Not Catholic. I am no member of our longtime Cardinal’s tribe. What I am — forever — is a chief leader of his friends. Starting this moment. Forever. And ever.
Before the pandemic crashed this country’s many social ways, every December for a dozen years I did a Blessing of the Animals at 60th and Park’s handsome United Methodist church. Had a side door, balcony, choir, music and its elders loved animals.
Me, too. I have my dog. So did Timothy Cardinal Dolan. His was named Pickles.
I have seen His Eminence, in official flowing robes, down flat on the tile floor, saying a prayer over a chihuahua who barely covered the Cardinal’s shoelaces. Every year I’ve been alongside his blessing the animals who’d dress up Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas pageant.
I’ve watched photographers snap shots of a huge camel — looming just behind us and larger than the Queen Mary — happily devouring His Eminence’s hat. Afterward he (the Cardinal, not the camel) told me: “I don’t love posing for photos — or even looking at the camera.”
Yes, I’m a friend. Forever. We’ve had dinner with other religious leaders to listen to their substantial conversations. He has come to my home for birthday parties. Laughed when I introduced him with: ”He promises tonight he will not ask for donations.”
Special moments were sandwiched between his official duties. Holidays, with family and little children visiting, we’d ship in crates of animal crackers and vanilla ice cream — but I did thank Gristedes’ John Catsimatidis when I asked him for it.
His Eminence would reminisce. Talk old times. “Like once I rode a 1950 Schwinn on a lake bike path.” He’d go to Yankee Stadium and root for the team. He remembered: “I was on retreat when I heard I was about to become a Cardinal.”
He met personally with a huge number of grief stricken relatives at 9/11. He did not miss his mother’s birthday. I knew when he flew home for her 90th.
He took time when I was in heartbreak over losing my beloved adored Yorkshire Terrier Jucy. He said “My dog Pickles is offering a prayer.” His Eminence even took me on the underground route connecting his mansion to the cathedral.
And NEVER will I forget when my private unlisted home phone rang. A Mexican housekeeper answered and kept shouting into it FOUR times — “Who? Who you are? . . Spell your name.” Finally I grabbed the phone away and, already irritated, shrieked ”So who are you?” A very quiet voice replied: “It’s Cardinal Dolan.”
Timothy Cardinal Dolan helped me through bleak, black times. We all have them. I will never ever EVER forget his kindness — but I look forward, forever, to his friendship, humor, understanding devotion. With respect to the Pope’s choice, I say there might never be another Timothy Cardinal Dolan — anywhere — EVER.
