to the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Ann - Saint Lucy
Welcome, everyone! The Parish of Saint Ann-Saint Lucy is a vibrant Catholic community in East Harlem dedicated to fostering faith and unity. Our Hispanic community plays a vital role in enriching our parish life through cultural traditions, spiritual growth, and service. Together, we celebrate our faith, support one another, and strive to make a positive impact in our neighborhood.
Love That Stays. Love That Listens. Love That Gives.
Today is a day full of love. We celebrate Trinity Sunday and, at the same time, Father’s Day. And in the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples something very tender. He says: “There’s still so much I want to tell you, but you can’t carry it all now. So the Holy Spirit will come and guide you.” What a loving thing to say. Jesus knows our hearts. He knows we’re not always ready. And he doesn’t force anything. He waits. He walks with us. He says, “I will not leave you alone.” That’s what the Trinity is all about. It’s not a complicated idea — it’s something simple and beautiful: God is a relationship of love.
The Father gives life.
The Son walks with us, as a brother and a friend.
The Holy Spirit stays in our hearts, whispering peace, giving strength, showing us how to love when we feel empty.
God is not up there watching from far away. God is here, among us. God is a family of love — and that love wants to include us.
Let me tell you a story. There’s a man in our parish — I’ll call him Don Jorge. He is not famous. He works long hours, cleaning floors in a hospital. Most people pass him by. But every day, after work, he stops at the supermarket, buys two little bags of food, and goes home to cook dinner for his son and his elderly mother.
He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t expect thanks. He just loves them. He told me once, “I’m not perfect, Father, but when I cook for them, I feel close to God.” That’s the Trinity — right there, in that little kitchen. Love shared. Love given. Love that says “You’re not alone.” That’s also what Father’s Day is about.
Today we give thanks for fathers — for those who were there, who loved with quiet strength. But we also remember others who have loved with a father’s heart: stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, godfathers, neighbors, mentors — men who stood in the gap when love was needed. And we also hold close those who find today difficult — those who lost their fathers, or never had one, or carry pain from their past. If that’s you, please know: This church is your home. God sees your heart. God has always been your Father, too — gentle, faithful, and near. Dear friends, the Trinity is not just a teaching — it’s a way of living. It’s about how we love each other. How we forgive. How we show up. When a father carries his child, when a mother stays up all night by a sick bed, when a friend calls just to say “I’m here” — that’s the Trinity. That’s God. So let’s not try to explain the Trinity too much — let’s live it. Let’s build a church where love is real, where no one walks alone, where every child, every elder, every broken heart is welcomed with tenderness. Because in the end, the most powerful sign of God is simple: Love that stays. Love that listens. Love that gives without asking anything back.
May we be that love.
Amen. Father D’Angelo
A New Chapter of Hope: Welcoming Pope Leo XIV
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
On May 8, our beloved Catholic Church entered a historic new chapter with the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. As the first U.S.-born pope and a member of the Augustinian order, Pope Leo brings with him a unique blend of pastoral experience, theological depth, and a profound commitment to social justice — values that resonate deeply within our parish community here in the Archdiocese of New York.
As an Ecuadorian priest serving this diverse and vibrant community in East Harlem. I am filled with hope by Pope Leo’s journey. His roots in both the United States and Latin America reflect the global and inclusive spirit of our Church. His ministry in Peru and his leadership roles in the Vatican have consistently demonstrated a dedication to serving marginalized communities and advocating for human dignity — missions close to my own heart and to the reality of many immigrant families here in New York. His Augustinian spirituality, grounded in love, humility, and a deep sense of community, reminds us of our shared call to be a beacon of compassion and hope in a world often divided.
Pope Leo’s initial statements express his desire to continue the synodal approach championed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, fostering dialogue and unity within the Church. His firm stand on global issues, particularly his strong support for peace in Ukraine and his advocacy for those affected by conflict, shows his commitment to justice and peace. In a time where many struggle to find their place, his leadership brings hope for inclusion and solidarity.
While embracing the traditional aspects of the papacy, such as residing in the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo has signaled his openness to bridging divides within the Church, balancing respect for tradition with a forward-looking vision. His approach offers hope for a Church that is not only deeply rooted in its rich heritage but also courageously responsive to the challenges of our time.
As we welcome Pope Leo XIV, I invite you all to join me in prayer for his leadership — that it may inspire a renewed commitment to justice, peace, and inclusivity within our global Catholic community. Here in East Harlem, and in all of New York, where cultures and stories converge, may we be a living testimony of that unity and compassion that Pope Leo envisions for the Church.
Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit filled the Church with power and new life. Jesus tells us: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me… and rivers of living water will flow from their heart.”
On June 7, eight young people from our parish were confirmed by Bishop Edmund Whalen, receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the beautiful and ancient rite of Confirmation.
Take a moment to reflect on the beauty and depth of our Catholic faith—not a set of rigid rules, but a living invitation to love more deeply, to act justly, to walk humbly with our God.