Dear Parishioners and Friends:

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hopefully a spirit of gratitude filled our minds and hearts. I would like to thank all those who brought food items last Sunday, throughout the week and on Thanksgiving Day to stock our Parish Food Pantry. Ready-packed bags were also brought to us from the Stephen Gaynor School...what a wonderful way to live out our Christian Faith during these weeks, caring for those who have less.

Thanks to all who have and are supporting the Parish Appeal to help us cover the parish operating needs for this year as well as electrical and elevator replacements. As of this week, 57 members of the parish have contributed $105,458.14. I am still hoping that 60 members of the parish might be able to offer $5,000.00….but even more I am hopeful that every member of the parish will do whatever she or he can… Whatever your gift, it is greatly appreciated.

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. Throughout these past months of Ordinary Time we have heard the stories of Christ’s life and ministry, and we have been challenged to respond to God’s Word in the often challenging circumstances of our lives and our world. Today’s Feast gives us hope that Christ indeed reigns as King of Heaven and Earth. His victory is won and that gives us hope that God’s love and mercy are ultimately triumphant, and can be triumphant in our lives. The Feast of Christ the King is the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year, and always prepares us anew for the beginning of the year with the start of Advent next Sunday.

Work continues steadily on the replacement of the external safety glass of the Rose Window and on the replacement of the eight lower roofs of the Church. This week the Parish also came to a decision on an Electrical Engineering firm, now contracted for the design phase of our electrical upgrades that will take place this summer. Thanks to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for identifying three Engineering firms, and sorting through Bids to find the best fit for us.  

Sister Carol Keehan, D.C. is a member of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul and the CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. This past October she was honored by Commonweal Magazine. In her remarks, which I found wonderful, she said:

“It is a challenging time. Between politics, church issues, climate change, and the loss of civility in discussing these issues, we can be overwhelmed.

We have to admit, it has gotten to many of us, some even admitting to being discouraged, depressed, or just in a real funk about it. ….

In the meantime, it is critical to look at what we can do to help the people of our country and our church. Commonweal has a profound mission statement that begins “Since 1924, Commonweal has staked a claim for Catholic principles and perspective in American life, and for lay people’s voices within the church.”

Has there ever been a moment when we needed you more? she asked…..I found myself very much agreeing with her….and so I thought to take this moment to challenge you to consider whether Commonweal might be a helpful addition to our reading list.

Saturday, December 1st at 5:00pm in the lower Church Hall, the Family Ministry will lead its annual Advent Wreath making. Please RSVP through the Parish Web Site at

www.blessedsacramentnyc.org/family-ministry. Tickets can be purchased on the Site at $35/family.

Continue to pray for peace

Father Duffell