Spiritual centers offer New Year's options

* The Dominican Spiritual Life Center in Niskayuna (393-4169) will host an evening of reflection beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31. Rev. Christopher Welch, associate pastor of St. Joseph's and Sacred Heart/St. Columba's Churches in Schenectady, will speak on "Where We Have Been; Where We Are Going?" a look at the highlights of the past century and millennium in the Church, and what the future will hold in store.

There will be opening prayer, two conferences and Mass. The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament also will be available.

Father Welch led an evening of reflection on New Year's Eve two years ago, and ringing in a new millennium makes this year's event even more special. "It's a nice way to start the new millennium: to be in prayer at the time it happens," he said.

New Year's Eve celebrations are nothing new at the DSLC, but the timing of prayers during the evening has changed, according to Sister Pat Mood, OP. "We used to wait until midnight," she said. "Now, we start sooner and pray right through the New Year."

* Abba House of Prayer in Albany (438-8320) will have a New Year's Eve Prayer for 2000 beginning at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31. Rev. Greg Weider, chaplain of Samaritan Hospital in Troy, will preside at midnight liturgy.

According to Sister Mary Gen Smyth, RSCJ, with a new millennium at hand, this year's event takes on special meaning; but New Year's Eve has always been a big deal at Abba House.

"The prayers are going to be focused on the millennium, but we've been having New Year's Eve Mass and prayer services for the past 20 years. We look forward to it every year," Sister Mary Gen said.

There was some thought given to having a big celebration this New Year's Eve, but it was decided that the usual evening of prayer would be fine, according to Sister Libby Hoye, RSCJ. "We want this to be a celebration of spiritual renewal, and we thought, 'Why don't we just do what we usually do and have a jubilee theme?' This is another holy year," she said.

* Still Point House of Prayer in Stillwater (587-4967) will conduct a 72-hour Interfaith Peace Vigil beginning with a 10 p.m. opening ritual on Dec. 30 and ending with a 10 p.m. closing ritual on Jan. 2. In keeping with the interfaith theme, there will be a labyrinth walk, millennium ritual, Buddhist meditation, Shiva service, Native American peace pipe ceremony and Catholic Mass.

The communal feel of this Peace Vigil is no accident, and attendees should get a sense of the spiritual significance of a new millennium, according to Sister Lillian Needham, SSJ.

"We are a faith community, and we're looking forward to the new millennium as a time of great transformation and possibilities," she said. "It's also a time for reconciliation and forgiveness of debts in our relationships, families and work."

* Gilead Eucharistic Community and House of Prayer in Unadilla (607-563-3713) will prayerfully observe the new millennium on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, beginning at 10 a.m. both days with communal morning prayer. There will be one hour of Taize chant at noon, recitation of the 15 decades of the Rosary for peace at 2 p.m., and communal evening prayer at 4:30 p.m.

A Mass will be offered at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, followed by food and fellowship. Attendees are asked to bring a dish of finger food to share.

* Oneness in Peace Spiritual Center in Germantown (537-5678) will have a day of quiet prayer from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 31. "We will offer prayers of gratitude for God's presence in our lives, and blessing for our local and global community," said Claire Langie.

The Center has been preparing for the new millennium with monthly, ecumenical peace prayer gatherings that will continue in the new year on the second Saturday of each month.

New Year's Eve is a big day there each year and even more so this year for the new millennium, Ms. Langie pointed out. "We've had days of prayer and retreats in previous years also, but not with this special focus like we do this year," she said.

* The Priory in Chestertown (494-3733) won't be having a New Year's Eve celebration; instead, it will hold a Christmas celebration on Dec. 18. People will decorate at 2 p.m., liturgy will be offered at 4:30 p.m., trees will be blessed, and a pot luck supper will be served. "We've decided to keep New Year's Eve for friends and families," said Sister Constance Messitt, CSJ.

(12-09-99) [[In-content Ad]]