Church #3 Our Lady of Peace (237 East 62nd Street)

First off, please let the record show that I was not only on time for Mass, but actually seven minutes early!!! Color me proud.

 Okay -- down to business: I LOVE this church. Seriously, this could be "my" church. I realize that it is early in the game, but the other 95 R.C. Churches in NYC have alot to live up to.  The bar was definitely set high. The block (between 2 & 3) that it sits on is beautiful -- full of the kind of townhouses and brownstones that make you wish you could knock on their front doors and ask the owners what kind of life choices they made so you can follow their lead and end up living in one of those houses too. I completely fantasize about having 4 or 5 full floors to decorate smack dab in the middle of New York. I am even willing to have an eccentric old guy with an ironclad rent control agreement living in the basement apartment as long as he isn't so weird that I am not comfortable sitting on my limestone front stoop, sipping a glass of chilled Pinot Grigo as I watch the sunset and chat with my wonderfully charming neighbors.

Anyways, considering that my chances to make the life choices that will make me a property owner on the Our Lady of Peace Church block are quickly dwindling, let's move on.  The Church is great -- I chose it today because 1) the name was similar to my childhood parish in Colorado, Queen of Peace and 2) it is only about a 10 minute walk from my non-brownstone 5th floor walk up apartment! The church is peaceful and simple, but with great paintings covering the ceilings and walls. Lots of Saint paintings and the artist was nice enough to paint the saint's names alongside which is always appreciated. I have a special place in my heart for martyrs with male-patterned baldness. The priest was fantastic...reminded me of Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel Air if Carlton grew up in Africa with a great accent and a terrific singing voice. He sang twice during his homily and tied together his brand new GPS with following your faith's journey ("recalculating"...."need to update your maps"). Loved him!  It also had a great 70s throw back wood carving above the baptismal font which I really liked (probably because Queen of Peace was a 70s era, upside down cupcake looking church).

 The choir was terrific...I don't know how many people were up in the choir loft, but it sounded like a lot.  Or just a few with very big voices. The congregation was on the older side (12:30 pm Sunday service), but got a kick out of the very elegant, older ladies who were so well put together. I hope they all had plans after church because they looked too lovely to just go home (unless it was to one of my coveted brownstones!). I even liked their bulletin. I told you this place set the tone for all the other churches.

After church, I couldn't really decide on a good treat -- plus I had gotten a mani/pedi before Mass which seemed like adding a cookie afterwards would be just greedy on the treat scale. Diva Nails on 1st between 64th and 65th. They aren't fantastic, but until I find a better place, they will have to do.The neighborhood around church seems pretty residential. I did check out one of the cutest grocery stores of all time, GOURMET GARAGE. Pretty pricey, but the produce etc.. was beautiful and I guess if you live in a $5,000,000 + brownstone, you aren't worried about overpaying for eggplant.

Finally ended up at this great little Middle Eastern shop, Melange -- 11188 First Avenue-- that sold meats, olives, and imported foods. Bought some garlic stuffed olives that were delish...

All in all, a terrific way to spend a couple of hours on a summer Sunday.

#2: St. Agnes (June 16th)

Oh Saint Agnes...I really wanted to like you. You have a cool name, you are close to the office and every time I mention this blog, your name always comes up. I even googled you the night before and read the your "appropriate for children" bio. As an aside, the appropriate for children label was a bit misleading...basically a Virginal Agnes is murdered by the King because she won't marry his son (or just sleep with his son...couldn't exactly understand her "crime" due to the child safety locks on the story).  Anyways I thought Agnes story was scary enough, even with all the vagueness, so decided that I would just stick with the "gentler' torture and murder of a young girl for her faith and thought it was best I didn't go read the full blown "adult" version.

The church itself is really pretty...smack dab in the middle of 43rd street (between Lex and 3rd). I was trying to attend the 12:35 mass, but was late (let's hope I am not late to every single of the 98 masses for this project). I fall into the NYC trap where everything is so close, so I think getting someplace will take me about half the time it really does.  I seriously have to work on that.

The inner church is big, open and air...with plain, pioneer-like pews. I am assuming the parish is very devout -- besides the Latin Masses -- there were at least six women at mass with their heads covered (and I haven't seen that many head coverings at one mass since 2nd grade at St. Teresa's in Colorado where the entire O'Toole family of five girls (three boys) attended daily mass with their parents before school. Mrs. O'Toole wasn't a fan of Vatican II obviously). Also, at least 10 people went to confession during mass...there was actually a line. There was also a giant painting above the altar of St. Agnes being welcome into Heaven...I think the side paintings depicted her non-child friendly torture and murder, but I wasn't close enough to be sure (I wanted to stay a resident of Vagueville).

Thanks Pushy Lady!

When mass was over, I tried to take a couple of pictures outside (there was another mass starting at 1:05 so I couldn't take any of the interior) but I couldn't get people to wait half a second to let me take a pic of the cool lion door handles.  Patience, people! We just left church...! So I only have one picture that works -- barely!)

Tried to get lunch on way back to office -- I remembered why I always told people I hate Midtown (which I am sure they find hilarious now that I not only work here, but live here too). Too many people, too little space. Just too hectic -- gives me heart palpitations.  I tried three places -- $0.99 pizza, a rice ball buffet and a dumpling bar but the lines were all out the door. I ended up back at work empty handed and finally bought soup from the work cafe. All in all, a pretty disappointing venture (sorry, St. Agnes).

Church #1: Our Lady of Good Counsel

First off, I was ridiculously late because I decided I would take the bus up to 90th instead of the subway. It is the first time I have taken the bus and there was a receipt check which held things up. Then I didn't look at the route, so I didn't get off at 86th and the next stop was 97th.  The bright note was that on the walk back south, there was a homeless woman doing yoga on 2nd avenue.  Her downward dog was to DIE for...seriously, she put a lot of yogis to shame.

So I finally arrive....Our Lady of Good Counsel is between 2 and 3rd avenue and directly across from a sweet little playground. They have a 6 pm mass on Sunday. The church outside is huge and imposing.  Inside...HOLY DETAILS! This church is OR-NATE! There are carvings everywhere -- at first, I had a hard time listening to the priest because I was taking everything in.  I definately need to bring a camera because my phone is not going to cut it (and after Mass, I wanted to take more pictures, but the priest was standing at the back of the church chatting with people and I felt uncomfortable, so I only took one pic). One thing that was interesting was that the ushers were really young, like not a one over 30. Not a problem obviously, it is just that most churches have ushers that are pre-Vatican II.

Mass was nice...a little long. The priest (visiting) had a lot to say. The little kid behind me had a lot to say too. I hope his mother was praying for better parenting skills, because he was killing me. However, he did make me really concentrate on Mass to try and distract myself from the urge to turn around and clock him.

Afterwards, wanted to head to Two Hens Bakery, but they were closed. So we went to Papaya instead (86th and 3rd). It was completely worth not hitting the brat during mass -- the hot dogs were absolutely delicious! The best I have ever had.....hot, juicy and the perfect amount of sauerkraut.  So so good. Then checked out a great shoe store and ended up our adventure buying the world's largest chocolate chip cookie from Hot & Crusty. It was wonderful...and really liked the neighborhood. There were lots of people out and about and lots of interesting people watching (like the guys smoking pot in front of the pay phones while sitting in leather office chairs. Pretty bold..but no one seemed to care).

Took the bus home, with no missteps (the bus is so much nicer than the subway -- at least for this trip).  I think this project is going to be really fun...but I am going to have to cut out the numerous treats afterwards. One treat per mass is going to have to be one of my guidelines.

List of Roman Catholic Church in NYC (thank you Wikipedia!) But I was wrong about the number, looks like there is less than 70.

Churches in Manhattan

• Cathedral of St. Patrick (50th St. and Fifth Ave.) - Established in 1858
• Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz (New York City) (378 Broome St.) - Established in 2005.
• Church of All Saints (Manhattan) (129th St. at Madison Ave.) - Established in 1879; staffed by the Franciscan Friars.
• Church of Corpus Christi (Manhattan) (529 W. 121st St.) - Established in 1906.
• Church of Notre Dame (405 W. 114th St.) - Established in 1910; formerly staffed by the Fathers of Mercy (1910–1960).
• Church of the Holy Rosary (Manhattan) (119th St. at First Ave.) - Established in 1884; staffed by the Augustinian Friars since 1979.
• Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (W. 142nd St., between Amsterdam Ave. & Convent Ave.) - Established in 1901.
• Church of Our Lady of Esperanza (Manhattan) (624 W. 156th St.) - Established in 1912.
• Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel (Manhattan) (230 E. 90th St.) - Established in 1886.
• Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Bernard (New York City) (328 W. 14th St.) - Established in 2003 as a result of a parish merger.
• Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (Manhattan) (7 State St.) - Established in 1884 as a mission; 1887 as a parish. Home to the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
• Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (Manhattan) (472 W. 142nd St.) - Established in 1901
• Church of Our Lady of Sorrows (Manhattan) (Pitt St. at Stanton St.) - Established in 1867; staffed by the Capuchin Friars. Formerly known as Our Lady of the Seven Dolors Church (New York City)
• Church of Our Lady of Victory (Manhattan) (60 William St.) - Established in 1944; previously located at 23 William St. (1944–45)
• Church of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs (New York City) (91 Arden St., near Broadway) - Established in 1927
• Church of Our Saviour (Manhattan) (59 Park Avenue at 38th St) - Established in 1955.
• Church of SS. Cyril, Methodius, and St. Raphael (New York City) (502 W. 41st St.) - Established in 1974 from the merger of St. Raphael and SS. Cyril & Methodius (New York City)]] . Staffed by the Franciscan Friars (1974–present).
• Church of St. Agnes (Manhattan) (141 E. 43rd St.) - Established in 1873.
• Church of St. Aloysius Gonzaga (New York City) (219 W. 132nd St.) - Established in 1899; staffed by the Jesuit Fathers.
• Church of St. Andrew (Manhattan) (20 Cardinal Hayes Pl.) - Established in 1842; staffed by the Blessed Sacrament Fathers.
• Church of St. Ann (Manhattan) (312 E. 110th St.)
• Church of St. Anthony of Padua (Manhattan) (West Houston St. at Sullivan St.) - Established in 1866; staffed by the Franciscan Friars.
• Church of St. Benedict the Moor (New York City) (342 W. 53rd St.) - Established in 1883 to serve the African-American community of the city; staffed by Spanish friars of the Third Order of St. Francis (T.O.R.) from 1953 to ???. Parish has been reduced to mission status, and is maintained by members of the new Lumen Christi congregation.
• Church of St. Catherine of Genoa (New York City) (506 W. 153rd St.) - Established in 1887.
• Church of St. Catherine of Siena (New York City) (411 E. 68th St.) - Established in 1897 as a mission; 1907 as a parish. Staffed by the Dominican Fathers.
• Church of St. Cecilia (New York City) (E. 106th St., between Park Ave. & Lexington Ave.) - Established in 1873; staffed by the Redemptorist Fathers (1939–present).
• Church of St. Charles Borromeo (New York City) (211 W. 141st St.) - Established in 1888.
• Chapel of the Resurrection (New York City) (276 W. 151st St.)
• Church of St. Elizabeth (New York City) (W. 187th St. at Wadsworth Ave.) - Established in 1869; formerly located on 187th St. at Broadway (1869–1929).
• Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary (New York City) (211 E. 83rd St.) - Established in 1887; formerly located on East Fourth St.
• Church of St. Emeric (New York City) (Avenue D, between 12th St. & 13th St.) - Established in 1949.
• Church of St. Francis of Assisi (Manhattan) (135 W. 31st St.) - Established in 1844; staffed by the Franciscan Friars.
• Church of St. Francis Xavier (Manhattan) ^[1] 45 W. 16th St. - Established in 1847; staffed by the Jesuit Fathers.
• Church of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (New York City) (564 Main St., Roosevelt Island) - Established in 1973.

• Church of St. Gregory the Great (New York City) (144 W. 90th St.) - Established in 1907.
• Church of St. Ignatius Loyola (Manhattan) (980 Park Ave.) - Established in 1851; staffed by the Jesuit Fathers since 1866. Known as St. Lawrence O'Toole Church (1851–1866).
• Church of St. Jean Baptiste (New York City) (76th St. at Lexington Ave.) - Established in 1882; staffed by the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament since 1900. A French-Canadian National Parish until 1957.
• Church of St. John the Baptist (Manhattan) (210 W. 31st St. at Seventh Ave.) - Established in 1840; staffed by the Capuchin Friars.
• Church of St. John the Evangelist (Manhattan) (East 55th St. at First Ave.) - Established in 1830
• Church of St. Joseph of the Holy Family (Manhattan) (125th St. at Morningside Ave.) Established in
• Church of St. Joseph (371 Sixth Avenue) - Established in 1829
• Church of St. Jude (Manhattan) (204th St. at Tenth Ave.) - Established in 1949.
• Church of St. Lucy (Manhattan) (344 E. 104th St.) - Established in 1900; staffed by the Sons of Divine Providence.
• Church of St. Malachy (49th St. at Eighth Ave.) - Established in 1902; known as the Actors' Chapel.
• Church of St. Mark the Evangelist (New York City) (West 138th St., near Lenox Ave.) - Established in 1907; staffed by the Holy Ghost Fathers (1912–present).
• St. Mary's Church (Manhattan) (Grand St. at Ridge St.) - Established in 1826.
• Church of St. Michael (Manhattan) {424 W. 34th St.)^[3]
• Church of St. Monica (Manhattan) (413 E. 79th St.) - Established in 1879.
• Church of St. Paul (Manhattan) (113 E. 117th St.) - Established in 1834; staffed by the Institute of the Incarnate Word Fathers (1998–present).
• Church of St. Paul the Apostle (Columbus Ave. between 60th and 59th St.) - Established in 1876. Mother Church of the Paulist Fathers.
• Church of St. Peter (Barclay St. at Church St.) - Established in 1786; first parish in the diocese.
  • Chapel of St. Joseph (Manhattan) (385 South End Ave.) - Established in 1983.
• Church of St. Rose of Lima (New York City) (510 W. 165th St.) - Established in 1901.
• Church of St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr (New York City) (7th St. at First Ave.) - Established in 1872; stood at 318 Henry St. until 1900. Staffed by the Fathers of St. Paul the First Hermit.
• Church of St. Stephen of Hungary (New York City) (East 82nd St.) - Established in 1927; staffed by Franciscan Friars since 1922. Previously located on 14th Street {1905-1927}
• Church of St. Stephen the Martyr/Our Lady of the Scapular (New York City) (142 E. 29th St.) - Established in 1990.
• Church of St. Teresa (Rutgers St. at Henry St.) - Established in 1862.
• Church of St. Thomas More (67 E. 89th St.) - Established in 1950.
• Church of St. Veronica (Manhattan) (149 Christopher St.) - Established in 1886.
• Church of St. Vincent Ferrer (66th St. at Lexington Ave.)
• Church of the Annunication ((Manhattan)), Convent Avenue
• Church of the Ascension (Manhattan) (221 W. 107th St.) - Established in 1895.
• Church of the Blessed Sacrament (Manhattan) (West 71st Street, just east of Broadway) - Established in 1887.
• Church of the Epiphany (New York City) (21st Street at Second Ave.) - Established in 1868.
• Church of the Good Shepherd (Manhattan) (608 Isham St.) - Established in 1911; formerly staffed by the Paulist Fathers. Currently staffed by the Capuchin Friars.
• Church of the Holy Agony (Manhattan) (98th St. at Third Ave.) - Established in 1930; formerly a mission of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Staffed by the Vincentian Fathers.
• Church of the Holy Cross (329 W. 42nd Street, between 8th and 9th Aves.) - Established in 1852.
• Church of the Holy Family - The United Nations Parish - (315 East 47th Street, between 1st and 2nd Aves.) - Established in 1924.
• Church of the Holy Innocents (Manhattan) (37th St. at Broadway) - Established in 1868.
• Church of the Holy Name of Jesus (96th St. at Amsterdam Ave.) - Established in 1892; staffed by the Franciscan Friars since 1990. Previously located at Bloomingdale Rd. at 97th St. {1868-1891}.
• Church of the Holy Trinity (Manhattan) (West 82nd St., near Amsterdam Ave.) - Established in 1898.
• Immaculate Conception Church (Manhattan) (East 14th St., near First Ave.) - Established in 1855.
• Church of the Incarnation (Manhattan) (175th St. at St. Nicholas Ave.) - Established in 1908.
• Church of the Most Precious Blood (113 Baxter St.) - Established in 1891; staffed by the Franciscan Friars.
• Church of the Nativity (New York City) (Second Ave. at Second St.) - Established in 1842; formerly staffed by the Jesuit Fathers.
• Chapel of the Resurrection (New York City) (276 W. 151st St.) - Established in 1907.
• Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Manhattan) (457 W. 51st St.) - Established in 1876.
• Church of the Transfiguration (Manhattan) (29 Mott St.) - Established in 1827.
• Proto-Cathedral of St. Patrick (260-264 Mulberry St., between Prince St. and Houston St.) - Established in 1809

Exploring Manhattan, one Catholic Church at a time....

So I recently moved to the city (have worked here for the past two years, but was bridge and tunnel which horrified me) and while I love wandering around, wanted to figure out a way to make sure I see all parts of Manhattan. During a google search to find masses close to my midtown office, I saw that there are 98 Catholic Churches in Manhattan and decided it be cool to attend mass at every one.

Last year, I found out that I surprisingly LOVE attending weekday masses at noon. They are usually very short, yet very refreshing and peaceful. There is something about popping out of the office and taking about 20 minutes to sit quietly in prayer and meditation. It calms me down and resets my stress level to managable.  And it makes me feel close to my father who often attended daily mass while he was alive.  Sometimes during summer vacation, I would wake up very early to attend early morning mass with him. It was a great way to get some one-on-one time with him...and it usually ended up with a trip to get a donut (bonus!) before dropping me off at home before he headed to work.

Full disclosure...I am not particularly pious...actually I am probably the worst Catholic in my immediate family; however, I am absolutely Catholic and always will be. This blog won't be necessarily a religious blog and I don't care to argue the merits of the Catholic Church (let's just get this out of the way....while I don't agree with everything the Church says and does, I am not leaving. To me, it is the same as I don't agree with every decision the government makes, but I am not going to renounce my U.S. citizenship). For me, being Irish Catholic is a huge part of who I am, and I can't separate my religion out of my identity any more than I could separate my name from who I believe I am. 

That being said, I am really looking forward to this project. My plan is pretty simple...attend mass at every Catholic Church in Manhattan. I am going to try to not attend the same church more than once (in order to force me to branch out and keep exploring -- but I am not making any promises). No rules...we will just see how it goes. It might be a daily mass or it might be a Sunday mass. There will probably be a treat after every Sunday mass...a extra bonus may be me hitting nearly every bakery in Manhattan; hopefully, calories consumed right after hearing the Word of God are less fattening. Probably not, but I can always ask God to consider that!