Dolores teaches, judges at Needlearts assembly

Dolores awards a ribbon

Hugh writes: Dolores and I recently returned from eight days at the National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) Assembly in Troy, Michigan.

While there, Dolores taught a four day workshop called Exploring Creativity or “Designing out of the box.” The class size was larger than the photo shows because creativity causes the students to spread out.

Teaching a workshop

Dolores also awarded a ribbon to an exhibitor in The Exemplary - the NAN exhibit of needlework. The award, which the organization has named after Dolores and which she selects, is given to an original entry that demonstrates creative use of color and design in any medium.

Genevieve back to work; new adventure for Bea

Bea explores daycare

Genevieve has returned to work after spending the past year as full-time mom to her daughter, Bea.

"I feel very lucky to have been home for so long and still have my job to go back to," said Genevieve, manager of foundation relations and stewardship at the New York Public Library.

"Bea started at a daycare close by. ... She's doing pretty well! Her teachers report that she is very strong-willed!"

 

Catching up with Nolan

One happy boy! Nolan, April 7

Gerrit and Angela's son, Nolan, is nearly nine months old now and - as seen in these photos posted recently by his proud dad and grandfather Owen - growing quickly and having a great time!

Msgr. Gallagher, beloved priest, has passed away

The Reverend Monsignor John A. Gallagher, the retired longtime pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Yonkers, passed away on April 1.

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Update: Brien and Dan attended the funeral Mass at St. Paul's on April 6. The church was packed with parishioners past and present and others who knew Msgr. Gallagher. The main celebrant was Bishop Gerald T. Walsh, the Archdiocese of New York's episcopal vicar for parts of Westchester County. He was joined by 38 other priests. The homily was given by Msgr. Patrick Carney, retired pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale, a long-time friend of Msgr. Gallagher. Some 30 or so nuns of the Sisters of Life also attended and provided a choir for the service.

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Those of us family members who grew up in St. Paul's parish fondly remember "Father Gallagher." He was just a few years out of seminary when Daniel and Lorraine moved into the parish in the late 1950s to raise their family. At the time, he was the most junior of three priests assigned to St. Paul's, and frequently visited the parish school where Danny, Kathy, Brien and Kevin were all students. He also oversaw the training and scheduling of altar boys.

Father Gallagher later became Monsignor Gallagher and pastor of St. Paul's, serving in that capacity for 25 years before retiring in 2003. During that time, Kevin and his wife, Kathy, were raising their own family in the parish, and Shanna and Kevin also attended St. Paul's School.

Msgr. Gallagher poses with family members at McLean Avenue St. Patrick's Parade in 2012

On the light side, he was known for speeding through the standard prayers at Mass and giving scholarly but convoluted sermons. Much more importantly, he was a devout, kind and caring minister to his parishioners. We especially remember his visits during Daniel's final illness. Although retired, the monsignor celebrated Daniel's funeral Mass.

2007 NY Daily News photo

Behind the scenes, his life story was quite extraordinary. Msgr. Gallagher was the longtime primary caregiver for his brother, Matthew, who was profoundly disabled from birth. His devotion to his brother is detailed in this 2012 article from Catholic New York.

Msgr. Gallagher wrote a book about his life with Matthew, titled "On Becoming a Person." It was featured in a 2007 article in the New York Daily News. Matthew passed away a few years ago.


Here is Msgr. Gallagher's obituary in the Westchester newspapers.