Reverent, traditional, inviting and full of ministries; guided by the Augustinians we offer a beautiful backdrop for all of the sacraments to be received. Residing in a tree-covered, and quiet avenue in the Lansingburgh Community of Troy, N.Y. we are a heritage parish that invites you to attend Mass with us. We welcome you.
Covid Update as of June 9, 2021
We would like to take this opportunity to let you know how much we appreciate your support, prayers, and patience during this unprecedented time. Welcome back to all who have returned to Mass as the obligation to attend Sunday Mass has been reinstated. It is wonderful to see how our community continues to make strides in coming together during the pandemic.
In light of recent changes released by the NYS Department of Health and the CDC, effective immediately, we are revising the mask requirements.
We ask unvaccinated parishioners to continue to wear a mask at all times while in church. Anyone who is fully vaccinated may remove their mask when seated in the pew. Otherwise, if you are out of your seat, please wear your mask (including when you arrive and make your way to your pew, when you go up and back for communion and while walking out to exit).
We encourage the faithful to continue to cooperate with the guidelines in place during this time of transition.
We cannot live without the Eucharist, and the church is not fully alive without its congregation. Let us “welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God (Romans 15:7).
Please take a moment to read the following guidelines while at St. Augustine’s Church
In light of guidance released this week by the Centers for Disease Control advising that vaccinated Americans can go without masks or social distancing in most public settings, we at St. Augustine’s Church will continue to exercise appropriate caution.
Many members of our community remain unvaccinated and at higher risk of COVID transmission. Some—particularly children under the age of 12 and medically fragile individuals or the immunocompromised—have not had the opportunity to be vaccinated. The vulnerable among us should not be expected to bear the burden of others’ unwillingness to be vaccinated or follow COVID-safe policies.
Although vaccination and improved medical care have eased the consequences of the pandemic, it is not behind us. Let us continue safe practices so that we can be part of a global effort to subdue this coronavirus.
We will continue to follow COVID-safe practices and gather in ways that do not exclude or put at risk unvaccinated members of the community, such as children or medically vulnerable individuals.
We won’t decide the pandemic is over or rush into or disregard medical and commonsense advice. We will not discard safe worship practices or act in ways that require unvaccinated or vulnerable members to choose between being safe and participating in the community.
COVID-19 UPDATE AT ST. AUGUSTINE’S
As the pandemic is certainly showing signs of improvement, you may have read Bishop Scharfenberger’s updates relating to the Covid-19 Guidelines for churches within the Albany Diocese.
The following highlights those guidelines which will be in place at St. Augustine’s Church:
HEALTH AND THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND MASS: Given the improving situation, the temporary suspension of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days will be rescinded from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Sunday, June 6th), although this will continue to be under constant review. You should, however, continue to use your judgment based upon religious and medical considerations as to whether or not to attend Mass. Please note that although the general dispensation will be lifted, there remains a particular dispensation in certain circumstances such as:
• if you are sick, have cold or flu like symptoms, etc.
• if you are experiencing symptoms of a serious illness
• if you are in a “vulnerable” category (the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, people with long term conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart conditions, respiratory conditions, etc.)
• if you continue to have anxiety or concerns about returning to Mass in person
ANY liturgy taking place at St. Augustine’s Church (weddings, baptisms, funerals as well as weekday or Sunday Masses) we will continue to follow certain protocols:
• Minimum distance of six feet will be maintained, wherever possible, between members of the congregation (except for members of the same household, caregivers, etc.) Although percentages may be given in governmental documents regarding capacity numbers in church buildings, given the continuing need to maintain social distancing, this factor of distancing is of far more significance than any given percentage.
Please note: Live Streamed Masses will be continued for those unable to attend Mass in person.
We will continue to update the protocols in place at St. Augustine’s and provide updates as things change. Thank you for your respect and cooperation as we continue to maneuver through these times!
Congratulations to our First Communicants
Congratulations to our First Holy Communion students. They have received Jesus for the first time with great joy and love in their hearts. God is Good. Thank you to the First Communicants’ parents, families and friends, and to our Catechists who worked with the children – Mrs. Webster and Mrs. Gregoire.
