Letters

Saintly Reminder

Posted

Like many others in and beyond the Archdiocese, I read with dismay the recent announcement about Catholic New York’s coming demise. Under your leadership the paper has grown in its depth and breadth of coverage in two languages and has earned numerous awards for excellence. May that bring you and your staff some measure of satisfaction during the difficult months ahead.

I remember with gratitude our conversations when you attended celebrations of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s feast at Our Lady of the Rosary Church on State Street. You and your staff, especially Chris Sheridan and Maria Bastone, were always willing to cover news about the Sisters of Charity of New York.

I think especially of the 2009 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and other events during the bicentennial of Mother Seton’s founding of the community in America. Also that year, you invited me to write a reflection for religious sisters and brothers who were celebrating jubilees—and you allowed me to ghost-write it in the voice of Elizabeth Seton.

Then there was our second bicentennial in 2017 that marked two centuries of the congregation’s presence in New York and service to its people.

Beyond your willingness to feature the works of charity and justice being carried out by religious women and men, Catholic Charities and other groups, it is evident that you have taken seriously the mission of evangelization, as well as offering columns by thoughtful and upbeat writers like Claudia McDonnell, Mary deTurris Poust and yourself.

What more can I say except to promise prayers for you and your staff: for the graces of peace, serenity, fortitude and trust. Please allow me to share these words of St. Elizabeth Seton that I have often found to be right on the mark: “Surely, He will open the door, probably…when we least expect it.”

Sister Regina Bechtle, S.C.
Bronx