Cardinal Timothy Dolan served as the principal celebrant of a bilingual Mass marking the 125^th anniversary of St. Angela Merici Church in the Bronx that welcomed parishioners and returning students of the school that surrounds the church sanctuary.

“You still look very young after 125 years, alleluia,” Cardinal Dolan said in his opening remarks on Saturday, September 28.

Hundreds of parishioners and school alumni gathered for the Saturday vigil Mass. The parish celebrated its calendar anniversary in July.

In his homily, Cardinal Dolan began in Spanish but then transitioned to English, apologizing to the faithful. “I am especially grateful to this parish for your love for 125 years.” He thanked St. Angela Merici’s pastors, past and present, for their leadership, along with all the priests and brothers and sisters religious who attended the Mass, including Brother Tyrone Davis, executive director of the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York.

“Viva St. Angela Merici,” Cardinal Dolan exclaimed. “Que viva!” the faithful replied with applause.

Cardinal Dolan noted how the parish had, over the course of its history, initially served as Irish, German, and Italian immigrants, and had transitioned again to serving newer arrivals from Central and Latin America, and Africa.

“This church is the very middle of the parish,” he said, noting its unique architecture, with the school built around the sanctuary. In the same way, “This has been the heart of this neighborhood for many years,” Cardinal Dolan said. St. Angela Merici’s school closed in 2023.

“We are so grateful for His Eminence to be with us,” said Parochial Vicar Father Gaston K. Ampe, A.J. The parish presented Cardinal Dolan with a painting of their patroness, St. Angela Merici, to express their gratitude for his attendance at their anniversary Mass.

Among the concelebrants of the Mass were Father Nestorio Agirembabazi, AJ, pastor of St. Angela Merici Church, and Father Ampe.