The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County

First off, I want to thank you for your support of your parish and diocese over the years. I have served as your pastor only since July but know how much you love and value the faith community you have been part of, through times of both great joy and challenge.

I’m writing to you with a request: Would you please prayerfully consider making a donation to either the Diocesan Appeal or to the parish where you call home before the end of this year’s campaign on June 30? As you’ve seen from past issues of our bulletin, the Appeal funds services the Diocese offers to all parishes, including our beloved Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County.

If you are unwilling to make a donation to the Diocesan Appeal for any reason, would you please consider making a donation to one of our parishes for a similar amount that you have donated in the past? Any shortfall from our diocesan campaign goals are met by assessing each parish’s offertory. If you give that commensurate amount to your parish, you will be helping us meet our assessment but not impacting our limited resources. As mentioned in recent bulletins, the three main areas that we have received diocesan support in my tenure as pastor are Vocations, Marriage Tribunal and Catholic Charities. All of our parishes are currently hovering around 60% of our goals, and we would like to close that gap as much as we can.

We will be making a final, big push the weekend of May 28/29. You can go to the Diocesan Appeal website to donate directly at www.thediocesanappeal.org or you may donate directly to one of our parishes. You may elect where you’d like to direct your funds; to do so mark your donation envelope with the diocesan ministry you wish to support and either drop it in the special collection on the weekend of May 28/29 or mail your check or money order to me at any of our parish offices. (Please do not send cash.) I will ensure that it is given to the appropriate diocesan ministry that you have written on the donation.

No matter what you decide; please be assured of my prayer for you and your loved ones! May God continue to bless you for all you do! -Fr. Steve

FY 21-22 Raised
Parish Assessment To Date

St. James/Chatham                   $41,000 $25,030 (61%)

St. John the Baptist/Valatie       $50,000 $30,090 (60%)

St. Joseph (Stott/StuyFalls)        $12,600 $8,329 (66%)

Le escribo con una solicitud: ¿Podría considerar en oración hacer una donación a la Campaña Diocesana o a la parroquia a la que llama hogar antes del final de la campaña de este año en 30 de junio? Como ha visto en números anteriores de nuestro boletín, la Campaña financia los servicios que la Diócesis ofrece a todas las parroquias, incluida nuestra querida comunidad católica del norte del condado de Columbia.

Haremos un gran esfuerzo final el fin de semana del 28 y 29 de mayo. Puede ir al sitio web de la Campaña Diocesana para donar directamente en www.thediocesanappeal.org o puede donar directamente a una de nuestras parroquias. Puede elegir a dónde le gustaría dirigir sus fondos; para hacerlo, marque su sobre de donación con el ministerio diocesano que desea apoyar y déjelo en la colecta especial el fin de semana del 28 y 29 de mayo o envíeme su cheque o giro postal a cualquiera de nuestras oficinas parroquiales. (Por favor, no envíe dinero en efectivo). Me aseguraré de que se entregue al ministerio diocesano apropiado que haya escrito en la donación.

No importa lo que decidas; ¡Tenga la seguridad de mi oración por usted y sus seres queridos! ¡Que Dios te siga bendiciendo por todo lo que haces! -P. Steve

Families with young people in grades K – 8

Father Steve celebrated Mass on Sunday, May 15 at St. James to welcome children receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. Children were also welcomed at St. Joseph, Stuyvesant Falls, and St. John the Baptist earlier in the month.

The next First Eucharist celebration will take place on

Sunday, May 22 at the 5 pm Mass at St. Joseph, Stottville.

Confirmation News

On May 15, our candidates, their families, and sponsors gathered at the Church of St.

Joseph, Stuyvesant Falls for The Ceremony of Light. Candidates affirmed the promises made at the Sacrament of Baptism, and listened to a reflection by Wesley Burton, who was received into full membership in the church at this year’s Easter Vigil after concluding the RCIA program. Father Steve presented a Bible to each Confirmation candidate.

On May 22 Bishop Edward Scharfenberger will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on the young candidates of Columbia County at 3 pm at St. James Church in Chatham.

CCNCC Families!

We received our first batch of well-wishes for young people ages 8 – 12 in Ukraine. Won’t you help?

All ages are welcome to write a card, letter, or create a small (8 x 10) poster expressing your care, concern, or prayers for those who are living in difficult times. It is a small way to let others know you are thinking about them!

Please drop off your creations at the CCNCC offices at 1025 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Call Ruth Ellen at 518-758-1828 with any questions. The Diocese is coordinating this ongoing opportunity to reach out to young people living in battle-damaged Ukraine or displaced by the war.

Adult Formation

Ongoing Join others at St. John the Baptist each Wednesday at 6 pm during May to pray the Rosary for Peace. All are welcome!

Other

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Annual Golf Scramble, Friday, August 5 at the Olde Kinderhook Golf Club. Watch for more information. This traditional event, begun by parishioners over 25 years ago, continues to benefit the young people of St. John the Baptist Parish.

Brooks Barbecue is also scheduled for the same date.

Help Father James P. Madden celebrate the 65th Anniversary of his Ordination this spring! Father Madden was a frequent celebrant at the 7:30 am Mass at St. John the Baptist and shared many stories of his time as a missionary priest in India. He also led retreats for St. Theresa of Calcutta, and her order, the Missionaries of Charity. If you wish to send a note or card, his address is:

Holy Cross House
PO Box 1048
Notre Dame, IN 46556-1048

Father Jack always asks visitors for news of St. John the Baptist parishioners. Why not send him a note or card to let him know what is happening in your life?

Rev. Jack Molyn
Teresian House
200 Washington Avenue Ext
Room 143
Albany, NY 12203

Sidewalk Warriors Please continue to support our friends in need. Ongoing basics include paper napkins, Ziploc bags, trash bags, and toilet paper. Food ideas include complete pancake mix (just add water), pancake syrup, canned tuna, salsa, crackers, and salad dressing.

“Mi paz les doy” (Juan 14, 27)

¿No te gustaría que hubiera un poco mas de paz en tu vida y en el mundo? Los reportes de noticias están llenos de conflictos tanto nacionales como internacionales. Las relaciones sufren de discordia y desacuerdos. Aun nuestros propios pensamientos y deseos pueden estar en conflicto a veces. ¿De donde puede venir esa paz?

¡De Jesús, por supuesto! En el Evangelio de hoy, cuando él les ofrece paz a sus discípulos, la palabra que Jesús usa es del hebreo,  shalom, que significa bienestar y plenitud. Shalom se utiliza tanto como un saludo o una despedida, y generalmente entre dos amigos que se desean el bien el uno al otro.

Pero Jesús no simplemente desea paz a sus discípulos, sino que se las da. La paz de la salvación, la tranquilidad de saber que el los ha restaurado a ellos en su Padre. La certeza gozosa de que todo ha sido puesto en el orden apropiado y todos los obstáculos para la paz han desaparecido. 

Jesús te concede su paz a ti también. Comienza internamente, conforme conoces la misericordia, el amor y la salvación que has recibido en Cristo. Cada vez que confiesas, cada vez que rezas delante del Santísimo, cunado tu confianza aumenta, la paz de Jesús toma mayor fuerza en tu vida. Cada vez que dices “ven, Espíritu Santo”, estas acercándote a Aquel que infunde paz en tu corazón. Gradualmente, tu corazón se abre a la confianza de que el amor de Dios por ti puede vencer cualquier conflicto que veas.

Al cultivar tu paz interna, comenzara a extenderse en tus relaciones personales.                                 Amen.

Eventos

Viernes a las 7 PM:                                                                      Exposición de Santísimo

John 13: 34-35

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Ever get a song stuck in your mind? Some of us, may remember the song They’ll know we are Christians. It was originally written by Peter Raymond Scholtes, a Catholic Priest in the 1960s for an ecumenical event. It has been sung in Christian churches over the years and in 2005, Jars of Clay recorded a version of it, perhaps you’ve heard that version! There is a translation into Spanish, but the translator is unknown.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples the “new” commandment – love one another! Many of us reply or think “easier said than done!” But Jesus goes on to remind them that He loved them (as He loves us), so they (and we) should love one another. This short passage ends with this is how you will be known if you have love for one another!

“They’ll know we are Christians by our love, yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love!” Not only should the words to this song be stuck in our mind, but it should also be stuck in our heart and be the way we should live. Let us show that love, the love that flows from Christ’s Paschal Mystery – His life, death, Resurrection and His Love, this week and always!

Juan 13: 34-35

Les doy un mandamiento nuevo: amaos los unos a los otros. Así como Yo los he amado, así también ustedes deben amarse los unos a los otros. Así es como todos sabrán que ustedes son mis discípulos, si se aman unos a otros.

¿Alguna vez has tenido una canción atrapada en tu mente? Algunos de nosotros, pueden recordar la canción Ellos sabrán que somos cristianos. Fue escrito por Peter Raymond Scholtes, un sacerdote católico en la década de 1960 para un evento ecuménico. Se ha cantado en iglesias cristianas a lo largo de los años y en 2005, Jars of Clay grabó una versión de ella, ¡tal vez hayas escuchado esa versión! Hay una traducción al español, pero el traductor es desconocido.

En el Evangelio de esta semana, Jesús enseña a Sus discípulos el "nuevo" mandamiento: ¡ámense unos a otros! Mucho de nosotros responde o piensa "¡es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo!" Pero Jesús continúa recordando que Él los amó (como Él nos ama a nosotros), por lo que ellos (y nosotros) debemos amarnos unos a otros. ¡Este breve pasaje termina con así es como serán conocidos si se aman el uno por el otro!

"Ellos sabrán que somos cristianos por nuestro amor, sí, ¡sabrán que somos cristianos por nuestro amor! "No solo las palabras de esta canción deben estar atrapadas en nuestra mente, sino que también deben estar atrapadas en nuestro corazón y ser la forma en que debemos vivir. ¡Demostremos ese amor, el amor que fluye del Misterio Pascual de Cristo, su vida, muerte, resu

Families with young people in grades K – 8

Father Steve celebrated Mass on Sunday, May 1 at The Church of St. Joseph, Stuyvesant, and on Saturday, May 7 at St. John the Baptist to welcome those children receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. Children were also welcomed at the Church of St. Joseph at a Mass celebrated by Father Guillermo.

The next First Eucharist celebration will take place on

Sunday, May 15 9:15 am Mass at St. James

CCNCC Families!

How can you show your love?

Write a card, letter or create a small (8 x 10) poster expressing your care, concern, or prayers for young people ages 8 – 12 in Ukraine.

Please drop off your creations at the CCNCC offices at 1025 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Call Ruth Ellen at 518-758-1828 with any questions. The Diocese is coordinating this ongoing opportunity to reach out to young people living in war-torn Ukraine.

Confirmation News

May 15 The Ceremony of Light for Confirmation candidates, their families, and sponsors. Sunday at 7 pm at the Church of St. Joseph in Stuyvesant. We gather to celebrate a quiet affirmation of the promises made at the Sacrament of Baptism. Please bring your Baptismal Candle. We will supply one, if needed.

May 22 The Sacrament of Confirmation for young people in Columbia County. Celebrated by Bishop Edward Scharfenberger at 3 pm at St. James Church in Chatham.

Adult Formation

Ongoing Join others at St. John the Baptist each Wednesday at 6 pm during May to pray the Rosary for Peace.

Other

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Annual Golf Scramble, Friday, August 5 at the Olde Kinderhook Golf Club. Watch for more information.

This traditional event, begun by parishioners over 25 years ago, continues to benefit the young people of St. John the Baptist Parish.

Brooks Barbecue is also scheduled for the same date.

65th Anniversary Those parishioners of St. John the Baptist who remember Father James P. Madden, CSC, will be happy to learn that he is celebrating the 65th Anniversary of his Ordination this spring. If you wish to send a note or card, his address is:

Holy Cross House
PO Box 1048
Notre Dame, IN 46556-1048

Father Jack Spring is here! Father Jack remains in our thoughts and hearts. Why not send him a note or card to let him know you are thinking of him?

Rev. Jack Molyn
Teresian House
200 Washington Avenue Ext
Room 143
Albany, NY 12203

Sidewalk Warriors Please continue to support our friends in need. Ongoing basics include paper napkins, Ziploc bags, trash bags, and toilet paper. Food ideas include complete pancake mix (just add water), pancake syrup, canned tuna, salsa, crackers, and salad dressing.

“Que se amen los unos a los otros.” (Juan 13, 35)

Lo que Jesús estaba diciendo parece sencillo: Ser amable, cuidar de otras personas, quizá dar algo de dinero a los pobres. Pero,  repasemos el contexto de este mandamiento.

Jesús acababa de lavar los pies de sus discípulos, y Judas se había retirado en su misión de traicionarlo. Jesús sabía que no estaría con sus amigos mucho tiempo más. Así que cuando le dijo a sus discípulos que se amaran unos a otros como él los había amado, los estaba llamando a amar de una forma que reflejara su propio amor, que es desinteresado y sacrificado, un amor que fluye del amor incondicional de Dios por cada persona en la tierra.

Esta forma de amar apartaría a los seguidores de Jesús porque es muy diferente de la forma en que la mayoría de las personas piensan del amor. El amor de Jesús lavo los pies de su traidor, perdono a aquellos que lo clavaron a la cruz, cruzo líneas culturales para abrazar a samaritanos y gentiles y se extendió a los marginados y los rivales políticos. 

Es la clase de amor que conquisto gente en el primer siglo: Ellos vieron a los creyentes cuidar de los marginados como las viudas y los huérfanos y poniendo todas sus posesiones en común. Pero también ha ganado gente a lo largo de la historia: Personas que vieron a los cristianos cuidando de las victimas de la plaga en la Edad Media.

El asombro de ver santos que amaron de esta forma puede hacerte pensar que es imposible para ti, pero este llamado a amar no es solamente para los santos. Jesús ha impactado tu vida y habita en tu corazón, así como sucedió con ellos. ¿Cómo lo hicieron? Experimentaron el amor de Jesús de primera mano, y cambiaron la forma en que amaron a las personas que los rodearon. Lo mismo puede sucederte a ti.

“Amado Jesús, te pido que me enseñes a amar como tu amas.”

Eventos

Viernes a las 7 PM:                                                                         Exposición de Santísimo

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE

“Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start.” (Pope Francis) We have a difficult time figuring out what is true and best for us. There are many voices talking and so many trying to get our attention. We wrongly convince ourselves that the true voice is the voice of progress, the one that speaks of contemporary wants and desires, enticing us with the latest trends and causes. We are taught, by listening to the voices around us, that truth is found in feelings and thought, and ideals must match current and popular human wants. Because we feel a particular way it must be true. Then, we find a shepherd who empathizes with us and affirms us. We follow that voice even though listening to that voice will render us powerless and lead us to harm. There are many with me in this procession to this pasture. I must be on the right path and listening to the right voice.

We are very confused. What can keep us safe and from harm? Where do we go to find life, love, and happiness? Jesus tells us that he is the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to get to Truth, who is God, is through him. There is no other way. The Church, the gate around God’s pasture of life, is charged with the mission of directing us where God desires that we go. In the midst of all of the conflicting voices around us, the voice of truth is often muffled in all of the noise, but it beckons us to a life of virtue and grace. Helping us understand who we are and where we have to be, it discerns the voice of God, providing us with the safety net we need to stay straight on our path to life eternal.

We have to trust the voice of God, the true Shepherd, even when it does not mirror what we want and what others may believe. Faith goes way beyond feeling and involves a radical trust in Someone who can lead us and form us. At day’s end, if we do not know to find our way home, we will be truly lost.

©LPi

MEDITACIÓN DEL EVANGELIO – ALENTAR UN ENTENDIMIENTO MÁS PROFUNDO DE LA ESCRITURA (Gospel Meditations)

En este IV Domingo de Pascua, dedicado al Buen Pastor. Reflexionaremos una pequeña parte de la Homilía sobre los Evangelios de San Gregorio Magno (540-604). Fue el sexagésimo cuarto papa de la Iglesia Católica. Es uno de los grandes padres de la Iglesia latina o de occidente. “Yo soy el buen pastor, yo conozco a mis ovejas, es decir las amo. Y mis ovejas me conocen. Como queriendo decir abiertamente: correspondo al amor de quien ama. El conocimiento precede siempre al amor de la verdad. Pregúntense, estimadísimos, si son ovejas del Señor, si lo conocen, si conocen la luz de la verdad. Hablo no solamente del conocimiento de la fe, sino también de aquel del amor; no solamente de creer sino también de obrar. San Juan, el evangelista, en efecto explica: ‘Quien dice: conozco a Dios, pero no observa sus mandamientos, es un mentiroso’ (1 Juan 2:4)”. Y continúa su homilía: “Como el Padre me conoce y yo conozco al Padre, y ofrezco la vida por las ovejas” (San Gregorio).

Nuestro actual Pastor, el Papa Francisco, nos da el mensaje de la siguiente manera: “Nuestra vida está totalmente segura en las manos de Jesús y del Padre, que son una sola cosa: un único amor, una única misericordia, reveladas de una vez y para siempre en el sacrificio de la cruz. Él es nuestro guía, nuestro maestro, nuestro amigo, nuestro modelo, pero sobre todo es nuestro salvador. A veces Jesús nos llama, nos invita a seguirle, pero tal vez sucede que no nos damos cuenta de que es Él”. ¿Qué voces escuchas actualmente? ¡Señor, que sea uno contigo y escuche tu voz!

©LPi

“Se llenaron de envidia” (Hechos 13, 45)

La palabra griega para “envidia” es la misma que se utiliza para “celo”. Hay una línea muy delgada entre estas dos emociones. La envidia surge cuando vemos a alguien mas disfrutando algo que deseábamos tener. Por otro lado, el celo surge del deseo de ver a otra persona disfrutar de algo que sabemos que es bueno. La envidia se centra en uno mismo, mientras que el celo se centra en los demás.

Esta distinción puede ayudarnos a entender la reacción de algunos de los judíos en la sinagoga en Antioquia de Pisidia. Sentían envidia al ver la gran multitud que se reunió para escuchar a Pablo y Bernabé predicar. Los enojaba ver que estos extranjeros reciban más atención que ellos.

Así es como funciona la envidia. Alguien tiene algo que  pensamos que es valioso. Al ver a esa persona disfrutar de esa cosa, nuestro deseo por el objeto aumenta. Si no tenemos cuidado, nuestro deseo puede transformarse en resentimiento hacia esa persona. Y nuestro resentimiento puede volverse tan intenso que nos olvidamos de lo que queríamos en primer lugar. Nuestro enfoque cambia del objeto hacia la persona a la cual envidiamos. Es el motivo por el cual Cain mato a Abel. También es la razón por la cual David
mato a Urias, y por la cual algunos fariseos odiaban a Jesús. También es la razón por la cual estos judíos contradijeron a Pablo y Bernabe “con palabras injuriosas” (Hechos 13, 45).

La mejor forma de vencer esta clase de envidia es pedirle a Dios que nos ayude a practicar la generosidad en lugar de codiciar lo que alguien más tiene, ofrécele a esa persona el regalo de tu oración. En lugar de volverse contra el otro, procura ser feliz porque esta disfrutando de lo que tu deseabas para ti mismo. Reprime cualquier intento de envidia sofocándola con amor, bendiciones y compasión enfocados en la otra persona. Amen.

Eventos
Viernes a las 7 PM:                                                             Exposición de Santísimo

Families with young people in grades K – 8

Father Steve celebrated Mass on Sunday, May 1 at 11 am Mass at The Church of St. Joseph, Stuyvesant to welcome those children receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time.

The celebrations continue over the next 2 weeks during the regularly scheduled weekend Masses.

Saturday, May 7 4 pm Mass at St. John the Baptist
Saturday, May 7 4 pm Mass at St. Joseph, Stuyvesant (Spanish)
Sunday, May 15 9:15 am Mass at St. James

Confirmation News

May 15 The Ceremony of Light for Confirmation candidates, their families, and sponsors. Sunday at 7 pm at the Church of St. Joseph in Stuyvesant. We gather to celebrate a quiet affirmation of the promises made at the Sacrament of Baptism. Please bring your Baptismal Candle. We will supply one, if needed.

May 22 The Sacrament of Confirmation for young people in Columbia County. Celebrated by Bishop Edward Scharfenberger at 3 pm at St. James Church in Chatham.

Adult Formation

Ongoing Join others at St. John the Baptist each Wednesday at 6 pm during May to pray the Rosary for Peace.

Other

Parishioners of St. John the Baptist who remember Father James P. Madden, CSC, will be happy to learn that he is celebrating the 65th Anniversary of his Ordination this spring. If you wish to send a note or card, his address is:

Holy Cross House
PO Box 1048
Notre Dame, IN 46556-1048

SAVE THE DATE!

Annual Golf Scramble, Friday, August 5 at the Olde Kinderhook Golf Club. Watch for more information.

This traditional event, begun by parishioners over 25 years ago, continues to benefit the young people of St. John the Baptist Parish.

Sidewalk Warriors

Please continue to support this group as they serve others. Ongoing needs include paper napkins, Ziploc bags, canned tuna, crackers, and salad dressing. Added ideas are taco seasoning, salsa, and trash bags (suggested to buy in bulk and divide into groups of 10.

Could it be that God’s image has become so soiled and distorted that it is hard for us to see it? Our self-serving agendas have done a great job twisting God’s image into what profits us. We want our agenda to be God’s agenda and use prayer as the convincing leverage we need. Worse still, our success and egocentric agenda often erases God’s image completely, replacing it with our own. St. Oscar Romero instructs us that the Son of Man “dies on the cross to cleanse God’s image, which is soiled in today’s humanity, a humanity so enslaved, so selfish, so sinful.” Striving to preserve control of our destinies at all costs, we fail to see the risen suffering servant, the Christ, standing right beside us.

Jesus, who suffered and died on a cross and was raised from the dead, corrects our soiled image of God. He shows us God as God is, not who we want to make God to be. God is the God of the poor, the weak, and the marginalized. He is the God who tenderly caresses us when we are suffering and hurting, assuring us that all will be safe and well. He is the God of equity, peace, justice, and compassion who wants happiness for each of His children, desiring their wellbeing and success. God goes where men and women are afraid to go, sitting with the lost, the broken, and the sorrowing. St. Oscar Romero challenges us to illuminate with “Christ’s light … even the most hideous caverns of the human person: torture, jail, plunder, want, chronic illness. The oppressed must be saved.” The resurrection calls us to be God’s microphone, a messenger, and a prophet (St. Oscar Romero).

Using eyes that see beyond the limited constructs and desires of our world, we can see the true and real Jesus standing before us, calling us to transformation and change. Asking us more than once, “do you love me?” We are beckoned to give an answer. Answering in the affirmative, it is now our task to feed the sheep and the lambs who belong to God. In short, equipped with the power of the resurrection and a corrected image of God our task is to make things better, brighter, holier, more life-giving, and just for all of God’s children. Considering our choices, our interactions, our philosophies, and aspirations, how can we do this?

©LPi