Our Lady of Hope Catholic Community

06/06/2026

Bishop Mark is asking every parish to prove to him that it will be viable for the next five years. Will we be able to work with and serve the needs of our community? Will we invite our neighbors to join us and increase our membership, and will we be able to pay our bills without taking any money from savings or investments?
One of those bills is our Diocesan Appeal that we have not paid for completely for several years. If we can't pay that along with the maintenance of our facilities and the salaries of our employees, then we can't very well claim to be viable, can we? Some have given their reasons why they choose not to support the Bishop and our diocese but that would be like refusing to address an open wound in our body because we don't believe the incident that caused the wound should have happened. Eventually, it will affect the entire body in a negative way. Not giving to the support of the Diocesan Appeal will have the same effect on our parish. It eats away at the funds needed to run the parish and eventually those dry up, and we will no longer be of use to our community or our diocese.
The Appeal for the 25/26-year ends June 30th, and the 26/27 year starts July first. Even if we once again don't reach our goal let us at least show our Bishop that we tried. Let's show him that we have an increase in the number of participants this year. Of course, the amount collected matters but the number of parishioners who give matters as well. Let's see what we can do for our Church. Thank you all who will consider this and thank you to those who already have.

God Bless,
Deacon Joe

05/30/2026

John’s gospel tells us that God did not send us his Son for us to be condemned but to be saved. Many of us struggle with some of the teachings of Jesus and question how we are to do as he instructs. The ways of the world often seem so much easier to follow than the ways of God. But that is the same for anything worthwhile, any goal we may want to achieve. One of my goals is to lose some weight and reduce my waist for both health and comfort and yet I struggle to do what is needed to achieve my goal. It takes work and I don’t always want to do that work so I don’t achieve the goal I set for myself. I like flavorful foods and too many sweets that are a challenge to pass up so the struggle continues.

The same applies to being saved and receiving the rewards of eternal life in heaven. We have to work at it. Yes, the bible tells us that all who believe and profess the name of Jesus will be saved and that is true. However, that doesn’t mean professing belief is the end. We have to prove that belief by doing the works of God, following the teachings of Jesus and being the example for others. When tempted to follow the easier path of the world instead of the more challenging path to God we often take the easier way as I do with my diet because it brings instant pleasure instead of the delayed pleasure we have to work for. But in the end we need to decide what is more important. For me, too many sweets or better health. For all of us, the pleasures of this world for a brief time or the pleasures of heaven for all eternity.

God Bless,
Deacon Joe

05/23/2026

“Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 21:22.) When we are baptized and again during confirmation we receive the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that was given to the disciples after Jesus ascended into heaven. The same Spirit that gave them the courage to proclaim the word of God to all nations. That is what we, too, are being asked to do as well. Proclaim the word of God to all we meet by way of not only our words but our actions as well.

Bishop Mark has asked every parish to prove to him that we are a viable parish and need to remain so we can do the work of God In our communities. That work is to bring all we can to know and love Jesus and to follow his teachings. We may question how are we to do that but Jesus provides the answer by sending down his Holy Spirit to guide us and give us the courage and strength we need. Turning to that same Spirit and working together we can accomplish more than we ever thought possible.

So let us pray “Come Holy Spirit, fill us with the fire of your love” so we may build up our Church and build up our faith community to be the example of Christ for others.

God Bless,
Deacon Joe

05/16/2026

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles chapter one tells us the apostles returned to the upper room after Jesus was taken up to heaven and devoted themselves with one accord to prayer. That’s what we do when we attend mass together. We pray together as one. When we are home, at work or somewhere alone we are still able to pray; however, it doesn’t have the same effect as when we gather together. Sometimes when we pray alone we feel alone. But when we pray together in one accord we can see and feel the unity of our prayers and the support of one another can bring strength and courage to those prayers. It bonds us to each other and to God.

Jesus said we are one body in Christ and as such each member has a purpose. Like the hand and the foot are not equipped to perform the same tasks and yet together they accomplish what alone they cannot. So with our prayers and attendance at mass, alone we can’t do what we can together. We are the body of Christ and each of us has a part to play which works better when joined with the rest of that body. So let us follow the example of the apostles, return to our upper room, the church, and devote ourselves with one accord to prayer.



God Bless,

Deacon Joe

05/10/2026

Wishing you a very Blessed and Happy Mother's Day

05/09/2026

Happy Mother’s Day! One day a year we celebrate our mothers for all they are or have been in our lives. Many of us have been fortunate to have a mother who has cared for us while others missed out for various reasons. However, we all share Mary, the mother of God, who is our spiritual mother. May is the month the Church honors Mary and places her at the front of our thoughts and prayers. We turn to her for intersession with her Son, Jesus. Who else is as close to him as his own mother? Many of us were fortunate to be able to turn to our earthly mother in times of trouble and received help in different ways. Mary is there for us in a similar manner. She leads us to her Son who welcomes us along the path to heaven. This weekend’s gospel from John 14 speaks of Jesus telling his disciples about an advocate, the Spirit of truth, who will speak to the Father for us just as Mary speaks to the Son, her son, for us.

Let us take time this weekend to honor our mothers for giving us life and all they are or have been to us. Then let us remember to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, our heavenly mother for all she is to us as well.

God Bless
Deacon Joe

05/02/2026

Sr. Betsy has sent along a video for the Catholic Charities Second Collection on May 16-17. Feel free to use this on your social media, website, email blasts, etc.



Sister Betsy, CEO Catholic Charities of the Diocese Albany-Second Collection message-

Second Collection is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference right here in our community. Through your generosity, Catholic Charities is able to provide food for families, support for those facing hardship, and stability for individuals working toward a better future. Every gift—no matter t...

05/02/2026

The gospel of John for the fifth Sunday of Easter is often used in the funeral liturgy and is a favorite of mine. In it, Jesus speaks of the many dwelling places and how he is going to prepare a place for his disciples. As followers of Christ, he will prepare a place in heaven for us as well. My dad used to refer to it as a mansion built for us.
Many years ago, I came across a book called The Mansion by Henry van D**e that was written over 100 years ago but reprinted in 2023 by Walkercrest. It's about a wealthy man who gave back much to his community, but when he died, the mansion he received was less than flattering. It seems that all he gave while on earth was for his own recognition and not because he was doing God's work. For us, that is a warning not to give to be recognized but out of love for God's people and that not everything we do for others needs to be publicized when it can be done privately.
If you get a chance, check out that book. It's short (50 pages) and may be eye-opening. It was for me.

God Bless,
Deacon Joe

04/25/2026

“Save yourself from this corrupt generation.” (Acts 2:41). As I read this line from our first reading I can’t help but think it was written for us today yet Peter was talking about his time and circumstances. However, as we look at time since then we see there has been corruption throughout history. There will always be those who do whatever necessary to get what they want no matter the consequences to others thinking they are more important than anything or anyone else. Me first.

Isn’t that so much easier than the way of Jesus? He tells us to put others first and to think of ourselves last if at all. Love everyone. Forgive every hurt. Give of our resources and don’t worry about tomorrow. Put ourselves in God’s hands and do as the Holy Spirit leads us. Human nature says “Wait a minute. I need to look out for myself before I can look out for others.” Of course there are certain things we need to do to be able to help others but Jesus tells us when we look out for others he will help us and be there for us when we need him. Society says that makes no sense. That is why so few choose to follow the teachings of Jesus and yet as Peter tells his audience if we do this we will be among those whom the Lord our God will call. Who do we listen to?

God Bless,
Deacon Joe

04/18/2026

I wonder how many of us have tried to convince someone to believe in Jesus and have failed? Don’t be discouraged, even Jesus couldn’t convince everyone when he was right there in their midst. Then look at Thomas who was absent when Jesus visited the rest of the disciples after his resurrection from the dead. He wouldn’t even believe them when he had spent years with them in the presence of Jesus as well. Why wouldn’t he of all people believe his brothers and sisters?

Sometimes when we have our minds made up concerning a particular event and know anything different is impossible we refuse to consider a different outcome. Jesus died and was buried so he was not going to rise from the dead as the rest of the disciples claimed. It was impossible. Yet Thomas would learn that nothing is impossible with God. Not even life after death.

So when we fail to convince someone that there is more life after death and to follow the ways of Jesus we shouldn’t give up. There is no need to hound them but simply wait for Jesus to appear to them in some other way while we set the example for them to follow. In the meantime be open to others who may need our help in believing that Jesus has risen.

God Bless,
Deacon Joe