The next Archdiocese of New York Young Adult Mass is set for Wednesday, June 12, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, preceded by a Holy Hour and followed by a social gathering at a nearby restaurant.

The monthly Mass will start at 7:30 p.m. and the scheduled principal celebrant and homilist is Father Christopher Argano, pastor of St. Columba in Chester and St. Mary’s in Washingtonville.  

Father Argano is also a faculty member at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, teaching moral theology. He served as director of vocations for the archdiocese for five years ending in 2021. 

A Brooklyn-born, Staten Island-raised Mets fan, Father Aragon graduated from Monsignor Farrell High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Siena College in Loudonville, before attending St. Joseph’s Seminary and was ordained in 2009. During Pope Francis’ 2015 apostolic visit to New York, Father Argano served as one of the papal masters of ceremonies.            

The theme for the evening will include the importance of following the commandments – such as the Gospel reading for Matthew 5: Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law…whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”  

“We are so happy to have Father Chris celebrate this Mass for us. He has worked with young adults for many years in different capacities, including as the vocations director,” Kaitlyn Colgan, assistant director at the archdiocesan Office of Young Adult Outreach,” told The Good Newsroom.

“Many of the young adults know him from his time co-leading the Samuel Group, a discernment group for young adults. He was also the chaplain of our office’s 2018 pilgrimage to France. He has a great charism for inspiring and guiding young adults to live life to the fullest,” Colgan added. 

The mission statement of Young Adult Outreach says in part that the goal of the office “is to connect Catholic young adults to God and to each other, by helping you get connected to the young adult communities…The office aims to act as a liaison for new and seasoned New Yorkers, whether you are exploring the faith or have grown up in it, to help you find what you’re looking for.” 

For more information, visit Young Adult Outreach’s website.