About St. Madeleine Sophie · Schenectady, New York
St. Madeleine Sophie Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Albany serving the Guilderland/Schenectady area of upstate New York. Founded in 1939 by Bishop Gibbons as the spiritual home for the Catholics of western Albany County, it has grown into a 2,300-family community with its own elementary school, parish center, and 27-acre campus on Carman Road. Today the parish is 'linked' with neighboring St. Gabriel the Archangel in a Pastoral Network that also includes Our Lady Queen of Peace and St. Margaret of Cortona (Mission), sharing clergy and pastoral staff.
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- St. Madeleine Sophie Barat (foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart; canonized 1925; patron of educators)
- Rector
- The Very Rev. James Belogi, Pastor
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Madeleine Sophie is a large, multigenerational Catholic community of about 2,300 families, anchored by its own parish elementary school (Pre-K through grade 5) and a 27-acre campus that hosts daily Mass, faith formation, youth ministry, and parish activities. Parishioners are active in Christian service — running the parish food pantry, supporting Family Promise for homeless families, staffing the Salvation Army soup kitchen, and partnering with the Works of Mercy initiative to reach those in need. With Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses (one livestreamed), Saturday confessions, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and OCIA/RCIA for adults, it offers the full sacramental life of the Church in a flexible, family-friendly setting just outside Schenectady.
Mass times at St. Madeleine Sophie
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM at St. Madeleine Sophie (no appointment needed)
- By appointment at both St. Madeleine Sophie and St. Gabriel — call the parish office
- Sunday 11:30–11:50 AM at St. Gabriel the Archangel
- Also offered during monthly Eucharistic Adoration (second Monday, 6–8 PM) at St. Madeleine Sophie
Adoration times
- Second Monday of each month, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at St. Madeleine Sophie Church (Confessions offered during this time)
History of St. Madeleine Sophie Parish
Founded by Bishop Gibbons in 1939, St. Madeleine Sophie Parish was created to serve the spiritual needs of Catholics in western Albany County. The first Mass was celebrated on November 26, 1939 in 'Georges Place,' a rented dance hall on a country road. The parish grew steadily, dedicating its first 'little white church' on April 15, 1951, its parish center on May 21, 1977, and a new 800-seat church consecrated by Bishop Hubbard on June 25, 2003. Today the parish numbers about 2,300 families and sits on a 27-acre campus that includes the church, school, and multi-use parish center.
- 1939 — Parish founded by Bishop Gibbons; first Mass November 26 in 'Georges Place' dance hall
- 1951 — Original 'little white church' dedicated April 15
- 1960 — St. Madeleine Sophie School opens through parent initiative
- 1977 — Parish Center dedicated May 21
- 2003 — New 800-seat church consecrated by Bishop Hubbard, June 25
- Present — ~2,300-family parish participating in the diocese's Re-Igniting Faith initiative
Parish Patron: St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
The parish is named for St. Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779–1865), the French religious sister who founded the Society of the Sacred Heart and is honored as the patron saint of educators. Canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925, her liturgical feast day is May 25. The parish's own history page describes her as 'a determined foundress and a leader in Catholic education' — a fitting patron for a community built around its parish school.
- Born December 12, 1779, Joigny, France
- Founded the Society of the Sacred Heart
- Canonized May 24, 1925 by Pope Pius XI
- Feast day: May 25
- Patron of educators and teachers
Linked Parishes & Pastoral Network
St. Madeleine Sophie is part of a Parish Network with neighboring St. Gabriel the Archangel, Our Lady Queen of Peace, and St. Margaret of Cortona (Mission). The linked parishes share a combined Pastoral Staff led by the Very Rev. James Belogi, Pastor, and Rev. Anthony Onu, Parochial Vicar, and a unified Mass schedule covering multiple worship sites across the Guilderland/Schenectady area.
- St. Madeleine Sophie (Carman Road, Schenectady)
- St. Gabriel the Archangel (3500 Carman Road)
- Our Lady Queen of Peace
- St. Margaret of Cortona (Mission)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptisms require at least six weeks' notice and attendance at Baptismal instructions; marriages require contacting the parish office six months to a year in advance. First Eucharist and Confirmation are received through the Faith Formation program or OCIA, and Confirmation is celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Anointing of the Sick is available on request, and the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) walks adults and older children through entry into full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Baptism — 6 weeks advance notice; instruction required
- Marriage — 6 to 12 months advance contact
- First Eucharist & Confirmation — through Faith Formation or OCIA
- Anointing of the Sick — by request
- OCIA (RCIA) — for unbaptized adults, Christians entering the Church, or Catholics completing initiation
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is led by Pastoral Associates Donna Simone and Terri Bouchard, with Nicole Kitrick as Faith Formation Secretary. Programs prepare children for First Eucharist and Confirmation, while OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) supports adults and older children seeking full communion with the Catholic Church — including the baptized Christian entering the Church, and the Catholic seeking First Communion or Confirmation.
- Faith Formation Office (St. Madeleine Sophie): 518-355-3115 — [email protected]
- Pastoral Associates: Donna Simone and Terri Bouchard
- OCIA for adults and older children
- Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation
St. Madeleine Sophie School
St. Madeleine Sophie School is a parish elementary school serving Pre-K through Grade 5 in the Guilderland/Schenectady area, located at 3510 Carman Road, Schenectady, NY 12303. Founded in 1960 by a group of parents, the school provides a faith-based, value-oriented education and now includes 3- and 4-year-old nursery and pre-K, a computer lab, after-school care, and a summer camp. Its motto themes — 'Be Humble, Be Simple, Bring Joy to Others' — show up in student life through service (volunteering at Bethesda House in Schenectady), prayer (praying the rosary), and student leadership (5th Grade Leaders liturgy).
- Opened 1960 through parent initiative
- Pre-K (3 & 4 year olds) through Grade 5
- Computer lab, after-school care, summer camp
- Principal: Kelly Sloan
- Administrative Assistant: Crystal Quatrini
- Address: 3510 Carman Road, Schenectady, NY 12303
- Phone: (518) 355-3106
- Motto themes: Be Humble, Be Simple, Bring Joy to Others
Music Ministry
Music Ministry for the linked parishes is led by Justine Crevatas, Pastoral Associate for Music Ministry, who supports the sung liturgy at weekend and holy day Masses across the Pastoral Network.
- Pastoral Associate for Music Ministry: Justine Crevatas
Christian Service & Outreach
Outreach is a major pillar of parish life, with ministries that feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and visit the homebound. The parish coordinates with the Works of Mercy initiative to connect those in need with parish and community resources.
- Family Promise Ministry — hosts homeless families; contact Anna Hartz, 518-810-7918
- Salvation Army Soup Kitchen (Schenectady) — contact Gloria Towle-Hilt, 518-435-5915 (currently on pandemic pause)
- Christ Child Society (Albany) — layettes and comfort bags; contact Anna Hartz
- Parish Food Pantry — Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas baskets
- Homebound Parishioner Visitation — Communion and presence for the sick and elderly
- St. John's / St. Ann's Welcome Table — Albany Outreach Center lunch service
- Twinning Group — prepares meals for Welcome Table at the Parish Center
- Works of Mercy — Kristen Black, 518-347-0871, [email protected]
- Women's Club — fellowship at the St. Gabriel gym; contact Joanne Russell, 518-229-4988
Facilities & Campus
The 27-acre parish complex includes the 800-seat church (consecrated 2003), the multi-use Parish Center (dedicated 1977), and St. Madeleine Sophie School (3510 Carman Road). The Parish Center continues to host year-round parish, school, faith formation, youth ministry, and community activities.
- 27-acre parish complex on Carman Road
- 800-seat church consecrated 2003 by Bishop Hubbard
- Parish Center dedicated May 21, 1977
- School at 3510 Carman Road, Schenectady, NY 12303
Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors can stay connected through the parish website, online giving, and the MyParishApp. Website questions can be directed to [email protected]; pastoral and emergency needs should go through the parish office at (518) 355-0421.
- Parish website: https://smssgabparish.org
- Online giving available via the parish website
- MyParishApp — search 'St. Madeleine/St. Gabriel' on the Play Store or App Store
- Parish office: (518) 355-0421 — [email protected]
- Faith Formation Office: (518) 355-3115 — [email protected]
- Webmaster: [email protected]