July 9th, 2026

The Pastor's Column


Summer Reads!

It’s summertime and it’s a great time to relax and read a book! Even if you can’t travel far, there’s nothing like reading a book and being taken away to another place or time for a bit. Reading fuels the imagination, broadens one’s world, and helps us think about issues, ideas, and relationships in different ways. Alarmingly, a recent Atlantic Magazine article proclaims that reading is dead! According to a recent study the proportion of Americans who read for pleasure on any given day fell from 28% in 2004 to 16% in 2023. Tragically, we are reading more words than ever, mostly on social media!

To help reverse this trend, here are some books I have read that I recommend to you. These aren’t particularly spiritual books, but rather good reads for the summer! Serious stuff can wait until September! In the fiction category, the first is Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. It’s the story of an older, mysterious Portuguese gentleman who arrives in a Southern university town and engages individuals in such a way that he enlivens the whole community. Yes, it’s a bit schmaltzy, but it is well written and heartwarming.

One of the most discussed books of the season is Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. It’s a satirical novel about a “tradwife” social media influencer who wakes up in 1855, forced to live the harsh pioneer life she only pretends to live on-line. It’s a hard look at our social media culture and how it shapes and warps conversations around contemporary women’s issues. I had no idea how this one was going to end… and I wasn’t let down! Finally, I just started reading Whistler by Ann Patchett and it’s very engaging thus far. It’s a story of two sisters who reconnect with a forgotten yet beloved stepfather. This is the July selection for The Many Others book club. I can tell already that this book will prompt a lively discussion.

In the non-fiction department, I commend to Beatle Fans John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie. The book explores the complex, creative, and often contentious relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It was interesting to learn how grief and loss initially bonded them together, and how they used their music and lyrics to console, encourage, and correct one another. The author dissects your favorite songs like a Biblical exegete! Warning: the Beatles were heavy drug users. Lots of pot smoke in this one!

Next, if you have time and want to be emersed in the world of books and entertainment pre-Beatles, I suggest Nothing Random by Gayle Feldman. At 1072 pages, it’s the sprawling biography of Bennett Cerf who co-founded Random House Publishing Company and then wrote profitable joke books! He was also a regular on the famous panel quiz show “What’s My Line?” At one moment, you are reading about Cerf’s challenges and triumphs managing some of the great American authors such as Eugene O’Neill, Gertrude Stein, Dr. Seuss, and William Faulkner and then you witness his insatiable desire to be a celebrity involved in every facet of the entertainment industry. You would think creating one of the most successful and influential publishing houses in America would be enough for any one person. It wasn’t. It’s also a great book for those who love New York City nostalgia! Fun Fact: for many years Random House was located behind St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the famous Villard Houses on Madison Avenue, putting Cerf in close proximity to Cardinal Spellman.

Finally, if you are growing older, need a laugh, and enjoy the distinctive (and sometimes off color) humor of David Sedaris, The Land and its People is a good listen on audio books. Growing old isn’t for sissies and that includes Sedaris!

Whatever you do this Summer, find some time to slow down and relax so you will be tanned, rested and ready for the Fall. Speaking of, I’ll be away on vacation next week from July 13-20. See you when I get back. Hopefully, I will have another book to recommend!

God bless,

Fr. Eric Andrews, CSP

Pastor, St. Paul the Apostle

July 11th and 12th: Second Collection

The Black and Indian Mission Office is comprised of three distinct but inter-related organizations, each with its own purpose and history, but all seeking to fulfill the one Mission to the Missions! Founded by the Catholic bishops of the United States, each organization cooperates with local diocesan communities to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and respond to real and pressing needs on the ground. 

Building Bridges Through Charity

The Annual Paulist Appeal remains open, and your generosity can make a real difference right now. The Paulist Fathers were founded on a bold charism: evangelizing through reason, welcoming the unchurched, embracing dialogue, and seeking unity among all people. This parish has long been a home for that mission, and the Annual Appeal is how we sustain and spread it. 

We are still working to meet our participation numbers, and truly every gift of any size counts. It is participation itself that speaks: that we, as a community, stand together in mission and charity. A portion of the funds raised by the Annual Appeal has been directed to a Mission Impact grant for 'Pilgrims of Hope', 'Voices of Hope: OCIA Formation' and 'Lay Women Preaching' that is held right here at St. Paul the Apostle. 

Please consider giving today through our appeal envelope or online at www.paulist.org/apa. Together, we build bridges through charity.

Grant eternal rest to Paula Ryan, Anne Piacentini, Stella Scott, Ernie Purugganan, Richard Giusti, John J. Kenny, Maria Rosario Roldan, Edda Feldman, Anne Piacentini, Josephine Szurlej, Frank Vecchione, Anne O'Sullivan, Rohan Fernandes, Jessy Ayala, and Jim Ivers 

Grant health and healing to Tom Donlon, Yvette Gerosimo, Shay Gavin, Theresa Dickson, Jean Kazim Rosa, Margaret Mary Brower, Fernando Sanchez, Albert Besteiro, Jim Ivers, D. Carl Jost, Reg Parks, Denise Toms, Saydi Charbel, Verena Sisa Thompson, Larry L Meyers, Fernando Sanchez, Rafael Antonio Gayoso, Jon Detrow, Patricia A. Lyon, Patricia Araujo, Mary Ann Grundey, Karen Jackson, Sandi DiMola, Dee Tomeo, Donnie Strickland, Salvatore Cinturati, Brian O’Connor, Imelda Alamia, Denise Abady, Barbara Abady, and Maxine Metz.

Grant peace and well-being to John J. Kenny, Anne Guerbe, Jennifer and Lola DeCarli, Christopher Henderson, and Matthew Martorana and Isabel C.

Have someone you would like our parish to pray for? You can submit prayer requests through our online form below. The names in your intentions will be shared with the parish here and will remain in our virtual newsletter one month after submission.

Click the button below to fill out our prayer request form:

Church Hours

Monday-Tuesday, Thursday - Friday

7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday

7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Saturday

8:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Sunday

7:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Mass Schedule

Daily Mass 


Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

7:30 AM and 12:10 PM

Wednesday

7:30 AM, 12:10 PM, and 6:30 PM

Saturday

8:30AM 


Sunday Mass


Saturday

5:00 PM (Vigil)

Sunday

8:00 AM - Mass Without Music

10:00 AM - Mass With St. Paul's Choir

12:30 PM - Misa con Coro en Español

5:00 PM - Mass With Inspirit Ensemble



Help Us Make 2026 Our Biggest Year of Outreach

Your generous donations enable us to serve the people of St. Paul's through our ministries, events, outreach programs, and so much more - not to mention the cost of keeping the church warm during these brisk winter months!

We've put some information below about how you can give back if you are able to. Please note that you can direct your donations to the ministry of your choice, whether that be to our food pantry, your favorite community-building ministry, or more!

To donate online go to www.stpaultheapostle.org and click on "Make a Donation" in the top right corner. Please remember that you can have your donations go directly to the ministry of your choice!

Or with the ParishSoft Text-TO-GIVE platform, you can text a donation to make a quick gift to help support The Church of St. Paul the Apostle.

Just text NY539 to the number (646) 859-1860 to enroll.

Don't have an account with ParishSoft? You can also find us on Venmo. Just scan the QR code below, or search for @stpaulsnyc to donate now!

Our services, along with the readings and hymns for weekends, can be found on our SPA app - you can download it by scanning the relevant QR code above! Our app also has an online "copy" you can access through your phone's browser in case you have difficult accessing it. Find it at https://stpaulny.web4uapps.com.