March 27, 2026
Dear St. Thomas the Apostle Church & School,
In my weekly bulletin notes, I attempt to offer you a brief insight into the Gospel message and reflect on the events of Jesus’ life and what the Word of God might mean for us today.
With this letter, published just before we begin Holy Week together, I would like to reflect on the press release published by the Diocese of Albany earlier today, which can be accessed here: www.rcda.org/reorganization.
This news marks a significant step in the bankruptcy reorganization process that began about three years ago on March 15, 2023. Today it was announced that the Diocese has reached a settlement that "will provide payment in the amount of $148 million to survivors of sexual abuse for acts perpetrated against them by clergy, religious, lay employees, and volunteers of the Diocese.” I would encourage everyone to read the full press release and the letter from Bishop Mark O’Connell, found on the website above.
I would like to mention three thoughts about this, in order of importance:
1. Abuse of any kind should never happen. In God’s plan of love and peace, there is no room for actions and words that bring harm to people. Yet, we know these behaviors have happened in families, workplaces, and within the Church. To those who have been harmed by a leader or person within the Church, or by the structure of the Church itself, or in any other situation that has led to harm, I am truly sorry.
2. As noted in the document titled “What You Need to Know about the Joint Settlement” found on the Reorganization website, each parish in the Diocese of Albany will be contributing a certain amount of money that will fund a sum of $50 million. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish will be contributing to that fund using our savings and investments. The overall amount may be shocking to some, and it may bring about certain emotions and questions. I recall the words of St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians (12:12): “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.” It’s true! Meaning when one person is harmed by the sins, actions, or inactions of another, the whole Body of Christ suffers across time and space. The suffering is different, yes, yet all are affected.
3. Emotions rise to the surface at times like this and sometimes it is easy to let them get in the way of meaningful progress. I will be clear: it is not my intention to let the parish’s financial contribution mark “the end” of my commitment to helping those who have been abused. In other words, although a monetary amount is necessary and helpful, we cannot let this be the last step in the process. To that end, I would like to invite people to an “Evening of Reflection” on Thursday, April 23, at 7:00pm in the Gathering Hall. This will be an evening with prayer, an opportunity to reflect and share, and a moment to acknowledge the pain that abusive actions have caused. I hope you will join me there.
The parish’s financial contribution will necessitate some significant adjustments to our day-to-day and long-term operation at the church and the school. The way forward has been the subject of earnest prayer and conversation among church and school leadership over the past several weeks. As we finalize plans to move forward successfully, I would offer three invitations:
First, please join me in prayer. Prayer for healing for those who have been harmed in this process, prayer for justice and peace, and prayer for God’s guidance in the way forward.
Second, I will be facilitating two informational sessions to present the details of our financial situation and how we will proceed. Members of the church and school administration and members of our Finance Committee will be offering a presentation and a time for questions and answers. These will be on Tuesday, April 14 at 1:00pm (following the 12:15pm Mass) and Thursday, April 16 at 7:00pm, both in the Gathering Hall.
Finally, as we enter into Holy Week together, we share in the Passion of our Lord as he suffered for the sins of all. As people who follow Jesus Christ, we know that the cross is not to be ignored or rejected. We also know that the cross is never the end of the story; it always leads to the Resurrection!
There are many resources available for those who have experienced abuse. I would invite people to visit the Hope and Healing webpage of the Diocese of Albany for additional information. There is also information there on how to report abuse: www.rcda.org/hopeandhealing.
Thank you for reading this letter and your attention to this situation. This is my way of being as transparent as possible with you as we move forward and I will continue to share updates as our plans develop. Thank you for your prayers.
Peace to you,
Dear St. Thomas the Apostle Church & School,
In my weekly bulletin notes, I attempt to offer you a brief insight into the Gospel message and reflect on the events of Jesus’ life and what the Word of God might mean for us today.
With this letter, published just before we begin Holy Week together, I would like to reflect on the press release published by the Diocese of Albany earlier today, which can be accessed here: www.rcda.org/reorganization.
This news marks a significant step in the bankruptcy reorganization process that began about three years ago on March 15, 2023. Today it was announced that the Diocese has reached a settlement that "will provide payment in the amount of $148 million to survivors of sexual abuse for acts perpetrated against them by clergy, religious, lay employees, and volunteers of the Diocese.” I would encourage everyone to read the full press release and the letter from Bishop Mark O’Connell, found on the website above.
I would like to mention three thoughts about this, in order of importance:
1. Abuse of any kind should never happen. In God’s plan of love and peace, there is no room for actions and words that bring harm to people. Yet, we know these behaviors have happened in families, workplaces, and within the Church. To those who have been harmed by a leader or person within the Church, or by the structure of the Church itself, or in any other situation that has led to harm, I am truly sorry.
2. As noted in the document titled “What You Need to Know about the Joint Settlement” found on the Reorganization website, each parish in the Diocese of Albany will be contributing a certain amount of money that will fund a sum of $50 million. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish will be contributing to that fund using our savings and investments. The overall amount may be shocking to some, and it may bring about certain emotions and questions. I recall the words of St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians (12:12): “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.” It’s true! Meaning when one person is harmed by the sins, actions, or inactions of another, the whole Body of Christ suffers across time and space. The suffering is different, yes, yet all are affected.
3. Emotions rise to the surface at times like this and sometimes it is easy to let them get in the way of meaningful progress. I will be clear: it is not my intention to let the parish’s financial contribution mark “the end” of my commitment to helping those who have been abused. In other words, although a monetary amount is necessary and helpful, we cannot let this be the last step in the process. To that end, I would like to invite people to an “Evening of Reflection” on Thursday, April 23, at 7:00pm in the Gathering Hall. This will be an evening with prayer, an opportunity to reflect and share, and a moment to acknowledge the pain that abusive actions have caused. I hope you will join me there.
The parish’s financial contribution will necessitate some significant adjustments to our day-to-day and long-term operation at the church and the school. The way forward has been the subject of earnest prayer and conversation among church and school leadership over the past several weeks. As we finalize plans to move forward successfully, I would offer three invitations:
First, please join me in prayer. Prayer for healing for those who have been harmed in this process, prayer for justice and peace, and prayer for God’s guidance in the way forward.
Second, I will be facilitating two informational sessions to present the details of our financial situation and how we will proceed. Members of the church and school administration and members of our Finance Committee will be offering a presentation and a time for questions and answers. These will be on Tuesday, April 14 at 1:00pm (following the 12:15pm Mass) and Thursday, April 16 at 7:00pm, both in the Gathering Hall.
Finally, as we enter into Holy Week together, we share in the Passion of our Lord as he suffered for the sins of all. As people who follow Jesus Christ, we know that the cross is not to be ignored or rejected. We also know that the cross is never the end of the story; it always leads to the Resurrection!
There are many resources available for those who have experienced abuse. I would invite people to visit the Hope and Healing webpage of the Diocese of Albany for additional information. There is also information there on how to report abuse: www.rcda.org/hopeandhealing.
Thank you for reading this letter and your attention to this situation. This is my way of being as transparent as possible with you as we move forward and I will continue to share updates as our plans develop. Thank you for your prayers.
Peace to you,
Rev. Matthew Duclos
Pastor
Pastor