Seniors scoot to Sunday Mass

It's Sunday morning at the Executive House apartments in Albany, and an autumn wind is biting at the coattails of the residents leaving the building. That's why Florence (not her real name) is waiting inside, looking out at dark-bottomed clouds.

"I don't think I missed the bus," she says worriedly, tightening her grip on her walker. "I've been here since quarter after, and I don't think I missed it. I usually take the bus."

She is one of thousands of elderly Catholics in the Albany Diocese who rely on their parishes to ferry them to and from Masses each Sunday.

All aboard

As a parishioner of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, Florence usually waits for the bus with two other ladies from the building.

This day, neither of them were feeling well enough to come, she noted, reminding herself to tell the bus driver that her friends wouldn't be joining them.

The white bus with black leather seats is operated by Senior Services of Albany, which also provides transportation for grocery shopping, appointments, errands and trips to meal sites.

At the wheel

Florence worried that, with her walker and slow gait, she would be a liability for John Conklin, the driver, who is a senior citizen himself. But he assured her that she's "no bother at all," and helped her into the bus and then out again at the church.

He has been driving the Sunday-morning church route for 20 years. He usually gets six to eight other parishioners who live in senior housing, apartment buildings and other facilities within the parish's boundaries.

Some parishes include bus transportation to Mass as one of their ministries; others make sure the elderly get to Mass through volunteer drivers. Many assisted-living facilities and retirement homes have vehicles to bring residents to church.

Getting there

After Mass, Florence made her way out to the sidewalk, where Mr. Conklin waited to take her home.

"I hope I'm not too much of a bother," she said.

"Remember," he replied, "we want you to come."

(9/30/04)