NEW YORK — Eight Holy Name friars were among the thousands who welcomed new Archbishop Timothy Dolan to New York City at his April 15 installation Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The friars were the Most Rev. Roberto Gonzalez, OFM, archbishop of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Kevin Mackin, OFM, of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y.; Larry Ford, OFM, Daniel Kenna, OFM, Matthew Pravetz, OFM, and Gonzalo Torres, OFM, of Holy Name of Jesus Church in New York City; and Hugh Hines, OFM, and Jerome Massimino, OFM, of St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City. Also attending was Fr. Joseph Cavoto, SA, who lives at St. Francis Friary on West 31st Street.
Installation Mass
Archbishop Dolan smiled as he walked to the altar, waving and greeting guests. Hugh said the archbishop greeted many people by name as he walked down the aisle to the altar.
His homily, encouraging people to embrace the resurrection, turning from fears and toward faith in Christ and the Church, mentioned the late Mychal Judge, OFM, chaplain to the Fire Department of New York who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
“The Risen Christ is alive in consecrated religious women and men,” he said, “in whom Elizabeth Ann Seton, Francis Xavier Cabrini and Mychal Judge find most worthy heirs.”
Kevin said, “That’s saintly company alongside our brother Mychal.”
Jerome said the homily was “beautifully crafted,” and that the archbishop is “bringing a breath of fresh air into the archdiocese.”
The new archbishop appears to have an affinity for the friars. Jerome said he was overheard saying, upon noticing a group of the men in brown habits, “The celebration can begin; the Franciscans have arrived.”
Hugh said one of the best aspects of the ceremony was seeing how much Archbishop Dolan seemed to enjoy himself.
The friars were not the only group represented at the Mass. Dignitaries from government and the arts were also present. Archbishop Dolan’s choice for soloist for the musical interlude after the Communion Rite was widely-known Irish singer Ronan Tynan, the 2003 recipient of St. Bonaventure University’s Gaudete Medal.
About the Archbishop
Archbishop Dolan, 59, formerly archbishop of Milwaukee, succeeds Cardinal Edward Egan, 77, who retired after nine years as archbishop of New York. Dolan was ordained to the priesthood on June 19, 1976. On the 25th anniversary of that ordination, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis. He was installed as the 10th archbishop of Milwaukee on Aug. 28, 2002.
The Archdiocese of New York is the nation’s second largest diocese, after Los Angeles. It covers a region with 2.5 million parishioners in nearly 400 churches, eight of which are staffed by Province friars. Invitations to the installation Mass were sent to all priests in the Archdiocese of New York.
Kevin, a native New Yorker, said he was delighted to attend the liturgy. He described the archbishop as having a “lively, witty way.” He said Archbishop Dolan is “hitting the ground smiling. I think he’s off to a very good start.”
The April 19 bulletin of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Manhattan displayed a photo of the archbishop on its cover with the words: “The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi Warmly Welcomes Our New Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan!” Biographical information about Archbishop Dolan was provided in the bulletin.
—Rebecca Doel is coordinator of communications for Holy Name Province; Jocelyn Thomas, director of communications, contributed to this story.