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PRIESTS MARK ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES Many priests of the Albany Diocese are celebrating significant anniversaries this spring. Marking 60 years since ordination are: * REV. PAUL BONDI, a native of Troy, served as associate pastor at St. Mary's parish in Frankfort; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Schenectady; St. Anthony's, Herkimer; St. Peter's, Stillwater; St. Catherine's, Albany; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Gloversville; St. John's, Rensselaer; and St. Thomas, Delmar. He was pastor at Sacred Heart in Stamford, then spent 27 years as pastor of St. Mary's in Ballston Spa. He plans to celebrate his jubilee quietly. QUOTE: "The people of all these parishes have been an inspiration for me. St. Mary's in Ballston Spa and all the parishes were very spiritual and a great support." * REV. WILLIAM CRANDALL, a native of Waterford, served at St. Mary's in Glens Falls, St. Mary's in Coxsackie, Immaculate Conception in Schenectady, St. John's in Albany, St. Peter's in Troy, St. Brigid's in Watervliet, St. Joseph's in Albany and St. Mary's in Troy, all as associate pastor. In addition, he was administrator at Most Precious Blood, South Kortright, and St. Francis, Herkimer, and pastor at St. Joseph's, Worcester, and taught at several schools in the Albany Diocese. He has not announced plans to mark his jubilee. QUOTE: Having auctioned antiques to support St. Joseph's parish and taught the business to parishioners, "I used those times to teach about Christ and try to be some sort of model. It has been a wonderful [60] years, and I love the people more than they will know." * REV. JOHN MALECKI, a native of Schenectady, has served at St. Patrick's in Albany, St. Adalbert's in Schenectady and St. Margaret Mary's in Albany; as spiritual director for Mater Christi Seminary in Albany; and as director (for 21 years) and staff psychologist (for 39 years) for the Consultation Center in Albany. He will mark his jubilee with a Mass at St. Adalbert's in Schenectady on Sept. 7, followed by a roast at the Italian-American Community Center in Albany. QUOTE: "Serving as a priest has filled me with joy
and peace in serving others in the name of Jesus Christ. [One] memorable
moment was the opportunity to establish the Consultation Center as a
witness to integrate spirituality and psychology, to foster growth of the
whole person. Each year, my joy is brighter, peace deeper, laughter more
enjoyable." *** A trio is celebrating a half-century since ordination: * REV. PAUL TARTAGLIA, a native of Albany, was an associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament parish in Albany and pastor or administrator of St. Mary's in Coxsackie, St. John's in Rensselaer and St. Paul's in Troy. He also taught at Catholic Central High School in Troy and The College of Saint Rose in Albany, and headed diocesan programs and offices. He will mark his jubilee quietly. QUOTE: "There has never been any doubt that this vocation has turned out to be the best possible choice that I could have made in responding to God. The challenges were often difficult and sometimes the ministry very taxing, but I can honestly say it's the best thing that could happen in my life." * REV. ARTHUR TOOLE, a native of Hudson Falls, has served at St. Columba's, Schenectady; St. Ann's, Albany; Our Lady of Fatima, Schenectady; and St. Joseph's, Scotia. He also taught at McCloskey High School in Albany and was pastor at St. Vincent's in Cobleskill and St. Matthew's in Voorheesville. His anniversary celebration will include a Mass on June 1, 10:30 a.m., at St. Matthew's, followed by a reception at the parish, then a dinner for family and friends. * REV. JOHN WALDRON, a native of Ilion, has served as an associate pastor at Annunciation parish there and at St. Patrick's in Troy, St. John's in Rensselaer and St. Joseph's in Troy; and as pastor at St. Patrick's in Cohoes, St. Francis de Sales in Troy and St. Mary's in Oneonta. He will mark his jubilee at his current parish, Our Lady of Mercy in Colonie, May 25, followed by a reception at Carondelet Hospitality Center in Latham. QUOTE: "Aspects of the priesthood that I have found especially satisfying were teaching -- I like explaining things, bringing in the history of events -- giving absolution, anointing the sick, celebrating all the sacraments, and sharing in good liturgies. I have always encouraged young men to consider a vocation to the priesthood. A positive aspect has always been the opportunity to asssure people of God's loving kindness and forgiveness, the truly 'Good News.'" Six priests are celebrating the 40th anniversaries of their ordinations: * REV. MICHAEL FARANO, a native of Glens Falls, was an associate pastor at St. Joseph's parish in Albany and on the faculty of the parish school before becoming director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development for the Albany Diocese and administrator at St. Bonaventure's, Spiegletown. Later, he served as secretary to Bishop Edwin Broderick, diocesan chancellor and diocesan vicar general -- the latter a post he holds again today, along with having been pastor at St. Pius X parish in Loudonville since 1990 and diocesan director of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Father Farano has not set plans to mark his jubilee. QUOTE: "The Lord has been very good to me throughout my life, often saving me from myself. In the priesthood, the Lord has given me opportunities to serve beyond what I could have ever imagined. I am frequently tired, but never bored. The priesthood offers the privilege of being invited into the lives of people during their most joyful and most vulnerable moments. To stand at the altar in the place of Christ and to bring Him into this time and place in Eucharist is humbling. I believe that the Lord is calling many hearts to priesthood. When that tug is felt, my advice: Pay attention." * REV. ROBERT HOHENSTEIN, a native of Albany, has been an assistant pastor at St. John the Baptist, Greenville, and at Our Lady Help of Christians, Albany, where he was then pastor for 27 years. In addition, he has served at Cardinal McCloskey High School in Albany, as diocesan human life coordinator, and as a chaplain at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany and Albany Medical Center. He has been pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Schenectady since 2002. He will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving May 18, 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with a dinner to follow. A parish reception will also follow the 10 a.m. Mass on May 25 at OLMC. QUOTE: "My journey as a priest of Jesus Christ over the past 40 years has been spiritually nourished by my parish families of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady Help of Christians. My priesthood was deeply enriched by the sick and suffering as [a] chaplain. My faith was truly enlivened by the youth [in teaching]. These blessed years also had moments of sadness and challenge as I presided over the closing of Our Lady Help of Christians in Albany, where I was stationed for 32 years, and preached the closing homily at my home parish in Our Lady of Angels in Albany. My greatest privilege as a priest is to celebrate the Eucharist and thus share the body and blood of Jesus Christ with God's people as together we are strengthened and nourished on the journey to eternal life." * REV. THOMAS KELLY, a native of Sligo, Ireland, has served as an associate pastor at St. Joseph's in Green Island and Annunciation in Queensbury; on the faculty of Keveny Academy in Cohoes; and as pastor of St. Paul's in Hancock, St. Patrick's in Troy and, since 2003, St. Mary's in Ballston Spa. He will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on June 8, 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary's; a reception will follow. QUOTE: "Thank God for the gift of my vocation and being able to serve in the Albany Diocese. I have many happy memories thanks to the priests I served with and the people in the parishes I served." * REV. RICHARD LESKOVAR, a native of St. Johnsville, taught at Vincentian High School in Albany and served as associate pastor at St. Patrick's in Catskill and Blessed Sacrament in Albany before being named pastor of St. Mary's in Troy. He was also a chaplain at St. Clare's Hospital in Schenectady. He was pastor of St. Thomas parish in Delmar from 2002-2005; he now serves as weekend assistant there. He plans "a quiet Mass of Thanksgiving" to mark his jubilee. QUOTE: "St. Francis said, 'Preach the Gospel always and when necessary use words.' Priesthood for me has been a ministry of presence: making Christ present to the moment, whether a moment of sadness or of joy, and everything in between." * REV. PETER PAGONES, a native of Schenectady, has been an associate pastor at St. Michael the Archangel, Amsterdam; St. Patrick's, Albany; Our Lady of Mercy, Colonie; St. Henry's, Averill Park; and St. Paul the Apostle, Schenectady. He has been pastor of St. Peter's in Saratoga Springs, St. James in Fort Plain; St. Henry's in Averill Park; and Holy Trinity in Schaghticoke. Since 2006, he has been administrator of St. Paul's in Schenectady. He will note his jubilee with a Mass at St. Paul's, June 1, 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception. QUOTE: "Priesthood has been a joy. Over the years, my life has been touched by more people than I can count. My overwhelming sense is a feeling of deep gratitude to almighty God for allowing me to have the privilege of being a part of so many wonderful people's lives." * REV. RICHARD SHAW, a native of Brooklyn, has served at Immaculate Conception parish, Haines Falls; Sacred Heart, Albany; St. Patrick's, Watervliet; St. Francis de Sales, Troy; St. Pius X, Loudonville; St. Gabriel's, Rotterdam; St. Anna's, Summit; and St. Bonaventure's, Spiegletown; as well as in Grafton, Schenectady and Coxsackie. Since 1972, he has been in prison ministry, including his current assignments at Greene and Coxsackie Correctional Facilities; he is also sacramental minister for St. Patrick's parish in Athens and St. Patrick's in Catskill. He has not set plans to mark his jubilee. QUOTE: "When I see someone my own age getting ordained, I want to start over again with them. When I see men in their mid-20s getting ordained, I want to start over again with them...so that's what I'm going to do. It's the great adventure." *** One priest is noting 25 years since his ordination: * REV. THOMAS ZELKER, a native of Albany, has served at Blessed Sacrament, Albany; St. John the Evangelist, Schenectady; St. Vincent's, Cobleskill; St. Anna's, Summit; St. Mary's, Sharon Springs; St. John the Baptist, Valatie; St. Catherine's, Albany; and his current parishes, St. Mary's/All Saints and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Granville (as well as St. Frances Cabrini Church in West Pawlet, Vermont). He has also been a chaplain at SUNY-Cobleskill and Summit Shock Correctional Facility. He will mark his 25th anniversary with a picnic following the regular Masses at his churches, July 13, noon, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Granville. Quote: "What an awesomely wonderful and humbling experience to witness to the love of God as reflected and lived in the lives of so many and such varied people in this area. The gift of each day, the beauty of creation and the shared discipleship of Jesus continuously unfolds the treasure of life that is forever ours. 'And God looked at it all and found it very good'....What an adventure!" (05/08/08) |