CATHOLIC Archdiocese of New York and Four for the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal— NEW YORK Saturday, May 29, at St

Cardinal Dolan will ordain 10 men to the priesthood—six for the CATHOLIC Archdiocese of New York and four for the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal— NEW YORK Saturday, May 29, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Each of the ordinands is AMERICA’S LARGEST CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER profiled inside the 12-page special May 20, 2021 Vol. XL, No. 18 $1.00 section that wraps the regular issue.

Chris Sheridan TO BE ORDAINED—Eight members of the Class of 2021 at St. Joseph’s Seminary pose on the Dunwoodie campus. From left, they are Father Frantisek Marie Chloupek, C.F.R., Father Ignatius Pio Mariae Doherty, C.F.R., Father Joseph Michael Fino, C.F.R., Father Robert Carolan, Father Kevin Panameño , Father Elijah Marie Perri, C.F.R., Father Steven N. Gonzalez and Father Matthew Breslin. All eight, plus Father Carmine Caruso and Fa- ther Wesbee Victor, will be ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Saturday, May 29. A2 CATHOLIC NEW YORK May 20, 2021 The Priesthood and Publishing he special section wrapping around the outside of this issue of Catholic New York Tis close to our hearts. As you can see, it features profiles about the 10 men Cardinal Dolan will ordain to the priesthood at St. Pat- rick’s Cathedral on Saturday morning, May 29. A lot of preparatory work and effort goes into produc- ing a section such as this one, especially this year. From our end, all of our reporters and editors get involved in the reporting and writing of the profiles. While we each bring our own personal style to the assignment, we try our best to keep the focus where it belongs—on the seminarians, now transitional deacons, who in slightly more than a week will be ordained to the priesthood. We get a lot of help in turning out this particular product, especially from the leadership and staff of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, where eight of this year’s ordinands completed their formation for the priesthood. Of course, that includes Auxiliary Bishop James Massa of Brooklyn, the rector, and Father William Cleary, the vice rector, who for several years has helped Chris Sheridan us to coordinate the interview schedule of the SPRING STROLL—The eight members of the Class of 2021 of St. Joseph’s Seminary enjoy a walk on seminarians and facilitate the flow of basic the tree-lined Dunwoodie campus last month. In the front row, from left, are Father Kevin Panameño, background questions to and from them. Father Robert Carolan and Father Steven N. Gonzalez. Cardinal Dolan will ordain all eight to the priest- In years such as this one, when more men are hood at a Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral May 29. being ordained, keeping everything running smoothly is no small matter, so the seminarians aren’t burdened with too many additional responsibilities as graduation and ordination Cardinal to Ordain 10 Priests at Cathedral Mass May 29 nears and we are able to get the information Cardinal Dolan will ordain 10 men to the priesthood at a Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 9 and access we need to publish. a.m. on Saturday, May 29. From CNY’s perspective, ordinations are an Six are being ordained as priests for the Archdiocese of New York, and four for the Francis- important story, in terms of news and in the can Friars of the Renewal. life of the archdiocese. It goes almost without The new archdiocesan priests are Father Matthew Breslin, Father Robert Carolan, Father Car- saying at this point, but bears repeating, that we mine Caruso, Father Steven N. Gonzalez, Father Kevin Panameño and Father Wesbee Victor. in the Archdiocese of New York and just about Being ordained for the Renewal Friars are Father Frantisek Marie Chloupek, C.F.R., Father every other diocese in the United States could Ignatius Pio Mariae Doherty, C.F.R., Father Joseph Michael Fino, C.F.R., and Father Elijah Marie use more priests. You can likely see the need Perri, C.F.R. clearly in your own parish. Eight of the new priests completed their formation for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Seminary This section is one way we personally work in Dunwoodie. Father Carmine Caruso completed his priestly formation at Pope St. John XXIII to counter that trend. We endeavor to deliver National Seminary in Weston, Mass., and Father Wesbee Victor completed his priestly formation not only the basics about the new priests’ edu- at the Theological College of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. continued on page A11

CATHOLIC NEW YORK Vol. XL, No. 18 HOW TO REACH US DEADLINES May 20, 2021 1011 First Avenue, Ste. 1721 Editorial copy must be received in CNY’s offices at least one week before the publication date. New York, N.Y. 10022 Editor in Chief Advertising/Business Manager CHANGE OF ADDRESS John Woods Matthew E. Schiller Phone (212) 688-2399 Please clip old label and mail with new address Fax (212) 688-2642 to the Circulation Dept. Catholic New York (ISSN 0278-1174) is published biweekly, 26 issues for $26.00 per year, 1011 First Avenue, Ste. 1721, by Ecclesiastical Communications Corp., 1011 First Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. Periodi- Email [email protected] New York, N.Y. 10022 cal postage paid at New York, N.Y. and at additional mailing offices. On the web www.cny.org Delivery problems: (212) 688-2399 ext. 3140 Postmaster: send address changes to Catholic New York, 1011 First Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. May 20, 2021 CATHOLIC NEW YORK A3

First Priest From Highland Father Robert Carolan decided in Parish Credits God 2015 to continue teaching in a different role. The physical education teacher Working Through Him in the archdiocese entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie and will be Father Matthew Breslin knew at a young ordained a priest by Cardinal Dolan at age as an altar server at daily Mass he felt an St. Patrick’s Cathedral May 29. attraction and desire for the priesthood. “My first two years at Dunwoodie, His father, Alex, had just lost a 10-year I was the book bearer for both ordi- battle with brain cancer and Father Breslin nation Masses,” he told CNY. “I was said becoming more involved with his parish right up front with the Cardinal as the at St. Augustine in Highland helped him with guys were being ordained. his grief and discernment to the priesthood. “Now, I’ll be on the other side. I “He was diagnosed when my mother won’t be the book bearer, I will be (Maureen) was pregnant with me and my the one getting ordained. Obviously, sister (Megan, now Sister Mary Strength of you’re going to be excited, emotional. Martyrs of the Servants of the Lord It’ll just hit you. Right now, we’re busy

and the Virgin of Matara) was 2 years chris sheridan with papers and getting things ready old. It was inoperable, and they said for ordination.” he wouldn't live to see me born. Father Carolan, 37, grew up in Yorktown Miraculously, he lived 10 years after Heights as one of four children of Robert and that,” Father Breslin, who will be the Father Caryn Carolan. He has three sisters—Pam first priest from St. Augustine’s parish Leone, Christine Benson and Kim Fox—and in its 121-year history, told CNY. Robert 11 nephews and nieces. “His life was a great lesson to me in He attended Sunday Mass with his fam- many ways. He was a great dad who Carolan ily at St. Elizabeth loved being a dad, loved his children Ann Seton Church A Good and loved his wife. It was a lesson that in Shrub Oak where I can apply to my priesthood in the Father Carolan will he was enrolled in Listener, fatherly heart he had for my sister and celebrate his first the parish school for I of wanting to spend every day with a few years before Mass at St. Elizabeth He Learned us and fighting to stay alive as long as later graduating he could. Ann Seton Church in from Yorktown High to Trust in “My mom in my life is the epitome Shrub Oak on Sunday, School. He earned chris sheridan of self-sacrificial love. She was always a bachelor's degree the Lord’s the rock of the family despite having this May 30, at 3 p.m. in applied sociology horrible, horrible life scenario. She went Father Robert Quarato, from East Carolina Plans from caring for her two children and dying University in North pastor of St. Elizabeth Father husband and then transitioned to now being Carolina and a master's in physical education Matthew a single mother to children who no longer Ann Seton parish, will in sports pedagogy from Manhattanville Col- have a father and really didn't miss a beat. I be the homilist. lege in Purchase. Breslin still consider her one of my best friends.” Father Carolan said he first heard a calling As a priest, Father Breslin is looking to the priesthood as a junior in high school, forward to celebrating Mass, hearing confes- and his faith grew through college and as a Father Breslin will sions, meeting people and being a “vehicle of physical education teacher for seven years at God’s mercy and presence in the world.” He archdiocesan schools. celebrate his first also hopes to remain involved in high school “The call was getting stronger and stron- Mass Sunday, May ministries and retreats. ger,” said the native of Ridgewood, N.J. “The 30, at 2 p.m. at St. “That age ministry really excites me be- Lord put some pretty big signs in my way cause they are important years in someone’s that I knew he was calling me. It wasn’t until Augustine Church life, and I didn’t lose the faith at that age 2015 that I finally told my parents.” in Highland. Father because I had such great examples of the In the seminary, his apostolic assignments faith,” he said. included two years at St. Christopher’s Inn, Brian Graebe, pastor “They are not the future (of the Church). operated by the Franciscan Friars of the of the Basilica of St. They are the present. They have the same Atonement at Graymoor in Garrison. Patrick’s Old Cathedral desires and needs as anyone because ulti- “St. Christopher has a great reputation of mately our desires all lead to God who is the rehabbing people and I think the big reason in Manhattan, where fulfillment of every desire. He’s the one who is the faith aspect, where people realize that Father Breslin served made our desires and he fulfills all of them.” we are body, mind and soul, and to have a Father Breslin, 25, attended the parish spiritual light and to lean on an invisible as a transitional school at St. Augustine before graduating force, and also the simple fact to know you’re deacon, will be the from Our Lady of Lourdes High School. He loved by God, no matter what state in life homilist. graduated from St. John’s University with a you are in, could really help with the road to bachelor’s degree in philosophy and leaves recovery,” he said. continued on page A9 continued on page A9 A4 CATHOLIC NEW YORK May 20, 2021

Father Caruso will celebrate his First Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea Father Church on Staten Island Sunday, May 30, at 2 p.m. Father Thomas Carmine Caruso Devery, the pastor, will deliver the homily.

The earliest memory Father To him, “the priesthood is just the archdiocese. Carmine Caruso has of being in the only profession out there that Hobbies have included baseball, a church was around age 4, ac- can get into the human heart and bowling and amateur boxing. The companying his late grandmother, into the soul and that’s what really latter, he explained, “brought great Concetta Caruso, to St. Frances needs to be healed if we look out discipline and structure to my life, Cabrini in Brooklyn. “It was a into the world… which is what faith does. You’re mystique to me as a little boy,” he “You see some graces happen,” training to go out into battle. As a said of watching her light candles he said, “and you just know that’s priest, you’re like a boxer.” and pray before various statues not on human merits; that’s the He worked in the field of engi- of saints after Mass. “I was just in grace of God at work.” neering from 2000 until entering awe” and thought, “this is pretty He credits a missionary trip to the Cathedral Seminary House of powerful.” Jamaica he made in 2015 with a Formation in Douglaston, Queens, Background in “It showed me where she was men’s group from Our Lady of Pity in 2015, followed by Pope St. going to the well—that was her parish on Staten Island as trans- John XXIII National Seminary in Engineering, Boxing source for drawing upon her formative. “It gave me the courage Weston, Mass., in 2017. strength. My grandmother bur- to respond and finally say ‘yes’ to Summer parish assignments Will Help Him Build ied five out of six kids before she the call I had received but been were Our Lady of the Assumption passed away” at age 78. putting off for quite some time,” he and St. Mary Star of the Sea in the Up Church Now 43, his vocation to the said of their service work with the Bronx and St. Joseph and St. Mary priesthood is an answer to the Missionaries of the Poor. After- Immaculate on Staten Island. call “to love,” he said, “without ward, he contacted Father Enrique Born in Brooklyn, he is the son any prejudice, without any bias.” Salvo, then vocations director for continued on page A9

Father Gonzalez will celebrate his first Mass Sunday, May 30, at Father Steven 10:30 a.m., at St. Lucy’s parish in the Bronx. The homilist will be N. Gonzalez Father Luis Saldana, canonical spiritual director at the seminary.

Father Steven N. Gonzalez, a Gonzalez, adding that he became Magaly Gonzalez, both born in the graduate of Cristo Rey New York more active at St. Lucy’s parish in Dominican Republic and residing High School in Manhattan, likes the Bronx, his home parish. Priests in the Bronx, where Father Gon- hiking on Bear Mountain and in there also played an influential zalez was born and raised. He is the Catskills, and he enjoys play- role in his interest in the priest- the middle of three sons, between ing board games, with Parcheesi a hood. As a youngster, his parents older brother Nestor, and Jona- favorite. instilled the values of the Church. than, the youngest. The family par- His focusing skills help him “I want to ultimately be an ish at the time was Sacred Heart in excel in those pastimes. Soon they instrument of Jesus toward them the South Bronx. will help him as he pays pastoral (the faithful),” he said of his Father Gonzalez holds a bach- chris sheridan attention to the spiritual and sacra- planned approach to being a priest, elor’s degree in International Po- mental needs of the faithful. adding that he will start each litical Economy and Development “I was 17 years old when the morning alone in prayer, in prepa- from Fordham University, with a Cristo Rey New thought came across my mind,” ration for his pastoral service. minor in Spanish literature. From York High School Father Gonzalez, 28, told Catholic “I want to start with Jesus and St. Joseph Seminary and College New York in a phone interview, be able to introduce people to the in Dunwoodie, he holds master’s Alumnus Entering as he discussed when he began to Lord. I am fluent in Spanish, so I degrees in Catholic Philosophi- think about becoming a priest. He probably will be working a lot with cal Studies, Divinity and Arts and Priesthood credited Jesuit priests he encoun- Hispanic ministry. But I am also Theology. He also holds a bach- tered at Cristo Rey as a positive passionate about learning about elor’s in Angelicum Sacred Theol- influence. different cultures, and learning ogy, a program of the Pontifical “But it wasn’t until later in col- how Catholicism is spread within University of St. Thomas Aquinas lege that I started getting more in- different cultural contexts.” administered by St. Joseph’s Semi- volved in my faith,” recalled Father He is the son of Nestor and continued on page A9 May 20, 2021 CATHOLIC NEW YORK A5

New York-born Following in his trauma surgeon Seminarian Sensed Path to father’s footsteps was not the calling for Wesbee Victor, which was ap- the Priesthood Early in Life parent to him after he observed and subsequently fainted during a surgery Father Kevin Panameño first realized he his adoptive father performed. may want to be a priest when he was 13 years “I was in there for probably 10 min- old. At age 31, that pursuit will become a utes,” he recalled of his time in the op- reality. A young teen’s look into the future erating room, and was looking to leave has arrived. amid “the cutting and the blood...I “I started to pay more attention to the remember I told them, ‘Get me out of readings during Mass,” Father Panameño here,’ and then I just passed out.” told Catholic New York. He added that the Now 31, Victor was 18 at the time. He virtues of service and bringing hope through then confided in his father his attrac- the Good News became more appealing as tion to the priesthood since childhood. a way to do God’s will. He said he was not He was 9 years old and an altar server influenced by a particular priest, but when he asked his pastor, “What does he did like the pastoral works of par- the priest do? And then when they ish priests. are at the altar, why they do what they are He was born in Manhattan and doing...I was just being a curious kid.” raised in Memphis, Tenn., a reloca- Shadowing his father during surgery “was tion stemming from his father’s work Father a wake-up call for me; now, what do I want as an airport employee. His childhood to do?” The following year, the family moved church in Memphis was Resurrection Wesbee from Florida to New York. Before the move, parish. Father Panameño’s current par- Victor spoke to a priest in Tampa, Fla., and ish is Our Lady of Angels in the Bronx. Victor later contacted Fa- “It was the Gospel of John; it is ther Luke Sweeney filled with so much mystery and it’s (now Msgr. Swee- Study of beautiful,” Father Panameño said of Father Victor will ney) who was then the Bible book that he often read in celebrate his First serving as vocations Bioethics his teens and into adulthood. “And director for the Arch- Mass Saturday, May my parents were very supportive diocese of New York. Will throughout my journey.” 29, at 4:30 p.m. at St. He entered the As for his upcoming first few years Catherine of Genoa Cathedral Seminary Bolster His chris sheridan in the priesthood, he said, “I hope to House of Forma- be a priest who will continue to learn, who Church in Hamilton tion in Douglaston, Priesthood will be open to learning, especially taught by Heights. Father Carlos Queens, in 2013 and the people. I look forward to being there for The Catholic Univer- Limongi, a parochial Father the people to the best of my ability, be it in a sity of America in Washington, D.C., in 2017. pastoral or academic atmosphere.” vicar at Assumption He received a bachelor’s in philosophy Kevin His parents are Tomas and Celina Miranda, parish in Peekskill, and with a minor in psychology from St. John’s who live in Memphis; he grew up with a University in Queens. He earned a bachelor’s Panameño younger sister, Karin Miranda. (Panameño a friend from priestly in sacred theology from Catholic University is his mother’s maiden name. He said people formation, will deliver and in fall 2022 is scheduled to complete his sometimes think he is from Panama because the homily. licentiate in sacred theology in moral theol- Father Panameño will of that surname. “But both my parents are ogy with a focus on bioethics. celebrate his first from El Salvador,” he said with a laugh). His interest in bioethics stems from the in- He holds a bachelor’s degree in philoso- tersection he sees between faith and science. Mass Sunday, May phy from St. Joseph College Seminary in “The teaching of the Church is very practical. 30, at 2 p.m., at St. St. Benedict, La., and a master’s in theology We know the author of life is God. To act in a Raymond Church in from St. Meinrad's Theological Seminary in virtuous way, we have to recognize that life is St. Meinrad, Ind. He attended elementary a gift. We have to cherish it and foster it in a the Bronx. The homilist school and high school in Memphis. way that respects the dignity of human life.” will be Msgr. Javier His apostolic assignments included Our He wants to be a priest, he said, because García de Cárdenas, Lady of Angels parish in the Bronx, where he “for me, this is the best way that I can lay my helped teach RCIA classes and assisted in pre- life down for others.” an Opus Dei priest in paring youth retreats; St. Joseph in Middletown His summer parish assignments were Our Manhattan who is a (youth ministry and giving reflections); Sacred Lady of Mount Carmel, the Bronx, in 2018 and Heart in the Bronx (serving Mass, RCIA St. Mary’s, Wappingers Falls, 2019 and 2020. close friend. classes and giving reflections); the Westchester He speaks French, Haitian Creole, Spanish County Department of Correction in Valhalla and English. He likes to cook Haitain food, (jail ministry, visited the infirmary); and St. plays soccer and has a blue belt in Brazilian Raymond parish in the Bronx (youth group, Jiu-Jitsu. daily reflections, burial services). Born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, his home continued on page A10 continued on page A10 A6 CATHOLIC NEW YORK May 20, 2021

Father Chloupek’s first Mass will be celebrated Sunday, June 20, at Father Frantisek 4 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Lincoln, Neb. Father Glenn Marie Chloupek, Sudano, C.F.R., will serve as homilist. St. Thomas Aquinas was Father Chloupek’s parish when he attended the University of Nebraska and C.F.R. when he discerned his vocation.

Father Frantisek Marie Chlou- York,” the friar told CNY. “I made daily holy hour of Eucharistic ado- pek, C.F.R., left family and friends a few visits and I really felt the ration—that was something I was in a small midwestern town of Lord drawing me there even looking for. There was devotional 900 people to begin his journey to though it meant moving from the prayer and communal prayer. You the priesthood in New York City’s comfort of my home diocese and just saw the deep love of the broth- population of eight million-plus. leaving family and friends. ers for the people in their neighbor- Father Chloupek grew up in “I have a great love for Nebraska hoods, the poor that we serve, the Harvard, Neb., where he was an and it grows while you’re away. youth, and saw the work they were chris sheridan altar server at St. Joseph Church (Harvard) was a very tight-knit doing in the homeless shelter in the and spent his summers working community. The school was a youth center in the Bronx. in cornfields. He attended the block away. You know everyone in “I had seen what I had read about University of Nebraska, where town. My parents were such faith- St. Francis living a very prayerful College Visit to Assisi he earned a degree in fine and ful people taking me to Mass every life, humble life and working with performing arts. While in college, Sunday. It set a foundation for me.” the poor and evangelizing.” Sparked an Interest he took a tour of Italy and visited Father Chloupek, now 35, en- Father Chloupek served in youth Assisi in 2006. He returned with tered the Franciscan Friars of the ministry while residing at St. in St. Francis an interest to learn more about Renewal in 2010 and professed Patrick Friary in Ireland, 2012-2015; St. Francis of Assisi, eventually final vows in 2015. and Our Lady of the Angels Friary traveling to New York to visit the “I saw the deep prayer life the fri- in the Bronx, 2015-2017. Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. ars live,” he said. “They clearly were “I thrived in the youth ministry “I was hesitant to visit New commited to prayer, daily Mass, continued on page A10

Father Ignatius Father Ignatius Pio will offer his first Mass Sunday, June 13, at Pio Mariae 9:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church in Rockford, Ill., his home parish. Doherty, C.F.R.

Father Ignatius Pio Mariae can study and grow,” the friar their Catholic faith, loving their Doherty, C.F.R., speaks about the said. “The idea was to create an families and serving God. three years he spent in Comay- environment that was morally and He first encountered the Francis- agua, Honduras, as the best ones of spiritually formative.” can Friars of the Renewal during his life. In Honduras, he became fluent a vocations day sponsored by the “I loved it there. I can’t wait to in Spanish, a skill developed dur- Institute of Religious Life in 2004 go back,” he told Catholic New ing prior immersion trips to Costa at Mundelein Seminary outside York in a recent phone interview. Rica and Guatemala and under the Chicago. From 2014 to 2017, he served in tutelage of his mother, Louise, who Upon visiting the friars in New Comayagua, where he and other homeschooled him and his brother York months later, the 18-year-old chris sheridan friars ran a Montessori-inspired and two sisters. was eager to join, but Father Glenn lunch program to feed poor chil- The Doherty family of Rock- Sudano, C.F.R., told him he should dren both physically and spiritual- ford, Ill., including husband and continue his studies first, which Lessons From Poor ly. Volunteers prepared the meals, father J. Mark Doherty, are de- turned out to be good advice. He Serves and and the youths handled the rest, vout Catholics. Growing up, they Father Ignatius Pio attended Ave from serving the food, to clearing attended Mass and Charismatic Maria University in southwest Namesake Saint the tables and leading prayer time. prayer meetings on Sundays. His Florida, graduating summa cum Father Ignatius Pio, 34, described parents belong to the group People laude in 2010 with a bachelor’s de- Prepared Him it as a profound experience “into of Praise, which captured national gree in philosophy and a minor in the mystery of human nature—the headlines during last fall’s confir- theology and classical languages. lives of these kids and their fami- mation hearings of Supreme Court He entered the Renewal Friars lies, their struggles, and the power Justice Amy Coney Barrett. that September, serving first in Har- of the Gospel in their lives.” That community provided good lem where he shared food and the “They’re coming to eat so they role models, especially men living continued on page A10 May 20, 2021 CATHOLIC NEW YORK A7 A8 CATHOLIC NEW YORK May 20, 2021

Ohio Native Accepted Father Elijah Marie Perri, C.F.R., remembers when he got “zapped.” the Lord’s Invitation to His conversion experience hap- pened shortly into his freshman year Priesthood at Illinois State University. He had grown up Catholic in Growing up in Westerville, Ohio, the Arlington Heights, Ill., and attended home parish of Father Joseph Michael Fino, Mass on Sundays with his family, C.F.R., was the Church of the Resurrection including parents Jeffrey and Jeanne in a nearby town called New Albany. The and sisters Valerie and Amanda, but parish and his parents instilled in him the said his religious faith “wasn’t part of significance of the faith and the importance my lifestyle.” of Church teachings. Despite being a fun-loving jock in During his college years at Miami Univer- high school, he didn’t find the typical sity of Ohio in Oxford, Father Fino began to college scene fulfilling. He was soon think of pursuing the priesthood. “It was dur- invited to Mass, where a charismatic ing my sophomore year in college, I started young priest weaved sports into a dy- going back to Mass,” Father Fino told namic homily. “It was pretty compel-

Cathlic New York in a phone inter- chris sheridan ling,” remembers Father Elijah, now 32. view. An employee at the college’s Newman “A year later (at age 21), I received a Center began inviting him to activities and grace (during Communion) to know stayed in regular contact. One day Father with certainty that this is in fact the Father Elijah accepted his offer to attend a Holy body and blood, the soul and divinity Hour with Eucharistic adoration. He admits of Jesus Christ. And after that I went Elijah he did not know what to do, so he sat in the back to Confession, and then from back. He was told some people stay for 10 there I started reading the writings of Marie minutes, and others John Paul II—his Letter to Families Perri, remain the whole and his Theology of the Body, and hour, that this was Friar’s First Love and Responsibility. I also started C.F.R. the place “we go and learning a lot more about the Mass we pray and rest Holy Hour and the priesthood.” with Christ.” Father Fino added, “And later it was Father Elijah’s first “By the end of that Was Life- through reading the Scriptures and Holy Hour, I basi- praying while reading the Scriptures Mass will be offered cally was convinced Changing

chris sheridan that I heard the Lord invite me to be a on the Solemnity of that was Jesus in the priest and a friar.” Blessed Sacrament. Experience the Sacred Heart of As a priest, Father Fino said he hopes “to It was His True bring Christ to where people are at.” Jesus, Friday, June Presence. That I was Father “I hope to be a priest who is present and 11, at 11 a.m., in St. called to be a priest, and if I didn’t spend available and accessible to people in their time every day in front of the Blessed Sacra- Joseph everyday lives,” he said. Mary of the Angels ment I would never be happy.” Father Fino grew up the son of Steve and Church in Chicago, Within two or three months he was filling Michael Toni Fino, who reside in Westerville. He out an application for a college seminary which he describes Fino, has two older sisters, Jamie McClelland and at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minn., Jessica Roads. He holds a bachelor’s degree as “a beautiful, old where he earned a bachelor’s in philosophy. C.F.R. in English literature from Miami University Franciscan church” at The call to religious life remained con- of Ohio. Born in Columbus and raised in stant. He first encountered the Franciscan Westerville, he attended local elementary which the life of St. Friars of the Renewal at a FOCUS (Fel- He will celebrate his and high schools.. Francis is depicted lowship of Catholic University Students) His apostolic assignments from St. Joseph throughout. Father national conference in Texas, where Father first Mass Sunday, Seminary in Dunwoodie included service at Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., was delivering June 6, at 2 p.m., at St. Francis Center in the Bronx (in neighbor- Innocent Montgomery, a keynote address and several other friars hood family programs); Calvary Hospital and were present. “I saw them traipsing across the Church of the C.F.R., a friend and neighborhood evangelization in the Bronx; this fancy hotel…and I said, ‘What are these Resurrection in New and the Westchester County Department of spiritual mentor, will guys doing here?’” Albany, his childhood Correction in Valhalla. Before the seminary, be the homilist. When he visited the friars, he was attract- his work through St. Leopold Friary in Yon- ed to their contemplative life, at least two parish. kers included serving at St. Anthony Home- hours of silent prayer in adoration each day, less Shelter in the Bronx, and working in pris- especially their fraternal life. “I could defi- ons and hospitals in Nicaragua. He lived at nitely see myself spending the rest of my life the friary and studied at the seminary. Earlier, with this group of people.” he worked in parish youth ministries in Ohio. “I really want to read the Gospel and live Father Fino, 36, entered the Franciscan like that—live like Jesus and his band of dis- Friars of the Renewal in 2010 and made final ciples, wandering around Palestine, relying continued on page A10 continued on page A10 May 20, 2021 CATHOLIC NEW YORK A9 Father Breslin... continued from page A3 “You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.” St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie with a —Psalm 110 bachelor’s in sacred theology, master’s in divinity and master’s in theology. “Any success I've had or anything I've ac- complished has very little to do with me, but has much more to do with my openness to God working through me and this was all God’s work,” he said.

Father Carolan... continued from page A3 Father Carolan, who said he was inspired by the work of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (Pa- dre Pio) and Archbishop Fulton Sheen, will be graduating from the seminary with a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology, a master’s of divinity and a master's in dogmatic theology. “I learned to always be a good listener,” he said. “I learned to fall in love with the mystery of God. I learned to surrender and I learned to trust in the Lord’s plans. You do the best you can with all the skills you have and then you leave it up to Lord because we all have limits.”

Father Caruso... continued from page A4 of the late Carmine Caruso Sr. and the late Linda Caruso. The brother and brother-in-law The Paulist Fathers Give Praise to God of Lauren and Brandon Trifeletti, he has two for the priestly ordinations of nephews and a niece. His home parish since 2015 is Our Lady Star of the Sea on Staten Island. He has also belonged to Rev. Michael Cruickshank,and C.S.P. St. John Neumann parish on Staten Island. He attended St. Frances Cabrini School in Brooklyn and is a 1995 alumnus of St. Joseph by- Rev. Richard Whitney, C.S.P. the-Sea High School on Staten Island. Ordained priests on Saturday, May 22, 2021 He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering technologies from the New Jersey Institute of at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City Technology in Newark and an associate’s in philosophy from St. John’s University in Queens. Most Rev. Richard Henning Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York Father Gonzalez... Principal Celebrant & Ordaining Bishop continued from page A4 nary and College. He attended the Luis Lorens Torres Children’s Academy Public School 114 in the Bronx. Paulist Fr. Michael Cruickshank Paulist Fr. Richard Whitney is a native of Chelmsford, MA. He earned his grew up in Massachusetts and Washington, His seminary apostolic assignments were undergraduate degree at Washington University D.C. He earned his undergraduate degree at with the Missionaries of Charity, Calvary Hospi- in St. Louis, MO. After college, he moved to New Northeastern University. He met the Paulist tal, Catholic Charities and the youth ministry at York City where he met the Paulist Fathers at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Manhattan. In Fathers through the Paulist Center in Boston. In Holy Cross parish, all in the Bronx. his first priestly assignment, Fr. Mike will serve at his first priestly assignment, Fr. Rich will serve at Summer parish assignments took place at St. the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids, MI. St. John XXIII University Parish in Knoxville, TN. Joseph-St. Mary Immaculate on Staten Island, and again at Holy Cross in the Bronx. As for his Could God be calling you or someone you know to discern a vocation to the priesthood in a interests, “I’m a Schola at the seminary (Schola missionary society like the Paulist Fathers? If so, please contact our vocation director, Paulist Fr. Cantorum), so I’m able to sing tenor,” he said. (212) 757-4260 [email protected] paulist.org/vocation continued on page A10 Dat Tran, at or . You may also learn more at: .

Profiles of the ordinands in this section were written by Armando Machado, | paulist.org | @PaulistFathers Dan Pietrafesa, Christie L. Chicoine and John Woods. A10 CATHOLIC NEW YORK May 20, 2021

Father Panameño... close to our people and help them bury the them or seeing them…He’s been teaching me, continued from page A5 burdens that are so difficult.” helping me to grow in the last year, especially He did his summer assignments at Our Lady Father Frantisek said his parents, Randy and with not being able to see people because of the of Angels parish, St. Joseph parish and St. Ray- Shelly; brother, Brett; sister, Emily Howard; and Covid restrictions.” mond parish. He is fluent in Spanish and enjoys six nieces will be among his family and friends weightlifting, boxing and Muay Thai, a type attending his ordination at St. Patrick’s Cathe- of kickboxing. He also likes watching movies, dral on Saturday, May 29. Father Fino... reading, hiking and listening to music. “I’ve always had a strong devotion to the Mass continued from page A8 and saying Mass is something very exciting to vows in 2014. He likes learning or improving his me,” he said. “You’re making present the body fluency of other languages including Spanish, Father Victor... and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist for others. and he enjoys reading literature, writing and continued from page A5 That’s something that’s always been very attrac- gardening. parish since 2013 is St. Catherine of Genoa in tive to me.” the Hamilton Heights section of Manhattan. Growing up, he also lived in Gonaives, Haiti; Father Perri... Apollo Beach, Fla., and the Bronx. Father Doherty... continued from page A8 Both his biological father, William Victor, continued from page A6 on the Father’s providence, praying and preach- and his adoptive father, Edward Glavey, are Word of God with the poor at St. Joseph’s Table. ing and setting up tents. deceased. His biological mother, Mireille Jean- He also lived in the South Bronx and managed “In a modern context, it seems like these guys Baptiste, lives in Gonaives, Haiti; his adoptive the kitchen at St. Anthony’s Shelter for Renewal. are trying to be faithful to that inspiration.” mother, Ronha Garcia Glavey, resides in Yon- He enjoys playing guitar and singing, suitable He entered the Renewal Friars in 2011 in kers. He has two brothers, Emmanuel Victor attributes for youth retreats and parish mis- Harlem at St. Joseph’s Friary, where he did his and Jeorvens J. Victor. sions, including online versions livestreamed postulancy. He later assisted with the novices in from their chapel at St. Leopold’s Friary in Yon- Paterson, N.J., and also spent two years serving kers during the pandemic. at the friars’ soup kitchen and doing lay forma- Father Chloupek... Father Ignatius Pio cited Padre Pio, the Italian tion in Albuquerque, N.M., where he fondly continued from page A6 Capuchin friar and saint, as a major influence recalls the weekly ‘desert days’ spent hiking, and spending a lot of time with the youth and and an appropriate one for these Covid-19 times. praying and reading Scripture in the mountains their families trying to start to evangelize the “He was a great pastor of souls from a dis- just outside the city. kids and their families as well,” he said. “That tance. He took care of people spiritually all over He made his first vows in 2013 and final vows was life-giving to me. I learned our need to be the world, sometimes without even visiting in 2017. May 20, 2021 CATHOLIC NEW YORK A11

photos by Chris Sheridan SEMINARY CONVOCATION— St. Joseph’s Seminary and College in Dunwoodie held its academic convocation May 17 with ceremo- nies for the graduates of 2020 and 2021. Cardinal Dolan presided at the convocation; Auxiliary Bishop James Massa of Brooklyn, the rector of St. Joseph’s, also participated. Left, the graduates of the Class of 2021 gather with Cardinal Dolan and Bishop Massa. Above, Bishop Massa presents Father Elijah Marie Perri, C.F.R., with the St. Charles Borromeo Award for Academic Excellence.

Editor’s Report... continued from page A2 cational and family backgrounds. build their Catholic faith. The Clergy, Lay Leadership and Congregation We want to tell you a little about I’ll leave you with one last how they live their faith, how they thought recently shared by a re- of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in first heard the call to priesthood tired staff member who still does Shrub Oak congratulate one of their own, and what their hopes and dreams some writing for CNY. She used are for their priestly life. to write almost all of the ordina- Father A couple of years ago, when tion profiles for a section like this I was interviewing one of the one. She told me about the first men who would be ordained that year she took on that task. She robert James spring, he gave a nice affirma- wrote 18 such profiles, one for tion about the importance of this each of the priests being ordained Carolan, project. He said that he had been that year. upon his ordination to the reading the ordination profiles She always wrote those profiles Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ. each year for a long time and that with care and talent. I remarked they had been a source of encour- about the breadth of that work Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on her First Communion day: agement in his priestly journey. and seriously asked whether she “At last…at last, God is mine and I am His! Now, let all go its round — At the time, I remember reply- had been able to do any other as- I Have Received Him!” ing that his email was the best one signments during that time. I had received all week. It actually Considering that number, nearly meant a great deal more to me. twice as many ordained as this We always hope that our work year, I pray we may again see such is important and relevant to our a bountiful priestly blessing. I Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish readers, and that it helps them to hope you will too. 1377 E Main St Shrub Oak, NY 10588-1422 www.seton-parish.org

Read the electronic edition of Catholic ErEctEd 1963. First in thE world namEd For New York! Go to cny.org and click the mothEr sEton. e-edition button in the lower right corner. A12 CATHOLIC NEW YORK May 20, 2021

May Their Memory Be a Blessing Venerable Felix Varela (1788-1853)

By FATHER MICHAEL P. MORRIS Mott Street, the latter served by Father Va- rela. His pastoral success, particularly with the FIFTH IN A SERIES burgeoning Irish immigrant community in New ince its inception in 1808, the Diocese (later York, attracted the attention of the third bishop Archdiocese) of New York can count among of New York, John Dubois who, in 1829, named Sits priests and bishops spiritual giants, Varela vicar general of the Diocese of New York. caring and generous pastors, scholars, admirals, On Sept. 20, 1829, Bishop Dubois left New social reformers, brick and mortar titans—and York for Rome, returning to the United States Father Felix Varela, the “Benjamin Franklin on Nov. 20, 1831. During his two-year absence, of Cuba.” Varela was born on Nov. 20, 1788 in Father Varela served as administrator of the Havana, Cuba. Varela's father, a Spanish subject diocese, and represented Dubois at the First and his mother, a native of Cuba, both died by the Provincial Council of Baltimore (1829) and the time Felix reached age three. Felix was raised in Third Provincial Council of Baltimore (1837)— St. Augustine, Fla., by his grandfather, Lieutenant the 19th century precursors to the modern-day Bartholome Morales, who in 1796, served briefly bi-annual meetings of the United States Confer- as interim governor of East Florida, 13 years after ence of Catholic Bishops. Florida had been returned to Spanish rule after In 1831, Father Varela was asked to participate the defeat of the British by the fledgling United as a founding member of New York University, States. Destined for a military career, young Felix an offer he declined. Ever the parish priest, Va- sensed a calling to the priesthood and, at age 14, rela counted as one of his closest friends, Father returned to Havana to attend San Carlos y San Alessandro Muppiatti, a Carthusian monk who Ambrosio Royal Seminary. Varela was ordained a Once in New York, Father Varela effortlessly left Italy in search of political asylum in New priest in 1811 for the Diocese of San Cristobal de la transitioned from academia and politics York. Believed to be the first Italian priest to Havana and within a year, the academically gifted to parish work, serving among the Irish serve in New York, Father Muppiatti served as Father Varela was appointed to the faculty of the community at St. Peter’s on Barclay Street. Father Varela’s assistant at Transfiguration from seminary in Havana. 1842 until the former’s death in 1846. Shortly thereafter, Varela solicited funds Father Varela instituted necessary reforms at Exhausted from pastoral and administrative the Havana seminary, such as a renewal of the from friends to purchase nearby Christ duties, and emotionally spent from his energetic study of Thomistic philosophy in the seminary Episcopal Church on Ann Street. and passionate defense of the Church in the (two generations before Pope Leo XIII issued his wake of a growing and virulent anti-Catholicism 1879 encyclical Aeterni Patris, reviving the study in the United States, Father Varela returned to of scholasticism in seminary training). Although from Spain. A proponent of what he called a St. Augustine in 1850. There, Varela took as his a philosophy student and teacher by training, “war of reason,” Varela eschewed violence and residence a small wooden shed adjacent to St. Varela had a keen interest in such varied subjects bloodshed. One year later, Father Varela was Augustine Cathedral school, living in sickness, as politics, economics, history, physics, chemis- welcomed to New York by Father John Power, obscurity and crushing poverty. A group of Cu- try and agriculture. who had become apostolic administrator of ban friends heard about Varela’s plight, collected In 1821, Varela was elected as a colonial del- the Diocese of New York upon the death of the a large sum of money, and sent the gift to Varela, egate to the Spanish Cortes (parliament) where second bishop of New York, John Connolly, O.P. only to find that Father Varela had died on Feb. he labored in Madrid for the abolition of slavery Father Power discerned that this Cuban priest- 25, 1853. The money was used to build a mauso- and increased autonomy in the Spanish colonies. intellectual and patriot would prove a great asset leum in the city’s historic Tolomato Cemetery. Varela and like-minded members of the Cortes to the fledgling diocese which encompassed all Before the outbreak of World War I, Varela’s evoked the ire of King Ferdinand VII, who subse- of New York state and northern New Jersey. Ac- remains were transferred from St. Augustine and quently dismantled the Cortes. Varela fled Spain cording to the late Msgr. Florence Cohalan, au- reinterred at the University of Havana. and, barred from Spanish-ruled Cuba, sought thor of “A Popular History of the Archdiocese of In 1983, the Congregation for the Cause of political asylum in the United States. Varela ar- New York,” Varela was the first Spanish-speaking Saints charged the Archdiocese of Havana with rived in New York in December 1823 and spent priest to serve in the Diocese of New York. the investigations into the heroic sanctity of the next two years translating Thomas Jefferson’s Once in New York, Father Varela effortlessly Father Varela. In the late 1990s, Father Varela Manual of Parliamentary Practice into Spanish, transitioned from academia and politics to par- was declared “Servant of God,” and on April 12, and studying chemistry and agriculture. ish work, serving among the Irish community at 2012, the Congregation for the Cause of Saints In 1825, Varela moved to Philadelphia, at that St. Peter’s on Barclay Street. Shortly thereafter, granted Varela the title “Venerable.” Well on time the intellectual capital of the United States. Varela solicited funds from friends to purchase the path to beatification and sainthood, this There, Father Varela founded El Habanero, nearby Christ Episcopal Church on Ann Street. hero of the Cuban people made his mark as the believed to be the first Spanish-Catholic news- In 1833, Christ Church was disbanded and the apostle to the Irish immigrants in New York and paper in the United States. Varela was one of the existing congregation became St. James parish a beacon of religious, political and intellectual first Cuban intellectuals to call for independence on James Street and Transfiguration Church on thought and freedom.

About This Series The articles in this series on priests who have served in the Archdiocese of New York are planned to run monthly throughout 2021. Father Michael Morris, pastor of Regina Coeli parish in Hyde Park, and Msgr. Thomas J. Shelley, emeritus professor of Church history at Fordham University, will write the profiles.