FROM THE CARDINAL

WINTER 2019–2020

“DON'T LET ANYONE LOOK DOWN ON YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUNG, BUT SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE BELIEVERS IN SPEECH, IN CONDUCT, IN LOVE, IN FAITH AND IN PURITY."
1 TIMOTHY 4:12
 

WHO DOESN'T LOVE SEEING OUR CHILDREN ON THE ALTAR AT CHRISTMAS, performing the Nativity? In my years as your archbishop, I have been blessed to witness youngsters of all races and cultural groups joyously raising their voices in song and standing proudly in their costumes to represent the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the shepherds, the magi, even the sheep and cows who were in the stable where our Savior was born.

These young people know – as I do – what a privilege it is to help to reveal the Nativity of Christ. They also know that God sees them there. He knows each of them as individuals, welcomes them, and loves them.

As Pope Francis observed in his apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit (Christ Is Alive), the young are not just the future of the Church: They are Her now. In this issue of Archways, we celebrate this now with portraits of young people who are carrying the message of Christ into the world with joy and mercy and humility.

In “Young and Catholic,” you’ll meet schoolgirls devoting themselves to the Blessed Mother, setting a profound example for their parish, and middle schoolers finding creative ways to involve their fellow students in feeding the hungry. You’ll also meet teenagers and young adults flourishing in the mission of Jesus to bring comfort and compassion to others: studying scripture, spreading the Gospel, helping the needy, and creating joy through their energy and loving care.

In a related vein, “Scholars in Service” offers a report on the remarkably successful Pierre Toussaint Scholarship Fund, currently supporting more than 70 scholars at various levels of college and postgraduate education. Many of this program’s alumnae and alumni, still young adults, are putting their knowledge and talent to use in the causes of social justice, education, and evangelization.

And in “The Science of Faith,” Professor Stephen Barr, the president of the Society of Catholic Scientists, addresses a widespread myth that sometimes drives students away from the Church. If you think that science and religion are incompatible, the professor has a surprise for you.

Of course, for our young people to grow into committed Catholics, we need to nurture and protect them in their early, vulnerable years. That’s why we've provided an update on the measures we take every day to prevent abuse of children in the Archdiocese of New York.

Elsewhere you’ll find insights on the veneration of relics, a roundup of Christmas songs from a few of the diverse Catholic cultures of New York, and some holiday gift and movie suggestions.

I hope you’ll find this issue to be a source of hope and joy. Remember, Jesus came into the world as a baby and He experienced childhood and youth. As a boy, He went to the temple and taught the grown-ups a thing or two. Today’s young Catholics have plenty to teach their elders, too. I, for one, am listening.

Wishing you all a joyful Christmas and a blessed year ahead.