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QUARTER-CENTURY MARK FOR DUO

Two men have been priests of the Albany Diocese for 25 years:

REV. THOMAS HOLMES, a Scotia native, has served as associate pastor of St. Helen's parish in Niskayuna, St. Teresa of Avila in Albany and St. Mary's in Glens Falls. From 1998-2012, he was pastor for St. Catherine's parish in Middleburgh, which became Our Lady of the Valley parish. He also served as sacramental minister for St. Joseph's in Schoharie and St. Vincent's in Cobleskill. Since 2012, he has been pastor of St. Henry's parish in Averill Park and St. Mary's in Nassau.
QUOTE: "The people I have served in all the parishes have taught me how to be a priest, how to minister to them, and they have helped sustain me and my vocation. My most memorable moments were celebrating my mother's funeral Mass and witnessing my friend Anne Marie's wedding and several cousins' marriages, baptisms in Crystal Lake, first reconciliations of children; baptizing my niece, Erin, and nephew, Christopher, and being present as a priest for their other sacramental moments. I would recommend the vocation to the priesthood to young men who love people and want to be involved in the most personal parts of their lives. It is an honor to be invited into people's lives from birth to death and everything in between. The faith of the people I have served and serve strengthens me and gives me a constant reminder of my own faith in God."
Father Holmes will celebrate his jubilee with a potluck picnic lunch with parishioners June 5 after 11 a.m. Mass at St. Henry's parish in Averill Park, and an invitation-only Mass of Thanksgiving and reception with family and friends at a later date.

REV. JOSEPH O'BRIEN, a native of Troy, has served as associate pastor of St. Mary's parish in Glens Falls, then administrator of a trio of parishes: St. James in North Creek, Blessed Sacrament in Hague and St. John the Baptist in Chestertown. He was pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Lake George from 1998-2003, and has been pastor of Holy Spirit parish in East Greenbush since then.
QUOTE: "When I was a high school student, Revs. Dominic Ingemie and Bill Bourdeau at Catholic Central High School in Troy showed me a wonderful example of faith and service, and it always was in the back of my mind. I am indebted to Rev. Paul Cox and Sister Patricia Kelley who, in my first assignment, showed me truly how to become a priest through their love for their people and their humble example. I thank all the parishioners whose lives have shaped my life.
"The memorable moments in priesthood have come when I've been privileged to share sacraments and service with people along the way: talking faith with a couple on a bus to Washington one night, the people I met in New York City at the time of Pope Francis' visit, encounters in hospitals and nursing homes and funeral homes, moments around baptismal fonts and the blessings of rings."
Father O'Brien's plans to mark his jubilee are pending.

TRIO OF 40TH ANNIVERSARIES

For three priests of the Albany Diocese, this year marks 40 years of religious life:

REV. THOMAS BERARDI, a native of Kingston, was a teacher before and during religious life, including at The College of Saint Rose, Maria College and Mildred Elley Business School in Albany and at SUNY-Cobleskill. He has served as associate pastor at Immaculate Conception parish in Glenville, St. Peter's in Saratoga Springs (while campus minister for Skidmore College), St. Catherine of Siena in Albany and Christ the King in Westmere, as well as chaplain at The College of Saint Rose. He did two stints as diocesan director of campus ministry and worked at the diocesan Tribunal. He has been pastor of St. Vincent's parish in Cobleskill (while campus minister for SUNY-Cobleskill), St. Michael's in Troy (while campus minister for Hudson Valley Community College) and, since 2007, Sacred Heart in Lake George.
QUOTE: "Some memorable moments: being called to a SIDS death one month after being ordained...being with college students and seeing them grow into young adults...presiding at the funeral of my 24-year-old grandnephew, Ryan (something I never imagined doing)...concelebrating at the priesthood ordination of a student and friend...celebrating and preaching at a Mass for my mother's 100th birthday in December 2015.
"I've been blessed to meet so many wonderful people in parishes and at college campuses. I enjoy preaching and engaging in adult faith formation. My pet dogs have been faithful companions in my ministry. I would encourage young men and women to respond to a call to ministry. They will find it to be most exciting, surprising and fulfilling, as I have."
Father Berardi is celebrating his jubilee with family and friends and by accompanying his mother on a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

REV. VINCENT CIOTOLI, a native of Schenectady, has served as associate pastor at St. Luke's parish in Schenectady, St. Mary's in Glens Falls, Our Lady of the Assumption in Latham, St. Patrick's in Troy, St. Pius X in Loudonville, St. Helen's in Niskayuna and Immaculate Conception in Glenville; and as administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Gloversville. From 1991-2005, he was pastor of St. Patrick's in Ravena; he spent four years as pastor of St. Teresa of Avila in Albany, then, after a pastorate at Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls, he became pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Schenectady, where he has served since 2010.
QUOTE: "As I have ministered to God's people, I have reminded myself constantly that I am as human as they are. God created me a person before He ordained me a priest. I was not born with a Roman collar around my neck. Thus, the greatest privilege and joy of my priesthood has been celebrating the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for others. If God is calling someone to the priesthood, do not ignore Him. He will give you the grace and the strength to live out the vocation, as well as a deep and abiding joy."
Father Ciotoli does not have plans to mark his jubilee publicly.

REV. PETER RUSSO, a Ravena native, has served as associate pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Paul's parishes in Schenectady, St. Mary's in Little Falls and St. Bernard's in Cohoes. He was chaplain for St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam, Pyramid Life Center in Paradox and Catholic Central High School in Troy, where also taught and coached. He has served as administrator of St. Paul the Apostle parish in Hancock, Holy Cross in Schenectady, St. Anthony's in Herkimer and St. Bridget's in Copake Falls, where he became pastor until 2003. Since then, he has been pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Scotia.
QUOTE: "Believe it or not, I felt called to the priesthood while in grade school. I credit the Sisters of Mercy and the priests of St. Patrick's in Ravena, as well as my parents, Peter and Helen Russo. Their faith in action nurtured the call.
"It is not easy to pick out one memorable moment, being part of so many families, walking with them in faith in good times and bad -- some, for all 40 years. As a priest of the Diocese of Albany, it has been my privilege to minister alongside many, many dedicated women and men, both vowed and laity, who have given themselves in service to Christ and His Church. To anyone who might feel called to priesthood and religious life, I would say the Church of the 21st century needs individuals willing to give their lives in service to help others come to know Jesus Christ."
Father Russo will celebrate his jubilee with a Mass of Thanksgiving April 30, 4 p.m., at St. Joseph's parish in Scotia, with a dinner to follow.

SEVEN MARK GOLDEN JUBILEES

Seven priests are celebrating 50 years of priesthood:

REV. KENNETH DOYLE, a native of Troy, began his ministry as an associate pastor at Our Lady Help of Christians parish while also teaching at Cardinal McCloskey High, both in Albany. In 1967, he became assistant editor of The Evangelist, then was editor from 1973-81. During that time, he was also chaplain at Kenwood Academy of the Sacred Heart (later renamed Doane Stuart School) in Albany. In 1978, Father Doyle graduated from Albany Law School and was admitted to the New York State Bar.
In 1981, he was appointed bureau chief for Catholic News Service in Rome, Italy. He then became, successively, information officer for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), director of government relations for the New York State Catholic Conference and director for media relations for the USCCB.
Since 1992, he has been pastor of Mater Christi parish in Albany. From 2000-2015, he was also chancellor for public information for the Albany Diocese. In addition, since 2011, Father Doyle has written the "Question Box" column for Catholic News Service that appears each week on page 2 of The Evangelist. He also chairs the board of Albany International Airport.
QUOTE: "My most memorable experience was probably traveling with Pope (now Saint) John Paul II on several of his foreign trips when I served as bureau chief for Catholic News Service in Rome, and having the opportunity to speak directly with the pope on the plane. But my most satisfying experiences, by far, were the countless times I have been privileged to offer the sacraments to faith-filled people, visit the sick and comfort those in sorrow. "As a teenager, I knew that I wanted to spend my life helping people in some way -- as a doctor, perhaps, or a lawyer. And then one day -- in my junior year of high school -- I remember thinking that the way I could help people the most would be to help them get to heaven. I still think that, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat."
Father Doyle will celebrate a 50th anniversary Mass May 27, 5 p.m., at Mater Christi, followed by a reception. All parishioners and friends are invited to attend; call (518) 489-3204 to RSVP.

REV. JOHN KIRWIN, a native of Albany, has served a host of parishes and schools and in other positions. His assignments included St. Mary's parish in Granville and Great Meadow Correctional Facility one summer, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany as an associate and principal of the grammar school, then on the faculty of Vincentian Institute in Albany. He served at Christ Sun of Justice, Troy (while campus minister at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and chaplain at Russell Sage College); St. Mary's, Troy (while on the faculty of Catholic Central High); helped develop The Priory retreat center in Chestertown; and spent a year traveling between Holy Cross parish in Salem, St. Mary's in Granville, St. Ann's in Fort Ann, and Our Lady of Angels and Notre Dame des Victoires in Whitehall. He had stints at St. Peter's, Saratoga Springs; St. Helen's, Niskayuna; St. Vincent de Paul, Cobleskill; St. Catherine's, Middleburgh; and Our Lady of the Assumption, Schenectady; and as chaplain for The University at Albany. As a pastor, he served at Holy Infancy, Lake Luzerne; St. Vincent's, Cobleskill; St. Anna's, Summit; and St. John/St. Ann's, Albany.
QUOTE: "There were many memorable moments: Christmas Eve, changing a full diaper of a friend's month-old daughter...standing with people giving the OK to remove life support from a 17-year-old son, an auto accident victim, and then donating his organs...retirement years as a child-sitter for a sometimes-unholy trio of grandnephews/niece...countless baptisms, weddings witnessed...funeral adieus to parents, younger siblings and friends -- privileged and treasured moments, all concretizing, 'This is my body; this is my blood.'
"Our service began in the 20th century under a banner of hope unfurled by Pope John XXIII: the Second Vatican Council [in the 1960s]. We were not long to experience or enjoy the full fruits of that pastoral moment. Much faith, hope and love will be needed if an overly-centralized Church is to pass away and we realize the space that is needed to rise to the challenge to rebuild Christ's Church. Can Francis, and the synodal Church he seeks, unfurl that banner? If so, all the baptized, ordained and otherwise, will know their places as ministers of mercy and compassion."
Father Kirwin will mark his jubilee with a celebration of service at St. Peter's parish in Saratoga Springs at noon on May 28; RSVP to [email protected].

REV. J. BARRY LONERGAN, a native of Ticonderoga, spent most of his priestly ministry in the military, entering active duty in 1972. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington; Taegu, Korea; Nekoma, North Dakota; Nuremberg, Germany; West Point, N.Y.; Camp Howze, Korea; Fort Ord, California; Camp Casey, Korea; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort McPherson, Georgia; and Heidelberg, Germany. He received many military awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He retired as a colonel in the U.S. Army.
Returning to the Albany Diocese, Father Lonergan ministered at Corpus Christi, Round Lake, and Sacred Heart, Berlin, before being named pastor of the Catholic Community of Hudson Falls/Kingsbury and dean of Washington County. He retired in 2004 and is now a minister to retired priests in the Diocese.
QUOTE: "It has been a wonderful life. The world has been my parish. It has been my joy to proclaim the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth. I thank God for the opportunities that He has given me."
Father Lonergan will note his jubilee with a 4 p.m. Mass on June 18 at St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls.

REV. DAVID NOONE, a native of Gloversville, has been an associate pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Hudson Falls; pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Gloversville; and rector of the Office of Student Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. He has served parishes in England and New Zealand and, from 1985-2012, was pastor of St. Francis de Sales parish in Loudonville. In retirement, he assists parishes in North Carolina and works with Friends of Fontaine to build a school in Haiti and Unbound in Kansas to assist children and the elderly in 20 countries.
QUOTE: "As I look back on my years in ministry, I can honestly say that being a priest has turned out to be a most meaningful way to live a life. There isn't a day that goes by that you don't have some firsthand experience of 'grace at work.' I entered seminary because I truly felt God wanted me to be a priest, that it was His plan for my life. I still believe that -- the difference being that now, after 50 years, I have learned that 'ministry' isn't something the priest does. It's what God does for others through Him and for Him through others."
Father Noone has not announced plans for observing his jubilee.

REV. JOHN O'GRADY was ordained for the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., and later incardinated into the Albany Diocese, spending most of his ministry teaching in seminaries and universities. He was founding director of the Albany diocesan Liturgy Office and Office of Continuing Education of Clergy and helped establish the permanent diaconate program and vocation board. He served as associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and St. Ann's, both in Albany, and St. Matthew's in Voorheesville. For many years, he taught in seminaries in New York, including Our Lady of Angels, Albany; St. Joseph's, Dunwoodie; and St. Bernard's, Rochester. He also taught at Mundelein Seminary, Chicago, and the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. He retired in 2004 from the faculty of Barry University in Miami.
QUOTE: "I consider myself blessed to have been called to ministry for so many years, and I'm grateful to God and to family and friends for all they have given me throughout my life."
Father O'Grady has not announced plans to celebrate his jubilee.

REV. CARL URBAN, a native of Schenectady, served as an associate pastor at Resurrection parish in Germantown and St. Casimir's in Albany (while teaching at Vincentian Institute); as chaplain at St. Joseph Provincialate in Castleton; and as an associate at St. Patrick's parish in Ravena and Blessed Sacrament in Albany (while teaching at Cardinal McCloskey High, Albany). From 1974-2011, he was pastor of St. Adalbert's parish in Schenectady. He has served on many boards, particularly that of the national Polish American Congress, and received the Cavalier's Cross for service to Poland.
QUOTE: "To share in the most intimate joyful and sorrowful moments of people's lives is an enriching and enlivening experience. My most memorable experience was sitting in the sixth row for the installation of John Paul II as pope, and meeting with him personally the following day. For those willing and desirous of sharing their lives in service to others, the priesthood is a most rewarding and fulfilling life!"
Father Urban will celebrate his jubilee with a Mass of Thanksgiving May 22, 2 p.m., at St. Adalbert's parish, Schenectady. An invitation-only reception will follow.

REV. JOHN VARNO, a native of Schenectady, has served as associate pastor at St. John the Baptist parish in Walton and St. Peter's in Troy (while teaching at Catholic Central High). From 1968-75, he was vice principal and principal of Catholic High. He was pastor of St. Jude the Apostle parish in Wynantskill from 1975-97, then sacramental minister to Schenectady hospitals until 2009. Since 2005, he has been sacramental minister for Our Lady of Grace parish in Ballston Lake.
QUOTE: "The priesthood has been a joyful experience for me. The various ministries that I have been able to serve in have helped me to grow as a person. I would indeed encourage others to follow this call by God."
Father Varno will celebrate his jubilee with a noon Mass of Thanks-giving May 29 at Our Lady of Grace parish in Ballston Lake.

SIX DECADES OF PRIESTLY LIFE

A trio of priests are celebrating 60 years of religious life:

REV. GEORGE BRUCKER, a native of Schenectady, has served as an associate pastor at St. Joseph's parish in Scotia and St. Patrick's in Catskill; as spiritual director at Mater Christi Seminary in Albany; and as administrator of St. Joseph's, Richfield Springs. He was pastor of St. Patrick's in Troy, then associate at St. Michael's, South Glens Falls, before becoming pastor of St. Paul's in Schenectady, where he stayed from 1997-2006, his retirement year.
QUOTE: "I am deeply grateful to the Lord for having called me into His priesthood. These past 60 years have been a wonderful journey in ministry. Prior to ordination, I believed I had a good notion of what the priesthood would be like, but it has exceeded by far all my expectations. The daily celebration of the holy Eucharist has been my greatest source of joy and strength.
"To one contemplating the priesthood, it would be a comfort to know it's not what you will be able to do, but what the Lord will do through you.
"I am eternally grateful to the Lord; His gift of His mother, Mary; my parents, who first engendered the faith within me; and the many priests and religious who enriched it down through the years. Deo Gratias!"
Father Brucker has not announced plans to note his jubilee.

REV. LEO O'BRIEN, whose hometown is Troy, first served as an associate pastor at St. Paul's, Schenectady. He was then appointed diocesan vice chancellor, chancellor and vicar general, spending 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 in 2006. He has continued to pitch in an Albany's Avila retirement community and at St. Vincent's.
QUOTE: "In each setting, I have found a home among caring and supportive friends. I have enjoyed celebrating the sacramental life, educational experiences together, social ministry and the celebration of the Eucharist with its preaching. Sharing the stories of people, giving and receiving encouragement through the years have all been so important.
"When we gather together to celebrate the Eucharist, when we meet in small groups or individually, when we plan together for pastoral life and growth -- these are what give meaning to priesthood in decades past and, I hope, for years to come. The bookends of my life are Pope John XXIII and Pope Francis. I pray that others may find similar encouragement in serving the Lord."
Father O'Brien will celebrate his anniversary with family and friends.

REV. STANISLAUS SWIERZOWSKI, a native of Amsterdam, served as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart, Sidney, and then became vice chancellor of the Diocese. After studying canon law, he was appointed to the diocesan Tribunal; he later became its head or "officialis." He also served variously as pastor, administrator and sacramental minister at St. John the Baptist and St. Casimir's parishes in Amsterdam. He retired in 2007 and focuses on ministry to the sick and elderly.
QUOTE: "A priest must first be a servant for others, a channel of the mystery of God's love as revealed by Jesus Christ. Mercy must be at the heart of everything a priest does, whether in a parish, an office or in personal dealings with people.
"I would heartily recommend the priestly vocation to others. Consider the many ways parents and others sacrifice for their children, and seek a vocation in which you can experience the joy of serving others, as Jesus came to serve and not to be served."
"One of my most memorable moments: In November 1996, St. Casimir's Church in Amsterdam was closed due to structural problems. As the parish priest at St. John's, we invited parishioners of St. Casimir's to share our facilities. The church was repaired and reopened in September of 1998. It was a joy to be of service to those good people."
Father Swierzowski plans to mark his jubilee quietly.

65 YEARS A PRIEST

REV. THOMAS VAIL, a native of Little Falls, has been a priest of the Albany Diocese for 65 years. He has served as an associate pastor at St. Mary's parish in Gloversville, studied in Rome, taught at Mater Christi Seminary in Albany and was secretary to Bishop Edwin Broderick and assistant vicar general of the Albany Diocese. He spent 11 years as pastor of St. Gabriel's parish in Rotterdam, then eight years as pastor of St. Peter's parish in Saratoga Springs, retiring in 1993. He has not noted plans for an anniversary celebration.
QUOTE: "I have been blessed for these 65 years of priesthood with family and friends who, in spite of my many faults, have encouraged and aided me with their prayers and friendship. I have been blessed beyond measure with God's goodness to me. I pray there will be many who will accept God's call to the priesthood."

THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENTURY, TIMES TWO

Remarkably, the Albany Diocese has two priests who each have been living their vocation for 75 years:

REV. WALTER BANIAK, profiled in The Evangelist for his 100th birthday last year, was ordained June 7, 1941, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany by Bishop Edmund Gibbons. He served as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart parish in Arkville and St. Mary's and St. John the Baptist in Schenectady, then spent 20 years as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. He returned to the Albany Diocese in 1965 and was named pastor of St. Paul's parish in Hancock and dean of Delaware County. In 1976, he became pastor of Holy Trinity parish in Troy. He retired in 1992.
The oldest and longest-tenured priest in the Diocese, Father Baniak lives at St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Albany, where staff and friends call him devout and recall his helpful spirit and, right into his 80s, his determination to keep celebrating Masses and hearing confessions.
Read a previous story about Father Baniak at www.evangelist.org. He has no plans to mark his jubilee.

REV. MATTHEW CYVAS, a native of Lithuania, was ordained there during the Russian occupation of Lithuania before the U.S. entrance into World War II and served at a parish from 1941-44. He studied in Rome after the war and once told The Evangelist that his most memorable time before coming to the Albany Diocese was serving as secretary to an archbishop in Lithuania from 1944-45.
In the U.S., he served at St. Joseph's parish in Scotia and St. Michael's in Amsterdam, and as pastor of St. George's Church in Albany, which had a large Lithuanian population. He retired to Florida in 1988. He has not announced plans to note his jubilee.

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