People of faith

Copake Falls harpist brings sacred sounds to parish, patients

Melinda Gardiner, a parishioner at Our Lady of Hope parish in Copake Falls, has donned many hats throughout her life in the Albany Diocese. She is a singer, a registered nurse, a hospice volunteer at local hospitals in Columbia County, and has spent almost 50 years studying, teaching and working in integrative healing and medicine.
Construct no wall around sacred space

Images of endless war, overflowing refugee camps, hate-filled terrorists, billion-dollar weapons, starved children — I want to flee this world’s violence.
The Gift of Giving

Deacon Jim Bower, interim administrator of Holy Family parish in Little Falls, was awarded the 2018 Spirit of Giving Award through the Gram Lorraine Christmas Program.
Seven Sisters of Mercy celebrate 425 years of service

The Sisters of Mercy – Northeast Community congratulates seven sisters in Albany who celebrate jubilee anniversaries this year, and who, collectively, have provided 425 years of service to the Empire State and beyond.
Local woman sees a sign from God in request to be godmother to niece

As a teenager, Terri Voss wasn’t ready to be confirmed. “I was just a young girl,” she explained. “For my confirmation, we needed to go away on a retreat and I had never been away from my family before.”
One-day retreat focuses on healing the pain of loss

Early Saturday morning on Nov. 17, more than 35 people gathered at St. Kateri Tekakwitha parish in Schenectady for a one-day retreat for grieving parents seeking peace and comfort.
Stamford ecumenical fundraiser serves local families in need

George Bergleitner is bringing Christmas to the town of Stamford a little early this year with the help of the 46th annual Christmas Feeling Fund.
Two major grants boost services of St. Catherine’s Center

Over the past several months, St. Catherine’s Center for Children in Albany has been awarded two major grants totaling more than $8 million in funding for two of the agency’s supportive housing projects.
The Evangelist bids farewell to editor; successor sought

Kate Blain, editor of The Evangelist for the past seven years, is moving on after a 27-year career at the award-winning diocesan newspaper. Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has formed a search committee to conduct interviews for the position.
Volunteers with ‘gourmet hearts’ make sure women of Catholic Charities’ Mercy House eat

Every year, Clare Sellitti and other volunteers from St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Delmar prepare an impressive Thanksgiving meal. When it’s finally finished, they give it all away.

The Evangelist - The Official Publication of the Diocese of Albany