By JIM KEVLIN • The Freeman’s Journal & Hometown Oneonta
Father Rosson blesses the host at his final mass Sunday, March 31, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Catholic Church after 19 years as pastor. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
COOPERSTOWN – On May 30, 1955, little John Rosson, 7, underwent his First Holy Communion at his hometown church, Immaculate Conception in Irvington, on the Hudson River.
As the host – in Catholic doctrine, the small, round wafer is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ – passed his lips, the boy immediately knew: He was destined to be a priest.
Almost 44 years later, Father Rosson, 71, said his final mass at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 31, signaling the end of 19 years as pastor of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church on Elm Street.
COOPERSTOWN – Father Peter Pagones, who retired from St. Paul the Apostle and Our Lady of Mount Carmel churches in Schenectady last July, will be interim pastor at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Catholic Church here, according to Diocese of Albany spokesman Mary DeTurris Poust.
He will fill in while a permanent successor is sought for Father John P. Rosson, 71, who retired Sunday after 19 years as pastor locally. He plans to be at St. Mary’s every weekend, and for Holy Week.
Cooperstown faith leaders Rev. Dane Boston, Rev. LaDana Clark, Rev. Joseph Perdue, Rev. Elsie Rhodes, Pastor Sharon Rankins-Burd and Father John Rosson and Kris Gildenblatt stand in solidarity this evening at the vigil for the 11 killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue, as well as the two killed at the Kroger grocery store in Louisville, Ky, that was held at 22 Main Street this evening. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
Richard Sternberg, who organized the vigil, reads his opening remarks as Kris Gildenblatt lights candles representing those lost in racist and anti-Semitic attacks last week. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
COOPERSTOWN – Rev. Joseph Perdue, First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, did not mince words as he read a statement from Zack Jackson, pastor, Community United Church of Christ in Reading, Penn, as part of the vigil for those killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue.
“This man who committed this massacre is a self-proclaimed Christian,” he said. “You will be tempted to say ‘He’s not a real Christian’ and feel no responsibility for him the way we do with Westboro Baptist, abortion clinic bombers and every other person who kills in Jesus’ name. It’s easy to walk away. But we must, instead, walk towards the problem of Christian extremism and face it head on!”
The chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, Father Patrick J. Conroy, S.J., shares a laugh with Joe Russo, Mickey’s Place owner Vin Russo’s dad, at “the flagpole” in downtown Cooperstown when he came to town in October 2016. (AllOTSEGO.com photo)
COOPERSTOWN – Father Patrick J. Conroy, who filled in in at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Catholic Church when the pastor, Father John Rosson, went on vacation in October, has been ousted as chaplain at the U.S. House of Representatives under a cloud of controversy.
“As you have requested, I hereby offer my resignation as the 60th Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives,” read Father Conroy’s letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, dated April 15. Conroy, a Jesuit, leaves the job on May 24.
The chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, Father Patrick J. Conroy, S.J., shares a laugh with Joe Russo, Mickey’s Place owner Vin Russo’s dad, at “the flagpole” in downtown Cooperstown a few minutes ago. Father Conroy is filling in at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Catholic Church, while the pastor, Father John P. Rosson, is on vacation in Williamsburg. Father Conroy arrived in the village last evening, and said daily mass this morning at Focus Rehab in Index. He will be celebrating daily and weekend masses at the Elm Street church during his stay, and is looking forward to Saturday evening’s Oktoberfest at St. Mary’s Church Hall. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
