Changes in store for Whitehall

A pulpit letter from Bishop Howard J. Hubbard announcing the closing was read during Masses at both parishes Jan. 15 and 16.

The community will prepare for its future without Rev. Brian Cronin, the priest who led both parishes. After two heart attacks in recent weeks, he informed parishioners that he has resigned as pastor for medical reasons.

Future plans

"This is an effort to bring the communities further together and to look to the future," she said. "We are trying to create an environment that enables the people to build the parish into a vital and viable parish community for now and the future."

The two parishes have been planning for their future since Father Cronin became pastor in 1998. He formed a parish advisory board comprised of parishioners of OLA and Notre Dame that replaced the two individual parish councils.

Diligent efforts

Both churches, built during the mid- to late-1800s, were in need of repair, but the advisory board decided it would be less expensive to keep Notre Dame. Father Cronin had been celebrating Masses at both churches but moved the office for the two parishes to OLA while living at Notre Dame.

Last summer, the board assessed its programs and services in teaching/formation, worship, pastoral care/Christian service, service to the larger community and leadership/administration, and realized that neither parish had enough space for faith formation, offices and social space. An architect was hired to draw up plans for a new church and parish center, and to work with the board in evaluating the possibilities for such construction at OLA.

Decision

Sister Kathleen; Rev. Ed Deimeke, diocesan administrative advocate; and Richard Farrell, diocesan comptroller, met with the parish advisory committee, finance committee and trustees a few days before the closing was officially announced to parishioners.

"While I realize that change is never easy, this is an opportunity to work together as one community to secure a vibrant future for the Catholic community of Whitehall," Bishop Hubbard wrote in his pulpit letter. "I am grateful to each of you for your ongoing cooperation in this time of change and transition. May we continue to walk the pilgrim journey of faith together to fulfill Jesus' mission in our Church of Albany."

Much to do

"There was disappointment, particularly at Our Lady of Angels, and feelings of resignation and sadness," he noted, but "the people are being called to more, something greater."

OLA's closing is cause for sadness, but "many people understand the necessity," Sister Kathleen said. "Our hope is to preserve and enhance their community so that they are better able to fulfill the mission of Jesus."

(A substitute priest will celebrate all weekend Masses at the two parishes for the rest of January and at Notre Dame beginning next month. The diocesan Priests' Placement Board is working on a long-term replacement for Father Cronin. OLA will have a closing ritual and final Mass in the spring.)

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