From the Desk of the Pastor

Peace be with you in Christ Jesus.                                                                                               9.19.04  

                Even using the title for this article, “From the Desk of The Pastor”, is still a bit unnatural for me.  On Monday, June 28^, I was in a whirlwind of activity in Siena, Italy preparing for a wedding when I received a message to call the Chancery Office.  Msgr. Desmond O’Connor told me that Edward Cardinal Egan had appointed me Pastor of St. James and Our Lady of the Lake effective July 1, 2004 for six years.

                I want to use this article to introduce myself to all of you.  Now, that might sound absurd, since I had been Parochial Vicar in Carmel for three years on August 14^.  We have shared many wonderful and difficult life experiences: from the death of my father to the dedication of Our Lady of the Lake under the Patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; from September 11, 2001 to our 50^th Anniversary celebration of St. James School – but I thought I would let you know what I bring to this part of my life’s journey.

St. Theresa’s Parish in Pelham Bay, Bronx, NY has been the home of my family for 77 years since my mother, Mary, arrived in New York from Belmonte-Calabro in the Calabrese Province of Cosenza.  My late father, Nunzio was born in the Bronx after my paternal grandparents arrived from Sicily.  My mother still lives in our apartment in Pelham Bay, Bronx, New York.  I have one brother Charles and sister-in-law Ursula.

After finishing at St. Theresa’s Elementary School and Cardinal Hayes High School, I arrived at Cathedral College-Seminary to discern whether or not God was calling me to be a priest.  The answer was ‘yes’ and after finishing my BA, I was admitted to St. Joseph’s Seminary to complete my Master’s degree and was ordained a Deacon in December of 1981. I spent my Diaconate year at St. Boniface Church in Wesley Hills, Rockland County and after my Ordination to the Priesthood on November 6, 1982 continued my ministry at St. Boniface until 1986. In the meantime, Terrance Cardinal Cooke had assigned me to also begin Graduate Studies in Music and I completed my Master of Arts in Music at Columbia University. I had just completed all of my Doctoral courses when John Cardinal O’Connor appointed me to the faculty of St. Joseph’s Seminary as Professor and Director of Sacred Music and adjunct spiritual director.  

For 15 years (1985-2000) I had many jobs at the Major Seminary.  I was Director and Professor of Music, professor of Liturgy and Homiletics and the Dean of Admissions.  In 1989, I finished my Doctorate in Education at Teachers College-Columbia University.  In 1995, the Board of Trustees of the seminary nominated me for the position of Academic Dean and finally I serve Msgr. Francis McAree, the Rector, as his Vice-Rector, until October 3, 2000.  I was appointed Pastor of St. Benedict’s Parish in the Bronx on October 4, 2000.  I have had the privilege of serving on many Archdiocesan and International committees and projects both in Sacred Music and Art and seminary formation. These jobs have given me the opportunity to speak throughout the country and many parts of the world. The only commitment that I retain is the teaching of an annual course in Latin Gregorian Chant in Rome each winter.

During this first year as your Pastor, I will continue to be a member of the Archdiocesan Personnel Board, which the Cardinal entrusts with the task of assigning all of our priests.

                This is a brief chronology and I know that we shall learn so much more about one another.  I assure you that I have been praying for you everyday. Although I have officially been your Pastor with the appointment letter of Cardinal Egan, part of the taking possession of the Parish is to have a public installation. Bishop Dominick Lagonegro will install me as your Pastor during a Solemn Mass on Thursday evening, October 21 at 7:30 PM in the Church of St. James. Archbishop Edwin O’Brien will give the homily on this occasion. Everyone is welcome.

Through the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. James the Greater, our Patron, may the Lord Jesus, who is our true and Good Shepherd, give me the grace to be His hands, His eyes and His Heart among you and for you. Amen.

                                                                                                                                Father Anthony Domenic Sorgie