Fire of Faith event coming this Palm Sunday

Fire of Faith is coming to St. Edward the Confessor in Clifton Park on April 2, Palm Sunday.

A fire is spreading in the Diocese, and you’re invited to join! 

The Albany Diocese will host its third “Fire of Faith” event on Sunday, April 2 (Palm Sunday) at  St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park from 4 - 10 p.m. The night includes Mass with Bishop Scharfenberger, Eucharistic Adoration, reconciliation, healing prayer teams, and faith sharing. 

“All are invited and welcome to attend for as long or as little as they would like,” said Thomas Cronin, advisor to the Bishop for Family & Parish Evangelization. “It is an invitation to come experience God ‘s love and mercy.”

Fire of Faith was a collaboration between Cronin, Father Dan Quinn, Pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Albany, and Meghan Pannone, faith-formation director for Blessed Sacrament, as a way to invite the community into Catholic churches to experience a night spent with Jesus in prayer. 

“The purpose of the Fire of Faith event is to invite the community into our churches to experience the joy of being in the presence of Jesus during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and take some time to pray,” said Cronin. 

Two Fire of Faith events have already been held: one at Blessed Sacrament in Albany in November 2022 and St. Mary’s in Ballston Spa in December 2022. The April 2 gathering starts with mass at 4 p.m., celebrated by Bishop Scharfenberger, and will include worship music and moments of silence during Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, passion relic presentation and veneration, healing prayer teams, and faith sharing.  

All people - Catholic, Christian or neither - are invited to drop in as they please throughout the evening, but all are encouraged and welcome to stay for Mass and the evening’s activities. 

“It is critical for the diocese to continue its mission and fulfill Jesus’ command to go out and make disciples of all nations,” added Cronin. “We exist to evangelize – our purpose is to share the Good News and the Palm Sunday Fire of Faith event is putting that into action."

SCHEDULE

4 p.m.  

Mass with Bishop Scharfenberger. Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will follow Mass until 10 p.m.  

6:30-9:30 p.m.

Worship Music

5-9:30 p.m.

Sacrament of Reconciliation. (Also visit the “My Father’s Love” art exhibit in the Gathering Space)

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Passion Relic Presentation and Veneration (Apostolate for Holy Relics) in the church

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Healing Prayer Teams (Catholic Charismatic Renewal) in the chapel

7:30 p.m.  

Talk/Reflection by Sister Mary O’Donovan, Carmelite Sisters, in the parish hall

8:30 p.m.

Scripture Reading and Reflection with seminarians in the parish hall

9:30-9:50 p.m

Rosary in the church

9:50 p.m.

Benediction in the church

10 p.m.

Conclude and Depart

Note: Light refreshments will be provided in the parish hall.

Any questions, contact Tom Cronin at [email protected].