About Our Lady of the Assumption · Latham, New York
Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church is a parish in Latham, New York, serving worshipers in southern Albany County from its location on Watervliet-Shaker Road. It belongs to the Diocese of Albany under Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, and the parish community — under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Thomas Fallati — embraces a mission 'to embrace the prophetic challenges of the Gospel in peace and justice and to promote the Christian moral values of our faith.' The parish traces its roots to 1963, when its parish title was transferred from a former Albany French-Canadian congregation to the present Latham site, and today offers weekend and daily Mass (livestreamed several times a week), Confessions, Eucharistic Adoration, a full faith formation program for children and youth, the OCIA/RCIA process for adults, and an array of lay liturgical and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Assumption (the Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed body and soul into heaven)
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas Fallati
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
OLA is an active, mid-sized Latham parish where families can attend daily and weekend Mass, Confession on Saturday afternoons and Thursday evenings, and Eucharistic Adoration, and where they can put down roots through long-running ministries: a contemporary Music Ministry and choir for the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass, a Knit and Crochet Ministry making prayer shawls and baptismal items, Vacation Bible School, Greeters and Ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist who bring Communion to the sick, and a vibrant Faith Formation program for Grades 1 through 10 with sacramental preparation and Youth Ministry for Grades 6–12. The parish is small enough to know its neighbors and large enough to run RCIA/OCIA, adult formation retreats, and parish-wide events rooted in a peace-and-justice Gospel vision.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm (in the Reconciliation Room off the chapel)
- Thursday 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (per parish aggregator listing)
- Communal celebrations of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (per parish aggregator listing)
About Our Lady of the Assumption
Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church serves the Latham community from 498 Watervliet-Shaker Road and is one of the parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany under Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger. The parish's stated mission is 'to embrace the prophetic challenges of the Gospel in peace and justice and to promote the Christian moral values of our faith,' and its vision is to live out the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in a spirit of peace and justice. 'By way of prayer, celebration and service, we look to embody Christ's call to repentance and ever-growing faith,' the website states.
- Parish Mission statement
- Parish Vision Statement
- One of many parishes of the Diocese of Albany
History of the Parish
OLA is a 1963 parish, its title transferred from the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (a French-Canadian community in Albany) when that church's building was demolished to make way for the Empire State Plaza. The Latham parish was refounded on Watervliet-Shaker Road and grew into the multi-staff, livestreaming parish it is today.
- 1963 — parish title relocated from Albany to Latham
- Original Albany building demolished for Empire State Plaza
- Current site: 498 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by its pastor, supported by a deacon, and staffed by lay administrative, formation, and pastoral care personnel. Two trustees and elected parish council officers govern parish life.
- Pastor — Rev. Thomas Fallati ([email protected])
- Deacon — Deacon Paul Kisselback
- Business Manager — Mrs. Mary Ann Lundy
- Parish Administrative Assistant — Mrs. Dawn Curley
- Pastoral Care Coordinator — Mrs. Katie Swartwout
- Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation & Youth Ministry — Rosemary Gavin ([email protected])
- Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Administrative Assistant — Mrs. Mary Anne Ferrarese
- Parish Council Chair — Mr. Matthew Rys
- Parish Council Vice Chair — Mr. Fred Curley
- Parish Trustees — Ms. Edna Mae Reilly and Mrs. Mary Ann Singleton
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of lay liturgical roles are open to parishioners — from proclaiming the Word, to distributing the Eucharist and bringing it to the homebound, to altar service and hospitality. The Music Ministry fields a contemporary choir for the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass and cantors and accompanists for the Saturday Vigil.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 3–Grade 2, during 9:00 a.m. Mass)
- Lectors (Ministers of the Word)
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (also Communion to the sick)
- Acolytes / Altar Servers (Grade 4 and older)
- Greeters and Ushers
- Liturgy Team / Seasonal Planners
- Music Ministry — contemporary choir, cantors, accompanists
- Knit and Crochet Ministry (prayer shawls, baptismal items, chemo caps)
- Vacation Bible School (August)
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation at OLA is described as 'a lifelong journey — from childhood to adulthood,' with separate Elementary (Grades 1–5), Mid-Level (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–10) tracks. Youth Ministry for Grades 6–12 adds retreats, social events, leadership opportunities, and service projects. The parish follows Diocesan Safe Environment policies with trained adults present at every session.
- Elementary (Grades 1–5): Sundays 10:00–11:00 AM
- Mid-Level (Grades 6–8): Mondays 7:00–8:00 PM
- High School (Grades 9–10): Mondays 7:00–8:00 PM
- Youth Ministry (Grades 6–12): retreats, social, service, leadership
- Vacation Bible School (ages 4–12, August)
- Diocesan Safe Environment compliance with hallway monitors
Becoming Catholic (OCIA) & Adult Faith Formation
OLA runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) for adults seeking to become Catholic, those baptized in another Christian tradition seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics preparing for First Communion or Confirmation. An Adult Confirmation program meets weekly December through March. Ongoing adult formation includes evenings of reflection, guest speakers, and seasonal retreats.
- Unbaptized Adults — prepared for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
- Adults Baptized in Another Christian Tradition — valid baptism recognized; profession of faith and Confirmation/Eucharist
- Adults Baptized Catholic but Not Fully Catechized — December–March weekly evening preparation
- Adult Confirmation Preparation — weekly evening sessions
- Father Joseph is the OCIA contact (parish office (518) 785-0234)
Sacraments
Information on celebrating each sacrament at OLA is published on the parish website, with preparation programs and specific contact instructions for baptism, first reconciliation, first Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, and reconciliation.
- Baptism — class first Tuesday; celebrated second Sunday after the 9 am Mass; not during Lent
- First Reconciliation — Lent season after preparation
- First Eucharist — through Faith Formation
- Confirmation — annually with the Bishop for Grades 9–10 candidates; adults contact pastor
- Reconciliation — Sat 3:30–4:15 pm, communal in Advent/Lent, by appointment
- Marriage — Pre-Cana required; contact at least six months prior; date set after meeting with pastor
Contact, Directions & Livestream
The parish office, faith formation office, mailing address, and direction notes are published in one convenient place, and the parish livestreams two of its Masses each week.
- Parish Office: 498 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110-4696 — (518) 785-0234, fax (518) 785-0420
- Faith Formation / Youth Ministry Office: (518) 785-1605
- Email: [email protected]
- Directions: From I-87 (the Northway), Exit 5, left onto Route 155 (Watervliet-Shaker Road); church on the right after crossing Route 9
- Livestream: Saturday Vigil 4:30 pm and Wednesday 9:00 am Mass on YouTube