The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County

Summary of discussion at Listening Sessions #1 & 2

We listened! Here is what we heard!

Dear Parishioners,

As you know, we have had four Listening Sessions covering two main topics (Future of our parishes/CCNCC Network and How to get people to return to church). Additional Listening Sessions are to come (Uses, conditions and costs of our buildings and facilities is the next Listening Session.)  Below is a summary of eight main areas that have been gathered from the discussions at those sessions. We discussed what the recent successes have been in the individual parishes as well as in the CCNCC network (listed in the first part of each section below).  We also discussed the challenges and goals that we face in the coming months and years (listed in the second section below).  The consensus is that there have been many successes we can build on with the help of new volunteers who are willing to work on our new/current future goals and challenges.  Please review each of the eight areas below with an open mind and prayerfully consider where the Holy Spirit may be leading you to help.  Asking yourself at the end of each section: Is this something I am being called to help with? Thank you for your consideration.

There were 8 main topics that each of the 3 parishes focused on in LS#1 & #2

1. Welcome - We are a welcoming community!

• Our friendly and welcoming community is one of our greatest strengths – Our three parishes all feel that we are a welcoming community. We have greeters to meet new and current members at Sunday Masses. We have different forms of welcome tables at our Masses. Some parishes have coffee or social hours after Mass. One good thing that has come out of the Listening Sessions has been that we are getting to meet people in parishes other than our own.
• Goals/Challenges/Suggestions for improvement (think about if you or someone you know would be able to do these things)
• Prepare a welcome packet for new parishioners
• Social media – how can we make better use of social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)
• Tables at Fairs (Chatham Days, Columbia County Fair, etc.)
• Implement Adult Education/Series – guest speakers.
• We need to update our constant contact email list. It became apparent that some people at the Listening Sessions are not on our email list.
• We have a lot of talent within our community. We need to identify that talent and figure out how to tap into it!

 

2. Faith Formation - We recognize how important Faith Formation is to our community. We devote substantial resources of both time and treasure to Faith Formation. We have a Director of Faith Formation and volunteers who teach Faith Formation classes. St James has a very popular Children’s Liturgy of the Word (while not directly part of Faith Formation, it does supplement it).

• Goals/Challenges/Suggestions for improvement (think about if you or someone you know would be able to do these things)
• There were extensive discussions regarding Faith Formation. We need to have one or two volunteers from each Parish to form a committee to work with the Director of Faith Formation on various aspects of this program. There were discussions regarding how often classes should meet for Faith Formation and where those classes should take place. There were discussions on scheduling pressures for families and opportunities to make up classes. A committee could help the Faith Formation Director to better understand the individual parishes and solicit input from families. Who would like to volunteer to be trained as a catechist for all three parishes?

 

3. Youth – We have amazing young people, and we want them to be involved!

• It was apparent that everyone knew how important youth are to the future of our Tri-Parish community. We have recently re-started Tri-Parish altar servers. We have movie nights for families and youth.
• Goals/Challenges/Suggestions for improvement (think about if you or someone you know would be able to do these things)
• We should focus on getting youth involved and focus on getting them back in the pews later (this may come naturally). Service projects are something that interests youth.
• We must interact more with the local school districts and superintendents (ICC, Chatham & Questar). HS National Honor Societies, Varsity Athletics, Boy Scouts, etc. all have required volunteer hours. Who can do this?
• There was discussion regarding using the Gym at St John’s for basketball, sports, yoga, Zumba, (this could also be for adults) Vacation Bible School (helps parents and teaches faith at same time) & more. Some of this is already being done – Who can investigate this?
• Confirmation candidates could participate in being lectors and maybe Eucharistic Ministers.
• Regular movie nights might be an attraction for young people to gather together in a supportive environment.

 

4. Ministries - We have strong and vibrant ministries. These ministries are varied in different parishes, however, everyone felt that these ministries make us strong. Some of those ministries include:

-      Eucharist Ministers at mass and who bring communion to the sick.

-      Christmas Ministries (Christmas tags, Elves, etc.)

-      Get well cards

-      Volunteer appreciation events

-      Haiti – sister parish

-      Prayer shawls

-      St Joseph Fundraisers

-      Bereavement groups

-      Colbert House ministries

        - Living Resources

        - Bible Study

        - Book Clubs

        - Knights of Columbus

        - Weekly rosary

-      Goals/Challenges/Suggestions for Improvement (think about if you or someone you know would be able to do these things)

-      We need more volunteers. It is important not to put too much work on a few individuals. Perhaps we could have a ministry fair to invite people to participate.

 

5. Music – All three of our parishes have a have a rich tradition of music at Mass.

• Until recently we have had a Music Director for all our parishes. Everyone expressed that this is an important tradition which must be continued. We had some success with a Tri-Parish Music Director and Choir for the Christmas season. We have also purchased new music books for each of our parishes. This will help keep music consistent among each of our parishes.
• Goals/Challenges/Suggestions for Improvement (think about if you or someone you know would be able to do these things)
• Now that the Christmas Season is almost over, we must find a music director who can work to either form a Tri-Parish Choir or individual Choir’s for each Parish. It was suggested that we investigate having a “Folk Mass” which might interest young people – kill two birds with one stone?

 

6. Outreach - We recognize the importance of reaching out & evangelizing to our community. We must identify those people who left our parishes around the time of COVID and figure out how to get them back.

• Goals/Challenges/Suggestions for Improvement (think about if you or someone you know would be able to do these things)
• Some of the suggestions mentioned above may help with Outreach, e.g., updating constant contacts email list, increasing our social media presence, Youth Engagement, Fair Booths, Welcome packets, Music, Movie Nights,
• We need to figure out how to network with local businesses to see how we can help fulfil specific community needs. Who can do this?
• Connect with local non-profit organizations (e.g., PS21, Crandall, MacHayden, Art Omi, etc.) We currently work with local food pantries on occasion. How can we expand on this? Who can do this?
• County demographics are an issue (Who can research this and report back?)

 

7. Clergy Wellness – Everyone recognizes that it is impossible for the Pastor to be responsible for doing all the work for one parish, never mind 3 parishes. Volunteers must be willing to take on some of these responsibilities. Many hands make light work! We recognize that there are some things that only the clergy can do, such as administering the sacraments. Steps must be taken to avoid clergy burnout. We understand that we must be flexible about mass times and other programs which require the Pastor.

 

8. Survey - We feel that conducting a pointed survey of our community would be helpful in moving forward. This would be an important undertaking, and we could use the help of people who are experienced in conducting surveys. (Who can research this and who has this kind of experience?)

 

From ~ Decision Point ~

"God uses the most unlikely people to do His greatest work. He almost never uses those in positions of power and authority; He doesn't necessarily use the most educated, or the best looking, or even the most qualified. Whom does God use to do His most powerful work here on earth? He uses the people who make themselves available to Him.

How available are you to God?

 

10 percent, 50 percent, 95 percent?

 

Or are you 100 percent available

 for whatever God calls you to today?

 

If you want to see something incredible happen in your life and in the lives of your children, make yourself available to God."

 

Think about the above, better yet, pray about it!

 

Thank you!

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Music Ministry Director  

The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County seeks a faith-filled person to lead the Music Ministry in our three Parishes. 

 Candidates should: 

• Have a solid knowledge of Roman Catholic Liturgy, using various music styles. 

• Demonstrate strong piano, organ, and keyboard skills. 

• Possess the ability to lead other musicians and those assembled in church. 

• Be able to lead music at weekend liturgies and special liturgies. 

• Be willing to work with others in our parish to agreed upon responsibilities. 

Applicants will possess the necessary skills and talents to fulfill the above requirements. Resumes, letters of recommendation and salary requirements can be forwarded to: 

Ms. Debbie Halpin
Pastoral Associate of Administration and Business Manager 
c/o St. John the Baptist Church 
1025 Kinderhook Street 
Valatie, NY 12184 

Or email 

Halpind@rcda.org 

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WORSHIP SCHEDULE

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SATURDAY VIGIL
4:00 PM: St. John the Baptist, Valatie

SUNDAY MASS
7:15 AM: St. John the Baptist, Valatie
9:00 AM: St. James Church, Chatham
10:45 AM: Church of St. Joseph, Stuyvesant Falls
12:30 PM: Church of St. Joseph, Stuyvesant Falls (Español)

TUESDAYS
9:00 AM: St. James Church, Chatham
Rosary Prayer followed by Prayer Service

WEDNESDAYS
9:00 AM: Church of St. Joseph, Stuyvesant Falls
Morning Rosary
9:30 AM: Church of St. Joseph, Stuyvesant Falls
Morning Mass Followed by Eucharistic Adoration until 10:30 AM

THURSDAYS
9:30 AM: St. John the Baptist, Valatie
Morning Mass

FRIDAYS
9:00 AM: St. James Church, Chatham
Rosary Prayer
9:30 AM: St. James Church, Chatham
Morning Mass followed by Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays
7:00 PM: Church of St. Joseph, Stuyvesant Falls
Rosario seguido por Exposicion de Santisimo (Español)

OFFICE HOURS

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CENTRAL TRI-PARISH OFFICE
St. John the Baptist Church:
1025 Kinderhook St., Valatie, NY 12184
Open: Monday 11 AM - 1 PM. Tuesday 9 AM - 1 PM. Wednesday: 9 - 10 AM; 12 - 1 PM. Thursday 9 AM - 1 PM. Friday closed.
Phone: (518) 758-9401
Email: CCNCCadmin@ccnccparishes.org

PARISH OFFICES
Church of St. Joseph:
1820 U.S. Rte. 9, Stuyvesant, NY 12173
Open: Friday |10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Phone: 518-758-9401
Email: Halpind@rcda.org

St. James Church:
117 Hudson Ave., Chatham, NY, 12037
Open: Friday | 9 AM - 10:15 PM
Phone: 518-758-9401
Email: Halpind@rcda.org

As reported last week, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany filed for Chapter 11, Bankruptcy reorganization. Bishop Scharfenberger has posted his letter and video with important information regarding the filing for Chapter 11 on the website www.rcda.org/reorganization, as well as a guide to “What You Need To Know” about this process. Please refer to this website for updates in the weeks to come, and direct any questions to the Bishop’s office regarding reorganization by calling 518-453-6734 or emailing chancellor@rcda.org.

Como se informó la semana pasada, la Diócesis Católica Romana de Albany se acogió al Capítulo 11,  reorganización por Bancarrota. El obispo Scharfenberger ha publicado su carta y video con información importante sobre la presentación del Capítulo 11 en el sitio web www.rcda.org/reorganization, así como una guía de "Lo que necesita saber" sobre este proceso. Consulte este sitio web para obtener actualizaciones en las próximas semanas y dirija cualquier pregunta a la oficina del obispo con respecto a la reorganización llamando al 518-453-6734 o enviando un correo electrónico a chancellor@rcda.org.