Papal Honors Presented To Visit Office Team

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Three members of the archdiocese’s Central Papal Visit Office received papal honors for their work in planning and executing the visit of Pope Francis to the Archdiocese of New York this past September.

Alfred Kelly, chairman of the archdiocese’s papal visit team, and his wife, Margaret, were designated as Knight and Dame of the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory the Great.

Also honored were Mary Musca, who served as executive director of the papal visit, and Ann O’Keefe-Bave, director of operations. They were recognized with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Church and Pope) medal.

Cardinal Dolan presented the honors at a luncheon in Dillon Hall in the New York Catholic Center in Manhattan May 31.

The cardinal, in his remarks, said the archdiocese was still basking in “the glitter and glow” of the pope’s visit to New York, which took place on Sept. 24-25, 2015. The visit to New York occurred during the pontiff’s pastoral visit to Cuba and the United States.

“It remains a source of wonderful grace and blessing for the archdiocese,” the cardinal told luncheon guests who included auxiliary bishops and clergy, directors and other representatives of archdiocesan departments, and family and friends of the honorees.

The cardinal also announced that Ms. Bave was joining the staff of his office beginning that day.

Among those present was Msgr. Donald Dwyer, pastor of Resurrection in Rye, the home parish of the Kellys. Four of their five children were also in attendance.

“It was a highlight of my life and a distinct honor to be able to do this,” Kelly said of his role as visit chairman.