REQUIRED ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
The Archdiocese of New York is committed to doing all that is can to protect children and young people from sexual abuse. As part of that effort, we periodically write to the Catholic community to advise them whom they may contact and what steps they can take if they have suffered abuse by someone representing the Catholic church.
Please include this announcement in both English and Spanish in your Sunday bulletin. Its wording was approved by the presbyteral council. If your parish uses another language, i.e., Chinese, French, German, Italian or others, I am asking that you have it correctly translated and send a copy of your bulletin with these translations to my office. Additionally, publish this announcement every May, September and January.
“To report an alleged incident of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest, deacon, religious or lay person serving in the Archdiocese of New York may contact the victims assistance coordinator, Mrs. Eileen Mulcahy at 646-794-2949 or victimsassistance@archny.org. Information can also be found on the archdiocesan website www.archny.org. In keeping with archdiocesan policy regarding sexual abuse of minors, this is provided to ensure that our children remain safe and secure.”
“Cualquier persona que necesite reportar algún incidente de abuso sexual de un menor por un sacerdote, diacono, religioso/a, o laico sirviendo en la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York, se le pide que por favor contacte al coordinador de asistencia a las víctimas, Seňora Eileen Mulcahy al 646-794-2949. Ella también pueden ser contactada vía correo electrónica: victimasassistance@archny.org. Para más información pueden visitar la página en la red de la arquidiócesis: www.archny.org. De acuerdo con las normas de la arquidiócesis sobre el respeto al abuso sexual de menores, esta información se provee para asegurar que nuestros niños permanezcan seguros.”
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CONVENTION OF PASTORS The dates for this annual gathering of pastors and administrators have been announced for two separate weeks, October 12-15 and 19-22 at the Breakers’ Hotel in Spring Lake, New Jersey. Two letters of announcement are included. You may reply directly to Monsignor Leslie Ivers at msgr.leslie.ivers@archny.org.
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY ON SEPTEMBER 20 On this day, parishes recognize and honor those
called by God to serve as catechists. This year’s theme is from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26: “I
received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” Whether in religious education, youth
ministry, or adult faith formation, catechists accompany members of our parish community
as they encounter Christ and grow in their Catholic faith. Arrange a special liturgy and
invite your catechists and staff to join prayer as we honor these generous women and men,
who give so much of their time and talent to hand on to others the treasure which they,
and we, have received from the Lord.
PREACHING ABOUT RACISM Bishop Shelton Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux will be presenting
a Zoom videoconference titled Preaching Against Racism to the priests of the archdiocese
on Tuesday, September 22 at 4:00 pm. A panelist from the archdiocese will respond to his
remarks. This will be followed by an opportunity for questions. The extent of the program
will go for 60 minutes to 90 minutes. More detailed information will be forthcoming.
RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELLS FOR SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH Each year since the historic
attack upon our country on September 11, 2001, religious leaders have been asked to toll
their church bells for approximately 30 seconds to commemorate the time the north tower
of the World Trade Center was struck. On Friday, September Eleventh, at 8:46 AM, please
ring your church bells for 30 seconds to remember the 19th anniversary of this nationa
tragedy.
PONTIFICAL GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION FOR THE HOLY LAND Each year on Good Friday, an
offering is received for the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land. This
collection from our people was to have been taken up at the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
on Friday, April 10. The COVID-19 pandemic precluded the normal community celebration
of Holy Week. Since the Christian communities in the Holy Land are living in contexts
already full of serious suffering, Pope Francis has approved the proposal that, for this year
2020, this collection take place take place on Sunday, September 13, near the feast of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross, including the anticipated Mass on Saturday evening. A letter
from the cardinal will be coming by the end of the week.
ANNUAL COLLECTION FOR ST.JOSEPH’S SEMINARY Please continue, through your prayers and
generosity, to support the important work of priestly formation. This year, the annual
collection for Saint Joseph’s Seminary will be taken up on September 29. This collection
provides critical funding to support the formation of future priests for the archdiocese. The
cost of housing and educating seminarians is an investment for tomorrow, and the
participation of the parishes is an invaluable aspect of this endeavor. In order to give a face
to this annual collection, St. Joseph’s Seminary is happy to send seminarians to visit
parishes to make a personal appeal to the generosity of the parishioners in advance of the
collection. If you are available to host a seminarian to speak at your Masses, contact Father
Richard Veras at rveras@dunwoodie.edu.
PARISH RESTRICTED SCHOOL RENOVATION ACCOUNT PROGRAM (PRSRAP) This program
was established in 2017 and created a parish assistance corporation (PAC) account in the
name of the parish that is recorded on its financials. It provides for the deposit of a minimum of $40,000 per year into a 4% interest bearing PAC account which is restricted
for school capital repairs. Over time, these deposits and interest will provide a reserve fund
that will significantly help maintain school buildings. Be aware that these deposits are
made near the end of the fiscal year (August 31). Look for it on your next PAC statement.
To date, your parish should have received at least $160,000 plus accumulated interest.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT 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 one of us dies without a Will.
A Last Will and Testament is required of all pastors. But it is desirable for all of us.
HAVE YOU APPLIED UNNECESSARILY FOR MEDICARE PART B? It seems that some priests over
the age of 65 who are still working have done this and are personally paying for extra
coverage but getting no benefit from it. You may know that Part A of Medicare provides
subscribers with hospital coverage. Everyone in Medicare has it. Part B of Medicare is
optional; it covers office visits to doctors and outpatient care. It is not necessary for our
priests who are working and getting paid. Medicare is only the secondary health provider.
The government requires that primary providers be billed first. That is our archdiocesan
plan, administered by United Healthcare. And experience shows that it pays so much of
the bills that nothing is left for Medicare B to make up. Our health care program is like a
Cadillac. We should be proud of it. Medicare, by comparison, is like a Chevy. Contact your
local social security office and tell them that you do not need Part B coverage at this time.
When you stop working and do want Part B, contact them again, about three months in
advance.
COLUMBUS DAY MASS will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday, October 14
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 be canceled and replaced
with virtual events featuring former parade grand marshals and Italian-American
entertainers.
THE BLUES ARE RUNNIN’ There is still time to dust off that sign for the remaining weeks of
the summer: Gone Fishing!