STORIES OF THE YEAR

Looking back on 2021, we all became familiar with the phrases “Eucharistic coherence,” “Synod on Synodality” “Dobbs v. Jackson,” “Catholic Central School” and “mask mandate.”

Well, we were all familiar with mask mandates, but are becoming reacquainted with them now that variants of COVID-19 continue to ravage much of the United States and the world. When we thought we had turned a corner, yet another variant — first it was Delta, then it was Omicron — reared its ugly head and now masks are mandated by New York State in indoor public spaces, which includes churches, until at least mid-January.

This year will certainly be remembered for COVID-19 (again) and the continued polarization of our society, but there were many other stories that caught our attention in the Diocese of Albany and beyond. Let’s take a look back!

DOBBS

Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks, which was struck down by a federal court and upheld by a court of appeals, made it all the way to the Supreme Court on Dec. 1 (Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization). In oral arguments, it appears that the majority of justices will let the ban stand. This could have seismic implications as the court could also overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion across the United States.

If that were to happen, the issue would be sent back to the states to decide. While some states could become pro-life havens (Texas now has a ban on most abortions after six weeks that is being challenged again), New York and California have talked about increasing abortion access to women from other states. This is far from over, and the justices’ decision is expected in July.

In another decision — which was a victory for the Diocese of Albany and championed by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger — the Supreme Court on Nov. 1 asked a lower court to reconsider its ruling against the Diocese and a host of other religious groups that challenged New York State’s abortion mandate in employer health insurance plans.

EUCHARISTIC COHERENCE

When the bishops met earlier in the year, there was discussion on a document pertaining to the Eucharist after a 2019 Pew survey showed that a majority of Catholics don’t believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Included in those talks, it was proposed that Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, who was elected as the second Catholic president of this country in January, be denied Communion because of their pro-choice stances. Although not mentioning Biden specifically, Pope Francis said in September he has never denied anyone Communion. 

This garnered many headlines, but as time went on the bishops let it be known this would be a document on stressing the importance and seriousness of the Eucharist, not the need to deny it to anyone. And that is what happened at the November bishops’ meeting in the final form of a 26-page document titled “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church.” Bishop Scharfenberger agreed with the virtual vote “to put the focus of (the) document squarely on the Source and Summit of the Catholic faith while avoiding any blanket policy to deny Communion to a specific class of Catholics.”

A NOD TO SYNODALITY

Just what is a synod and synodality? These probably were not words most lay Catholics were using prior to this year. A synod is basically a meeting of clergy to discuss important issues, and synodality refers to allowing all Catholics the chance to be involved in the mission and future of the Church. We can also discuss terms such as “vademecum” and “instrumentum laboris,” but let’s not get off topic.

Pope Francis launched the synodal process in October in preparation for the Synod of Bishops in 2023. Every diocese in the world, guided by the Holy Spirit, will convene meetings to talk about what they see as the future mission of the Church. And everyone is invited to be a part of the talks, just head to rcda.org/synod.

These discussions will be synthesized and sent to the Vatican, which will eventually form them into a roadmap of synodality to guide the future of the Church.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL SCHOOL

Starting in the fall of 2022, Catholic Central High School and St. Ambrose School will form a new regional, pre-K through Grade 12 school in Latham called Catholic Central School. This is an idea that the diocesan school board, as well as CCHS, studied for some time, and the announcement was made in November. The school, which will be located in Latham at the current St. Ambrose site, is easy to get to from all points on the map and will offer the feel of a parish school, with St. Ambrose Church part of the campus. Bishop Scharfenberger called the new school “a shining example of what we can do when we think outside the box.”

IN MEMORY

Every year, we talk about who we have lost. This year, I wanted to highlight three people in the Diocese. When Father Michael Farano, 78, died on March 24, the Diocese called it the “end of an era.” Father Farano was a skilled administrator with unparalleled pastoral gifts, but there were few people who so fervently promoted the mission of the Church worldwide. I always looked forward to him coming to my office in late summer to start talking about his plans for World Mission Sunday and the people that he wanted us to write about. He seemed to know everyone.

The sudden death of Father Jerry Gingras, 71, on Oct. 8 stunned his parishes — Immaculate Conception in Glenville, St. Joseph’s in Scotia and Our Lady of Grace in Ballston Lake — as well as the Diocese and caused an outpouring of grief. He was “one of the good guys” as one of his parishioners, Kim Klementowski, wrote so eloquently in a remembrance in The Evangelist. 

Sister Mary Rose Noonan, CSJ, wrote an email to Mary DeTurris Poust, The Evangelist’s associate publisher, and me on March 21, saying she was retiring due to lingering effects from her 30-year battle with scleroderma. As communications director for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Sister Mary Rose was instrumental in getting their news in our paper and website. I emailed her back and said when COVID was over, I wanted to finally get a chance to meet her. That never happened, as Sister Mary Rose died Aug. 12 at the age of 70. I wish I had the chance to talk to her in-person and tell her how much I enjoyed working with her. 

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

We can probably put Catholic Charities in our top stories every year. This year was no different. In their drive-thru food pantries alone in 2021, Catholic Charities, in conjunction with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and other partners, has distributed over 2.2 million pounds of food to more than 213,000 people across our vast Diocese. And they were still delivering food at the time of this writing. And if you need help with housing, emergency assistance, disabilities or senior services, Catholic Charities has you covered!

BISHOP HAS CANCER

Bishop Scharfenberger underwent successful surgery for colon cancer on Nov. 10, and detailed his ordeal in his column for The Evangelist (“No denying reality,” Dec. 2). Buoyed by the prayers and well wishes of the faithful in the Diocese, Bishop Scharfenberger, who reminds anyone over 45 to schedule a colonoscopy, is back celebrating Mass. 

MY FAVORITES

I always like to mention in the year-end column, some of my favorite stories that appeared in The Evangelist. First there is Marco Pantoja III, who converted to Catholicism in 2019 and inspired his family to do the same this year (“This family now prays together,” March 18). Then there are the three sisters who emigrated from the Ivory Coast and were baptized at Our Lady of Victory in Troy (“An amazing faith,” May 13). These stories were both written by Emily Benson.

Emily and I also wrote profiles of the newly-ordained priests, who were a diverse group: one, Father Dan McHale, taught history in college for a decade; another, Father Matt Duclos, will be the first American to get a Licentiate in Safeguarding. Father Kyle Gorenski did two tours in Iraq, one in Afghanistan and was also a state trooper in Rhode Island, while Father Stephen Yusko was recruited to play baseball at SUNY Oneonta before an injury derailed those plans. And finally, Father Nathaniel Resila received a scholarship to swim at Niagara University.

In our “Salute to Grads” issue (July 8), the diocesan high school valedictorians and salutatorians offered insightful and compelling speeches. And I enjoyed my trip to Catskill and Athens, to talk with the ever-affable Father Michael Melanson (“Pot of Gold,” Aug. 5).

In October, Emily wrote about Brendan and Patrick McNaughton, 16-year-old twins, and their Zero Carbon Lawn Care business (“Twice as Nice,” Oct. 7). Talk about Laudato Si’!

Then in November, I traveled to St. Pius to sit in on the new men’s ministry at the parish called That Man is You! (“That Man is You,” Nov. 18). It was inspiring to see men talk about and grow in their faith.

Finally, I had the privilege of writing about Father Desmond Rossi, who after 17 years finally met — with a little divine intervention — Vince and Christina Pagano, whose son, Vince Jr., was killed in a traffic accident in 2004. Father Rossi, who was born with just one kidney, received Vince Jr.’s kidney and after nearly two decades shared tears and hugs with the Pagano family (“Gift from God,” Nov. 25).

2021 was filled with so many amazing and inspiring stories. I can’t wait to see what 2022 brings!