Deacons to enter the priesthood Saturday
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany details achievement
Deacons Russell Bergman and James O’rourke will be ordained to the priesthood for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The Mass and Rite of Ordination will take place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. A biography provided by the diocese says Bergman’s first serious consideration came during his Confirmation class. “I was blessed with a very gifted and engaging priest who helped me to better appreciate my faith, what it meant to be a Catholic adult, intentionally living the faith.”
He went to college, got a job, bought a house, got married and
was married for more than a decade. The marriage ended in divorce and annulment. The call to the priesthood, “which had
been dormant inside me, came back to me in a powerful way.” The diocese said O’rourke began his journey to the priesthood
in 2006 but he was torn between the priesthood and serving as a deacon permanently.
“The call to priesthood was ever-present and confirmed by several parishioners and priests in my diaconate experience,” he said. Albany diocese priests are most inspirational to him. “Their hard work and prayerful attention to those they minister to has been most encouraging to me.”
All are invited to attend in person or watch the cathedral’s live stream at www.rcda.org/ livestream
Eucharistic processions
On Sunday, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi, honoring the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. This year, that celebration will include a procession in the cities of Albany and Hudson after Sunday morning Masses. At the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 125 Eagle St., Mass begins at 11 a.m. Procession follows around the cathedral: down Eagle Street, to Madison, then back to the cathedral. At St. Mary’s Church, 429 E. Allen St., Hudson, Mass is at 9 a.m. Procession follows from St. Mary’s, down Main Street, stopping at Ukrainian Catholic Church for prayers, and then returns to St Mary’s.