Watch Molly Shannon revive the 'SNL' character to advise Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris was not present at the traditional Al Smith Dinner in New York on Thursday evening, but comforted attendees via video. Harris hired actress Molly Shannon, who revived her lover Saturday Night Live Character, Catholic schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher.

In the video, Harris begins by talking about the Al Smith Dinner, a tradition every election where presidential candidates grill each other and themselves. As she speaks, Shannon as Mary Katherine Gallagher walks behind her. “Hey, what’s going on?” Harris says. “Who was that?”

Harris then invites Mary Katherine to help her write her speech for the dinner, which she describes as “an important tradition that I am so proud to be a part of.” “My feelings about what you should say tonight are best expressed in a monologue from one of my favorite television shows,” answers Shannon.

“We need a woman to represent us,” says Shannon, adding, “And with that woman we can fly!” She then explains that the quote comes from House of the Dragon and advises Harris not to lie in her speech. “You shall not bear false witness to your neighbor,” says Shannon. She also suggests that Harris not “insult Catholics.”

“I would never do that no matter where I were,” Harris replies. “That would be like criticizing Detroit in Detroit.”

When Harris later advises Shannon, “Don't let anyone tell you who they are, tell them who you are,” Shannon references Taylor Swift's “Shake it Off.”

Donald Trump, who attended the event, used his appearance to target Harris for missing the dinner. “My opponent feels like she doesn’t need to be here, which is deeply disrespectful to the event and especially to our large Catholic community,” he said. “Very disrespectful.”

He added: “As per tradition, I'm supposed to tell a few self-deprecating jokes tonight.” So here it is. No. I don’t have anything… I guess I don’t see the point in shooting myself when other people have been shooting at me for a damn long time.”