Golden jubilees marked

Six priests of the Albany Diocese are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their ordinations:

* Rev. George Brucker, a native of Schenectady, has served as an assistant at St. Joseph's, Scotia, and St. Patrick's, Catskill; as spiritual director at Mater Christi Seminary, Albany; and as administrator of St. Joseph's, Richfield Springs.

In 1971, he was named pastor of St. Patrick's, Troy. He then served as an assistant at St. Michael's, South Glens Falls, before becoming pastor of St. Paul's, Schenectady. He served there from 1977 until his retirement earlier this year.

He has already celebrated his jubilee with a Mass and dinner.

* Rev. Anthony Gulley, a native of Watervliet, served as an assistant at St. Francis and St. Anne, both in Albany, and taught at Cardinal McCloskey High, Albany, before studying for his doctorate at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

After earning his PhD, he became a professor at The College of Saint Rose, Albany, where he taught from 1961 until his retirement in 2004. During his tenure there, he also ministered at St. Anne's Institute, Albany; Villa Mary Immaculate, Albany; LaSalle School, Albany; and St. Mary's, Amsterdam.

He will celebrate his jubilee on June 11 at a Mass at St. Mary's Church in Amsterdam. Coincidentally, his brother, James, is marking 25 years as a priest (see separate article).

* Rev. William Jillisky, a native of Troy, was an assistant pastor at St. James, Albany; a teacher at Cardinal McCloskey High there; and secretary to Bishop William Scully.

Between 1962 and '73, he was assistant editor and then editor of The Evangelist. He then was named pastor of St. Madeleine Sophie, Guilderland; St. Mary's, Oneonta; and St. Joan of Arc, Menands. He retired in 2003.

He will mark his golden jubilee at a concelebrated Mass, 10 a.m., May 28, at St. Bernard's Church, Cohoes, where he currently resides.

* Rev. Leo O'Brien, a native of Haynersville, began his ministry as an associate pastor at St. Paul's, Schenectady. He was then appointed vice chancellor, chancellor and vicar general, serving for more than 40 years as an advisor to the bishops of the Albany Diocese.

In 1972, he was named pastor of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, where he served until his retirement this year.

Father O'Brien will celebrate his anniversary June 11 at an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Vincent's. A reception and dinner will be held at 5 p.m. in the Campus Center at The College of Saint Rose.

* Rev. John Riley, a native of Troy, began his ministry as an associate pastor at St. Joseph's, Green Island (while teaching at Catholic Central High in Troy); Immaculate Conception, Corinth; St. Patrick's, Watervliet; St. Mary's, Gloversville; and St. Catherine of Siena, Albany.

As a pastor, he served at St. George's, Pittstown (in two stints); St. John Francis Regis, Grafton; St. Joseph's, Dolgeville; and St. Anne's, Waterford. He retired in 2004.

He will mark his anniversary at a 4 p.m. Mass on May 27 at St. George's, Pittstown. A dinner will follow.

* Rev. Stanislaus Swierzowski, a native of Amsterdam, served as an assistant pastor at Sacred Heart, Sidney, before becoming vice chancellor of the Diocese.

After canon law studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., he was appointed to the diocesan Tribunal, eventually becoming its officialis. He ministered there from 1963 until 1978.

As a pastor, he served at St. John the Baptist and St. Casimir's, both in Amsterdam. He continues as pastor of both.

Father Swierzowski will mark his jubilee at a 4:30 p.m. Mass, May 27, at St. John's, Amsterdam. A dinner at the Elks Lodge will follow.

(5/4/06) [[In-content Ad]]