2022 archive of Messages From Father Steve
Palm Sunday
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 4/08/22
One Quote for this our Holy Week!
“Into Your hands I commend My spirit.” (Psalm 31:6) Jesus uses these words in Luke’s version of Jesus’ passion, just before he dies on the cross. Jesus knew this psalm as a teacher and Jewish Rabbi, and He said them with hope. ... Read More »
5th Sunday of Lent
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 4/01/22
Over the last few weeks, several parishioners at each of our churches have given us feedback on the bulletin, website, or communications in general. Sometimes those comments have been positive, sometimes not. To help us strengthen our parish communities, and communication within and among our tri-parish families, we have ... Read More »
The Fourth Sunday of Lent March , 2022
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 3/24/22
This weekend’s Gospel from Luke is referred to as the “Prodigal Son.”
The story is about a son, who takes his inheritance, spends it all and returns to his father. The picture on the cover of this week’s bulletin depicts the scene of when the father and the ... Read More »
Third Sunday of Lent March 20, 2022
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 3/18/22
Stay with me, Remain here with me, Watch and Pray – Watch and Pray!
For those who have come to one of our Taizé Prayer events (more to come, see schedule), you will recognize those words from one of the sung prayers. Those words remind us of Jesus’ instruction ... Read More »
Lent 2nd Sunday 2022
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 3/10/22
A major milestone has occurred in our diocese. The following is adapted and edited from an article from the February 24, 2022, edition of The Evangelist – the diocesan newspaper for the Albany Diocese, found online here: https://www.evangelist.org/ and look for “milestone.”
What is the major milestone? It’s that ... Read More »
The Holy Season of Lent
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 3/04/22
We have begun our Holy Season of Lent this past Wednesday when many of us received ashes on our foreheads. As mentioned at the services and masses where the ashes were distributed, as well as last weekend, there are a number of opportunities for prayer during this season. Please ... Read More »
The Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 2/24/22
Lenten Guidelines(adapted from the USCCB website)
During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service by giving alms and other charitable works, and to sacrifice through fasting. Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during ... Read More »
Memorial Crosses at Funerals/Cruces conmemorativas en funerales
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 2/11/22
As you may know, many churches have small memorial crosses displayed somewhere in the church building. At St. John the Baptist in Valatie, they are near the sanctuary on the side wall. At St. James in Chatham, it is hanging on the back wall near the Daily Mass chapel. ... Read More »
Litany Explanation
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 2/04/22
Why do we have a litany of saints after each mass in our one faith community? For those who have not heard the explanation, please read the following. Just as the Holy Family members are different from each of the saints, each of our parish communities bring various talents ... Read More »
Early Prep for Lent and Easter
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/28/22
Can you believe that we are already at the end of the first month of the “new” year? As such, in some years, the Holy Season of Lent would be starting in February. However, this year, Ash Wednesday, the day that Lent begins, is on March 2nd. (Watch for ... Read More »