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One need look no further than the three newly named auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese to ascertain the type of priests Pope Francis is seeking in appointing bishops.
Bishop-designate Peter Byrne is pastor of St. Elizabeth’s parish in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan and the former longtime pastor of Immaculate Conception parish on Staten Island. Bishop-designate John Jenik is the longtime pastor of Our Lady of Refuge parish in the Bronx. Bishop-designate John O’Hara is director of strategic pastoral planning for the archdiocese and the former longtime pastor of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus parish on Staten Island.
Those who have perhaps best come to know the demeanor of the three bishops-designate—the people in the pews—can attest to Pope Francis’ recognition of their pastoral acumen.
When parishioners of St. Elizabeth’s heard the news that Father Peter Byrne was appointed auxiliary bishop, their reaction was one of surprise with the understanding that he would be a good fit for his new role.
“He is a priest with a pure soul,” said David Mattera, president of the parish council at St. Elizabeth’s. Mattera has worked closely with Father Byrne for nearly a year and said his pastor is unwavering in his loyalty and dedication to the Church.
Mattera said when he saw Father Byrne after the announcement was made June 14, “I could actually picture him in bishop’s garb, he just fits that role so well. He didn’t prepare for this. He didn’t ask for this. But he was meant for this.”
Father Lorenzo Laboy is a parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth’s, his first parish as a priest. “I am incredibly grateful to God that I was sent here as a newly ordained priest. Soon-to-be bishop Peter Byrne’s guidance has helped me a lot in my own priesthood. I learned a lot from him and his great example as a priest of Jesus Christ.
“I know that the archdiocese is in good hands with him,” Father Laboy added. “I know that the archdiocese will be blessed in many ways to have him as a new auxiliary bishop. Undoubtedly the Holy Spirit has chosen him. It’s a great gift for New York.”
Parishioners at Our Lady of Refuge in the Bronx emphasize Msgr. Jenik’s role not only in the parish but also in the larger Bronx community.
“He’s been there a long time and he’s a very, very hard worker. He’s done everything for us, not only as the pastor of the church, but for the community,” said longtime parishioner Edison Blanco.
“Years ago we had a program against drugs and he was the first one there,” Blanco said. And anything we needed he was there to serve us. I feel so happy that he’s been named a bishop because he deserves it.”
Zaida Arce, another longtime parishioner, said she was surprised but pleased to learn of Msgr. Jenik’s promotion.
“It was a Saturday morning and I was going through my Facebook and I see Cardinal Dolan’s post. And I was so happy. I immediately posted it on my own page.”
Ms. Arce said Msgr. Jenik has been a bulwark in the struggling community that surrounds Our Lady of Refuge, specifically spearheading causes such as immigration issues and the combat of crime and drugs.
She described Bishop-designate Jenik as a “level-headed,” practical priest with a generous spirit.
Ms. Arce recalled how her pastor helped a young pregnant woman who was considering an abortion at a now-closed Bronx abortion clinic. “He opened doors for this mother to obtain decent living conditions,” she said.
“The child was born the morning of 9-11. But even before that, he supported creating a baby shower for this baby. The baby lacked for nothing. But he was also concerned the mother’s welfare, not just about the child.”
At the June 14 parochial school graduation ceremony at St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus Church on Staten Island, the announcement about the appointment of Bishop-designate O’Hara made earlier that day was met with heavy applause.
Father O’Hara had served as pastor at St. Teresa’s from 2000 to 2012 and as parochial vicar there from 1992 to 2000.
“I couldn’t be happier at the news,” said parishioner Mary Carcaterra, whose son John, 14, was among the eighth-grade graduates.
Mrs. Carcaterra and her husband, Sal, are also the parents of Salvatore, 19. The two Carcaterra brothers had served at the altar at St. Teresa’s with Father O’Hara. Additionally, Salvatore worked in the rectory when he was pastor.
As pastor, Father O’Hara was committed to people of all ages in the parish, according to Mrs. Carcaterra. “He made the kids and the adults believe that you could be cool and be a good Catholic.”
Bishop-designate O’Hara is also a good homilist. “He humanized the priesthood for us,” Mrs. Carcaterra said. “You walked out of there and you felt good that you went to Mass.”
Another of Bishop-designate O’Hara’s assets is his accessibility. “He was always there” for everyone, Mrs. Carcaterra said, and went “above and beyond” the call of duty for a parish priest.
The parish’s Safe Environment program, of which Mrs. Carcaterra was once in charge, was a priority of Father O’Hara the pastor, she said. “He was very dedicated to making sure that was run properly and well, and that there were no gray areas.”
Mrs. Carcaterra also ran the parish picnic and served as secretary of the board of the parochial school’s family guild association when Father O’Hara was pastor. “He was very supportive of Catholic education, the guild and the fund-raising activities,” she said. He was also open to new ideas at the parish. “He was not a micromanager in that sense.”
Bishop-designate O’Hara is the real deal, according to Mrs. Carcaterra. “He’s not removed from the people. He’s a very genuine man. People can talk to him because they know that he knows where they’re coming from. He’s been there.”
An optimist, Bishop-designate O’Hara has a keen sense of humor and likes a good story, continued Mrs. Carcaterra.
In general, “he gave everybody a sense of belonging to the parish community. People felt they really had a home in the parish. He’s very missed.”
