About St. Jude the Apostle · Wynantskill, New York
St. Jude the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in Wynantskill, New York, part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. Worshiping at 42 Dana Avenue in the Brookview neighborhood, the parish traces its origins to 1952–53, when Bishop Gibbons carved it from the eastern and southern sections of Sacred Heart Church in Troy. Today the parish shares pastoral leadership and ministry with neighboring St. Michael the Archangel in Troy, with Fr. Joe O'Brien serving as Priest in Residence for both communities and Kelly Hession as pastoral associate for administration. The parish grounds include the church itself, an attached school serving Pre-K through Grade 5, and the parish offices where the Wynantskill Catholic community gathers for Mass, faith formation, and outreach.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- St. Jude the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Joe O'Brien (Priest in Residence — St. Jude the Apostle and St. Michael the Archangel)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Jude the Apostle is a tight-knit Wynantskill parish where generations of families have celebrated baptisms, first communions, confirmations, weddings, and funerals under the same roof. Worship is paired with an on-site Pre-K-through-Grade-5 Catholic school, a lifelong faith-formation program for Grades K–10, RCIA for adults, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and Parish Council–coordinated outreach including Vacation Bible School, Bible Study, Children's Liturgy of the Word, and service ministries. With its linked partnership to St. Michael the Archangel in Troy, parishioners benefit from a broader pastoral team while keeping the personal, multigenerational character of a single Brookview community.
Mass times at St. Jude the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:40 PM (in July at St. Jude's; in August at St. Michael's, alternating by month per bulletin)
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM (per Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany parish listing)
- Or arranged by calling the Parish Office (518) 283-1162
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:30–9:30 AM (per Diocese of Albany listing)
- Sunday 10:00–11:30 AM (Eucharistic Exposition noted on St. Jude the Apostle School page)
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Community describes itself as 'empowered by the presence of the Father, redeemed by the Son, and led by the Holy Spirit,' with a mission to worship, minister, evangelize, and serve the needs of others. Parishioners are encouraged to register their families and use their envelopes, with new members asked to register as soon as possible. The parish sits in the Brookview neighborhood of Wynantskill and currently shares its pastoral team with St. Michael the Archangel in Troy.
- Official mission statement on the parish website
- Parish membership and registration encouraged for every family
- Partnered with St. Michael the Archangel, Troy, in a two-parish collaboration
History
Created in 1952 from a section of Sacred Heart in Troy, the parish first worshiped under a tent before opening its church on Easter 1953. The 50th anniversary in 2003 and the 60th anniversary in 2012 — both marked by recommitment Masses — show a community that continues to take its foundation story seriously. The 2012 celebration deliberately re-created the original outdoor tent Mass on the parish grounds.
- Founded July 1952 by Bishop Gibbons
- First Mass in the new church on Easter Sunday 1953
- First pastor Rev. Thomas Tooher organized horse shows on the grounds (1953–1967) to pay off the debt
- 60th anniversary in 2012: tent Mass, first altar boy Larry Flinton served with his grandson Terry, history book produced
Mass & Sacramental Schedule
Weekend Masses are celebrated in the parish church with the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass live-streamed. Weekday Masses follow a rotating, two-parish schedule (St. Michael the Archangel on Mondays and Tuesdays at 12:10 PM; St. Jude the Apostle on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 AM). There is no Mass on Fridays, when the parish offices are closed. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons, alternating by month between the two parishes in summer.
- Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM at St. Jude the Apostle
- Sunday 10:00 AM at St. Jude the Apostle (Live Streamed)
- Monday & Tuesday 12:10 PM at St. Michael the Archangel
- Wednesday & Thursday 8:00 AM at St. Jude the Apostle
- Reconciliation Saturday 3:00–3:40 PM (alters between parishes in summer months)
- First Friday and other services announced in the bulletin
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is led by JoAnn & Steve Taylor as Faith Formation / Youth Ministry Coordinators, working across both parishes of St. Michael and St. Jude. Children in Grades K–6 meet weekly on Sundays, and Grades 7–10 meet twice monthly. Adult inquiry is served through the RCIA program, which also includes a six-week adult Confirmation/Sacraments review offered each fall and again during Lent. Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) is offered during Sunday Mass for younger children.
- Grades K–6 weekly Sunday sessions
- Grades 7–10 twice-monthly sessions
- RCIA for adults, including adult Confirmation preparation
- Children's Liturgy of the Word during Mass
- Vacation Bible School
- Family Liturgies throughout the year
St. Jude the Apostle School
Located on the same 42 Dana Avenue campus, St. Jude the Apostle School is a coeducational Catholic elementary school serving Pre-K through Grade 5. The school has educated and nurtured students since 1953 and is accredited by AdvancED (NCA CASI). All elementary teachers are state certified and follow New York State Next Generation standards and the diocesan religion curriculum, while emphasizing Christian virtues, family partnership, and respect for every child.
- Pre-K Early Childhood Center and Elementary (Grades K–5)
- Educating and Nurturing Since 1953
- Accredited by AdvancED / NCA CASI
- Phone: (518) 283-0333 | Fax: (518) 283-0475
- Principal: Mrs. Kristine Hoffay; Secretary: Mary Diehl
- Address: 42 Dana Ave, Wynantskill, NY 12198
Parish Staff & Leadership
Pastoral leadership is shared with St. Michael the Archangel in Troy. Fr. Joe O'Brien serves as Priest in Residence for both parishes under Bishop Scharfenberger's appointment, with Kelly Hession as pastoral associate for administration. The parish is guided by trustees Christopher Harris and Johanna Flanigan, and supported by a team of administrative, music, formation, and maintenance staff.
- Fr. Joe O'Brien — Priest in Residence
- Kelly Hession — Pastoral Associate for Administration
- Christopher Harris — Parish Trustee
- Johanna Flanigan — Parish Trustee
- Deborah Moore — Organist & Choir Director / Music Ministry
- Allison Hartwich — Bookkeeper
- Ellen Hartnagle — Administrative Assistant
- Cathy Castle — Administrative Assistant
- Charlie Hannan — Custodian
- JoAnn & Steve Taylor — Faith Formation
Liturgy & Music
Liturgical life is supported by an organist/choir director, a Chancel Choir, and a Rosary Altar Society. A Ministry Coordinator maintains the liturgical ministry schedule for Masses and prepares liturgical documents for special seasons.
- Organist/Choir Director: Debbie Moore
- Chancel Choir and Rosary Altar Society
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) during Mass
- Family Liturgies scheduled through the Faith Formation year
Outreach, Pastoral Care & Parish Life
Beyond worship and formation, the parish operates an active pastoral care ministry coordinated by a parish nurse, supports the needy through Christian Service outreach, and engages with the wider community through Vacation Bible School and various committees — including Finance, Evangelization, Liturgy, Vocations, Christian Service, and Parish Council. The patron saint, St. Jude the Apostle, is honored with special activities around his October 28 feast day.
- Pastoral Care / Parish Nurse
- Christian Service and outreach to the needy
- Parish Council committees: Finance, Evangelization, Liturgy, Vocations, Christian Service
- Vacation Bible School
- Feast of St. Jude celebration each October 28
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can register online via the Parish Registration Form, send messages through the Parish Contact Form, or contact the parish office directly. The parish keeps an active Facebook presence under 'St Jude the Apostle Catholic Community / Wynantskill NY'.
- Address: 42 Dana Avenue, Wynantskill, NY 12198
- Phone: (518) 283-1162 | Fax/TTY: (518) 286-2808
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/StJudesWynantskill
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM (per bulletin)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas Tooher1953 – founding pastor
Offered the first Mass at St. Jude's on Easter Sunday 1953; organized nationally known horse shows (1953–1967) that helped pay off the church debt.
- Rev. James ClarkFive years ending by 2003
Led the 50th anniversary recommitment Mass with Bishop Howard Hubbard in 2003; called for the parish to reach inactive members.
- Rev. Anthony Ligato (Fr. Anthony F. Ligato)At least 2009–2012+
Pastor through the 60th anniversary in 2012; raised a tent on the grounds echoing the original 1952 outdoor Masses.
- Fr. Joe O'BrienAppointed by Bishop Scharfenberger (recent)
Priest in Residence for the linked parishes of St. Jude the Apostle (Wynantskill) and St. Michael the Archangel (Troy); Kelly Hession serves as pastoral associate for administration.