Mary Higgins Clark Remembered at 75th Cardinal’s Christmas Celebration

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The Cardinal’s Christmas Celebration, traditionally a formal luncheon, went virtual amid the coronavirus pandemic in its milestone 75th year.

The annual party, this year held in the early evening Dec. 10, is sponsored by archdiocesan Catholic Charities, in association with the Ladies of Charity of the archdiocese. Funds raised benefit children and women served by agencies and programs affiliated with Catholic Charities.

Longtime benefactor the late Mary Higgins Clark, a Bronx-born Catholic and bestselling author who passed away in January at age 92, was honored posthumously for her devotion and generosity through the years.

“You can’t think of Mary Higgins Clark without her deep Catholic faith,” Cardinal Dolan said in pre-recorded remarks. “That faith showed itself in charity. And that’s why she was so devoted to this annual Cardinal’s Christmas Luncheon for Catholic Charities.”

The cardinal concluded his pre-recorded remarks with a request that viewers have a “Blessed Christmas.” He conceded “it’s going to be a little different this year,” including for him, noting he would not be with his family, as many others likely will not be.

“But, we will be  with Jesus, Mary and Joseph because they can’t be contained; there’s no quarantining them,” Cardinal Dolan said. “And as Jesus was born that first Christmas in Bethlehem, may He be reborn in your heart and soul. A Blessed Christmas.”