The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County

In our ongoing series of Listening Sessions, we recently held two meetings regarding Clergy, Volunteer and Staff Wellness. One of the key subtopics of those meetings was the need to change our mass schedule. Due to a number of factors, there is no longer a need for five weekend Masses (four in English and one in Spanish). From what has been suggested so far, two patterns have been gaining momentum. One is the Sunday schedule of two hours between start time for each Mass: 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 12:30pm along with the possibility of seasonal Mass times for the Saturday Mass of Anticipation (Vigil). That is—changing it to 5pm in Daylight Savings Time and back to 4pm when the clocks change. Please note that NO decisions have been made on these times, nor on the locations of the masses. A few smaller meetings will still need to be held. More information in next week's bulletin. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read the background information written by Fr. Dan Quinn, former Associate Pastor here in the CCNCC and now pastor of a few parishes in Albany, I encourage you to do so (www.ccnccparishes.org/blog/latest-news). He explains many of the same reasons we need to change our Mass times in our three parishes. There is also an introduction to that information from one of our lifetime parishioners. Lastly, if you were unable to make the two Listening Sessions and would like offer input, please send your brief comments by April 30 to our Central Office at CCNCadmin@CCNCCparishes.org.

God Bless, Fr. Steve

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En el marco de nuestra serie de sesiones de escucha, recientemente celebramos dos reuniones sobre el bienestar del clero, los voluntarios y el personal. Uno de los temas secundarios clave de esas reuniones fue la necesidad de modificar nuestro horario de misas. Debido a diversos factores, ya no es necesario celebrar cinco misas los fines de semana (cuatro en inglés y una en español).
De entre las propuestas recibidas hasta ahora, hay dos opciones que están ganando adeptos. Uno es el horario dominical con dos horas de diferencia entre el inicio de cada misa: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. y 12:30 p.m., junto con la posibilidad de horarios de misa estacionales para la misa de anticipación del sábado (vigilia). Es decir, cambiarlo a las 5 p. m. en horario de verano y volver a las 4 p. m. cuando cambien los relojes. Tengan en cuenta que NO se ha tomado NINGUNA decisión sobre estos horarios, ni sobre los lugares de celebración de las misas. Aún será necesario celebrar algunas reuniones más reducidas. Más información en el boletín de la próxima semana. Si no han tenido la oportunidad de leer la información de fondo redactada por el P. Dan Quinn, antiguo vicario aquí en la CCNCC y ahora párroco de varias parroquias en Albany, les animo a que lo hagan (www.ccnccparishes.org/blog/latest-news). En ella explica muchas de las mismas razones por las que necesitamos cambiar los horarios de misa en nuestras tres parroquias. También hay
una introducción a esa información escrita por uno de nuestros feligreses de toda la vida. Por último, si no pudieron asistir a las
dos sesiones de escucha y desean aportar sus opiniones, por favor envíen sus breves comentarios antes del 30 de abril a nuestra Oficina Central a CCNCadmin@CCNCCparishes.org.

Que Dios los bendiga, P. Steve

By now, you probably have heard that the diocese has an agreement with Official Committee of Tort Claimants in the Diocese's 
Chapter 11 reorganization. To read the complete statement and the bishop's letter, please go to either the RCDA website or the CCNCCparishes.org website. Each parish in the Diocese is being asked to contribute a portion of the settlement and our three parishes' amounts have not been announced as of the deadline for this bulletin. Please be aware that Bishop Mark is NOT ASKING ANY PARISH TO CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN WHAT IS IN THEIR SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS (as of June, 2026). While it may be a relatively large amount for each of our parishes, we will not need to ask for any additional funding to pay our contributions. May I also repeat what the bishop has said previously and I have said, our parishes will not be closed because of this settlement or for any other reason at
this time. (Please see the articles on Pastoral Planning and Listening Sessions for more information.) Let us continue to pray for the victims/survivors and all those affected by the sin of abuse in the world, church and our diocese. Let us hope that this step helps in some way on their recovery journey. I will have more information as it becomes available. Thank you for your prayers and understanding.

Fr. Steve

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A estas alturas, probablemente ya habrán oído que la diócesis ha llegado a un acuerdo con el Comité Oficial de Demandantes por
Daños y Perjuicios en el marco de la reorganización de la diócesis al amparo del Capítulo 11. Para leer la declaración completa y la
carta del obispo, visiten la página web de la RCDA o la de CCNCCparishes.org. Se está pidiendo a cada parroquia de la diócesis que contribuya con una parte del acuerdo y, en el momento de cerrar este boletín, aún no se han anunciado las cantidades correspondientes a nuestras tres parroquias. Tengan en cuenta que el obispo Mark NO ESTÁ PIDIENDO A NINGUNA PARROQUIA QUE CONTRIBUYA CON MÁS DE LO QUE HAY EN SUS CUENTAS DE AHORRO E INVERSIÓN (a fecha de junio de 2026). Aunque puede ser una cantidad relativamente elevada para cada una de nuestras parroquias, no tendremos que solicitar fondos adicionales para pagar nuestras contribuciones.
Padre Steve

Upcoming Listening Session on Clergy, Staff and Volunteer Wellness, including Mass Time Changes – Please Review Before Meeting

 

As a lifelong member of the Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County, married in one of our churches and now raising my daughters, Anna and Nora, in this faith, I care deeply about the future of our parish family and the Church they will inherit. Today, our community is served by one full-time priest across three churches, and out of love and respect for both clergy and leadership wellness, we must recognize that our current Mass schedule is not sustainable long-term. While no decisions have been made, thoughtful and prayerful conversations are now beginning about what comes next.

To help guide our reflection, we are sharing a series of articles written by Fr. Dan, a former associate here in the CCNCC and now a pastor in Albany, who recently led his own parish community through similar changes. His insights remind us that this challenge is not unique to us, but one faced by many parishes striving to remain vibrant and spiritually nourishing. At its heart, this conversation is about more than scheduling, it is about strengthening our parish life, ensuring our priest can truly know us and walk with us, and creating space for deeper relationships, meaningful worship, and a sustainable future. Change can be difficult, especially when it touches long-held routines, but it also offers an opportunity to grow, to come together more intentionally, and to reimagine how we live our faith as a community.

My hope is that you will take time to read, reflect, and pray on these realities, and most importantly, join us for a Listening Session on April 11 at Church of St. Joseph beginning at 10:30 AM or April 16 at St. James starting at 6:30 PM. Your voice matters. Together, guided by faith and the Holy Spirit, we can shape a path forward that strengthens our community for generations to come.

—Julie (Antonovich) Horn, “Josh’s wife” and “Anna and Nora’s mom”

Bulletin Articles from Fr. Dan Quinn - re mass times are changing in Albany.

 

Article I – Feb. 14 - 15 From the Pastor’s Desk – New Mass Schedule Starting After Easter – Part 1 of 5

        As everyone may or may not be aware, there are only three priests actively assigned to the parishes of the city of Albany: Fr. Torres is responsible for the four churches downtown, which includes a Mass in Spanish, and Fr. Yusko and I (Fr. Quinn) are responsible for All Saints, Mater Christi, Blessed Sacrament, and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Americas, which also includes a Mass in Spanish, and a Mass in Urdu.  St. Vincent, meanwhile, is taken care of by Mrs. Elizabeth Simcoe and older priests.  Our neighboring suburban parishes also share priests between multiple parishes, in Colonie, Delmar, Westmere, etc.

     Retired priests, and hospital chaplains who have minimal time for parish work, help all of our parishes when the parish priests can't be present.  I'm so grateful that they are all happy to help when called!   But unfortunately, relying on so many priests in their 80s means that we must always be on the lookout for two things: the future priests of our parishes, which come from our families and parishes, and a schedule that doesn’t rely heavily on octogenarians.

     Currently around the city and suburbs of Albany, there are 9 vigil Masses at 4:00.  With just a few parish priests, and just under half of these Masses currently served by priests in their 80s, this is going to be impossible to sustain.  The same goes for Sunday mornings, when the bulk of Masses land within the "Goldilocks Zone" of 9:00-10:30 AM.  Masses that start within these times are generally more well-attended and have a greater variety of people.  This might be because of the type of schedules young families with young children keep, because of the need for some people to ramp up to get going in the morning, or simply because a later time allows people who are up early all week to sleep in a little later.

     And it’s not just the Masses that priests need to attend to; Sundays also have Faith Formation for young people, families, and those joining the Church through OCIA.  Sometimes we get to celebrate a Baptism, or have time for Adoration, or the parish has a reception, or we are burning the palm for the ashes for Ash Wednesday.  In short, there is a way to do Sundays better, so that we can all be together for the Lord’s Day without having to have the priests leave immediately.

     Therefore, a new schedule is being developed for my parishes of Mater Christi, Blessed Sacrament, All Saints, and the Shrine (formerly St. Patrick) that can be handled, if need be, by only the active priests, with minimal help from our senior priests.

     Stay tuned, because there is more to come on this topic next week.

Article II – Feb. 21 - 22 From the Pastor’s Desk – New Mass Schedule Starting After Easter – Part 2 of 5

     Last week, I discussed the difficulties with the current Mass schedule, and why it is being adjusted.  This week, I want to share the process, and the difficulties, in designing a new schedule. It was important to take into consideration the data of current Sunday Mass attendance, demographics, and historical trends, and a few guiding principles: 1) No two Masses should begin at the same time. 2) There should be a variety of options of Mass times, considering not just our own but our neighboring parishes.  3) We should do our best not to disenfranchise groups of people who need specific times or locations.  4) We should allow the priests time to be able to be around before and after Mass for Faith Formation, OCIA, requests for an Anointing of the Sick or for Confession, or simply for conversations.

     5) Another important consideration is that priests and the people ought to be familiar with one another; I want, for myself and for the other priests, to be able to be at each parish regularly, with time enough to get to know people.  We, as priests, with fatherly hearts, want to be able to see and know our people, other than just at baptisms, weddings, and funerals.  We want to be more than functionaries fulfilling the task of showing up for Mass.  We want to fulfill our role in the community as spiritual fathers and evangelizers, not just our function in the liturgies at the altar, and as parish managers at a desk.  The converse is therefore necessarily true: I want all of our parishioners to be familiar and comfortable with us.  This goes for the hospital chaplains as well; when someone is in the hospital and meets one of the priests there, it's comforting when he is already a familiar face.

     Familiarity requires a lot of time.  Fr. Tallman, for one, has been a familiar face as a hospital chaplain and as the Albany Fire Department's chaplain for many years.  That sort of familiarity and care of so many different people in so many situations (firefighters, hospital administrators, nurses, physicians, patients) takes years to grow.  In much the same way, Fr. Sidoti, Fr. Lefebvre, Fr. O'Connor, Fr. Sweigart, Fr. Bradley, Fr. Pape, and Fr. Doyle grew along with the families of their parishes.  It is my hope that we continue to grow, through good times and bad, sickness and health, with our parishes and parishioners, in much the same way.  I have been in Albany now five years, but when I’m only present at a parish every third weekend, it takes three times as long to get to know people.

     Reducing Masses and adjusting start times is necessary, though painful, so that the priests we have can spend their time and attention most efficiently.  The schedule we have devised allows for Fr. Yusko and I, with the help of just one hospital chaplain or retired priest, to make the rounds at our four churches comfortably.  In an emergency situation in which only two priests are available, the Masses can be offered by two priests.

     There is still some more to be discussed next week!  Thank you for your patience!

Article III – Feb. 28 - March 1 From the Pastor’s Desk – New Mass Schedule Starting After Easter – Part 3 of 5

     Every club, a gardening club, a book club, a hiking club, a bowling club, a volunteer organization, or political party needs to have club meetings.  Finding times that work for everyone is one of the hardest parts of keeping everyone organized and while newsletters and other forms of media help, including social media, people have to be in the same room together, see each other in-person in order to build the bonds of the community and accomplish the works of the club, whether it’s bowling, gardening, hiking, or putting together the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

     As members of the Christian family, our most important “family meeting” or “club meeting” is the time we have each week for the Lord’s Day, at the Lord’s Supper.  We're more than a club, we are the church, formed by God as a family, as his children.  We meet regularly on the Lord's Day around His table, for what we describe as the "source and summit" of our faith, the celebration of the Eucharist.  From this flows our strength and our mission and our vision and our context for the rest of our life’s work.  And each week we bring back to that Sunday Eucharist the joys, successes, sorrows, and failures, looking for help, transformation, and the care that comes from Our Father.  So making sure the Mass is a treasured part of our week, and being prepared to do it well, are so important.  This is a bigger movement or mission than any of the rest.  We're involved in helping the salvation of the world.

     To do it properly, we need to have everyone together, from young to old, and we need a priest.  Without enough men taking on the role of a priest, living the priestly life, we have to rearrange our Sundays so that we can do this well.  Of course, the ultimate solution is to grow more priests out of our families.  We all hope and pray that the life and ministry of priesthood is attractive to men, so that God's calling to them to priesthood can be heard and encouraged: by the community, by families, and by the example that our current priests set by their love, service, and self-sacrifice.  It’s very different from other walks of life that can be so attractive, but is nonetheless a fulfilling way of life for those who are called to it.

     Starting the Sunday after Easter (April 11/12), the Mass schedule will be as follows:

All Saints - 4:00 Saturday (Confession at 3:00); in place of two Masses on Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30, there will be one Mass at 10:00.

Blessed Sacrament - 4:00 Saturday moves to 5:00 PM (Confession at 4:00); 9:00 Sunday stays put. 6:00 PM Sunday in the Urdu language for the Pakistani people continues according to the availability of the visiting priest who speaks the language (when he is unavailable, there is a simpler prayer gathering at 6:00, but parishioners attend another Mass time).

Shrine of Our Lady of the Americas - 9:00 Sunday continues only with retired priests; when none are available, parishioners attend another Mass; 11:00 in Spanish.

Mater Christi - 4:00 Saturday moves to 5:30 PM (Confession at 4:45); 8:00 Sunday stays put; 10:30 Sunday moves to 11:00 AM.

     Confession precedes the Saturday Masses, but if a priest is coming from another church, the time for confession may be shortened.  Other opportunities for confession:

• 11:30 AM - M/W/F at St. Mary
• 12:30-1:30 on T/Th at Blessed Sacrament
• 4:00-5:30 PM - Wed at Mater Christi
• 7:30-9:00 AM - 1st Saturdays at Blessed Sacrament

P.S.     When Mass times change at a parish, statistically, people often keep their preferred Mass time rather than their parish.  I find this interesting because I have always thought of a parish as the group, who would stick together no matter what time they would meet for Mass.  Of course, studies have shown that generally people don't think like this, except in small towns or rural areas where there might only be one Mass at a parish anyway.  But apparently, usually, people might drive a little farther to keep the time they like to keep the routine to which they have become accustomed.  A good question for discussion, then, is, how you do think about your Mass time and place?  How do your neighbors think about it?  What are the priorities at play?  I have shared my thoughts for a few weeks now, and I’ll have a little more next week.

Article IV March 7- 8 From the Pastor’s Desk – New Mass Schedule Starting After Easter – Part 4 of 5

     When there is a turnover in pastoral leadership, it's not an easy or quick task to get to know the parishes, the families, the students, the clubs, the hangouts, the homeless.  Much of it only comes with time.  Pope Francis emphasized, in a quippy way, that pastors should "smell like their sheep."  So, like being a husband or father, the role of a priest in relation to the parish isn't only one of fulfilling certain duties or jobs, but of being there, getting to know his kids as they grow, and ensuring they all become adults, particularly in a spiritual sense.  It’s their role to love and sacrifice and play and pray with them and for them all, so that all may come together to resemble the true head of the family: Jesus.  By restructuring our time together on the Lord's Day, I'm hoping we can facilitate improved familiarity between all the people of our parishes in our city: whether they are children or adults or deacons or priests or consecrated religious sisters and brothers.

     It may seem that parishes are the usual place for priests to spend their lives and ministry, with the family that surrounds the neighborhood or village church.  While that is generally true, there are a number of ways that priests may serve.  They work as hospital chaplains, caring for the spiritual needs of the sick in the hospital, as well as for the physicians, nurses, and administrators, and often dealing with the questions of medical ethics that arise.

     Some serve as prison chaplains, serving the particular (and in my opinion, strange) society of prisoners and corrections officers, being agents of heroic forgiveness while operating in a system with mechanisms that operate on a high level of justice and merit.  They work for conversion and metanoia in a place where growth and change may otherwise not be fostered.

     Military chaplains have to be agents of divine peace and order in an environment of conflict, violence, and sometimes chaos.  Being called to be a peacemaker when the work of the organization is to recognize threats can be heroic.

     Meanwhile, some other priests work in academia, teaching at universities and at seminaries, spending their time in studies and in teaching.

     But what all priests hold in common is the offering of the sacraments for the sanctification of the people of God entrusted to their care.  Of all the sacraments, though, what very much defines a priest’s ministry in any of these places?  Sure, in a university there may not be much of a need for the Anointing of the Sick.  In a prison there is not often a need for marriage preparation and the celebration of a Wedding.  In hospitals, there is not much of a demand for academic-heavy homilies when patients and their families are in a more emotional space.  But in all of these places, the priest’s role is to birth new members into the world, and then to gather the family together around God’s table and to feed them with the Bread that comes down from Heaven.

     Therefore, Baptism and Eucharist are, in a way, our primary sacraments, and are the primary concern of priests in whatever milieu we find ourselves.  We prioritize our mealtimes each day, our family feeding times over and above all the other obligations we have, but we must also prioritize the sacrificial meal that we are invited to by our God, recognizing in it a foretaste of the banquet of heaven.

Article V From the Pastor’s Desk – New Mass Schedule Starting After Easter – Part 5 of 5

     I know that this change of Mass times will not be easy for some, and I’m sorry for the need to make adjustments.  However, circumstances are what they are.  I hope that my explanations over the last five weeks have shown how complex the difficulties are.  I know that I see all 10 Masses across the four churches, while most people only see one or two, at their own usual Mass times, and changing our routines can be difficult.  When being tasked with 4 churches and their schools, I also had to greatly adjust the patterns and routines of my life.  And of course there are more considerations, with Masses at the hospital, convent, and other parishes, that I have not gone into.

     As a gentle reminder, not everyone who belongs to our parishes has the luxury to travel, who instead attend their closest church, who walk or use public transportation.  Making sure the Mass schedule takes their needs into consideration was also one of the priorities I had, along with the people who helped me assemble the new schedule.

     As a final note, I’d encourage us all to remember the importance of encouraging serious consideration of the vocations God calls us to.  More and more often nowadays, serious decisions are put off.  While in the past, teenagers were visiting convents, religious orders, seminaries, and then in their 20s made these commitments, these days it’s after university or the beginning of a career that these vocations are being considered.  Marriage, too, is happening later in life, with the result that children are being born parents in their late 20s and 30s.  Add to that the fear that some have to make a commitment because it necessarily involves sacrifice, and all of this contributes to the priesthood not being something men are considering, or see as having much value by contrast to the other good choices out there.  But I guarantee it does.  It has such great value and is such a good life to live, despite it being a different set of sacrifices from those of married life.  So please encourage young men to consider the priesthood, or religious life.  Encourage young men and women to be strong in their convictions to make commitments to each other in marriage, or in the consecrated life as sisters or brothers.

     And it all starts with encouraging them to belong to the church at all, to being baptized and active members of our Church, living the challenge of the Christian life, and the call to holiness that God has for all of us.

 

Rev. Daniel Quinn

Pastor

Special Collection Supporting Texas Flood Victims/Colecta especial para las víctimas de las inundaciones de Texas Please continue to pray for all those affected by the recent floods in Central Texas. If you would like to help immediately, please go online and donate to Catholic Charities Galveston/ Houston and mark for Flood Victims 2025. If you would like to donate through your parish, we will have a special collection next weekend (July 19-20) at all Masses, and will send in one check from each parish to the same Catholic Charities. Thank you for your prayerful generosity. Fr. Steve

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Por favor, continúe rezando por todos los afectados por las recientes inundaciones en el centro de Texas. Si desea ayudar de inmediato, por favor vaya en línea y done a Caridades Católicas Galveston/Houston y marque para las víctimas de las inundaciones
2025. Si desea donar a través de su parroquia, tendremos una colecta especial el próximo fin de semana (19-20 de julio) en todas las Misas, y enviaremos un cheque de cada parroquia a la misma Caridades Católicas. Gracias por su generosidad en oración. P. Steve

As previously mentioned, the bishop called together the pastors, priests, deacons and parish life directors of the 126 parishes of the diocese for a meeting this past Thursday, May 22, 2025.  The topic was to “refocus on the mission,” of the diocese, networks, and parishes, including ours in the Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County (CCNCC). That mission is rooted in Jesus Christ’s command to the disciples and to us “to go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt 28:19)

While there are lots of rumors and stories out and about, please let me start by stating as clear as I can be that NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE!  The process is just beginning and we will all learn more just before or on the Feast of Pentecost, June 8, 2025.  The overall goal of this process is to compassionately, prayerfully and strategically realign parishes, buildings, and active disciples toward vibrant and missionary Church life in our communities.

Here are the key points that I have taken from this first (of many) meetings. 

The process will be and has to be prayer-centered and mission-focused.

This process is NOT related to bankruptcy.

There are NO lists of buildings, schools, parishes, or churches to be closed.

The bishop asked those present to pray and asked for a re-kindling of a sense of mission of who we serve. He then asked a few rhetorical questions:

Who is in the pews? Why do they come to church? Who are the priests, deacons, and leaders in the church? Who do the leaders, priests, and deacons serve? (Is it only Catholics? Only parishioners? Or all people?)

Over the summer months a “taskforce” in the diocese will gather information in an effort to prepare for meetings with the various groups in the diocese (networks, vicariates, parishes). The plan is to be an ongoing and evolving process for years to come. In other words, just because the answer to the situation is one answer in 2025 or 2026, it does not mean the answer will be the same in 2027.

What does that mean for us?  I have asked our Tri-Parish Pastoral Council to create a list of all the activities that each parish and parishioners are involved in and what our buildings are used for.  Once they are reviewed by our other leaders of each parish, we will provide to all parishioners for your input.  Perhaps we have missed something.  This is an important time for prayer and discernment for the diocese, our network of the CCNCC, and each of our parishes.  While I do not know the future of any of our parishes, I do not think that based on what I’ve seen so far, we need to be overly concerned.  However, after the information provided near Pentecost, that may give some indication about other areas that the diocese or this process may be looking into (such as finances, evangelization, attendance, etc.).  Let us pray for this process and for each other.

Lastly, the quote from the bishop about one-third of parishes and buildings, etc. that may be closed is not firm, so let's not worry about that.  Let's focus on what we do now in each parish and what we can do more of to bring Jesus and help make disciples and bring Him to others in the world of Northern Columbia County!

Thank you and God Bless, Fr. Steve

 

Congratulations and Blessings to Our Twenty-three First Communicants who received Jesus for the First Time in His Precious Body and Blood Last Saturday at the Church of Saint Joseph! Additional blessings and congratulations to the twenty who came on Sunday and received their second Holy Communion! You have come so very far in your faith because of your prayer, your classes, your parents, Godparents, teachers, family, this community and loved ones. I have enjoyed watching you grow both physically and spiritually. Keep it up and may God continue to bless you all!

A special thank you to your parents, Godparents, grandparents, teachers, musicians, and all who helped get the children to this point on their faith journey. The prayers, the music, the flowers, the decorations, the banners, gifts, and processions (and anything else I missed) all helped make the day of First Holy Communion a Wonderful experience of the love of God and the love of Jesus that I hope will never fade from the children’s memories! Thank you all!

Once again many thanks for all the donations of the altar wine, used in the mass for consecration into the Precious Blood of Jesus. The  donations of hosts, used to be consecrated into the Precious Body of Jesus. The donation of the altar candles, lit around the tabernacle and at the altar during mass and adoration. The donation of the beautiful flowers around the tabernacle, where the Blessed Sacrament resides and in front of the altar, where the consecration occurs. Last, but not least the monetary donations to support the Church of St. Joseph in the many expenses (lights, heat, air conditioning – summer is coming, and so much more). Thank you all!

PS Thank you to Father Guielmo for all the Masses, confessions and blessings he does for us!

Father Steve, Pastor

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¡Felicitaciones y Bendiciones a Nuestros Veintitrés Primeros Comulgantes que recibieron a Jesús por Primera Vez en Su Precioso Cuerpo y Sangre el Sábado pasado en la Iglesia de San José! ¡Bendiciones adicionales y felicitaciones a los veinte que vinieron el Domingo y recibieron su Segunda Comunión! Ustedes han llegado tan lejos en su fe gracias a sus oraciones, sus clases, sus padres, padrinos, maestros, familia, esta comunidad y seres queridos. He disfrutado viéndoos crecer tanto física como espiritualmente. Sigan así y que Dios los siga bendiciendo. Un agradecimiento especial a sus padres, padrinos, abuelos, maestros, músicos y a todos los que ayudaron a que los niños llegaran a este punto en su camino de fe. ¡Las oraciones, la música, las flores, las decoraciones, los  standartes, los regalos y las procesiones (y todo lo demás que me perdí) todo ayudó a hacer del día de la Primera Comunión una experiencia Maravillosa del amor de Dios y el amor de Jesús que espero nunca se borre de las memorias de los niños! ¡Gracias a todos!

Una vez más muchas gracias por todas las donaciones del vino del altar, utilizado en la misa para la consagración en la Preciosa Sangre de Jesús. Las donaciones de hostias, utilizadas para ser consagradas en el Precioso Cuerpo de Jesús. La donación de las velas del altar, encendidas alrededor del sagrario y en el altar durante la misa y la adoración. La donación de las hermosas flores alrededor del tabernáculo, donde reside el Santísimo Sacramento, y delante del altar, donde tiene lugar la consagración. Por último, pero no menos importante las donaciones monetarias para apoyar a la Iglesia de San José en los muchos gastos (luces, calefacción, aire acondicionado - el verano se acerca, y mucho más). Gracias a todos.

PS ¡Gracias al Padre Guielmo por todas las misas, confesiones y bendiciones que hace por nosotros!
Padre Steve, Pastor

Legislation has already passed in the NYS Assembly and may come up for a vote in the Senate this week - visit
nyscatholic.org/action-center for details on how you can voice your opposition.

Read more from the Bishop https://evangelist.org/news/2025/may/01/compassion-endures-it-does-not-kill/

 

The Diocese of Albany is at a crossroads but we have an opportunity to be a stronger, healthier church

A recent cover article in the Evangelist, our diocesan weekly newspaper, featured a thought-provoking article by Mike Matvey on the future of our diocese. We invite you to read at the link here: https://evangelist.org/news/2025/apr/02/the-challenge-before-us/

Letter from Bishop Scharfenberger

 Click here to read the recent letter from Bishop Scharfenberger regarding the mission of the Church—in the Diocese, and in our CCNCC. He focuses on two important points. Firstly, up to one-third of Churches may be closed during this coming process (stay tuned for details). The other important point has to do with the word “disciples." Some questions to ponder: are you a disciple of Christ? What does that mean? How can we, as parishioners and disciples, strengthen our bond with Christ and with others?

These, and more topics and questions will be explored over the coming weeks. Further information about these topics and meetings will be on our website and in mid-week emails starting in May.

Welcome New Members of the Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County!

On Sunday, January 12, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. With great joy our three parishes welcomed 21 new members through Baptism into our faith family in 2024! Please join us by celebrating the newest members of our church:

Church of St. Joseph/Stuyvesant Falls

Aylee Quinn Graziano	Valeria Beatriz Romero
Eliel Ramirez Loyola	Camila Isabella Rosas
Owen Rhode Patania	Maria del Carmen Santiago
Itza Dayami Perez Cruz	Liam Jorge Tapia Lezama
Wendy Perez Cruz

St. James Church/Chatham

Savannah Hailey Dylag	Lucas Richard Saliger
Azalea Rae Maresco

 

St. John the Baptist/Valatie

Emma Rose Angel	Lyra Rose Puiatti
Jackson Anthony Freer	River Monroe Puiatti
Declan Raymond Hand	Leylah Mia Ramales
Una Olivia Alma Herman	Jaycie Christine Roth
Clayton Matthew Leffler

 

Christmas and New Year’s present an opportunity to share the many blessings we have received. Whether it is time, treasure or talent,
each of us has gifts we can bring to others in our churches and broader communities.

Please consider how you might volunteer this coming year with one of the many groups and ministries at our Catholic Community of
Northern Columbia County (CCNCC) parishes. If you see a need in our community that is not being met, please contact Fr. Steve, anyone in our office, and/or your parish trustees to discuss further. Fuller descriptions of these ministries are also available on our website, ccnccparishes.org, and you can sign up for more information and/or a discussion at  https://www.ccnccparishes.org/volunteeropportunities.

These can be wonderful ways to live the Gospel by serving others, while making new friends in our tri-parish community.
To get involved, please contact your parish office, who will put you in touch with each ministry or committee contact listed below. This list  is a work in progress, so if your name or committee is missing, please email sjofficeassistant@gmail.com and we will update our database.

Please come and share the gift of YOU in 2025!

 

Church & Sacramental Ministries Music * Alison Jansen: CCNCC Lectors * Betty Sundstrom: St. James * Stan Olender: St. John the Baptist * Carol Qualtieri: St. Joseph Eucharistic Ministers * Regina Boyce: St. John the Baptist * Amy Clifford: St. James * Carol Qualtieri: St. Joseph Altar Servers: * Paula Ptazsek: St. James * Mark Wilson: St. John the Baptist Sacristans * Carman Esposita: St. Joseph * Mickey Dennis: St. James * Regina Boyce: St. John the Baptist Stewards/Sextons * Mickey Dennis: St. James * Carol Qualtieri: St. Joseph * Connie Smith: St. John the Baptist Ushers/Greeters * Pat Jaffarian & Bob Boll: St. John the Baptist * Barbara Haywood: St. James * Chris & Carman Esposita: St. Joseph Welcome Ministries & Table * Barbara Haywood: St. James * Chris Esposita: St. Joseph * Connie Smith: St. John the Baptist Prayer & Worship * Chris Esposita: St. Joseph Baptism * Donna Bertrand: St. John the Baptist * Beth Lenahan: St. James * Carol Qualtieri & Roxana Moran: St. Joseph Marriage Preparation * Fr. Steve Matthews: CCNCC Bereavement/Funerals * Sue Delp: St. John the Baptist * Mickey Dennis: St. James * Carol Qualtieri: St. Joseph

Family Faith Formation & Youth Ministry * Ann Valley: CCNCC * Roxana Moran: Spanish Community Childern’s Liturgy of the Word: * Ann Valley: CCNCC * Edgar Acevedo: CCNCC OCIA/RCIA * Ann Valley: CCNCC * Carol Qualtieri: CCNCC * Roxana Moran/Spanish community Home Visitation * Kate Mollenhauer: St. James * Kathy Korycinski: St. John the Baptist Parish Committees  Trustees * Stan Olender & Connie Smith: St. John the Baptist * Carman Esposita & Martha Pizza: St. Joseph * Denise Barry & Mickey Dennis: St. James Pastoral Council Chairs * Edgar Acevedo: St. James * Mark Wilson: St. John the Baptist * Dianne Ives: St. Joseph Finance Committee Chairs * Kate Volney: St. John the Baptist * James Forster: St. James * Nancy Leonard: St. Joseph Buildings & Grounds Chairs * Open: St. James, St. John, St. Joseph Hospitality * Mickey Dennis: St. James * Lois Dysard: St. Joseph * Connie Smith: St. John the Baptist Cemeteries * Barbara Berger: CCNCC Communications & Media * Beth Lenahan: CCNCC * Nancy Carrizales (website): CCNCC * Aaron McGuirk (video): CCNCC

Environment/Flowers/Gardening * Donna Piche & Rosemarie Siegel: St. James * Peter Bogarski: St. Joseph * Stephanie Caradine & Paula Rivenberg: St. John the Baptist Nuestra Comunidad Hispana * Roxana Moran: St. Joseph Social Ministries The Elves * Nanci Moriarity: St. John the Baptist Caring Cards * Chris Mrynec: St. John the Baptist * Sue Merrill: St. James * Fran DeCaprio: St. Joseph Prayer Shawls * Mary Yates: St. John the Baptist * Bridget Arnold: St. James * Maryanne Colantuono: St. Joseph OutReach * Denise Barry: St. James * Ruth Ellen Berninger: St. John the Baptist Haiti Committee * Pat Dieffenbach & Paula Ptazsek: St. James Food Pantry at St. Joseph * Nancy Leonard: St. Joseph Interests and Activities Knights of Columbus * Dick Draper: St. John the Baptist * Steve Trantel: St. James * Douglas Park: St. Joseph Book Groups/St. James * Morning group: Dee Winkler * Afternoon group: Marie Orlando Preschool at St. Joseph/Stuyvesant Falls * Holly Taylor The Colbert House Committee * Barbara Haywood: St. James Catholic Movie Club * Michael Brembs & Beth Lenahan: St. James