The Catholic Communities of
Schroon Lake and Olmstedville, New York

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Schroon Lake

The Catholic communities of Schroon Lake and Olmstedville participate in the life of the Church and are nourished in the faith through a wide variety of parish programs under the guidance of Rev. Richard Sturtz, the pastor of the parishes.

Religious Education

The lifelong journey of faith begins with religious instruction in the formative years. Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Joseph's offer a comprehensive program of religious education under the direction of Ms. Linda Lowe, Religious Education Coordinator for both parishes.

• Elementary School Program
  Both parishes offer weekly religious education classes during the school year for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The classes at St. Joseph's are held after school on Tuesdays, and classes at Our Lady of Lourdes are held after school on Thursdays. The class includes prayer time and religious instruction, along with after school snacks provided by parents. The children also learn hymns that are sung at the parish family Masses. The program lasts an hour and a half and runs from late September until May.



• First Sacraments - Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist
  Special sessions of instruction in addition to the weekly religious education classes are included for children preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion. Children receive First Reconciliation in the second grade and First Eucharist in the third grade. Every child must participate in the religious education program for at least two years before beginning preparation for the sacraments.



• Confirmation
  Candidates for Confirmation in ninth and tenth grade participate in a two year program to prepare for this sacrament. Students from both parishes meet together for six all day sessions in the fall and spring. They also attend a retreat which usually takes place at the Wadhams Hall Retreat Center in Ogdensburg. The sacrament of Confirmation is administered by the Bishop of Ogdensburg in May or June in an interparish ceremony held in the local deanery.



• Youth Program
  Young people in seventh grade through high school from both parishes take part in a joint program called POPEries Youth Program. This brings the youth from both parishes together for monthly two hour sessions. They have a meal, prayer service, and religious instruction. Several times a year speakers are invited to meet with the youth and share their faith. The sessions alternate between the two parishes.

Sanctuary of St. Joseph's church in Olmstedville

Adult and Family Programs

Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Joseph's provide many opportunities for adults and families to grow in their faith. These include special liturgies, prayer services, and adult religious education.

• Family Masses
  Both parishes celebrate family Masses, in which children in the religious education program, along with their parents, plan the liturgy and perform various functions in the service. A children's choir also provides the music for the Mass. These special family liturgies are held at the principal Mass celebrated in the parish on the weekend.



• Paraliturgical Services
  In addition to the celebration of the Eucharist, the parishes offer other prayer services to nurture the spiritual life of the community. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held at Our Lady of Lourdes on the first Friday of each month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. A Holy Hour is conducted at St. Joseph's on the first Tuesday of each month following the morning Mass. The Miraculous Medal Novena takes place following the Monday morning Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes.



• Parish Retreat
  A joint retreat is held each year for parishioners of both parishes. The services alternate between the parishes beginning with the weekend Mass and continuing through Thursday evening. Communal Penance Services are held in each parish during the retreat.



• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
  The RCIA program is held once a year in each parish if there are candidates for entry into the Church. The program is conducted by teams of adults from the parishes who "Break Open the Word" with the catechumens each Sunday and provide catechetical instruction at weekly sessions. The catechumens are welcomed into full communion in the Church at the Easter Vigil Service at Our Lady of Lourdes.

St. Joseph Shrine at St. Joseph's Church in Olmstedville

Shrine at Our Lady of Lourdes in Schroon Lake

The Blessed Virgin Appearing to St. Bernadette