Roman Catholic 
Diocese of Ogdensburg

Bishop
Terry r. Lavalley

Bishop's Public Calendar

Biography

Bisho​p LaValley, the second of six children of Ronald (deceased) and Doris LaValley, is a native of Mooers Forks, NY and was raised in St. Ann's Parish. He was born on March 26, 1956 and completed his primary and secondary education at Mooers Central in Mooers, NY and Northeastern Clinton Central School in Champlain, NY. He received a B.A. from the University of the State of New York and a Certificate of Studies in Philosophy from Wadhams Hall Seminary-College. Prior to his entrance into Wadhams Hall Seminary-College in January 1983, Bishop LaValley served a six-year tour of duty with the United States Navy. He completed the Pre-Theology Program at Wadhams Hall in May 1984 and received his Master of Divinity degree from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora in May 1988. The bishop was ordained to the Diaconate on February 27, 1988 and to the Priesthood on September 24, 1988 by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana. Upon ordination, he served as deacon and parochial vicar at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Massena. During this time, he was named as the Associate Secretary of the Marriage Tribunal and was elected to serve on the Council of Priests. In 1992, the bishop began studies in Canon Law at St. Paul's University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where he was awarded his M.C.L. and J.C.L in May 1994.

Upon the completion of his graduate studies, Bishop LaValley was named as Administrator of St. Peter's Church in Hammond and St. Patrick's Church in Rossie and was appointed Adjutant Judicial Vicar. In 1996, Bishop Paul S. Loverde named him Episcopal Vicar for Diocesan Services and Chancellor of the Diocese of Ogdensburg with residence at Wadhams Hall Seminary-College.

In January 1998, in addition to his diocesan responsibilities, the bishop was named Pastor of St. Raphael's Church in Heuvelton. In June 1999, he became Administrator of St. James Church in Gouverneur while continuing to serve in his diocesan positions. In June 2000, he returned to St. Raphael's Church in Heuvelton as Pastor and continued to serve as Episcopal Vicar and Chancellor for Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. In July 2003, Bishop LaValley became Rector of St. Mary's Cathedral while retaining his diocesan offices.

In August 2004, Bishop LaValley was relieved of his duties as Episcopal Vicar and Chancellor by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, and appointed the Bishop's delegate to implement and oversee compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. In this capacity, he continued to serve as Chairperson of the Diocesan Review Board. On May 28, 2009, the College of Consultors elected Bishop LaValley as Diocesan Administrator, upon the installation of the Most Reverend Robert J. Cunningham as Bishop of Syracuse. The bishop continued as the Diocesan Administrator until his Ordination and Installation as the 14th Bishop of Ogdensburg on Friday, 30 April 2010.

Coat of Arms

The episcopal heraldic achievement, or as it is more commonly known, the Bishop's Coat of Arms, is composed of a shield with its charges (symbols), a motto scroll and the external ornaments. The shield, which is the central and most important feature of any heraldic device, is described (blazoned) in 12th century terms that are archaic to our modern language. By heraldic tradition, the arms of the Local Bishop (called the "Ordinary") are joined to the arms of his jurisdiction, in this case, the arms of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

The left side (sinister) of the Coat of Arms represents the Diocese of Ogdensburg. It is composed of a blue field with a scattering of oak leaves and a silver castle tower with a window in the form of a cross. These arms of the See symbolize its name: "ogden," which is derived from "oakdene," represented by the oak leaves, and "burg," which is represented by the tower, a common symbol in heraldry for a fortress or a fortified city.

Ogdensburg was the site of the French mission of La Presentation founded in 1749 by Abbe Francois Piquet to minister to the Iroquois. After the demise of New France, the British refurbished Fort La Presentation and renamed it "Fort Oswegatchie;" it was held by them until 1796. The settlement that grew up about the fort was named after Samuel Ogden (1743-98), a New Jersey lawyer who bought land there. This makes the oak leaves on the diocesan impalement even more appropriate because the Ogden family bear oak leaves as an integral part of their coat of arms. During the early part of the War of 1812, Ogdensburg was important on the American line of defense and on February 22, 1813 both the fort and the village of Ogdensburg were captured and partly destroyed by the British. The village incorporated as "Ogdensburgh" in 1817, was chartered as the city of Ogdensburg in 1868, and became the cathedral city for the new Diocese of Ogdensburg in 1872.

The right side (dexter) of the Coat of Arms contains the Bishop's personal arms reflecting his familial and personal background. The silver crescent honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, in her title of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Immediately above the crescent is the fleur-de-lis, recognizing the Bishop's French heritage and honoring the Blessed Lady as the "lily of the thorns.

To the right is found the symbol of a bundle of wheat. This recognizes the Bishop's family roots in farming. At the same time, it carries Eucharistic overtones calling our attention to Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life--Food for the journey.

Immediately below the crescent an anchor is situated. The anchor is a reminder of the Bishop's service to the nation as a sailor in the Navy. The symbol also points to the Bishop's deep devotion to Mary, the Mother of Priests, our Lady of Hope.

To the right of the anchor is found three stars arranged diagonally, displaying a portion of the LaValley Family Crest.

For his motto, His Excellency Bishop LaValley has chosen Follow Me. In this phrase, found in all four Gospels, we hear Jesus' invitation to His apostles and disciples to follow Him. By the use of this phrase, His Excellency expresses his firm belief that we are all companions on a faith journey. He prays that his leadership as Shepherd of the Diocese of Ogdensburg will provide sure and compassionate guidance to the Kingdom for all God's holy people entrusted to his care

College of Consultors

Reverend Joseph A. Morgan VG, Secretary
ex-officio
St. Mary's Cathedral
415 Hamilton Street
Ogdensburg, NY 13669

Reverend Monsignor Dennis J. Duprey, V.F.                        
St. Augustine’s Church 
3035 Main Street Peru, NY 12972  

Reverend Monsignor Robert H. Aucoin
St. Mary's Cathedral
415 Hamilton Street
Ogdensburg, NY 13669

Reverend Mark R. Reilly, V.F.                                              
St. Peter’s Church 
PO Box 329 
Massena, NY 13662

Reverend Kevin J. O'Brien
St. Raphael's Church
PO Box 377
Heuvelton, NY 13654

Reverend Raymond Diesbourg, M.S.C.                         
The Roman Catholic Community of  Cape Vincent, Rosiere and Chaumont 
PO Box 288 
Cape Vincent, NY 13618  

Reverend Raymond J. Moreau
Parish of the Visitation and St. Raymond
3 Morris Street
Norfolk, NY 13667

Reverend John M. Demo
Church of the Holy Family
129 Winthrop Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Reverend Albert J. Hauser
The Catholic Community of Moriah
12 St. Patrick's Place
Port Henry, NY 12974

Deans of the Diocese

Adirondack Mountain
Rev. John R. Yonkovig, V.F.
St. Agnes Church
169 Hillcrest Avenue
Lake Placid, NY 12946

Clinton-Northern Franklin 
Rev. Msgr. Dennis J. Duprey, V.F.
St. Augustine’s Church 
3035 Main Street Peru, NY 12972
 
Jefferson-Lewis
Rev. Donald A. Robinson, V.F.
St. Mary's Church
521 James Street
Clayton, NY 13624

St. Lawrence
Rev. Mark R. Reilly, V.F.
St. Peter’s Church
PO Box 329
Massena, NY  13662

Diocesan Pastoral Council

The Diocesan Pastoral Council consists of various members of the Christian faithful including clergy, religious, and lay men and women. Membership is chosen so that the Council will reflect the diverse regions, social conditions, and professions of the Diocese as well as our various apostolates. All members must be active, practicing Catholics.

This Diocesan Pastoral Council has been established so that it may investigate under the authority of the Bishop those things which pertain to pastoral works, ponder them, and propose practical conclusions about them.

Members:
Ex Officio
Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley, Bishop of Ogdensburg
Reverend Joseph A. Morgan, Vicar General
Deacon James Crowley, Chancellor
Reverend Kevin J. O'Brien, Moderator of the Curia
Sister Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ, Diocesan Mission Director

Elected or Chosen Members:
Reverend John Ojuok – chosen by the Council of Priests
Reverend Severinus Torwoe - chosen by the Council of Priests Deacon Noel Voos - chosen by Council of Deacons  
Sister Cindy Sullivan, BVM – chosen by the Council of Consecrated Life

Members of the Laity
Mrs. Elissa Duso – Adirondack Mountain Deanery 
Mr. Richard Doell - Adirondack Mountain Deanery
Mr. Mark Wells – Clinton-Northern Franklin Deanery  
Mr.  Dwane Bast - Clinton-Northern Franklin Deanery
Mr. Glenn Burdo - Clinton-Northern Franklin Deanery
Mrs. Jamie Burdo - Clinton-Northern Franklin Deanery 
Mr. James Hoch - Jefferson-Lewis Deanery
Mrs. Jennifer Lucia – Jefferson-Lewis Deanery 
Mr. John Lucia – Jefferson-Lewis Deanery 
Ms. Cynthia Nelson – Jefferson-Lewis Deanery
Mrs. Marcia Amyot - St. Lawrence Deanery
Ms. Kathleen Samuel - St. Lawrence Deanery
Mrs. Clare Murdock - St. Lawrence Deanery
Mrs. Karley Wake - Young Adult Member 

Council of Priests

The purpose of the Council of Priests is:

1. To provide a forum for the full and free discussion of all issues of pastoral concern in the diocese.

2. To aid the diocesan bishop in the governance of the diocese according to the norm of law so that the pastoral welfare of the People of God committed to the bishop with the cooperation of the priests may be accomplished as effectively as possible.

3. To search for and to propose ways and means for effective pastoral ministry.

4. To be representative of all the priests of the diocese in their unity and diversity.

Council of Priests:
Elected Members:
Reverend Thomas K. Kornmeyer,
     Pastor from Adirondack Mountain Deanery
Reverend Garry B. Giroux, 
     Pastor from St. Lawrence Deanery
Reverend Daniel L. Chapin,
     Pastor from Jefferson-Lewis Deanery
Reverend Kris C. Lauzon,
     Pastor from Clinton-Northern Franklin Deanery
Reverend Douglas G. Comstock, Retired Priests, Disabled Priests, Priests working outside of Diocese, and those on leaves of absence who enjoy the faculties of the Diocese

Appointed Members:
Reverend Monsignor Robert H. Aucoin
Reverend Raymond Diesbourg, MSC
Reverend Monsignor Dennis J. Duprey, V.F. 

Ex Officio Members:
Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley 
Reverend Joseph A. Morgan, V.G. 
Reverend Kevin J. O'Brien
Reverend Christopher C. Carrara, Secretary

Contact

Renee Grizzuto
Secretary of the Bishop

Vicar General

Reverend Joseph A. Morgan, V.G.
St. Mary's Cathedral
415 Hamilton Street
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
(315) 393-3930

Prayer Intentions

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