It has been a pleasure of mine to serve the Roman Catholic Christians in Rensselaer since the Fall of 1994. Originally assigned as Administrator of the Church of St. Joseph, I was named Pastor of both St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist in the Fall of 1998.

Separately incorporated in canon law and the laws of NYS, we continued to maintain our unique identities mindful that we shared a common history and mission (see Mission Statement). Guided by a common vision and pastoral council, and supported by a dedicated staff of ten full and part-time employees, the two parishes were canonically merged by Bishop Howard Hubbard on May 26th, 2006 as The Parish of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph.

Our two church buildings remained open until October 3rd, 2009. As a result of a two-year diocesan process of pastoral planning following our canonical merger, and four months of discernment about which building to be closed, the doors of St. Joseph’s church were closed. The parish community now worships at 50 Herrick Street (across from the Rensselaer Amtrak Rail Station).

Our parish community offers a variety of services through a host of ministries. Our faith formation program for youth program catechizes some 150 children in a traditional classroom setting. Each year the 11th grade Confirmation class makes a “Faith and Heritage Pilgrimage” to our nation's capital to celebrate our heritage as Catholic Christians and Americans. Our Youth Ministry Team offers programs year round for Rensselaer youth. Additionally, our youth have attended Youth Days in Rome, Colorado, Toronto and Germany.

Many of our lay leaders have been certified through the Formation for Ministry Program of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. For almost 25 years we have had an active RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) process, which continues to be facilitated by a core lay leadership team. Our Pastoral Care Department ministers to over 60 elderly parishioners in our neighborhoods, local senior housing complexes and health care facilities. Our Christian Service ministry team oversees the weekly collection of foodstuffs for the city's needy through the Catholic Charities sponsored city program called CONSERNS-U.

Phone calls, cards and follow-up visits are offered to the recently bereaved. Our parish nurse visits local hospitals and coordinates follow-up visits with our pastor. A support group for caregivers meets monthly, as does Our Lady of Peace Prayer Group. The St. John/St. Joseph Rosary-Altar Society works faithfully all year to clean and decorate the church and support the parish through various fund raising events.

On September 23, 2005 the “Garden of Good Wind” was dedicated with a life-size statue of Padre Pio (St. Pio of Pietrelcina). Rensselaer is the only place in the entire Capital Region where one can find an outdoor shrine dedicated to Padre Pio. An annual parish celebration is held on the Sunday closest to his feast day of September 23rd.

This Padre Pio shrine, our Romanesque basilica church, Our Lady’s Chapel in Mc Manus Center or our verdant Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, know that you are always welcome to stop in at Mc Manus Center, our parish office center, and say "hello". We would be happy to offer you a cup of coffee and a tour of parish.

The Reverend R. Adam Forno, Pastor
The Parish of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph