FROM THE CARDINAL OUR BETTER ANGELS o question about it: 2020 has to Sunday Mass. St. Patrick’s Cathe- print like a telephone book. (Remem- been a tough year so far. So dral, glorious though it may be, is in- ber telephone books?) I’m pretty sure N many deaths, so much suffer- complete without the presence of the we would have needed extra pages, too. ing. It took a lot of tears, hard work faithful. As difficult as it was to sus- I can’t overstate how proud – and and prayer to get through the “first pend public Masses, it was the right thankful! – I am for the priests, dea- wave” of the coronavirus pandemic thing to do to protect the congrega- cons, religious women and men, and in New York – and health experts say, tion and the community. And now it’s laypeople who have made such sacrific- there may be more to come. the right thing to reopen – carefully, es, not just caring for the sick but also As a people of faith, we will keep with a slew of precautions to keep our- feeding the hungry, helping the poor working to help those in our own re- selves and our neighbors healthy. and homeless, teaching our students, gion still suffering the direct and indi- How do we move forward in these and finding exciting new ways to deliv- rect effects of the pandemic: the sick, the challenging days? er the love of Christ at a time when our unemployed, the hungry, the displaced. We can take our lead from some of tried-and-true practices became too Then there are the people in the regions our saints. New York has been blessed risky to continue. Our News and Notes where Covid-19 is still raging; they, too, to be home to more than our share. section is full of their work. I thank you need our help and our prayers. “Saints of New York” begins with St. all warmly. I also thank the archdioce- Even as we endure this health cri- Isaac Jogues, one of the North Ameri- san students who shared their thought- sis, the country struggles to come to can Martyrs, who lost his life carrying ful and beautiful work with us through terms with centuries of racial injus- the message of Christ to the Indians of the CYO Art and Essay Contest. tice in the aftermath of the senseless, upstate New York and Canada, and St. Elsewhere in the issue, we speak sickening death of George Floyd and Kateri Tekakwitha, a young woman with Fr. Thomas Berg of St. Joseph’s other incidents of discrimination and of the Mohawk whose intense devo- Seminary about the ethics of end-of- bigotry directed toward Black Amer- tion to Christ and the Blessed Mother life medical choices. We learn why icans because of the color of their still inspires us. Mother Seton. Bishop sacraments can’t be received remotely skin. We pray that, at last, significant Neumann. Mother Cabrini. They’re and consult with some contemplative changes will be made to address this all here, along with lists of venerables sisters whose cloistered life of prayer issue – and we know we need to do and blesseds and servants of God. offers the ultimate lesson in how to our part in creating those changes. There’s been a lot of sanctity in this find joy in social distancing. As Catholics, of course, we try not neck of the woods. As we return to our new everyday to be focused on doom and gloom. We In “Heroes of New York”, we recog- routines, then, let us try to embody the know that our travails on this Earth are nize a few of the many selfless Cath- lessons we have learned. Let us emulate a prelude to eternal happiness in heaven olics who have stepped up to help us our saints and heroes, be kind to our with our God. We have a responsibili- through the Covid-19 crisis. Those neighbors, tolerant of those who dis- ty to do what we can to help our fellow profiled here would be quick to point agree with us, and loving toward all, es- humans, but that’s not a burden. At the out that they are not alone; had we list- pecially those who are different from us. end of the day, it’s an occasion for joy. ed every deserving person, ordained The days to come will bring new For me and my brother priests, it has and lay, Catholic and non-Catholic, we challenges. Let us rise to them with also been a joy to welcome you back could have filled the entire issue in tiny joyful goodwill and humility.

Yours in Christ,

by Arianna Chin, a sixth-grader at St. Augustine School in Westchester. | On the cover: Mother Cabrini. Illustration by Vinny Bove. Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York

Blessed Mother Mary Mother Blessed † FALL 2020 1 Archways FALL 2020 1 FROM THE CARDINAL † Finding inspiration in times of trouble

4 FORUM Why sacraments can only be delivered in person; Catholic doctrine on cremation; choosing a Sunday mask

6 NEWS AND NOTES 19 HEROES New York’s Catholic parishes and organizations keep the faith — and deliver services — in a time of crisis; OF NEW YORK the Dominican Nuns of Perpetual Adoration on the spiritual benefits of isolation; the Church’s doctrine on end-of-life A few of the many frontline heroes medical decisions; recommended reading of the pandemic in New York from the Christophers

12 SAINTS OF NEW YORK CONTACT US EMAIL: [email protected] Profiles of the saints and venerables WEBSITE: associated with the archdiocese archny.org OFFICE: 1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10022

24 A QUARANTINE archnewyork archnewyork ART AND ESSAY CONTEST ny_arch archny Archways and CYO of the Archdiocese of NY challenged young people to send us art and photography created during social distancing; here’s a sampling

Christina Hanson, executive director of Part of the Solution, a Catholic Charities-affiliated social services agency in the Bronx. Photo by Gerri Hernandez. FORUM What is Catholic Doctrine regarding cremation? From the earliest days of the Church, portation, space limitations and costs to believe that “the dead will be raised Christians buried the bodies of the sometimes make bodily burial difficult imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:52). dead in imitation of Jesus’ burial and or even impossible. It is important to To forestall such disbelief, cremated as a sign of hope that we will share in keep in mind, however, that inhumation remains (cremains) must be treated ASK A PRIEST his resurrection. To be human is to remains the strongly preferred norm. with the same reverence and respect as have both body and soul, and we be- As the Code of Canon Law states, “The an intact body and must be interred in lieve that our bodies will be raised, Church earnestly recommends that the a cemetery or mausoleum. We would glorified and reunited with our souls pious custom of burying the bodies of not keep the body of a loved one on a for all eternity. Our Lord himself in- the deceased be observed; nevertheless, mantelpiece, divide it among relatives voked the imagery of nature to make the Church does not prohibit cremation or scatter it from a mountaintop – and Why can’t we receive sacraments remotely or virtually? this point: A grain of wheat falls to the unless it was chosen for reasons con- we should not do so with their cre- ground and dies in order to rise up and trary to Christian doctrine.” mains, either. Rather, Christians must This question has bubbled to the bear fruit (John 12:24). The practice of In other words, the Church permits lovingly bury those remains, knowing surface gradually. With the techno- burying the dead (inhumation) distin- cremation, but hardly encourages it. that the Lord will raise up the body, logical revolution occurring in our guished Christians from pagans, who Cremation remains forbidden if it is though now reduced to ashes, at the midst – first slowly and then with burned their dead and did not believe motivated by a contempt for the body last day (John 6:40). greater and greater velocity – it was in a bodily resurrection. or a disbelief in the resurrection. This only a matter of time before we would Since the early 1960s, the Catholic is the risk against which the Church Rev. Brian A. Graebe, S.T.D. have to contend with questions about Church has permitted cremation, rec- cautions us: When we see a body re- Administrator sacramental participation and tech- ognizing that factors such as trans- duced to ashes, it can be more difficult Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral nology. Fortunately, we are not lost at sea here. Our answers lie in long- standing Church teachings. To begin, let us be clear about what SUNDAY MASK takes place when the sacraments are celebrated. We say of the sacraments that they are encounters with Christ and His Body, the Church. These en- counters are personal in nature, and when we speak of personal encoun- ters, we mean that presence is a re- quirement. I do not have an encoun- WEAR THIS ter with you unless we are in each other’s company. We may have con- A hand sanitizer station at tact by phone or by correspondence, St. Ignatius Loyola parish on the but that kind of contact does not con- Upper East Side of Manhattan. NOT THAT stitute an encounter. Next, we must take into account the nature of our sacramental encounters. Eucharist, who absolves sinners and of that sign and reality to participate In every sacramental encounter, there who anoints the sick and dying. That in the sacrament.” Put on a Holy Face all your neighbors. You also may not have it. Faith and Fabric offers an ar- is what theologians call a mediation. someone, of course, is a priest. Thus, when it comes to personal, sac- Now that we’ve received the all want to show your face at church – or ray of handmade masks adorned with Someone is there in the sacraments to But how is it that we have the Eu- ramental encounters, physical pres- clear – with safeguards – to return not show your face, actually – in the images (Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. facilitate our encounter with God: a charist, the sacrament of penance, ence is required – which means that to church for Sunday Mass, each of same bandanna you’ve been using Michael the Archangel) or liturgy and guarantor, if you will, to ensure that we the anointing of the sick in the first you cannot have sacraments remotely us has some adjustments to make. for the supermarket or the hardware prayer (Bible quotes, the Hail Mary, have a genuine meeting with the Lord. place? We have them only because the or virtually. For all the very real spiri- Among other things, we must resist store. Think ahead: If your only op- the names of Christ) that are perfect We know from the New Testament Son of God became incarnate. The tual comfort that can be had through the urge to run up to our friends and tion is that black face cover with the for worship. For more options, check that Jesus is the Mediator between God Incarnation made possible personal, indirect communication – from the hug them, be prepared to stay home if old Rolling Stones logo that your son out the various makers offering Chris- and the human race, “For there is one sacramental encounters. In the words old technology of a letter written on we’re feeling poorly, and, after weeks gave you weeks ago, you probably tian face masks on Etsy. For images of God and one mediator between God of the distinguished American Catho- paper to the wonders of video calling of attending on the couch in pajamas, won’t feel comfortable lining up for the Blessed Mother, search the Etsy se- and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” lic theologian Fr. Thomas Weinandy, – the sacraments can only be received we have to figure out what to wear. Communion in full view of the whole lection of Virgin Mary masks (mostly (1 Timothy 2:5). In turn, this encoun- “The Incarnation sets the framework in person. The biggest apparel challenge is congregation. Same goes for the skull based on Our Lady of Guadalupe). ter with Jesus through the sacraments for the sacramental order. Sacraments that new item we didn’t have to worry and crossbones kerchief. These items are handmade, so stock is also a mediated encounter. That is, . . . are incarnational signs that affect Msgr. Robert J. Batule about before the virus: the face mask. Fortunately, some smart Christian may be limited and prices may be slight- there is someone there who brings what they symbolize and symbolize Diocese of Rockville Centre Of course, you can’t leave home with- entrepreneurs were busy solving this ly high. Your new mask will conceal about Jesus’ Real Presence in the Holy what they affect. One must be a part Faculty, St. Joseph’s Seminary out it, for your own health and that of problem before you knew you would your face while revealing your faith.

4 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 5 sidewalks to pray and witness the gift sidewalk tables. At homeless shelters ArchCare’s nursing homes and med- NEWS AND NOTES of Christ’s sacrifice. In other parishes, and residences for the developmentally ical centers became frontline facilities the monstrance was placed in a win- disabled, workers continued to assist in the fight against Covid-19. In some dow so that adoration could take place residents in person, but with added cases, chaplains went into isolation safely from outside. precautions. “Sites are staffed and for the duration. Family visits were sanitized,” says Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, conducted through windows or via CORPORAL MERCY Catholic Charities’ executive director. tablets and smartphones. While Mass and the Eucharist are at “Meals are provided, and social ser- the core of Catholic life, the work of the vice workers coordinate care on behalf ur churches have now re- Church in the community is far-reach- of the residents.” The most significant opened for Sunday Mass ing and critical for the many who are change has been the impact of social O – but in reality, the Church hurting, hungry or homeless. When distancing at meals and in support never closes. Yes, the pews were empty the pandemic hit the tri-state area in group programs. for several weeks, but the faithful were March, organizations like Catholic At the nursing homes, eldercare present in spirit (and in attendance Charities of the Archdiocese of New programs and specialized medical online). They prayed and grieved for York and ArchCare, the health- and centers run by ArchCare, the chal- those who were suffering, said a spe- senior-care ministry of the archdio- lenges were similar. When necessary, cial intention for families and loved cese, swiftly switched gears to protect staff from the PACE senior centers ones, then got to work. The Mystical the health of staff, volunteers and cli- made house calls to care for clients. Body of Christ carried on. entele while also ensuring that services would continue. Local parishes kicked in as well, retooling their food pantries and other outreach efforts. For Catholic Charities – whose programs address a wide spectrum of needs including poverty, hunger, homelessness, underemployment, ad- diction, and immigration and mental Fr. Richard Gill, pastor of St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish in Brewster, health issues – the challenge was to takes the Eucharist on the road. find safe ways to deliver services even OUTSIDE THE BOX as the needs were growing. Not all services could be made safe through the use of technology. Pan- tries and other services switched to an TAKING IT TO THE STREETS outdoor distribution model where food and other necessities were delivered to or New York Catholics, it has been MASSES AND SACRAMENTS It’s also not new to have Mass out- clients’ homes or set out for pickup on a year like no other. We who are Televised and livestreamed Mass doors when churches are off limits. F called to join in the Mystical Body from St. Patrick’s Cathedral and var- Centuries ago, priests and parishio- of Christ, to worship as a community ious other parishes existed before the ners gathered secretly for Mass in the and give care and sustenance to our pandemic, but during the shutdown it Irish countryside when English law neighbors, were given a new duty: became the way to attend. While not made it a crime to practice the Cath- to keep our distance. With the virus a full-on substitute for the in-person olic faith. This spring, there was no among us, proximity became peril. Mass, it allows Catholics to experi- need to hide in the fields, but indoor For now, the worst seems past. In- ence the service when it is not safe to gatherings were prohibited. Solution: door public Masses are back – with gather indoors – and remains a life- the parking lot Mass, with each fami- masks, social distancing and other re- line for many who are high-risk. ly keeping to its own car and the cele- strictions. In the meantime, the par- Not all solutions were virtual, and brants’ voices carried over car radios. ishes, agencies, offices and leaders of some were centuries old. The Act of The use of our motor vehicles was the archdiocese have found some new Spiritual Communion, a prayer to also central to two other innovations: ways to spread the message and the be said when a Catholic is unable to the drive-through confession (the one mercy of Christ. receive Communion in person, was sacrament that everyday parishioners No one knows whether the next few not invented during this crisis, but could receive in the early weeks of the months will bring further reopening it was unfamiliar to many. Though crisis) and the mobile Eucharistic ad- or a second wave of Covid-19. Either not a substitute for the actual sac- oration, in which pastors transported way, it seems certain that many of rament, it was a godsend for a pop- the monstrance on the back of a truck these new ideas will endure even in ulation suddenly cut off from the in a slow procession through neigh- CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: A family visit at ArchCare’s Carmel Richmond Nursing Home, Staten Island; a van full of food ready to roll at Catholic the post-pandemic world. physical host. borhoods where the faithful lined the Charities of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster; business as unusual in St. Lawrence O’Toole’s food pantry, Brewster.

6 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 7 NEWS AND NOTES MARRIAGE PREP THE VIRTUES OF ISOLATION

UPDATE Get Me to the A BRONX PRAYER here’s something out of place are not a monastery in the country, community in the mountains or in Church Online about a monastery of con- where it’s very, very quiet. It’s absolute- the country,” Sr. Maria Pia observed BRIDGING THE ARCH For hundreds of couples in the arch- T templative nuns in the South ly different for us.” in June. “More silent, more away from diocese who had weddings planned Bronx. Sr. Maria Pia, of the Domin- The sisters also had to ask their the world, really. It’s positive and neg- hen New York shut this year, the pandemic presented ican Nuns of Perpetual Adoration on small staff to stay home to prevent ative.” Looking west to the nearby down, the offices of the tough choices: Postpone? Trim the Lafayette Avenue, remembers a time the risk of their bringing the virus Bruckner Expressway, the absence of W Archdiocese of New guest list? Move the event outdoors? when there were several such estab- into the cloister. “We continued to traffic was magical; to the east, on the York remained very active. Here’s a There was one question that Dr. lishments. “All the contemplative com- pay them for about two months, and other hand, the sight of the deserted snapshot of what they’ve been up to; Kathleen Wither and the staff of the munities have moved elsewhere over now we cannot afford to hire them playground where neighborhood chil- for a list of upcoming events (virtu- Family Life Office of the Archdiocese the years,” she says. “This is the poorest back,” Sr. Maria Pia says. From March dren used to play was heartbreaking. al and in person), click here. of New York did not want couples to place in New York. But we decided to 22 through April 8, there was no dai- What didn’t change was the sisters’ ADULT FAITH FORMATION: All ser- worry about: how to complete the stay and continue our life of life of prayer. Sr. Maria Pia vices went virtual in March and will Church’s marriage prep requirements. prayer here, as witness to the sees this as a solution for remain so through 2020. Enlighten At first, in lieu of in-person Pre- people around us.” laypeople looking for relief online class registrations tripled. Cana days canceled due to Covid-19, In this urban setting, the in the isolation of social re- New online features, including Di- the office offered registered couples sisters’ life is one of constant strictions: “To have a rela- vine Mercy Chaplet every Friday, an off-the-shelf digital program. As it prayer. “Basically, our life is tionship as a person with Sunday Reflections and a digital became clear that restrictions would adoration of the Eucharist. our Heavenly Father, and version of the Christlife: Discov- We also chant the liturgy of with the Son and the Holy ering Christ series, were received the hours. We recite and con- Spirit – this time could be enthusiastically. template the rosary as a com- spent really paying attention YOUNG ADULT OUTREACH: All munity. We study the Sacred to the intimate, to the invis- in-person events moved online, Scriptures. And we have a ible. We are not alone. God A kindergartener from Immaculate including monthly Young Adult procession every evening in lives within us,” she says. Heart of Mary, Scarsdale, crafting Masses and Holy Hours – followed in the virtual classroom. honor of the blessed Virgin,” “And we have to pray for by Zoom socials. The popular says Sr. Maria Pia, who has peace. Peace in families. This CatholicNYC Presents interview show ran nightly for 40 episodes and fea- resided here for 40 years. is the perfect time to ask the tured luminaries ranging from Cardinal Dolan to Jeannie and Jim Gaffigan. Back in March, when Lord to be present and bless This fall, watch for a careful return to in-person events – with everything still Recording the online Pre-Cana presentations Covid-19 was a gathering all people, each person, be- available online, too. at the studios of Catholic Faith Network. storm on the horizon, the cause we are all precious in SCHOOLS: Our Catholic schools had another year of outstanding academic nuns received a visit from His eyes, and to also pray for achievement in 2020–21, despite the recent announcement that 20 schools extend indefinitely, however, the Fam- Fr. John Maria Devaney, those who lack the necessi- would close due to the economic downturn. That still leaves almost 180 schools ily team decided to create a brand-new OP, a Dominican priest and ties of life, even in our own in the archdiocese – cautiously opening for in-person classes this fall! tool. Working with the Catholic Faith hospital chaplain in Man- country. And I don’t mean HISPANIC MINISTRY: After weeks of online-only services, key in-person Network, they developed half-day En- hattan. “He was really con- only the temporal needs. I events – such as Marian celebrations and special Masses at St. Patrick’s Ca- glish and Spanish Virtual Pre-Canas, cerned about us,” recalls Sr. also mean people who live in thedral – are now being offered again. To serve the disabled, the office also including videos, talks and 10 couple Maria Pia, the superior of darkness. In darkness, they plans to continue to offer these events virtually well into the future. exercises via a Zoom webinar. the congregation. “He gave don’t see the reason for suf- SHEEN CENTER: Beginning Easter weekend with the online premiere of The From June through August, more us guidelines to protect our Corpus Christi Monastery in the Bronx, home of the Dominican fering like this.” Gospel of John, all Sheen Center programming went online. The Faith, Hope than 500 couples participated, and the monastery, because we have Nuns of Perpetual Adoration. Then there is what Sr. Maria & Love series featured daily talks and performances on the Sheen Talks You- response was overwhelmingly posi- elderly sisters here.” Pia calls “the most beautiful Tube channel from May through July. All fall 2020 events will be virtual. tive. While some missed the in-person The first change they had to make ly Mass and no Communion at the prayer of all”: the Prayer of the Heart. RESPECT LIFE: Pro-life pregnancy centers continued to serve women, deliver- experience, “Many couples appreciat- was to close the monastery to the pub- monastery. After that, the Domini- “To adore, praise and thank Him for ing food and goods to their homes. When the 40 Days for Life vigil switched ed doing the exercises at home on the lic. Contrary to the outsider’s notion of cans sent a priest to live in isolation at the gifts we receive each day and also to “pray-from-home” mode, the Manhattan campaign was able to have 24/7 couch instead of on hard seats in a the cloistered life, this was a significant the monastery every day for a month, tell Him about ourselves, about all our prayer coverage for the first time. It will be back in person this fall. crowded room,” Dr. Wither observed. shift in practice. In ordinary times, then the archdiocese began sending in desires and needs, and to ask for help LITURGY OFFICE: The office was a central resource on new and developing We may just be looking at the Pre- Sr. Maria Pia says, “Our gate is always a celebrant who would say Mass while and His blessing. It’s like communicat- liturgical questions during the unfolding of the pandemic and in preparing Cana format of the future. open for people to come for adora- a nun would distribute Communion. ing heart to heart with God.” parishes to reopen safely. The fall lineup of seminars and workshops will be For more information, click here. tion.” Others come to the door to ask But perhaps the most unexpected Who knows? If you follow Sr. Maria offered exclusively online. Couples should meet with their priest for food. “There is a shelter across the change, during the height of the cri- Pia’s lead, you might just learn to stay ST. JOSEPH’S SEMINARY: All classes went online in the spring, but this fall or deacon before beginning marriage street from us, so there is always some- sis, was the sudden silence of the city. better connected to God even after the seminarians are back in person for the seminary’s 150th anniversary! preparation. one coming,” she says. “It’s the city. We “Now we are like a contemplative your life returns to normal.

8 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 9 NEWS AND NOTES of morally obligatory versus morally in another. For example, a relatively delaying the inevitable) or when it optional care. Now and at the Hour healthy person recovering from a bout is properly judged that continuing of Our Death, a booklet published 10 with pneumonia may need to be on a life-sustaining treatment constitutes years ago by the New York bishops, ventilator for a few days to restore him an unreasonable burden to the patient. ISSUE states: “Even if death is thought im- to his optimal condition. But for a pa- minent, ordinary care owed to a sick tient in the final stages of lung cancer, Archways: Does the Church provide person cannot be legitimately inter- being placed on the same ventilator us with doctrinal guideposts to help us rupted. On the other hand, discon- may be painful, burdensome and only make end-of-life decisions? END-OF-LIFE ETHICS tinuing medical procedures that are prolong the patient’s dying process burdensome, dangerous, extraordi- without any reasonable benefit.” Fr. Berg: “Now and at the Hour of Our ith the onset of serious ill- nary, or disproportionate to the ex- Death: A Catholic Guide to End-of- ness and death on a mass pected outcome can be legitimate.” Archways: Once a patient has been Life Decision-Making,” which I quoted W scale during the corona- It can get complicated. To again placed on life-sustaining treatment, earlier, is still one of the most reliable virus crisis, many Catholics faced ur- quote the New York bishops’ hand- when is it permissible to pull the plug? documents out there. It is clear, concise gent life-or-death decisions regarding book: “Sometimes the very same and covers the most pressing issues on medical treatments. While the virus medical intervention can be moral- Fr. Berg: In simple terms, life-sustain- end-of-life care and decision-making. has subsided in New York (at least for ly obligatory (ordinary) in one case, ing treatment can be ethically removed It also includes a sample health-care now), these issues are not going away. but morally optional (extraordinary) when it has become futile (simply proxy form. We asked Fr. Thomas Berg, professor of moral theology at St. Joseph’s Sem- inary in Yonkers, to help us clarify the Catholic approach to the end of life. CULTURE CORNER Archways: What is the difference be- tween secular medical ethics and Cath- olic teachings? FATHER KELLER’S CANDLES Fr. Thomas Berg: The comparison hinges on distinct ways of reasoning Fr. James Keller, the Maryknoll priest to Live on Today by Christopher Edmonds about moral problems. Although the who founded the Christophers in 1945, with Douglas Century | An American pas- Hippocratic oath sworn by doctors believed each of us should use the talents tor uncovers the true story of his father’s includes the promise to “first, do no God gave us to shine a light in the world. courageous and compassionate actions harm,” the ethical reasoning employed In its 75th year, the organization’s motto re- in a Nazi POW camp. (Harper Collins) in health-care institutions can often mains, “It’s better to light one candle than have the opposite effect. An end-justi- to curse the darkness.” The Second Mountain: The Quest for a fies-the-means approach, for instance, The annual Christopher Awards, which Moral Life by David Brooks | The New York can lead health-care professionals to recognize writers and other media artists Times columnist reflects on the personal intentionally and directly harm, dam- whose works “affirm the highest values of Fr. James Keller, transformation of people who turn away age and destroy human life. the human spirit,” are usually presented in founder of the from the pursuit of individual achievement Catholic medical ethics uses a differ- signers options that are not compati- enough to reach out to someone who New York every spring. This year’s cere- Christophers. and seek a more meaningful life in their ent kind of reasoning, anchored in the ble with Catholic faith. For example, a has the appropriate training in Cath- mony has been tentatively postponed to community. (Penguin Random House) natural moral law. Among other things, Catholic should never just check off a olic medical ethics (usually a priest or October — but the book winners were announced it affirms that some actions (such as box indicating: “I do not wish to receive deacon) and can give them guidance in on April 15. We can wholeheartedly recommend What is a Girl Worth? My Story of Breaking abortion or physician-assisted suicide) assisted nutrition and hydration.” accordance with Church teaching. the adult titles, listed here. the Silence and Exposing the Truth about are always incompatible with the good In fact, Catholics should avoid In New York State, Catholics should Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics by Rachael of persons and the love of God. It offers living wills and instead designate a be especially cautious about MOLST Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Denhollander | One of hundreds of female ath- a way of arriving at medical determina- loved one as their health-care proxy – forms, which convert a patient’s pref- Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring letes sexually assaulted by the USA Gymnastics tions that prevents us from intending someone who would make decisions erences into immediately actionable Journey to Forgiveness by Jennifer Berry Hawes team doctor recounts her fight for justice. (Tyndale) direct harm, damage or destruction of based on Catholic teaching. Deci- medical orders. They should be used It’s been five years since a racist gunman mur- human life and authentic human goods. sion-making in these situations is sel- only with great care. dered 12 members of the Emanuel AME Church in When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power dom black and white. There are often Charleston. Hawes, a Pulitzer-winning journalist, of Family, Faith and Funny People by Jeannie Archways: Many people create living many prudential determinations that Archways: Is it ever permissible to let a examines the community’s struggle toward heal- Gaffigan | The comedy writer, mother of five and wills to communicate how they want to need to be made in light of Catholic patient die instead of making every effort ing. (St. Martin’s Press). wife of comic Jim Gaffigan recounts her battle be treated in case of an extreme medi- principles. In most cases, the health- to save their life? with brain cancer, the removal of a pear-sized cal situation. Is this a good idea? care proxy will not be thoroughly ed- No Surrender: A Father, a Son, and an tumor and the lessons it taught her and her family. ucated in those principles and how to Fr. Berg: This touches the issue of Extraordinary Act of Heroism That Continues (Grand Central Publishing) Fr. Berg: Living wills are almost always apply them, and that’s all right. A good what constitutes an excessive bur- problematic precisely because they offer Catholic proxy must be committed den for the patient and the concept

10 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 11 MISSIONARY MARTYR Jogues and two lay Jesuits, transport- ing them south to a settlement known as Ossernenon. The two other Europe- ans were soon killed, For the next year, Jogues survived harrowing torture and near starvation at the hands of his cap- tors, while continuing to evangelize and even baptize anyone he saw who was near death. He lost two fingers and all his fingernails in the torture, but he did not yield in his faith and his determination. In 1643, with the aid of Dutch protestants in a settle- ment where the Mohawk brought him, Jogues was able to escape on a ship to New Amsterdam – now New York City – where he was the first Catholic priest to visit, and may have said the first Catholic Mass. Back in France, Jogues found him- self famous, invited to meet with royal- ty and admired by many for his cour- age and perseverance. For all that, he wanted only to return to North Amer- ica and continue his missionary work. By 1644, he was back in Canada, in Quebec and Montreal, helping to ne- gotiate peace between the French and Iroquois. His missionary work took him back to Ossernenon, where he had been held captive and tortured for so long. His courage, forgiveness and pi- ety won over a number in the tribe. The SAINTS Mohawk gave him the name Ondes- sonk, meaning “the indomitable one.” ASK THE AVERAGE AMERICAN about the saints of New York, and you’re likely to When he returned the following elicit a puzzled look. year, however, he was again taken In popular culture, the region is more commonly associated with sinners on a grand n 1646, a century and a half ron to join them on Sundays and feast captive. Many Mohawk blamed the before the founding of the Di- days. In general, they presented a mod- missionaries for an epidemic that had scale: organized crime bosses, corrupt political machines, rapacious robber barons. ocese of New York, Fr. Isaac el of Christian living to the local pop- occurred the previous winter. A violent Ask a New York Catholic, on the other hand, and you can expect a smile of instant recognition, Jogues was martyred near what ulation while witnessing to the Gospel faction attacked and killed him and his followed by a list of local favorites: Mother Seton. Mother Cabrini. Kateri Tekakwitha. is now the town of Auriesville, and the teachings of Christ. Jogues fellow Jesuit Jean de LaLande, threw In the following pages, we profile some of the saints (and candidates for sainthood) in the foothills of the Adirondack worked tirelessly at Ste. Marie and was their bodies in a ravine and mount- associated with our region. Of course, that doesn’t mean they “belong” to us in any Mountains. Jogues, a Jesuit mission- also dispatched on missions to the Po- ed their heads on pikes to warn other way; all of these holy figures can also be claimed by localities outside the Archdiocese ary, was born in Orleans, France, and tun and Ojibway tribes, venturing as “Black Robes” to stay away. first came to North America in 1636 far as the shores of Lake Superior. Jogues was canonized by Pope Pius of New York. Which is hardly a surprise: It’s not in the nature of sanctity to be delimited by to join a handful of other Jesuits min- In 1642, Jogues led a canoe expe- XI in 1930, along with LaLande and geographic boundaries. Iistering to the Huron at what is now dition to Quebec, nearly 1,000 miles six other Jesuits who were martyred A saint’s light shines for all. Still, blessings reside in the places where they lived or worked or Georgian Bay in Ontario. away, to bring back supplies and some in the wilderness of New York State died. Many of us feel a deep connection to God when we visit the physical location where a At their wilderness outpost of Ste. new recruits for the mission. On the and Canada in the 1600s. The Shrine saint walked or prayed. A strong local association with a saint is wonderful, and any association Marie, the Jesuits carved a settlement return journey, he and his 40 compan- of the North American Martyrs in Au- is cause for joy. out of the forest, clearing farmland ions were attacked by a Mohawk war riesville is dedicated to the memory of and building a fort for protection and a party, who killed many of the Huron these Jesuits and the Native Americans For New Yorkers, there’s a lot of joy to be had in our own backyard. church where they could invite the Hu- and took the rest prisoner along with they converted.

Illustrations by Vinny Bove † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 13 SAINTS/HEROES OF NEW YORK BORN IN THE U.S.A. AUTHENTIC BROTHERLY LOVE n 1774, nearly 100 years after the direct route to Catholic saint- In the early 1800s, however, the fam- t. John Nepomucene Neu- Cathedral (now the Basilica of Old Americas, he took his vows with the St. Isaac Jogues visited Man- hood. Born an Episcopalian, she was ily’s fortunes waned amid political up- mann was born in Bo- St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in SoHo). He order in 1842, then served parish as- hattan – then the Dutch colo- married in 1794 to William Magee Se- heavals and economic setbacks. When hemia (now the Czech assigned the young priest, who spoke signments in Ohio and Maryland, tire- ny of New Amsterdam – a girl ton, lived at a fashionable Wall Street William’s tuberculosis took a turn for Republic) in 1811. At the eight languages, to minister to German lessly developing religious education named Elizabeth Ann Bayley address and had five children by the the worse, his doctor suggested that age of 24, in 1835, having immigrants at the Church of Sts. Peter and strengthening communities. In was born on the island. By the time time she was 28 years of age. She was Elizabeth should travel with him to attended seminary and as he prepared and Paul in Williamsville, near Buf- 1849 he became the provincial superi- of her birth, the city was called New a prominent member of the Trinity Italy, where he died. It was during her to complete his studies in theology, falo, which at the time was part of the or for the Redemptorists in the Unit- York and the American Revolution Episcopal Church and the treasurer of mourning for William that friends of Neumann learned that the Catholic Diocese of New York. ed States, and three years later, he was was two years away. the Society for the Relief of Poor Wid- the family residing in Italy introduced Church in Bohemia had declared a For four years, Neumann rode his named bishop of Philadelphia. Elizabeth Ann Bayley did not take ows with Small Children. Elizabeth to Catholicism. Impressed moratorium on new ordinations be- large rural parish on horseback, build- With his many languages and under- I by their kindness and good works, Scause they had more priests than as- ing community, visiting the sick, edu- standing of diverse cultures, Neumann Elizabeth became a convert when she signments for them. Determined to cating children and training teachers was an ideal choice to lead the Church returned to New York the following become a priest, he set sail for New to carry on as catechists in his absence. in the so-called City of Brotherly Love, year. In 1805, she was baptized at St. York, where he arrived with no money Then, in 1840, he applied to join the a growing urban region that was at- Peter’s Church, then the only Catholic and a single suit of clothes. Redemptorist Fathers, was accepted, tracting Catholic immigrants from church in New York City. In June 1836, Bishop John Dubois and moved to Baltimore to study. The all over Europe. It was no easy task, In the 16 years between her baptism ordained Neumann at St. Patrick’s first Redemptorist candidate in the as anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant and her death, Seton built a religious factions, urged on by organizations career that places her among the most like the Know Nothing Party, were ri- important and influential American oting regularly against the Germans, Catholics in history. She began by Italians and Irish who were stream- teaching in New York before being ing into the Philadelphia area. Against invited to start a school for Catholic this backdrop, Neumann worked to girls in Emmitsburg, Maryland. There help immigrants find a footing in the she founded the Sisters of Charity, the city and to establish sound finances first congregation of women religious for many church communities. More founded in America, and went on to than 90 new churches were built in found a network of Catholic schools the diocese under his watch, and near- in locations around the country – all ly 200 parochial schools. He invited while raising her five children. The European religious orders to establish Sisters of Charity were asked to send ministries in Philadelphia, including some sisters to New York City as teach- the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who ers, which marked the inception of a provided religious instruction in the robust New York congregation of the many new schools, and supported the order. The many institutions created by Oblate Sisters of Providence, an order the Sisters – in the Archdiocese of New of African-American women religious. York and around the country – include A humble man, he also eschewed ma- schools, hospitals, children’s centers terial comforts; legend has it that he and community-supported farms. owned only one pair of shoes during Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton died his decades in America. in 1821 at the age of 46 and was can- At the age of 48, in 1860, Bishop onized in 1975 by Pope Paul VI. The Neumann collapsed and died while out Sisters of Charity remain a profound walking in Philadelphia. He was can- force in American Catholicism. Deeply onized by Pope Paul VI in 1977. “His loved by New York Catholics, Seton is love for people was authentic brotherly memorialized at the National Shrine love,” the pope said in his homily for of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmits- the occasion. “He was close to the sick; burg and at the St. Elizabeth Ann Se- he was at home with the poor; he was ton Shrine on the site of a home where a friend to sinners. And today he is the she lived in lower Manhattan. honor of all immigrants.”

14 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 15 SAINTS/HEROES OF NEW YORK PATRON OF IMMIGRANTS BUMPING INTO HEAVEN elsewhere in Europe – to help them n 1656, a decade after the There Tekakwitha lived in a long- Kateri Tekakwitha died at the age survive in the New World and stay death of St. Isaac Jogues, Kat- house with other converted Mohawk, of 24 in 1680. Her last words, accord- strong in their faith, and to protect eri Tekakwitha was born in including some she had known in her ing to Fr. Claude Chauchetière, were and educate their children. Ossernenon, the village near settlement. Her life of extraordinary “Jesus, Mary, I love you.” She was can- Cabrini had not planned to come to present-day Auriesville, where devotion to prayer, penance and pu- onized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, New York. In 1887, she had petitioned Jogues was martyred. Her father was a rity inspired all around her during and is beloved throughout the New Pope Leo XIII to establish missions in Mohawk chief, her mother an Algon- the few remaining years of her life; York region as patron saint of peace China. The pope, however, concerned quin Catholic who had been captured she and a friend wished to form a and ecology. The St. Kateri Tekakwitha about the plight of the immigrants in and assimilated into the Mohawk peo- congregation of native women reli- National Shrine and Historic Site at America, sent her to New York instead, ple. Her Mohawk name, Tekakwitha, gious, but Tekakwitha did not live Caughnawauga, near Fonda, New York, telling her, “Go west, not east.” With- Imeans “she who bumps into things”; long enough to see this through. was dedicated to her in 1980. out hesitation, she devoted herself to the name Kateri, a form of Catherine, the needy masses of the New World was given to her when she converted with great resourcefulness. Starting to Christianity. with few resources, she proved adept When Tekakwitha was 4, a small- at securing donations of funds and la- pox epidemic swept through Os- bor to enable her congregation to be- sernenon. Tekakwitha survived, but gin delivering services. Housed at first the disease killed both her parents with the Sisters of Charity and using and left the girl in poor health, her a donated apartment as a refuge for face scarred and her eyesight signifi- orphaned girls, Cabrini soon secured cantly impaired. Raised in the family a property in West Park, in Ulster of her aunt, Tekakwitha learned about County, formerly owned by the Jesu- Christianity from Jesuit missionaries its, where she opened the Sacred Heart who visited the settlement, and was Orphan Asylum in 1890. quickly drawn to the faith. All around the New York metropoli- Through years of upheaval in the tan region, she established schools and region, amid tribal wars and inva- orphanages for immigrant children sions abetted by French and Dutch and offered language and religious ed- fur traders, Kateri remained quiet ucation to adults. In all, Cabrini and and humble, helping with harvest- the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred ing and caring for the sick. Despite heart went on to found 61 institutions pressure from her aunts, she insisted around the United States as well as in that she would not marry. Surround- Europe and Latin America, including ed by violence and facing her stepfa- other Frances Xavier schools, orphanages, hospitals and ther’s disapproval, she moved steadi- Cabrini arrived in training convents for new sisters. ly toward a devotion to the Christian A SAINT’S LIGHT New York in 1889, Cabrini died in 1917 at Columbus faith, and at the age of 18 began cat- accompanied by six Hospital in Chicago, which had been echesis with Fr. Jacques de Lamber- SHINES FOR ALL. other sisters of the founded by the Missionary Sisters. She ville, a Jesuit missionary who visited Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1946. the settlement of Caughnawauga. STILL, BLESSINGS of Jesus. Nineteen years earlier, at the There are a number of shrines to Moth- She was baptized during Holy Week age of 20, she had been deemed too er Cabrini in the United States, includ- of 1676, taking her baptismal name frail and sickly to join the Daughters ing the St. Frances X. Cabrini Shrine from St. Catherine of Siena. RESIDE IN THE of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the ru- in northern Manhattan, symbolically Six months later, accused of sor- Mral Italian region where she was born. located with breathtaking views over cery by some who opposed her con- PLACES WHERE Now, having founded the Missionary the Hudson River to the west and, to version, Tekakwitha journeyed to Sisters in Italy, she arrived in one of the east, a sprawling neighborhood of Kahnawake, a Jesuit mission on the the world’s most tumultuous cities busy streets and apartment buildings St. Laurence River near Montreal es- THEY LIVED. with a mission to serve the thousands filled with working-class immigrants tablished for the conversion and re- of immigrants arriving from Italy and and their families. ligious instruction of native people.

16 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 17 SAINTS/HEROES OF NEW YORK State of Holiness

LOOKING for more local holiness? Fr. Isaac Hecker 1819–1888 Wait 20 years and New York may A native New Yorker and founder be awash in sanctity. of the Paulist Fathers. In 2010, The process of declaring a saint Cardinal Edward Egan launched in the Catholic Church usually takes his cause for sainthood. decades, sometimes centuries. Rose Hawthorne Lathrop (Moth- Along the way, a candidate must er Mary Alphonsa, OP) 1851–1926 first be certified as a servant of God, A Catholic convert and founder then venerable, then blessed before of the Dominican Sisters of Haw- canonization can be considered. thorne, known for her devotion to These titles aren’t just milestones the care of people with terminal on the way to sainthood; each is cancer. The movement for her can- a mark of glory in itself. We can onization was begun in 2003. Venerable Felix Varela y Morales pray to them, honor them – and as Fr. Vincent Capodanno 1929–1967 New Yorkers, we can be humbly A Staten Island native and Mary- become vicar general of the thankful that our region has been knoll missionary who became a Archdiocese of New York and a blessed by the presence of even Marine chaplain in Vietnam and powerful supporter of immigrants. more great Catholics, listed below. was killed while assisting soldiers Declared venerable in 2012. in the heat of battle. His cause for Blessed Solanus Casey 1870–1957 SERVANTS OF GOD sainthood was initiated in 2010. A Capuchin friar known for his speaking and counseling skills; VENERABLES AND BLESSEDS served in Yonkers and New York City OF NEW YORK for two decades. Beatified in 2017. Venerable Pierre Toussaint 1766–1853 A prominent Black New Yorker and businessman of the 19th century whose charitable work and AND A FEW MORE SAINTS contributions supported orphans, immigrants and schools – and THOUGH their connection to the ON MARCH 14, faced with mounting evidence of a growing health emergency, the Archdiocese of helped fund the construction of the Archdiocese of New York is less New York suspended public Masses in all 10 of its counties, from Staten Island to Sullivan, Ulster original St. Patrick’s Cathedral in direct, these saints too had ties to and Dutchess. The news took many Catholics by surprise. How were they to remain connected SoHo. Declared venerable in 1996. our region. to their faith? How long would it be before they could safely receive the Eucharist again? Venerable Mother Mary Angeline St. Marianne Cope 1838–1918 It didn’t take long for the faithful to make adjustments. Pastors, parishes and the many Dorothy Day Teresa McCrory 1893–1984 A Franciscan sister from way upstate An Irish-born religious sister who (Syracuse) who became legendary ministries of the archdiocese sprang into action, devising new ways to deliver the liturgy Dorothy Day 1897–1980 founded the Carmelite Sisters of as Mother Marianne of Molokai, and the rituals of the Church to those who thirsted for them. And wherever there was a Co-founder of the Catholic Worker the Aged and Infirm in New York in overseeing the care of people need, Catholics delivered services despite the obstacles. movement who tirelessly fought 1929. Declared venerable in 2012. suffering from leprosy in Hawaii for Sr. Mary Catherine Redmond, an emergency room physician assistant who served on the for the poor, the hungry and the Venerable Rev. Fulton J. Sheen three decades. Canonized in 2012. front line of the pandemic in the hardest-hit part of the Bronx (see next page), summed homeless. Her cause was launched 1895–1979 An auxiliary bishop in St. Jean de LaLande 1616–1646 it up this way: “It wasn’t that the Church closed. The Church just went to the streets. by John Cardinal O’Connor in 1990. the Archdiocese of New York in and St. René Goupil 1608–1642 Terence Cardinal Cooke 1921–1983 the 1950s and ‘60s, later bishop of Jesuit lay missionaries who worked Whether it was people handing out sandwiches … taking care of their neighbors … Archbishop of New York from 1968 Rochester, who is widely known for alongside St. Isaac Jogues. Both [or] taking care of the sick, the Church went to the streets.” until his death in 1983, known for his pioneering work in the use of canonized in 1930. In the next few pages, you’ll meet a number of those people – priests, sisters, friars, his work to protect the unborn and radio and television for evangeliza- St. Pope Paul VI 1897–1978 and deacons and lay Catholics – who would not let the health crisis stop them from provide educational opportunities tion. Declared venerable in 2012. St. Pope John Paul II 1920–2005 living out the message of Christ, sacrificing to help their neighbors at a time when to the underprivileged. The Car- Venerable Felix Varela y Morales Both popes visited the Archdio- the needs have only been growing more urgent. They are not looking for credit dinal Cooke Guild was formed to 1788–1853 A Cuban priest and cese of New York – John Paul II promote his cause for sainthood advocate for Latin American visited three times! Canonized in or praise; they just want to help their sisters and brothers, and they represent in 1984. independence who went on to 2018 and 2014, respectively. hundreds of others, Catholics and non-Catholics, who deserve our thanks.

18 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 SAINTS/HEROES OF NEW YORK would ever see of their loved one. That was heart-wrenching. And when we put people on ventilators ... to realize that only 20 percent of the people were ever going to make it off the ventilators was really overwhelming.” HEALTH CARE As it turned out, some of the hardest things were also some of the largest ince 1999, Sister Mary Cather- blessings. “As part of the palliative ine Redmond has worked as a care team,” she says, “I had some of physician assistant in the emer- the most deeply moving conversations gency department of a small city with family members about the end of hospital in the Bronx, part of life, about the loss of their loved ones.” News York’s Health and Hospitals Cor- One of the nurses suggested placing poration. A Presentation Sister, she re- “a little story” of each patient at the sides in a Bronx convent with four oth- bottom of the bed beside the patient er members of her congregation. This chart. Then, though the intubated spring, when New York became the patients were unable to speak, the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic, caretakers would be able to talk to the hospital where Sr. Mary Catherine them with some knowledge of their works – like many in the region – saw a lives. “I spent an afternoon calling massive influx of cases. the families of all the patients in that St. Mary Catherine grew up in unit,” Sr. Mary Catherine recalls. “I Kingston, where she was educated asked them questions, and they talked by the Presentation Sisters of the about their family member. That was a BEYOND THE CALL \ Dr. Helen Fernandez (above), a geriatri- Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Mary’s/ blessing … just listening to the families cian and palliative care specialist at Mt. Sinai Hospital (and a parishio- Kingston Catholic School. She entered talk about their loved ones. I think they ner at St. Francis de Sales on East 96th Street), became infected in the the Sisters of the Presentation in felt comforted that someone wanted to early days of the crisis. Sidelined as she quarantined and recovered, 1987 and made final vows in 1996. know all this information about their she secured a donation of iPads from Facebook to help patients on her “When I entered religious life, I was family member.” ward at Mt. Sinai stay connected to family and friends who could not actually an audiologist,” she recalls. Sr. Mary Catherine also felt blessed come to visit. “I went back to school at the Catholic by the prayers of her congregation. “I Medical Center in Queens to become remember once early on in religious BUSINESS NOT AS USUAL \ Non-Covid medical needs did not a physician assistant ... because I really life, one of the sisters said to me, go away in the pandemic – and some were exacerbated. In Sullivan and felt called at that point to provide ‘Where one of us is, we all are.’ And Ulster counties, the Catholic Charities substance abuse services were medical care to the underserved.” I would always think, every day, more urgently needed than ever. In the words of one dedicated rehab When the Covid-19 crisis struck, when I walked into the Emergency counselor, “Addiction doesn’t take a day off, so neither can we.” Where she says, “It felt like a tidal wave. And Department, We are all here.” possible, services were delivered remotely. Below, Dr. Mike Weddel, as the crisis evolved, it became clearer Supportive colleagues and her own medical director of the program, conducts a telehealth session. and clearer that we were dealing with The need for personal protective mask?” It wasn’t just the smile that was rich prayer life also helped get her something way beyond our control. equipment (PPE) was problematic in eliminated; it was also physical touch. through the crisis. “In the beginning, when we were more ways than one. “We ordinarily “Now we had rubber gloves on, we had “I’ll always remember the names working with Covid-positive patients, would use PPE for going into the room these gowns on. It was something we of the patients that died. It’s like a we were worried about where they had of one person maybe once a week. For never imagined.” litany,” Sr. Mary Catherine says. “I traveled and what contacts they had, a staff of around 60 people now to Like her colleagues, Sr. Mary still have contact with some of their et cetera. Then all of a sudden it was a have to use that equipment on a daily Catherine did the best she could families. The intensity of the time whole slew of Uber drivers who were basis was just beyond the capacity of for patients despite the difficulties. made connections that will last.” very sick, which meant that it was what we had. So early in the crisis, When her family members told her And she adds a point of hope: “I person-to-person contact. ... Patients we were wearing our protective wear “Please be careful,” she recalls, she know for sure that an awareness of started showing up with all different [which is meant to be used once and downplayed the risks. She worried the health care needs of the poor has symptoms, and everyone had Covid. discarded] five days in a row, unless about potentially infecting the older been brought into the light. There’s First we were looking for respiratory there was some sort of compromise.” sisters she lived with in the convent. been great insight into the disparity symptoms and the ground-glass Then there was the disconnect of And at the hospital, the number of of care.” opacities on the chest X-ray. The relating to patients from behind layers of deaths was staggering. “It was death Click here for the full Archways next thing, it was gastrointestinal protection. “How do you communicate like we’ve never seen death before. The interview with Sr. Mary Catherine symptoms. Then all of a sudden it with somebody, how do you reassure number of body bags. The last minutes Redmond. To read Sr. Mary Catherine’s was ‘I can’t smell’ and ‘I don’t taste somebody with just your eyes? How do that families had with each other, which blog posts about her experience of the anymore.’ They were all Covid.” they know I’m smiling underneath my we knew were potentially the last they Covid-19 crisis, click here.

20 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 21 SAINTS/HEROES OF NEW YORK you’re praying with people, you can see that the Lord is really touching them. Or even oneself,” he says. “Part of it, too, is just accompanying. Like when the families requested prayer for their loved one. Just accompanying them in SPIRITUAL CARE that. That’s been a blessing as well. “It’s been a joy I’ll always remember t was Good Friday when Fr. Anto- be a spiritual presence, to remind them Despite the many challenges and the to be able to serve in this capacity, to nio Maria Diez de Medina came of God’s care and love for them,” Fr. tragedy of so much suffering, there are be a loving witness,” Fr. Medina says. to the Bronx to serve as a hospital Medina says. “Sometimes there would also many blessings for the hospital His days of chaplaincy in the Bronx chaplain. A Franciscan Friar of be nurses who would come up to me chaplain. One simple one is the joy are ended for now, but if there’s a sec- the Renewal who lives in com- and say, ‘I need a prayer.’ And I would of seeing a patient get better. “There ond “wave” of the virus and the call imunity at St. Mary of the Assumption pray with them right there and give was a Covid-19 patient who had the goes out, he says he’ll volunteer all Friary in Newburgh, he stepped up them a priestly blessing. That’s helpful respirator and was not responsive,” Fr. over again. when the community’s superior, Fr. for them, to strengthen them to contin- Medina recalls. “I went in and prayed John Paul Ourlette, CFR, asked for ue on.” In the early days of the crisis, it with him, and the next day I came volunteers to help some of the many was especially intense. “There was that back and he was awake and talking. coronavirus patients facing the illness fear that was kind of crippling to peo- The nurse was really happy, she was alone, without sacraments or visits ple. Sometimes I had to pray with peo- just thanking God.” from loved ones. ple, even the staff, against that fear that And perhaps the greatest joy is found “When I first started at the hospital,” was robbing them of peace and joy.” in the prayer itself. “Sometimes when Stepping Up he recalls, “there was some apprehen- sion about going into the Covid rooms. IN EARLY MARCH, regional Church leaders realized The doors would be closed. As a chap- that they were going to be needing more chaplains lain, I didn’t really have to go in – I than usual in the weeks ahead. Working with Arch- could pray long-distance, but there’s a Care, which runs the region’s hospital chaplaincy divide there.” To close that divide, Fr. program during normal times, the Archdiocese of Medina had to conquer fear. “I was a New York put out a call for five additional priests from little nervous, but seeing the doctors parishes and monastic communities to leave their and nurses putting on the full PPE, I home base and take up residence in isolation near followed their example. If they’re tak- the hospitals where they would be needed. Dozens of ing the risk to do that, then as a priest I priests answered the call. decided I should do the same.” Among the volunteers, Fr. Antonio Maria Diez de la Even inside the room, Fr. Medina Medina (see previous page) served in the Bronx. In found communication was not always Dutchess County, Fr. Michael Connolly of St. Columba easy when patients were on ventilators. in Hopewell Junction and Fr. Louis Masi of St. Mary in “The ones who were conscious would Fishkill resided at a disused retreat house while serv- look at me and not be able to speak ing hospitals and nursing homes. but they could nod their head yes or A number of priests were already serving in the Arch- ABOVE: Fr. Hugh Vincent Dyer, OP, moved into ArchCare at Mary no,” he says. “Others maybe had their Care chaplaincy. One of them, Fr. Hugh Vincent Dyer, Manning Walsh nursing home as chaplain during the pandemic. eyes open but weren’t really responsive OP, a friar of the Dominican health-care ministry, went TOP: Sr. Helena Therese Horan and Sr. Maureen Elizabeth Doonan, – and others had their eyes closed. I into residence at the ArchCare Mary Manning Walsh both Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm, worked tirelessly would just continue to speak to them nursing home. There he provided pastoral care for to ensure the comfort, safety and spiritual well-being of residents and presume that they were hear- residents alongside the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged at Mary Manning Walsh. ing me. They couldn’t show that they and Infirm, who have run the facility for decades. Via heard me, but I know that they did. closed-circuit TV, Fr. Dyer offered daily Mass and rosa- on Manhattan’s East Side. “For two and a half weeks, For somebody very ill, if I was there to ry, along with occasional classic movies. He also admin- it was 12 hours on, 12 hours off,” he says. “ I was the do the anointing, and even just saying istered sacraments to residents afflicted with Covid-19. overnight guy.” He recalls “going into rooms where I the words, I think there’s grace flowing “The height of it all was really the month of April,” he had to help people say good-bye via tablets. Giving for them. ... The soul is there, and even recalls. That was when New York state was requiring the last rites while I’m holding up a tablet for the family though a person’s body is not able to nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients from to see because they can’t come.” respond, you should treat them with area hospitals. At the Walsh home, more than 50 died. As we wait to see whether the virus has a resurgence dignity and love them.” “You would suit up with gloves and masks and robes. in the region this fall, most area chaplains have gotten A chaplain’s first duty is to the pa- Early on, when we were still waiting for PPE, you might a well-earned break, but all are prepared to jump back tients, but he also serves an important be administering from the door.” in. “It’s the priest in persona Christi – in the person of function in helping families and even Fr. John Maria Devaney, OP, a Dominican from Fr. Christ,” says Fr. Devaney. “It’s me, you know – the bro- the health-care workers. “Part of it is to Dyer’s community, was working nearby at a hospital ken vessel, but nonetheless His priesthood.”

22 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 23 SAINTS/HEROES OF NEW YORK struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues all had to respond to increased demand for services while also protecting the health of clients and staff. Nursing homes were especially hard hit when they were ordered by COMMUNITY CARE New York State to accept Covid-positive patients discharged from area hospitals hen the Covid-19 crisis without being provided with adequate swept through the New protective equipment and resources. York region, overwhelm- Through all of this, thousands of ing medical facilities and caring staff and volunteers at hundreds upending the economy, of organizations kept on helping our thosew directly affected by the virus neighbors, reaching out to clients were not the only victims. As Msgr. electronically or through home visits, Kevin Sullivan, executive director of taking on new roles in organizations, Catholic Charities of New York, ob- improvising new ways to deliver help serves, “The problems that existed be- to those in need. To all of these giving fore the virus didn’t go away. They got souls, including the few pictured here, worse.” For those already in need, the Archways offers a humble salute. pandemic is a crisis on top of a crisis. For more information on how In the three months after the services are being delivered during the pandemic started, Catholic Charities crisis, see “Outside the Box.” distributed half a million meals in the archdiocese. Part of the Solution (POTS), an affiliated social services agency in the Bronx, tripled its volume of prepared meals from 450 to more than 1,300 per day. The food distribution schedule at the Ulster Food Pantry in Kingston, run by Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster, went from two days a week to five. Programs supporting immigrants, day laborers, the homeless and people

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Emergency food program assistant Juan Nunez guides arriving clients at POTS; Janet Hernandes, an organizer at the Catholic Charities Community Services day laborers’ program in Yonkers, advises a client from a distance of six feet; staff at ArchCare’s Carmel Richmond Nursing Home, Staten Island; Chef Leroy Brown, the force behind the prepared meals program at POTS, which tripled its volume to 1,350 meals per day during the pandemic.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Food pantry associate Leomary Rodriguez and associate director of food and dignity programs Taina Rodriguez, behind the scenes at Part of the Solution (POTS); POTS program manager Christopher Minaya; Dominique Wallace Mills and Eline Martinez at the Catholic Charities Ulster Pantry.

24 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 25 ART’S CONSOLATIONS

A GIFT FROM THE CHILDREN

SOMETIMES, in the midst of stress and despair, we need to be reminded of the blessings that surround us. The beauty of art can be a powerful anti- dote to anxiety and hopelessness. Artists, in the words of Pope Fran- cis, “are called to shine beauty, espe- cially where darkness or gray domi- nates.” They are “custodians of beauty, heralds and witnesses of hope for hu- manity.” His words, spoken in 2016, have a deep resonance for us now. “I invite you,” he added, “to cherish beauty, and beauty will heal the many wounds that mark the hearts and souls of the men and women of today.” In this year’s CYO Virtual Art and Essay Contest, the students of the Archdiocese of New York offer us healing through the beauty of their works. With humor, insight and ar- tistic talent, they have let their light shine on the love of God that lies at the heart of creation. Their entries also helped raise funds to feed hungry New Yorkers during the current crisis. We hope you enjoy the sampling in these pages. Galleries of all the entries can be found here (art) and here (pho- tography). Editor’s note: Due to the success of the virtual format, CYO has announced a fall 2020 contest in addition to the tra- ditional spring competition. For infor- CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Faye Ferrer, Psalm 91:11, 6th grade, St. Rita School, Staten Island; Cecilia Moreno, Our Lady of Guadalupe, 8th grade, mation, go to cyony.org. Benjamin Muecke, Virgin Mary, 7th grade, St. Augustine School, Ossining St. Augustine School, Ossining; Mackenzie Fitzpatrick, You Are Not Alone, 4th grade, Notre Dame Academy, Staten Island (Archways Hon. Mention)

26 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 27 I LISTEN TO THEIR CONVERSATIONS AND READ THEIR THOUGHTS, THE SENIORS ABOUT THEIR LOST YOUTH AND THE YOUNG ABOUT THEIR DREAMS, THE SUN STARTS TO SET AND THE SKY BEGINS TO DARKEN, THE SUMMER IS OVER FOR NOW. I LONG FOR THE TIME, IN NEW YORK CITY

WHEN THE VIRAL Alexander Califano PANDEMIC ENDS, “Centennial Field Speaks” EVERYONE STRONG (excerpt) AND HEALTHY, WE WILL ALL GATHER WITH FRIENDS. I LONG FOR THE TIME, IN NEW YORK CITY FILLED WITH PEACE AND EQUALITY, IN THIS MELTING POT OF RACES, I PRAY FOR UNITY AND ONENESS.

Matthew Mendoza “NYC Vision 2020” (excerpt)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Maya Schnell, Flowers, 6th grade, St. Paul School, Valley Cottage (Archways Hon. Mention); Piya Goyal, Mother–Daughter CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Auden Kinahan, Alone in the Field, 7th grade, St. Denis – St. Columba, Hopewell Junction; Ryan McLaughlin, Apple at the Beach, 5th grade, St. Augustine School, Ossining; Hunter Moore, for the Teacher, 4th grade, Sacred Heart School, Suffern; Faye Ferrer, Pandemic Haircut, 6th grade, St. Rita School, Staten Island (Archways Hon. Mention) Lavender Friends, 11th grade, Monfort Academy, Mt. Vernon

28 † FALL 2020 † FALL 2020 29 ART’S CONSOLATIONS

2020 CYO Virtual Art and Essay Contest Winners

ART Experts (9th and 10th grades) First Place: Brian Mahaney Small Fries (1st and 2nd grades) The Charmer | 10th grade First Place: Abigail Bratt Monfort Academy, Ossining Mother’s Day Sunset | 2nd grade Second Place: Lucia Bautista St. Augustine School, Ossining Angel in Disguise | 10th grade Second Place: Antonia Schnell Monfort Academy, Ossining My Visit to the Dentist | 2nd grade St. Christopher School, Staten Island Elite (11th and 12th grades) Third Place: William Muecke First Place: Natasha Pabon Parrot | 1st grade Moon Eyes | 11th grade St. Augustine School, Ossining Academy of Mt. St. Ursula, Bronx First Place (Sculpture): Second Place: Hunter Moore Luke Thengampallil Lavender Friends | 11th grade Pinecone Bouquet and Pollinators Monfort Academy, Ossining 2nd grade | St. Paul School, Valley Cottage Third Place: Christopher Elias Second Place (Sculpture): Ale Vigna Skeleton in Catacombs | 12th grade Hot Dog with Bun | 1st grade Salesian High School, New Rochelle Our Lady Queen of Peace, Staten Island PHOTO Beginners (3rd and 4th grades) First Place: Ryan McLaughlin First Place: Jackson Murphy Apple for the Teacher | 4th grade Small Joys | 8th grade Sacred Heart, Suffern Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island Second Place: Vivianna Chin Second Place: Samantha Murphy Air Balloons in the Sunset | 4th grade Dog at Work | 6th grade St. Augustine School, Ossining St. Augustine School, Ossining Third Place: Freya Wouter Third Place: Victoria Lewis Self-Portrait | 3rd grade 92 Daze | 9th grade Kingston Catholic, Kingston St. Joseph by the Sea High School,

Staten Island th Learners (5th and 6th grades) Brian Mahaney, The Charmer, 10 grade, Monfort Academy, Westchester First Place: Piya Goyal POETRY Mother–Daughter at the Beach | 5th grade St. Augustine School, Ossining Middle School Second Place: Arianna Chin First Place: Matthew Califano Third Place: Noah Barrett Blessed Mother of Mary | 6th grade “Shepherd’s Respite” | 8th grade “Darkness” | 11th grade St. Augustine School, Ossining Home school, Rockland Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Third Place: Faye Ferrer Second Place: Alexander Califano Poughkeepsie Psalm 91:11 | 6th grade “Centennial Field Speaks” | 8th grade is published four times a year by the St. Rita School, Staten Island Home school, Rockland ESSAY Archdiocese of New York Marketing Office Third Place: Matthew Mendoza Michael Cain | Managing Editor “NYC Vision 2020” | 5th grade First Place: Alexander Califano Masters (7th and 8th grades) Ricardo Paiba | Senior Designer First Place: Auden Kinahan Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island “Pandemic Dire Warning” | 8th grade Vinny Bove | Junior Designer Alone in the Field | 7th grade Home school, Rockland Katherine Valentino | Social Media and Web Manager St. Denis–St. Columba, Hopewell Junction Second Place: Matthew Califano High School MK Fogarty | Assistant Director for New Media and Marketing Second Place: Cecilia Moreno First Place: Jean Cajamarca “Lessons from the Pandemic” | 8th grade Our Lady of Guadalupe | 8th grade “The Skin Is Not Wicked” | 12th grade Home school, Rockland St. Augustine School, Ossining All Hallows High School, Bronx Third Place: James Hook Third Place: Benjamin Muecke Second Place: Alexandra Cordato “Experience That Influenced Virgin Mary | 7th grade “The Waiting Room” | 11th grade His Development” | 8th grade St. Augustine School, Ossining St. Joseph Hill Academy, Staten Island St. Charles School, Staten Island

30 † FALL 2020 Vivianna Chin, Air Balloons in the Sunset, 4th grade, St. Augustine School, Ossining © 2020 Archdiocese of New York archny.org