Cardinal Dolan Blesses Food for Thousands of New Yorkers in Need

Coming Together at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

On Sunday, November 23, Catholic Charities of New York gathered with His Eminence Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a moving Mass and Blessing of the Food — a cherished tradition that marks the start of our busiest season of service. This Thanksgiving, Catholic Charities will provide more than 3,000 families with turkeys and all the fixings, ensuring neighbors across the city can celebrate with dignity, warmth, and hope.

During the Mass, Catholic Charities Board Trustee member Michelle Moosally offered the readings, reflecting themes of peace, service, and gratitude that resonate deeply this time of year.

A Blessing for Families Across New York

Following Mass, Cardinal Dolan joined Catholic Charities CEO J. Antonio Fernández on the cathedral steps for a special press conference alongside clients served through our Feeding Our Neighbors program. Families proudly held baskets filled with holiday provisions — a visible sign of the support made possible by our generous community.

Cardinal Dolan then blessed pallets of food from the Catholic Charities food truck, items that will soon make their way across our network of pantries, community soup kitchens, and Thanksgiving distribution events throughout New York City.

Fernández underscored the daily impact of this work. “Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York does a lot of good every day,” he said. “Over 10 million meals were given last year. Every way that we provide food for the poor and the hungry — we give it.”

“Today, we are blessed here to be with our wondaful Cardinal to talk about food and especially Thanksgiving — where 3,000 families will benefit from meals, turkeys, and everything else during this holiday season” said Fernández, “because we are blessed to have and we are more blessed to give.”

Faith in Action: A Call to Serve

Cardinal Dolan reminded all gathered of the deeper meaning behind the tradition of giving during Thanksgiving.

“We want to inspire other people to help us,” said Cardinal Dolan. “Christ our king told us: This is what will happen when you come into my kingdom, I will ask you, ‘When I was hungry, did you feed me?’ Today, we are saying ‘Yes, Lord!’”

He continued with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the community that powers this mission.

“Catholic Charities does this every day — all year, every day, all the time,” said Cardinal Dolan. “And that’s thanks to the generosity of people like you. We are extraordinarily grateful you are here as a I wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving and as I ask God to bless those homes and families that will share in this food so they will know this sign of our love and solidarity.”

Gratitude for a Community United in Service

Catholic Charities extends sincere thanks to the donors, supporters, volunteers, and partners who make this work possible. Together, we continue a powerful tradition of providing help and creating hope — ensuring every family in need can sit down to a Thanksgiving meal made with love, shared with dignity, and offered in solidarity.