Two regions go outdoors and all-out to celebrate diocesan Sesquicentennial

Prayer and nature will take center-stage as two upcoming regional events mark the Sesquicentennial of the Albany Diocese. Catholics in both Schoharie and Rensselaer counties will be gathering outdoors to pray and to share fellowship.

That explains why Jack Canning has been praying for sunshine on August 17. However, even the darkest clouds won't dampen spirits of the chairman who has spent half a year helping Schoharie's Sesquicentennial Committee develop and fine-tune plans for their event.

The program will be held at the SUNY/Cobleskill Ski Resort on Route 10 near the Cobleskill/Richmondville border. In the event of rain, celebrations will be moved inside a ski lodge.

Music and prayer

Mr. Canning, a parishioner of St. Catherine's Church in Middleburgh, said Schoharie's Sesquicentennial event will begin with a 1 p.m. procession led by at least one bagpiper. Representatives of each parish in the rural region will carry banners and Sesquicentennial flags to the grounds where the prayer service is taking place.

Rev. Paul Engel, a retired priest who once ministered in the area, will officiate. Pastors and parish administrators from churches in the county will also participate in the spiritual portion of the program.

Mr. Canning said credit for the prayer service goes to Father Engel, who often does retreats on nature and the environment at Pyramid Life Center, and Ann Lape, a parishioner of St. Anna's in Summit. She will also direct a performance by the combined choirs representing parishes throughout Schoharie County.

"The two of them have worked very hard on planning the service, and we expect it will be quite inspirational," said Mr. Canning.

Gathered together

The prayer service will be followed by a family picnic during which members of the different congregations in the county will have an opportunity to become better acquainted and to view displays featuring the histories of St. Anna's in Summit; St. Catherine's, Middleburgh; St. Joseph's, Schoharie; St. Mary's, Sharon Springs; St. Vincent de Paul's, Cobleskill; and Our Lady of Fatima, Delanson.

A celebration of the region's cultural heritage will follow from 2:30 until 6 p.m. starting with back-to-back performances by the Schoharie Valley Cloggers and a square dance musical ensemble called the Schoharie Valley Hay Shakers. Audience participation will be sought during the square dance segment of the program, Mr. Canning said.

Fun and fellowship

Next on the program is a concert featuring Kim and Reggie Harris together with the popular folk music duet "Magpie." The musical portion of the program will conclude with a performance by members of the Wild Irish Acres School of Dance in Cobleskill.

Weather permitting, the afternoon will also showcase a volleyball tournament among the parishes. In addition, a wide variety of games and activities have been planned for children.

"The emphasis is on fun and fellowship between parish families in the region," said Mr. Canning. "We really hope this event will mark the beginning -- rather than the end -- of something beautiful between parishes in our county."

Rensselaer event

For their Sesquicentennial event, representatives of 29 parishes throughout Rensselaer County are expected to gather at St. John Francis Regis Church in Grafton for a "House of Prayer" experience August 19-21.

Sister Mary Kenan McGowan, RSM, pastoral administrator of St. John Francis Regis, said the three-day event will begin with a liturgy celebrated inside the parish's new chapel by Rev. Kenneth Gregory at 10 a.m. on August 19. That will be followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Rosary will be recited at 1 p.m. at the new outdoor grotto that was built using rocks donated by parishioners as concrete symbols of their church involvement (see photos in The Evangelist, August 7). Vespers and Benediction are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday's program starts with 10 a.m. Morning Prayer. A presentation by Rev. William Turnbull on the North American Martyrs will follow the 1 p.m. Rosary. Father Turnbull will also officiate at a 5:30 p.m. liturgy.

Thursday's program will also start with Morning Prayer at 10 followed by the Rosary at 1. The "House of Prayer" will culminate with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Howard Hubbard at 5:30 p.m. on August 21.

Nature as background

Sister Kenan said unstructured time may be used for reading, walking, hiking on the scenic grounds or even swimming at nearby Grafton Lakes State Park. Those who prefer may use the time for individual prayer and reflection or to participate in group discussions.

Participants, who may attend all or part of the three-day event, are encouraged to dress comfortably and are asked to bring lawn chairs as well as a picnic lunch or supper -- or both. Coffee and iced tea will be available on an ongoing basis, courtesy of the Grafton church.

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese, participants at the August 19-21 "House of Prayer" will be asked to pray for all the people of the Diocese, Sister Kenan added.

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