Cardinal Timothy Dolan joined retired priests and supporters on Thursday, September 7, for Mass and a celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Saint John Vianney Clergy Residence, established in 2003 by his predecessor, Cardinal Edward Egan.

Cardinal Dolan served as the Mass’s principal celebrant. Along with the retired priests of the Residence, the Mass was concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Geraldo Colacicco; Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen; Bishop Gerald Walsh; and Monsignor Joseph LaMorte, Vicar General of the archdiocese.

“Thanks be to God. I thank God every day for this place, and today, the entire archdiocese does too,” Cardinal Dolan said during his homily. He commended the work of executive director Mary Lynch and her staff. He also thanked the supporters of the Residence for remembering the retired priests and their needs.

The Residence provides a comfortable and safe home for retired priests who have devoted their lives to serving parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese of New York. Located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, the Residence ensures that priests live each day with dignity, independence, and the ability to practice their Catholic faith in a brotherly community.

At a reception following the Mass, Cardinal Dolan visited with some of the retired priests, including Father Chris Daly, who has lived at the residence since it opened in 2003.