REASONS TO BE JOYFUL

SUMMER 2019

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS ALIVE AND WELL and living in the hearts of millions of faithful men, women and children. The following pages feature photography from the Archdiocese of New York’s “40 Days, 40 Reasons” series, a project of the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal that debuted during Lent 2019. In the faces and the voices of the people shown here, and of thousands of other Catholics attending Mass and engaging in ministries throughout the region, you will see the present and future of the Church. The light of Christ shines on them, and on all of us.

Photographs by Gerri Hernandez.
 

ANNA

“I seek different things at different times. Sometimes (actually all the time) I need healing, so I turn to the sacraments. Sometimes I need more community, so I turn to the friendships God has put in my life. And sometimes, but not nearly enough, I am seeking out how I can serve God and others, and the Church offers endless possibilities for that.”

SABRIYA AND WALTER

“The important thing is to know that when they are at school, the values they are getting are similar to what you would give at home – and therefore you have a partnership which, I hope, makes it a lot easier to make them successful human beings.”
 

GEORGE

“I am heavy into God’s love, and I believe that saved me. ... I try to express it to the boys in a language they understand. ... I want them to always realize that He is there for them and the struggle with faith is normal, but His arms are always open.”
 

DENISE

“When I pray, God listens. It’s something I’m trying to teach my son. We just feel so good that anything bad won’t bother us. We know that it is going to be resolved sooner or later, because of God – who else?”
 

CASSIE

“I love my church, I love my faith; I’ve been betrayed with everything going on, I feel awful about it, but I still need the Church in my life. ... What [it] has given me is some amazing communities.”
 

CALEB

“Even those of us who are deep in ministry are still in need of evangelization and redemption. We are still finding our way, and that is okay, and there is grace.”
 

LYN

“I chose to go all-in, and I did. And I had my first truly honest confession, and I went to adoration four times a week. I admitted to myself this is what I was called to do. I have never regretted it.”
 

JEFF AND CLAUDIA

“When you invite God into your life, there will be times when He asks you to step outside of your comfort zone, but when you do, you grow so much. ... I believe we found our purpose.”