FIVE NOTE 25TH

As he does, REV. DAVID BERBERIAN has a new perspective: "What I thought was so crucial 25 years ago are now rather pleasant sources of amusement. Conversely, issues and personalities I didn't much care about a few years ago have become defining for what it means for me to be a priest."

A native of Troy, Father Berberian attended St. Patrick's School in Watervliet and Catholic Central High in Troy before entering the seminary.

He has been assigned to St. Mary's, Crescent, and Immaculate Conception, Glenville, and as pastor of Christ the King, Westmere. After canon law studies, he was named to the Office of Canonical Services for the Diocese.

(Father Berberian will mark his ordination in San Diego in August with fellow classmates. He also plans a local gathering in the fall.)

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A native of New York City where he attended grade and high school, Father Cronin has served at St. Joseph's, Scotia; St. Mary's Hospital, Troy; St. Madeleine Sophie, Guilderland; St. Patrick's, Troy; Immaculate Conception, Schenectady; and Notre Dame/Our Lady of Angels, Whitehall, where he currently serves as pastor.

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"It's been a great joy to be able to share in the healing ministry of Jesus, to be able to bring His presence to those in pain and sorrow," says REV. JAMES JOSLIN, chaplain at the Capital District Psychiatric Center in Albany.

A Cohoes native who attended St. Paul's School and Bishop Gibbons High in Schenectady, Father Joslin has served at St. Madeleine Sophie, Guilderland; St. Mary's Hospital, Troy; the Veterans Administration Hospital, Albany; and Ellis Hospital and Sunnyview Hospital, Schenectady.

(Father Joslin will mark his jubilee with a Mass on May 15, 4 p.m., at St. Anthony's Church in Schenectady, and with a Mass on May 23, 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Schenectady.)

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REV. GARY MERCURE

"I rejoice that Jesus has made me His priest with His people these past 25 years," Father Mercure said. "The priest, to be like Jesus, must be a servant. Like Jesus, we must wash feet."

(Father Mercure will mark his jubilee at noon on May 16 at Sacred Heart Church in Troy.)

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A Cohoes native who attended St. Joseph School there and Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, Father Purcell has served at St. Alphonsus in Glens Falls and, for 21 years, as pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Margaretville.

(Father Purcell will celebrate his jubilee with a banquet at the Purcell Center in Margaretville on June 5 and with a Mass at 1 p.m. on June 6, followed by a reception.)

(05-13-99) [[In-content Ad]]