Parishes bulging as summer arrives

But you can add St. Peter's Church to the list.

Parishes located in Saratoga Springs and other summertime hot spots traditionally see increases in weekend Mass attendance during July and August, when many visitors and temporary residents looking for a nearby church stop in to worship among parishioners.

Bulging

Attendance is so high, in fact, that Masses are celebrated in the Kateri Tekakwitha Center, which has a capacity of 500; often, there are standing-room-only crowds.

Before each Mass, Father Cox asks people in the congregation to introduce themselves to those seated around them. "People from all over the country come," Father Cox said, and many visitors come from other countries as well.

Full up

People sometimes come by the busload for weekend Masses; and with such special events as motorcycle rallies, car shows and fireworks in Lake George, it's no wonder that Sacred Heart parish gets so crowded when summer arrives.

"There will be times when it will be filled to overflowing," Father Cox said.

Hundreds more

"That will bring a lot of people to Saratoga Springs that would otherwise go to Glens Falls or Queensbury," he said.

Among the more famous individuals who have stopped by St. Peter's for Mass are Don Shula, former head coach of the Miami Dolphins; Rick Pitino, head coach of the Boston Celtics and a thoroughbred owner; and former New York Gov. Hugh Carey.

Several trainers and track personnel from Saratoga Race Course also attend St. Peter's, Father LeFevre pointed out. A funeral Mass for a Kentucky-based jockey's wife has been offered there with jockey Pat Day as a pallbearer.

After weekend Masses in August, a reception is held for parishioners and visitors to mingle. Worshippers come from Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont, while some are Saratoga residents who live in Florida during the winter, Father LeFevre noted.

Attractions

Generally, the congregation is largest from May to October, but some people continue coming during the winter, especially those who ski, she noted.

Parishioners make visitors feel at home by having a coffee hour after Mass on Labor Day weekend. Although there are several new faces each summer, many visitors and their families have been worshipping at St. John Francis Regis parish for years.

"A lot of them will bring their kids and their grandchildren with them," Sister Kenan said.

Ten times

Many visitors are people who have purchased permanent vacation homes in Bolton Landing and have attended Masses at Blessed Sacrament for many years. Father Young, who has been with the parish for the past 23 years, has come to know numerous visitors during his tenure and looks forward to seeing them again each summer.

"They're all magnificent people. They're very cooperative and very excited about having a church in the community," he said.

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