Last Friday, EWTN aired a half-hour interview with the newly installed Archbishop of New York. You can watch the video below. It appears that the interview was taped shortly before last Wednesday’s installation.
In the interview, Archbishop Dolan shares his thoughts on the Church of New York, and he speaks clearly on wider issues facing American Catholics, especially in the public square.
Click here for the homepage of EWTN’s “The World Over.”
Today Archbishop Timothy Dolan will be formally installed as the tenth Archbishop of New York. The Mass of Installation begins this afternoon at 2:00.
The Church of St. Vincent Ferrer welcomes Archbishop Dolan to New York, and we pledge to him our prayers and loving support.
May the Risen Lord bless and his Joyful Mother protect Archbishop Dolan as he begins his episcopal ministry in the “capital of the world.” May he preach the Gospel and lead the Church here with joy and bold confidence.
In a guest editorial printed in today’s Daily News, Archbishop Dolan introduces himself to his new flock.
It’s a blessing to be here: Why I’m proud to lead the wonderful Archdiocese of New York
BY ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY DOLAN
What is a boy from Ballwin, Missouri, doing in the Big Apple?
Pope Benedict XVI sent me here, appointing me the new archbishop of New York. Today the formal installation takes place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The Holy Father made his choice, despite my weaknesses and limitations. So in obedience to Jesus Christ and His Church I come to New York with joy, with trust, with enthusiasm – and yes, with some nervousness!
I come with confidence too, both because of New York’s history, and because of the mission that awaits me here.
The Archdiocese of New York has been welcoming people from near and far, from across our country and from around the world, for more than 200 years. If there is any place that knows how to make a newcomer feel at home, it’s New York. So I thank you for your warm welcome. But I need more than just your good wishes and wise counsel. I need your prayers.
From Sr. Lucy Marie, SV, at the archdiocesan Family Life / Respect Life Office:
Join SNM New York, with Founder, Georgette Forney, on Feb 26th at which time we will be “Silent No More” as the City Council meets (the City Council will be meeting at 1pm that day).
The Silent No More Awareness Campaign is an effort to make the public aware of the devastation abortion brings to women, men, and their families. The emotional and physical pain of abortion will no longer be shrouded in secrecy and silence, but rather exposed and healed. This effort is a key to make abortion unthinkable and persuade society that women deserve better than abortion.
The NY City Council is in the process of passing the “Clinic Access Bill” (http://www.ny-archdiocese.org/news-events/news-press-releases/index.cfm?i=9668) which they say ” strengthens safeguards for women who are faced with harassment and other hostile acts as they enter and exit local reproductive health care clinics.”
In truth, it is a bill to harass anyone counseling outside of the clinics and allows any person to press charges against demonstrators and have them arrested for harassment; even clinic employees!
A couple of months ago a group of people went to testify against this bill before the city council. The council, which is extremely pro abortion, went to lunch after the pro abortion testimonies, and aside from one person did not even see fit to return to hear the pro life side.
Sr. Lucy Marie
Respect Life Coordinator
Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Ave., 7th Floor
New York, NY 10022
212-371-1011 X3192
Mon-Thurs 9:30am-4:30pm
After weeks of speculation and rumor, the wait is finally over. Early this morning the announcement was made in Rome—Pope Benedict XVI has elected Archbishop Timothy Dolan as the tenth Archbishop of New York. The Church of St. Vincent Ferrer welcomes this news with joy and thanksgiving, and we pledge to Archbishop Dolan our prayers and loving support. We also express our gratitude to Cardinal Egan for his nine years of dedicated service to Christ and his Church here in New York. May the Lord continue to bless his priestly life and ministry.
A press conference will be held later this morning during which Archbishop Dolan will introduce himself to his new flock. You can expect to find coverage of the news conference on all New York television and radio stations.
A press release issued by the archdiocese announces that Archbishop Dolan’s installation will be held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on April 15. Here is the full text of the release:
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed His Excellency, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of Milwaukee, to the Archdiocese of New York. Archbishop Dolan has served as the Archbishop of Milwaukee since 2002. He will be the 13th Bishop and 10th Archbishop of the See of New York. He succeeds His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan, who submitted his letter of retirement upon reaching the age of 75 on April 2, 2007.
Cardinal Egan has been named Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of New York until the Installation of Archbishop Dolan. The Archbishop will be installed by His Excellency, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on April 15, 2009.
In a statement, Archbishop Dolan addressed New Yorkers, saying, “My brother bishops, priests, religious women and men, seminarians, committed Catholics of this wonderful Church, I pledge to you my love, my life, my heart, and I can tell you already that I love you, I need so much your prayers and support, I am so honored, humbled, and happy to serve as your pastor.”
Born in 1950, the oldest of five children to Robert and Shirley Dolan, Archbishop Dolan’s education began at Holy Infant Grade School in Ballwin, Missouri, and continued at St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, Cardinal Glennon College, and the Pontifical North American College, in Rome.
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis on June 19, 1976, Father Dolan then served as a parish priest, earned his doctorate in Church History at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D. C., worked at the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy) in Washington, D.C., served on the faculty at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, and returned to Rome as rector of the Pontifical North American College.
He came back to the Archdiocese of St. Louis as auxiliary bishop in June 2001, to be appointed Archbishop of Milwaukee a year later.
Click here and here for more on Archbishop Dolan’s election to New York.
UPDATE: Here’s more on today’s big story from the Catholic News Agency.
Click here for video of Archbishop Dolan’s press conference.
This afternoon I had the pleasure of discussing Sunday’s readings with Sr. Marie Pappas, a Resurrection Sister and one of the assistant superintendents of schools for the Archdiocese of New York. Sr. Marie has her own show on The Catholic Channel, “Pathways of Learning,” which airs Tuesdays at 1:00 PM. Listen below to hear Sr. Marie share her insights into this weekend’s readings, as well as tell the story of her congregation’s foundation. As she explains, the Sisters of the Resurrection remains the only congregation in the Church co-founded by a mother and daughter.
I also spoke with Fr. Pius Pietrzyk, OP, from the Church of St. Thomas Aquinas in Zanesville, OH. Fr. Pius shared with us the main points of his Sunday homily, which include this gem: loving neighbor and making ourselves lovable for neighbor are two sides of the same coin. In both cases, love is given on our neighbor’s terms, not ours.
This past week Zenit published an interview with a non-Catholic physician who champions the teachings of Humanae Vitae. Among other things, he calls the document’s argument “compelling” and “prophetic.”
I first read “Humanae Vitae” in 1991 and several times since then. I think it is an inspired document. I think it captures fundamental aspects of human nature. He [Pope Paul VI] really hits the nail on the head regarding the dark side of contraception, sterilization and abortion and their effects on society.
Although I do not think divorce, promiscuity, teen pregnancy are exclusively the result of contraception, I also think these are not unrelated to contraception. I think contraception is a heavy part of the fuel behind the sexual revolution and many of the problems in society we are facing.
I think “Humanae Vitae” is basically a prophetic statement.
The Archdiocese of New York is announcing a new “Come and See” program for women discerning religious life. It will take place over the next five first Sundays.
Each Sunday program will be hosted by a different Religious Community and will consist of prayer, an introduction to the community’s life and mission through a study of its charism, and interaction with a sister from the community.
Those interested must register before September 30. For more information, please call Sr. Deanna Sabetta at 212-371-1011, ext. 2803, or email her at sr.deanna.sabetta@archny.org.
Below is a note written by Sr. Lucy Marie of the Sisters of Life. The event she mentions was advertised here.
As Sr. Lucy explains, witnessing makes a difference one life at a time.
Dear Friends who Witness for Life,
Many of you were among the approx 70 who participated with us in our First Helpers Prayer Vigil this past September. The prayer and witness of all of you was so powerful. Was it really – do we ever know?
One young man who was present with us that day provided prayer support at another clinic elsewhere in our area this past Saturday. I was at home preparing to sit down to breakfast and we received a call from this young man that a woman had turned around at a clinic. He brought the young woman over. Another sister and I spent the morning meeting with her and giving her examples of all of the various resources and people that were available to assist her in her pregnancy. She left our convent having a new perspective and a new sense of life.
She kept telling us – “this was my second time coming to the clinic and I just didn’t want to do it. I read the brochure… but what really changed my mind was that young man who approached me and told me there was another way. He never condemned me and he was just so nice….I am so glad he was there… he was so nice.”
It make a difference to witness to life – this woman’s life is forever changed and she and her child are eternally grateful to each of you.
Next prayer witness and vigil – Sat, Oct 4th – Mass at 8am – St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral.
The Sisters of Life have announced a new opportunity for young adults and all New York City Catholics to give a public and prayerful witness to the Church’s Gospel of Life, or as the Sisters say, “to pray at the front lines of the culture of life and death.”
From Sr. Lucy Marie, SV:
Join with the Sisters of Life and NYC young adults and be part of a new generation building a culture of life.
First Saturday Prayer Vigils begin on Sat, Sept 6th with 8am Mass at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC – Msgr. Phillip Reilly will be the main celebrant. See Flier below and attached. Come to all or part of the morning.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass begins our day in beautiful Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral (the Sisters of Life will provide a Schola), Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament follows, and people can either remain in the Church to adore our Lord or attend the rosary procession to the local abortion clinic – Planned Parenthood.
Upon return from the clinic (approx 10:15am) we will have a social (complete with coffee and bagels) with a short (15 mins) presentation by the Sisters of Life. You will hear of concrete ways to be of service, as Co-Workers, helping vulnerable pregnant women that are currently being served by the Sisters.
Promote this to your friends and let me know if you plan on attending on Sept 6th and approx how many people you may be bringing. Keep the spiritual success of this effort for Life in your daily prayers.
Thank you and God Bless.
Sr. Lucy Marie
Respect Life Coordinator
Archdiocese of New York
212-371-1011 X3192
On Thursday, October 2, an evening lecture on Catholic political life will be delivered at the Church of Our Saviour (Park Avenue at East 38th Street). Edward Mechmann, the public policy director for the archdiocesan Family Life/Respect Life Office, will speak on “The Conscience of Catholic Voting.” Sponsored by the of the Family Life Office, the evening will begin at 5:45 PM. A question and answer session will follow Mr. Mechmann’s remarks. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Also relating to the upcoming election, the bishops of the United States have called on all American Catholics to prepare spiritually for the first Tuesday in November. They suggest in particular praying a novena. From the USCCB:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) invites U.S. Catholics to pray before the November election a novena for life, justice, and peace called Novena for Faithful Citizenship. It is a podcast and available for download.
Joan Rosenhauer, Associate Director for the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, said that the special novena is part of “the bishops’ campaign to help Catholics develop well-formed consciences for addressing political and social questions.” The bishops issued their statement on forming consciences for faithful citizenship in November 2007.
Helen Osman, USCCB Secretary of Communications, expressed hope that the novena could help “Catholics enter into prayerful reflection as they prepare to vote.” Seventy-one percent of all visitors to the USCCB’s web site download the free podcasts of the daily NAB readings. These same visitors are encouraged to use the novena podcast for prayer. Osman said that the USCCB wants to support Catholics as they weigh pre-election issues and that “providing a prayer resource on the Web can help us focus on our common values and identity as Catholics.” The novena emphasizes the dignity of life, justice, and peace.
The Novena for Faithful Citizenship runs for nine days and can be used consecutively, one day each week, for nine days prior to the election, or “in any way that works best for a community or individual,” said Rosenhauer.
For the novena, click here. For other resources on Catholic political life, visit the US Bishops’ Faithful Citizenshipwebsite.
On Saturday, October 4, the Family Life – Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of New York and the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer will host an afternoon conference to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the encyclical Humanae Vitae. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Janet Smith, whose books and recordings on the subject of contraception are well known. She will deliver two lectures: “Humanae Vitae: Controversy and Prophecy” and “The Connection Between Contraception and Same-Sex Unions.”
The conference will also include a panel discussion with three professional couples who will share their experience of living the Church’s teaching.
To conclude the conference, the Most Reverend Gerald Walsh, an auxiliary bishop of New York, will celebrate Mass and preach.
On this day in 1867, Mass was celebrated for the first time in the newly erected parish of St. Vincent Ferrer. Where this first Mass actually took place, however, remains something of a mystery. The parish’s first church, pictured above, wasn’t dedicated until later that year.
Much has changed around St. Vincent’s over the past 141 years, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his sacraments haven’t. They remain the same, and they’re the reason we’re still around.
Happy anniversary to all of our families and friends! Remember in your grateful prayers today those friars and fellow parishioners who have gone before us and have provided the rich gifts born of sacrifice that we continue to enjoy today. Requiescant in pace.
Today’s Metro Section of The New York Times carried an article on The Catholic Channel, one of just three religious stations broadcast on the Sirius Satellite Radio network. The article details how the communications office of the Archdiocese of New York teamed up with Sirius to expand the Church’s presence in the media. Still in its early stages of development, The Catholic Channel offers a wide range of Catholic content in a form resembling more your edgy drive home show than, say, “Life is Worth Living” by Bishop Sheen. And that’s exactly the point. The article quotes Joseph Zwilling, communications director for the Archdiocese, as he explains the concept behind The Catholic Channel:
“If someone who listens to Howard Stern happens to turn to the Catholic Channel one day and doesn’t realize for a couple of minutes that what he’s listening to is the Catholic Channel, well, I’m not going to be upset about that,” Mr. Zwilling said. “We recognize that Catholics are listening to Howard Stern. What we want people to know is that they can talk about all the same things he does, but in a Catholic context.”
At the channel’s inception, the Archdiocese of New York approached the Province of St. Joseph to produce and host a weekly show. It’s called “Word to Life,” and its purpose is to prepare listeners for Sunday Mass by examining the weekend’s Scripture readings. After being hosted initially by Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP, and other friars of the Province, I was asked last May to become the show’s producer and host.
“Word to Life” airs live every Friday at 1:00 PM Eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159. If you don’t have Sirius radio and are interested in listening to the show, check back here each week for a posting of the show’s audio.
