Ed Koch..

[Princess Turandot]

A strange topic, eh, for Christmas Day in the Catholic group? Since he was mayor of NYC, I think that Koch has attended Christmas midnight Mass at St. Pat's every year. When Cardinal Egan acknowledged the local officials at the end of the service, he said something to the effect that if Ed Koch wasn't in the front row on Christmas Eve, he'd worry that he was in the wrong church! (While I personally think Koch is a bit of a crackpot at this point, it was a funny line. Koch actually didn't look too well.)

Mayor Bloomberg has a long term girlfriend who attends the service with him. Egan seems never quite sure what to call her. Last year, he used her last name. This year, he just called her by her first name.

Egan's homily focused on the economic problems that so many were having. There were shots of folks with tears in their eyes. Not the typical Christmas sermon. He also prayed not only for America's armed forces but their quick return home as well.

(I watched the mass on tv; WPIX here carries it live.)

Happy Christmas to all.

[47of74]

1. Hope Koch is ok...

And if he's having health problems that the Lord will see his way clear of helping restore Koch to health.