FROM THE CARDINAL

SPRING 2020

Liturgical dance ministry at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo, Harlem. // Photograph by Chris Sheridan.

I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT A LOT HAS CHANGED in our world in the past three months. Back in December, when we were celebrating Christmas – despite some disturbing reports about a virus beginning to spread halfway around the world – none of us could have foretold that by Easter a pandemic would keep us from attending Mass together; that 10,000-plus New Yorkers would have lost their lives to the virus, our hospitals would be overwhelmed, our cities and towns in lockdown.

All around the world, humanity is experiencing widespread sickness, death and deep uncertainty. And yet Jesus tells us, “Be not afraid.”

How are we to respond to Our Lord’s message? And how are we to reconcile the tragedy of so many untimely deaths with the most joyful time in the Church’s liturgical year: the Paschal season of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven?

First, let us be humble. We recognize that many of our plans and assumptions have been upended. It turns out that we human beings are not in control of this world, despite our lofty achievements in technology and business.

We certainly had to change plans for this issue of Archways. We had put together a six-page feature story about volunteer opportunities around the region. Then the pandemic hit, and our story became instantly outdated.

Not that these charitable organizations have stopped delivering services to the poor, the homeless, the afflicted. For the moment, however, they are unable to deploy volunteers safely in many previous roles. So we decided to put the story on hold. In its place, we’ve substituted coverage of the Church’s efforts during the health crisis, including in-depth interviews with Scott LaRue, president and CEO of ArchCare, and Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York.

Second, let us be hopeful. When Jesus said, “Be not afraid,” He was reassuring the apostles that, although they were helpless in the face of a storm at sea, He would save them. As He will save us.

That’s why we decided not to postpone publication of “Hope for the Homeless,” our feature story about a Catholic Charities program that is helping homeless men and women find their way to a new life of stability and purpose. Programs like this will be even more essential in the aftermath of the pandemic, which is hitting the homeless population with particular cruelty. Perhaps the tragedy of Covid-19 will help lead us all to the “change of heart” – remembering to see Jesus in our homeless brethren – that the story calls for.

I certainly feel humble and hopeful when I see the responses of New Yorkers to the current crisis – the dedication and courage of doctors, nurses, hospital staff, EMTs, first responders and other essential workers and volunteers whose sacrifices inspire us all. 

And I am grateful for all of you, the faithful, who continue to support your parishes and the archdiocese, help your neighbors, and attend – for now, virtually – our Masses and prayer sessions. Thank you for continuing to hold aloft the light of Christ even in this time of darkness.

When the time comes, I can’t wait to welcome you back to church.