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Some Things to Know

LENTEN DAY OF RECOLLECTION FOR PRIESTS along with individual confessions will be held on Wednesday, March 4 from 10:30 to 2:30 at Dunwoodie. Leading us in our reflection will be our archbishop, Timothy Cardinal Dolan. Another invitation is included in this mailing.

501(C)3 GROUP TAX EXEMPTION RULING Each pastor received a copy of the 2019 group ruling letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) confirming that organizations listed in the 2019 edition of The Official Catholic Directory are recognized as exempt under section 501(c) of the tax code. Kindly share the memo and documents with your parish bookkeeper and accountant.

CARDINAL’S ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP APPEAL Teach, Serve, Sanctify Like income tax time, the $20 million CASA comes around quickly. Each year, all of the 288 parishes join together as one family to support the many spiritual, educational, pastoral and charitable services which are offered to the sick, the needy, disabled, aged and homeless. This year’s theme is intended to remind parishioners of the fundamental mission of the Church and our shared responsibility to further this mission through our own prayer, service and financial sacrifice. The primary ingredient for success with the appeal is when the pastor and priests stand behind it. It boils down to your leadership and enthusiasm. Although it is an additional duty for you, most of the work is done by the development office with the preparation of scripts, bulletin articles, altar announcements and petitions for the universal prayer. The pastor just needs to be a partner and deliver the message. When your campaign manager calls upon you, please welcome him or her warmly. Remember that when a parish reaches goal, it is a great victory to the parishioners. And there is a financial incentive to all who go over goal. So, let’s all team up and work for a successful appeal.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASS AND PARADE will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 17 at 8:30 AM and reflects the pride we have and the honor we give to the patron saint of the Archdiocese of New York. Cardinal Dolan invites all priests to concelebrate Mass at the cathedral and review the parade from the front steps on Fifth Avenue. The Catholic Center offices will be closed for the holy day.

SURVEY ON PASTORS’ TERM OF OFFICE In response to a concern raised both by the presbyteral council and in many conversations with our brother priests, Cardinal Dolan has directed that a survey be taken so as to ascertain your thoughts on the twelve-year policy for pastors. A brief survey has been sent to all priests and may be returned to the office of the vicar for clergy or emailed to [email protected]. The question boils down to whether or not priests support maintaining the current requirement that a pastor move after serving two six-year terms (provided he has not reached age 70). Exceptions may be made for another six-year term in cases of need as determined by the archbishop.

LENTEN GUIDELINES 2020 Last week, these guidelines were sent to each priest for distribution among the people. Please be sure to include them in the parish bulletin.

RECONCILIATION MONDAY DATES Lenten Reconciliation Monday will be observed on April 6, 2020 from 3:00 to 9:00 PM in the archdiocese and the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. Advent Reconciliation Monday will be held on December 21, 2020 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM in all the parishes of the archdiocese and the Diocese of Brooklyn. Promotional material will be available as we get closer to the date.

IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME Before we know it, the summer months and vacation time will be upon us. As you plan for that time and realize that you may need assistance, we remind you to be in touch with Terri at the office for international priests. She is located at Dunwoodie. Here is her contact information: (914)367-8120 or [email protected]. If you wait too long, you may not have enough time to secure coverage. Immigration laws and Homeland Security concerns have made it difficult to arrange for priests to enter the country. Remember that all priests must have proper documentation (i.e. permission from the ordinary and letter of suitability). These official papers must be submitted to the vicar for clergy for approval. Any priest who desires to minister within our parishes must have the proper faculties.

EAST COAST PRIEST CONFERENCE, sponsored by Dr. Scott Hahn and the St. Paul Center continues to grow in popularity. In the past few years, as many as a dozen priests from the archdiocese have attended. They report that this is a wonderful opportunity for retreat or ongoing formation. Conferences are solid and insightful, liturgies and spiritual opportunities are well done and costs are reasonable. This year’s conference is entitled, Scripture and the Sacred Mysteries, extends from Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July 16 at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia. Details may be found at https://stpaulcenter.com/pceast20/ and registration ($575) at (https://stpaulcenter.com/product/pceast20/

REQUIRED ANNOUNCEMENT ON FINANCIAL INTEGRITY HOTLINE The Archdiocese of New York is committed to safeguarding the stewardship of its people. 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 suspicion of financial impropriety.

Please find an announcement in English and Spanish to be included 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 February and August.

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“The Archdiocese of New York takes stewardship of your donations seriously. If you have knowledge of or reason to suspect misconduct, please report your concerns via a toll-free hotline at 877-820-0541 or on the internet at http://www.reportlineweb.com/ADNY. Both are available 24 hours per day.”

“La Arquidiócesis de Nueva York toma la administración de sus donaciones seriamente. Si usted tiene conocimiento o una razón sospechosa del mal manejo financiero, por favor reporte sus inquietudes a través de la línea gratuita de atención telefónica al 877-820-0541 o via Internet, en http://www.reportlineweb.com/ADNY. Ambos están disponibles las 24 horas del dia.”

DYNAMIC CATHOLIC Invite your parishioners to sign up for Best Lent Ever. This is a service from Matthew Kelly and it features daily video reflections on the season. He explains how Lent is not about what you give up; it is about who you become. For more information, contact 859.980.7900 or [email protected].


WINTER in Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary is defined as:

  1. the season between autumn and spring; or as reckoned astronomically extending from the December solstice to the March equinox.
  2. A period of inactivity or decay.

Take your pick.

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

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