From the Pastor: September 13, 2026
Dear Parishioners,
As the summer draws to a close, I am reminded of Keisha Shepard’s poem Summer’s End. It begins with these words, It seems I barely knew you. As quickly as you came, you went. And I weep at the thought of losing you. While there may not be real tears, I am sure there is a tinge of sadness in saying goodbye to the lazy days of summer. However, let me assure you there were no lazy days here at the parish.
In June, we celebrated with gratitude Father Pennacchia who will now be teaching at Xavier High School. The good news is that he will be living in the Jesuit Community on 83rd Street and has offered to help with Masses, based upon his availability. Unfortunately, no Jesuit has been assigned to the parish in his place. Going forward, there will be three priests on the parish staff who will have responsibility for 16 weekday Masses, 6 weekend Masses, baptisms, weddings, funerals, Confessions, visits to the homebound and sick, spiritual counseling, and other staff responsibilities. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to Fathers Hallinan and Hilbert for all that they so generously do at the parish, year-round!
Although there was less foot traffic in and out of the church and parish house, the regular routine of the parish continued unabated. At all our Masses, our Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ministers of Hospitality, and Cantors were there to assist in their respective ministries. Parishioners who are members of many of our parish ministries remained active and engaged either in their work or planning for the coming year. Our Pastoral Associates, Jean Santopatre, Kate Noonan, Roxanne De La Torre, and Brian Pinter were present, either in person or remotely, as they too engaged in the planning process for this year’s programming.
The unsung heroes of the parish who work behind the scenes continue to work diligently so that the parish runs smoothly. Our sacristans, Julio Aguilar and Melbin Gonzales, worked throughout the summer in maintaining the condition of the interior of the church and setting up what is needed for all our liturgies, including weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Alas, after 12 years on the staff, we will be saying goodbye to Melbin as he and his young family trek west to be closer to their family members. I hope you will have the opportunity to wish him Godspeed. Finally, throughout the summer our facilities staff performed the routine maintenance of the entire physical plant, including the church, Parish House, and grammar school.
As for the big picture, here are a few of the major projects that were either completed or initiated during the summer: (1) the reception area of the Parish House was totally renovated; (2) after all too many years in darkness, the stained-glass window of the Resurrected Christ on the façade of the church will be illuminated. [Stay tuned for the day and time when the light switch will be turned on.]; (3) the sound system in Wallace Hall is being upgraded with retractable ceiling mics and a new sound-board; (4) heating units are now being installed in the narthex of the church that will hopefully reduce the frigid condition of the church in the winter months; and (5) barring any unforeseen delays, the electronic display boards on the façade of the church will soon be replaced.
We will soon be at full throttle, especially in the next few weeks. Mark your calendars for the following parish events. There will be a 9/11 Memorial Mass at 7:00 PM on Friday, 11 September, the 25th anniversary of that horrific event. We have a Festival Mass on Sunday, 13 September, at 11:00 AM, and a Golden Jubilee Mass on Sunday, 20 September, at 11:00 AM. Our annual Welcome Back Sunday and Ministry Fair will be on 27 September.
At the international side of parish activities, Father Hilbert and 12 parishioners traveled to Tuscany for a guided spiritual retreat and pilgrimage to Assisi and Siena. In October, 14 parishioners and I, along with congregants of Temple Emanu-El and Muslim representatives of Peace Islands Institute will participate in an interfaith tour in Spain to visit the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian heritage sites of Andalusia. In regard to our international footprint, given the tragic circumstances unfolding in the West Bank and a change of parish leadership, we are reassessing our sister parish relationship with St. Catherine’s Church in Bethlehem.
As you have read, rather than basking in the sunshine of the lazy days of summer, we have been busy as bees throughout the summer, preparing for both the regular routine and special events of the parish. And so, as we rev up the engine of another year in the life of the parish, let us recommit ourselves to its mission and engage the world in ways that bring glory to God. It is a tall order, but our history as a parish shows us that it can be achieved both in small and extraordinary ways.
Sincerely in the Lord,
Fr. Yesalonia