Catholics across the Albany Diocese are being contacted by alleged tax collectors, computer software companies or government agencies. These are not legitimate calls; the callers are scammers, and parishioners everywhere are potential victims.

The Albany Diocese was proud to be the site where the 2018 Regional V Encuentro was held June 22-24. The Regional V Encuentro was part of a series of meetings that are being held over the next four years, discerning how to better connect with and involve the Hispanic and Latino Catholic community in the Church. The Albany event drew more than 300 delegates from the eight dioceses in New York State.

"YOUR CALL IS A CALL TO GO OUT into the world and tell the Good News, by your life and by your example. It's not really about you, but it is about all of us," Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger told Rev. Zachariah Chichester, the newest priest of the Albany Diocese.

The First World War is considered by many to be the first modern war. In the midst of this catastrophe, in 1917 in Portugal, Mary appeared to three shepherd children.

(Editor’s note: Anne is the second-place winner of Saratoga Central Catholic School’s annual St. Francis de Sales writing contest.)

My favorite apparition is Our Lady of Guadalupe, in which the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 AD.

(Editor’s note: Joseph is the first-place winner of Saratoga Central Catholic School’s annual St. Francis de Sales writing contest.)