Message from the
Archdiocese of New York
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September 18, 2020
Dear Family of the Archdiocese of New York,
This Sunday, September 20, we celebrate Catechetical Sunday. In many parishes, this is the day that we recognize those who serve in the official role of catechist to children, youth, and adults. In the archdiocese, we have approximately 8,000 individuals who have said yes to call to help young people encounter Christ and grow in their Catholic faith through religious education and parish youth ministry. There are many more who teach in our Catholic schools, lead adult faith formation programs and preparation for marriage and baptism, and prepare adults for the Rite of Christian Initiation. We are grateful for their service and commitment to the people of God.
On this Catechetical Sunday, I also want you to know that we have been thinking about you and your family during this pandemic, and especially your children and grandchildren. Our archdiocesan staff has been working hard with your parishes to find safe and creative ways to provide opportunities for religious education and youth ministry this fall. We have instituted safety protocols for parishes who choose to offer on-site formation and for those who will be doing remote formation, there are innovative and engaging programs for the whole family. Now, more than ever, it is vital to help young people the power of God at work in their lives and the role that their Catholic faith plays in living a life of meaning, service, and grace.
All of us, whether we have children or not, have a role in forming young people in the faith. We can pray for them—praying for good friends and good choices, for seeing Jesus in their everyday lives, and for hope and comfort in their distress. We can be role-models—witnessing to our faith through our worlds and actions. Those who are parents or guardians, you can take that extra step to ensure your young person receives the foundation in faith they greatly need. Please, if you have not done so, reach out to your parish and ask how your children and youth can engage in religious education and youth ministry this fall.
With gratitude and prayerful best wishes, I am,
Faithfully in Christ,
Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York -
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July 9, 2020
Feast of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
Dear Family of the Archdiocese of New York,
While it is always difficult to be the bearer of bad news, you have told us, time and again, that you would like to hear such news directly from us. That is why I write to share the sad news that 20 of our beloved Catholic schools will not be reopening this September due to a substantial decline in enrollment in many of our schools brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. A more positive development will see three of our schools up in Orange County merge into one, stronger, more robust school community. (You can find a press release here.)
Like so many families, businesses, and institutions around the world, the schools which will not be reopening are victims of the fall-out of the coronavirus. Despite $40 million in annual subsidy the archdiocese provides to our Catholic schools, our generous scholarship programs, and tuition kept as low as possible, many families, having already experienced their own loss of income, felt unable to plan ahead and re-register their students for the 2020-2021 school year. Add to that months of unopened churches and the resulting loss of parish funds which traditionally help support the schools, and it became clear that these schools, despite heroic efforts to save them, would not be able to reopen this September.
Closing a school is something we never want to do. We all love these kids, and the moms and dads who work so hard to send them to our schools. Our educators, including your local principal and teachers, devote their lives to educating your children. That is why I am very grateful to our pastors and principals who are all on board in finding schools nearby where the affected families may continue their Catholic education. We are all committed to carrying on the 200-year legacy of Catholic education in New York.
This news will be particularly difficult for those families who had to change schools last year and were just settling in at their new schools. To all of you, especially, we understand the pain this causes, and we will work tirelessly to help you find your next school.
Some will understandably say that this announcement came late, considering school has been out for a couple weeks. While there’s never a good moment for news like this, we do regret the need for the unconventional timing. We could not have anticipated the effects of the coronavirus, and when it became apparent that some schools were in trouble, our team, led by Michael Deegan, Superintendent of Schools, and Susan George, Director of the Inner City Scholarship Fund, worked non-stop attempting to increase enrollment and get some of these wonderful schools off the list so they could reopen in the fall. I am pleased to say that, through their efforts, a number of schools originally thought to be in trouble will be able to remain open this September.
But, Catholic schools will always be “the little guy.” Our schools will never enjoy the fiscal muscle enjoyed by government schools, which are provided billions of tax dollars.
I am very concerned that if our elected officials in Washington don’t do the right thing and provide more assistance for our schools in the HEROES Act now making its way through Congress, we may be back here again in a few months shuttering even more of our schools. I hope you will join me in letting our elected officials know we are watching. I promise you, when these same politicians call me asking for answers about why these schools are not reopening, I’ll be ready with my own inquiry as to their support – or lack thereof – for this important legislation.
Please know that none of the schools that are closing were “failing” schools. Each provided an exceptional academic experience and we owe it to the proud 200-year heritage of Catholic education to carry on. The world needs its next generation of leaders, neighbors and friends. It needs us to turn out adults who learn as children how to live their lives according to the greatest teacher of them all, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and please keep all of our school children, parents, teachers, and school administrators in your prayers.
Faithfully in Christ,
Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York -
June 12, 2020
Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Dear Family of the Archdiocese of New York:
Because the news headlines of the past few months have seemed to be unrelentingly disturbing and depressing, I am eager to share some good news. Daily Mass began earlier this week in the parishes of the archdiocese in Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster, Orange, Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam counties, and Sunday Mass will begin in those same counties this Sunday, June 14, providentially the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi! In addition, funerals, weddings, and baptisms can also be held once again. (The solemn obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues to be temporarily suspended.) Of course, we must follow the advice of health professionals and limit attendance to no more than 25% of a church’s capacity, keep social distance, wear masks, and observe all of the health and safety requirements that have become such a part of our daily routines.
Understandably, parishes in Staten Island, The Bronx, and Manhattan must wait a few more weeks until New York City enters Phase 2 of the New York State’s re-opening process. However, churches in those boroughs remain open for visitation, prayer, and the sacrament of confession, and we look forward to the resumption of Mass in these parishes soon.
Your patience and understanding throughout this difficult period have been admirable. I have been moved by the many letters, phone calls, and emails sent to me, expressing your longing to be able to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist, telling me of your admiration for your parish priest, or offering your support for your parish and the archdiocese as we deal with the financial implications of the coronavirus shutdown. Even though our churches were temporarily closed for public Mass, our priests and parishes found new and innovative ways to reach out to the people, including regular contact with parishioners, graveside services, and on-line Mass. T he Mass from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has reached tens of thousands of people each week!
I have also been moved by the heroic work done by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese and ArchCare, our healthcare ministry, in responding to the growing and changing needs of the people throughout these months. I t is not an exaggeration to say that they are on the frontlines, finding new and creative ways to help alleviate the pain and suffering of so many people, and making real the words of Jesus, “whatever you do for your brother and sister, you do for Me.”
So, too, our Catholic schools have continued to provide a quality education to our students. Our teachers, administrators, and support staff from the Superintendent of Schools office all worked together to quickly transition to at-home learning.
When I wrote to you in March, I shared with you that ordinary parish income was down by 50%. Many of you responded generously, including signing up for electronic giving through WeShare (check your parish website for details), and in April and May our parishes received close to 70% of their regular income – thank you! What an inspirational display of stewardship! You have made a difference. Without your support, our situation would be even more dire than it is.
However, to be transparent, we, like many of you, are still facing towering financial challenges. Allow me to share some with you:
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the archdiocese had to support many of our parishes, schools, and other institutions that were unable to make it on their own. For instance, the archdiocese shares $10 million per year with struggling parishes, while our schools receive $40 million in annual subsidies in order to keep their doors open. In addition, many of the parents of our school students were unable to make tuition payments since February, due to loss of income because of layoffs, unemployment, or a drop in wages. Many of our generous supporters, like the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, and the Alfred E. Smith Foundation, stepped forward to help bridge the gap for the remainder of the school year. But, many of our schools have very few students registered for this September, as struggling families are unable to afford tuition, even with our scholarships, and we may be looking at a significant number of school closures, something we work very hard to avoid.
The Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal, which helps fund many of the basic ministries of the archdiocese, is also down about $4 million this year, even as the needs of the people we serve are on the rise.
All of this comes as the archdiocese continues to prepare to respond to the many lawsuits – at last count, close to 400 have been filed – that are part of the Child Victims Act, which, as you know, eliminated the statute of limitations for one year and allowed civil lawsuits for the sexual abuse of minors; that “look-back” window, which was due to expire in August, has now been extended through January, and may be further extended until August 2021. I have promised you I will keep you posted. Just know that we have before us more bad news of past scandal, and towering costs. I renew to you this commitment: none of the donations we receive for specific ministries of the archdiocese will be used to pay for the cost of these lawsuits.
I share all of this information, not to criticize or appeal for sympathy, but because you deserve to know the truth, especially if we, as an archdiocese, need to make some difficult decisions in the months ahead.
May I switch gears for just a moment?
These past two weeks, all across the country, we have seen protests, marches, and demonstrations in the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd. The rallying cry of “Black Lives Matter” has echoed throughout the land, as indeed it should. Yes, of course, all lives matter – is there a more basic truth of our faith that we are all made in the image and likeness of God? – but the reality is that the sin and evil of racism continues to haunt our society, and, sadly, it too often appears that, for some, Black lives don’t matter, or don’t matter enough. I have made many friends in the NYPD and in other law enforcement agencies throughout the archdiocese. I know that the vast, overwhelming majority of our law enforcement officers are good and decent people, and that we shouldn’t let the horrific acts of a few tarnish all. The same could be said of the demonstrators, who were overwhelmingly peaceful and well intentioned, and should not be associated with those who were bent on looting and destruction.
As we seek to confront the sin in our own lives – whatever that sin might be – we need conversion of heart, and the grace and mercy of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our Reconciliation Monday this past Lent was canceled due to the virus. Therefore, as we begin to return to Mass, we will celebrate Reconciliation Friday this June 19, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Confessions will be heard in all parishes of the archdiocese from 10 a.m. – Noon, and from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. I am happy that our neighbors in the Diocese of Rockville Centre will be joining us in offering the sacrament at this time, so wherever you are, you can stop in and find a priest ready and eager to hear your confession.
I hope you will forgive the length of this letter – I had not intended to write an encyclical! But know of my gratitude for all you do for the Church in New York.
With prayerful best wishes for you and your loved ones, I am,
Faithfully in Christ,
Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York -
Faith Forward - Parish Reopening Letter
Please click links above to take you to the Archdioces site for more details and Executive Summary and Guidelines for Sacramental Celebration documents.
May 21, 2020
Ascension Thursday
Dear Member of the Family of the Archdiocese,
It is undeniable that one of the most difficult aspects of the ongoing crisis caused by Covid-19 continues to be the temporary suspension of public Masses and sacraments. Although there are livestreamed Masses available through the parishes of the archdiocese, we all eagerly await the return of in-person practice of our faith.
For the past number of weeks, several priests of the Archdiocese of New York, members of the curia and I have been discussing with each other and consulting with medical experts on the best way to reopen our churches. Today, we held a press conference to introduce these guidelines for a safe and gradual reopening of our churches.
I’d like to share that video with you, here:
(please note video may not connect - please click on link above)
In addition, here are the documents detailing our safety procedures, so that you can familiarize yourself with the precautions that will allow us to work with state and local officials to bring the Mass and sacraments back to the Catholic community in a responsible and expeditious manner.
Thank you for your patience and your faith as we work together to reopen our churches.
Faithfully in Christ,
Reverend Monsignor Joseph P. LaMorte, VG
Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
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Message from the Vicar General: An Update on Cemetery Visitations for Mother's Day
Dear Member of the Family of the Archdiocese,
These past weeks have been difficult for us all as we deal with the changes and disruptions caused by the coronavirus, including the temporary suspension of public Masses and sacraments. We are grateful for your patience and understanding.
One of the greatest challenges people have endured is not being able to visit the graves of their parents, siblings, children, or dear friends. Our archdiocesan cemeteries have done heroic work in keeping up with the huge demand to supply prayerful and dignified burials during this time of crisis, and have allowed graveside services for small groups of mourners. Still, we have heard from many of you who desire to come and pay their respects to their beloved dead.
Because that desire is only heightened on a day like Mother’s Day, we have decided to open the five archdiocesan cemeteries for visitation this Sunday, May 10, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Take a moment to review and follow the enclosed guidelines that are designed to ensure the safety of all. Know that parish cemeteries will make their own determination whether or not to open, and under what conditions they may do so.
We will continue to work with medical professionals, elected and civic leaders, our priests, and other experts in helping us to determine when and how we can gradually return to public celebrations of our faith. You can be assured that the priests of the archdiocese are as eager as you for a resumption of public Mass and the sacraments.
With prayerful best wishes for a blessed Mother’s Day, and,Faithfully in Christ,
The cemeteries entrusted to the Trustees of St. Patrick’s Cathedral have regrettably but necessarily been closed to visitors in order to protect the health and safety of our staff, visitors, and people associated with the increased number of burials we have been privileged to perform in response to the pandemic. Still, we have received a great deal of understandable encouragement to open the cemeteries, particularly for visits this Mother’s Day.
Therefore, the five cemeteries operated by the Trustees of St. Patrick’s Cathedral – Calvary in Woodside, Resurrection on Staten Island, Gate of Heaven in Hawthorne, Ascension in Airmont, and Saint Mary’s in Rye Brook – will be open on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 10, for visits. (Note: Parish cemeteries will make their own determinations about whether or not to open, and how to do so.)
Because of ongoing health and safety concerns relating to the pandemic, these rules will be in effect:- Visiting hours on May 10 will be from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- Family and friends are asked to limit their visits to 15 minutes. Staff at the cemetery entrances may restrict the number of cars allowed in the cemetery at any given time.
- Visitors must wear masks and maintain social distance.
- Water faucets are turned off and bathrooms are not available.
- The chapels are not open at this time.
- For graves: please place fresh flowers, potted plants, palms, or artificial flowers. No planting, balloons, food, or memorabilia, please!
- For mausoleum: please place artificial flowers only. No flowers, plants, palms, balloons, food, or memorabilia, please! Enter through the main doors and exit at the end of the corridors.
- Jogging, biking, and dog-walking are prohibited for the safety of visitors and to retain the sacred atmosphere of our cemeteries.
- Regrettably, we cannot respond to comments and requests for specific maintenance services at this time.
- The cemeteries will close to visitors at 3:00 pm on May 10.
- Please check our websites for information on when we can again welcome visitors.
- Thank you for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.
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Message from Pope Francis to Cardinal DolanApril 14, 2020
POPE FRANCIS CALLS CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN TO EXPRESS LOVE AND CONCERN FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK(New York, NY) Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, released the following statement today, Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
“Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, called me this afternoon at about 2:00 p.m. to express his love, concern, and closeness to all the people of New York, especially those who are sick, during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Pope, who was calling from his residence in the Doma Santa Marta, said that New Yorkers were in his prayers in a special way at this time. He asked me to relay his prayerful best wishes to the sick, the doctors, nurses, EMT’s, medical professionals, and caregivers who are
tending to them, our civic leaders, as well as our priests, religious, and lay people. He mentioned in a special way Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and the people of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens, and I happily shared the Holy Father’s words with Bishop DiMarzio immediately thereafter.
I thanked the Pope for the leadership he has displayed during this global pandemic, and assured him of the love and prayers of the people of New York for him and his ministry.”
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UPDATE - 04.03.20
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April 3, 2020
First Friday
Season of Lent
Dear Family of the Archdiocese of New York,
Things have been developing and changing rapidly during this coronavirus outbreak. Might I catch up with you on a few things?
1. Each year, during Lent and especially Holy Week, we are invited to join with Jesus as He journeys from Palm Sunday through His passion and death, all leading, ultimately, to the Glory of the Resurrection on Easter. This year, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we can feel a particular closeness with Our Lord and the people He encounters on the way to Calvary, like Veronica, Simon the Cyrene, and His own Blessed Mother. That’s the theme of my Catholic New York column for next week. Because many of you may not have access to your regular copy of CNY, you can find the column here.
2. A good number of people have called or emailed to express their disappointment that we are unable to have funeral Masses for their loved ones at this time. They understand the reason, they tell me, but feel a special sense of emptiness, beyond the pain of losing a parent, spouse, or sibling. Believe me, I feel the same way. Earlier this week, I had the first graveside service for an archdiocesan priest who died from coronavirus (two more have since died) for whom we could not offer the Mass of Christian Burial. In case you didn’t see it, I recorded a little video which you can find here.
3. WPIX-TV has very generously agreed to broadcast Mass from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral for both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Remember, daily and Sunday Mass is always available via livestream on their website here, and broadcast on the Catholic Faith Network, and on The Catholic Channel of Sirius XM Satellite Radio. All of our Holy Week liturgies will be celebrated in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and available on those platforms as well. Please note, for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, the Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m.
4. One question that has come up repeatedly among many of the priests and Monsignor Joseph LaMorte, our Vicar General, is how to handle the distribution of palm this Sunday. We had hoped to find a way to distribute the palm, and many good suggestions were offered, but, ultimately, our medical experts told us the threat of possibly spreading the virus seemed too great. Therefore, we have asked the pastors to bless, then store, the palm until such time as we are able to once again open our churches. In the meanwhile, we have developed the attached image, should you wish to print or download it, that might serve as “virtual palm” until we can share the real thing.5. Thank you to all of you who are continuing to support your parish during this crisis period. Over the past week, we’ve seen a growing number of people register for their parish’s WeShare electronic giving service. Our hope is simple: that people will continue to support their parish at the same level as they always do. This will help the parishes continue to serve their people as they always have. Over the past few weeks, parish offertory collections have been off by more than 50%. Your help is desperately needed. And please don’t forget the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal!
6. Our archdiocesan health care ministry, ArchCare, continues to do heroic work caring for our beloved seniors. As a reminder, if you have questions or other health-related concerns, call their hotline at 877-239-1998. If you are experiencing other challenges, our Catholic Charities stands ready to lend assistance wherever possible. Do not hesitate to call them at 888-744-7900.
7. May I ask again that you pray this Holy Week in a special way for those who are sick from the coronavirus, their families, the doctors, nurse, healthcare professionals, EMT’s, and caregivers who are tending to them, and for all those who have suffered financially from a loss of work during this economic shutdown. Be assured of a special remembrance for you and your loved ones in my own Masses and prayers.
With prayerful best wishes for a blessed Holy Week, and a joyful Easter to come, I am,
Faithfully in Christ,Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York
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Letter from Cardinal DolanMarch 24, 2020
Season of Lent
Month of Saint Joseph
Dear Family of the Archdiocese of New York:
The coronavirus has attacked not only our city, state, nation, and world, but also our daily lives as we experience social isolation and quarantine. We pray with and for one another.
Like all families and households, the Archdiocese of New York has been adapting to these new protocols to ensure we can continue to practice the faith with our archdiocesan family. While public Masses at our churches have been cancelled during this crisis, our priests continue to celebrate Mass every day. Even though they are celebrated without any congregation present, many pastors have begun to livestream their Masses on Facebook and YouTube, and I understand more are planning to do so in the days ahead, and our churches are open for individuals to pray. You can also participate in the celebration of the Eucharist at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral which is available on many cable systems via the Catholic Faith Network and its website here, livestreamed on the St. Patrick’s Cathedral website here, and broadcast on radio on The Catholic Channel of Sirius XM (Channel 129). I was not surprised to learn during a recent video conference call with all the priests, that they are making every effort to provide pastoral care to their people, although under very controlled conditions.
Our daily lives have been altered in so many ways by the impact of this virus. Illness, job loss, school closings, movies, Broadway, restaurants, sports all shuttered – the list goes on! For us Catholics, not being able to attend Mass at our parish church is a real loss, particularly during this holy season of Lent. All of this leads to a sense of fear and uncertainty.
Although some of the visible work of the Church – like public worship and the sacraments – seems to have been “put on hold” during this crisis, the work of the Church in prayer, charity, and health care remains active and vibrant! Even more, the invisible work at the heart of the Church’s mission continues. God’s mercy and grace are just as abundant as ever, and our prayers and supplications are always heard!
As Jesus told us, “Fear is useless. What is needed is trust.” Trust in the God who created us, who loves us completely, and invites us to trust in Him!
Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our people, soul, mind, and body. Please know that the archdiocese’s healthcare agency, ArchCare has established a 24-hour hotline to assist with any aspect of the coronavirus. If you have questions or other health-related concerns, call their hotline at 877-239-1998. If you are experiencing other challenges, our Catholic Charities stands ready to lend assistance wherever possible. Do not hesitate to call them at 888-744-7900.
From an early stage, the archdiocese established a working group to monitor the outbreak of the virus and review the preparedness procedures for our parishes, schools, cemeteries, offices, and many other apostolates and institutions. This team has performed excellently through these unprecedented times. We have adhered to all directives implemented by civil authorities and reputable health organizations. The safety of our people is of the utmost importance to us and we will continue to take necessary measures to protect our community.
Just like you and your family, the parishes of the archdiocese are suffering from this crisis as well. Now, perhaps more than at any time in recent history, your parish and the archdiocese need your help. It can’t survive without you.
Now that our public Masses have been cancelled for an undetermined period of time, I am appealing to you to support your parish by continuing to share your gift of Sunday offertory. These funds are critical for the continued operation of your parish at this unprecedented moment in time. Your parish does so much more than offer Sunday Mass. It is there in the happiest moments in your life – wedding, baptisms, first communions – and is a source of comfort during some of the most challenging, during times of sorrow like the death of a loved one. There are prayer groups, food pantries, social activities, schools, and on-going religious education. All of this depends on you! Please continue, at a minimum, with your current level of support. One easy way to do so is through your parish’s online giving provider; a majority of our parishes use WeShare. Your parish’s online giving account can be accessed through the parish’s website. I know your pastors will be most appreciative and relieved to know that they can depend on receiving your continued offertory support each Sunday. I am not being alarmist when I say that without your support, your parish may be seriously undermined.
At the same time, I call upon our heroic scholarship donors who always come to the rescue of our wonderful schools. Our education and development teams will be reaching out to you to seek your assistance in funding needy families at this time.
Our finance people have been very honest with me, expressing their grave concerns about our ability to cover our overhead during this crisis at this time. While I certainly do not want to even consider layoffs, it may be necessary to implement an archdiocesan wide salary furlough of up to 25% for all employees, with the prayer and hope for an early return to normality. We need your loyalty to the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal and Renew and Rebuild more than ever!
Thank you for reading this somber letter, and know that I regret having to bring more uncertainty and worry during this already unsettled time. But you have told me that you appreciate honesty and transparency.
Yet, our most appropriate response is faith and confidence, along with charity to others.
With renewed gratitude for all that you do for our Catholic family, and prayerful best wishes for a blessed Lent, I am,
Faithfully in Christ,
Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York
