Catholic New York

As water falls, guests visit the 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan in early September, days before the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

2021 - The Year in Review

ACROSS THE ARCHDIOCESE January Church bells from Staten Island to Saugerties—and beyond—pealed at noon Dec. 30 to remember and honor the more than 341,000 people who died in … more

12/28/21

The First-Graders’ Noel

Nearly 3,000 innocent people were massacred on September 11, 2001. Here in Manhattan I witnessed the murder of 2,753 people inside the Twin Towers along with injuries to thousands of others in the … more

By FATHER BOB PAGLIARI, C.Ss.R., Ph.D. | 12/1/21

Save-the-Date Thanksgiving

Pamela J. and Patrick S. met when they were undergraduate sophomores enrolled in an honors course at a Catholic college. They were a bright, healthy, attractive pair who reminded the world that … more

By FATHER BOB PAGLIARI, C.Ss.R., Ph.D. | 11/1/21

Honored guests line up in the receiving line for the 76th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner Oct. 21 at the Javits Center in Manhattan. From left, Frank Bennack, Jr., Cardinal Dolan, Condoleezza Rice and journalist Maria Bartiromo, mistress of ceremonies.

Al Smith Dinner, Back in Person, Marks Milestone in Style

Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State, said the celebration of the 76th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner was “a testament to the resilience of Americans, particularly New Yorkers, in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.” more

By CHRISTIE L. CHICOINE | 10/29/21

Who’s Trick-or-Treating Whom

Some people are mystified by the way secular words have come into our language as contractions for, corruptions of or calculated contradictions to religious phrases and sacred concepts. One … more

By FATHER BOB PAGLIARI, C.Ss.R., Ph.D. | 9/28/21

‘PROPHET OF HOPE’—An oil on panel entitled “Allegorical Portrait of Dante, late 16th century” is seen in this undated photo. Dante’s "Divine Comedy" is perhaps the most powerful depiction of the transcendent in Western literature.

Dante in Exile

Dante Alighieri died 700 years ago, on Sept. 14, 1321, just one year after completing the Divine Comedy. The years leading up to his death were tumultuous, marked by a long exile from his home city … more

By GARAN SANTICOLA | 9/8/21

Finding and Losing God on 9/11

Accounts abound of how individuals found faith in God on September 11, 2001. But some people, including some young people, lost their faith that day. Before his final interview for a lucrative … more

By FATHER BOB PAGLIARI, C.Ss.R., Ph.D. | 9/1/21

Four Priests Named Pastors, One to Serve as Seminary Professor

Four priests have been appointed as pastors, and another has been named a professor of canon law at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, the Cardinal’s Office announced. The appointments became … more

8/25/21

Sept. 9 Cathedral Mass to Remember Persecuted Christians in Africa

Cardinal Dolan will offer Mass to raise awareness for the persecuted Christians in Africa at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Thursday, Sept. 9, at 5:30 p.m. The Mass is being celebrated on the Feast of … more

By DAN PIETRAFESA | 8/25/21

SISTERS CELEBRATE—Cardinal Dolan poses with the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate following Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption Aug. 15 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Parish Visitors were marking the congregation’s centennial anniversary, which actually took place last year. In the photo, Cardinal Dolan talks with Mother Maria Catherine Iannotti, P.V.M.I., the general superior. At right was Father Kilian McCaffrey, a priest from Arizona who was visiting the sisters.

Centennial Mass at Cathedral Was ‘Gift From God’ for Parish Visitors

Cardinal Dolan celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption and to recognize the centennial celebration of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Aug. 15. “It … more

By DAN PIETRAFESA | 8/25/21

ORDINATION DAY—Three Salesians were ordained June 26 at St. John Bosco in Port Chester. Deacon Ky Nguyen, S.D.B., far left, was ordained to the transitional diaconate, and Father Leonard Carlino Jr., S.D.B., second from left, and Father Steve DeMaio, S.D.B., third from right, were ordained priests. Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen, third from left, vicar for clergy in the archdiocese, was the ordaining prelate. Assisting were Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, fourth from left, Deacon Craig Spence, second from right, and Father Tim Zak, S.D.B., provincial, far right.

Salesians Ordained to Priesthood, Diaconate

Two Salesians of Don Bosco were ordained to the priesthood and one to the transitional diaconate June 26 at St. John Bosco Church in Port Chester. They were Fathers Leonard Carlino, S.D.B., and … more

8/18/21

Plan Set for Reopening Schools in September

As New York state plans for the upcoming academic year, Catholic schools in the archdiocese are preparing for schools to be fully open and in-person for the fall with no remote or hybrid learning. more

8/12/21

Is It OK to Not Be OK?

The quote on the cover of the 2021 July 19-26 issue of Time magazine is misleading. Beneath a crestfallen image of Japanese-born Naomi Osaka, the world’s reigning female tennis champion, is the … more

By FATHER BOB PAGLIARI, C.Ss.R., Ph.D. | 7/26/21

St. Joseph, Patron of Liberty and Justice

This month our country celebrates 245 years of liberty and justice for all. We proudly proclaim our sincere dedication to these two values, liberty and justice, whenever we pledge our allegiance to … more

By FATHER BOB PAGLIARI, C.Ss.R., Ph.D. | 6/28/21

Married couples recite their vows at the Golden Jubilee Mass celebrated by Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral June 6. A total of 144 couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2021 participated.

Married Couples Renew Vows for Golden Jubilees

Daniel Clifford met his future wife, Jacqueline, on a blind date while home on leave from the U.S. Air Force. The Cliffords, parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Peace on Staten Island, were among 144 couples renewing their vows at the Golden Jubilee Wedding Mass celebrated by Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral June 6. more

By DAN PIETRAFESA | 6/21/21

Love & Responsibility in NYC Returns Tuesdays, June 22-Aug. 31

Love & Responsibility in NYC returns on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. this summer with a slate of renowned speakers and musicians. more

6/16/21

Dennis Poust Appointed Executive Director of State Catholic Conference

Cardinal Dolan, president of the New York State Catholic Conference, with the consent of the other seven diocesan bishops of the state, has appointed Dennis Poust as executive director, effective immediately. more

6/7/21

Carla Harris delivers her address during the 176th commencement ceremony at Notre Dame Stadium May 23 after being awarded the Notre Dame Laetare medal. She serves as vice chairman of wealth management and senior client adviser at Morgan Stanley.

Harlem Parishioner Carla Harris Honored With Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal

Carla Harris, a longtime parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo in Harlem, was awarded the University of Notre Dame’s 2021 Laetare Medal, a renowned honor given to American Catholics. She received the medal during the university’s commencement ceremony May 23. more

6/4/21

A Season of Grace

The spring is truly a beautiful time of the year. As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, we see signs of life returning all around us. It is a season that lifts the human spirit. The … more

By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO | 6/2/21

Dad Versus Disney

We all know that fatherhood has its pleasures and its pains. Witnessing offspring grow into healthy, intelligent and productive citizens makes a father feel as tall as a mountain and proud beyond … more

By FATHER BOB PAGLIARI, C.Ss.R., Ph.D. | 5/28/21