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If you’re a follower of the Catholic music scene, then the name Steve Angrisano is no surprise to you.

A musician and composer, Angrisano is renowned for his style of ministry that blends music, Scripture and storytelling into one faith-filled experience. Angrisano has been featured at six World Youth Days, the National Pastoral Musicians Conference (NPM), the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, and National Catholic Youth Conferences (NCYC).

Now, he’s making his way to Transfiguration Parish in Troy (50 Hillside Drive, Speigletown) for a two-part Mercy Mission retreat on Sunday, Nov. 20, and Monday, Nov. 21, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Angrisano will also perform at each of the parish’s Sunday Masses at their two church locations: 8:30 a.m. in Schaghticoke (17 South Main St.), and 10:15 a.m. in Speigletown.

Elizabeth Thayer, parish life coordinator, started looking into Angrisano visiting the area last year after a choir member mentioned wanting to see him perform. Thayer reached out to Angrisano’s booking agent on a whim and found out he was going to be performing in the Northeast this November. They agreed to squeeze him in for a visit to the Albany Diocese.

“We truly feel it will be well worth it,” Thayer said. “We’re excited.”

Angrisano’s visit is also coming at a needed time for parishioners who have suffered a hard year of loss and changes. In February 2022, Transfiguration’s parish life director, Deacon Chris Keough, was killed in a car accident. At the time, Rensselaer County’s medical examiner wasn’t vaccinated against COVID-19, so Keough’s autopsy had to be performed in Dutchess County. This made the process for a wake and funeral difficult and dragged out.

“It was a long, drawn-out process emotionally,” Thayer said. “He would have finished his eighth year here. He was a member of the family, so it’s still hard.”

Only a few weeks later, their pastor, Father Dominic Ingemie, ceased pastoral duties after sudden health issues. Both experiences have left the parish rocked, said Thayer.

“It’s been a year of loss but we’re coming out stronger,” she said.

After hearing about their turbulent year, Angrisano volunteered to host a retreat just for the Transfiguration parish staff on Monday morning. It was a gesture of kindness that the staff needed.

“I’m looking forward to being with the staff and just taking the time to breathe and to feel the love of God and the support of each other,” Thayer said. “To re-energize and refocus our intentions and give us a day to breathe in the Holy Spirit to give back to our people … and just revitalize us and quiet ourselves to let Christ guide us in the days to come.”

The event comes at no cost to any attendees since funding for the event came from donations to the parish’s Re-Igniting Our Faith campaign.

“One of the things we put in our Re-Igniting Our Faith was to bring people in from outside the parish to minister to our people and present meaningful programs to our parishioners,” Thayer said. “It was nice to realize — in this case — that I could use that money. Because Re-Igniting Our Faith was written six years ago, it’s nice that we can find something to use the money for.”

Added Thayer: “We’re looking for a good turnout and good participation and to just revel in the Lord’s message to be at peace.”

Steve Angrisano’s Mercy Mission retreat does not have a registration. Attendees are welcome to show up to either of the retreat days on Sunday, Nov. 20, or Monday, Nov. 21, both from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Transfiguration Parish, 50 Hillside Drive, Speigletown.

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