America's Largest Catholic Newspaper
As an old-fashioned police cruiser drove past the red carpet set up on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a voice from the crowd yelled out, “Car 54, where are you?”
Though the reference was to a bygone TV show, contingents of officers in marching units representing today’s New York Police Department received loud cheers from the crowds attending the 70th annual Columbus Day Parade Oct. 13.
Retired NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly received the parade’s Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award. He was one of the honored guests on the parade’s red carpet. Also present were grand marshal Frank Bisignano, the CEO and chairman of First Data Corp.; Bishop Salvatore R. Matano of Rochester, the principal celebrant and homilist at the parade Mass in St. Patrick’s; Msgr. Robert Ritchie, cathedral rector; and others.
Most spectators wore Italy’s colors of red, white and green in the form of hats, scarves, t-shirts and even ties. Others carried flags showcasing both their Italian and American heritage, waving small flags of both countries.
Youths in the archdiocese showed their Italian pride, with 100 students from Our Lady of Lourdes and Corpus Christi schools in Manhattan singing “Aria Nella Storia” in Italian. The opportunity was provided through the Columbus Citizens Foundation, the Italian American Committee on Education and Incanto Productions.
During his homily, Bishop Matano, who was named bishop of the Diocese of Rochester in January, said that knowing and appreciating one’s family history and culture “gives us a sense of identity and the innate continuity of life.”
While our faith journeys may be different, they all lead us to the same place: Jesus Christ and the Eucharist, Bishop Matano said. “The faith of our ancestors made our country great,” he said.
The archdiocese’s Italian Apostolate was the organizer of the Mass.
Fittingly, Italian lyrics danced around the scaffolding in the cathedral, where renovations and refurbishing continues. It was reminiscent of the music that plays in many Italian homes as meals are being prepared.
An Italian tenor, Franciscan Brother Alessandro Brustenghi, served as guest soloist. He sang “O Sacrum Convivium” and “Panis Angelicus” as people walked forward to receive Communion, and also performed the Italian national anthem after Mass had ended.
Betty Mazza, a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament, Staten Island, attended the Mass and parade with her daughter, Brenda Ciurcina, and grandchildren, Justine and Joseph Ciurcina. She told CNY that it’s important to honor her family’s Italian heritage and was especially excited to view the parade.
“It’s our religion, and it’s beautiful to be in the cathedral, even with all the construction,” she said.
Another Staten Islander, Mary DeRosa, a parishioner of St. Mary’s, said she came out on Columbus Day “to celebrate my Italian and Catholic heritage.”
“It’s important to celebrate our heritage so it doesn’t disappear,” she said.
