hosted by: Fr Michael Connolly
Casting the Net Podcast
The podcast for young men thinking about discerning their vocation to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of New York. Casting the Net shares real-life stories from real parish priests near you. Find out how Jesus revealed His plans to them! Get to know your priests, gain a deeper appreciation for the priesthood, and (God-willing!) get inspired to consider your own call to the priesthood!
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Latest Episodes
Casting the Net with Fr Michael Connolly
“Let’s Go!” – Bishop Joseph Espaillat | Casting the Net Podcast
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...
Special Episode! Pentecost & Priestly Ordination
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...
Pallbearer to Pastor: How This Funeral Director Became “Father” – Fr. Anthony Mizzi-Gili | Casting the Net Podcast
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...
Witness to the Word – From the New York Post to a New York Parish – Fr. John Wilson | Casting the Net Podcast
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, discernment help and, especially, as Fr. Wilson shares his adventure which took him...
“What do you want to do with the rest of your life?!” – Fr. Ryan Muldoon | Casting the Net Podcast
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...
“Answering for Belief” – Fr. Leo Camurati, O.P. | Casting the Net Podcast
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...
“Consolidate the Grace” – Fr. Erik Lenhart, OFM Cap | Casting the Net Podcast
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...
“On the Pile”: From FDNY to “Father” – Fr. Tom Colucci | Casting the Net Podcast
Listen as Fr. Tom Colucci, Pastor of Most Precious Blood Parish in Walden, N.Y., shares his INCREDIBLE and INSPIRATIONAL story! From college dropout, to gym teacher, to FDNY Captain and 9/11 HERO, to Benedictine Monk, Fr. Colucci brings a wide expanse of experiences...
Beauty Engenders Conversion & Discernment – Fr. Jon Tveit | Casting the Net Podcast
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...
Joyfully Conformed to the Crucified Christ – Fr. Robert Dunn | Casting the Net Podcast
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...
The Architect Priest: Building a Community of Disciples with Fr. Carlos Limongi | Casting the Net Podcast
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. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or...
“Thy Will Be Done” – Fr. Matthew Newcomb | Casting the Net Podcast
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,...
About the Podcast
How captivating it must have been for early Christians to gather around and here Peter tell the story of how Jesus got into his boat, called him, and changed the course of his life!
At Jesus’ command, Peter cast aside the nets which represented his life as a fisherman, and followed the Lord Who would make him a “fisher of men.” (Matthew 4)
Casting the Net features the priests of the Archdiocese of New York who, like Peter, have been invited to cast aside the nets of their old lives that they, too, may be fishers of men, sharing in Christ’s priesthood. Each guest will share the story of how Jesus got into his boat and called, “Follow me.”
We hope that the sharing of these vocation stories will encourage and inspire you. Please pray for your priests, and know that we are praying for you, too!
Meet Fr Michael Connolly
Hi! I’m Fr. Michael Connolly, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York. I was ordained on May 26, 2018 by Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. A “cradle Catholic,” born into a loving and faithful family, I’ve wondered since I was a boy if God might be calling me to the priesthood.
I haven’t always followed Him well, but after briefly straying from the path, I was brought back by God’s mercy and grace to find that, indeed, the priesthood is my vocation! I have never in my life experienced such authentic joy as I have since my priestly ordination, and I am so excited to share that joy with all of you.
Thanks for listening! Please pray for my brother priests and me and know we are praying for you, too!