7 to be ordained to the Order of Deacon for Archdiocese of New York

2 signing Oath of Fidelity.jpgTonight 7 men made the Profession of Faith and the
Oath of Fidelity
 (which I encourage you too read) at Vespers. These 7 men will be ordained to the Order of
Deacon tomorrow here in the Saint Joseph Seminary Chapel by Bishop Dennis
Joseph Sullivan, VG, auxiliary bishop of New York: James H. Ferreira, George
LaGrutta, Steven R. Markantonis, Fredy P. Montoya, Thomas Roslak, Enrique J. Salvo,
Daniel P. Tuit
e.


Please keep these men in your prayers and sacrifices tomorrow
and in year ahead as they prepare for ordination as priest on 15 May 2010 for service in the Archdiocese of New York by Archbishop Timothy P. Dolan, PhD.

Our Lady of Dunwoodie, cause of our joy, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Saints John Vianney, Pio of Pietrelcina, John Eudes, pray for us.

New vocation video: Ordination 2009

NY Ordination 2009.jpg… the character of the Good Shepherd is branded on your hearts.. at ordination. 

A powerful video of the 2009 priesthood ordination rites in the Archdiocese of New York is link here.

The video is bone-chillingly beautiful.
The video was produced by Grassroots Films.
Contact Father Luke Sweeney, the NY vocation director, fr. luke.sweeney @archny.org.

New Haven native priest moonlights as clothing designer

Fr Andrew O'Connor.jpgInteresting people come from the Elm City! The New Haven native who’s also a Catholic priest, Father Andrew O’Connor, of the Archdiocese of New York, designs clothes, provides jobs in two countries and continues to preach the Gospel.

Mary O’Leary’s New Haven Register article on Father O’Connor altar-ations can be read here.
Nice to see Mary Alice & Charles’ son in the media!

Remembered in Rome by Archbishop Dolan

alg_dolan-mta.jpgArchbishop Timothy Dolan is serious: he’s praying for ALL the people of the Archdiocese of New York (and others) when he’s in the Eternal City next week to receive the pallium from the Pope. He’s the link between us and our Roman sainted forefathers and mothers; likewise, he’s the link between the archdiocese and the Holy Father. Spiritual closeness is a cool thing in the Catholic Church.

Thank God for his remembrance of us at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul especially! I, for one, need his prayers.

Old Saint Patrick’s Cathedral to become a basilica?

Old St Pat charcoal.jpgAccording a news article in today’s Daily News, Archbishop Dolan is petitioning the Holy See  to name Old Saint Patrick’s Cathedral a minor basilica (the Wiki article as some other useful info). There are 2 basilicas in the Brooklyn Diocese but none in the Archdiocese. While it is largely an honorary distinction, it is seen as important and therefore prestigious. The old cathedral is quite a place as it continues to serve the spiritual needs of God’s people. For example, Holy Mass is celebrated in English, Spanish and Chinese each week.

Yesterday, June 7, 2009, Archbishop Dolan inaugurated the 200th anniversary of the cathedral.
There are three distinctions for basilicas: there are four major basilica, directly connected with the Pope, and therefore are called “papal” (St Peter’s, St Paul outside the Walls, St John Lateran and St Mary Major); there are eight pontifical minor basilicas (all in Italy); and the rest of the world’s basilicas are “minor” basilicas but no less distinguished because they too are connected with the Holy Father but they don’t have “papal altars and thrones.” 

tintinabulum.jpg

In the USA there are 60+ minor basilicas. If the Holy See makes Old Saint Patrick’s a basilica it would take precedence over the other NY churches except for the Cathedral, have the use of the tintinabulum (a bell on a pole which would signal the arrival of the pope) and an umbrella (carried over the

Ombrellino.jpg

 pope for protection) and carried by the laity behind the processional cross; the rector would be able to wear a grey mozzetta. The list of basilicas can be read here.
A helpful, but dated article but there’s some reliable info for us in the United States.

Fordham favors secular respectability instead of the Gospel

Yet another example of Catholic higher ed making foolish distinctions in order to justify their morally wrong actions and doing an end-run around the face of Christ and His Church. It is not merely as one headline reads: contempt for the bishops BUT contempt for Christ!

Fordham honors pro-choice secular leaders. Read for your self here and here.

Is Fordham really Catholic AND Jesuit? What is Archbishop Dolan going to do about this matter? Will the Jesuits sit back and capitulate to secular mediocrity?

It wasn’t too long ago that Fordham Law honored an abortion-approving Supreme Court Justice.

Edward Michael Cardinal Egan, JCD: We are grateful

Edward M. Egan.jpgThe Church in New York, and for that matter the Church in Bridgeport and the Church Universal, owes a debt of gratitude to Cardinal Edward Egan for his service as a priest, bishop and cardinal.

When he took over the leadership of New York’s Church it was a time of great turmoil. I think he’s done the best he could given time and talent and grace –and for that I am grateful.

May the Lord abundantly bestow many rich blessings upon Cardinal Egan as he moves into another chapter of his life. May he continue to live in the holiness of Truth.

Prayers for Archbishop Timothy Michael Dolan

Archbishop TM Dolan.jpgAs the Church in New York accepts Archbishop Timothy Michael Dolan as the their archbishop we gather our prayers together for him as well. The rites of installation have begun and we join in the faith, hope and charity of Christians.

Dolan is the new pastor of 2.5 million people!

May the Blessed Virgin and the Saints petition Almighty God for the graces needed for Archbishop Dolan to govern, sanctify and teach the faithful of the Archdiocese of New York.

To Whom Shall We Go? Remain close to the Lord, He has the words of everlasting life!