Archive for the ‘Cardinal Dolan’ Category
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013
USCCB President says “Now is the Time” to reform Immigration system- Cardinal Dolan: Suffering of migrants must end
- Path to citizenship should be improved and families protected
- Enforcement should guarantee basic human rights
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), said in a press conference April 22 that “now is the time” to fix the nation’s broken immigration system. Cardinal Dolan was joined at the press conference by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, and Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chair of the USCCB Communications Committee.
“Let me say that now is the time to address this issue,” Cardinal Dolan said. “As we speak, persons are being deported and an untold number of families are being divided. Human beings continue to die in the American desert. This suffering must end.”
The Catholic Church has much to bring to the national immigration debate, given the Church’s history as an immigrant church, “having welcomed successive waves of immigrants into our parishes, social service programs, hospitals, and schools,” Cardinal Dolan said. “As the pastor of the archdiocese of perhaps the greatest immigrant city in the world, I know first-hand of the many efforts that have been made by the Catholic community on behalf of immigrants.”
He pledged to work with the sponsors of immigration legislation and other elected officials to “achieve the most humane legislation possible.”
In responding to recently introduced immigration reform legislation in the U.S. Senate, Archbishop Gomez said the path to citizenship for the undocumented population in the legislation is welcome, but certain requirements “could leave many behind, remaining in the shadows.” He pointed to the need to shorten the time required to obtain citizenship, to create a more generous cut-off date and to remove barriers for low-income migrants as areas for improvement.
“If the goal [of the legislation] is to solve the problem in a humane manner, then all undocumented persons should be able to participate,” Archbishop Gomez said. He also cited the need to preserve family unity as the cornerstone of the nation’s immigration system.
“This is an important and historic moment for our country and for the Church,” Archbishop Gomez added. “We hope to see the legislation improve and advance, and we will work toward that end. The lives of millions of our fellow human beings depend upon it.”
Bishop Wester said that eligibility for permanent status and citizenship should not be contingent upon enforcement initiatives contained in the legislation. He warned that it could create a de-facto permanent underclass.
Bishop Wester also called for the immigration debate to be conducted in a “civil and respectful” manner.
“This is an important and historic moment for our country and for the Church,” Archbishop Gomez concluded. “We hope to see the legislation improve and advance, and we will work toward that end. The lives of millions of our fellow human beings depend upon it.”
Tags: Archbishop José H. Gomez, Bishop John C. Wester, Bishop Wester, Catholic Church, Catholic community, immigration system, Los Angeles, migrants, parishes, social service programs, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, U.S. Senate, undocumented population, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB Committee on Migration, USCCB Communications Committee
Posted in Cardinal Dolan, New York City, Parishes, Policy and Advocacy, Uncategorized, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013
April 17, 2013
Continuing the Catholic Church’s longstanding commitment to immigration and immigrants, Archbishop Jose Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles and the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, released a statement of welcome for the immigration reform legislation introduced in the Senate today, and pledged that the bishops would carefully examine the bill and work with Congress to ensure that any final measure respects the dignity and basic human rights of migrants.
Here is an excerpt:
The introduction of U.S. Senate bipartisan legislation to reform the U.S. immigration system was welcomed by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, April 17. Archbishop Gomez also pledged that the U.S. bishops would carefully examine the legislation and work with Congress to ensure that any final measure respects the basic human rights and dignity of migrants.
“I welcome the introduction of legislation today in the U.S. Senate,” Archbishop Gomez said. “The U.S. bishops look forward to carefully examining the legislation and working with Congress to fashion a final bill that respects the basic human rights and dignity of newcomers to our land—migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations.”
Click here to read the whole press release on the USCCB website.
Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, also released a statement to the press today.
Here is his statement:
“We are hopeful that the filing of a bipartisan Senate bill on immigration seems, after many years, to make comprehensive immigration reform a real possibility. We appreciate the hard work of the group of Senators and others that has made this possible. We note with special pride and recognition the work of so many Catholic organizations and the leadership of the Bishops on this issue. While we are hopeful and supportive, the bill is complex and requires careful analysis. There will be opposition. We look forward to making suggestions for improving the bill to even better reflect our longstanding concerns for family unification, a fair, legal immigration system, protections for temporary workers, effective, yet humane border security and due process in enforcement. We look forward to working in partnership with many to ensure that this reform happens for a straightforward reason—concern for the common good of the nation and the well-being of individual immigrants and their families.”
Click here to learn how Catholic Charities is helping immigrants and their families.
Tags: Committee on Migration, comprehensive immigration reform, Immigration Reform, reform legislation, US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Posted in Archdiocese News, Cardinal Dolan, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Parishes, Policy and Advocacy, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Friday, April 19th, 2013
Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, representing Timothy Cardinal Dolan, shook hands with Senator Chuck Schumer at the formal presentation of the bi-partisan Senate bill on comprehensive immigration reform at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Thursday April 18, 2013.
“The presence of so many diverse groups at the introduction of this bi-partisan bill shows that immigration reform is not about narrow self-interest, but the common good of the nation,” Msgr. Sullivan said.
“The Catholic Church, and in a particular way Catholic Charities, partners with many to promote just policies and provide compassionate services that enable our neighbors to live in dignity as made in God’s image. We understand there are different opinions on this important issue. We will listen, and talk together to move forward to reform our broken immigration system. The good of our country and of individual neighbors and their families demand our commitment. ”
Looking for information about Comprehensive Immigration Reform?
Catholic Charities is here to help.
Contact us now.
Call Catholic Charities at New York State New Americans Hotline: 1-800-566-7636
Tags: Catholic Charities, comprehensive immigration reform, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, Immigration Reform, immigration system, Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, New York State New Americans Hotline, Senate bill, Senator Chuck Schumer, The Catholic Church, timothy cardinal dolan
Posted in Cardinal Dolan, Events, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Policy and Advocacy, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Monday, April 1st, 2013
By Alice Kenny
His Excellency Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan will make his first New York Archdiocesan tour since returning to New York after helping to elect Pope Francis.
Cardinal Dolan has scheduled three events on Thursday, April 4, 2013 that celebrate the work of Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York Executive Director Monsignor Kevin Sullivan will join him.
At 3 p.m. on April 4, Cardinal Dolan will bless tour and cut the ribbon at Catholic Charities’ new locations at 305 North Street in Middletown, NY. This location consolidates several programs into a single location: housing an OASAS licensed Substance Abuse Clinic, Case Management staff, Immigration Services, and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The Substance Abuse Clinic provides assessments and individual and group counseling to individuals and families to help ensure a lasting recovery from substance abuse. Case Management and Immigration provide a variety of bi-lingual services to individuals in need. The EAP works with businesses, municipalities, organizations, and parishes, providing support and counseling services to over 65,000 covered employees and their family members.
The next stop at 4:15 p.m. will be a tour where Cardinal Dolan will give a special blessing to children that attend Catholic Charities Early Learning Center at 59 St. John Street in the Village of Goshen, NY. The Early Learning Center offers a full-day program for children ages six weeks to five years focused on early childhood learning, socialization skills and kindergarten readiness skills.
Cardinal Dolan’s final destination at 6 p.m. will be a cocktail reception at the 7th Annual Celebration of Charity held at Anthony’s Pier 9, 2975 Route 9W in New Windsor, NY. This annual event also includes a dinner and silent auction. 2013 Caritas Award Honorees include Reverend Jeffrey Maurer, Pastor at St Mary’s Church in Washingtonville, Scott Batulis, President and Chief Executive Officer at Orange Regional Medical Center and the Eva Fini Fund for Rett Syndrome Research.
“We are honored by Cardinal Dolan’s visit and the significant statement it makes,” says Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County Executive Director Dean Scher. “By opening our new clinic in Middletown, Catholic Charities highlights the value we place on providing a wide range of accessible services to our local community and on providing help and hope for those struggling with substance abuse. In the Early Learning Center, we underline the importance of daycare and early education for preschoolers to ease the minds of working parents. And we gratefully acknowledge the key role of donors whose continuing support enables us to provide help and create hope for those in need.”
For information about purchasing a ticket for the upcoming 7th Annual Celebration of Charity contact Catholic Charities Community Services at 845-294-5124 ext. 303.
About Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County
Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County, one of the human service agencies of the Federation of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, is committed to building a compassionate and just society. It is dedicated to serving the homeless, the hungry, the emotionally and physically handicapped, immigrants and the marginalized and vulnerable of Orange County regardless of religion. It collaborates with parishes, individuals, government and other agencies.
Tags: 2013 Caritas Award Honorees, 7th Annual Celebration of Charity, bi-lingual services, businesses, Case Management staff, Catholic Charities Community Services, Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County, Catholic Charities Early Learning Center, childhood learning, daycare, Dean Scher, early education, Employee Assistance Program, Eva Fini Fund, Federation of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, human service agencies, Immigration Services, kindergarten readiness skills, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, municipalities, New Windsor, New York Archdiocesan, OASAS, orange county, organizations, parishes, Pastor at St Mary’s Church, preschoolers, President and Chief Executive Officer at Orange Regional Medical Center, Rett Syndrome Research, Reverend Jeffrey Maurer, Scott Batulis, socialization skills, substance abuse, Substance Abuse Clinic, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Village of Goshen
Posted in Agencies, Cardinal Dolan, Events, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Supporting the Physically and Emotionally Challenged, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Monday, March 18th, 2013
By Alice Kenny
Feeding Our Neighbors, an Archdiocesan effort throughout 10 counties to fight hunger, celebrated the tremendous participation of Catholic schools among others during its second annual campaign with an Art Exhibition and Awards Presentation at the New York Catholic Center on East 55th Street in Manhattan on March 13.
Catholic Charities Executive Director Monsignor Kevin Sullivan joined with Dr. Timothy McNiff, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, and Dan Ahouse, Cablevision Area Director of Government Affairs, to welcome participants and announce awards.
“As we celebrate this wonderful transition and election of Pope Francis, we remember that one of his titles is called Pontifex, a word that simply means the builder of bridges,” said Catholic Charities Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan at the event.
“The pope builds bridges,” Msgr. Sullivan continued. “The Catholic Church builds bridges. And Feeding Our Neighbors has built bridges because of the participation of so many.”
Students at local Catholic schools competed in the Feeding Our Neighbor Art Contest. Awardees included Syleste Alexander, a student at St. Teresa School in Staten Island, Omar Reyes, a student at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx and Anna Nicotra, a student at St. Augustine School in Ossining.
High School students also competed in the Cablevision Power to Learn Competition that raised food and funds for hungry New Yorkers. Students representing Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx won the competition. They donated their $6,000 award to their favorite charities; $5,000 to their high school and $1,000 to Catholic Charities.
The Feeding Our Neighbors Campaign is a response to Timothy Cardinal Dolan’s call that we all do our part to replenish the food pantries and soup kitchens that growing numbers of families and children in our communities rely on to survive. Sponsored by Catholic organizations throughout the Archdiocese of New York and managed by Catholic Charities, contributions to the campaign support local food pantries that serve New Yorkers non-Catholic and Catholic alike. Now in its second year, Feeding Our Neighbors joined forces this season with UJA Federation of New York to fight hunger and need.
- In New York City, approximately 400,000 children rely on soup kitchens and food pantries for food.
- In New York State, more than 3 million people rely on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps) to meet their basic food needs.
Join us in Feeding Our Neighbors.
Click here to do your part to make sure no hungry neighbor is turned away.
- $11.16 helps feed a child for one day.
- $45 helps feed a family of four.
Tags: Anna Nicotra, Archdiocesan Catholic schools, Cablevision, Cablevision Area Director of Government Affairs, Cardinal Hayes High School, Catholic Charities Federation, Dan Ahouse, Dr. Timothy McNiff, Feeding Our Neighbor Art Contest, feeding our neighbors, food pantries, local parishes, Luz Tavarez-Salazar, Omar Reyes, Power to Learn, soup kitchens, St. Augustine School in Ossining, St. Teresa School, Staten Island, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, Syleste Alexander, the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, The Bronx, the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
Posted in Agencies, Cardinal Dolan, Events, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, New York City, Parishes, Policy and Advocacy, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Staten Island, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Thursday, March 14th, 2013
Read below the full text of his statement:
Pope Francis
Statement on the Election of Our Holy Father, Pope Francis
March 13th, 2013
On this joyous day, I issued a statement in my role as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on the election of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
Here is the press release:
STATEMENT ON THE ELECTION OF POPE FRANCIS
CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN OF NEW YORK
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2013
The election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has taken the name Francis, marks a great milestone in our church. As successor to Peter, our first pope, Pope Francis I stands as the figure of unity for all Catholics wherever they reside.
The bishops of the United States and the people of our 195 dioceses offer prayers for our new leader and promise allegiance to him. Intense prayer from all around the world surrounded the election of Pope Francis.
The bishops of the United States thank God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the inspired choice of the College of Cardinals. With joy in our hearts, we declare “Ad Multos Annos!” (For many years!)
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Tags: Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Buenos Aires, College of Cardinals, ELECTION OF POPE FRANCIS, Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis I, pope of the Catholic Church, Saint Francis of Assisi, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Posted in Cardinal Dolan, Events, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 26th, 2013
By Alice Kenny
Standing at the altar of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church before a life-size statue of Jesus crucified on the cross, His Excellency Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan celebrated his final mass with Catholic Charities staff and coworkers before leaving later today for Rome. Catholic Charities Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan and 11 fellow concelebrants assisted with the celebration of the Eucharist.
The mass provided the Cardinal with a final time of prayer with members of the Archdiocese of New York before Pope Benedict XVI steps down from the papacy on Thursday. Cardinal Dolan will participate in the conclave of Roman Catholic cardinals to choose the Pope’s successor.
“What a source of consolation it is to be with all of you, people I love very much, people whose work I admire so completely, today before I leave for Rome,” Cardinal Dolan told the hundreds of staff members that packed the church at the Catholic Center on First Avenue and 55th Street in Manhattan.
His sermon combined his well-known wit with gratitude and guidance. Garbed in a magenta robe, the Cardinal joked about his concerns about the “break-a-leg” good wishes he received. He explained the logistics of his upcoming trip. And he called for contrition, repentance, and renewal.
He hopes, he said, to return to New York before the end of March in time for Holy Week.
“To know that you’re going to be with me means a great deal,” he said, “so keep me in your prayers.”
Tags: Catholic Charities Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, catholic charities staff, Catholic Church, concelebrants, Eucharist, Holy Week, papacy, Pope Benedict XVI, Roman Catholic cardinals, Rome, St. John the Evangelist, the Cardinal, Timothy Cardinal Michael Dolan
Posted in Cardinal Dolan, Events, New York City, Parishes, Uncategorized, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Monday, January 28th, 2013
Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Catholic Charities New York Executive Director shakes hands with John Ruskay, Executive Vice President and CEO of UJA-Federation of New York
Responding to already-strained food pantry shelves further depleted by Hurricane Sandy, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan launched the second annual Feeding Our Neighbors campaign aimed at collecting more than one million meals for those in need. Cardinal Dolan began this year’s campaign on Sunday, January 27, 2013, during Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, executive director of Catholic Charities NY concelebrated the mass.
This year, the campaign, which runs through February 3, 2013, represents an interfaith initiative with the UJA-Federation of New York. The Wall Street Journal reported that officials said this was one of the largest interfaith efforts of its kind.
“So often today…we see signs of religion as a cause of hate and division,” Cardinal Dolan told a packed Sunday Mass. “But in New York we are so proud that religion brings people together and that it takes care of God’s most forgotten people.”
Following Mass, John S. Ruskay, executive vice president and CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, and William E. Rapfogel, executive director and CEO of Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty (Met Council), a UJA-Federation of New York beneficiary agency, joined Cardinal Dolan and Msgr. Sullivan in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to load food donations onto Catholic Charities’ Mobile Food Pantry and Met Council trucks for delivery to food pantries, soup kitchens and meal programs that serve New Yorkers in need.
After that, Msgr. Sullivan, Mr. Ruskay and Mr. Rapfogel kicked off UJA-Federation’s “Super Sunday” phone-a-thon to solicit additional donations.
During this time of great need, one in five New York State children grow up in poverty and more than one million New Yorkers do not have enough to eat.
This campaign grows out of an awareness and concern that embraces New Yorkers of all religions who must turn to food pantries, soup kitchens and senior center meal programs, to sustain themselves and their families.
Listen to Msgr. Sullivan’s interview with Mr. Ruskay about the Feeding Our Neighbors campaign aired Saturday, January 26 on JustLove, The Catholic Channel 129 Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
Help feed our neighbors:
Tags: campaign, feeding our neighbors, food donations, food pantries, Food Pantry, hunger in new york, Hunger Project, interfaith initiative, John S. Ruskay, meals, Met Council, Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Mobile Food Pantry, phone-a-thon, senior center meal programs, soup kitchens, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Super Sunday, tele-a-thon, The Catholic Channel, The Wall Street Journal, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, UJA Federation of New York, William E. Rapfogel
Posted in Archdiocese News, Cardinal Dolan, Events, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, Hudson Valley, Interfaith, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Staten Island, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Monday, January 7th, 2013
On Saturday, January 5th, Obreros Unidos de Yonkers held their annual Three Kings Party to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Timothy Cardinal Dolan joined over 300 members and their families for an Epiphany Vigil Mass at St. Peter’s Church and a celebration afterward.
The Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, is widely celebrated in the Hispanic community with parties, gifts and a special pastry called rosca de reyes (kings’ ring). Catholic Charities staff and volunteers, including the Sisters of Charity, helped at Saturday’s party by serving dinner, distributing toys to children and giving gifts to the registered workers.
Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, Janet Hernandez, the community organizer who staffs the Obreros Unidos program and Father Lino Otero, the pastor of St. Peter’s parish, all participated in the celebration, along with Yonkers Mayor Michael Spano.
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution that immigrants are making,” said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. “Their faith, industriousness and commitment to family are values that inspire us all. Catholic Charities is both proud and privileged to be part of this community and provide needed help that creates a future of hope for these workers and their families.”
Obreros Unidos (Workers United) is a group of approximately 300 day laborers in the Yonkers area that works with Catholic Charities on projects throughout the year. For example, after Sandy hit, Obreros Unidos members volunteered to remove crumbling sheet rock and pull out ruined furniture from Staten Island houses destroyed by the storm. Catholic Charities also provides multiple services for the group, including educating workers on employment rights and responsibilities in order to prevent exploitation and abuse.
Tags: Epiphany Vigil Mass, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, Father Lino Otero, Feast of the Epiphany, Hispanic community, Janet Hernandez, Mayor Michael Spano, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Obreros Unidos De Yonkers, parish, rosca de reyes, Sisters of Charity, St. Peters Church, Three Kings, timothy cardinal dolan, volunteerism, Volunteers, Yonkers
Posted in Archdiocese News, Cardinal Dolan, Events, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Volunteering, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees | No Comments »
Thursday, December 20th, 2012
Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan brightened the Christmas season for children, senior citizens, women religious, board members and staff during his visit on December 19 to the RSHM Life Center in Sleepy Hollow, NY on December 19.
He stopped by the afterschool classrooms of students grades kindergarten through fifth grade, distributing gifts to nearly 100 children.
The RSHM Life Center, a Catholic Charities affiliate, was established in 1995 to respond to the needs of the immigrant population of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown in Westchester County. The Center offers educational programs and social services to enable and empower low-income immigrants to acquire the skills and access the resources they need to improve their life situations.
Learn more about the RSHM Life Center.
Share the Christmas spirit with your neighbors in need.
Tags: afterschool, board members, Catholic Charities affiliate, Christmas season, classrooms, immigrant population, kindergarten, religious, RSHM Life Center, senior citizens, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Westchester County
Posted in Agencies, Cardinal Dolan, Events, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Supporting the Physically and Emotionally Challenged, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
