SUNDAY MASS
Saturday 5:00pm
Sunday 9:00am & 11:30am

WEEKDAY MASS
9:00am

HOLYDAY MASS
vigil 5:00pm prior evening
Holyday 9:00am & 11:30am

Our parish relies upon your support to survive
and it is urgently needed during this pandemic.

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This is the last bulletin opportunity that I will have to wish you all a most blessed celebration of Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.

As we have been reminded so often over the past two years, our lives are in a state of constant change. Genetically, we seem to shy away from change but because of it we grow in ways that we would never have imagined.

As I, personally, come to the end of this Year of Grace, I want to express my gratitude to all of you for accepting me so warmly last Holy Week and every day in between. After forty years in Midtown Manhattan, it has been a most remarkable change for me to be amid a community that knows continuity and shared history.

Over the years, I realized that no one is from Manhattan - everyone is there temporarily. The warmth of a parish family that takes great pride in each generation is a reminder to me of the closeness found in the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Thank you for sharing that with me!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

October 17

My recent birthday was the happiest one that I have had in years! I want to thank you for your cards and gifts and good wishes. It made turning 73 years old a lot less painful! We are hoping that the work in the lower church will be finished by this Friday. There was a silver lining to Hurricane Ida after all. We could never afford the work that has been done which includes new walls, doors and floor. We also had a new electric panel installed and the burner was replaced in the boiler. Unfortunately, we are still at the bottom of two hills and we are a lingering target for future big storms. Now I understand why we have insurance! As far as the accessibility ramp for the front of the church and the accessible rest room in the lobby, we have done everything on our end to move along the process. The necessary surveys have been carried out and the RFA (Request for Authorization) has been sent in to the folks at the NY Catholic Center. Now it needs to pass through their process which, I have been told, could be another couple of weeks. I had hoped that we would begin work after Labor Day. As anyone who has ever done work on a home knows, it always takes twice as long as expected and costs twice as much as it should. Hopefully, we have a very tight control on the financial aspect. So far, the archdiocese will only consider work made possible by the “Renew and Rebuild” campaign, which didn’t reach its goal. All that we can do is wait for the needed approval.

August 29

I have always thought that one of the most important things that a new pastor should do is inspect each and every closet.  You would be surprised what I have found over the years!
 
I did find the original crucifix that hung in the church, and it has been returned to its place of honor.  I also discovered a very handsome set of wrought iron candlesticks.  After looking at several photographs from the early years of Christ the King Church, they could also be original to the dedication of the church.  Relying on sources that I have discovered over the years, I was steered to a professional in the field of restoration whose children attended our school and whose firm is on Nepperhan Avenue.
 
His professional opinion is that the candlesticks are of museum quality and were manufactured by a man by the name of Samuel Yellin.  Mr. Yellin was born to a Jewish family in Ukraine in the Russian Empire in 1884.  At the age of eleven, he was apprenticed to a master ironsmith.  When he finished his apprenticeship, his family immigrated to the United Sates and settled in Philadelphia.  In early 1906, Mr. Yellin took classes at the Pennsylvania Museum School of Industrial Art.  Within months, he was teaching classes and did so until 1919!
 
In 1915, Samuel Yellin Metalworkers was established on Arch Street in Philadelphia.  Mr. Yellin died in 1940, but the firm remained there for decades under the direction of his son, Harvey.  After Harvey’s death, the business was taken over by Samuel Yellin’s granddaughter, Clare Yellin.  The business continues to this day.
 
Over the years, Yellin Metalworkers received commissions from all over the country.  In the New York area alone, their works can be seen at The Cloisters, just south of Yonkers; Federal Reserve Bank of NY; General Motors, Co.; IBM; and the Salvation Army Headquarters.
 
Among their ecclesiastical commissions, their work can be found at:  Congregation Emanu-El (Fifth Avenue); Park Avenue Christian Church; Saint Bartholomew’s Church (Park Avenue); Cathedral of Saint John the Divine; Saint Patrick’s Cathedral; Saint Thomas Church (Fifth Avenue); and Saint Vincent Ferrer Church (Lexington Avenue).
 
Our founders would be pleased to know that the Yellin candlesticks are now being restored and will once again grace our sanctuary by Thanksgiving.  What foresight they had to design a beautiful Carpenter Gothic church complete with appointments of museum quality.  We continue to be grateful to them.

August 15

By a twist of fate, in 1981 at the age of 32, Cardinal Cooke appointed me to be Director of Development for the Archdiocese.  No one was more surprised than I.  I admitted to the Cardinal that I knew how to SPEND money but I didn’t know how to RAISE money.  Thus began what would become an eight year period of my life asking people to help in funding the spiritual, charitable and educational needs of our ten counties.  One of the lessons that I learned early on was that there were some causes which were more easily funded than others.  Parishioners would get together to build a new church or repair an aging church or school building but it was a completely different story when it came to the rectory.  Building a rectory or repairing an aging rectory doesn’t rank very high on people’s radar.  In some ways, that is understandable.
 
Last week, I told you that we had some other difficult news about our buildings.  Specifically, our rectory has been neglected over the years and is in dire need of attention.  The concrete slab that abuts the front of the rectory has many cracks and the facing brick has mostly fallen off.  After close inspection, it has been discovered that the concrete slab is not a slab at all.  The concrete was poured around steel girders which have rusted through and no longer offer the needed support.  That would be enough of a concern except for that fact that the four columns that hold up the roof rely on the concrete for critical support.  When the columns were opened up for inspection, it was discovered that there is no structural reinforcement inside them.  Basically, they are millwork which forms the columns clad in metal siding.  The danger is that the front wall of the rectory could/will collapse unless we take some action.

That’s not all!  There is also an outdoor staircase and a small deck on the back of the rectory.  The state of disrepair is such that it is more than dangerous to enter the rectory by the kitchen door.  In a storm, you can actually see the whole structure sway with the wind.  Not an ideal situation!

As to numbers and design, our architect and building advisor from Aramark are at work to identify the most advantageous and financially viable approach.  There is more to come on this and I will keep you advised.  Keep in mind that the “original” rectory was probably built in the 1890s.  The addition was finished in 1935.  That is a lot of years for things to go wrong and deferred maintenance only adds to the problem.

August 8

June 13

As you (hopefully) have noticed, Bartlett Tree Experts was here on Wednesday/Thursday and accomplished a great deal of the work that we had contracted.  Most noticeable is the absence of the three pine trees that were endangering the physical integrity of the rectory.  Later on in the Fall, the other trees on our property will be “gussied up” for life in the Spring.  Through the ingenious suggestion of Scott Fenton, our custodian/plant manager, we were able to avoid a wood hauling charge by, instead, having the pine trees chipped up into mulch which will be used around the property as an added bonus.  Thanks, Scott.  (BTW,  Scott continues to recuperate from his knee replacement surgery at home in CT.  If any of you have had the procedure, you know that the physical therapy requires the fortitude of an Olympian.  Scott is hanging in there and our prayers are with him.)

With the new focus that has been established for our projects by the Parish Finance Office of the Archdiocese of NY, we are no longer contemplating a roof replacement for the church or the repair and painting of the side shingles.  Let’s see what the Fall holds in this regard.  Maybe we can breathe some new life into the Renew + Rebuild Campaign?  In the meantime, let’s also enjoy some “down” time in the summer months that are ahead of us.  The top priorities for the R+R funds are the church’s wheelchair access ramp and the ADA rest room in the church lobby.  Both require a good deal of study and planning to be done correctly.  We may not see something happening within the next few weeks but once the planning has been completed, the contractor identified and the permits secured, we will move ahead as prudently as possible.

On another matter, may I recommend to your charity the fate of our brothers and sisters in India who are suffering terribly from the covid virus.  Our own wonderful, Fr. Sebastian, is a native of Kerala State where the early Christian community was founded by St. Thomas the Apostle.  It is an opportunity for us to acknowledge his work here at Christ the King during our own covid plague when he single handedly managed the pastoral outreach of our parish during the extended illness of our Pastor Emeritus.  Profound thanks to him can be translated into care for the people of his homeland as we come to their aid with our financial offerings.  You can place your offering in the Sunday collection, send it by USPS or drop it off at the rectory.  You can also contribute online through WeShare. Our gifts are not handled by any government agency either here or in India.  Our sole intermediary is Catholic Relief Services--an agency of the US bishops.

June 6

Dear Friends in Christ,

I know that many of you are as enthusiastic as I am as our various “projects” begin to move toward fruition. It is an exciting time, and we will soon be able to SEE results.

I must, however, share with you a meeting that was held on Friday, May 28, with our parish team and a representative from the Parish Finance Office of the Archdiocese. To say that it was like the “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” is only to begin to tell the story. We were informed that the only projects we are allowed to contemplate are the special needs ramp and the rest room in the lobby of the church. The reason? Our Renew+Rebuild campaign only brought in $148,000 after the needs of the archdiocese were satisfied first. I was told that we should not consider putting a new roof on the church or make repairs to the shingles on the exterior walls or tackle some long-neglected needs of the rectory building until I/we have raised more money. When I made known the fact that we had savings on hand which we had planned to use, the answer was that the archdiocese’s finance people will not give permission to spend down our savings. I am as dumbfounded as you must be because in my experience the reason for putting aside savings is to face moments like this when the needs are so large and unexpected.

Of course, we will continue to move forward with the two projects approved and we are allowed to generate architectural drawings and surveys that will be necessary to address the ultimate physical needs of the church building. As to when and how I/we are going to raise more money, I haven’t had time to make plans in that direction. Quite selfishly, one of the last things that I want to do as a very new pastor is to start asking for money. In fact, when I was assigned here, I was told that there were no such expectations on me and that our finances are stable.

As with all unexpected challenges, it is good to step back, be calm and assess the situation with some amount of serenity. Our patron, Christ the King, faced an enormous challenge in his ministry when he was asked by His Father to give totally of himself for our sake—not his own. As we hear so often in self-help programs, “one step at a time, one day at a time.” We have an added advantage in knowing that the Lord who has saved us is also the Lord who walks with us day by day, arm in arm. The challenges, however, become no less real because of that.

May 30

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

As a nation this weekend, we observe one of our more somber remembrances: Memorial Day. While it is good after this past year and more to be able to gather our families for barbecues and parties, we need to remember that Memorial Day is meant to honor all those who have served our country and, who during their faithful service, were required to give their life to protect the dreams and the values that are enshrined in our national patrimony. No matter how you may observe this weekend, please also include a time of prayer-perhaps, by attending Mass at 9AM--remembering all those who over the course of our 245 years died for you and for me.

To keep you up to date on some of our projects:

There is nothing like a before and after picture! The staircase that leads from the sacristy entrance to the church has been replaced after many years of serious neglect. Determined to be an "emergency repair" by our consultants, we have ensured that life and limb are no longer endangered. Thank you for your generosity to the Renew+Rebuild Campaign which has made this possible .

This past week, I was able to engage the firm of Tyler Architecture and Planning, PLLC in Purchase to oversee the establishment of a master plan to prioritize our needed projects as outlined in the Renew+Rebuild Campaign and, ultimately, bid out and supervise their completion . Our initial meeting was filled with a good deal of careful planning for necessary preparatory surveys and timelines to make steady progress.

The two projects with the highest priority are the much-needed ADA accessibility ramp (or lift) for entrance into the church as well as a new rest room in the lobby. Both projects will initially require a land survey of the property (the last one was completed in 1956 for the building of the school) as well as the input of a mechanical engineer to make sure that all services (electricity, water, drainage) are in place.

Various cable lines have been removed from the three trees which are marked for removal and the tree project has been scheduled for the week of June 9. Subsequent to that, the sprinkler project has been scheduled as well as the new chain link fence around the southern end of our property.

An initial meeting has been held with the Energy Department of the Archdiocese and NYSERDA regarding a subsidized audit with a look at clean heating and photovoltaic cells in the planned new church roof.

The City of  Yonkers will need to be included in our process.  Anyone who may have an appropriate contact in City Hall is welcomed to make that known to me either by email (robert.j.robbins@icloud.com) or telephone  (914-963-7474).  Many thanks!

May 23rd

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today, Pentecost, is known as the “birthday of the Church”—not a building of brick and mortar throughout the world but made up of “living stones” (as St. Paul reminds us) and we are those living stones!  Enjoy your personal birthday in the faith and remember the promises made for you in Baptism.  We are the Lord’s, and we will never be alone no matter what life might throw our way.

As for those “buildings of brick and mortar” which have been given to us as our patrimony in the faith, please be aware of the following.

1. The new sound system has already been installed and the initial reviews are in the “rave” category.  Sound is far crisper and more intelligible which raises the bar for our priests to have something worthwhile to say.  (That was meant as humorous.)  The firm that accomplished this, Monte Bros., is nationally renowned and located in Dobbs Ferry.

2. I was able to sign a contract with Bartlett Tree Experts in Elmsford for the removal of three trees that are threatening the rectory building and the initial maintenance of all of our trees.  Our grounds are so beautiful—let’s make them even better!

3. In that same vein, I am awaiting a final proposal for an irrigation system for our property with another company in Elmsford.  As you know from your own homes, there is little sense in spring plantings unless there is water to ensure growth and health during the summer months.  This includes as well partial fencing in front of the rectory to give added security for when we can begin to once again use the front door which has been closed off due to an unstable concrete “porch” in need of permanent shoring up and repair.  In this regard, the structural engineer has submitted his report and recommendations.

4. As I write this for the bulletin deadline (Tuesday) we are still waiting for the arrival of the new steel staircase off of the sacristy entrance to the church.  It is being fashioned for us—not just something “off the shelf”--and should be well worth the wait.

5. In conjunction with ConEd and the Energy Management Office of the Archdiocese of New York, we are in the midst of an evaluation of all of our electrical fixtures down to the tiniest of light bulbs.  Along with ConEd, we hope to be able to reap a 50% reduction in cost and installation to upgrade us to the most efficient fixtures and bulbs available and the least costly utility bills possible.

6. Again, because this is Tuesday, I have no answer for you about the church roof, shingle siding and wheelchair access.  The three architectural firms involved are due to submit their proposals by tomorrow, Wednesday the 19^th, so we will have an indication of what the project involves as you are reading this.  This also includes the construction of an accessible rest room in the lobby of the church.

7. I have an appointment on Friday with a sign company from Yonkers (you have seen their tasteful signs all over) to replace the sign that formerly stood on the church lawn to announce who we are and the times of our Mass schedule.  What’s that old saying about advertising?

And a final request … our custodian/plant manager, Scott Fenton, underwent surgery this past Monday to replace a troublesome right knee.  Please keep him, his recovery and his therapists in your good prayers!

May 9th

Dear Friends in the Risen Christ,
 
To report on some progress …
 
The upgrade to the sound system in the church is being scheduled.  Part of the needed upgrade is due to the fact that the US government has taken over our current bandwidth and we need to destroy some of our present components and comply by replacing the parts.  The rest accounts for moving to digital from analog as well as the implementation of “Critical Zone Digital Delay Technology” and “Dynamic Low Frequency SPL Management” to the existing speakers for optimal intelligibility and directional realism.  The new system will also allow for offsite reporting and repair on problems that may arise. The price tag is $25K
 
The trees that are in need of removal because they are a danger to the integrity of the rectory building as well as those that are in need of maintenance are being scheduled at a time after the present school year ends.  Estimated cost is $8,619.
 
The foundation of the rectory (and 1935 addition) is to be examined by a structural engineer who will provide suggestions as to how we can stop the present deterioration and regain use of the front entrance to the rectory. 
(Did you know that the son of Oscar Hammerstein was one of the former owners of that building?  Thanks to the Historic Yonkers, NY Early Photos and Stories FB group for confirming that!)  The survey fee is $1,500/hour.
 
The present steel staircase off of the sacristy area entrance to the church has been deemed an “emergency repair.” Not only is it at an advanced state of decay but there are also large and small holes in the individual treads and landing.  Contracts have been signed and insurance certifications have been shared to accomplish this within the new two weeks.  The price tag is $12,650.
 
This past Friday was the deadline for proposals on the roof and side shingles of the church as well as the wooden staircase and deck on the back of the rectory.  I should have more news next weekend.
 
These expenses will be funded through your generous gifts to the Renew + Rebuild Capital Campaign. 
Thank you!
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May 2nd

Dear Friends in the Risen Christ,
 
Whenever any of us “goes to church,” there are certain things that we should be able to expect.
 
First, we should expect to be able to enter the building without difficulty or encumbrance.  The Americans with Disabilities Act has enshrined this in the legislation of our land for public buildings.  Those who have mobility concerns should feel welcome by their ease of  access. 
 
Second, we should expect to be able to see what is happening both in the sanctuary and in other liturgical areas of the church.  Lighting plays a very important part here.  With the great strides that have taken place with regard to lighting (LED vs. incandescent, “warm” colors versus “cold” colors) the liturgical action is enhanced by our ability to see it. 
 
Third, we should expect to be able to hear both spoken word and sung word.  Sometimes, we think that “it is just me” when we experience difficulty in hearing.  More often than not, that doesn’t have to be the case.  The almost universal changeover from analog to digital sound reproduction with its accompanying acoustical sciences are the responsibility of those who provide our gathering space and our reasons for gathering.
 
With this in mind, a number of architects will soon visit Christ the King church building to assess the most appropriate manner of responding to our parishioners’ needs and concerns with regard to physical accessibility. The ramp that presently exists does not reflect the best or current thinking in this regard.  Over the coming weeks, proposals will be submitted to address our present situation. 
 
Lighting experts have already visited and are in the process of drawing up a plan that is based on our present lighting system.  The purpose isn’t to start again at the drawing board as if we didn’t already have a parish church which has been loved by generations of Yonkers Catholics.  In some ways, this is an “easy fix” which might require only a couple of days of work tweaking what we have to make it better. 
 
Hearing is a bit more complex situation.  Our present public address system has analog “guts”, but the wiring and the speakers are already able to enter into an upgrade with ease.  The overall acoustical sound can be easily brought into the 21st century with all of the wonders of modern practices.
 
When will this happen?  Gradually.  The accessibility issue requires a good deal of planning and thought and will take a couple of months; the lighting “tinkering” will start as soon as our contractors are able to schedule the work; the sound upgrade will happen in the course of late spring and early summer.  Will there be disruption to our usual schedule of Masses?  For the three projects mentioned, not at all.  How will we afford this?  Through your generosity to the recent Renew + Rebuild capital campaign we have funds in hand.
 
The even larger concerns of the church roof and side shingles are also being studied at this time.  Initial observations have indicated that the situation may not be as dire as had been expected.  Let’s hope that turns out to be the reality.  The guiding principle is that we will move programmatically, prudently and with an eye on our financial health - the same method that you would use in caring for your own family homes. 
 
Thank you for making this all possible!

Audio Message

Christmas 2020

Dear Parishioners,
 

During this most wonderful time of the year, we are reminded of just how blessed we are.  First and foremost, we are loved by our good and gracious God who made us for Himself.  We are His beloved children with whom He shares His very life and love.  He gave us his own Beloved Son as Savior and brother, who redeemed us by the mystery of his birth, life, and death, and won for us the gift of life eternal, and gave us the great gift of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist.  And they sent us the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies, guides, teaches and protects us.  This gracious God gave us our parents, families, and friends, as gifts to one another, to love, help, and cherish, through our pilgrimage of life.  And He gives us, as fellow parishioners of our beloved Christ the King faith community, the opportunity to know and love and serve each other as we travel on our individual journeys to our eternal home with Him in heaven.

During this exceedingly difficult time of pandemic, isolation, illness and death of dear ones, we must hold fast and not lose hope.  I urge you to please make every effort to cling to your faith, better days are around the corner.  Yes, all of us are hurting this Christmas as never before, while we avoid gathering with our families and loved ones for the sake of a greater good.  Some among us will be left all alone on Christmas, perhaps for the first time.  So, may I recommend something quite simple this year?  Pick up the phone on Christmas Day and reach out to a lonely family member, neighbor, fellow parishioner.  That just might be the best Christmas gift that they receive and perhaps the best gift that you give this year!

I regret that I do not have the stamina to celebrate Christmas Mass with you.  Please know how much I miss and love you and that you will have a special remembrance in my Christmas Mass.  I pray that you and your families stay well and that the New Year will bring you peace, health, and happiness.

                                                                                                            Sincerely in Christ,

                                                                                                               Father Staar