‘WHAT WE ARE CALLED TO BE’

St. Augustine celebrates patronal feast, opens expanded food pantry

Bishop Mark O’Connell poses for a photo on Aug. 28 in front of the newly relocated St. Augustine Food Pantry along with Father Martin Kordel, parish priest of St. Augustine, Troy Mayor Carmella R. Mantello, (seventh from l.) New York State Sen. Jake Ashby (eighth from l.), New York State Assemblymember John T. McDonald III (fifth from l.), members of the Troy City Council and other representatives of the local community. Bishop Mark also celebrating Mass for the Feast of St. Augustine earlier in the evening at the church in Lansingburgh. After the Mass and the blessing of the pantry by Bishop Mark, parishioners enjoyed the annual parish picnic. (Photos provided)

TROY — St. Augustine Parish in Lansingburgh celebrated its patronal feast on Aug. 28 with a special Mass, the blessing and opening of its newly relocated food pantry, and a parish picnic that brought together parishioners, volunteers and community leaders.

Bishop Mark O’Connell celebrated the 6 p.m. Mass for the Feast of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. He was joined by Father Bob Longobucco, Vicar General, Father Tom Morrette and Father Martin Kordel, parish priest of St. Augustine.

Also attending were Troy Mayor Carmella R. Mantello, New York State Sen. Jake Ashby, New York State Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, members of the Troy City Council and other representatives of the local community.

This year’s patronal feast held particular significance for the parish as the celebration continued after Mass with the blessing and official opening of the new home of the St. Augustine Food Pantry.

The pantry was relocated to a former parish garage that underwent an extensive renovation to create a larger and more functional space for the parish’s outreach ministry. The expanded facility provides additional room for food storage, shelving, refrigeration and distribution.

“This is more than the opening of a new building,” Father Kordel said. “It is a visible sign of what we are called to be as a Catholic parish — a community gathered around the Eucharist and then sent out to serve our brothers and sisters in need.”

The project was made possible through the generosity of parishioners, volunteers and community partners.

Members of the Troy Ancient Order of Hibernians, James Connolly Division 8, played a significant role in the renovation, donating their time and labor to transform the former garage into a space dedicated to serving the community.

Financial assistance was provided by The McCarthy Charities, while The Home Depot contributed building materials for the renovation. Parishioners, friends and other donors also supported the project and contributed food and other necessities for the pantry.

In preparation for the opening, the parish held a “Drive Up–Drop Off Food Drive.” Parishioners and members of the wider community responded with donations to help stock the shelves, while volunteers — including young people from the parish — helped collect and organize the food.

Following the blessing of the pantry, the evening continued with the parish’s annual St. Augustine picnic, offering an opportunity for parishioners, civic leaders, volunteers and guests to share food and fellowship.

For Father Kordel, celebrating the Eucharist and opening the food pantry on the same evening reflected the connection between Catholic faith and service.

“St. Augustine reminds us that our faith must lead us to love God and to love one another,” he said. “What we receive at the altar must continue in the way we care for our neighbors, especially those who are struggling.”

The expanded St. Augustine Food Pantry will continue the parish’s ministry of providing food and assistance to individuals and families in Lansingburgh and the surrounding community.

The celebration brought together the two dimensions at the heart of parish life: worship and service — gathering around the altar and then carrying Christ’s love beyond the doors of the church.