 Father Albers' first appointment was in Cincinnati as an assistant pastor at Old St. Mary's Church, School and Rectory.As an armed forces chaplain in World War I, Father Albers was decorated and received the Silver Star (presumably the Citation Star which was its predecessor) for bravery and valor.Thereafter, he was assigned to establish the new Diocese of Lansing, Michigan in 1937, and was its first bishop (1937–1964).