Let me begin by thanking you for the many calls, cards, messages of sympathy, and, most importantly, your prayers for the repose of the soul of my dear Mom, Shirley Jean Radcliffe Dolan and for the consolation of my family and me. They are much appreciated.
Might I give you an update on a few things? I promise to be brief.
This Friday, March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation, our Holy Father will be consecrating and entrusting Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at 5:00 p.m. Rome time. I will be joining in that consecration from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral immediately prior to the Noon Mass. If you can’t be there in person, you can follow the livestream on the Cathedral website here. A copy of the prayer of consecration follows.
The following auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese will also recite the prayer of consecration in their home parishes at Noon.
Bishop Dominick Lagonegro - Saint Columba, Hopewell Junction
Bishop John O’Hara – Saint Charles, Staten Island
Bishop John Bonnici - Saints John and Paul, Larchmont
Bishop Peter Byrne - Saint Anselm, Bronx
The consecration in the Cathedral will take place before the Ukrainian Cross which has been residing in the Cathedral for the last two weeks. This special cross, which has travelled around the world, has become a symbol of hope and trust in the Lord during this time of unspeakable horror and tragedy that has been unfolding in Ukraine. If you’re by the Cathedral in the next few days, please stop in to visit the cross and say a prayer for the suffering people in Ukraine.
Many of you have asked how to help support the Ukrainian people, particularly the efforts of the Church in Ukraine. This week’s issue of Catholic New York has a list of Catholic agencies providing relief, especially for Ukrainian refugees. You can find it in the print copy, or by visiting the website here.
Let me close by reminding you that Holy Week is coming soon, and that Monday, April 11, 2022 will be Reconciliation Monday throughout the Archdiocese of New York, as well as the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Confessions will be available in all churches in our three dioceses from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 9 p.m. Why not take advantage of this great opportunity to prepare yourself to celebrate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord by making a good confession? Don’t worry if you haven’t been to confession in ages. You can find resources to help you prepare here, and you can always simply tell the priest that it’s been a long time, and he will happily guide you!
With prayerful best wishes for a blessed Lent, I am,