April 21, 2021

CLAYTON – Parishioners in three parishes in the Thousand Islands region learned recently of significant changes in their leadership and organization.

Father Arthur J. LaBaff, VF, and Father Douglas G. Comstock have both announced they will retire as pastors. Father LaBaff is the pastor of St. Mary’s of Clayton and St. John’s Church, LaFargeville. Father Comstock is the pastor of the Roman Catholic Community of Alexandria with worship sites at St. Cyril Church in Alexandria Bay and St. Francis Xavier Church, Redwood.

The priests will remain in residence at their respective homes in Clayton and Alexandria Bay. Father LaBaff will become the Sacramental Minister for the newly linked parishes of Clayton and the Community of Alexandria.

Father LaBaff will remain as dean (Vicar Forane) of the Jefferson and Lewis Deanery.

Deacon Neil Fuller has been named Parish Life Coordinator for the newly linked parishes.

As a result of the new configuration, St. John’s in LaFargeville will become an oratory.

The reorganization is consistent with the Living Stones plan for the parishes. All the changes are to be effective July 1, 2021.

Father Comstock, 79, was ordained a priest in Louvain, Belgium on June 24, 1967. In addition to his current assignment, he has served in Ogdensburg, Brownville, Dexter, Saranac Lake, Sackets Harbor, and Henderson. He also served as secretarary to Bishop Stanislaus Brzana, and as assistant chancellor of the diocese, and he was founding chairperson of the Department of Worship, a member of the Council of Priests, the College of Consultors, the Priests' Personnel Board and the board of Catholic Charities. He was a member of the board of trustees of Mater Dei College, Ogdensburg for seven years, serving as president for two years.

Father LaBaff, 81, was ordained May 28, 1966. In addition to his current role, he has served in Plattsburgh, Malone, Ogdensburg, Morristown, Lisbon, Chateaugay,and Watertown.

Father LaBaff also served the diocese as youth director from 1971 to 1977, overseeing the department as Guggenheim summer camp program began in 1972. Also in 1972, the priest was named assistant chancellor and director of the Bishop’s Fund until 1977 when he was named chairman of the Bishop’s Fund Committee. He has also served as, a Diocesan Consultor, member of the Council of Priests and of the Priests Personal Committee.