HOMECOMING

FALL 2021

FOR SOME, IT'S THE MUSIC – the live acoustics, the nuanced overtones of the organ, the immediacy of the voices. For others, it’s the companionship with their neighbors in pews around them. And all are grateful for the Eucharist, to receive the Lord and to pray in His presence. 

When we’ve been separated for an extended period from someone or something we love, there can be comfort and joy in every aspect of the return. Details previously unnoticed may prompt a rush of warmth. It could be the daylight filtering through stained glass, the echo of a lector’s voice amid arched columns, the smell of incense drifting in the air. It could be knowing that the priest can see you just as you can see him, and the familiar cadence of exchanges that once seemed routine: 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up to the Lord.

In this story, you’ll meet a few of the many Catholics who have returned to in-person Mass in the Archdiocese of New York. They’ll share why they are happy to be back and why they think all Catholics who can should join them. 

As you’ll see in the photos, some are masked; most are not. In most parishes, at the time of this writing, vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks or to socially distance. All of us know that we are not yet free of the coronavirus, and that mandatory masks and social distancing could return at some point. But we are back, masked or not. And come what may, the Church has shown that it can keep us safe while welcoming us again into the Body of Christ. 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 

Together.
 

The altar at Holy Name of Mary, Croton.


Fr. Richard Gill, pastor, St. Lawrence O’Toole, Brewster.



The Burnett family, St. Lawrence O’Toole, Brewster.

 

"We missed participating in Communion the most. We need to be nourished by our Lord."

– Christina and Brandon Burnett, St. Lawrence O’Toole, Brewster

Stained-glass window, Holy Name of Mary, Montgomery.



Denis Troy, Barbara Troy and Mike Cline, Holy Name of Mary, Montgomery.



James Monahan, trumpeter and parishioner, Holy Name of Mary, Montgomery.

 

"Adding music back in made the return even more joyous."

– James Monahan, Holy Name of Mary, Montgomery

First Communion, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Staten Island.



St. Lawrence O'Toole, Brewster.



Receiving the Eucharist at St. Francis de Sales, Manhattan.



Lining up for the children’s service at St. Lawrence O’Toole, Brewster.



The Messing family, Holy Name of Mary, Montgomery.

 

"I was happy to see the church start to get crowded. Mass is more meaningful when you can be with your family and your community."
– Matthew Messing, Holy Name of Mary, Montgomery

Kristel Enriquez and Juan Manuel Guzman Tapia at the Feast of the Assumption of Mary at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Staten Island.



Marissa and Ken Marquez, St. Francis de Sales, Manhattan.

 

"The music gave chills, the prayers felt deeper, and receiving the Host felt like it was the first time again."

– Marissa Marquez, St. Francis de Sales, Manhattan

Mary Beth and John Murphy, St. Lawrence O’Toole, Brewster.



St. John the Evangelist, White Plains.