A message from Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities New York

Dear Colleagues:

I write to you as I reflect on my 25-plus years at Catholic Charities and the moments that have touched me deeply. I have been distraught by tragedies, troubled by intractable problems and too much suffering. And also, I have been uplifted by successes, inspired by the faithfulness of many, and filled with hope by the achievements of those facing incredible odds. These enriched me beyond what I could have ever imagined or hoped for. I am grateful.

Some of you will recall that it was immediately after the September 11 terrorist attacks that I became executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. In one of New York’s darkest moments, I learned several important lessons that have guided me since. First, despite New York’s strengths, power, and resources, we are still vulnerable and those among us who have the least are the most impacted by tragedies and disasters. Second, because of our mission to protect and care for the poor and vulnerable, Catholic Charities is essential to New York’s response to crises. Third, Catholic Charities has a unique responsibility and opportunity to improve the lives of New Yorkers by partnering, leading, and convening diverse groups to meet critical needs. Catholic Charities’ impact has been evidenced time and again — when Superstorm Sandy struck, when migrant families and children surged into New York, and when COVID-19 shuttered the doors of most of New York — but not Catholic Charities. This is both a privilege and a responsibility.

I include among the many great joys of my time at Catholic Charities the opportunity to work with so many who care and contribute to making New York better and improving our neighbors’ lives. These dedicated New Yorkers populate diverse sectors: government, labor, business, finance, philanthropy, hospitality, and numerous others.

I pay tribute to Cardinal Egan, who set the direction for Catholic Charities for the 21st century by attracting talented lay leadership to direct and advance our mission of help and hope. As a result, I have been privileged to work with talented, dedicated, and generous trustees who serve on Catholic Charities’ board, and especially four extraordinary chairs, John Phelan, Cathy Kinney, Gene McQuade, and Bill Anderson. Their support for me and the mission of Catholic Charities has been vital and incomparable.

For most of my tenure, Catholic Charities has been blessed by the leadership of Cardinal Dolan. Personally, he distributed food to hungry New Yorkers, welcomed immigrants and refugees into his own residence, dedicated new affordable housing, and visited the homes of those with disabilities. On a personal note, I express my deep gratitude for his continuous support of me.

I am particularly grateful for the support he has shown for the Catholic Charities federation of agencies through his personal visits and by recognizing Catholic Charities as a way to exercise his responsibility to support these Catholic charitable ministries in the Archdiocese of New York. The leadership of these agencies, boards, staff, and volunteers is tremendous — dedicated, competent, and compassionate. It has been a privilege to work with them.

Two highlights during my time have been welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to visit with disabled children at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, and coordinating Pope Francis’ meeting with immigrants and refugees at Our Lady of Angels School in East Harlem. Both visits demonstrated how constitutive the work of Catholic Charities is to the identity of our Catholic faith.

I raise up those Catholic Charities staff out on the streets of our neighborhoods, overnight in residences, on weekends at community centers, daily at food pantries, schools, and apartment complexes, counseling youth and families. They are the face and hands of Catholic Charities to New Yorkers in need.

I cannot adequately express my professional and personal gratitude to the senior executive leadership of Catholic Charities, who work competently, effectively, and sacrificially to ensure that vulnerable and struggling New Yorkers receive the help they need to improve their lives. I am grateful for their support and confidence as we have expanded and taken on new projects, and at other times when we were forced to judiciously navigate very choppy waters that challenged our values and ability to carry out our work.

New York is a portal to America and a new home for millions seeking both refuge and opportunity. Consequently, Catholic Charities’ work and the families we serve are often impacted by events far away. I have participated in missions where I learned firsthand of these situations far away — in Bangladesh, Ukraine, Cuba, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, and Central America. My understanding of the interconnectedness of our world has been profoundly deepened.

I appreciate the support so many have shown to Catholic Charities and me for 25-plus years. I have been blessed “to show up” and work with so many to better the lives of some of our poorest and most vulnerable neighbors — non-Catholics and Catholics alike.

In the next few months, I will move into the position of executive director emeritus and will happily welcome the new CEO to take on the leadership of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. I will remain available to help and advise, as appropriate, and continue to serve at Our Saviour Church near Grand Central, a diverse parish with a particularly vibrant community of young adults.

I am grateful for the honor and blessing of serving as Catholic Charities’ executive director as we entered our second century. This transition is made easier by my confidence that the incredible Catholic Charities community of trustees, staff, donors, and volunteers will continue to be a driving force for a caring New York that provides help and creates hope for the most vulnerable among us.

With gratitude,
Monsignor Kevin Sullivan