St. Columba Parish

Dear St. Columba Family:
     We gather once again this year on Christmas to celebrate the most important birth in the history of the world. What occurred that silent night in the little town of Bethlehem would forever change the course of time and eternity. So central is this birth that we still two thousand years later mark the year based upon it. Some, in attempt to remove Christ from the year, have changed from B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini Year of our Lord]) to B.C.E. (Before the Common Era) and C.E.(Common Era). Such a change is ultimately absurd since we're still marking the years in reference to Jesus' birth even if His name is removed from the demarcation. Christmas, ultimately, is about God's choice to come in search of us to save us from our sins and meet us in our wounds and brokenness. This is one of the things that distinguishes Christianity from every other world religion. Other religions focus on our search for God, our pursuing of the divine. Christianity, in complete contrast to this, is God's search for us. It is God Himself who goes in search of us so that we may know that we are loved and that all of us have a destiny that awaits the faithful. Such a message, as extraordinary as it is true gives us every reason to acclaim, "joy to the world!" 
Fr. Chris
      

*  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 guidelines for attendance at           the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass:   
     

• Everyone is invited to enter the church and to attend all services. 

• Those of you  who prefer to wear a mask even if you have been vacinated is strictly up to you. However, they are not required.

• Continue to refrain from physical contact except for communion.

• Collections of your weekly offerings will continue to, as previously done, taken up by the ushers.  

• Finally, your Pastor, or priest offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will walk down the isle after Mass to greet you as you exit the church.