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
On Becoming a Whole Person | Fr. Peter Heasley
Father Heasley is currently pastor of the Parish of Corpus Christi and Notre Dame in New York City and Chaplain to Columbia University. A native of Detroit, he has worked as an architect in New York and Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa, before seminary and...
Teaching the Faith and Planting the Seeds of Priestly Vocations | Fr. Kareem Smith
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...
Irrational Confidence: Becoming Most Myself as a Priest | Fr. Matthew Breslin
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...
Service, Heroism & Liturgical Beauty | Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
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...
Lent, Holy Week & Easter as a Priest | Fr. George Sears
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....
Be All You Can Be! with “Father Uncle Sam” | Fr. Peter Pomposello
Fr. Peter Pomposello, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, is an Army Chaplain currently serving the Archdiocese for Military Services. Listen as Fr. Pomposello, or, "Fr. Uncle Sam," as he's known on social media, shares his incredible journey to the priesthood....
“Who’s Going to Step Up and Take His Place?” – Fr. Hartley Bancroft | Casting the Net Podcast
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...
From Diocesan Priest to Carmelite Friar – Fr. Justin Cinnante, O.Carm. | Casting the Net Podcast
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...
Presbyterian “Friend of the Homeless” Finds His Home in the Catholic Church – Fr. Zachary Alspaugh | Casting the Net Podcast
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....
“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...
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!