Salus Infirmorum Monsignor Thomas Bergin, Father Brian Brennan, Monsignor John Brinn, Father Harry Burke, Father Steven Clark, Father Patrick Curley, Father Richard Dillon, Monsignor John Farley, Monsignor Peter Finn, Father Hugh Grace, Father Bernard Heter, Father Jack Hunter, Father John Kostek, Monsignor George Kuhn, Father Richard LaMorte, Monsignor Robert Larkin, Father Thomas Lynch, Father Joseph McAndrew, Monsignor Edward McCorry, Monsignor Hugh McManus, Father Angelo J. (“AJ”) Micciulla, Monsignor Thomas Modugno, Father Philip Quealy, Father John B. Sullivan, Monsignor Edward Weber.
Requiescat in Pace Monsignor Patrick Barry, Monsignor Michael Curran, Father Kazimierz Kowalski, Father Owen Lafferty.
Eucharistic Revitalization The presbyteral council is hosting a Eucharistic forum at Dunwoodie on the day of the annual Mass for deceased priests on Thursday, November 4 which will follow the memorial Mass and luncheon beginning at 12 noon. Presenters will be Father Joseph Lienhard, SJ (Fordham University), Father Herald Brock, CFR, and Dr. Charles Camosy (Fordham University). The enclosed flier contains more information and invites all priests who wish to attend to reply to [email protected].
Lessons about God that Kids Can See This book, written by the late Monsignor Dermot Brennan is a valuable help for homilies with children on topics including sacraments, liturgical seasons and core Catholic teachings in fun and interactive ways. The special price for New Yorkers is $17.95. Contact David Barocsi at [email protected] or 877-708-7913.
Flocknote Sign Up Sunday Because most pastors were not able to reach parishioners when they needed to – in between Sundays or during prolonged absences, in 2014 the archdiocese introduced Flocknote, a no-cost, smarter way to reach all their members at a moment’s notice by email or text, resulting in higher attendance, increased stewardship, and a more connected church. Many pastors are already using it; some are not using it the way in which it was intended; and others are not using it at all. At all the parish Masses on December 5, we will be offering a Flocknote Sign Up Sunday to allow your parishioners to join this effective communications tool. Prepare your Flocknote account by activating it in the next month. Need help? Email [email protected].
Fitness Training for Retired Law Enforcement Personnel As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our clergy, parish staff, and communities, Cardinal Dolan, in December 2019 permitted all parishes to utilize the involvement of retired law enforcement officers as the armed component of the parish/school safety committee with the conditions that all retired law enforcement officers must possess a current New York Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (HR 218 LEOSA) certificate issued by a New York state-certified police firearms instructor confirming their fitness to carry and utilize firearms. Possession of a current certificate is a pre-requisite for retired law enforcement personnel to provide armed security at a parish; and, a that they complete a two-day firearms active shooter and fitness course provided by trained law enforcement firearms instructors. Candidates must be approved by the pastor/administrator to take the class. Enclosed is an announcement for the next training seminar to be held on the evenings of November 15 and 16 at St. Stephen parish, Warwick. To register, contact Mr. Frank Napolitano, director of risk management and insurance services (646-794-3024, [email protected]). There is no charge for this course and meals will be provided for all attendees. This policy does not apply to civilians who are licensed to carry firearms. No parish is permitted to utilize civilians who are not active or former law enforcement personnel for armed safety on the parish safety committee. This policy change does not affect the retention of private, licensed professional security firms for armed security. If a parish wishes to retain such a provider, it may do so after reviewing the contract and insurance requirements with the archdiocese office of risk management.
Days of Recollection for Priests Since all of the priests will be attending one of the three retreats at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, the Advent day of recollection will not be held this year. The date for the Lenten day of recollection at Dunwoodie will be Thursday, March 24, 2022 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
Increased Offertory Campaign The development office supports parishes in their efforts to grow their offertory giving. The IOC is not designed exclusively where offertory is decreasing; by contrast, it presents an opportunity to invite all parishioners to renew their annual financial commitments to the parish. The supporting materials for the increased offertory campaigns are grounded in our Lord’s own guidance about the use of material resources. On a practical note, parishes who participate in the enhanced giving program typically see a 20% increase in offertory and growth in on-line giving participation. The pastor speaks candidly with his people about the financial state of the parish, and how financial sacrifice, when coupled with prayer, can be a source of spiritual growth. Your campaign manager will provide everything you need: from Gospel reflections, social media and bulletin content, letters, and email text, and will work with you and your parish staff to make sure the message is consistent across all communications platforms. We currently ask parishes to participate formally in the eight-week program at least once every four years but would encourage pastors to address offertory with their people on an annual basis. Contact your campaign manager or Juliette Picciano at [email protected] if you are interested in participating next Fall.
Day for Vocations to the Prieshood Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 19 from 9:00 to 1:00 for this day of prayer for vocations. It will be held again at St. Joseph’s Seminary. The event is for young men interested in the Cathedral Prep program and those looking for more information regarding priesthood. See the media card in this mailing.
The Kenedy Official Catholic Directory (OCD) Each pastor will receive correspondence from the OCD either by email or letter requesting updates for the 2022 edition of The Official Catholic Directory by the end of October through mid-November. Visit ocdedits.com/login to review and update your organization’s information. If you have not received this, contact Dorothy at [email protected] or (646) 794-2908.
Office Holidays The Catholic Center will be closed in commemoration of All Saints’ Day on Monday, November 1; Veteran’s Day on Thursday, November 11; and the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29. 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.
Archdiocesan Priest Retreats The next sessions for these essential retreats at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington will be held during the week of November 8 (led by Bishop Edmund Whalen) and November 29 (given by Bishop Gerardo Colacicco). To be sure you are registered, contact the office of the vicar for clergy at 646-794-2987.
Presbyteral Council Selections Now that the deaneries have been reorganized, it is time to think about choosing priests to fill vacancies on the presbyteral council. Terms are for three years. His Eminence has underscored the importance of this council in his administration. He expressed his hope that priests would make themselves available to serve on this senate and he urges the widest possible engagement in the selection process. He wants to be assured that the make-up of the council is truly representative. Your active participation is clearly desired. Deans are encouraged to discuss these vacancies with their constituencies.
The 49th Annual March for Life is scheduled for Friday, January 21, 2022 on the National Mall in Washington, DC between the Washington Monument and 12th Street. The pre-rally concert will begin at 11:00 followed by the rally at noon. The march begins immediately following the rally at approximately 1:00 and ends in front of the US Supreme Court. As he has done in the past, His Eminence will offer Mass at St. Patrick Church on Tenth Street at 10:30 am before the opening rally.
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. Today, we refer to it as 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. In view of the fact that we are still involved in the “culture of planning” throughout the archdiocese, be as accurate as you can with your report. The Mass attendance numbers will be reported for Sunday, October 17, 2021, the Twenty-Ninth Sunday of the Church Year, including the anticipated Masses on Saturday evening. For the sacramental and other data, report for the time period requested. 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 22, 2021. For assistance, contact Fred Scialabba at 646-794-3405 (office) or 347-387-2638 (mobile); or email [email protected].
Solemnity of All Saints In 2021, the Solemnity of All Saints falls on a Monday and is not a holy day of obligation. Even though it outranks a Sunday in the table of liturgical days, the Mass of precept (obligation) takes precedence in these cases. Thus, evening Masses on Sunday, October 31 should celebrate the Thirty-First Sunday of the Church Year. The Liturgy of the Hours, however, strictly follows the liturgical ranking of days in the table. And so, Evening Prayer I of All Saints should be celebrated on Sunday evening, October 31. It is, however, permissible to celebrate Evening Prayer II of the Sunday in communal celebrations of the faithful.
Commemoration of the Faithful Departed All Souls’ Day, celebrated on November 2nd of liturgical year, is one of a few days when Catholic priests are allowed to celebrate a maximum of three Masses during a single day: one, for the faithful departed; one for the priest’s intentions; and one for the intentions of the Holy Father. However, a celebrant may take a stipend for only one of the Masses. Furthermore, the timing of these Masses should respect the needs and working day of parishioners rather than celebrating the three Masses one right after the other.
All Souls’ Day Masses at our Cemeteries By tradition, we honor our beloved dead on November 2, with Masses celebrated at the allied cemeteries of the archdiocese: Gate of Heaven, Hawthorne, Westchester County; St. Mary, Rye Brook, Westchester County; Ascension, Airmont, Rockland County; (First) Calvary, Long Island City, Queens; Resurrection, Staten Island; and St. Ann, Kingston, Ulster County. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and small chapels at the cemeteries, we will not be offering Masses there on All Soul’s Day. Nonetheless, family and friends are encouraged to visit the cemeteries to remember and pray for those whose rest in these beautiful, sacred grounds.
Announcements Mailbox If your email address has recently changed, notify the data center at 646-794-3380 or email [email protected]. This will ensure that you receive important information from the chancery without interruption.
Executive Health Exams (EHE) In the interest of overall bodily wellness, we want to remind all priests to schedule their 2022 annual comprehensive physical through Executive Health Exams (EHE). The American Medical Association has frequently stated that a comprehensive physical performed annually is extremely important for ongoing wellness and for detecting/mitigating latent health conditions at an early stage. If you have not yet scheduled with EHE, you may contact their office directly at 212-332-3700, or 800-362-8671; or online at EHEIntl.com/Enrollment. EHE, at all its locations, continues to adhere to all CDC COVID-19 safety and hygienic protocols for both its employees and patients, including screening, testing and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). All EHE facilities also undergo a deep cleaning on a regular basis.
Reconciliation Monday Dates This year for Advent Reconciliation Monday, which will be held on December 20, 2021, it was suggested that it might be effective to offer a daytime option for confession. After consultation, all parishes will make the sacrament available from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the archdiocese and the Diocese of Brooklyn. Lenten Reconciliation Monday will be observed on April 11, 2022 from 3:00 to 9:00 PM in the archdiocese and the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. Promotional material will be available as we get closer to the date.
From the Development Office Renew + Rebuild rebates are disbursed on a quarterly basis and are calculated on cash received, not pledges. Since the archdiocesan fiscal year operates from September to August, the disbursement schedule reflects the fiscal year calendar. “September” rebates have been disbursed for money raised in the months of July and August; “December” rebates for money raised in September, October and November; “March” rebates for December 2021, January 2022 and February 2022; “June” rebates for March, April and May; and “September” rebates for the months of June, July and August 2022.
Just One More Thing A bored young man decided life would be more fun if he had a pet, so he bought himself a talking centipede. He decided he would take his new pet to church with him. So he asked the centipede in the box, “Would you like to go to church with me today? We will have a good time.” But there was no answer from his new pet. This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked again, “How about going to church with me and receive blessings?” Again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation. The guy decided to invite the centipede one last time. He put his face up against the centipede’s house and shouted, “Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church with me and learn about God?” This time, a little voice came out of the box, “I heard you the first time. I’m putting on my shoes.”