On August 1, 2015 my letter of appointment from Timothy Cardinal Dolan made me the first Pastor of a new parish in the Archdiocese of New York. Merging the two historically rich and important parishes of Immaculate Conception and Assumption into a single family in Tuckahoe and Eastchester, NY would form the parish. Throughout the Archdiocese of New York the two-year project of Making All Things New concluded with the merger and I want to thank Deacon Anthony Viola and the members of the parishes that joined the cluster to assist Cardinal Dolan in this monumental effort.

Join us on Monday, October 5, as we ponder the Mercy of God as revealed to St. Faustina on her Feast Day! Enjoy the changing leaves as we drive there! Take the time to pause and refresh yourself!

The most precious gift that Jesus left to His Church is his Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Hidden under the appearance of Bread and Wine Jesus Himself is present in the Eucharist. The Host is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. We participate in the Liturgy and when we hear the words, “This is My Body” and “This is My Blood” —we know that Jesus, our Lord is present. We receive Him in Communion and God is with us.

There are special questions today in regards to marriage. The first is In vitro fertilization. It is a very difficult situation when a young couple cannot conceive a child naturally. Some turn to in vitro fertilization as a solution to the problem. The first thing we have to remember is that children are not a right to marriage. No one has a right over another human being, not even an infant. Children are a gift from God. As reproductive technology becomes more powerful, artificial conception is not morally acceptable. Why? To read the rest of the article, click the title.

An annulment is a canonical investigation, to determine as humanly as possible, that the sacramental bond of marriage, which should have taken effect, never took place. The Bond of Marriage is presumed to have taken effect. The contrary has to be proven in a Court of Church law. There has to be something that blocks the sacramental bond either in the consent (intellectual knowledge of marriage, or the other person) and or the freedom of choosing you to be my spouse. How free, how mature, how much do I know about you and your values and ideas about marriage? To read the whole article, click the title.

In the original Greek text of the Gospel (Matthew 5:32), the Lord uses the word PORNEIA which means 'illicit or unnatural relations' as the only exception to the permanence of marriage (which in reality means there was no valid marriage if it was an unnatural union, as in the case of incest or homosexuality, bestiality). However, the Greek word MOICHEIA means 'adultery' but that word is NOT used. Hence, adultery, while still a serious and mortal sin, does not itself invalidate a marriage (unless the person NEVER intended to enter a faithful union from the day of their wedding vows.) To read the remainder of the article, click the title.

The state has the right and obligation to protect its citizens, to enact laws that helps the common good. Marriage affects society, the rearing of new citizens (children) and their education. Marriage is not an absolute right. The right to marriage is governed, for example, one cannot marry one’s sister or a 6 year old. There are civil effects of the marriage contract. A license must be had to marry. The decree of divorce states that the civil union between the two is no longer bound. They are civically divorce. The Sacramental bond is never touched or mentioned, nor recognized by the State. To read the remainder of the article, click the title.

• Marriage is a verbal covenant (an agreement based on love) between a male and female. Marriage reflects a deep reality – the reality of the unique, fruitful, lifelong union that is only possible between a man and a woman. • Marriage is God’s first and immediate gift after the creation of Man and Woman. • Marriage is the lifelong partnership of mutual and exclusive fidelity between a man and a woman ordered by its very nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. To read the rest of the article, click the title.