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Some Things to Know

Salus Infirmorum   Father Brian Brennan, Monsignor John Brinn, Father Edmund Burke, Father Patrick Curley, Monsignor Hugh Curran, Father John Fanning, Monsignor John Farley, Monsignor William Foley, Father Hugh Grace, Father Jack Hunter, Father John Kostek, Monsignor Edward McCorry, Monsignor John Meehan, Father Angelo J. (“AJ”) Micciulla, Father Joachim Olendzki, Father James O’Shaughnessy, Father Philip Quealy, Father John B. Sullivan, Monsignor Edward Weber.

National Collection Calendar for 2023 was published last month, sent to each pastor and parish secretary, and included in this mailing.  Both We Share and envelope companies have already been notified.  You may wish to give your parishioners another reminder of the importance of online donations to maintain their offertory and assist them on how to register for WeShare.  The Missionary Cooperative Appeal, at the direction of Cardinal Dolan, is obligatory and is to be arranged on a date selected by the parish.  Pastors will be notified directly by the office for the propagation of the faith in the new year.

Half Day Fridays at the Catholic Center   When contacting one of the departments for someone to help you with an important matter, we want you to be aware of the custom of closing early at 1:00 pm on the ten Fridays of the summer, from July 1 through September 2.  The general number at the Catholic Center is 212-371-1000; the phone at the vicar general’s office is 646-794-2900.  Today, Monday, June 20, the Catholic Center is closed in commemoration of Juneteenth Emancipation Day and the end of slavery in the United States.  On Monday, July 4, the Catholic Center will be closed in commemoration of Independence Day and on Monday, August 15 for the feast of the Assumption, a holy day of obligation.  You may always leave your message in the 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.

Committee on Divine Worship   The CDW of the USCCB publishes a newsletter on liturgical matters.  The April and May editions are included in this month’s combined mailing.

Mass Intentions and Stipends   At the May 5 meeting of the presbyteral council, the Dutchess/Putnam deanery asked to discuss an increase in the stipend set for announced and unannounced Mass offerings, currently specified by the chancery at $15 and $5, respectively.  The Mass offering (stipend) and a portion of the stole fee (from performance of sacramental functions) has always been part of the financial sustenance of the priest.  On June 5, after discussion at deanery meetings, and in the presence of the cardinal, eight of the 12 representatives reported in favor of increasing the Mass offering to $20 (announced) and $10 (unannounced).  A lively discussion followed.  In a voice vote, 14 representatives voted to leave the matter as it is.  Until a decision is made by the cardinal, it was requested that an accounting of the Mass offerings be reviewed for the benefit of the priests.  Thus,

  • The last increase occurred in December 2003 when the offering for an announced Mass was raised from $10 to $15; and that of the unannounced Mass remained at $5 (originally set in 1982).  This is the current practice today.
  • In both cases, it was understood that, in keeping with the tradition founded on the urging of charity, those who could not afford these amounts, or who could not make any offering, would not be denied the opportunity of having Mass offered for their intentions.
  • This reminder to the priests was requested:  although parishes may not ask for more than the archdiocesan standard, they may accept less, especially if it is a hardship for parishioners.
  • It was emphasized that it has never been up to an individual pastor to increase the Mass offerings which are set by the bishop of the diocese.
  • Whenever a priest celebrates more than one Mass on a particular day, he may retain for personal use only one stipend.  Any stipends which were accepted for the celebration of additional Masses must be disposed of in accord with archdiocesan policy (c. 951).  The custom in New York is for the support of our archdiocesan seminary.
  • In addition, every pastor is mandated to offer the Mass for the people of his parish on Sundays and holy days.  This Missa pro populo is the personal obligation of the pastor.  He may delegate it to a visiting priest or a parochial vicar; then, in justice, tender the current stipend of $15 to the priest satisfying the Mass.
  • There has always been a question of disparity, especially in poorer parishes where the availability of a daily Mass stipend is not assured.  Through the goodness of several of our pastors, Mass intentions from donors who are not able to be present are available from the office of the vicar general.
  • If it is anticipated that a priest will be in financial difficulty, he ought to make it known to the vicar general so that assistance may be offered.

Lay Trustee Nomination Form   Every year in June, we seek your help with the annual election of two lay trustees to serve your church.  We are hoping to receive these names from you by Friday, July 29.  It is six weeks away.  In case you misplaced it, one is included in this monthly mailing; or you may call Dorothy (646-794-2908) for another copy.  Help us as we try to be in compliance with the New York State Religious Corporation Law.  Once we receive your nomination, the original will be returned to you with the authorized signatures of His Eminence and the vicar general.  You may file it in the parish corporate minutes’ book.  A copy will be retained in the chancery files.

Increased Offertory Campaign   We express appreciation to our colleagues in the development office who have been assisting parishes with this wonderfully successful program for several years.  At the conclusion of the campaign, pastors have been reporting a substantial increase in their weekly collection, including an upsurge in online giving.  Additional revenue raised from this parish campaign has been beneficial in supporting educational and faith formation opportunities; addressing unpaid expenses; or reengaging the community in the vision of the parish.  We applaud all who took advantage of this opportunity to strengthen resources in their parishes and encourage others to do so.  The program is free of charge, with all costs, except postage, covered by the archdiocese.  Contact Justine Carroll, director of the cardinal’s annual stewardship appeal at [email protected].

Letters of Good Standing   This is required for any ministry outside the archdiocese. Incardinated priests and deacons will need to complete the request form by clicking on this link here and submitting the completed form to the office of priest personnel ([email protected]). Request the letter well before the event. While this may not always be possible with funerals, immediate responses are difficult, as there is an internal process to authorize and produce the letters.  Priests of religious institutes or from other dioceses working in New York must request the letter of good standing from their proper provincial or ordinary.  Similarly, extern priests should procure a letter of good standing from their proper ordinary.

Institutional Commodity Services   ICS has informed us that the Cavanagh Altar Breads Company will institute a price increase on July 1.  Take this opportunity to stock up before costs go up. ICS will make a significant bulk purchase before June 30 to take advantage of the current price and limit shipping costs.  Review your inventory now and place your order on the ICS website https://nyics.org/cavanagh-altar-bread-order-form-oct-21 by June 28. This will ensure that you receive a dated order confirmation and get billed at the lowest price.  Act now to help us take advantage of our collective buying power through ICS and secure this quality item at a favorable price.

Religious Freedom Week 2022Life and Dignity for All   The days from June 22 (the feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More) to June 29 (the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul), Catholic people across America are asked to participate in this great hymn of prayer for our country.  Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power: St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, Ss. Peter and Paul.  This special period of prayer and public action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty.  People of faith are committed to serving others in God’s love in healthcare, child welfare, migration and refugee resettlement, education and more.  To all our fellow Catholics, we urge an intensification of your prayers and fasting for a new birth of freedom in our beloved country.  Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/religious-freedom-week.

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.

Catholic Telephone Guide   For more than 80 years, Catholic Telephone Guide has served the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut tristate area as the only complete and up to date directory of churches, schools, hospitals and thousands of other Catholic organizations.  Most of the listings change from year to year.  Be sure to keep your information current and accurate by submitting your revisions by the required deadline in this month of June using the form and the self-addressed envelope that was sent to you earlier this year.

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.  The essentials of the program are still being prepared and will be sent in early September, but will likely include cycle A of the lectionary, contemporary moral issues and the Eucharistic Revival.

World Youth Day 2023 ~~ Sunday, July 30 thru Monday, August 7, 2023     Registration is due by Monday, August 15, 2022.  Join the archdiocese for this nine-day pilgrimage to Fatima and Lisbon, Portugal.  Meet Catholic young adults from around the world to pray together, learn together, and celebrate together.  Must be 18+ to attend. For more information and to register, click here. The tour brochure is also available for download at the same link. For questions, email [email protected].

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.  Enrollment deadline is July 1.

Sacred Sites Open House Weekend ~~ July 23 and 24   The theme is “Open Doors,” focusing on New York City sites to help better ensure visitor numbers for participating parishes.  Parishes in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island may wish to become part of the event this year.  St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Shrine on Fort Washington Avenue in Manhattan has registered to participate, and St. Mary Church on Grand Street on the Lower East side will be a featured tour site.  More information is available at nylandmarks.org/sacred-sites-open-house/.

June Solemnities in 2022   On Friday, June 24, the solemnities of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Friday after Corpus Christi Sunday) and the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (June 24) fall on the same date.  It has been determined that Sacred Heart will be observed on Friday, June 24, and the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist will be transferred to the preceding Thursday, June 23. However, in places where Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of a nation, diocese, city, or religious community, the order of the two celebrations is to be reversed, keeping the Nativity on June 24 and transferring Sacred Heart to June 23 instead. Since this exception does not apply to parish churches, those communities in the archdiocese whose church’s titular saint is John the Baptist (in Manhattan, Rockland and Yonkers) will celebrate their patronal solemnity on Thursday, June 23 for this year only.

Monthly Combined Mailing   You may have noticed the recent changes in categories of information in the monthly combined mailing.  We hope it makes it easier for you to review and pass information along to your staff.  In a few months, a group of priests will be convened to provide the marketing department with suggestions.  If you would like to assist in this, contact Dorothy at [email protected].

Reimbursement Grant Webinar for FEMA COVID-19 Expenses   The deadline for incurring COVID-related costs that are reimbursable from FEMA is June 30, 2022.  The insurance office will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, June 23 from 12:30 to 1:30 to provide pastors with all necessary information needed to secure this reimbursement.  The presenters will be providing an update on topics related to the program including the eligibility timeline for incurred expenses, the application and expense submission process, and reimbursement timeline.  All parishes and schools are encouraged to participate.

https://zoom.us/j/97357418393?pwd=d1Flb2FIcFh6SXZkSEU1RnpKRFJoUT09

Meeting ID 973 5741 8393                Passcode ARqD3N

Message of Pope Francis for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is included in this monthly mailing.

Just One More Thing   It was the end of the school year, and a kindergarten teacher, Sister Mary Ovaltine was receiving gifts from her pupils.  The florist’s son handed her a gift. She shook it, held it overhead, and said, “I bet I know what it is – some flowers.”  “That’s right” the boy said, “but how did you know?”  “Oh, just a wild guess,” she said.

The next pupil was the candy shop owner’s daughter.  Sister held her gift overhead, shook it, and said, “I bet I know what it is – a box of sweets.”  “That’s right, but how did you know?” asked the girl.  “Oh, just a lucky guess,” Sister said.

The next gift was from the son of the liquor store owner.  Sister held the package overhead, but it was leaking. She touched a drop of the leakage with her finger and placed it on her tongue.  “Is it wine?” she asked.  “No,” the boy replied, with some excitement.  Sister Ovaltine repeated the process, taking a larger drop of the leakage to her tongue.  “Is it champagne?” she asked.  “No,” the boy replied, with more excitement.  Sister took one more taste before declaring, “I give up, what is it?”  With great glee, the boy replied, “It’s a puppy!”

[In memory of Father Peter M. Colapietro, 1948-2018]

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