Last year saw the publication of a fascinating book by historian Patrick McNamara, "New York Catholics: Faith, attitude & the works!" This 212-page paperback presents seventy-six Catholics who lived in the five boroughs, the capsule biographies being precise and focused on what made each person special.
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This book is available from its publisher, Orbis Books (Maryknoll), and other booksellers.
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The following people who lived in The Bronx or had some connection to Bronx Catholic history are included:
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Archbishop John Hughes, who in the 1840's purchased the Rose Hill campus between the Harlem railroad and the Bronx River, named it St. John's College, and then sold it to the Jesuits.
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Levi Silliman Ives, an ordained Episcopalian bishop, who became Roman Catholic in 1852. He taught at the seminary at Rose Hill. Before his death in 1867, he helped found the New York Catholic Protectory and purchased the 114 acres that hosted the Protectory on East Tremont Avenue. About 1938, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company bought the property and developed Parkchester. The boys' department continues in northern Westchester as Lincoln Hall Boys' Haven.
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Father Francis Duffy, pastor of Our Saviour parish on Washington Avenue in the 1910's, and chaplain to the Fighting 69th.
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Cardinal Francis Spellman, who spent his undergraduate years 1907-1911 at Fordham University.
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Cardinal Terence Cooke, whose family moved to St. Benedict's parish, Throgs Neck. During his years of high school study at Cathedral Prep in Manhattan, he worked at a furniture store on East 146th Street, The Bronx.
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Helen Travis, one tough lady, who founded and ran the John Thomas Travis Center at Willis Avenue and East 142nd Street, a demanding shelter for alcoholic men.
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Msgr. Gerald Ryan, priest and pastor of St. Luke's parish, East 138th Street, for forty-six years.
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Peter Quinn, renowned writer, who grew up in St. Raymond's parish, attended Manhattan Prep, Manhattan College, and Fordham University.
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Rudy Vargas IV, who has worked in the Hispanic Catholic apostolate with many programs and helped organize las Madrinas, to foster enrollment of young students in Catholic schools.
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Brother Michael Francis Grogan (C.F.R.?), who works within Sacred Heart parish, Highbridge.
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Sister Mary Lanning, who went from thirteen years in a Hunts Point cloister, to oraganizer of Yes! Solutions, an organization of volunteers.
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Regis Philbin, entertainer, graduate of Our Lady of Solace elementary school (Presentation Sisters) and generous alumnus and fund-raiser of Cardinal Hayes High School.
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Mary Higgins Clark, an Irish storyteller from The Bronx, graduate of Villa Maria Academy (Congregation of Notre Dame).
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I highly recommend this book, as it gives even more life to our city.
