St. Augustine's Catholic Church
“Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.” – St. Augustine of Hippo
Abigayle Fountain, Briley Roarke, Dylan Sanvidge,
Anna Sofranko, Slyssa Vandenburgh, Michael Wilmoth
The young women and men of St. Augustine’s Parish recently received the gift of the Holy Spirit at the Sacrament of Confirmation. They each prepared for the sacrament through prayer, study, and learning to recognize the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are delighted to welcome them to full membership in the Church.
James T. Spenard was born on October 4, 1946, in Waterford, New York, one of two sons of John Spenard and Marie Alma Baillargeon. He was baptized on October 20, 1946 at Saint Mary’s Church, Waterford, and attended Waterford Public School from 1951 to 1953 and Saint Mary’s School, Waterford, from 1953 until 1960. He then attended LaSalle Institute in Troy, New York, from which he graduated in 1964. Jim entered Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York on September 9, 1964, and professed simple vows on September 10, 1965. Following religious profession, he attended Villanova University and graduated in 1969 with a B.A. in Philosophy. He made his profession of solemn vows on September 14, 1968 at Villanova. During the summers between 1969 and 1971, he took graduate classes in education and sociology at Villanova. He pursued theological studies at the Washington Theological Coalition from 1969 to 1972 where he received an M.A. in Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1972 at Saint Mary’s Church, Waterford, by Bishop Edward J. Maginn.
Father Jim was assigned to Saint Denis Church, Havertown, Pennsylvania, in June 1972 and to Saint James Church, Carthage, NY in January 1973. In June 1977 he was transferred to Immaculate Conception Church, Hoosick Falls, NY, and returned, as pastor, to Saint James in Carthage in August 1979. After eighteen years of ministry in this role he received a brief sabbatical in September 1997 after which, in March 1998, he was appointed pastor of Saint Augustine Parish, Troy, NY. He also served Saint Augustine’s at various times as prior, treasurer and local superior of the Augustinian community. In August 2015, he was assigned to Saint Rita of Cascia Friary, Philadelphia, PA, where he assisted in Shrine ministry with particular responsibility for couples preparing for marriage at the Shrine. In March 2019, with the merger of the religious communities of Saint Rita and Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, he was assigned to the newly formed Augustinian Community of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Philadelphia, and from there continued his ministry at Saint Rita Shrine.
On August 30, 2020 Father Jim suffered a stroke and was admitted to Jefferson Hospital. While there, as he was awaiting transfer to a rehab facility, he suffered two more strokes and was transferred to Kindred Hospital, Philadelphia, where he died in the early hours of Thursday, October 8, 2020.Father Jim Spenard’s entire priesthood of 48 years was devoted to pastoral work in direct service to the faithful. His quiet, gentle, and dedicated leadership and long service in both Carthage and Troy, New York, earned him the respect and devotion of these communities and an enduring remembrance in their history of these parishes.
+Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
It is with great sadness we learned that Fr. Fritz Cerullo died last evening. Fr. Fritz served at St. Augustine’s Church in 2014-2015. As additional information is available, we will share it with you. Please keep Fr. Fritz and his family in your prayers.
Eternal rest, grant unto Father Fritz Cerullo, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
St. Augustine’s is hosting a Bus Trip to NYC on Saturday, August 24th for lunch at Tony’s Di Napoli and then to see the Broadway show, Beautiful The Carole King Musical. The cost is $190 dollars and will cover the lunch and Broadway premium seating tickets as well as the bus, the tip for the driver and a snack on the ride down. Seating is limited so reserve your spot today! You can choose to pay the total or a nonrefundable deposit of $100 will reserve your seat now. The rest of the total amount is due by July 15th.
Trip Itinerary
6:45 am Board bus at St. Augustine’s
11:30 am Tony’s Di Napoli for Lunch
2:00 pm Beautiful The Carole King Musical
10:00 pm Approximate arrival at St. Augustine’s
For further information contact the Parish Office at (518)235-3861
“For five years, Beautiful, the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning Carole King musical, has thrilled Broadway with the inspiring true story of one woman’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
From the string of pop classics she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, chart-busting success with Tapestry, Beautiful takes you back to where it all began – and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.
Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman,” this crowd-pleasing international phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember – and a story you’ll never forget.” (Excerpt is taken from beautifulonbroadway.com)
“Tony’s has served up some of the best Old New York Italian favorites since 1959. To truly appreciate this restaurant, come with a large family and a large appetite. Portions are huge, designed to serve two to three people.
My cooking comes from Southern Neapolitan traditions, and are served up in huge family style platters that serve 2 to 3 people. My recipes have been handed down to my children who have continued to bring our traditions to you. We have watched thousands of New York families grow up with us at our dinner table, and we invite you to come and see us anytime or give us a call and we’ll deliver our delicious food to you.” (excerpt is taken from https://www.tonysnyc.com/)
This past Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Noon as we Celebrate First Holy Communion for the children of the Parish. At Baptism, the parents of these children committed to raising them in the faith so that they may be welcomed to our Eucharistic Table. Please pray for these young ones! Also at this Noon Mass, our First Communicants will honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and Crown her with flowers.
FIRST COMMUNICANTS
Patrick Martin A.
Alivia Ann C.
Jaylynn Eva Maria H.
Jordan Joseph H.
Elaina Lily H.
Madeline Rose J.
Vivienne Yong Sirius S.
Aviana Capri T.
Please pray for them!
The Bishop’s Appeal 2019—Commitment Weekend—as a parish, we are very grateful to all who participated in the 2018 Bishop’s Appeal. The weekend of May 4th and 5th is the 2019 Bishop’s Appeal Commitment Weekend! Through this important Appeal, we follow the example of Christ to serve our brothers and sisters here in the Diocese of Albany. This is our opportunity to unite together as one Catholic Family, to answer the challenge given to us by Jesus Christ to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the afflicted, and to promote justice for every person. This Appeal supports all of the vital ministries and programs throughout the Diocese of Albany. It is our one opportunity during the year to reach out in support of all the people of God beyond the boundary of our own Parish St. Augustine’s. During the week, please take the time to prayerfully reflect on the gifts that you have been given by God and respond to the Bishop’s Appeal as generously as you possibly can.
If you never participated or are considering what to offer, may we urge you to stand with St. Augustine’s this year. You may use your offertory envelope marked The Bishop’s Appeal and drop it in the basket at one of the Masses. Our fair share goal is $51,050 dollars and we hope to make that goal.
Other options to donate include the myparish app for your smartphone. Just download the app (for instructions for downloading the Myparish app) then log in to St. Augustine’s Church and then choose the giving option or Donate to Bishops Appeal Online and choose St. Augustine’s Parish so you can be added to the other donations made in our parish’s name.
Update First Report – 84 gifts were received at the Masses last weekend totaling $13, 825. We are well on our way to our goal! Thank you!
Update Second Report – An additional 22 gifts were received at Masses last weekend, May 12th and 13th, bringing our total to $18, 981 which is 37% of our fair share goal of $51,050. At this time last year, we were at 45% of our fair share goal. Please help us push to reach our mark!
Update Third Report – So far, 115 pledges have been received amounting to $21, 826 which is 43% of our fair share goal of $51, 050. We were a bit more ahead at this time last year, reporting 53% of our fair share goal. Thank you to all who have already participated and let’s keep moving toward our goal!
Update Fourth Report – Out of the 122 pledges received have brought us to $22,296 but we are only halfway there! Please keep striving toward that fair share goal! Thank you to all who have already participated and let’s keep moving toward our goal!
Update Fifth Report – 125 pledges received have brought us to $22,901. We need to keep striving toward our Goal.
Update Sixth Report – 132 pledges received have brought us to $38,486 and to 76% of our Fair Share Goal. Please keep striving forward and work towards our fair share goal!
Update Seventh Report – We now have 137 pledges that total $38,916. We are a behind on our fair share goal this year. This time last year we were at 92%. Please remember that 50% of any overage of our assessment comes back to the parish. We thank everyone who have helped us reach this goal so far. Please help us meet our fair share goal.
“The Bishop’s Appeal of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany was envisioned 65 years ago by the Most Reverend William A. Scully, Bishop of Albany to financially support the growing services and ministries of the Church.
Ever since thousands of people across the fourteen counties of our diocese have come together each year to generously empower their parish’s contribution to support the work of the Church to help those in need and to keep our Catholic faith alive and flourishing in our homes, schools, and communities.
Today while the main mission of the Bishop’s Appeal remains the same, the need is greater than ever, to financially empower the Church to serve all the people of God, regardless of belief.
Among those who benefit from your gifts to the Bishop’s Appeal include:
The Bishop’s Appeal also serves your local parish by providing services such as technical support, financial guidance, and training for parish ministry.
A parish may keep 50% of any amount raised above and beyond its appeal goal.
A dollar back in 1955 is worth $8.46 today. The cost of building the Kingdom of God has grown proportionately over the decades. Every gift to the Bishop’s Appeal no matter the amount makes a difference in the lives of others.”
This excerpt is taken from the Bishop’s Appeal website.
For more information go to the website thebishopsappeal.org
Please join us as we observe the Paschal Triduum beginning with Holy Thursday Evening Mass. On Holy Thursday we will be joined by the Waterford Knights of Columbus during the Mass, and the Washing of the Feet and stripping of the Altar will take place. The Blessed Sacrament will process to the Altar of Repose at our St. Nicholas Shrine and everyone is invited to prayer near the Altar of Repose into the later evening. The Knights of Columbus will even walk you to your cars if you would like to spend time with the Blessed Sacrament. The next evening, while the Blessed Sacrament is in the Altar of Repose we will have a Good Friday Service of the Lord’s Passion with Adoration of the Holy Cross at 7:00 pm. Holy Communion will be distributed to the faithful. And the final Paschal Triduum evening, the holiest of nights, is the Easter Vigil, the first Mass of Easter beginning at 8:00 pm Saturday, April 20th. This Mass begins with the Easter new fire kindled, the Paschal Candle is blessed and then lit and that flame is then passed to the faithful’s candles. Salvation history is recounted in the readings of the Liturgy of the Word and Mass commences with the reintroduction of the Gloria and the Alleluia. This mass reminds us that…” we are an Easter People and alleluia is our song!” (Pope St. John Paul II Angelus; Sunday, 30 November 1986?)
Celebrate Easter and the Resurrection of the Lord, with us on Sunday, April 21, 2019.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed;
let us then feast with joy in the Lord. (CF. 1 COR 5:7B-8A)
Sacred Heart Sodality is replacing their usual Bake Sale with a Raffle Basket Bonanza. More than ten themed baskets are in the raffle each made with love by the Sacred Heart Sodality members.
Raffle tickets will be available for sale at the Masses the weekend of Palm Sunday, April 13th and 14th.
This is a major fundraiser for Sacred Heart Sodality and the work that they do in our parish and in our community.
If you are interested in joining Sacred Heart Sodality and the important work that they do please visit their page here:
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SOUP BEFORE STATIONS
On Friday, April 5th, the Ultreya Prayer Group hosted Soup before Stations. Thank you for the delicious “Lenten Friendly” soups Ultreya!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SACRED HEART SODALITY’S STATIONS
On Friday, April 5th, Sacred Heart Sodality presented Stations of the Cross, Through the Eyes of Mary. This annual event is presented during Lent each year and is a beautiful representation of the sorrow of Mary as she beheld the death of her son, Jesus.
We hope everyone who attended enjoyed our Mass on March 17th honoring St. Patrick and our Irish Heritage! A big thank you to all who worked so hard to plan this special Mass.
Thank You to Father Kelly and the Parish Staff for the planning and coordinating and for hosting the delicious refreshments afterward in St. Rita’s Room.
Thank you to the Altar Servers, lector, and Choir for working so hard on the Mass.
Thank you to the Waterford Council Knights of Columbus for helping again and doing what only the Knights can do!
And thank you to our special guests, the bagpiper who added an authentic sound to our Mass, Irish Step Dancers from Boland’s School of Irish Dance, Richard our Soloist who also gave memorable performances in St. Rita’s Room after Mass.
THANK YOU TO ALL!
SLIDESHOW OF ST. PATRICK’S MASS CELEBRATION
Sunday, March 17, 2019
“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left…
…Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me…”~ An excerpt from St. Patrick’s Breastplate
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR’S CELEBRATION
St. Augustine's Catholic Church 