July 8, 2025 at 5:56 p.m.

A SWEET DAY

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception throws ice cream social at Bleecker Park

Father Rendell Torres (l.), rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, inspired by the diocesan Remade for Mission initiative, decided to hold an ice cream social for the community at Bleecker Park on July 2 in Albany. (Kathy Barrans photo)

By Emily Benson | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Underneath a blue tent across from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a happy birthday chorus sang out from Bleecker Park. The sweet surprise came during the Cathedral’s ice cream social on July 2, where Albany area neighbors gathered together over a cup of free Stewart’s ice cream. After one local shared off-the-cuff that it was his birthday, the dozen attendees immediately jumped in to sing, wishing a happy birthday to their neighbor.

Fittingly enough, it was the cherry on top of a perfect afternoon.

“This is no agenda, just get to know people and how can we serve,” said Father Rendell Torres, rector of the Cathedral and pastor of Historic St. Mary’s and St. Francis Church in Albany. “How can we do what flows from our faith? We’re doing this because of what we believe, it flows from our faith. We’re not requiring anybody to have a particular faith, but we want to get to know everyone.”

Father Torres credits the idea to Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, who mentioned it as an easy way to get to know the community. And the idea was well received: Stewart’s Shops donated the ice cream, dozens came out throughout the afternoon, and there was a buzz of excitement amongst attendees, an eagerness to meet the people who also lived on the same block as them.

It’s a well-timed event as the Diocese begins executing its Remade for Mission plan: “If we have a lot of buildings, it’s good to say, why are these buildings built? Who are they serving and do they still serve? Because if we have buildings that are not serving a defined mission anymore and we’re just maintaining them, could all the resources being used to maintain them become obstacles in areas we do need to be serving. And could (we) focus not just on finances, but on people,” Father Torres said.

And after its success, more social events — maybe more involving ice cream — could be on the horizon.

“People were just tickled that we did this,” Father Torres laughed. “They can just come in, and nobody is asking how long they’re going to stay, just socialize. It’s great.”