As we move forward, we remain grateful for the opportunity to celebrate our 25th Anniversary on March 26, 2009 at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Manhattan. We began by gathering for a Symposium titled, “St. Paul Speaks to Pastoral Leaders Today.” Oscar Andres Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga, SDB, of Honduras spoke on “St. Paul: A Man of Many Cultures” and Father Robert Schreiter, C.PP.S on “Ambassadors for Christ: St. Paul’s Vision of Reconciliation.” Margaret O’Brien Steinfels and Thomas Beaudoin of Fordham University provided commentary. Text of those talks, as well as the homily given during our Anniversary Mass are still available here.

ANNIVERSARY MASS

• Presider: Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk of Cincinnati
  
  
• Concelebrants: Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Bishop Blase Cupich of Rapid City, Former Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan of Brooklyn, Father John E. Hurley, CSP and Father Gilbert Martinez, CSP, pastor of Church of St. Paul the Apostle
  
  
• Homilist: Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of Baltimore
  
  
• Lector: Kathy Murnion, sister-in-law of the late Msgr. Philip J. Murnion
  
  
• Participating liturgists: Sheila McLaughin, Director of the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Center at the Catholic Theological Center in Chicago, IL and Paul Covino, Associate Chaplain and Director of Liturgy at the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, MA

Our anniversary celebration was capped off with a reception and gala dinner attended by 340 people. It was held in the Parish Hall at St. Paul’s where we were privileged to honor these Catholic professionals for their contributions to society:

Philip J. Murnion Faith in Culture Award

• Rudy Vargas IV, Executive Director of the Hispanic Catholic Center

• Clarence Williams, C.PP.S., Ph.D., Senior Director of Racial Equality and Diversity Initiatives at Catholic Charities USA

Philip J. Murnion Faith in Parish and Community Award

• Msgr. Harry J. Byrne, a New York Archdiocese priest with a legacy of working on behalf of New Yorkers for affordable housing; working for the Archdiocesan Chancery; and serving as a parish priest in two Manhattan parishes

Philip J. Murnion Faith in Media Award

• Agnes Nixon, best known for introducing important social issues into contemporary soap operas, which led to her induction into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame

• E.J. Dionne, Jr., syndicated columnist for the Washington Post and author of Souled Out: Reclaiming Faith and Politics After the Religious Right