St. Joseph

About St. Joseph's Church

St. Joseph's Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, located at 231 Second Street in the village of Scotia, New York. It is one of three parishes that make up the OLG+IC+SJ Catholic Community, alongside Our Lady of Grace in Ballston Lake and the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville. The parish gathers for weekend and weekday Mass, offers faith formation for children and youth, and shares a music ministry and pastoral staff across the tri-parish collaboration.

History of the Parish

The parish was founded in 1907 to serve the Catholics of Scotia and surrounding neighborhoods. A 'Golden Jubilee of St. Joseph's Parish, 1907–1957' souvenir book was published in 1957, marking fifty years of community life. The present sanctuary was built in 1926 (with later references also citing 1929 for adjacent construction), and in the mid-1990s Foresight Architects reoriented the worship space and added a gable above the altar along with a new gathering-space addition completed in December 1996.

• Founded 1907
• Golden Jubilee celebrated in 1957
• Sanctuary built in 1926
• Major renovation completed December 1996

Architecture & Building

The church building is a 1926 sanctuary whose interior was reconfigured in the mid-1990s to expand seating and turn the assembly toward a more community-centered arrangement. The 1996 renovation preserved the original character of the building while adding a new gable above the altar, a large gathering space, nursery, restrooms, a kitchenette, and a small meeting room. The flexible worship space is also used for cultural and community events.

• 1926 sanctuary
• 1995–1996 renovation by Foresight Architects
• New altar gable, gathering space, nursery, restrooms, kitchenette, and meeting room

Clergy & Staff

St. Joseph's is served by a pastor who leads the parish within the tri-parish community, along with a parish administrator, deacon, trustees, and shared music, faith formation, and pastoral-care staff. The parish is currently pastored by Rev. Thomas Konopka, MDiv., LCSW-R, supported by Deacon Stephen Lape and parish administrator Rachel Bruce.

• Rev. Thomas Konopka, MDiv., LCSW-R — SJ Pastor (518) 346-4960
• Deacon Stephen Lape — SJ Deacon (518) 399-5713
• Rachel Bruce — SJ Parish Administrator (518) 346-2316
• Rev. Leo Markert, MDiv. — Sacramental Minister
• Rev. Russell Bergman, MDiv. — OLG & IC Pastor (tri-parish)
• Tom Neals — SJ Trustee
• Adele Seaver — SJ Trustee

Sacramental Life

The parish celebrates the seven sacraments in close coordination with the tri-parish community. Families can prepare for Infant Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist; engaged couples prepare for Marriage; the sick and homebound are visited for the Anointing of the Sick; and the community accompanies families at the time of death with funeral liturgies. The parish invites parishioners and visitors to 'let these sacraments be more than tradition — let them be encounters with grace.'

• Baptism (including Infant Baptism)
• Confirmation
• First Eucharist
• Marriage
• Anointing of the Sick
• Funerals

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry

Faith formation is offered for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, with a separate youth and adult ministry track for grades 6 through 11. The tri-parish team supports families with preparation for the sacraments as well as ongoing catechesis, giving young parishioners a path to grow in faith alongside their peers.

• Faith Formation Grades K–5 — Pastoral Associate Maria Yorkshire
• Youth & Adult Ministries Grades 6–11 — Pastoral Associate Paula Battista-Genter

Music Ministry

Music is integral to the liturgical life at St. Joseph's and across the tri-parish community. The OLG & SJ Director of Music Ministries, Patty Neumann, leads a team of accompanists, cantors, and choirs. Music helps the assembly express convictions and feelings that words alone cannot convey, consoling, uplifting, and strengthening individuals in faith and love.

• Director of Music Ministries (OLG & SJ): Patty Neumann — (518) 399-6316
• Accompanists: Rachel Bowcutt, Joan Suda
• Cantor Ministry, choirs, and special-liturgy ensembles serving parish worship

Pastoral Care & Outreach

Pastoral care is coordinated across the tri-parish community by Rachel Winters, who supports parishioners in times of need, illness, and grief. Music ministry also provides a Resurrection Choir that sings at funeral liturgies, offering support to grieving families through song.

• Pastoral Care Coordinator: Rachel Winters — (518) 399-9168 ext. 226
• Resurrection Choir for funeral liturgies

Livestream & Digital Worship

St. Joseph's livestreams Mass so that parishioners and visitors can participate from home, while traveling, or on the go. Live and recorded liturgies are available on YouTube, with additional broadcasts on Facebook and Twitch, and a digital worship aid lets online participants follow the prayers, readings, and music in real time.

• Livestream Sundays at 9:00 AM
• Available on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch
• Digital worship aid for each weekend liturgy

Planning a Visit

Visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Joseph's. The church is located in the heart of Scotia on Second Street, with a renovated gathering space, nursery, restrooms, and meeting rooms that support fellowship before and after Mass. Those who wish to learn more can reach out to the parish office by phone or email, or visit the tri-parish website to explore Mass times, sacraments, and ministries.

• Address: 231 Second Street, Scotia, NY 12302
• Phone: (518) 346-2316
• Email: [email protected]
• Tri-Parish website: https://www.olgicsj.org/