The Al Smith Dinner

Last night was the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner.

The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner is an annual white tie charity fundraiser for Catholic Charities, held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York on the third Thursday of October (Smith died on October 4). It is organized by the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation in honor of former New York Governor Al Smith, the first Catholic presidential candidate. The first dinner was held in 1945.

Since 1960 (when Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy were speakers), it has been a stop for the two main presidential candidates during several U.S. election years.

Candidates have traditionally given humorous speeches poking fun at themselves and their opponents, making the event similar to a roast. It is generally, the last event at which the two candidates share a stage before the election.

Below are Cardinal Dolan's remarks from last night's dinner:

Do We Live in Missionary Territory?

An excellent piece by Cardinal Dolan.  Check it out here and see if you can find where he quotes  Blessed Chaminade without realizing it.

God Prefers the Small...

I just got around to listening to Cardinal Dolan's Homily from June 17, 2012 (Father's Day).  In the Homily, the Cardinal makes some great references to items we address is History of Salvation I and II.

Check it Out Here (The sound has a little static at times)

Cardinal Dolan - Good Friday Homily

We covered the theological implications of the passion and death of Jesus in History of Salvation II this week and within two or three weeks will will be covering the crucifixion of Christ in History of Salvation I.

Here is a excellent homily about these events from Cardinal Dolan.  It is only 4 minutes long check - it out.


Cardinal Timothy Dolan -- Good Friday Homily from Rocco Palmo on Vimeo.

Great Interview with Cardinal Dolan

This is a great interview with Cardinal Dolan on the state of religion in the United States.

Passing Over to Renewed Life

Here are some very inspirational words from Cardinal Dolan for Holy Week and the fast approaching Triduum

Passing Over to Renewed Life

You've Got Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Cardinal Dolan discussing Holy Week.

Cardinal-designate Dolan's Reflection on Deism

This was the reflection we looked at in class the other day.

Cardinal-designate Dolan's reflection

Archbishop Dolan to be named Cardinal

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan has been named cardinal by the Vatican.

Dolan is one of 22 prelates who will be elevated to cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church in a formal ceremony Feb. 18.

Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement on Friday following an Epiphany Mass that ends the Vatican's top Christmas celebrations.

The Archdiocese of New York said Dolan will speak to the media after celebrating Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan Friday morning.

Cardinals are the pope's key advisers and are members of the group that will eventually elect Benedict's successor.

The pope also named prelates from Hong Kong, Berlin, Prague, Toronto and Florence, Italy, and some Key Vatican offices. 

The full list of new Cardinals can be found here: List of new Cardinals

Cardinal-designate Dolan's own words on the news can be read here: Cardinal-designate Dolan's Blog

A great interview with Cardinal-designate Dolan.

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Another great interview with Cardinal-designate Dolan.

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

Advent vs. Christmas Assignment

We are approximately half-way through the liturgical season of Advent.  Below is a link to an article written by Archbishop Timothy Dolan, about the old-school and new-school views of the Advent and Christmas Seasons. 

Click here for article entitled "Advent Must Be Preserved"  

After reading the article complete the following reflection.

Reflection Assignment

Write a two paragraph reflection that answers the following

Paragraph 1: Which side of the Advent debate are you on? Why?

Paragraph 2: What are some of your family's Advent/Christmas traditions? Are there any traditions you would like to start?

Requirements:

- Your assignment should be about one typed page

- You must use Times New Roman font size 12 - double spaced

Are Things Still Sacred?

A great reflection from Archbishop Dolan on the importance of keeping certain days (seasons) sacred in our spiritual lives.

http://blog.archny.org/?p=1917

Liking Catholicism on Facebook

Many Catholic Bishops, authors, and groups utilize facebook as a means of communication.  If you go to their facebook page and “like” them you will receive information and news in your facebook news feed as it becomes available.

Some examples of people or groups you could friend:

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Diocese of Rockville Centre

Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York

James Martin, SJ (Catholic Author)

The Today Show in Rome

Archbishop Timothy Dolan gives the Today Show's Al Roker and Matt Lauer a tour of Rome and St. Peter's Basilica.

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Other Clips from the Today Show in Rome

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Other clips can be found here: Today Show Video Clips

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan -- The Altar and the Confessional: A Pastoral Letter on the Sacrament of Penance

As promised, here is the link to the full text of Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan's letter about confession entitled The Altar and the Confessional: A Pastoral Letter on the Sacrament of Penance. It is a little long, but well worth a read.  Enjoy.

The Altar and the Confessional: A Pastoral Letter on the Sacrament of Penance

Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy

As we start learning about the Eucharistic Celebration, I recommend reading this letter written by Archbishop Dolan last year about the importance of the Mass.

Keeping the Lord's Day Holy

Sacrament Assignment

Click the link below for an article about Baptism written by Archbishop Timothy Dolan.  The article was written last May and appeared on the Archbishop's blog ("The Gospel in the Digital Age"). 

There is a reflection assignment at the end of the article .

Article and Assignment

Christmas vs. Advent

In class this week we started discussing the liturgical calendar and the various Church seasons.  Below is an excerpt and link to an article written by Archbishop Timothy Dolan, about the old-school and new-school views of the Advent and Christmas Seasons. 

Here is an excerpt: 

"Some form of the Advent Debate usually goes on at every liturgy committee meeting, parish council or family kitchen table, with the "old timers" recalling the days when the celebration of Christmas began the evening of Dec. 24—not the day after Thanksgiving—and lasted until the Epiphany, and the other side telling us to "give-it-up" and admit the reality that Christmas starts at Thanksgiving and ends on Christmas Day." 

Click here for article entitled "Advent Must Be Preserved"  

Archbishop Timothy Dolan: 60 Minutes Interviews

On Sunday, March 20^th, Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan was the focus of a 60 Minutes Interview.  The piece was well done and Archbishop Dolan was as always very engaging.  Both are links to an article summarizing the Interview and the actually full-length segment.

Interview Summary

Full Length Segment

Archbishop Timothy Dolan on Lent

This short (1 min.) video was recorded for aol.com and it features Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York (President of the USCCB) giving a nice description of what the Lenten Season means for Catholics.

You’re watching You’ve Got Archbishop Timothy Dolan.