Obituary of Rev. Michael J. Hogan

Albany, NY Father Michael J. Hogan entered into eternal life on Wednesday evening, August 20th at his home, with his loving family by his side. He graduated from St. Mary's Academy, Glens Falls in 1957 and in the fall of that year entered Mater Christi Seminary in Albany. He studied there for two years and was then sent by the Bishop to St. Joseph's Seminary (Dunwoodie) in Yonkers for the next 6 years. He was ordained a priest for the Albany Diocese on May 29, 1965. Fr. Hogan served as Associate Pastor of St. Gabriel's Church in Rotterdam from June 1965 to August 1966. In September 1966 he was transferred to Our Lady of Victory Church in Troy where, for the next two years, he would serve and teach full time at Catholic Central High School. In 1968 he was transferred to Maria College for one year and served as Chair of the Theology Department. From 1969 to 1973 he taught at the College of St. Rose through its Department of Religious Studies. In 1969 he founded Hospitality House, an intensive residential rehabilitation program for drug and alcohol abusers and served as its Executive Director. In 1972 he established the first alcoholic halfway house in Albany and in that same year opened Lancaster House, the first residential community for chronic psychiatric patients in the State of New York. In 1982 he bought a house in Albany, at 248 Elm Street, and in that same year became Chaplain at Bishop Maginn High School, later serving as President of the High School's Board. At his home he was able to welcome adolescents who lived there for many years, this one achievement, he considered the most important thing he had ever done. Wade, Jim, Michael, Alejandro, Jon, Eric, David, Ian, Todd M., Mark and Todd L. became, for him, his sons and their children: Elizabeth, Jon. Jr., Bailey, Victoria, Josh, Andrew, Emily, Sarah and Katherine; his grandchildren. Fr. Hogan became Pastor of Sacred Heart/St. Columba's Parish in Schenectady in 1992. He went to Mexico for two months to study Spanish and conducted both Hispanic as well as English Liturgies. From August 1, 1998 to the present Fr. Hogan served as Pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Schenectady as well as St. John the Baptist Church from 2001 to 2005 and from 2009, to the present, as Pastor of St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Rotterdam Junction. During his time in Schenectady, Fr. Hogan served as President of "New Choices", an alcohol and drug Rehabilitation program, Chairman of the Board of "Home Town Health Centers"; member of the board of Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM), Hamilton Hill Arts Center, "The Bridge Center"; Schenectady Community Action Program (SCAP); Center for Community Justice; Schenectady Housing Loan Fund Corporation, Capital Region Work Force Development Board and X-Quest, Inc. He was also a member of the Social Justice Committee, comprised of clergy and agencies working together for better police policies as well as working with the Sheriff on matters pertaining to the Schenectady County Jail. For ten years, from 1970 to 1980, Fr. Hogan practiced Individual and Group Therapy, under the direction of Dr. Jenilou Schoolman, Ph.D. and Dr. Ana Hernandez, Ph.D. He has also served as a therapist and counselor for over 40 years. At the end, Fr. Hogan faced his illness with courage and peaceful resignation. He said: "I'm happy, I've lived a wonderful life and I wouldn't change a thing." On Thursday, September 11th, Father Hogan's family will be present to receive relatives and close friends from 4 to 9 PM, at Father's home at 248 Elm Street, Albany, NY. 12202. On Friday, September 12th, at 4 PM, Father Hogan's body will be received into the loving arms of St. Joseph's Church, 600 State St (Corner of State & Lafayette Streets), Schenectady, NY. Visitation will commence at that time and continue until 7 PM when a Parish Liturgy will be celebrated. On Saturday, September 13th at 11 AM, The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Michael A. Farano, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. All are invited to attend. Interment, immediately following the Liturgy, will take place in the Hospitality House Plot, in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY. Expressions of sympathy may be left on Father Hogan's everlasting tribute page located at: www.TheRiverviewFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Father Hogan's memory may be made to St. Joseph's Church Restoration Fund, 225 Lafayette Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 or to "St. Joseph's Place" (same address) Father's newly established Outreach Center; a ministry of St. Joseph's Parish. Father Hogan's funeral arrangements have been lovingly entrusted to Roy F. Bordeau, Funeral Director. Home Visitation 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm Thursday, September 11, 2014 Hogan Residence 248 Elm Street Albany, New York, United States 12202 Wake at Father's private residence for close friends and family Reception of the Body & Visitation 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, September 12, 2014 St. Joseph';s Church 600 State Street Schenectady, New York, United States 12305 Father's body will be received into the church with wake following Funeral 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Saturday, September 13, 2014 St. Joseph's Church 600 State Street Schenectady, New York, United States 12305 Liturgy of Christian Burial