Faithful Celebrate Midnight Mass At St. Patrick's Cathedral
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Christmas Day celebrations began with Midnight Mass at St. Patrick's.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan led the celebration. Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio were among the congregation.
Dolan made note of the recent tensions between police, community and the mayor in his message.
"We face tensions and divisions in our beloved city," Dolan said. "As you and so many other leaders try your best to invite us to dialogue, to listen instead of shouting. To work together instead of accusing."
"Cardinal Dolan is bringing us together, which I'm pleased, pleased to see," said Upper East Side resident Jimmy Cummings.
The mayor issued a Christmas statement, saying recent events have brought great pain to the city, but that part of the beauty of New York is that moments like these won't divide us.
WCBS 880's Rich Lamb was the first reader at Midnight Mass.
Thousands attended the celebration, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.
"It's a very holy place, it makes me feel very good to be here," said Seena Bryan, of Plainview.
"Brings the real sense of Christmas to you," said Army veteran Jacob Ivancev, of Washington Heights.
For many, ushering in the holiday at the annual mass has become tradition as they mark the birth of Jesus Christ.
"We come together to accept that invitation to come let us adore him," Dolan said.
The service provided a time for unity, celebration, remembrance and praise, Burrell reported.
"It's calming. It's just very good for the spirit," said Washington Heights resident Mercedes Mercado.
"May this Christmas be a time for peace, love, and joy for you, your family, and your loved ones," Dolan wrote in a Christmas Day message to the faithful.
Prior to Midnight Mass, Cardinal Dolan celebrated a Christmas Eve mass at Riker's Island.
Dolan told inmates even though they may feel sad, homesick, alone and discouraged, they should remember God is with them.
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