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Some Things to Know

SALUS INFIRMORUM Father Richard Adams, Father Harry Burke, Father Patrick Carney,
Father Patrick Curley, Father John Fanning, Monsignor John Farley, Monsignor John Ferry,
Monsignor William Foley, Monsignor Walter Kenny, Monsignor Gabriel LaPaz, Monsignor
Anthony Marchitelli, Monsignor Joseph Martin, Monsignor Robert McCabe, Father John
McDonogh, Monsignor Edward O’Donnell, Father Joachim Olendzki, Father Philip Quealy,
Monsignor William Reynolds, Monsignor Edward Weber

REQUIESCANT IN PACE Father Kevin Lynch CSP, Father Urbano L. Rodrigues

INTEGRITY RESTORED With the explosion of pornography in our society, there is a great
need for a trusted Catholic source to help our Church deal with this issue. As you know,
this problem is expanding at a rapid pace and priests are often the first person someone
will go to with their struggles. Integrity Restored Clergy Training Intensive provides
education and training to equip priests and their ministry to make an immediate impact
for those who suffer. With questions, contact Jim O’Day at 770-653-4053 or
[email protected]. [Initiatives: Integrity Restored].

ORDER OF PENANCE FOR THE UNITED STATES The Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacraments has confirmed the new English translation of the Order of
Penance for liturgical use in the United States (Prot. n. 460/21, April 25, 2022). Having
received the confirmed text from the Holy See, the Secretariat of Divine Worship is now
working with interested publishers to determine a timetable for implementation, currently
estimated for early 2023.

FORTY DAYS FOR LIFE This life-saving prayer campaign will take place again throughout
the archdiocese from September 28 through November 6. It consists of forty days of prayer,
fasting and peaceful vigil at abortion facilities. It is proven to work. When prolife people
show up outside clinics, the ‘no-show’ rate goes up to almost 75%. Many abortion-minded
women have left facilities and chosen life during Forty Days for Life thanks to parishioners
witnessing outside the clinics and services provided by the Sisters of Life and our pregnancy
centers. Since 2007, at least 21,989 unborn children have been saved from abortion during
these campaigns and 117 facilities have closed. For more information, visit
https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/.

CELEBRET AND TESTIMONY OF SUITABILITY: WHICH IS WHICH? Across the country, in just
about every diocese, letters of suitability have become more important than ever when
planning to perform temporary ministry outside the archdiocese. Two documents are
available. Which is which?

  • TESTIMONY OF SUITABILITY This is sometimes referred to as a letter of good standing. Its use began after the implementation of the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002. It is required in every diocese within the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico prior to an event. It is sent from the office of priest personnel to the diocese where the event is located. The way these are processed has changed and takes a longer period of time to respond to them. You may email your request to [email protected] in a timely manner, usually two weeks to allow for preparation of the proper documentation. With your application, include the event, time, date, location, diocese, email and address of the Ordinary. Without it, a priest may be met with an embarrassing refusal.
  • CELEBRET This word comes from the Latin and means let him celebrate. Prior to the Dallas charter, it was used within the USA and abroad. But now, it is required when traveling outside the country. The universal law of the Church (canon 903) stipulates that a priest is to be permitted to celebrate the Eucharist, even if he is not known to the rector of the church, if he presents commendatory letters, not more than a year old, from his own Ordinary, stating that he is in good standing and requests that appropriate hospitality be extended to him. You may email your request to [email protected] in a timely manner, usually two weeks to allow for preparation of the proper documentation. With your application, include the event, time, date, location, diocese, and when you will depart and return. Without it, a priest may be met with an embarrassing refusal.

So, to summarize, if traveling within the country, be sure you have a testimony of suitability
from the office of priest personnel (646-794-2930). Whenever you leave the country, secure
a celebret from the office of canonical services (646-794-2929). Don’t leave home without
them.

OCTOBER IS RESPECT LIFE MONTH The theme is Called to Serve Moms in Need. Review the
Respect Life Month action guide here for all the steps to get your parish ready. It is the
perfect time to begin USCCB Walking with Moms in Need initiative. Here is a
handy flyer (in English and Spanish) which you can use to introduce the initiative to those
at your parish. Contact Sister Hope at [email protected] for more
assistance in getting this started. [Initiatives: USCCB Prolife].

MASSES AT CALVARY AND ALLIED CEMETERIES The traditional monthly Masses held at
Ascension, Calvary, Gate of Heaven, Resurrection and St. Mary cemeteries will resume
beginning in October; and all have scheduled All Souls’ Day Masses on Wednesday,
November 2. Our cemeteries are open and visitation is encouraged. Masses are also
celebrated at local parish cemeteries. [Events: Allied Cemetery Masses]

OFFICE HOLIDAYS On Monday, October 10, the Catholic Center will be closed in
commemoration of Columbus Day. You may always leave your message in the
department’s voice mailbox and it will be returned on the next business day. To reach the
chancery after hours and on weekends, call Community Answering Service at 877-582-2996.

Add this number as “Chancery Emergency” to the list of contacts in your mobile telephone.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, HEALTH CARE PROXY, FUNERAL MASS ARRANGEMENTS Each time
we call attention to the need for a Last Will and Testament, priests do have one drawn and
a copy deposited on file with the office of the vicar for clergy. When doing so, you might
consider naming a brother priest as executor. One can only imagine the pain that survivors
endure when there is a death without a Will. A Last Will and Testament is required of all
pastors. But it is desirable for all of us. Included in this month’s combined mailing are
forms for health care proxies and plans for the funeral Mass and burial.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES All parishes are required annually by New
York State Religious Corporation Law and the Archdiocese of New York Uniform By-Laws
to hold an annual meeting of the trustees by the second Wednesday of November (this
year, it is November 9) at the parish corporation’s principal office. At this meeting, the
pastor, as corporate secretary and treasurer and the two lay trustees shall review and accept
the annual financial report. Following the meeting, kindly send the year-end financial
report to the finance office. The minutes of the annual meeting must be kept on file at the
parish office. [Updates: Trustee Minutes].

PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY USA September 25 is the national observance of Priesthood Sunday
USA which was inaugurated in 2002. This is the time each year to express appreciation and
gratitude to all the priests who have served God’s people. It is a way to allow Catholics to
recognize good priests who, day in and day out, do an outstanding job in serving them in
parishes across America. The focus is on the place of the priesthood as a central reality in
the life of the Church. The shortage of vocations makes priests less visible and,
consequently, less prominent. Ask your people to remember their priests and to thank
them for what they do to bring the Lord to the faithful through the sacraments. Visit the
Serra International web site at https://serraus.org/priesthood-sunday/. Also, visit the
archdiocesan web site, www.nypriest.com.

XLV COLUMBUS DAY MASS will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday, October
10 at 9:30 am and reflects the millions of men, women and children who came to America
in pursuit of freedom and opportunity, and the faith that helped them endure hardship and
adversity. You may wish to promote this Mass with your parishioners in your upcoming
bulletins. The parade celebrating Italian American heritage will begin at 11:30. Admission is
free, but tickets are required to enter the cathedral until 9:15 at which point it becomes
general admission. [Events: Columbus Day Mass].

YEAR END FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Now is the time to work with your accountant,
bookkeeper and associate director of parish finance (AD) to complete and submit all
financial statements. Include a balance sheet and income statement for each parish entry
(church, school, cemetery). In addition to the financial statements, be sure to complete
the trustee sign-off sheet. Finally, fill in the board of trustees annual meeting minutes and
keep these in your parish files. If we can assist in any way, you may always call Marcus
Ryan at (646) 357-0164.

PRESBYTERAL COUNCIL SELECTIONS There are three areas open for election or reelection
this year: Manhattan North, Retired Priests and Westchester North. Each representative
will serve for a term of three years. Deans are encouraged to discuss these vacancies with
their constituencies. A ballot for the retired incardinated priests was mailed earlier in
September with an unofficial list of those who are currently living within the archdiocese.
If a priest’s name has been erroneously omitted, or if he prefers not to be considered for
election, notify Father Arthur Mastrolia at [email protected]. Ballots are due by Friday,
October 7. [Events: Retirement Ballot].

STATUS ANIMARUM From the Latin meaning state of souls, this accounting is a register of
people living in a parish and events related to them. It is also called the annual sacramental
report. Every year, we collect Mass attendance numbers, sacramental figures, religious
education and regional or parish school enrollment, staffing and volunteer personnel data
for each parish church and worship site. Be as accurate as you can with your report. The
Mass attendance numbers will be reported for Sunday, October 16, 2022, the Twenty-Ninth
Sunday of the Church Year, including the anticipated Masses on Saturday evening.
Sacramental and other data are reported for 2021-2022. The information that you provide
is helpful for parish planning in the archdiocese and for responding to the reports that are
required by the Holy See and the Episcopal conference. We will be grateful to receive your
statistics by Monday, November 14, 2022. The information for the Kenedy Official Catholic
Directory is always sent to you separately and will be coming shortly.

HOW EARLY MAY MY CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASS BE SCHEDULED? Observing the commonly held
opinion that evening is defined as four o’clock or later, the first vigil Mass of Christmas may
be celebrated on Saturday, December 24 no earlier than 4:00 pm. A related question arises
that priests are permitted to celebrate no more than three Masses on December 24 and
three Masses on December 25.

XXXVII ANNUAL CONVENTION OF PASTORS 2022 Reserve four days during the week of
October 3 for this popular gathering of priests who are serving as pastors of parishes. Last
held in 2019, it will be conducted at the Breakers Hotel in Spring Lake, New Jersey.
Registration material is included. [Events: Convention of Pastors].

CURIA REPORT The revised, streamlined and renamed curia report, with information about
the activities of the archdiocesan curia and the pastoral and administrative offices that
serve you. Refer any questions to the office of the vicar general. [Updates: Curia Report].

FAMILY DAY: MAKING EVERYDAY SPECIAL® is a National Center on Addiction Substance
Abuses initiative to promote simple, everyday things parents can do to build a strong,
healthy relationship with their kids that prevents future drug use. Family day will be
celebrated nationwide on Monday, September 26, 2022. To learn more or to join parents
across America in taking the Family Day STAR pledge, visit www.casafamilyday.org. You
may also find family day on Facebook and Twitter. [Initiatives: Parent Toolkit].

LAY TRUSTEE NOMINATION FORM We were hoping to receive the names two lay trustees
for your parish by Friday, July 29. Help us as we comply with the New York State Religious
Corporation Law by completing this today. Since all parishes are required to hold an
annual meeting of the trustees by the second Wednesday of November (this year, it is
November 9). [Updates: Lay Trustee Form and Minutes].

PRIEST RETREAT/PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND Archdiocesan, religious and international
priests (who are permitted to travel) are all welcome to participate on February 2-11, 2023.
See the promotional flier in this mailing. With questions, call Father Anthony Sorgie at
914-961-3643 or email [email protected] or contact [email protected] who will
be our travel agent at Peter’s Way International. [Updates: Priest Holy Land Retreat].

DONATIONS TO CONVENTS FOR ALTAR BREAD Many parishes are purchasing altar bread from
large distribution companies rather than from communities of sisters who care for
themselves from this service to churches. By ordering from a religious community, pastors
have the added graces and blessings that come from supporting their contemplative life
and knowing they are remembered in their daily prayers and sacrifices. Consider
sending a donation to cloistered nuns like the Dominicans and Carmelites who
would be grateful to be remembered.

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SPIRITUALITY DAY All pastors are invited to concelebrate
with His Eminence at the spirituality day Mass at Iona University, New Rochelle on
Thursday, October 20. [Events: Teacher Spirituality Day Mass]

A LOOK AT THE PERMANENT DIACONATE A survey went out to all priests and deacons in July
asking for an appraisal of the selection, formation, and ministry of the deacon. The more
input and ideas, the better the result. Responses were due by September 15. [Initiatives:
Permanent Deacon Survey].

RECONCILIATION MONDAY DATES Observed since 2011, Advent Reconciliation Monday will
be held on December 19, 2022. After the experimentation of two sessions last year, we
announce the times of 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the archdiocese and the
Diocese of Brooklyn. Lenten Reconciliation Monday will be observed on April 3, 2023 from
2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 9:00 pm in the archdiocese and the Dioceses of Brooklyn and
Rockville Centre, in every parish from the east end of Long Island to the Catskills.
Promotional material from the office of communications will be available as we get closer
to the date.

INCREASED OFFERTORY PROGRAM Each September, with the assistance of the finance and
development offices, we give parishes the opportunity to enjoy a strengthening of their
weekly offertory. This month, 20 pastors will be participating in the IOP, Beyond Sunday
Morning. Many have commented that the weekly offertory has been dropping off. So, this
concept is straightforward in asking parishioners to increase their regular giving in order
to keep parishes strong. When this opportunity is given to you, we hope you will consider
using it. There is no cost and the benefits are most encouraging. For those not participating
this year, fall is a great season to communicate the benefits of sustained offertory giving
through the parish’s electronic platform, WeShare.

SYNODAL SYNTHESIS Here you will find a summary of the most prevalent themes from
the various conversations held at our listening sessions throughout the archdiocese. A
copy of this synthesis was shared with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
for further reflection and discussion. You will see within our report a “next steps” section
for us to work on throughout the archdiocese. [Updates: Synodal Synthesis]

EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION THROUGH THE STREETS OF MANHATTAN On Tuesday, October 11,
all Catholics are invited to join in a Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Manhattan
as part of the National Eucharistic Revival and celebrating the 60th anniversary of the
beginning of the Second Vatican Council. It will begin with Mass at 4:30 pm at Sacred Heart
of Jesus Church on West 51st Street and 10th Avenue. After Mass, all will process to St.
Patrick’s Cathedral, where there will be adoration and benediction by Cardinal Dolan,
concluding at 6:30 pm. The procession is being sponsored by the annual Principled
Entrepreneurship Conference of the Napa Institute. [Events: Napa Institute Procession]

JUST ONE MORE THING Early one morning, a mother went in to wake up her son. “Wake
up, son. It’s time to go to school.”
From under the covers, he replied, “But why, mom? I don’t
want to go.” His mother replies, “Give me two reasons why you don’t want to go.”
He
explained, “Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me, too.” “Oh, that’s no
reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready”
the mom said. Her son asked, “Give
me two reasons why I should go to school?
” Finally, she said, “Well, for one, you’re 52 years
old. And for another, you’re the principal!”

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