Submitted by melliott on Mon, 2010-12-27 14:25
Archbishop Dolan celebrated Christmas Mass at Covenant House New York
This Christmas, over 300 young people stayed at Covenant House because they had no place else to go.
His Excellency Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, brought the spirit and hope of Christmas into their lives with a special 4 pm Mass on Christmas Eve celebrated at the Covenant House Crisis Shelter in New York City.
“I can’t think of a better place to be on Christmas,” said the Archbishop to over 200 supporters and kids at Covenant House. “This is the first of three Christmas Eve Masses I’ll celebrate, and to me it is very special to be here. Covenant House is Bethlehem in reverse – providing an open door for young people who might otherwise find no room at the Inn. The warmth, safety and security provided for young people here is a precious gift given to young people who stay here.
“As I look out at the faces of the volunteers, staff, supporters, and especially the kids here this afternoon, I want to say that I love you and I am proud of you.”
“I want to thank Archbishop Dolan for his leadership and his inspiration and for taking time to be with us on this most holy day,” said Covenant House President Kevin Ryan. “It is a perfect setting for the Christmas story – a shelter filled with kids at Christmas with no place else to go. The fact the Archbishop is taking time on Christmas Eve to celebrate Mass and be with our kids will make this a Christmas our kids will never forget.”
Covenant House kids attended the Mass along with scores of Covenant House supporters who spent part of their Christmas Eve celebrating with the Archbishop and Covenant House youth.
“Covenant House is such a blessing and a sanctuary to kids on the streets,” said Archbishop Dolan. “On the streets kids are treated with less than the dignity they deserve. At Covenant House they are provided that dignity.”
“I am reminded of a young man I stood next to at Mass last Christmas,” said Covenant House President Kevin Ryan. “He looked at me and said, “I don’t belong here … I don’t belong anywhere. I told him he belonged to me and the entire Covenant House family.
“I want to thank all our supporters here at Mass today and around the country,” said Ryan. “People who have made their families bigger than those they’ll be celebrating with later at their dining room tables. You have invited our kids into your family, and that is a special gift to our kids that will help save their lives.”
