St. Columba Parish

             A Message from our Pastor, Fr. Chris
                             September  2021
Dear St. Columba Family,
      Let me start by saying how wonderful it was to be with you at our parish picnic two weeks ago. We had a great turnout, and the sun was shining on a beautiful late Summer day. There are many people who worked hard behind the scenes to make the picnic successful. Our Knights of Columbus were front and center in the effort and do so much that might go unnoticed but is deeply appreciated. How blest I am to call myself a brother knight.  Many members of our Ladies Auxiliary were there serving and volunteering. I was at their meeting two weeks ago and what a great group of women who desire to assist the parish in whatever way we need. After the quiet of summer things are starting to pick up again as religious education has started. I have enjoyed visiting the classes and look forward to continuing to do so throughout the year. We have also had twenty young people at our first two Horizon youth group meetings the last two weeks. How good it is to be with the future of the Church.
       One of the important tasks of a pastor is being a steward of the parish’s financial resources, so after speaking with several parishioners, I have decided that starting in next week’s bulletin we will be posting the collection from the previous week. This allows you to see what we are bringing in. Thanks to so many of you for your continued generosity. I know these are difficult times and I am very grateful for the sacrifices you make for our parish. Finally, we are launching a new parish Facebook page and are going to have a new parish YouTube channel so there will be information forthcoming on this as we get them up and running. Please know what a joy it is to be your pastor. Please keep me in your prayers and be assured of mine.
Fr. Chris


 

     THE CARDINAL’S ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP 
                      APPEAL  -  FOR 2021                                   TEACH. . . SERVE . . . SANCTIFY

              This annual Appeal provides support to so many critical needs throughout the entire Archdiocese of New York.  It enables the Archdiocese to continue its pastoral and numerous other charitable efforts in our parishes, schools, support of our retired clergy and many other efforts.  It is only through your generous support towards the Appeal that these efforts are able to continue to provide to these needs.  This year, Saint Columba’s goal is $57,500.    To-date (September 25th), the amount that you, our parishioners, have pledged amounts to 76% of our goal - $43,954 .00.  Please accept my most sincere thanks to all who have already made a generous pledge.  For those of you who are still considering a pledge, remember that EVERY donation made gets us closer to attaining our goal.

    The Archdiocese goal is $20 million. . . this will provide:
 * Assistance for Needy Parishes Pastoral - $10 million
 * Charitable & Administrative Support - $6 million
 * Funding for Parish Schools - $2 million
 * Formation of New Priests - $1 million
 * A Home for Retired Priests - $1 million
                 
     Appeal envelopes are on the back table in Church. Completed forms may be placed in the collection basket, mailed directly to Archdiocese of New York or donate online @ cardinalsappeal.org

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*  PLEASE NOTE:.If there is an EMERGENCY and you need a priest, please call: 
                845-772-0717
*  For those of you who are unable to come to church, the Sunday Mass is live streamed on the YouTube channel. In order to receive updates and notifications, please subscribe to our channel located on St. Columba’s web-site. 

     
*  Our NEW guidelines for attendance at           the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass:   
With the diminishing of the Covid pandemic and the announcement of New York State that many of the previous mandates in place to "control" the spread of the dreadful disease have now been lifted the Archdiocese of New York has now announced that our churches CAN BEGIN to revert to a somewhat degree of normallacy.  Consequently, St. Columba's new guidelines to be followed when attending Mass are:

• All are invited to enter the church at the main entrance only.
• The right side of the church (entering) is reserved for those who have not been vaccinated  and those who prefer to wear their masks.
• The left side of the church is reserved ONLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED THEIR COVID-19 SHOTS and, therefore, are NOT required to wear a mask.
• Continue to refrain from physical contact except for communion.
• For distribution of Holy Communion, the priest as well as Eucharistic Ministers will continue to wear their masks.
• Collections of your weekly offerings will now resume as previously done - the ushers  will now continue to take up the collections.
• And, happily, your Pastor, or priest offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will walk down the isle after Mass and greet you as you exit the church.