February 12, 2020

PLATTSBURGH – Bishop LaValley installed Father Kevin D. McEwan as the new pastor of the Plattsburgh Parish (St. Peter’s, St. John’s and Our Lady of Victory), soon to be called “Holy Cross Parish.” Father McEwan was installed on Sunday, Jan. 19 at the 11:15 a.m. Mass.

The new parish is the result of the planning process initiated several years ago to help keep maintain vibrant parishes in the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

A detailed plan was presented to Bishop Terry R. LaValley in the Fall of 2018 and approved early in 2019.

Planning for its implementation continued until they were joined ecclesiastically effective on Jan. 1, 2020 when Father McEwan was named pastor.

At the same event, Bishop LaValley blessed the new baptismal font in St. Peter’s Church.

It was necessary to replace the former font, which was no longer functional.

After much reflection and research, it was advised by both the Parish and Finance Councils to replace it with a large upright font.

St. Peter’s was blessed when the parish was informed that the former parish of St. Joseph’s in Malone would allow their font to be used at St. Peter’s.

Several clergy and parishioners from Malone attended the blessing. Some of the local clergy previously assigned to St. Joseph were also present: Fathers Dan Keefe, Francis Flynn, and Msgr. Dennis J. Duprey.

The baptismal font made of marble and weighting about 1,500 pounds was expertly moved and placed by Plattsburgh Memorials.

A large reception was held after the mass to honor the occasion.