THE VOICE

Rodier celebrates 50 years at Historic St. Mary’s on Capitol Hill

Cantor and sacrosanct John Rodier, who celebrates 50 years of service. on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the Historic St. Mary's Church on Capitol Hill in Albany, N.Y. Cindy Schultz for The Evangelist (Courtesy photo of CINDY SCHULTZ)

And to bring that talent to others is doubly special.

On the third Sunday in March 1973, John Rodier sang at his first Mass at Historic St. Mary’s Church on Capitol Hill in Albany. Last Sunday, marked the 50th year that he has been cantor/vocalist at the parish.

“I feel the spirituality and I feel it is a gift that I am giving to other people to share in a moving experience that I have at the same time, especially when I sing the ‘Ave Maria,’ ” Rodier told The Evangelist. “When the people sing with me, I feel uplifted and exuberant because of the fact that they are singing with me.

“Any time I sing it is not for the sake of me getting praise or anything, it is for the people and to have them get a feeling inside to lift them up. … It was never a job it was always an avocation”

John Rodier began his 50-year career at Historic St. Mary's Church on Capitol Hill in March 1973. (CIndy Schultz photos for The Evangelist)

Rodier, 72, who is also sacristan and really a Jack-of-all-trades at the parish, was feted by the St. Mary’s community on his golden anniversary with a special dinner on March 18 and celebration March 19 after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

“I have known John Rodier as both a friend and fellow parish minister for 34 years, since I was assigned to St. Mary’s parish in 1989. To the best of my knowledge, John is the first person to continuously serve at St. Mary’s for 50 years since its founding in 1797. He is truly an historic figure in parish history,” Deacon George Witko said via email. “His musical voice has been a treasure for the parish and the Diocese. As an example, I have always been deeply moved and inspired when he sings the Lord’s Prayer during the distribution of Holy Communion. It makes me and others feel as though we have been lifted up to a special presence of God and the angels.

“At a personal level, he is the epitome of kindness, sensitivity to others, and generous in his service to the parish in many other often unseen capacities. And finally, as pastors have changed throughout the years, he has been a transitional rock of calming stability.”

John Rodier began his 50-year career at Historic St. Mary's Church on Capitol Hill in March 1973. (CIndy Schultz photos for The Evangelist)

 Rodier was brought to St. Mary’s by Monsignor Edward L. O’Malley “after he found me in Watervliet at a baptism party. I sang in the back of the house after and the next weekend I was here.” Father James L. Lefebvre followed and then Father David V. Berberian, Father John T. Provost, Father Michael Flannery and now Father David Mickiewicz. The one constant has been Rodier.

“I have known John for over 40 years. When my father got cancer we were at Mass at St. Mary’s and John was singing. It was wonderful and very special to me because it was the last Mass I attended with my father, he died shortly thereafter,” said Joanne Maloy, St. Mary’s trustee, via email. “I remember all the hymns John sang and they still bring tears to my eyes when I hear him sing them. I am sure he has touched many other families over the years in the same way. John helps out at St. Mary’s behind the scenes and no one realizes the contribution he makes. He truly is a treasure to St. Mary’s!”

Although he has been at the parish for 50 years, Rodier, who grew up in Yonkers and attended Fordham Prep and Fordham University, has been singing all his life.

“I have been singing since I was in grammar school in the first grade in my parish in Yonkers, St. Paul the Apostle,” Rodier said. “While I was singing there, I started singing with the Welch Chorale in New York City at St. Philip Neri in the Bronx. I sang with them from seventh grade and I used to go to the early Mass, get on a bus and go down to the city and then sing at the 11:30 Mass with the Welch Chorale.

“After Vatican II when I got in high school in 1968, I started being a cantor there, and I did five Masses a week there between singing Masses both before and during the High Mass that was going on in Latin. I would go up and down stairs and sing the different parts of the Masses because there was another Mass going on downstairs in English.”

Rodier has also shared his talent across the Capital Region as well. He has sung at Christ our Light Church in Loudonville for funerals, Temple Beth Emeth in Albany during Bar Mitzvahs, High Holy Days at Beth Tephilah in Troy, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Hackett Boulevard in Albany, Westminster Presbyterian Church on State Street in Albany, has been a member of Albany Pro Musica for 40 years and has sung the National Anthem at Saratoga Race Course. And he is a natural at birthday parties.

“I just sing out in the open to people when they have a birthday, I will just start singing to them,” Rodier said.

“John, our talented cantor, whose robust and melodic tones have graced St.Mary’s for — I can’t believe it — 50 years, and I’ve known him for all of them,” said Mary Nash, St. Mary’s trustee. “John’s contribution to St.Mary’s extends beyond his musical capabilities, as he performs many tasks behind the scenes, most unknown to the regular Mass attendees. He’s always around to help in any way and on one special occasion, he inserted a special hymn on very short notice. John Rodier, a St. Mary’s treasure.”