Tri-Parish Outreach
If you would like to get involved with any of our outreach programs or have questions, contact us by Email
Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties Come over to the other side of the Hudson River for theGreene County Youth Fair! The event is free to attend from July 23 to July 26. Further information can be found on their website: https://www.thegreenecountyyouthfair.com/. Stop by the community tent to say hello to Catholic Charities Thursday through Saturday.
Gardeners - Please share extra produce from your gardens with the local food pantries. Others may wish to purchase vegetables or fruit at the farm stands and donate them to the pantries. An extra special gift!
Catholic Charities—Volunteers Needed! Bring warmth and companionship to seniors in your community. A simple phone call or friendly visit can make a world of difference! Lend the Catholic Charities’ Aging Life Program a helping hand and help brighten someone’s day. Email emartin@cathcharcg.org or call (518) 860-5806 for more details!
Volunteers Needed -
Baptism Team: An important Ministry that is overlooked are those who help with the Sacrament of Baptism. We have a team in the Spanish Community, an individual at St. Joseph, St. James, and up until recently, St. John’s. After ten years, Donna Bertrand, has decided it is time to retire" from this ministry. While Donna is willing to stay on to help an individual or a team of people to learn what the Baptism Ministry is all about, she is no longer available to do this important ministry every month. This ministry includes meeting with the parents, Godparents, and being present at the Baptism. It is a holy and fun time meeting children of all sorts of ages, primarily those under the age of 6 years (mostly babies). If you’d like more information, please contact the office at (518) 758-9401 xtn. 2 or email and we can provide more information. After the initial training period, it does not require a large time commitment, only a dedication to spreading the faith. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Eucharistic Ministry to Homebound: Seeking volunteers who can devote an hour or two monthly to visiting our sisters and brothers at home or in local nursing
homes/care facilities (Ghent Rehab, Barnwell/The Grand). Training is available. Please contact the Central Office at (518) 758-9401 xtn. 2 or email, and we will provide more information. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
St. John the Baptist's newly formed Activities committee met last month and produced numerous ideas for upcoming activities from picnics, movie nights, dessert night, game nights (think Jeopardy) to speakers, presentations, bingo and more! Contact: Donna Bertrand | dbertrand1343@gmail.com
Contribute to CCNCC Bulletin Got the writing bug? Have something to say? Looking to expand the reach of your ministry? If you would like to contribute to the CCNCC bulletin on a regular basis and/or would like to be added to our weekly email list for notifications on publishing schedule and other relevant information, please email communications@ccnccparishes.org. (Deadlines are typically 10-days before publication date; earlier during holidays.)
Church of St. Joseph, Buildings & Grounds: Unleash your hidden skills and talent by joining our Building & Grounds Committee—contact Carman Esposita at
(518) 505-4925 or Debbie Halpin at (518) 758-9401 xtn. 4 - halpind@rcda.org.
Da rienda suelta a tus habilidades y tu talento ocultos uniéndote a nuestro Comité de Edificios y Terrenos; ponte en contacto con Carman Esposita en el (518) 505-4925 o Debbie Halpin a (518) 758-9401 xtn. 4 - halpind@rcda.org.
Seeking Altar Servers
JOIN US! St. James, St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph invite youth ages 8 through 17 to join their altar server teams. This is an excellent way to learn more about the Mass proper and its preparation, as well as to celebrate the Eucharist in the CCNCC Community. Youth must have received their Sacrament of First Communion to be eligible to serve.
¡ÚNETE A NOSOTROS! Las parroquias de San Santiago, San Juan Bautista y San José invitan a los jóvenes de entre 8 y 17 años a unirse a sus equipos de monaguillos. Es una forma excelente de aprender más sobre la misa en sí y su preparación, así como de celebrar la Eucaristía en la comunidad de la CCNCC.
Contact Info: Mark Wilson (518)496-5130 | marwwil57@gmail.com
Caring Ministries
If you or someone you know could benefit from the love shared in our work (Home Visitation, Caring Cards, Prayer Shawls) or would like to help in our ministries, please inquire at any of our Welcome Tables after Mass or through Kimberly Layton at our Main Office at (518) 758-9401. We know the winter can be a difficult time for many, so please get in touch if you or someone you know could use some extra care or you can assist us.
St. John’s Caring Card Ministry: The St. John’s Caring Card ministry sends a monthly card reaching those in the parish and community with a heartfelt greeting. These cards are created, printed and signed on behalf of the parish and distributed. We hope you will consider someone you know who is homebound, alone, grieving, in long term care, are ill—chronic condition or seriously ill (ie. cancer), on active duty in Military Service, a retired or disabled Veteran at home or in a hospital/care facility, college student away from home (sent during school semester). We know this simple form of contact will show them they are not forgotten and brighten their day. There are request cards in the church that you can fill out and return via collection basket or mail.
Bottle Redemption at St. John the Baptist St. John’s Knights of Columbus continues to accept returnable bottles for redemption. Please leave in the large blue containers near the parking lot entrance. ALL PROCEEDS go to St. John’s Building and repair fund, an easy way to support your parish
CLYNK IT! The Church of St. Joseph has joined the CLYNK program at Hannaford Supermarkets. To participate, pick up a GREEN CLYNK BAG in the gathering space, and fill (to the line) with rinsed cans/ bottles eligible for a 5-cent deposit refund. Return your filled bag to a Hannaford Supermarket CLYNK area, scan the bag tag (provided on the bag), and drop off your bag. Proceeds will be credited to St. Joe’s account. This helps our Church AND helps the environment. THANK YOU!
Lending Library at St. John the Baptist Attention Readers! St. John’s Elves have set up a lending library in the church hall. Please feel free to borrow a book and return it when you are finished reading it. At this time, we do not need any additional book donations.
As Sidewalk Warriors Troy Each Thursday evening, rain or shine, Sidewalk Warriors Troy serves more than 300 individuals—offering meals, essential supplies, and a moment of connection to those facing hardship. Due to cuts in federal funding that once supported vital safety net programs—including those that fight food insecurity—we are experiencing a significant increase in both the need for our services and pressure on our resources. The truth is simple: without our community behind us, we cannot do this work. Your assistance will not only help us navigate this difficult time, but allow us to continue growing to meet the evolving needs of those we serve. To learn more about Sidewalk Warriors Troy, please visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/sidewalkwarriorstroy or explore our website at sidewalkwarriorstroy.com.
Good Works Calendar:
Friday, August 14th
Food Pantry: at the Church of St. Joseph/Stuyvesant Falls Friday, August 14, from 1:30-3:30 PM. Please continue to refer those in need to our pantry. The Church of St. Joseph food pantry is collecting the following items in March: canned soup; crackers; oatmeal; coffee; hot chocolate. Please place any donated items in the red wagon in the gathering space. Thank you for your assistance!
Despensa de alimentos: en la Iglesia de St. Joseph/ Stuyvesant Falls el viernes 14 de augusto de 1:30-3:30 PM. Continúe remitiendo a los necesitados a nuestra despensa.
Donations Sought for Our Ministries:
Spring Donation Drives:
Food Pantry: Gardeners - Please share extra produce from your gardens with the local food pantries. Others may wish to purchase vegetables or fruit at the farm stands and donate them to the pantries. An extra special gift!
Alight Hudson Fundraiser
Baby bottles will be distributed at St. James Church on July 19 after the 9 am Mass. All money collected from these bottles is used to support the many services offered at the Alight Center. Pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD/STI education, & parenting support are just a few of the services available. Thank you for your past and continued generosity
Your donated bottles can be dropped off at the welcoming desk after Mass.
St. James School Supply Drive The 29th Annual School Supply Weekend has been highlighted on July 26 (St. James Feast Day) to benefit patrons of the Chatham and Ghent food pantries. Items can still be dropped off thereafter.
A receptacle will be placed in the Gathering Space at St. James. If you wish to contribute, please bring in spiral notebooks, loose-leaf paper, crayons, markers, pens, pencils, etc. School supplies will be distributed by the Chatham and Ghent food pantries.
St. James’ Eyeglasses Drive
Eye Glass Collection: Our annual Collection of Used Eyeglasses at St.James began in June and extends through August. Prescription glasses, sunglasses, and reading (i.e., magnifying) glasses from the dollar store are given to Lions Club International for distribution. Please note: We welcome glasses all year, with a special drive during the summer.
Social Worker and parishioner, Debra Kelsey, Local clients are in need of cleaning products and hygiene products. Please consider giving to this cause! Debra can be reached at (518) 567-2060.
Parishioners who knit: As mentioned in recent bulletins OutReach welcomes knitters to knit off-season hats, scarves, and mittens to be collected during cold weather months for use by school children and adults who patronize the local food pantries. If you would like to share your talents, please call the OutReach number at (518) 929-4369. Please note: We have yarn/wool to offer if that would be helpful.
OutReach volunteers are needed to provide rides to local appointments (medical, etc.) on call. If you would like to join our team, please call OutReach at (518) 929-4369 to volunteer.