His Eminence Metropolitan SABA Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America         His Grace Bishop Alexander

Pastor: Fr John Vazquez| fatherjohnvazquez@gmail.com | stgeorgealbany.org | 1 St George's Pl Albany

Office Hours: Mon/Fri 10am-5pm/Confessions: After weekly services or by appointment

Parish Council Leadership: Chair—Michella Rizk, Treasurer—Ranya Palmer, Secretary—Daniel Palmer, Vice Chair—Linda Grady

Beloved,

It was a joy to celebrate the feast of the glorification of St Innocent this morning with Fr Micah at St Innocent parish in Oneonta. Fr Micah gave a wonderful sermon, talking about the call that each of us as Christians needs to answer. What call is this? The call to be Saints. On my drive back I listened to a podcast about how the dangers of Social Media for kids. The psychologist who was being interview—who is not a Christian—adamantly believes that no child should have access to social media before the age of 16 because of the terrible affects it has on the brain. If you would like to listen you can do so HERE. How are these two things related? I am glad you asked. 

The call to each of us to be Saints is a call for each of us in the circumstances of our lives—whatever they many be, as difficult as they may be—to be set apart to God. We are not called to be like everyone else. We are called to be different. So the next time someone tries to use the argument that "everyone is doing it" or "this is just what people do"—don't buy it. We are called to more than scrolling on our phones. We are called to a life a Christ, a life of adventure, faith, hope, love and in these things—a life of witness. This witness is what the Saints offer us and we with them can offer a way of life to the world that is different. By the prayers of St Innocent Lord strengthen us. 

With love in Christ,

Fr John