FROM THE CARDINAL

SPRING 2022

YOU ARE ALL FAMILIAR, I’m sure, with the term re-gifting. It’s what you call it when someone gives you a present that you don’t want or need, so you wrap it back up and give it to someone else. Many people look down on this practice.

But when it comes to God’s gifts, the equation changes completely. Because we’re not meant to keep God’s gifts for ourselves. The Lord is delighted when we re-gift them.

Consider the gifts He gives us in spring. Stepping outside, we feel the warmth of sunshine. We see flowering gardens and trees. We hear birds singing and children laughing. These are all gifts from God, and there’s no way for us to keep them for ourselves.

The same is true of our God-given talents and our material wealth. We are meant to share these things with others.

In spring, when we see new growth bursting forth everywhere, we are reminded of the greatest gifts of all: life itself and the love of our Creator. On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We are reminded that He walked among us and gave His own earthly life so that we might live forever in Heaven.

The Spring 2022 issue of Archways is filled with examples of God’s gifts. Our lead feature, “Parent/Child,” celebrates the lives of our children and their parents. Parenting is a joyful yet challenging mission, critically important in our time, as children grow up in the midst of sinful and destructive influences. The programs offered by ministries of the Archdiocese of New York and our 288 parishes help our families accentuate their joys and ease their struggles.

Another feature story, “In His Service,” brings you portraits and voices of devoted young men and women who serve in parishes of the archdiocese each Sunday as altar servers.

The lives of saints and holy men and women are gifts to all of us, especially to those touched directly by their works. In New York, we can be grateful that Venerable Félix Varela landed in New York City in 1823 and blessed our region with his intellect, his energy, and his shining example of selfless Christian charity for nearly three decades. Read about his life here.

Elsewhere in the issue, you’ll find a report from the listening sessions of the Synod on Synodality; clear explanations of the meaning of Pentecost and the use of incense during Mass; a look at the history and benefits of the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal; and updates from the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture and the Catholic Youth Organization.

As we thank the Lord for his innumerable gifts, we also remain aware of the human pain in our region and around the world. While the pandemic has largely eased in New York, we cannot forget the many here and abroad who died or lost loved ones, and those still suffering the economic impact. Nor can we turn our backs on the brutal humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Ukraine and other war-torn parts of the world. At times like these, we must take stock of our own gifts from God – our time, talent, and treasure – and share as much as we can to help people who are suffering.

Because, in the end, that is what God’s gifts are for: re-gifting.

A blessed Easter to you all.

With prayerful best wishes, I am,
 

Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York