Church of St. Adalbert 550 Lansing Street Schenectady,New York 12303 518-346-4204 / saschene@rcda.org Rev. Matthew H. Frisoni, Pastor Welcome! Witamy! In these times, in whom is our true hope? Follow the Lord closely, for only "in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).
"If God is for us, who can be against us"
(Rom 8:31)? Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe ( http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/upload/prayer-coronavirus-2020-card.pdf ), we have been protected by God through this virus epidemic. We can withstand the impact of any storm in our lives. God is with us.
June 11, 2020
Dear friends, Great news: I am pleased to announce that, with the permission of our Bishop and diocesan officials, we are beginning this weekend, June 13-14, to celebrate Masses inside our churches, with a congregation. All parishes have agreed that their churches are to be places promoting a healthy and safe environment; thus, we must all follow strict guidelines designed to keep us free from the COVID virus. Here are some bullet points that highlight our re-entry, which ushers will assist us with: -- As of this writing, 25 percent of the maximum capacity of the church can be inside -- If more than this number appear for Mass, we will serve communion to those waiting outside in the parking lots right after Mass (like we have done for the past two weekends) -- Except for persons who reside together, we maintain a minimum six-foot distance from others at all times -- Mandatory masks except for the point of reception of holy communion -- Certain doors or restrooms are closed for entry -- Hand sanitizing for all who enter the church -- Required written contact tracing forms to be completed in church before being seated for all who participate in Mass -- For now, we cannot have holy water, missalettes, choirs, ministers other than the priest in the sanctuary, processions of the gifts, chalices offering the Precious Blood to the faithful, physical signs of peace, hand-shaking, greetings by the priest at the door following Mass, and any congregation of persons after Mass (we pray that hopefully one day, these practice can be restored). -- Also suspended for now is the administration of holy communion by extraordinary ministers to any home- bound person. -- Please arrive to church earlier than your usual arrival time. If you wish to read all of the details, click on the link below this message to read the comprehensive safety plan for our churches. Again, our Bishop has dispensed us from the obligation to participate in Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation. If you are in a high-risk category due to age or underlying health conditions, or if you are feeling sick, you do not have to attend the Mass and you ought not to if your health would jeopardize others. Don't worry: we'll still continue our streaming Mass on the websites and our Sunday television Mass at 9:00 AM on Spectrum cable and Verizon Fios for Schenectady subscribers. Let us thank God in prayer that we can now participate in Mass again in our churches, as we offer our prayers for those who still labor under the effects of this virus. God's peace be with you, and I'll see you soon. Fr. Frisoni |
June 6, 2020
Friends, Let us pray today for the souls of all service personnel who died on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 in the Normandy landings; pray also for a peaceful resolution to any conflict, that all people can find the Truth and the Way toward reconciliation: Christ Jesus. Fr. Frisoni |
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Receive Holy Communion!!
May 29, 2020
Dear friends, Greetings to you. For about the past two and one-half months, we have prayed and participated in the celebration of Mass virtually but without the benefit of being able to receive our Lord in holy communion due to the virus epidemic. I am pleased to now be able to share with you a path forward that is consistent with all civil regulations presently in force. This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday: the birthday of the Church and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is very appropriate that a new beginning commences this weekend, May 30-31 -- here is an outline of this gift of the Spirit. -- Mass inside the church will now be celebrated by the priest alone at the usual weekend Mass times. In the Diocese of Albany right now, a crowd is not permitted in church for the Mass (hopefully, this will change very soon). The church doors are locked during this Mass. -- However, you can come to our parking lots at the usual weekend Mass times and participate in the Mass by streaming our Mass on your portable electronic devices; you must remain in your vehicles so that there is no congregation of persons to comply with state regulations. -- Then, the priest emerges after Mass to stand outside at the door of the church with a ciborium containing holy communion from Mass. Ushers and parking lot attendants then permit only eight persons at one time, wearing masks, to receive communion by walking over to the priest standing at the door, observing a minimum of six feet distance from the next person. Communicants remove the mask to receive communion, return the mask to their face, and then return to their cars to depart the lot. (In this sense, our congregation of those in line to receive communion is ten or fewer persons as permitted in New York.) -- Our Bishop has continued to suspend the obligation to participate in Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Those who are ill, experiencing symptoms of illness, or those in a vulnerable situation -- the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, underlying health conditions, etc. -- are NOT obliged to attend Mass or receive holy communion, and out of concern for others, ought not to attend. In sum, at least we now have a path to receive our Lord in communion as food for the journey. This is not perfect, or "like it was before," but it is a way forward for those who have been longing to receive the Lord sacramentally. Our streaming and television Masses continue as before. Thank you for your prayers; in answer to our prayers, the Lord has provided for our needs and has given us wisdom and strength. God's peace to you, Fr. Frisoni CHURCH OPENING UPDATE
May 22, 2020 Hello friends, An update -- the diocese has now permitted us to move to a planning stage to prepare a written plan to gather for Masses. The bad news for now is that even after the plan is approved, there are no more than ten persons permitted at any Mass (thus the need for a re-introduction plan for each church). Before Masses can resume, we are preparing that design for review, which includes safety measures designed to keep you healthy. After approval, the plan must be shared with you publicly before any church is reopened for sacred liturgy (please visit us back here). I am very pleased we can take these small steps to return physically to the altar of the Lord, although we know we have been united to Christ's sacrifice all along. We'll keep praying together for an end to the virus and our gradual re-introduction of Masses in the churches that we love and cherish. God's peace. Fr. Frisoni May 17, 2020
Sixth Sunday of Easter Available at 4:00 PM May 16th May 3, 2020
Dear friends, Stay connected to God and to each other in these times. Why not try today to reach out to two or three people you haven’t communicated with in months or years? This can make a big difference in someone’s day — and yours. God’s peace to you, Fr. Frisoni May 3, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Easter - Mass |
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Available May 23rd @4:00PM Ascension of the Lord
Available at 4:00 PM May 20th May 15, 2020
Dear friends, Today, we learned that the Capital Region of our state is not yet allowed to emerge from the lockdown. But remember, we are not in a lockup! Don’t forget you can stop and pray before the Lord Jesus in our churches. Entrust your cares before the most blessed Sacrament, for Jesus’ heart sets us free. Have a great weekend, Fr. Frisoni May 12, 2020
Dear friends, Perhaps we have spent great energies worrying about what we have recently lost, or what has changed in our world. Do not forget the graces God has given us throughout our whole lives. God has been very good to us. Let our Blessed Mother show us how to express our praise to God. "'My soul magnifies the Lord'" (Lk 1:46). In these words, she [Mary] expresses her whole program of life: not setting herself at the center, but leaving space for God, who is encountered both in prayer and in service of neighbor -- only then does goodness enter the world. Mary's greatness consists in the fact that she wants to magnify God, not herself" (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est [2005], no. 41). Fr. Frisoni 
God's way is taught to us in the final chapter of Isaiah the prophet: "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort" (Is 66:13). Christ Jesus, embrace us and guide us to the eternal Jerusalem.
Don't forget to thank God in prayer for your mother. Happy Mother's Day! Fr. Frisoni Month of May
Pope Francis offers two new prayers & encourages us to pray the rosary. |
Good evening. At the filmed Mass today, I prayed the prayer of consecration to merciful love in honor of Divine Mercy Sunday. This prayer of consecration is offered across the diocese at all parishes and at the Cathedral on Sunday, the day we are showing the Mass. The prayer comes from https://www.rcda.org/divinemercyconsecration . |
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Great News Dear friends, I am also very pleased to tell you that subscribers of Spectrum Cable or Verizon Fios can now watch the same Mass on Sundays at 9:00 AM, with a replay on Thursdays at 6:00 AM (that's early!). Spectrum subscribers can find the Mass on Schenectady Public Access Channel 1301. Verizon Fios subscribers can tune in at channel 36. This will be a very important way to keep our family without internet access connected to God and our local parish during our current situation. Please help spread the word to those you know who might benefit from the television Mass. God's peace to you. 
We are all aware of the economic challenges this virus will provide us. The church will be facing similar issues and would appreciate if you could continue with your contributions, where possible. You may mail your usual weekly offertory gifts to: Church of St. Adalbert, 550 Lansing Street, Schenectady, New York 12303 or you can drop your envelopes off in the parish office mail slot. For your convenience, For your convenience, sign up to donate online. Click on the donate button below to set up on-line donations. If you need help signing up to donate on-line call the office 518-346-4204, leave a message, and someone will call you back as soon as possible. Thank you! for your continued support of our parish family. |
A Poem by Laura Fanucci
When this is over, may we never again take for granted A handshake with a stranger Full shelves at the store Conversations with neighbors A crowded theatre Friday night out The taste of communion A routine checkup The school rush each morning Coffee with a friend The stadium roaring Each deep breath A boring Tuesday Life itself. When this ends, may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to be we were called to be we hoped to be and may we stay that way -- better for each other because of the worst. Dear friends, I wish to share with you a prayer I offered during homily time at our Ash Wednesday Masses seven weeks ago. In our current difficulties, I hope this prayer is of great comfort for you as it has been for me. Fr. Frisoni Prayer to Our Lady of Czestochowa Holy Mother of Czestochowa, You are full of grace, goodness, and mercy. I consecrate to you all my thoughts, words, and actions -- my soul and body. I beseech your blessings and especially prayers for my salvation. Today, I consecrate myself to you, Good Mother, totally -- with body and soul amid joy and sufferings to obtain for myself and others your blessings on this earth and eternal life in heaven. Amen. |
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