Archbishop Ronald Hicks celebrated Mass for hundreds of members of the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) Holy Name Society and their families, along with hundreds more parishioners of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and visitors, on Sunday, April 19. 

The regularly scheduled 8 a.m. Mass preceded the society’s 106th annual communion breakfast. The Confraternity of the Most Holy Names of God and Jesus (Holy Name Society) promotes reverence for the Sacred Names of God and Jesus Christ, obedience and loyalty to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and the personal sanctification and holiness of its members, according to the National Association of the Holy Name Society’s website. Founded in 1914, the Holy Name Society is the largest and oldest religious fraternal organization in the NYPD. 

One step at a time 

In a homily constructed around the theme “one step at a time,” Archbishop Hicks explained that he is using his enjoyment of walking as a way to learn more about New York, and that he is approaching it “one step at a time.” 

He drew a parallel with Sunday’s gospel in Luke 24:13–35, commonly known as the road to Emmaus, where Jesus comes upon two of his disciples walking. 

“What St. Luke is communicating to us is that by walking toward Emmaus, they are walking in the wrong direction. The right direction is to go to Jerusalem. For St. Luke, Jerusalem is where everything about Jesus happens,” the archbishop explained. “They are walking toward Emmaus, a Roman town, a town of authority and distraction.” 

As Jesus walks and talks with them, he breaks bread with them, and it is in that moment that they recognize him. He then sends them back toward Jerusalem. “When they are walking back, the scripture records that their hearts were on fire. Their hearts were on fire. They are eager to share the news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. And they walk back with this fire in their hearts, knowing that Jesus himself is walking with them, one step at a time,” Archbishop Hicks said. 

The archbishop challenged the faithful to ponder two questions during and after the Mass: “Can you recall a time in your life when someone helped you turn around and go in the right direction?” and “What is one concrete step Jesus is inviting you to take this week to walk more fully in his direction?” 

Awards given at annual breakfast 

The Mass preceded a brief parade by NYPD Holy Name Society members from the cathedral to the New York Hilton Midtown, where the annual communion breakfast was held. Joseph Gulotta, chief of transit, was named Person of the Year, and DCER Maria Otero received the Monsignor Joseph Zammit Leadership Award. P.O. Albert Acierno, PBA vice president, received the Presidential Award, while Robert Fagenson of the Centurion Foundation received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Rafael Toro accepted the Roberto Clemente Humanitarian Award on behalf of Goya Foods, and retired Detective Joseph Gannon received the Holy Name Appreciation Award. St. Michael’s Awards were presented to P.O. Freddy Cerpa, P.O. Wilmer Guerrero, P.O. James Burns, P.O. Vincent Rugolo, Lt. Christopher Cheng, P.O. Isauris Valdez, Sgt. Lissette Henriquez, P.O. Carolina Quezada-Torres, and P.O. Ana Saavedra.