BAPTISM
The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters. . . . Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin. However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.
Baptism's are usually scheduled after the 10:30am Mass on Sundays. For more information on the Sacrament of Baptism, please call the office at (518)462-4254.
HOLY MATRIMONY
Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church. Man and woman were created for each other.
By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ's spousal love for the Church. One of the Nuptial Blessings in the liturgical celebration of marriage refers to this in saying, "Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church."
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
For more information on the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, call the office at (518)462-4254.
Download our Marriage Guidelines here.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
The Anointing of the Sick is celebrated for those who suffering from severe illness, approacting surgery or who are of extreme age. Please call the Parish Office at (518) 462-4254, or see one of our priests after Mass if you or a loved one would like to recieve the Anointing of the Sick.
For those who are dying, please call the Parish Office at (518) 462-4254, so a priest may celebrate Viaticum (Holy Communion as “food for the journey”) along with the Anointing and with the prayers for the dying. Although we can do this alone with the person, we prefer to do this with family, friends, loved ones also present, so that praying together, the dying person may have the support of all of our prayers at this difficult time.
If a sacramental emergency arises and a loved one is in danger of death, please call Fr. David directly by calling the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at (518) 463-4447 ext. 9.
FUNERALS
At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of god and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Funerals are scheduled through your funeral home of choice, so please have the funeral director call the Parish Office if you wish to have your loved one's funeral here at Historic St. Mary's. If you have any questions, Please call our Parish Office at (518)462-4254.