A Parish on Watervliet-Shaker Road
Our Lady of the Assumption sits on Watervliet-Shaker Road in Latham, a hamlet in the Town of Colonie in Albany County, New York. The Roman Catholic parish belongs to the Diocese of Albany and follows the pastoral guidance of Bishop Mark O'Connell and Pope Leo XIV. The parish's own statement of mission is to embody "Christ's call to repentance and ever-growing faith" through prayer, celebration, and service.
Mass Times Throughout the Week
Weekend Masses are celebrated on Saturday at 4:30 pm and on Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:00 am. The Saturday evening Mass is livestreamed, as is the Wednesday morning Mass at 9:00 am. Confessions are heard on Saturday from 3:30 to 4:15 pm before Mass. During the week, Mass is offered Monday at 9:00 am, Tuesday at 6:30 am, Wednesday at 9:00 am, and Friday at 9:00 am. A Thursday morning prayer service is held at 6:30 am in place of the daily Mass. Recordings of past celebrations are archived on the parish's YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.
Faith Formation for Children and Teens
The parish walks with families through every stage of Catholic formation. Children in grades 1 through 5 gather for Faith Formation classes, while a Youth Faith Formation track serves students in grades 6 through 10. Children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation are welcomed into age-appropriate cohorts, and the parish marks these milestones as a community. A Parish Handbook outlines the policies and expectations for families, staff, and volunteers who help with the program.
Youth Ministry and Vacation Bible School
Middle and high school teens are invited into the parish's Youth Ministry, which gathers them for fellowship, service projects, and faith formation outside the regular classroom. Each summer the parish hosts a Vacation Bible School; the 2026 program is called "Weird Animals" and registration is open. A Youth Ministry Interest Form is available for families who would like their children to get more involved, and a Youth Code of Conduct applies to anyone under 18 who takes part in parish activities.
Becoming Catholic
Adults who wish to become Catholic, or who are baptized Christians preparing for full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, are guided through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The parish welcomes inquirers year-round and pairs them with sponsors and a formation team as they prepare to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Parish Nursing and Pastoral Care
A Parish Nursing ministry tends to the health and well-being of parishioners, offering a caring presence alongside the sacraments and regular pastoral visits. The Pastoral Council advises the parish leadership on the life and direction of the community. A volunteer application and background check process are in place for anyone working with children and young people, and safe-environment training is required of all ministry leaders.
Within the Diocese of Albany
Our Lady of the Assumption is one of many parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, which serves the Capital Region of New York. The parish takes part in diocesan initiatives around sacramental preparation, immigration advocacy, and stewardship, and shares pastoral letters from Bishop O'Connell with the parish family. Mass music is performed under a podcast and streaming license from ONE LICENSE, License #A-722868.