Rev. Scott Fobare Starts New Assignment at the Newman Center

"I was there for two years," said Father Scott, as he likes to be called. "The plan was I would be there for a short time. The Bishop desired for me to be in a bigger place."

He's not a stranger to Plattsburgh however. From 1988 to 1991, he was an assistant pastor at St. Peters.

"In essence, I've returned home again. I'm very familiar with Plattsburgh and Clinton County," said Father Scott. "I'm very much delighted to be back and now working with college students. So I'm learning. My first year will be a trial and error period."

Father Scott, originally from Lawrenceville, N.Y., outside of Malone, N.Y., started his higher education with a two-year degree in social work from Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg, N.Y. He then decided to go to seminary at Wadhams Hall College in Ogdensburg. He did his graduate work at St. John's Seminary in Boston, Mass. He has been a Catholic priest for 17 years. He was ordained on May 23, 1987.

"I'm looking forward to connecting with students on a spiritual level, aside from the sacramental inputs and services," he said.  

Father Scott has announced a new program, "Fireside Chats with Father Scott." The students will pick a topic and sit, share and discuss.

"This will be an opportunity for me and students to sit by the fireplace in the Newman Center and chat," he said. "We can talk about current issues, spiritual issues."

The Newman Association, which is an Interfaith student organization, meets on Fridays at the Newman Center. The association regularly promotes, sponsors and participates in activities and events within the College and local community. On Friday nights, the group has dinner and plans activities for the academic year.

The Newman Center and the Newman Association also sponsor an Alternative Spring Break Program. In past years, students have gone to Wheeling, W. Va., to serve in a soup kitchen, school and parish. Last year, the group started a new venture to Lawrence, Mass., where they worked in thrift shops, a soup kitchen and a shelter for the homeless.

The Newman Center has four weekend Masses: Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m., 4 and 9 p.m. The Newman Center isn't just for students. About 150 families come and worship along side the students. Some are linked to the College in some way -- staff, retired personnel, etc.

"They like the community aspect that the Newman Center provides," said Father Scott, who added that students like to have community members come to the Newman Center as well. "It seems to be a trend -- college students like mixture within the congregation at large."

For more information on the various programs at the Newman Center, contact Father Scott at 518-561-7545.

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