New Filings for OLV Rectory aka 32 Dominick Street

Filings to enlarge Rectory aka 32 Dominick Street will be presented to landmarks committee of Community Board 2 on 7/16.  Meeting will be held at the Sheen Center. CLICK HERE for CB 2 July calendar and agenda.

Proposed changes to rectory:
*32 Dominick St. Application is to restore front façade, replace front and rear windows and doors, recladding of roof, enlarge the rear dormer, addition of rear 2^nd and 3^rd story, excavation for rear addition.

See filings on Dept. of Buildings BIS Web.

Community Prays Together to Keep Nativity Church Open

CLICK HERE to visit WPIX for video of Saturday's Mass at Church of the Nativity in honor of Dorothy Day.

Archdiocese of New York Pastor Announces 8/1 Departure

Departing Pastors Make Way for Corporate Board Shuffle

When I attended Mass this Sunday, the Pastor announced that he would be leaving as of August 1 and didn't know where he was going to be sent.  He struggled to maintain his composure and the congregation was shocked.  At the end of Mass, there was a long line down the center aisle as everyone in attendance waited to shake the Pastor's hand, much like waiting to pay respects at a wake,

I will address the emotional aspect of this later.  Right now I want to call your attention to these facts:

• Parishes in the Archdiocese of New York are legal corporations under civil law
• Parishes are incorporated under New York State Religious Corporation Law
• The fate of a church is in the hands of the corporate trustees, who have to vote if the church is to assume any purpose other than a house of worship
• The board of trustees consists of the Cardinal, the Vicar General, the Pastor and 2 lay trustees appointed by the Pastor.
• The composition of the board is critical to the archdiocese maintaining control over parish assets
• Because the stakes are so high, the board that votes on the fate of a church is carefully chosen to assure that everyone votes the way the Cardinal wishes.

A theological argument for the movement of pastors can be advanced, but the timing speaks to a corporate motivation.

Dorothy Day: Unquenchable flame in a church slated for closure

Last evening I attended Mass at the Church of the Nativity in honor of Dorothy Day.  I had never been there before.  From the outside it looks like a spiritual bunker, consistent with Pope Francis' vision of the Church as a field hospital for the wounded.  The sanctuary is spare and simple with a 60's Corita Kent-ish vibe.  The Mass was celebrated in English and Spanish, music led by a male duo that sang in a melody/descant format accompanied by piano.  The music was bilingual and echoed the teachings of Dorothy, whose icon stood on an easel to the right of center as you faced the altar.

As the regulars trickled in, most paused to kneel briefly in front of the tabernacle as if to greet Jesus on entering his house.  Some prayed in English during the Spanish prayers and some prayed in Spanish during the English prayers.

Martha Hennessy, Dorothy's granddaughter, read a brief excerpt from her writings.

After the Mass everyone went downstairs to share a home-baked cake brought by Martha.  A parishioner who had helped prepare the church for the Mass told me:  "This is a place that welcomes everyone, not matter color, how you look what you are wearing."  And it was true.  The Mass and the after-Mass constituted a beautiful feast presented by the sheep to the Lamb of God.

Parish of the Nativity: another flame that should not be extinguished.

Following in the Footsteps of Dorothy Day at Church of the Nativity

Today's New York Times ran a piece by David Gonzalez titled "Invoking the Radical Spirit of Dorothy Day to Fight a Church Closing."   The story touches upon the history of the parish as the place where Dorothy Day worshipped and ministered to the poor.  Now, while supporting the the cause of her sainthood, the Archdiocese of New York has decided to close the church, depriving us of the opportunity to literally walk in her footsteps.

Salient quote from Dorothy Day's granddaughter, Martha Hennessy:

“In the East Village, with all the affluence, the party atmosphere and the materialism, we still have poverty,” Ms. Hennessy said. “They are doing their best to hide it, but if there was a shrine dedicated to the history of her work, that might be more helpful. It would raise the question of economic refugees.”

Mass will be held on Saturday at 6:00 PM in honor of Dorothy Day.