August Catholics can go to Mass in unique summertime locations

For some mission churches, Masses are on that list. Nearly 40 missions dot the Albany Diocese, from St. Theresa's in Brant Lake and St. Anne's in Andes, to Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Edmeston and Nativity in Linlithgo.

Some operate year-round, but a few open their doors only during the hot weather to accommodate swells in summer attendance.

Kateri Tekakwitha Hall,

Lake George

"Our community really swells in the summertime," Father O'Brien told The Evangelist. It is not unusual for the hall to be filled for all of the weekend Masses during the summer.

"Sacred Heart Church holds only about 240 people. It is not unusual for us to draw as many as 400 for each Mass" in the summer, he said.

Several statues decorate the hall, including one of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, both hand-carved. There is also a statue of St. Isaac Jogues in the front and, outside, a stone statue of the hall's namesake.

St. Isaac Jogues Chapel,

Saratoga Lake

Rev. William Turnbull, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle parish in Stillwater, calls the chapel "a lovely little place. There is always a nice breeze there, and the view of the lake is spectacular. The chapel holds about 350 people, and we get a fairly good crowd."

Those who attend are a mixture of regular parishioners and summer tourists, including visitors to SPAC and the racetrack in August.

Father Turnbull credits the parishioners of St. Peter's with diligence in the building's upkeep. During the summer, the parish holds 50-50 raffles to pay for repairs.

The mission is popular for weddings. Because there is a dock nearby, some wedding parties like to "process down the steps and across the lawn where they board waiting boats at the dock," the priest noted. "They then form a procession line in the boats as they make their way to nearby restaurants" for receptions.

Inside the building, there are painted statues of St. Anthony, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A stone statue of St. Isaac Jogues greets visitors outside the front door.

"In the entire Diocese of Albany, as far as I know," Father Turnbull reflected, "our chapel is the only church building named after St. Isaac Jogues."

St. Joseph's Chapel,

Ashland

No one really knows when it was built, but records from the Greene County Historical Society indicate that the chapel was constructed before the Albany Diocese was established in 1847.

"I lived near St. Joseph's Chapel for six years before I even knew it existed," said parish secretary Siobhan Lavery.

A relative called her from Ireland asking if the cemetery next to the chapel is the same one known for holding the remains of nearly 20 Irish women who were burned to death in a factory fire in nearby Red Falls.

"That's when I realized there was a chapel here," Ms. Lavery said, confirming that there is a slab marking the gravesite of the young immigrants.

Mass is celebrated in the chapel only once a year -- on the feast of the Assumption of Mary in August -- but it is open year-round. Visitors can stop by to pray, meditate or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

(08-01-02) [[In-content Ad]]