyterian church, traveling to California, and, ultimately, coming home in more ways than one. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Please like, share, and subscribe!

Bishop Joseph Espaillat, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, is the Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church in the Bronx, Spiritual Director to the Catholic Charismatic Center, founder of the Youth Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of New York, and, at only 45 years old, the youngest bishop in America! Listen as he shares his vocation story, the joy at the center of his priesthood, and encouragement for us, his brother priests, as well as young men discerning the call. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Please like, share, and subscribe!

This Memorial Day weekend is a particularly joyful one here in the Archdiocese of New York. Cardinal Dolan ordained three new priests on Saturday, and we celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost on Sunday! Check out this episode to hear a few of Fr. Connolly's thoughts on the unique and intimate connection between the two! Be sure to like, subscribe & share! Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts!

Believe it or not, Fr. Anthony Mizzi-Gili's most intrepid journey was not his move from his native Staten Island to his parish in Poughkeepsie! Rather, it was leaving behind a life in business and a career to follow where God was ultimately leading him, the priesthood. And thank God he did! Fr. Mizzi-Gili is the pastor of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Poughkeepsie, New York. Listen as he shares the story of his hearing God's call, the influence other priests have had on him, and the path from funeral director to priesthood. Available on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Please like, subscribe, share, and pray for us! We're praying for you, too. God bless!

Fr. George Hafemann, Pastor of the Church St. John the Evangelist in Goshen, NY and Chaplain to Burke Catholic High School, shares how God called him to the priesthood. How encouraging it is to hear Fr. Hafemann describe the subtle ways in which God reveals His plans! Though some may experience a "lightning bolt" revelation, many others hear God's voice in a simple way, especially through the example of the lives of other good priests, calling them to follow Him in the priesthood. Fr. Hafemann shares his experience of following holy priests whom he has encountered into his own share in Christ's priestly ministry. Please like and share this episode (recorded about a year ago, yet ever-relevant today!) and subscribe to this podcast! Please pray for your priests and be assured of our prayers for you! Finally, please pray for the young men whom God is calling to follow Him and become "fishers of men!"

Fr. John Wilson is the Parochial Vicar at St. Kateri Parish in Lagrangeville, NY. Listen as we share a few laughs, some deep spiritual insights, and discernment tools. Fr. Wilson shares his adventure which took him from his home in Connecticut to school in California, to the streets of London, and, ultimately, to the altar in the Archdiocese of New York! If you haven't yet, please "like" this podcast, subscribe to it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, share it with friends, and leave us a (5-star, please!) rating to help us share the joy of the priesthood with more and more people, casting a wider net! Pray for us and be assured of your priests' prayers for you!

Fr. Ryan Muldoon, Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick's Parish in Yorktown Heights, shares his story of how, inspired by his family and the faithful priests in his parish and high school, he heard God's call to the priesthood. And thank God he answered! Hear how a courageous priest's bold question and the young (future) Fr. Muldoon's simple openness to the priesthood led to the discovery of a vocation. In this episode, Fr. Muldoon also tackles topics like discernment and dating!Fr. Muldoon serves the people of Yorktown Heights, the members of the Catholic Young Adult group, Credo, and our future priests as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie! A good friend and a faithful priest, Fr. Muldoon is an inspiration to us all, lay faithful and clergy alike! Please listen to "Casting the Net" on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, "like" and share with your friends! Please, especially, pray for us! Be assured of our prayers for you, too.

Fr. Leo Camurati of the Order of Preachers, or, Dominicans, is the Chaplain and Mathematics and Physics Teacher at the Montfort Academy! Fr. Leo tells us his vocation story as only he can, blending his quick wit and humor with a profound intellectual and spiritual depth. We give thanks to God for the presence of the Dominican Friars in this Archdiocese, especially Fr. Leo! Please like, subscribe to, and pray for this podcast! Share it with your friends and ask them (if they are young, unmarried men, of course!) if they have considered how God is calling them to serve His Church!

What a joy to spend time with my friend and colleague in the vineyard, Fr. Erik Lenhart! Fr. Erik Lenhart, known for his smile, his humor, his humility, and his simple yet profound spiritual guidance, tells the story of how God called him to be a Franciscan AND a priest! Listen for a few laughs, some wise words, and another glimpse at the joy of the priesthood. Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Anchor! Like, subscribe, rate, comment, share, and, of course, pray for us please!!

Fr. Charles Achi is the Parochial Vicar at St. Martin De Porres Parish in Poughkeepsie, New York. Originally from Nigeria, Fr. Charles has given his life to God as a missionary priest, and the Lord has led him here! We thank God for the ministry of this holy priest, recently incardinated into the Archdiocese of New York! Listen as he tells his moving story! Available on Anchor, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! Please like, subscribe, rate, and share!

Fr. Thomas Colucci is the Pastor of Most Precious Blood Parish in Walden, New York. Listen as he shares his incredible journey from dropping out of college, to fighting fires, to saving souls!

Hello and happy summer! We've taken a bit of a break, but we're coming back soon with more great interviews with great priests! In the meantime, enjoy an update on priestly life in Dutchess County from Fr. Connolly!

When we recorded this interview, Fr. Jon Tveit was the Parochial Vicar at St. James the Apostle Parish in Carmel, NY. Now, Fr. Tveit serves as the Administrator of St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls! Listen to Fr. Tveit's story to hear how the sheer beauty of the Church's traditions, liturgy, and sacraments can move hearts to ponder God's plan. Please like, subscribe, share, and pray for us! "Casting the Net" is available of Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

What a special episode this is! Though we recorded back in March, we're publishing this interview today, May 26th, 2022, my 4th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood! This week's guest is none other than Fr. Robert Dunn, the priest who first inspired me to consider the priesthood! In fact, I'd even go so far as to say that without Fr. Dunn I would not be a priest today. Fr. Dunn, a Manhattan native, was ordained a priest in 1992 (the same year I was born!!). After three years serving the good people of Incarnation Parish in Washington Heights and a brief sick leave, God's providence would bring Fr. Dunn to a beautiful parish overlooking the Hudson River in Ossining, namely St. Augustine's. There, the young priest and this four-year-old future priest were introduced, and the rest, as they say, is history. Fr. Dunn, who was my confirmation sponsor and who preached the homily at my first Mass as a newly-ordained priest, has always encouraged me to listen for God's call to the priesthood without every saying, "Michael, I think you should consider the priesthood." He let his own life and priesthood do that. Fr. Dunn has always been a beacon of joy to me and all who have known him, even and especially in the midst of suffering, of which he has endured much. His preaching is at once light, funny, and relatable as well as profoundly prayerful and intellectually stimulating. This episode is not to be missed!!! I promise you'll enjoy this interview with Fr. Robert Dunn. Please listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anchor.fm, share, review, like, subscribe, whatever you have to do to help us get this great story out there to the masses! Most importantly, please pray for me, for Fr. Dunn, for your parish priest, for all priests, for all future priests, and all deceased priests.

Fr. Carlos Limongi is the Administrator of St. Joseph and St. Mary Immaculate on Staten Island, NY. An incredibly joyful priest - and Fr. Connolly's classmate! - Fr. Limongi shares his unique journey to the priesthood.

Fr. Matthew Newcomb has been a consistent, priestly presence in my life since I was a teenager, and I am honored to now be able to call him my brother priest! Fr. Newcomb, now the Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Port Jervis, NY, shares his vocation story, his love of the priesthood, and his words of wisdom.

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Gerardo J. Colacicco, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York shares the story of his journey to the priesthood.

Fr. Robert McKeon, Pastor of St Francis of Assisi Parish in West Nyack, NY, shares his inspiring story of how a seemingly ordinary life has lead to an extraordinary ministry.

Fr. JP Seon, Parochial Vicar at St. Augustine's Church in Ossining, NY, shares his experience of hearing God's call to the priesthood.

Fr. George Sears, Administrator of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Manhattan and Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of New York, shares his story!

Welcome! This first episode will give you an introduction to Fr. Michael Connolly and the Casting the Net podcast.

His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, shares his vocation story.