THANK YOU, BISHOP ED!

Reflections on the 10th Bishop of Albany

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger speaks to those in the medical profession during the White Mass on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at the Coliseum Church at Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville, N.Y. Cindy Schultz for The Evangelist (Courtesy photo of CINDY SCHULTZ)

Deo gratias, Bishop Ed!

Many years ago, I was making a retreat at a Cistercian Abbey. Across the road from the guest house, there was a huge, fenced-in pasture with many sheep. Early one morning, one of the sheep was continually bleating, almost crying. One of the monks, the shepherd of the flock, arrived. He quickly set the poor sheep free from the fencing in which it had become entangled.

This is what shepherds — and bishops — do! They see a need and they respond.

When our office, with its many ministries, approached Bishop Ed about changing our name to the Office for Discipleship Formation, he saw and understood our need for a better way to express our service and support for parishes. He approved our request, for which we are most grateful. As the title of his weekly column — “Go and Make Disciples” — suggests, Bishop Ed has called all of us to remember our primary identity is that of being and living as disciples of Jesus — from the day of our baptism until we meet the Lord face to face.

Because of this name change for our office, some of our parishes have changed the name of their catechetical programs for children and young people to “Discipleship Formation!” A wonderful blessing, simply because Bishop Ed saw a need and responded!

On a more personal note, I am grateful for the care Bishop Ed offered to me personally as my father was dying, then upon his passing, and more recently, as I lost my adopted son, Tony. His words, presence and prayer were a true comfort to me.

I join my fellow disciples and colleagues in the Office for Discipleship Formation, in wishing Bishop Ed every blessing as he moves into his new ministry as bishop emeritus. Let us all remember what he recently taught us in a video on our diocesan Facebook page: “We bring Jesus wherever we go … remember Jesus chose us and sends us as his disciples into the world.” Deo gratias, Bishop Ed! May it be so!

— David Amico, Director for the Diocesan Office for Discipleship Formation

***

Thank you, Bishop Ed

Bishop Ed, as you prepare to step into a new phase of life called retirement, I say thank you. Thank you for saying yes to God. Thank you for sharing His love. Thank you for hiring me. I have said from the start, serving as Communications Director for the Diocese feels more like a calling than a job. 

Looking back on my short time here, I see many lessons learned by working alongside you.

• The value of listening. I started as the Synod sessions began. I don’t have all the answers. I see now, I don’t have to. God does. I can show up, care, listen. That is helping.

• The value of sharing faith and learning from each other. I thank you for taking the time to share your heart, your story, and for listening to mine.

• The value of “walking with” others. I hear you so often offer to walk with people in need. Again, I may not have all the answers, that’s God’s job, but I can show up, walk with someone, let them know they are not alone. That’s healing.

• The value of seeing and meeting needs. You are very focused on people in the margins. I love your call for all to live the Mass, to look beyond the walls of any church building, to share the love of Christ with the world. 

So, I say thank you. I pray that in retirement, you feel God’s peace and that you continue finding ways to share His love.  

— Kathy Barrans, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Albany

***

Family leader

On the opening day of the St. Clare’s trial, dozens of attendees packed into the back of Room 2 at Schenectady County Court.

In the front of the room, attorneys took notes and shuffled papers, preparing to make their opening statements to the jury. When Victoria Williamson, attorney for the AARP, began her statement, she wasn’t shy about berating St. Clare’s Hospital, the Albany Diocese or the bishops for their alleged mishandling of the hospital’s pension plan.

Not unexpectedly, those sitting at the defendant’s table faced forward during the statement, eyes on the front of the room. Everyone, that was, but one. 

Bishop Edward Scharfenber­ger, who sat in the corner of the defendant’s table, turned himself directly toward the stand. It was a small but powerful gesture to ensure he wasn’t looking away, but at the person talking.

I found this touching, albeit a little tough. How often do we give our undivided attention to someone directly attacking us? Yet, I couldn’t think of a better way Bishop Ed could be summed up than that very moment.

From the day he was installed as the next bishop in 2014, Bishop Ed’s tenure has been marked by an openness and drive to create spaces for listening and ensuring the marginalized were being heard.

How fitting it was that the shepherd of the Diocese strived to show his people how we — despite our differences — can try to find a means to communicate, even on the most difficult of topics.

I always enjoyed one of Bishop Scharfenberger’s descriptions of a church as “a family of families.” I think the Diocese, similarly, is like a family of families. We may be imperfect and quirky — much like any large family — but there is love, always, and a desire to show up for one another.

I wish Bishop Ed all the best as he transitions into his retirement, and may it bring moments of joy and chances for more communication.

— Emily Benson, Staff Writer of The Evangelist

***

A powerful champion for Respect Life

Respect Life Ministries across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany have been an important focus of Bishop Scharfenberger’s ministry. I am grateful for the way he has been present at the many rallies, March for Life events and prayer vigils. In the 11 years he has been our shepherd, he has been a powerful champion for Respect for Life Issues. In a world that must be reminded constantly that all life is sacred, Bishop Ed has preached, written and supported those who do the work in our parishes.

Early in Bishop Ed’s time with us, he and I discussed my interest in having a Project Rachel Helpline here in our Diocese to help people find God’s mercy after experiencing abortion. His approval meant a successful launch of the program in January 2019. Alongside the Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, many people have found peace and forgiveness in the past six years.

Bishop’s interest in helping in practical ways was evident when he called a committee together from the Walking with Moms Initiative so that resources could be networked in case the Burdett Birth Center had to close. The process offered sharing and learning for each group about all the wonderful work that was being done in the area to support families in need. This brought positive communication to a situation that desperately needed listening to be resolved.

Bishop Ed’s presence at 40 Days for Life and other ministry events has helped those who attend be affirmed that they are doing God’s work. The ongoing Walking with Moms Initiative will continue to network families with the resources and information they need to grow their children in God’s love. The prayer groups, Respect Life Committees and legislative advocacy will continue. We look forward to working with Bishop Mark on these things in the future. 

— Mary Fay, Associate Director for Respect Life Ministries

A light in the darkness

As I reflect on his 11 years leading our Diocese, I am especially grateful for the trust Bishop Ed placed in me. But then again, trust is a hallmark of Bishop Ed’s ministry because he truly relies on the Holy Spirit and utterly believes that the Spirit leads the Church. He has always wanted to be the one who served the Spirit of God and not try to manipulate it.

My first real interaction with Bishop Ed was at a moment of crisis for my parish almost immediately after his episcopal ordination. He was encouraging, fear calming and supportive. I wish that would have been the last crisis we faced together but it was not. Yet, what I discovered in that first conversation would be repeated time and again. His reaction always aligned with his faith, the recognition we are stewards of God’s mysteries and not its owners.

Bishop Ed, I know that you will support us and provide anything our Diocese needs going forward. I am delighted for you not to be directly on the front lines while still being a light in the darkness. I pray for a happy “retirement” and know we will be in your prayers as well.

— Father Robert Longobucco, Pastor of St. Kateri Teka­kwitha Parish in Schenectady, 
and served under Bishop Ed as Vicar General

* * *

Let go and let God

I knew at some point, I was going to get the news that a successor had been named for Bishop Ed.

Even though he had put in his retirement notice to the Vatican over two years ago, I still didn’t think his successor would start until perhaps after bankruptcy was settled.

I never really thought about what my reaction would be and the years — and stories — kept rolling on.

When I was called into the Bishop’s office on a random Thursday in October, I was met by Bonni Shippee, Diocesan COO, and Kathy Barrans, Director of Communications.

The first thing I asked was, “Am I being fired?”

Bishop, who is the publisher of The Evangelist, laughed and said no. 

Then he said that he had talked with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio, the previous weekend and the Vatican had named his successor in Bishop Mark W. O’Connell, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston. We would all get to meet him the following Monday, Oct. 20, and I had to keep it hush-hush until then.

After expecting this news for so long, I was still stunned. I had worked for other newspapers and managing editors come and go, but this just feels different. I know Bishop Ed will still be around the Diocese, but I will miss late night or early morning texts on stories that he was excited about, or updates on when he was going to file his weekly column. I know he always wanted what was best for the Diocese and I always felt he was put in a very tough spot. But we could have asked for no better shepherd these last 11 years.

He always likes to say that every parish should be “a family of families and family for those without family” and “Let go and let God.”

When something is weighing heavily on my mind or I am struggling in any capacity, I will think of Bishop Ed and “Let go and let God.”

— Mike Matvey, Editor of The Evangelist