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ST. MARY'S, CRESCENT

The welcome mat is out for suburban Hispanics

On a rainy Saturday evening, Deacon Miguel Fabian; Rev. Joseph Angelini, OFM Conv.; and Rev. Thomas Hayes surrounded the altar inside warm, dry St. Mary's Church in Crescent, celebrating a Mass in Spanish while 25 people prayed and sang hymns. 

Afterward, the congregation shared a Spanish meal. All of this occurred through the Apostolado Hispano, or His-panic Apostolate, a diocesan effort to better serve Spanish-speaking Catholics in suburban Saratoga County. 

There are similar Masses at five other, mostly urban sites. However, the Mass at Nativity/ St. Mary's in Stuyvesant Falls attracts many migrant farmworkers.

St. Mary's in Crescent, along with St. Edward's in Clifton Park, began the Masses about two and a half years ago. The initiative fit in with the Albany diocesan pastoral planning effort that has reconfigured and consolidated parishes. 

"With 'Called to Be Church' happening, we're trying to take a look at outreach with the Hispanic community, especially with a lot of the inner city churches closing," explained Doreen Salles, part of the Apostolado group. 

The Spanish Mass is held the first and third Saturday of every month. After Mass on the third Saturday, parishioners stroll over to the parish hall for refreshments and socializing. 

With foods such as nachos, Spanish soups and guacamole being served, people can eat a familiar meal and mingle with local Catholics of the same heritage.

"I think it's very important to have a Mass in our language," said parishioner Rafael Villanueva. "It's an opportunity for all the community to share."

Mrs. Salles said the idea came from some Protestant churches. After seeing the efforts they made to reach out to the Hispanic community, she felt the Catholic Church should follow suit.

"We need to make an effort," she said. "We need to just let [Hispanics] know, 'We have the things you need; just tell us.'"

Most participants in the June 21 event live in Clifton Park or nearby, part of a growing Hispanic presence in the suburbs. 

"We're just responding to the presence of the Hispanic community," said Father Hayes.

The Mass is not just limited to Hispanics: Though the liturgy is celebrated in Spanish, there are English translations for anyone else who is interested.

"We wanted to be not just a place to go to church, but also a community," said Mrs. Salles. "We feel there needs to be that presence in the community. The Church is still a valuable place to come."

Mrs. Salles and Father Hayes said they depend on word of mouth to keep the program growing. That strategy seemed to work for Denise Hale, who attended the Mass for the first time on June 21.

"My friends always talk about it and told me I should check it out," said Mrs. Hale, who previously lived in Spain. "I like it. It's a very inviting and very welcoming [atmosphere]."

According to Father Hayes, Mrs. Hale isn't the only newcomer.

"We see new faces about every month," he noted. "Sometimes they come back; sometimes they don't. We just keep trying to put ourselves out there for them."

The Apostolado Hispano is not the only activity at St. Mary's for the Hispanic community. The parish also provides English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. 

Dianne Roy is one of eight people who teach the classes at the church.

"It's been very rewarding," she said. "There have been a lot of great people and they are very eager and they help each other."

Parish leaders say they simply want to put out the welcome mat at St. Mary's.

"The main thing is hospitality," said Mrs. Salles. "We have to make sure the doors are open and people are comfortable coming here."

(06/25/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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