Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Thomas More (Formerly St. Thomas More) | New York, NY
  • Back
    Forward
    Pause
    Caption
    4 FADE
  • Message from the Pastor


    Welcome to the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel - St. Thomas More!
    St. Thomas More
    65 East 89th Street
    New York, NY, 10128
    (between Madison and Park)

    (212) 876-7718
    Our Lady of Good Counsel   
    230 East 90th Street                 
    New York, NY  10128
    (between Second and Third)  

    (212) 289-1742

    Message from the Pastor
       
    As a Roman Catholic parish, we serve approximately 1,800 households from a variety of backgrounds in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. We hope you will enjoy browsing our website and that you will find there helpful information. Also, we look forward to having you join us in person at our Eucharistic celebrations and social events.

    God's blessing and peace to you and yours.

    Rev. Kevin Madigan
     
  • Special  annoucements

    STM - SPRING SEMI-ANNUAL APPEAL
    BEGINS MAY 4th & 5th

    All STM parishioners are asked to read our recent mailing and consider the importance of our
    Spring Semi-Annual Appeal.
    Our usual focus is to go beyond simply making up for much lower Sunday collections during the warm months and look to building up reserves for major projects and programs.
    Please read the letter carefully and respond as generously as you can.


    Young Adult Gathering
    To expand and encourage connections within our parish Young Adult Community,
    we are planning an informal gathering on,
    Sunday May 5th, after the 5:45pm Mass
    in the
    St. Thomas More Rectory.

    2024 CARDINAL’S ANNUAL
    STEWARDSHIP APPEAL
    Our parish has already made
    significant progress toward completing
    this year’s appeal goal.

    To those who have already donated, we say Thank You. If you have not yet given, we invite you to make a gift today Visit www.cardinalsappeal.org/donate
    We sincerely appreciate your generous participation in this important campaign.

    Mother’s Day Novena
    To honor the women who helped to shape our lives,
    our church offers a special opportunity
    to celebrate their love and sacrifices.
    Beginning on Sunday 12th and ending on Monday, May 20th,
    we will be celebrating our annual Mother’s Day Novena.
    To participate in this event, you can add your intentions
    to the Mother’s Day contribution envelope
    you received at home, or on a Mother’s Day envelope
    you can find in the rear of the church.
    To submit your intentions please place your envelope in the basket with your Sunday contribution
    or bring it to the Parish Office.

    It is our sincere hope that all mother’s and all women who offered motherly support will enjoy all the blessings and happiness this very special day has to offer.

    ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
    Golden Jubilee Wedding Mass
    Couples of the Archdiocese of New York celebrating 50 years of marriage during 2024 are invited to attend the Golden Jubilee Wedding Mass, celebrated by His Eminence, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday, June 2nd at 2:30pm.

    Pews will be reserved for golden jubilee couples only. Up to four (4) additional family and friends will be accommodated in pews outside of the reserved section in general seating.

    All Golden Jubilee couples will receive a commemorative certificate. Couples who are unable to  attend Mass but are celebrating fifty years of marriage may also register with their parish to receive a certificate.

    All who wish to attend the Mass must register with the parish by Monday, May 13, 2024
    Contact the OLGC or STM Parish Office to register. If you have any questions, please contact (646) 794-2000 or send an email to [email protected]

    PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
    Monday, May 20th at 5:00pm
    STM ROCHESTER ROOM - 5:00pm
    Please Note:
    Time and Venue change

    All Parishioners are invited.

    ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
    The Marriage Course
    Thursdays, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
    May 16 – June 27  Via Zoom
    A series of seven sessions, designed to
    help couples invest in their relationship
    and build a strong marriage. 
    OPEN TO ANY MARRIED COUPLE
    IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
    For information and to register contact:
    Kayla Beiter at kayla.beiter@archn
    y.org
    CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2024-5
    St. Stephen of Hungary School 
    Curre
    ntly accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year (Grades 1-7).

    If you are considering a Catholic School education for your child, please contact Judy Dickson, Director of Admissions for further information.
    [email protected]
    212-288-1989 x2 
    East 82nd St. between First & York Avenues  www.saintstephenschool.org
    ______________________________________________________________________
    Altar Servers
    Some adults have expressed a desire to assist at Mass as Altar Servers.  If you are interested and would like to serve as a couple, singly or paired with another parishioner, please call the church office
    at either OLGC or STM.

    Young people in high school or elementary school (fourth grade and above)
    are also welcome.

    We will provide training for all interested.

    Join the Parish E-Group:
    Receive e-mailed bulletins and notification of important church events. Please send your email to [email protected]

    with your First Name, Last Name
    and your Preferred Church of Worship
    (OLGC or STM).
    To Register with the Parish,
    Please use the Following Link:

    https://olgcstm.org/parish-registration

    Mass Schedule

    Daily Mass will be celebrated at

    Our Lady of Good Counsel
    Monday through Saturday at 9:00 a.m.


    and at St. Thomas More
    Monday through Saturday at 12:15 p.m.

    ==============

    THE SCHEDULE FOR
    SUNDAY MASS IS:

    OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
    SATURDAY 5:30PM
    SUNDAY 9:00AM, 10:15AM (SPANISH) and 11:30AM



     ST. THOMAS MORE
    SUNDAY 8:30AM, 10:00AM,
    12:00NOON, 5:45PM

    ==============

    Our ability to schedule more masses depends on the willingness of parishioners to volunteer as ushers. We need ushers to ensure the safety of all those attending mass. If interested in volunteering please call Catherine Scalera at 212-876-7718 or email her at [email protected].

    Rev. Kevin V. Madigan


    Today’s Readings (English and Spanish)
    http://www.usccb.org/calendar

    Today’s Mass (Audio - English)
    http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm 


      Feast of Saint Francis Reflection Video - 2021
    Please use the following link to access an incredibly inspiring video created by the Catholic Climate Covenant for St. Francis of Assisi .
    Enjoy
    https://youtu.be/FInRx2AaAWw

    Volunteer Opportunities
    Saturday Breakfast for the Homeless
    Saturdays 7:00am - 9:00 am
    Help our neighborhood homeless by helping to set up, serve and clean up.
    Little Sisters of the Assumption
    After school pantry work, tutoring.
    NY Common Pantry

    Pantry work Monday-Sunday.
    If you are interested, please contact [email protected]
  • Special Events This Week

    CAREGIVERCARE (CGC)
    Services for Older Adults

    May Calendar

    PROGRAMS FOR OLDER ADULTS

    Monday, 05/06 to Sunday, 05/12
    MONDAY, May 06
    2:00 pm, ITALIAN CONVERSATION CLASS
    Intermediate/Advanced - St. Thomas More Rectory
    TUESDAY, May 07
    2:30 pm, Discussion after ITALIAN MOVIE
    St. Thomas More Rectory
    WEDNESDAY, May 08
    3:30 pm, ITALIAN CONVERSATION CLASS
    Beginner - Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Hall
    THURSDAY,  May 09
    Cognitive Memory Test - MOCA TEST
    St. Thomas More Rectory
    By Appointment Only 347-702-3197
    FRIDAY, May 10
    1:00 pm, PLAY BRIDGE
    St. Thomas More Rectory
    SATURDAY, May 11
    10:30 am, COMMUNICATION
    CAREGIVER TRAINING - St. Thomas More Rectory
    By reservation only, 347-702-3197
    DOMINGO 12 de mayo
    12.00hs, Prueba de Memoria - MOCA TEST
    Salón Parroquial de Nuestra Señora del Buen Consejo
    en Español - SÓLO CON CITA - 347-702-3197


    Home Volunteer Program
    Caregivercare is organizing this program to provide a trained volunteer who will act as a companion at home for Older Adults with dementia.  We meet and train potential volunteers on Friday in the Rectory of St. Thomas More Church. The goal is to support families on this grueling journey. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please email [email protected]
    or call 212-876-7718 - Ext. 32


    Video of Program Highlights

    Support Group for Family Caregivers. A certified mental health counseling practitioner will lead the conversations. Attending is free. Space is limited. If interested, please call 212-876-7718

    Free Cognitive-Memory Screening
    With A Certified Administrator
    WHAT IS COGNITIVE-MEMORY SCREENING?
    Cognitive Memory Screening is a proven cognitive-mnemonic screening tool that can help detect the early signs of memory loss or cognitive decline.  With the results from this screening process, you can begin an informed discussion with your physician to determine if additional testing, follow-up or treatment is needed.

    WHERE CAN I BE TESTED?
    The test sites are:

    65 East 89th Street – in the STM Rectory GP Room
    230 E. 90th Street – in the OLGC Parish Hall John Paul II Rm.

    For more information contact: Gianni Perilli, Sociologist and President CGC - email: [email protected] or call: 212-876-7718 ext.32
    This program is made possible with the contribution of
    The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Thomas More

    We Share

    We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who continue to support our parish during these very difficult times. As you may be aware, electronic giving, through WeShare, has helped sustain our parish, especially during the months when we could not worship in person.  This weekend, we are not asking for additional donations, but we are asking you to consider changing the way you support our parish to WeShare.

    WeShare is a very simple way for you to continue to financially support our parish. We understand that parishioners like to put their envelopes/donations in the offertory basket. You may continue to do so and write WeShare on the front of the empty envelope.

    To enroll in WeShare please visit the parish website www.olgcstm.org and use the church specific "DONATE" button.  If you have any questions, please contact Ed Litcher in the STM parish office.


    Rosary via Telephone Tuesdays 5:00pm
    Dial 267 807 9601 - Access Code 835570#
    Led by Monsignor McCahill


    Video of St. Thomas More Restoration
    The project was completed by

    Lawrence Hoy Studios, Inc.
    5 Quentin Road, Westport, CT
    and the video was produced by Elle LaFontan,

    the 16 year old daughter of their Office Manager.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yc2n3eVCDf0DRoxb4BIj3rKBoRq0UFUr/view?usp=sharing


    For additional parish updates you may also wish to visit the Parish Facebook Page
    https://www.facebook.com/thomasmorechurch/  


    Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers.
    Last March, we added the 11:30am Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel and the
    8:30 am Mass at
    St. Thomas More.  We are particularly in need of filling Lector and Eucharistic Minister positions at Our Lady of Good Counsel for the 9:00am and the 11:30am Masses.

    Please let us know if you are interested.  This is a wonderful way to participate in the mass and help out our church community.

    Call Our Lady of Good Counsel at
    (212) 289-1742 or

    St. Thomas More at (212) 876 7718


    Are You Seeking A Volunteer Opportunity For Yourself Or Your School? Our parish can help.
    Email: [email protected]
    text 917 319 6243
  • Upcoming Events at our lady of good counsel

    BINGO - WEDNESDAYS
    OLGC Parish Hall - from 12 noon to 3pm

    OLGC Religious Education Program
    October 8th at 10:00am in the OLGC Parish Hall.

    Parents registering their child(ren) for the first time should provide a copy of their
    Catholic Baptismal Certificate.


    The fee per child is $100 for parishioners and $120 for non-parishioners. The fee can be paid online at 

    OLGC - Religious Education Tuition Form
    or by check or cash upon registration.

    Reminder: The student will be required to complete two consecutive years of Religious Education before receiving either their First Communion or the Sacrament of Confirmation. The full Religious Education calendar will be available during registration.

    We are currently looking for volunteers to assist in teaching grades 1-8. Please let us know if you are interested. Prior teaching experience is not required.
    To address any questions or concerns please feel free to email [email protected]

    Preparing for Baptism of your First Child :
    Parents MUST Pre-Register for a Preparation Meeting and Attend a Meeting on the first Tuesday evening of the month at 7:00PM in the OLGC Rectory.
    The next class will be held on
    Tuesday, May 7th.
    To Pre-Register for the Meeting call 212-289-1742 by 6pm on the day before the class. Baptisms take place on Sundays afternoons
    12:30pm at OLGC & 1pm at STM).
    To schedule Baptisms for other children
    please call your Church Rectory
    Hair Cuts for Seniors
    Men and Women Ages 65+
    June 5th

    1pm-3pm Parish Hall OLGC

    Divine Mercy - First Friday - All Night Vigil
    Our Lady of Good Counsel – Friday, May 3rd 

    Confessions: 8:00pm
    Opening Mass: 9:00pm.
    Followed by
    A discussion on Divine Mercy and the Eucharist
    by Fr. Hutchison
    Exposition of the Holy Eucharist
    Special Prayers, Litanies, Scriptural Rosaries
    St. Maria Faustina Kowalska’s Stations of the Cross,
    Chaplets, and Hymns.
    Refreshments at Midnight and at 3:30am
    Closing Mass: 5:00am


     Catholic Underground Saturdays OLGC
    7:30 PM Holy Hour led by Franciscan Friars follwoed by
    9:00 PM Performance
    Free admission all are welcome 
    For any questions, please get in touch with [email protected].
    The next Catholic Underground events will be on:
    May 4, 2024
    September 7, 2024
    October 5, 2024
    November 2, 2024
    Free admission all are welcome

    The Our Lady of Good Counsel
    Saturday Breakfast Program
    A hot, sit-down breakfast for our neighborhood's underpriveleged is served
    every Saturday from 7:00am to 8:30am in
    the OLGC Parish Hall

    230 East 90th Street (Bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves)
    The Parish is very proud to thank Orwasher’s Bakery for providing bread for our meals. Their contribution is an important assist to some of the neediest members of our community

    The Our Lady of Good Counsel Choir is still Recruiting.

    There are vacancies for
    Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Basses.
    Our Volunteer Choir sings a wide range of music in a friendly atmosphere.
    Rehearsals are on Saturdays at 4:00pm and the Choir performs at the Saturday, 5:30pm Mass.

    For information contact [email protected].

    Personal Assisted Listening Systems
    The Our Lady of Good Counsel & St. Thomas More Parish will now begin to offer Personal Assisted Listening
    Systems at each Sunday Mass.  This system will benefit those who are hearing impaired who wish to use either an on-ear device or a device that will work with their current hearing aid.
    If you wish to use a device, while attending a Sunday Mass at STM, please contact an Usher prior to the start of Mass.

    Unfortunately, we are still waiting for a cadre of Ushers to be formed at OLGC to manage the distribution and return of this equipment.  If you would like to serve as a Church Usher please contact [email protected] or call
    212-876-7718 to volunteer for this meaningful service.

  • UPCOMING EVENTS AT St. thomas more

    Parish Youth and Family Sandwich Making
    Sunday, May 19th - 12:00pm
    Families work together to make 250+ sandwiches
    to benefit the
    NY Common Pantry.
    Come once, come regularly.
    Just sign up by clicking here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a48a4ad2baaff2-youth1#/
    Remaining Date: 2024: Jun 9
    Questions?  [email protected]
    Text: 917 319 6243


    LEISURE LUNCHEON
    St. Thomas More continues its tradition of providing a hot lunch to members of our senior community on

    Tuesdays after the STM 12:15 Mass.


    BOOK CLUB
    Thursday, May 16th
    6:30pm –
    St. Thomas More
    Our club is delighted to conclude its literary journey through Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. "This panoramic study of early 19th-c Russian society is generally regarded as a masterwork of Russian literature and one of the world’s greatest novels."
    At this session will discuss
    Section Four and Epilogue and continue our grand adventure of discussing this masterpiece.
    Join our May 16th meeting.
    Questions: [email protected]


    BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
    If you have recently lost a loved one, you may wish to participate in our upcoming set of
    Bereavement Support Meetings.
    Our next set of 6 meetings is scheduled to begin on
    Tuesday, April 9th
    at 6:30pm in St. Thomas More.
    For information, please call
    212 876 7718


    STM - Coffee Hour
    this Sunday after the 10:00am
    Mass.
    We need Coffee Hour Hosts

     To sign up as a Host, please use the following link:
    https://tinyurl.com/Host-Coffee-Hour
    During the Coffee Hour, we will also have
    Children’s Story & Crafting – In addition to reading stories, materials will be supplied to make a craft related to that day’s gospel/celebration.


    Help us to show our community at its best.
    ______________________________________________________________________
    VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    New York Common Pantry needs volunteers to help serve hot meals, and to help with the on-site packing, organizing, and distributing bags of food for
    individuals and families from our community.
    Three hour morning or afternoon shifts are available from Monday to Saturday at either
    8 East 109th Street or
    1285 Oak Point Avenue in the Bronx
    .  You can pick the place and times that suit your schedule by clicking the following link: https://nycommonpantry.org/volunteer/
    Questions can be directed to [email protected] and [email protected]

    PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR YOUR MARRIAGE
    Talks with our presenter, Peter McFadden, who trained with
    Dr. John Gottman and worked with more than 5,000 couples. 
    To obtain a link to any of the previous
    Marriage Presentations
    conducted at STM please visit: MarriageFun101.com/video

    Separated and Divorced Catholics
    Support Group
    Zoom Meetings - 6:30pm
    1st and 3rd Wednesday of Each Month
    Next Sessions -  May 15th and June 5th
    https://tinyurl.com/Separated-and-Divorced
    Join Zoom Meeting By Phone:
    +1929 436 2866,,81393034198#,,,,*621761#
    US ( New York )
    Meeting ID: 813 9303 4198
    Pass Code: 621761
    We will discuss chapter 3 of
    Bruce Fisher's book
    Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends
    which deals with Fear.
    For additional information email: [email protected]
    or call 212-876-7718.


    STM – Religious Education Program
     
    First Year - Holy Communion Class
    Thursday – 5:00pm – 6:00pm
    Second Year – Holy Communion Class
    Tuesday - 5:00pm – 6:00pm

    First Year – Confirmation Class
    Thursday – 6:00pm – 7:00pm
    Second Year – Confirmation Class
    Tuesday - 6:00pm – 7:00pm

    Registration Information:
    Call Catherine Scalera at 212-876-7718
    or Email: [email protected]

    The fee per child is $125 (parishioner) and $200 (inactive or non-parishioner). The fee can be paid online at
    STM - Religious Education Tuition Form
    or by cash or check.

    Start Dates
    First Year - Thursday, October 5th
    Second Year – Tuesday, October 3rd

    Reminder: 2 consecutive years of Religious Education is required in order to receive the Sacraments of Communion and/or Confirmation.

    Diana Naranjo
    Coordinator of Religious Education

    St. Thomas More

  • community Outreach

    Archways
    A quarterly publication of the Archdiocese of New York, created to give our 2.8 million Catholics news and information about events, programming, and volunteer and charitable opportunities available to them. To download latest edition of Archways, please visit: https://archwaysmag.org


    The Archdiocese of New York's
    Monthly Digital Bulletin

    Presenting some of the most recent issues of the Archdiocese
    https://archny.org/newsletter/


    The Good Newsroom: the Archdiocese of New York’s new fully digital news platform. This publishing model includes a website and social media feeds. It covers events and topics and make the information available quickly to all of the visitors and followers. As of today, you can also find the App for The Good Newsroom in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. The Archdiocese created this App so that you could stay connected with us and get regular updates throughout the day directly to your mobile device. The app gives you easy access to all of our high-quality content, stories and updates about the people, parishes, and ministries throughout the archdiocese – and best of all, it’s free! To access this new platform, please visit: https://thegoodnewsroom.org/.


    The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture

    https://www.sheencenter.org/

    18 Bleecker St
    , New York , NY 10012

    Office: (212) 219-3132
    Box Office (212) 925-2812


    Parish Counseling Network
    Struggling with marital issues, parenting, elder care, job loss or bereavement? Take advantage of Catholic Charities affordable – yes; practically free - Parish Counseling Network, which provides parishioners with short-term professional counseling at convenient locations throughout the Archdiocese of New York.
    Parishioners, referred by the Pastor, are eligible for up to 6 counseling sessions
    Fee per session is just a $10 co-pay.
    If additional counseling is needed, parishioners will be referred to counseling practitioners or treatments centers outside the Network.
    Many practitioners are bilingual in Spanish and English.
    People needing other services can be referred to one of Catholic Charities regional locations for emergency food, housing, immigration services, addiction services and more.
    Interested? Speak with

    Sharon Colandra (OLGC)
    or Catherine Scalera (STM)

    or more information.


    The Christophers
    In our world today we are bombarded by many confusing and contradictory messages. The Christophers message is a message of hope and love of God. Even our name, The Christophers,  means the Christ bearers.  To view our work please go to https//www.christophers.org/news-notes and you will see many News Notes available for viewing.  If you scroll down to NN 623 you can read about the creation of The Christophers by its Maryknoll founder Father James Keller in 1945 and his message of hope.


    MGN Online Support Group
    At 8pm on the 3rd Friday of each month via Zoom
    Abuse is never your fault and you are not alone. This online support group is for all those in any way affected by abuse (physical, sexual, mental, emotional, financial, etc.) to experience healing in God's love and freedom through forgiveness. Contact [email protected] for the Zoom link or visit www.mgoretti.org for more information.


    AdeoClubs

    Children’s Catholic Catechism
    In-Person Classes – Grades 1-7 & Sacrament Prep.
    Once a week – October – May
    Call: 212-535-9329
    Email: [email protected]

    www.AdeoClubs.org


    Prayer to Combat Racism and Prejudice

    Lord, we are tired of the senseless acts of violence, the injustices, the oppression, the racism, and the ignored laments of black and brown communities. Hear us, Lord.  Open the hearts, minds, and ears of all your children to hear and understand the cries of pain, of sadness, of trauma, and of immense loss.

    Your Son, Jesus came to us that we “may have life, and have it abundantly.”  May each of us be committed to sharing life and love in our world.  May we speak truth to power.  May we allow the Spirit to lead us to act for justice.  Lord, we invite you to use us so that we might bring about a transformation in our world; a transformation that makes a beloved community real here on this earth.


    BEREAVEMENT FACILITATOR TRAINING
    Are you a highly compassionate person who is interested in serving others? We are currently looking for potential parishioners who are interested in being trained as Bereavement Facilitators.
    Please call:   212-876-7718


    Calvary Hospital – Bereavement Manhattan Support Groups
     If you or someone you know has experienced the death of a loved one, we may be able to help.
     
    ManhattanStephanie Insalaco, MA, MHC-LP
    (646) 771-6604
    [email protected]
     
    Melanie Rae Pappalardi, MSW
    (917) 624-0266
    [email protected]
     

    MANHATTAN GROUPS
     
    Precious Moments for Children 6-9
    Wednesday: Stephanie 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
     
    In Between Group Ages 10-12
    Wednesday: Melanie 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
     
    Teen Group
    Thursday: Stephanie 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
     
    Death of a Parent
    Wednesday: Stephanie 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
     
    Death of a Spouse/Partner
    Monday: Stephanie 5:30 pm - 7:00 p.m.
    Thursday: Stephanie 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
     
    Death of a Young Spouse/Partner
    Thursday: Melanie 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
     
    Please note: You must call to schedule an appointment prior to attending any of our groups. We do not accept walk-ins.
     
    Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
    1249 Fifth Avenue, 9th Floor
    New York, NY 10029


    Calvary Hospital Bereavement Department
    https://www.calvaryhospital.org/patients-families/bereavement-department-welcome/


    Online Giving Systems are now available to All Parishioners.

    To make an on-line contribution please go to the website: www.olgcstm.org and press the DONATE button connected to the church to which you wish to send your contributions.

    Exclusive photos: The 10 most beautiful churches in Manhattan

    (Including Our Lady of Good Counsel)

      Click here to launch the slideshow
     
    It’s doubtful that when St. Isaac Jogues celebrated the first known Mass in New York City — for a congregation made up of a whopping two other Catholics in Manhattan back in the 1640s — that he could have envisioned what the future would bring. Not in his wildest dreams could he have pictured what the “tiny” 22-square-mile island would look like three centuries later.
     
    The history of the Catholic Church in New York has been tumultuous, to say the least. From the early days of staunch anti-Catholicism and the battle for religious liberty, to the millions of Catholic immigrants from every corner of the earth who inundated the city, creating a uniquely diverse Catholic culture — if there’s one thing that can be said, it’s that there’s no place like New York.
     
    Since the early 1800s, along with the creation of the first New York diocese, the growth of the Church has been explosive. The century saw the creation of over two-thirds of the 114 churches that stand today, many of which are still vibrant and active, serving today’s generation of Catholics. Churches varied in shape and size and were generally centered on a particular ethnic origin, which was often reflected in the symbolism and the architecture.

     
    Some have incredible depictions of Gospel stories in stained glass or detailed frescoes, and others evoke a deep sense of awe and reverence due to their sheer size. And then with a few of them, it’s all of that and then some … and those are the ones that made this list.
     
    At the end of the day, the underlying beauty of any church is its purpose — that it’s a place set aside for the sacraments. It’s a place for Christ and His people to enter into communion with each other, and it doesn’t have to be a fancy building with stained glass and marble to accomplish that. But as with these 10 iconic churches, what has been built, in a powerful way, points to Whom we worship and guides those who worship through beauty to encounter Christ in an extraordinary way, and there’s something to be said about that as well.
     
    If you happen to be in town and are interested in attending Mass or visiting to pray, here’s the complete list with links to their websites.
     

     
    https://aleteia.org/2020/01/17/exclusive-photos-the-10-most-beautiful-churches-in-manhattan/


     A Brief Overview of the Archdiocese of New York’s Response to the Sexual Abuse of Minors and Vulnerable Adults

    English


    Un resumen de la respuesta de la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York al abuso sexual de menores y adultos vulnerables
    Español


    Homily on the Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church 
    Rev. Kevin V. Madigan
    Church of St. Thomas More, NYC, August 26, 2018

    Fr. Madigan's Homily on the Abuse Crisis