St. John the Baptist Committee Honors Diocesan Priests

In 1952 after many meetings and requests, Fr. Joseph Fitzpatrick, a Jesuit priest from Fordham University was instrumental in bringing about a meeting with Cardinal Spellman and the Archdioceses leadership to request and fill the need for Spanish speaking priests in New York City. As a result of those meetings the "Comite Fiesta de San Juan Bautista" was formed to celebrate this historic event. The committe, in its 65 year history, has helped to enhance and develop hispanic culture in the fields of Art, Medicine, Education, Social Work and other diciplines that make visisble the kingdom of God on earth. This year the committee chose to honor those priests who volunteered to travel to Puerto Rico and other Spanish speaking countries to learn the Spanish language as well as Hispanic culture and then return and serve the newly arrived Puerto Rican population after World War II.
These priests not only became spritual guides but shared in the struggles of this pioneering population with regards to education, housing, health, and employment issues.
On June 23, 2017 the "Comite Fiesta de San Juan Bautista" honored diocesan priests who helped establish the Hispanic Apostolate in New York City.The celebration began with mass at St. Cecilia's Church in Manhattan; the celebrant was Bishop Gerald T. Walsh. among the honorees were our vey own former pastors Fr. James Flanangan, Monsignor Walter Birkle and Monsignor Neil Graham. Each of the honorees was presented with the medal of San Juan Bautista. [for photos of the event please check our photo album in the home page].