Episcopal Diocese of Albany - Priests and Deacons Update

Business Office: 68 South Swan Street - Albany, NY 12210 - (518) 465-4737
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center: 575 Burton Road - Greenwich, NY 12834 - (518) 692-9550

Feast of St Constance and her Companions
The Martyrs of Memphis
September 9th, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The fall Retreat for Postulants and Candidates begins with Evening Prayer tonight at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center and ends after lunch on Sunday. I ask your prayers for these wonderful folks who have offered themselves to be tested for the ministry of the church.

Today on the Church's calendar is the commemoration of Sisters of St Mary who died ministering in an epidemic in Memphis in 1878, just 13 years after the Community of St Mary was founded in NYC. It was the sacrificial living (and dying) of these nuns which resulted in the ameliorating of hostility toward vowed women in the church. Sacrifice is indeed the true measure of our commitment to anyone or anything.

Attached to the bottom of this PDU is a form for the Prayers of the People which could be used this coming Sunday, September 11. It addresses the needs from Hurricane Katrina as well as Commemorating the Victims of 9/11.

Wednesday of last week the Albany deputation to the General Convention had supper and its first meeting, at Christ the King SLC. Fr Mudge is the chairman of the Albany lay and clergy delegation. We reviewed the organization and schedule of the Convention which will be in Columbus in June of 2006, starting up a couple of days after our Diocesan Convention adjourns.

Saturday was the 3rd day of Leadership Training for the SLC campaign. Special thanks to the lay leaders who have offered their services to this important work of the Lord. In the evening, Bishop Dave made his Visitation to Granville where vitality remains strong.

The Sunday before last Carol and I were in Saranac Lake to supply at St Luke's. It was an particularly enjoyable visit, with a full (and well attended) coffee hour after the early Mass as well as the 10:00. Father David Sutcliff will be coming in a month as Interim. He is finishing an interim posting in Southeast Florida. We welcome Fr David and his wife Paula to the Diocese. Bishop Dave did the same last Sunday and reported how fine it was. Our Sunday at S.L. enabled us to combine a visit to our sons and grandchildren on Saturday. We stopped on the way North to visit the Holman's and rejoice with them. A 5 a.m. rising gave us open roads to Saranac.

Monday afternoon the Growth Committee of the SLC met to receive reports and to learns of the progress in the campaign which kicks off September 11. This is an opportunity to recall how a world in need of Christ can be so devastated by sin, and can be redeemed by our Lord's Gospel.

Last Sunday I baptized our twin granddaughters Sophie and Grace at Christ Church, Duanesburg. Our family Mass was fully active with 12 adults and 11 kids (6 in diapers!). First time all grandchildren have been together since the birth.

In your charity, please remember in your prayers Tammy Garno, wife of Deacon Art, for disc surgery. Also, Fr Alan Macnab, Marty Small, Gretchen Gausby, and Fr. Walt and Gert Debboli.

Congratulations to Father Rob and Mana Holman on their new son Mitchell, from Korea. He's 10 months and he is going to be a big guy!

The Standing Committee meets on Monday, Sept 12, beginning at Noon with Mass at the Oratory of the Healing Center.

The Retired Clergy and Widow(er)s will meet Holy Cross Day, Wednesday, Sept 14, beginning with Mass at 11:00 a.m. Thank you to Fr Irv and Dottie Ballert for this important ministry. And to all the retired clergy who labor faithfully to assist.

The Combined Leadership Meeting begins at 9:30 on Saturday Morning, Sept 17 at the SLC.

The opening Fall event for the School of Apostolic Action will be a presentation on the new Ecumenical Agreed Statement on the Blessed Virgin Mary, entitled Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ at the Great Hall of the SLC on Sunday, Sept 18. The presentation begins at 2pm, will include Vespers of the Blessed Virgin, and include Supper at the Welcome Center Dining Room. Cost is $20. Why did TIME magazine feature her on the cover in March? Thank you to Deacon Laurie Garramone-Rohr for getting the School of Apostolic Action up and Running.

The 5th Annual Missions Conference will be Saturday, September 24, with Professor (and former Ugandan missionary) the Rev'd Dr. Grant LeMarquand. The theme is TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN FOR JESUS. Note the enticement: You can bring a friend who has never been before for no cost.

Looking at the Autumn Leaves Turning and their vibrant colors is a major phenomenon. One place you can see massive colors is Christ the King. Spend the day, have lunch. (On Tuesdays come to the 10 a.m. Service of Healing). Use it as an event for the Altar Guild, Daughters of the King, Prayer Group or Youth Group. Call ahead for lunch reservations 518-692-9550. Joins the Sisters for Tea at 3:30.

With the launch of the Parish part of the Campaign for the Spiritual Life Center this Sunday, I am deeply aware of the ongoing needs in other places. It has occurred to me that we could make provision for Donors to the SLC campaign to earmark a portion of their pledge/gift to be distributed to the 2 places that draw our attention: (1) the victims of Hurricane Katrina; and (2) the suffering Christians of the Sudan where they suffer untold torture and misery for the sake of Jesus.

Donors could earmark up to 10% of their gift for both or divided between them. I'd be interested in your thoughts. Many folks indicate they plan on a 60 month (5 year) pledge and that means on ongoing support for people long after it has faded from the front pages of the newspapers.

You can visit the new website for the SLC by going to www.Christ-The-King-Center.org Bookmark it for future reference.

LORD JESUS, we commend to your mercy the victims of the hurricane; that you will grant relief to the homeless; strength to the medical and safety personnel; generosity to the nation; pardon and peace to the dead; and to your holy Church the empowerment to witness to your love. Amen.

In Christ
+ Dan

The Diocese of Albany as One Church:
organized around the Great Commandment and the Great Commission,
moving from membership to discipleship,
rooted in the catholic structure of Anglicanism,
and
equipping ever disciples to make disciples.

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