St. Columba Parish

        
       A Message From Our New Pastor, Fr. Chris
                                                             
Dear St. Columba Family,

        Let me begin by thanking you for the warm welcome I have received these last few weeks. Your words of support and prayers have meant so much to me. Throughout our Catholic tradition there are examples of many saints who had the extraordinary gift of bi-location, being able to be in more than one place at the same time. Unfortunately, I do not possess this gift which is too bad because it really would have come in handy with two parishes to pastor! I promise, as I said in my opening comments at the Masses, to try and be as fair and present to both St. Mary's and St. Columba. I know there are unique concerns and challenges in both places that will demand my attention. I will do my best to be attentive to the needs of each parish. I ask for your patience as there is a bit of a learning curve on this but I am grateful for your prayers which will sustain me for the task ahead.

With My Prayers,
Fr. Chris

       A FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM FR. JOHN 

                                                   
                        
Dear friends,
     I can’t believe that thirteen years have gone by since I first arrived here at Saint Columba.  Your kind and generous welcome set a beautiful tone for all the days gone forward.  So many of you invited me into your homes offering support, sharing your wisdom and talent.  United together at the altar in word and sacrament, we have embraced the Good News of Jesus in small and great ways.
     I am grateful to the staff.  Their dedication and hard work helped me serve the needs of  the parish every day.  Each member of the staff is integral to the life of the parish. Thank  you to all of you for your willingness to answer the call to ministry. Your service as lectors,  eucharistic ministers, ushers, catechists, counters, altar servers and choir are inspirational.  The growth of the Faith First program continues to provide a valuable service to families.  The trustees, parish council, finance committee, Ladies Auxiliary and Knights of Columbus  have assisted me and our community in so many ways.  Our coming together to confront  the challenges of the past year is a great testament to the power of parish life.  Thank you  so much for everything.
     Throughout these many years, we have lived lives strengthened by our faith in a loving  and merciful God.  You and I have laughed, rejoiced, celebrated, learrned, prayed,  struggled and cried together.  Like some of you, I experienced personal loss and grief.   Losing my mom, best friend Fr. Charlie and cherished dog were difficult. Your kind words,  silent consolation and genuine concern helped me live forward one day at a time.  I am truly  grateful.
     It is often said that “all good things must come to an end.”  Despite my time at the parish  coming to a close, the memories of these years will be cherished for years to come.  It has   been a privilege and honor to serve each of you as your Pastor.  Please pray for me as I  begin a new chapter of priestly service.  Pray too for your new Pastor. Father Christopher  Argano is a holy priest wise beyond his years.  I know that you will welcome him with great  joy. Please be assured of my prayers for all of you. May God bless us all with health and  happiness as we Seek to live lives inspired by his Son, Jesus.  Farewell.
     In Christ,

  Fr. John

     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 (June 7th), the amount that you, our parishioners, have pledged amounts to 74% of our goal - $42,410.00.  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 extreme dimishing 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 vacinated and thiose who prefer to wear their masks.
• The left side of the church is reserved ONLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED THEIR BOTH 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 ushurs 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.