Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger announces the appointment of Kathy Barrans as Communications Director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany (RCDA). Barrans comes to the RCDA after 26 years as a producer at WNYT-TV NewsChanel 13 in Albany.

The following is a schedule of Holy Week, Sacred Triduum, and Easter liturgies the Diocese of Albany will celebrate at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany (125 Eagle St.).

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany, will preside at the Chrism Mass on Thursday, Apr. 7, 7 p.m., at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

When Pope Francis consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City this Friday (March 25), Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger will be there.

Bishop Scharfenberger is pleased to announce the following priestly assignment:

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (125 Eagle St., Albany) will host a Ukrainian Prayer Service for Peace on Saturday, March 19, at 1:30 p.m.

The Diocese of Albany is launching a series of regional listening sessions to continue the dialog on Pope Francis’ global “Synod on Synodality.” The Holy Father invited the entire Catholic Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission: “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.”

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has announced the appointment of Emily Simmons as Executive Director of Albany Diocesan Cemeteries (ADC), effective Feb. 21. Simmons had been Interim Executive Director since September 2021. She joined ADC in December 2020 as Director of Sales.

Parishes throughout the Diocese of Albany will observe Ash Wednesday as a day of prayer and fasting for peace, as requested by Pope Francis.

Appallingly, we are again seeing the face of evil as Russian troops have launched an unprovoked attack on the people of Ukraine. We fervently pray through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, to whom our Diocese is consecrated, that this military action quickly ends, that causalities are limited, and we pray for the repose of the souls of those who have been killed and those who will no doubt lose their lives in the coming days.