Schenectady parish donates sound of music to neighbor

When Rev. Richard Carlino became pastor of the small Holy Cross parish a couple of months ago, he realized that the church's electronic carillon system needed to be updated.

"I've been a great lover of chimes and bells since I was little," he explained. "It's a tremendous avocation of mine."

Father Carlino had previously updated systems at other Schenectady parishes he was assigned to, including St. Anthony's, Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Mary's (currently being worked on). At Holy Cross, he set about making improvements to the church grounds, electrifying the bell that sits in a gazebo outside the church (see sidebar) and ordering a new chime system.

Then a group of parishioners had an idea.

"As an act of good will, several parishioners suggested we donate the [older] chimes to Sacred Heart/St. Columba parish," said Father Carlino.

Sacred Heart/St. Columba, located in the Hamilton Hill area, had never had a carillon system. Father Carlino said the parish was "thrilled" to receive the unexpected Christmas gift.

Not only will the new carillon system be in place at Holy Cross in time for 4 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve, but Sacred Heart/St. Columba, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2003, will have chimes for their anniversary Mass.

Said Father Carlino: "A number of parishioners have commented how happy they are" with the donation and the improvements to their own church. The new, computerized carillon system, he added, "is the best assimilation of the sound of real bells ever."

(As other churches in the Albany Diocese are being decorated for Christmas, Holy Cross can recall being used by people who would go home after services to light Hanukkah menorahs: It was once a Jewish synagogue. The rounded dome that tops the church is the only vestige of its original architecture. Today, a cross sits atop the dome. But when it was built in 1891, Holy Cross had the outline of a Star of David in brick on each side of its door. Because Holy Cross has no steeple, said the pastor, Rev. Richard Carlino, the church's bell is in a gazebo outside the church. But the bell is very difficult to ring, so he's having it electrified as one of the improvements to the parish.)

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