December 26, 2024 at 9:07 a.m.
STORIES OF THE YEAR
On the weekend of Dec. 7-8, the eyes of the world were glued to the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, more than five years after the Gothic jewel was nearly destroyed by fire.
The first solemn Mass on Dec. 8 saw Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris consecrate the new bronze altar and say, “the Lord does not abandon his own.”
It was one of the biggest stories of the year. But what were the biggest stories of the year in the Diocese of Albany?
Every parishioner in the Diocese has one, perhaps it was the Carlo Acutis Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles at the Church of the Immaculate Conception? Or maybe the news that the Burdett Birth Center, which was championed by the Diocese, would remain open for the next five years? And there is always the ordination at the Cathedral. This year five priests and one deacon were ordained! Or maybe it was the Step Up Men’s Conference or the Unleashing Love Women’s Conference?
My stories of the year touch on sports, healing, kindness, a crisis-stricken country and two beloved old churches.
Sister Mary Stephen Vamosy, PBVM, (c.), Sister James Marie Carras (to her r.) and other Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary cheer on the Catholic Central School’s girls’ basketball team during the Class A state final game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy on March 16. CCS won 64-62 over Walter Panas. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist)
STATE CHAMPS!
After defeating the Academy of the Holy Names to win the Section II Class A crown, Catholic Central School kept right on rolling. Led by juniors Tanavia Turpin and Kristen Foglia and freshman El’Dior Dobere, the Crusaders won the Class A state title with a 64-62 win over Walter Panas in March. It was quite an accomplishment for coach Audra DiBacco as the team finished with an impressive 25-1 record on the season and won its second state title — with the first coming in 2002 — in school history.
The Hope and Healing Committee brought the one-man play “Groomed” - an award-winning play written and performed by abuse survivor Patrick Sandford - to the Diocese of Albany in October. (Cindy Schultz photo)
HOPE AND HEALING
The Hope and Healing Committee in the Diocese of Albany continues to do groundbreaking work. Aside from collaborating with The Evangelist for the yearly Hope and Healing special section in April, the committee was the driving force behind bringing a one-man play to the area. On Oct. 20, the Diocese hosted the U.S. premiere of “Groomed,” an award-winning play written and performed by abuse survivor Patrick Sandford. One audience member called the play “a witness to the truth.” After the play, Sandford said, “I am so thrilled that you are all here because it means you are hearing and thinking, and that just warms my heart.
The committee, which consists of Ann Marie Carswell, Process Coordinator for Diocesan Review Board and Assistance Office, Noelle Marie, Diocesan Assistance Coordinator, Deacon Gary Riggi, Father Matthew Duclos, Mary Fay, Associate Director for Marriage Formation Ministry and Family Life Coordinator of Pastoral Care Ministries, and Kathy Barrans, Director of Communications, should be commended for continuing to shine a light on a dark history of our church while also chartering a course forward.
KINDNESS MATTERS
If there is anything our divided country and world needs now, it is more kindness. And that is what the Diocese has been doing all year. This summer, the Diocese launched a large-scale evangelization initiative with the theme of “Kindness Matters.” The campaign encouraged Catholics and non-Catholics alike to be better neighbors to one another. The initiative began with the distribution of 4,000 “Kindness Matters” lawn signs that were sent to our 126 parishes.
As the signs were a huge hit, Barrans wanted to keep the momentum going in the winter months when the signs were taken down. So she started the “Kindness Challenge,” which is basically putting the Kindness Matters campaign into action. Again, Catholics and non-Catholics alike are encouraged to incorporate tangible acts of kindness into their daily lives. The Diocese distributed white buttons and blue wristbands to anyone looking to participate. These acts of kindness can be shared online with the hashtag #RCDAkind or sent to [email protected] for publication in the paper.
Father David Mickiewicz (r.) walks through The Portal with Rabbi Gregory Weitzman on June 21 at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Albany. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist)
MY FAVORITES
There were several stories that I covered this year that rank with my favorites. First there was the “Stand Up to Hate” event at the Portal Statue next to the Cathedral on June 21 that was organized by Father James Kane, the director for Interreligious Affairs for the Diocese of Albany. Father Kane put together the event to shine a spotlight on the rising tide of antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad. Numerous rabbis and diocesan priests attended on that blazing hot, early summer day. At the end of the prayer service, in a show of solidarity and friendship, priests and rabbis walked through the statue much like Bishop Howard J. Hubbard and Rabbi Martin Silverman did during its dedication in 1989. This was an event that proved we are all stronger when we work together and stand up to hate!
Staying in the ecumenical aisle, my conversation with Father Daniel Corrou, SJ, in November was a real eye-opener. Father Corrou, who grew up in Saratoga Springs, is the regional director for the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in the embattled country of Lebanon, which at the time we talked, was in chaos with the Israel-Hezbollah conflict raging. This Jesuit concept of combining intellectual depth with a deep commitment to social justice and helping the poor — regardless of race, gender, religion or politics — really made me think about what I could do to affect change in upstate New York. I learned so much about the country and the Jesuit mission and I couldn’t help but worry about the safety of Father Corrou, his fellow Jesuits and dedicated staff after seeing blast after blast decimate southern Lebanon and move its way to Beirut where JRS is located. The ceasefire last month between Israel and Hezbollah has quieted the shelling and the drones, but the future of the country remains uncertain.
We will finish our stories of the year with a visit first to North Albany and then to the South End.
It was a treat listening to Mike Connors, the former Albany comptroller, talk about his love for North Albany and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in August. “Many of us believe that Sacred Heart Church is the center of the universe or that North Albany is,” Conners said for the story. “The triangle is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and our triangle is School 20, North Albany American Legion Post and the church.” Connors, who is never at a loss for words, is hoping to lead a revival in the neighborhood sparked by the church.
Across town in the South End, when Elijah Missionary Baptist Church, the former Our Lady Help of Christians, was consumed by fire in November it affected many Catholics in the Diocese. Maybe none more than Father Robert Hohenstein, who was pastor at the parish for 27 years. Although the parish closed in 2002, it was still difficult to see the structure on fire. Father Hohenstein took me on a historical tour of old Albany which I hoped alleviated some of the pain that he felt. After closing down Our Lady Help, Father Hohenstein spent 14 years at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Schenectady, and it got me thinking about buildings and faith. Faith in Christ is what we carry in our hearts and share with others; it can never be contained to a building or city or state.
So there you have it, another year filled with stories of joy, sadness and hope. As we look forward to Jubilee Year 2025, with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” let’s bring the hopeful light of Christ to everyone we meet in the new year!
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