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Here is a review of some major news items about the Albany Diocese that appeared in The Evangelist during the 12 months of 2014:

JANUARY: Bishop Howard J. Hubbard writes about how to heal the wounded U.S. economy...The Evangelist's special issue on vocations includes a profile of a religious brother in prison ministry...Parishes celebrate the Epiphany...Maria College becomes a four-year institution... Catholic Schools Week is marked across the Albany Diocese.

FEBRUARY: Bishop Hubbard explains why Catholic schools should use Common Core Standards...Msgr. Edward B. Scharfenberger is named Bishop of Albany...Press conference introduces the Bishop-elect...Bishop Hubbard welcomes successor....Bishop-elect impresses laity with his humility and language abilities...Albany Diocese's televised Mass moves to a new time and channel...Diocesan officials discuss what goes into preparing for a new bishop.

MARCH: Bishop Hubbard says, for Lent, to take steps to end world hunger...Catholics prepare to lobby state lawmakers at Catholics at the Capitol day...99 candidates and 76 catechumens indicate their intentions to join the Catholic Church...Fire damages St. Anthony's parish in Schenectady...A woman at St. Michael's parish in Troy is a lector despite being blind...Rural Catholics struggle during winter...Legislators hear from Catholics at lobby day.

APRIL: Bishop Hubbard writes his final column, reminiscing on his time as Bishop...Bishop-elect Scharfenberger celebrates televised Easter Mass for the Diocese...Rev. Larry Asma, CM, discusses his colorful life...Possible move of Bishop Maginn High School in Albany is postponed...Bishop Scharfenberger is ordained and installed as the 10th Bishop of Albany...Diocese welcomes new Bishop "of the people"...Bishop celebrates his first Chrism Mass in the Diocese...His first column in The Evangelist talks about resisting "throwaway culture"...Annual Bishop's Appeal kicks off.

MAY: Bishop writes on letting go...Diocesan Dash run is held for Catholic schools...Young Catholics with special needs receive sacraments...Whitehall parish boasts seven new Catholics...Bishop discusses first month in office...The Evangelist publishes annual graduation issue, including profiles of Diocese's two newest priests.

JUNE: Pro-life Rosary Walk at Capitol held...Two new priests ordained for Diocese...Task force plans future of Bishop Maginn High...Siena partnership educates inmates...The Evangelist earns eight national Catholic press awards.

JULY: St. Peter's parish, Saratoga, marks 175th anniversary...Renovations continue at Watervliet, Schenectady parishes...Parish nurse offers faith-based care...Bishop writes about summer...Castleton Catholic walks Camino in Spain...Black Catholic Apostolate celebrates 30th anniversary.

AUGUST: Catholic parish hosts dinner with Muslims as Ramadan ends...Grandmother gets dying wish: to see granddaughter confirmed...The Evangelist's annual back-to-school issue is published...Bishop interviews new priests for radio show...Local parishes gear up to shelter homeless families...Amsterdam vet honored at 70th anniversary of D-Day...Bishop's column discusses religion and power.

SEPTEMBER: St. Augustine's parish, Troy, reaches 175th anniversary...Diocese's future is here as parishes collaborate, priests juggle duties...Bishop chooses favorite local pizza in fundraiser...Religious music composer visits Athens...Two Catholics discuss why they became catechists...Bishop Emeritus Hubbard tours East Jerusalem with U.S. bishops' contingent...High school students kick off academic year with Mass...Bishop Scharfenberger writes on rekindling dialogue from Rome, where he attends Colloquium for Newly-Appointed Bishops...Bishop Emeritus Hubbard learns from peace pilgrimage to Holy Land.

OCTOBER: Bishop celebrates Red Mass for lawyers and judges...Diocesan Rosary celebration held...Workshop targets human trafficking...Bishop's homily reflects on the virtue of freedom...Parishes discuss Catholics texting in church...Walk-a-thon raises funds for diocesan high schools...Pastoral care ministers talk about work for All Souls' Day.

NOVEMBER: Annual Teen Issue includes story on Glovers-ville youth group being a haven... Study boosts enrollment at St. Madeleine Sophie School, Schenectady...Diocese celebrates annual Marriage Jubilee...Diocese takes next steps toward future of parishes, with "multiple-parish ministry"...Glenville family cooks Thanksgiving dinner for homebound each year..."Manna meals" in Fort Plain draw Catholic volunteers...Diocese kicks off celebration of worldwide Year of Consecrated Life.

DECEMBER: St. Peter's parish to help homeless again with Code Blue Saratoga Springs...Bishop confirms 13 inmates...Catholic Charities still helping area residents after 2013 flooding...Bishop's Christmas message suggests, "Give Christ for Christmas"...Lay Carmelites find a home in Troy...Bishop says it's possible to keep Christmas forever.[[In-content Ad]]

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