The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord will be celebrated on Thursday, May 14 at 9:00 AM at our usual daily Mass time. As we commemorate Christ’s ascension into heaven and His promise to remain with us always, all are invited to join us for this holy day celebration.

We’re excited to partner once again with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that builds and delivers beds to children in need, for a Bed Build Day on May 16, 2026, at St. Mary’s Church in Crescent, beginning at 9:00 AM. This joint effort with St. Mary’s, St. Edward’s, and the Academy of Family Physicians brings us together to serve local children in a meaningful way. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome—no experience needed! Two shifts are available: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 12:00–3:00 PM (the build may run later). We also welcome financial support to help cover material costs. To donate, visit the parish office or place your gift in the collection basket labeled “Sleep in Heavenly Peace.” To register please go to the following link, if you have any questions please call the office! https://x.gldn.io/e/dWdPlTwrK1b

We pray that Deacon Andy (“Dad”) is having a wonderful retreat and we anxiously await his return! #dioceseofalbany #catholic #catholicchurch #parishoffice #officehumor

Perhaps you have considered serving in one of the parish ministries but thought "some day". Everyone in our parish family is invited to participate in a ministry retreat led by Susan Skinner of the Dominican Retreat Center on Saturday, May 2 from 10 am to 3 pm in the parish hall. The day will focus on surveying and defining one's spiritual gifts and how that gift or gifts, in a way big or small, can further strengthen our parish ministries. We are all called to serve as Jesus did during His ministry. Prayerfully consider participating in this retreat. Nourishment of body and soul will be provided. RSVP by April 27 info@stmaryscrescent.com Parish office 518-371-9632

We’re excited to partner once again with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that builds and delivers beds to children in need, for a Bed Build Day on May 16, 2026, at St. Mary’s Church in Crescent, beginning at 9:00 AM. This joint effort with St. Mary’s, St. Edward’s, and the Academy of Family Physicians brings us together to serve local children in a meaningful way. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome—no experience needed! Two shifts are available: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 12:00–3:00 PM (the build may run later). We also welcome financial support to help cover material costs. To donate, visit the parish office or place your gift in the collection basket labeled “Sleep in Heavenly Peace.” To register please go to the following link, if you have any questions please call the office! https://x.gldn.io/e/dWdPlTwrK1b #dioceseofalbany #sleepinheavenlypeace #community #catholic

Life moves fast, but 7pm on Sundays is for slowing down. Come as you are, bring a friend, and let’s grow together. #catholic #mass #dioceseofalbany @albanydiocese

No matter how you say it, all are welcome to be a part of the holiest three days of the year! Holy Thursday - 7pm Good Friday - 7pm Easter Vigil - 8pm Easter Sunday - 9am & 10:30am #catholicchurch #triduum #lent2026 #catholic #dioceseofalbany

Our April Senior Tuesday will be held on Tuesday, April 28th at 1:00 PM in our parish hall. "Spring into Spring" with us as we socialize and share a variety of light spring appetizers, spring salads and main dishes, and, of course, spring desserts. Bring a dish to share or come without one. Either way, we hope to see you then.

Father Dan said we’re committed and we took that personally! We all try to live the pillars throughout Lent, and some attempts go better than others. But that’s the beauty of Lent - it meets us where we are. We’re all on this journey together. What’s been meaningful for you this Lent? #catholic #lent2026 #dioceseofalbany #catholicchurch #pillarsoflent

A small update with a big purpose! New kneelers are now in one section of the church - more are on the way! Come pray with us this Holy Week and beyond and try them out yourself! #catholicchurch #lent2026 #easter2026 #catholic #dioceseofalbany

Let this be your peace today. Whatever caused you stress last week, leave it at the Foot of the Cross. God is making all things new this Monday morning. Tag someone who needs a little extra hope today. 🤍 #catholic #lent2026 #dioceseofalbany #dailymassreading #catholicchurch

Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves, even our flaws! Let us commit this Lent to draw even closer to him. #catholic #lent #dioceseofalbany

It’s officially Laetare Sunday this weekend, which means two things: 1. We’re halfway to Easter. 2. Father is going to remind you it’s ROSE, not pink, at least five times over the weekend. #catholicchurch #lent2026 #laetaresunday #dioceseofalbany

More photos from the presentation of awards for the Kenneth J Doyle Catholic Education Fund! If you would like more information or if you’re seeking a grant, please go to fatherdoylefund.com. @bpmarkoc @albanydiocese @rcdaschools

Our March senior lunch will be held on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at 1:00 PM in the parish hall. We will have a simple lunch of pizza (no need to bring anything) followed by making “snack packs” for the Sidewalk Warriors of Troy. Sidewalk Warriors are volunteers who set up tables on the sidewalks in downtown Troy each Thursday evening, 52 weeks a year, to provide compassionate support to those in need by offering hearty meals, fresh produce, essential supplies, and a sense of community. They try to make each week easier for those facing challenging circumstances so that all feel valued and respected. We will put together snack bags for distribution by the Sidewalk Warriors of Troy to those facing food insecurity or just running short during the month. If you would like to donate to the snack bags, we are in need of granola bars, individual applesauce/fruit /pudding cups, drink boxes, individual cheese/peanut butter crackers/cookies, other healthy snacks, etc. These donations should be left at St. Mary’s parish office no later than Thursday, March 19th.

Lent reminds us where to look when the world feels heavy: to Christ, who carries us through the wilderness. #lent #catholictok #peaceonearth

From palms to ashes - a reminder of renewal and returning to God #catholicchurch #ashwednesday #lent

This is what happens when the staff is left unsupervised in the office! The Golden Girls of St. Mary’s Crescent start racing! #catholicchurch #518churches #dioceseofalbany #parishoffice

Finding another young Catholic in the wild hits different. Tell us about your Catholic Bestie! 🙏🥋#catholicchurch #518churches

On Eagle’s Wings is a popular choice for the first Sunday of Lent when we hear about Jesus and the temptation in the desert. Did you hear it at your parish this weekend? #catholicchurch #518churches #lent

Click here to check us out and follow us on TikTok for some entertaining and also informative content like church tours, Lenten questions, and more! https://www.tiktok.com/@stmaryscrescent86?_r=1&_t=ZT-93uld4ZdjRN

Due to the impending snowstorm, we have decided to postpone tomorrows GIFT session to ensure everyone's safety. We are currently working to reschedule this session and will share the new date and time with you as soon as possible. Please stay tuned for further updates.

Seniors - Come and celebrate Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) with us on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM in the parish hall. Enjoy a variety of foods, sample the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake, and join in fellowship and fun with other senior members of the parish and community.(NOTE: 3rd Tuesday instead of 4th Tuesday this month)

We will sponsor a sausage and peppers dinner on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the parish hall. The dinner will consist of sausage, peppers, pasta, tossed salad, Italian bread, and Italian desserts. Cost of the dinner is: adults - $12.00, children 12 and under - $5.00, families - $25.00. Tickets can be purchased after masses in the gathering area of the church on the weekends of January 18th and January 25th or at the church office during regular office hours, Monday through Thursday. Take outs will be available but must be ordered no later than Wednesday, January 28th.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent—a season of prayer, fasting, and renewal. Join us for Mass and the distribution of ashes as we begin this sacred journey together.

Our Knitting & Crocheting group makes a variety of items such as baby hats, sweaters, blankets; hats, mittens and scarfs for children and adults; lap afghans and prayer shawls. These items are donated to extended care facilities, hospital maternity units, cancer treatment centers, Birthright, community out reach programs and our home bound parishioners. If you would like to join the group but need refresher instructions or would like to learn how to knit or crochet, just ask as several of our members are willing to give lessons

Jesus said in Mark 6:31: “Come with me to a quiet place and rest awhile.” What a great idea during this hectic time of year. Please give yourself and your family this gift of quiet and peace that Our Lord Jesus wants you to have. Join Fr. Jim for Eucharistic Adoration every Monday of Advent at 6:30 PM at St. Mary's Church, Crescent. You are also invited to join in praying the rosary each Tuesday at 6:30 PM.

Our next Brown Bag Ministry of the year will be on Sunday, January 11th, 2026 after the 10:30 AM Mass. This ministry runs through Code Blue season, providing lunches for those in need during the coldest months. Financial contributions are especially needed to help cover supply costs. Donations can be placed in the collection basket (marked “Brown Bag Ministry”) or dropped off at the parish office. For more information, contact Sarah Moreau at smcfam@stmaryscrescent.com.

POSTPONED: Out of an abundance of caution due to the impending weather, we will be rescheduling our Senior Tuesday Holiday celebration for Tuesday, January 6th at 1:00pm. We hope you will still join us as we continue to celebrate the Christmas Season!

Join us this Christmas for Midnight Mass at St. Mary’s Crescent at, you guessed it, Midnight!! We hope to see you there!

The lottery for the two tickets that St. Mary's has available for Bishop Mark's installation Mass will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 PM, NOT after the 10:30 AM Mass on Sunday, November 30 as Deacon Andy announced over the weekend. If you would like to be entered in the lottery please call the office before 3:00 PM on Tuesday. Thank you

A Note From Our New Bishop My brothers and sisters in Christ, Peace be with you. Earlier today, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo has named me your new bishop. I am humbled and excited and anxious to get to know all of you. Today I will be present at the Pastoral Center to meet with those that work there and then I will be introduced to the media and the People of God in Albany. I am told it will be streamed on Facebook and eventually on our website. This is not the time or place to lay out some kind of plan for you. I will have plenty of time to get to know you and hear you and begin to love you before I will be able to articulate any kind of vision beyond pointing to Jesus and His mission for us all. Instead, I just wanted to greet you all and assure you that you are already central in my thoughts and in my prayers. When I was named a bishop in 2016, I said, "I have always been a happy priest, and I plan on being a happy bishop." Let me tell you, whatever challenges come our way, together we will face them, together we will grow, together we will become stronger in the Lord, and I plan on being a happy Bishop of Albany. Yours in Christ, Bishop Mark (I like to be called "Bishop Mark" - you can still call me "Bishop O'Connell" if you prefer)

Join us in giving thanks to God for His many blessings! Our Thanksgiving Eve Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Crescent on Wednesday, November 26th at 6:30 PM. You are also invited to attend Thanksgiving Day Mass at St. Edward the Confessor on Thursday, November 27th at 10:00 AM (We will not have Daily Mass at St. Mary’s this day). These celebrations are a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season—gathering in gratitude, prayer, and community as we begin this special time of year.

We will celebrate Halloween on Tuesday, October 28th at 1:00 PM in our parish hall. Come in full costume, come wearing a few decorations, or come as you are! Lunch is Halloween themed, so we'll leave it up to your creativity. Hope you can join us for some fun and good food.

We’re once again partnering with the Albany City Mission to provide Thanksgiving baskets for families in need—and this year, the need is even greater. Last year, we helped serve over 400 families, and we look forward to continuing this tradition of care and generosity. Please consider donating any of the following “fixings” by November 18th: Box of instant mashed potatoes Can/jar of gravy (preferably cans) Can of cranberry sauce Cans of corn and green beans Box/bag of stuffing mix Box of brownie or dessert mix Donations can be placed in the purple collection bin in the gathering area or dropped off during regular office hours. Together, we can help our neighbors enjoy a warm and plentiful Thanksgiving meal.

Join us at noon on October 4th for our annual Blessing of the Animals, held on the cobblestones in front of the church. All creatures great and small are welcome! 🐶🐱🐰🐢 Bring your furry, feathered, or scaled friends for a special moment of love and gratitude.

A Shrimp Italiano dinner will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the church hall. The dinner will consist of shrimp scampi (olive oil & garlic), shrimp marinara, ziti, tossed salad, Italian bread, and ice cream with cookies. Ticket prices are: $12.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 12 and under, $25.00 for a family. Tickets will be sold on the weekends of August 24th and August 31st in the gathering area of the church or during the week in the parish office. Take out orders (must specify shrimp scampi or shrimp marinara) will be available but need to be ordered in advance. We ask that all tickets be purchased and take outs be ordered no later than Wednesday, September 3rd.

We express our sincere gratitude to Richard Putorti for his years of faithful ministry at St. Mary’s. His dedication and service have greatly blessed our parish community. We offer him our prayers and best wishes as he begins his new ministry.

Welcome to the GIFT Era!

Join us for a festive tradition of “tailgating” on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the parish hall. We’ll be indoors but will still experience the same camaraderie and variety of foods as though we were sitting at makeshift tables on vehicle tailgates outside a sports arena. Not into sports? That’s ok – come and join us anyway for some good food and company.

COME LEARN ABOUT GIFT Curious about our new era of faith formation, GIFT? Join us for one of our upcoming Town Hall sessions to learn more! Each session will follow the GIFT format—Mass, a meal, and a meaningful message—and will take place on: Saturday, August 9th at the 4:30 PM Mass Sunday, August 17th at the 10:30 AM Mass Registration is needed to ensure we have enough food—please sign up on the sheet in the gathering area. All are welcome!

You Are Your Child’s First and Most Important Teacher! #ThisIsTheGIFTEra

A Message from the Bishop: Matthew 20:28 “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Many have been asking how they can help our brothers and sisters in Texas as they struggle to recover from deadly and devastating flash floods. At least 120 deaths have been confirmed and more than 100 people are still missing. Recovery will take time. Catholic Charities USA has set up a relief fund and you can find a donation link on its website https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/. It says 100% of donations go directly to helping survivors. If you prefer to write a check, you can send it to Catholic Charities, Albany with Texas in the memo. The address is Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY 12203. I thank you for any help you can offer. I also encourage you to pray for the families impacted. As all in our Diocese consider how we can be Remade for Mission, I pray that God grants each of us the grace to see the needs, not just in our parishes or our communities, but across our nation, even the world. I pray that He also graces us with the compassion to do all that we can to meet those needs. May the world meet Christ in each of us. Yours in Christ, Bishop Edward Scharfenberger

Our Knitting & Crocheting group makes a variety of items such as baby hats, sweaters, blankets; hats, mittens and scarfs for children and adults; lap afghans and prayer shawls. These items are donated to extended care facilities, hospital maternity units, cancer treatment centers, Birthright, community out reach programs and our home bound parishioners. If you would like to join the group but need refresher instructions or would like to learn how to knit or crochet, just ask as several of our members are willing to give lessons.

🕊️ “Come, Holy Spirit… renew the face of the earth.” After this weekend’s violence in the Middle East, Pope Leo called the world to choose dialogue over destruction. As Catholics, we echo his plea in prayer: Lord, make us instruments of Your peace. ✝️