Cardinal Timothy Dolan returned Saturday to East Harlem’s St. Cecilia’s Church – Holy Agony parish to install their new pastor, Father Gerald Mugabi, AJ, thanking their outgoing church leader and welcoming a new one.
Father Mugabi is taking over for Father Peter A. Mushi, AJ. Father Mushi is also the vicar forane, or dean of the Manhattan North deanery.
Before the celebration began, Cardinal Dolan proclaimed, “Father Gerald Mugabi, AJ, I entrust to you this parish church. Dedicated under the title of Saint Cecilia and Holy Agony, this church is above all a house of prayer, a temple of worship, a home where the faithful are nourished by the Word of God and the Sacraments of the Church.”
Cardinal Dolan served as the principal celebrant and homilist of the bilingual Mass. The cardinal began his remarks in Spanish, “Thank you, thank you, thank you, to Father Peter Mushi,” leading to a standing ovation from the congregation for their outgoing pastor.
As is his custom, he then apologized for what he said were his poor language skills, and then continued in English, describing his most recent visit to the East Harlem church, in the summer of 2023. “I congratulate all of you because you have a wonderful parish family here. I remember when we were here for the 150th anniversary, we were outside. Muy caliente,” he said, recalling how hot it had been for that day’s outdoor celebration.
“Jesus says to us, ‘Come here, come in, come into my house, come into my church, come into my family. Trust me, and I will give you salvation.’ That’s what we’re all about. This is why this is such a happy evening, as we welcome a new pastor,” Cardinal Dolan said.
In extensive remarks at the end of Mass, made in both English and Spanish, Father Mugabi said, “At this juncture, I wish to thank, our grandfather, as we call him, Father Peter, and Father Godfrey for the great work they have done, for their great sacrifices, and for the love that they have given to this great parish,” the priest said.
“Let us celebrate together the sacraments. Let us walk together, with compassion and love. As I conclude, the community has done many great things in preparation for this day. We want to thank each and every one of you for the love, for the care, for the cooperation, and for the donations. I have not managed to mention each name, but I want to thank each and every one of you. Thank you, dear brothers and sisters, for the preparations, for the food, for the decorations, and for everything. Thank you, thank you, and thank you,” Father Mugabi said.
Among those concelebrating with Cardinal Dolan were Bishop Edmund J. Whalen, vicar for clergy, Father Mugabi, Father Mushi, and Father Godfrey Amobi, also of St. Cecilia’s Church. They were assisted by Deacon Jose Hernandez.
Following Mass, hundreds of parishioners filed downstairs into the parish hall for dinner and were joined by Cardinal Dolan, Bishop Whalen, and the concelebrating priests.
Eva Moallem Coper, who is both liturgical director of St. Cecilia Church and Holy Agony and an employee of the Archdiocese of New York, saw Father Mugabi’s arrival as “a blessing.” “Father Mushi, for his health, should rest. Thank God, He gave us a new pastor. We are sad that Father Peter will no longer be our pastor, but we accept that. Father Mugabi has experience in mission in Puerto Rico, so we are in good hands,” she said.
St. Cecilia Church was founded in 1873 in East Harlem. In late 2014, the Church of the Holy Agony was merged with it.