Deanery to salute ministers

On June 3, the 17 parishes that make up the Schenectady Deanery will unite to salute the many liturgical ministers who serve Catholics in the county.

Participants will include Eucharistic ministers, lectors, choir members, ushers and greeters.

The day, titled "Empowered by the Spirit," will include more than recognition of the ministers' efforts; it will also feature educational programming and a commissioning by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard.

The keynote address will be given by Rev. Richard Vosko, a priest of the Albany Diocese who is known worldwide for his expertise in liturgy and church design.

Workshops will be offered on a number of topics of interest to those who do everything in parishes from greeting Mass-goers to distributing the Eucharist.

Workshop presenters include David Amico from the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis; Rev. James Kane, director of the diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (as well as pastor of St. Helen's parish in Niskayuna); and Elizabeth Simcoe, director of the diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship.

"Empowered by the Spirit" will be held June 3 at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady. Sign-in begins at 9:30 a.m. The event will include a light lunch.

Bishop Hubbard's commissioning service, which concludes the day, will be at 2 p.m.

(For more information or to register by May 22, call Sue Nieckarz, 370-3241, or St. Luke's rectory, 346-3405. Registration can also be done at any Schenectady County parish office.)

(5/18/06) [[In-content Ad]]