Catholic traditions, social justice merge at St. Helen’s Parish in Ballston Spa

BALLSTON SPA — At a time when humanity is divided into political camps, there is one place where everyone is encouraged to “come as you are” –  St. Helen’s Parish Mercy Center.

The new Catholic parish in the Union Mill Complex or old Bischoff’s Chocolate Factory, opened its doors Jan. 8 with a promise to “serve the Christ in every person.”

“One of the things we do is we don’t deny services to anyone,” Father Richard Russo said. “If you are divorced, not gotten married in the church or are different sexual orientation, you come to Mass with who you are. We don’t endorse anything. You come and be a part of it. We are Christ’s church. My message is come, this is your church, not my church.”

The parish is a member of the Society of Mercy, an ancient order that is Catholic but never aligned with the Pope and Rome. It dates back to 1145 in Utrecht in the Netherlands when Pope Eugene handed down an edict that ensured each diocese the ability to select its own bishop. While this has since changed, the Society of Mercy preserved its right to select its leader, thus eventually splitting from Papal rule. 

“We are an old Catholic society,” Russo explained. “We are traditional or old Roman Catholic. … We haven’t made any changes of Vatican II with the exception of having the Mass in English. We do it in both Latin and English. We keep all the traditions, meatless Fridays, confession, the rosary, everything the modern Roman church has thrown out.”

While traditional, Russo explains the parish understands the problems of the modern world and is committed to serving the community beyond the church  – currently offering pastoral care to veterans and those incarcerated in Saratoga County jail. Eventually, Russo said he would like to see the parish serve the homeless.

Meanwhile, Russo said the chapel, which seats about 45 to 50 people, offers three services a week: 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays for “the poor souls of purgatory” as well as a low Mass at 8 a.m. and high Mass on 10 a.m. on Sundays. The high Mass, which Russo said “has all the smells and bells” is followed by a coffee and a bite to eat.

Though not under the jurisdiction of Rome, he said the Pope has decreed that the Society of Mercy offers “valid sacraments and a valid priesthood,” which he said is important to Catholics.

“We have apostolic succession,” Russo said. “That means I can trace our order, through our bishop, all the way back to the apostles. It’s super, super-strict in that regard.”

The preservation of traditions appeals to many of the older Catholics who remember and miss the changes in the Catholic church that took place in the early 1960s. But Russo said the parish also appeals to the young who don’t want to be condemned by the church for their sexuality or marriage status. 

“We don’t go after one audience,” Russo said. “We say if you like traditional worship, you like the traditions of the church, come. Younger people who like social justice, come. … We believe in being in being merciful to everyone we meet in all stages of their life.”

Russo, who is originally from Saratoga Springs and is no relation to the famous author from Gloversville who bears the same name, has served in Roman Catholic churches and worked as a chaplain in assisted living facilities. He said he decided, at age 56, that he would like to be a pastor of his own parish, thus his decision to open St. Helen’s Parish Mercy Center.

He realizes that it’s fiscally difficult to maintain a church and will be seeking grants for the parish’s outreach to those in need and said he also believes in cultivating a strong interconnected ecumenical community. Furthermore, he is certain that everyone has the ability to serve. And in that capacity, he seeks to “wake the lions” — those brave, loyal and compassionate souls who offer the mercy of a king.

“I want Catholics to say, ‘let’s go, let’s get empowered,’” Russo said. “Like Mother Teresa said, ‘We can do small things with great love.’”