Advent Mass Offers Young Adults ‘Powerful Way’ to Encounter Christ

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Matthew Fulton’s first evening as a Manhattan resident was spent with Cardinal Dolan and fellow young adults preparing for the coming of Christ at the Young Adult Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dec. 3.

Fulton was among the 700 people who attended the monthly Mass sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Young Adult Outreach. The 24-year-old said he relocated from Florida to New York to be closer to his girlfriend, Elena Castello, who resides in Queens.

“I’m very familiar with Cardinal Dolan,” Fulton said. “His presence and leadership in the Church goes well beyond New York. So being from Florida I couldn’t miss my first day (in New York) being in St. Patrick’s celebrating the Eucharist with all these people. I’m looking to get to know some of these guys.”

In his homily, Cardinal Dolan referred to the first reading from Isaiah where the Old Testament prophet looks forward to the first coming of Christ.

“You and I look forward to the second coming of Christ,” Cardinal Dolan said. “That’s something you and I as Catholics don’t emphasize as much as we should—that we believe that Jesus will come again, his second coming, at the end of time.”

Cardinal Dolan added, “That means we’re always ready because we don’t know when he’s going to come, but he will indeed come. We’ve been waiting for 2,000 years. He’s taking his time. God usually does. You and I think in terms of a microwave. He thinks in terms of a Crock-Pot. It takes a little longer, but the food is better.”

Cardinal Dolan closed his homily by sharing a conversation he had with Msgr. Robert Ritchie, rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. During the cardinal’s first year in New York in 2009, he asked why the crèche was already present in the cathedral during the first week of Advent as it was for the Young Adult Mass.

“(Between the first Sunday in Advent and Christmas), there will be 2 million people who will enter this cathedral and for most of them viewing that crib may be the only time they’re reminded of the genuine meaning of Christmas, so he said I think it’s a good idea we put it there,” Cardinal Dolan recalled Msgr. Ritchie saying.

“Besides, if you notice, the crib itself is empty, it’s vacant because we won’t put the baby Jesus there until Christmas. He said you will not realize how many people stare at that crib and say something is missing, actually Someone is missing. There is a hole in the crib and they will realize only Christ can fill it, and they will realize they are empty, something, Someone is missing in their lives. There is a hole in their heart that the things in this world cannot adequately fill, that only Jesus Christ can.”

In the hour before Mass, confessions were offered to the young adults as was Eucharistic adoration and music from Catholic musician, singer and songwriter Sarah Kroger. The Mass ended with a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel before the young adults headed to Connolly’s Pub & Restaurant in Midtown for a social.

“It’s always our biggest night of the year,” said Colin Nykaza, director of the Office of Young Adult Outreach, of the Advent Mass with Cardinal Dolan.

“It’s an awesome opportunity for the young adults to really prepare for the coming of Christ and encounter Christ in a powerful way. His Eminence is so good with the young adults. His homilies are always right on for what’s going on in the hearts of young adults.”

Eileen Cottell, 29, who works in Manhattan and resides in Brooklyn where she attends St. Charles Borromeo Church, heard Cardinal Dolan’s message in his homily.

“There is always room for Jesus,” she said. “If you feel like something is missing, it’s probably Him.

“I always enjoy the Young Adult Masses and I wanted to come listen to Cardinal Dolan. It’s just being with fellow young adults who share the same faith. You can get wrapped up in the city, and the city can be crazy, so it’s a nice retreat to come once a month.”

The Young Adult Mass was a family night out for Anna Zak, who was with her 19-month-old son Kazimir waiting for her husband Nick to arrive for the start of Mass.

“Cardinal Dolan’s homilies are always really inspiring,” said Anna, 25, who attends Mass at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in Manhattan. “He’s very gregarious and brings out the best in the young people of New York, so we always really enjoy getting to hear him speak and getting to see him. He makes you feel very welcome when you see him.”