Religion To Reality

This week on Big City Catholics, Father Joseph Holcomb, Director of Seminarians and Director of the Propaedeutic Year at St. Joseph’s Seminary, joins Bishop Robert Brennan for an inspiring conversation about the call to the priesthood. They explore key aspects of the Program for Priestly Formation, with particular attention to the Propaedeutic Year and its role in preparing men for priestly ministry. They also discuss seminary enrollment and the Vocations Office’s efforts to encourage young men to discern God’s call.

On this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan is joined by Deacon Kevin McCormack, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens, and John Notaro, Executive Director of Futures in Education, for an informative conversation about the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. The discussion highlights the benefits of the program, which takes effect on January 1, 2027, while answering important questions for those interested in helping Catholic school families offset the cost of tuition.

Longtime CBS 2 New York anchor Cindy Hsu joins Bishop Robert Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue on this episode of Big City Catholics for a powerful discussion on mental health, focusing on breaking the stigma and encouraging people to have the courage to ask for help. In October 2026, Pope Leo XIV dedicated the Church’s prayer intention for mental health ministry.

This week on Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue reflect on the value and dignity of every human person at all stages of life, from conception to natural death. During Respect Life Month, they discuss issues that challenge the sanctity of human life, including the death penalty, abortion, the treatment of migrants, and assisted suicide.

On this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan is joined by members of St. Frances de Chantal Parish in Brooklyn to discuss the life and legacy of Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko. The conversation honors a priest who gave his life in defense of his faith and the truth. The parish recently received a first-class relic of Blessed Jerzy, offering the faithful a tangible connection to his inspiring example and his call to remain faithful in the face of adversity.

This week on Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue, pastor of St. Joan of Arc in Queens, reflect on our individual call to sainthood and the lives of holy men and women, including Blessed Fulton Sheen, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Michael, St. Jerome, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. They also discuss the inspiring dedication to the Catholic faith demonstrated by young families and young adults in our parishes and schools.

This week on Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan is joined by Father Joseph Miller, Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Star of the Sea-St. Gertrude in Far Rockaway and Brother Damian Novello, OSF, Superior General of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn. They reflect on the life, legacy, and spiritual teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, as the Church commemorates the 800th anniversary of his death. Listen to this conversation about St. Francis’s enduring witness of faith, humility, service, and love for the Church and all creation.

This week on Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan is joined by Archbishop Nelson Perez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Monsignor Jim Vlaun, President and CEO of Catholic Faith Network, who also serves in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Together, they reflect on the life and legacy of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and his lasting impact on religion and evangelization through the media, following his recent beatification.

This week on Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan is joined by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Brooklyn, and Bishop Brendan Cahill of the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, who currently serves as Chair of the Migration Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The bishops discuss the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for members of the Haitian community and the importance of keeping human dignity at the center of the immigration debate, emphasizing that people should never be treated as political pawns.

Former FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano joins Bishop Robert Brennan and Father Chris Heanue on Big City Catholics for a powerful conversation about remembering September 11, 2001. On the 25th anniversary, they reflect on those who lost their lives that day and those who have since died from 9/11-related illnesses, while discussing the importance of prayer, remembrance, and service to honor all those we have lost.