HILLCREST — Bishop Robert Brennan joined education leaders from across the Diocese of Brooklyn at St. John’s University on Sept. 29 for the Catholic Schools Brooklyn & Queens 2026 Fall Conference.
The theme of the fifth annual conference was “Bold. Joyful. Unapologetic.”
“We don’t have to apologize for our faith,” Bishop Brennan told The Tablet. “We want to proclaim it very boldly. It’s a witness to the world. It’s good news.”
According to Deacon Kevin McCormack, superintendent of Catholic schools and academies in the diocese, about 160 “decision makers” attended the gathering, which the diocese described as a celebration of Catholic schools, their leaders, and “the progress we’ve made, and the growth we have yet to make” — as well as “a reminder of who we do it for, and why it matters so much.”
“It’s good for us to get together informally, have a nice meal and enjoy the company, but do it with a way of seeing how next year is going to be different,” Deacon McCormack told The Tablet.
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In his address to the room, he highlighted Gov. Kathy Hochul’s intention to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC). Effective Jan. 1, 2027, the program lets anyone who pays federal taxes claim a dollar-for-dollar credit of up to $1,700 for donations made to Scholarship Granting Organizations.
“The tax credit, if it goes through, is going to change everything,” Deacon McCormack said. “But right now, we’re in a holding pattern, so we have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”
Tara Di Rico, principal of St. Helen Catholic Academy in Howard Beach, highlighted the importance of discipline and accountability in her address.
“I want (students) to recognize that their behaviors have a direct correlation to what happens in their life,” she told The Tablet. “Taking that accountability, knowing they made a mistake, but that we can move forward from it, is really important to me.”
Di Rico said the approach grew from her own schooling.
“I was Catholic educated my whole life,” she said. “That accountability, that ownership, and knowing when you do wrong is a vital part of Catholicism.”
