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  Archbishop Timothy Dolan Offers Wish of Renewal for Croton Church

By Christine Pizzuti
The Journal News
June 1, 2009

http://lohud.com/article/20090601/NEWS02/906010328/-1/SPORTS

Archbishop Timothy Dolan greets members of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men's group, after Mass yesterday at Holy Name of Mary Catholic church in Croton-on-Hudson.
Photo by Mark Vergar

CROTON-ON-HUDSON - Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who has developed a reputation of being charismatic and easygoing, visited Holy Name of Mary in the village yesterday to rededicate the Catholic church - and deliver a few one-liners.

Pentecost Sunday's Mass carried a theme of renewal within the church and thanks to the parishioners who continue to come. The church's last two pastors were forced out after being accused of sexual abuse; as a result, the parish has lost some members.

Hundreds attended yesterday's service.

"The people here before you, Bishop Dolan, are the people who stayed together," the Rev. Michael Keane said.

Parish Council member Karl Barnes said it was a great gesture for those parishioners who have remained, and possibly one that will return faith to those who have left.

Dolan received an enthusiastic welcome, and greeted parishioners by purposely mispronouncing the village's name.

"Cro-ton," he teased. "Did I pronounce it right? Cro-ton?"

He said he met a man who informed him much of New York City's water comes from the Croton Reservoir System. Dolan said he asked that man if he could do him a favor by adding a little Jameson to the reservoir.

Prior to his visit, Dolan received a letter from the church, and later spoke by phone with Keane. They chatted for 20 minutes to half an hour, Dolan said. "Then I began taking notes," he said in a friendly poke at Keane's tendency to be long-winded.

"I was so moved," he said. "All he did, everybody, was brag about you and what a wonderful parish this is.

"He went on to tell me some of your recent, painful history," he said, adding Keane told him the sooner he comes to Croton, the better. "I'm here on Pentecost Sunday to let you know I love you very much," he said.

The Rev. Kenneth Jesselli, a former pastor of Holy Name of Mary, was removed from ministry in April 2002; the specific allegations against him have not been made public. Jesselli's predecessor, the Rev. Gennaro Gentile, also was removed from ministry because of allegations of abuse.

Yesterday, Dolan, who was installed April 15 as the 10th archbishop of New York, told the parish the church is alive - in marriages, families, sacraments, in their works of love, service and generosity.

"Whaddya say we pray we'll always be worthy of this 'pearl of great price'?" he said.

Heads of the church went over the new altar with white towels in preparation for Dolan's dedication.

"May this altar be the place where the great mysteries of our faith are accomplished," Dolan said.

Following the dedication and three confirmations, both of which Dolan joked were busy jobs the church had prepared for him, Keane told Dolan that in honor of Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Eucharist would be introduced in different languages.

"How Pentecostal," Dolan joked. "Thank you, that's beautiful. Oramus. Preghiamo."

To close the service, Keane presented Dolan with a red T-shirt that reads, "We are the church."

In expressing his thanks to the parish, Dolan said, "I can see why you always brag about these people. I already feel at home."

Buchanan resident Cynthia Neff described Dolan as being friendly and approachable.

She and her mother both attended Mass.

"I thought it was absolutely beautiful," said Neff. "It was such a renewal of spirit and faith and hope for all of us."

Contact: cpizzuti@lohud.com

 
 

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