Religion To Reality

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.

This week on Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan and Father Heanue welcome Father Alonzo Cox, Vicar for Black Catholic Concerns for the Diocese of Brooklyn, to reflect on the upcoming Feast of St. Peter Claver and the powerful legacy of his life and ministry. They also discuss the good works and cause for canonization of Servant of God Monsignor Bernard John Quinn, a courageous priest who dedicated his life to fighting injustice and affirming the dignity of every person.

On this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Father Christopher Heanue reflect on the power of prayer amid the environmental and political turmoil affecting our world. As Catholics, we unite in prayer for those in need, both locally and globally, asking God to strengthen them as they face life’s challenges. Prayer reminds us that, no matter the circumstances, we remain in communion with Jesus Christ and with one another.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan is joined by Father Carlos Agudelo, pastor of St. Leo’s Church in Corona, who shares his firsthand experience of being in Colombia when the devastating earthquake struck. Father Carlos reflects on the fear and vulnerability he felt as the ground shook, the strength he found in prayer, and the heartbreaking impact on families, communities and the Church. Together, they discuss the deep connection between those suffering in Colombia and the Colombian community here in Brooklyn and Queens, and how moments of tragedy call us to faith, hope, charity and solidarity with one another.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan is joined by Father Hilaire Belizaire, Coordinator of the Haitian Apostolate, to discuss the growing challenges facing the Haitian community both in Haiti and here in Brooklyn and Queens. They reflect on the political unrest and violence, the uncertainty surrounding Temporary Protected Status, and the fears facing Haitian families. Through it all, they highlight the resilience, deep faith, and hope of the Haitian people—and the need for the Church’s continued prayer, advocacy, and support.

This week on Big City Catholics, Bishop Robert Brennan and Father Cosmas Nzeabalu, the Coordinator of the Nigerian Apostolate for the Diocese of Brooklyn, discuss their recent visit to the Archdiocese of Onitsha in Nigeria. They highlight the growth of Catholic education in Nigeria, including the new Catholic university, and reflect on Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, known to many as Father Tansi, the first Nigerian to be beatified by the Catholic Church. They also discuss the significance of the annual Flight to Egypt Mass held in the Diocese.

In this episode of Big City Catholics, Bishop Brennan’s guest is Barbara Freitas, a missionary with the Shalom Catholic Community in Brooklyn. She reflects on how chance meetings during her recent volunteer work at the World Cup opened doors to share her faith, and she also speaks to the profound impact of the Shalom Halleluya Music Festival. Father John Hwang also joins Bishop Brennan to discuss Pope Leo XVI’s video message delivered at the festival.