The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County

As you probably know, the CCNCC will be changing our weekend mass schedule as of the weekend of August 1 and 2, 2026. The new times and locations will be announced shortly. Watch for a Constant Contact email, a posting on our website and the list in next weekend’s bulletin. We’ll also be sending our summer postcard which will include the list of the new mass schedule. The postcard should be received in the next few days or so. In the meantime, see below for a summary of the process and reasoning behind the changes. 

The process – over the last few months, there have been a number of meetings – Working Groups – with representatives from all three
parishes, Listening Sessions – with parishioners from all three churches – meetings with finance council members, advisors, council members, Trustees, informal meetings with other parishioners, staff and others from each of the parishes. While most people would prefer to keep the mass schedule as is, the majority of whom I discussed the upcoming changes with understand that changes need to be made and comprehend the reasons. One quote that was made that I think is very applicable and important is “Are we making these changes to win or to not lose?” In other words – are we trying to bring families and others back to church or are we trying not to lose the people who are already coming to church? Let’s work on bringing families and others back!

The reasons behind the changes:

There is no longer a need for four masses in English. If the schedule is structured properly, Family Faith Formation could be offered at all three churches on Sunday mornings, instead of just one church in the current schedule. 

There is a need for more time in between masses for Fr. Steve to meet with parishioners to chat, answer questions, to get to know people.

As previously stated, in parishes and networks, the mass schedule should be able to be offered by one priest. (Currently, with 4 masses in English and 1 in Spanish one priest cannot handle that schedule every week.) Therefore, there will be a reduction to three masses in English.

All of the above means that significant changes are needed by all three churches. All 4 current mass communities will be affected.
The only mass time that will not be affected is the 12:30 pm, Spanish mass and that is mainly because of the availability of
the Spanish speaking priests.

Please prayerfully consider the reasons for the upcoming revisions to the mass schedule and be open to the coming changes to each parish’s mass schedule. Lastly, let’s try it for 18 or so months and see if it is working. If not, we’ll re-evaluate and discuss any possible changes then.

Thank you for your openness and cooperation. Fr. Steve

Upcoming Events

SHARE IN SERVING THIS SUMMER!

Wednesday, July 22 | Evening Bingo/Name That Tune at the Grand at Barnwell

Tuesday, July 28 | 6 pm | assemble 120 bags for lunches for Joseph House Van, which distributes to the homeless throughout Troy, NY

Wednesday am, July 29 | 11 am | prepare and package sandwiches or deliver to van

Sunday, August 23 | 1-3 pm | sort foods for NENY Regional Food Bank, Latham.

Contact Info: Ann Valley email CCNCCFormation@gmail.com or call 518-758-1828

“La palabra que sale de mi boca no volverá a mí sin resultado, sino que hará mi voluntad y cumplira su mision” (Isaías 55, 11)
Cuando llueve, algunas personas pueden quejarse de las incomodidades, especialmente si tienen que salir de su casa; pero otras
exclaman: “¡Al menos los sembrados están felices!” Como lo sugiere la primera lectura de hoy, la lluvia y la nieve, después de “empapar la tierra” ayudan a “fecundarla y hacerla germinar”, y todo lo que crece en ella se beneficia también (Isaías 55, 10). En ese pasaje, Dios compara el efecto que esa lluvia y esa nieve tienen en la tierra con la acción que su palabra tiene en nuestra vida: “Hará mi voluntad” y “cumplirá su misión” (Isaías 55,11). Los israelitas que escucharon esta profecía por primera vez deben haber tenido la seguridad de que Dios verdaderamente los traería de regreso del exilio y restaurar su país. Al escuchar hoy estas palabras, nosotros también podemos estar seguros de que la palabra de Dios en las Sagradas Escrituras puede tener un buen efecto en nuestra vida y conducirnos a nuestro verdadero hogar.

Cuando el agua toca la tierra, la suaviza y permite que las semillas germinen y las raíces sean profundas. Así, también, la palabra de Dios suaviza nuestro corazón. Si estamos albergando orgullo o resentimiento, su palabra abre nuestros ojos a la profundidad de su amor y nos permite renunciar a esas actitudes que nos retienen.

De forma similar, la nieve añade a la tierra una capa de protección del frío extremo. Al derretirse, proporciona al suelo un riego suave y
profundo. Del mismo modo, la palabra de Dios nos protege, incluso de las circunstancias más difíciles o imposibles, y nos establece en la verdad de que él es fiel y digno de confianza.
Amen

Jean Amery, a Holocaust survivor tortured by the Nazis, later wrote about the abyss of human evil. He described his reaction as an 
"indignant despair." Haven't we all, to some degree, felt that abyss opened beneath us? A sudden loss, a violent headline, a moment of loneliness or panic, when the world feels fragile and meaning seems to collapse? 

It is to this fear that Jesus speaks in today's Gospel: "Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body." (Matthew 10:28) He does not deny evil or pretend we will never suffer. Instead, He reframes the abyss: do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Your life is seen, known, and counted by the Father. Even the hairs of your head, even the sparrow's fall. 

This is no superficial comfort. Jesus himself has entered the abyss: suffering, death, even our sense of forsakenness, and he has come through it. That is why his words, "Do not be afraid," hold such weight. They do not erase the abyss but build a bridge across it. Faith is not pretending everything is fine. It is staring into the abyss and still choosing trust. And in that trust, we discover we are never alone. Christ stands with us, and the Father's care surrounds us. That is the only comfort deep enough for our (often fearful) hearts.

-Father John Muir

---------------------------

Jean Amery, un superviviente del Holocausto torturado por los nazis, escribió más tarde sobre el abismo de la maldad humana. Describió su reacción como una «desesperación indignada». ¿No hemos sentido todos, en cierta medida, ese abismo abriéndose bajo nuestros pies? ¿Una pérdida repentina, un titular violento, un momento de soledad o pánico, cuando el mundo se siente frágil y el sentido parece desmoronarse? 

Es sobre este miedo sobre el que habla Jesús en el Evangelio de hoy: «No temáis a quienes pueden matar el cuerpo» (Mateo 10, 28). Él no niega el mal ni finge que nunca sufriremos. En cambio, replantea el abismo: no temáis a quienes pueden matar el cuerpo, pero no pueden matar el alma. Vuestra vida es vista, conocida y contada por el Padre. Incluso los cabellos de vuestra cabeza, incluso la cabeza de un gorrión. 

Esto no es un consuelo superficial. El mismo Jesús ha entrado en el abismo: el sufrimiento, la muerte, incluso nuestro sentimiento de abandono, y lo ha superado. Por eso sus palabras, «No temáis», tienen tanto peso. No borran el abismo, sino que tienden un puente sobre él. 

La fe no es fingir que todo va bien. Es mirar fijamente al abismo y, aun así, elegir la confianza. Y en esa confianza, descubrimos que nunca estamos solos. Cristo está con nosotros, y el cuidado del Padre nos rodea. Ese es el único consuelo lo suficientemente profundo para nuestros corazones (a menudo temerosos). 
-Padre John Muir 

Actualmente estamos llenos de miedo: miedo a perder el trabajo, a ser deportados, o a que nuestros hijos e hijas se queden solos en este país. Son muchos los miedos que nos aterrorizan y nos paralizan de varias formas. Contra el miedo existe la confianza en que saldremos avante de las dificultades. Pero, ¿Cómo? ¿Qué hacer, cómo actuar? La única forma es prepararnos con un plan, para que no nos tome desprevenidos si llegara a suceder alguna circunstancia difícil en nuestra vida. La Pala bra de Dios en la liturgia de hoy nos dice que Jesús sigue preparando a sus discípulos para afrontar las adversidades: "Pero no les tengan miedo. Nada hay oculto que no llegue a ser descubierto, ni nada secreto que no llegue a saberse"  (Mateo 10:26). 

El miedo lo experimentamos todos, viejos y jóvenes. Por eso, Jesús prepara a sus discípulos para que estén listos, y nos prepara a nosotros para lo mismo. Decía el Papa Francisco que el miedo es uno de los peores enemigos de la vida cristiana. Todo lo que genera inseguridad en la vida es lo desconocido: lo que no vemos ni sentimos, lo que no podemos controlar. Pongámonos del lado de Dios y tengamos confianza. En nuestra oración digamos, como sus apóstoles: "Señor, aumentanos la fe" (Lucas 17:5). Confiar en Dios es un proceso de toda la vida, pero Él no defrauda y caiga Ima toda tempestad, por muy dura que sea. ¡Gracias, Señor, por estar siempre conmigo!' 
Amen

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me so much, and for keeping me safe in your care.

Querido Jesus, gracias por amarme tanto y por mantenerme a salvo bajo tu cuidado. Amen 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SHARE IN SERVING THIS SUMMER! Community and regional needs continue while school is out! Please join as a family or as individuals in our projects: 

• Wednesday, July 22 - Evening Bingo/Name That Tune at The Grand at Barnwell
• Tuesday, July 28, 6 pm - assemble 120 bags for lunches for Joseph House Van, which distributes to the homeless throughout Troy, NY
• Wednesday, July 29, 11 am - prepare and package sandwiches for delivery to van
• Sunday, August 23, 1-3 pm - sort foods for NENY Regional Food Bank, Latham.

Please contact Ann Valley at (W) (518) 758-1828, (C) (518) 227 1025 or ccnccformation@gmail.com for more information about any of our programs

En la sociedad actual hacen falta personas que den testimonio de tu Evangelio en medio del mundo, y si surgen algunos que se arriesgan, tienen miles de trabas para demostrarlo. Las amenazan, las desaparecen y, en muchas ocasiones, les quitan la vida. Sin embargo, la invitaci6n sigue en pie para anunciar tu Pala bra: "Siempre debemos orar al duefio de la mies, que es Dios Padre, para que envTe obreros a trabajar en su campo, que es el mundo. Y cada uno de nosotros lo debe hacer con un coraz6n abierto, con una actitud
misionera; nuestra oraci6n no debe limitarse solo a nuestras peticiones, a nuestras necesidades: una oraci6n es verdaderamente
cristiana si tambien tiene una dimension universal"
(Papa Francisco, 7 de ju lio de 2019).

Qué estoy dispuesto a hacer por las vocaciones sacerdotales y religiosas de mi diócesis? Qué hago por los laicos comprometidos
de mi parroquia? Todos debemos cooperar para que el Reino de Dios crezca; todos somos pueblo de Dios y ovejas de su rebafio (Salmo 99). "Ustedes lo recibieron sin pagar, denlo sin cobrar'' (Mateo 10:8). Es la gratitud de la fe la que nos mantiene en pie de lucha. Dios nos da a manos llenas; su misericordia se manifiesta de diferentes maneras: en la familia, en el trabajo, en la universidad, y, en fin, en cada amanecer El esta con nosotros. Por lo tanto, urge que colaboremos con Dios de alguna forma: "Rueguen, pues, al duefio de la cosecha que envTe trabajadores a recoger la cosecha" (Mateo 9:38). °"'
Amen

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I love You with all my heart. Stay with me always, and keep me close to you. Amen. 

Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Te amo con todo mi corazon. Quedate siempre conmigo y mantenme cerca de Ti. Amen

Congratulations to our 11 CCNCC young ladies who were recently Confirmed at St. Mary's church in Hudson!

A Mass of celebration - this past Sunday, our Faith Formation families gathered at St. John's for a final Mass. meal, and faith sharing (the games were great!) It was a beautiful celebration of our 2026 graduates and all those who received Sacraments this year.

MANY THANKS to all the families who formed the 2025-26 CCNCC Family Faith Formation community! Together we created a blessed environment to demonstate for our youth, the value of sharing faith with our collective parishioners, and our neighbors throughout the region and the world. It is wonderful to share as we each develop on our journy of drawing closer to Jesus. There are many people who lend their time and talents - look out for special thanks to them in the next bulletin and please take time to thank them for strengthening our Family Faith Formation program. Many summer blessings to all our CCNCC network friends and families!

FAMILY SUMMER SERVICE - Check the next few bulletins for a listing of summer service events taking place  on either Wednesday or Thursday of 3 seperate weeks beginning in mid July. Our Teen Council is beginning to plan service events as well, and will be reaching out to the greater community to join in!

Please contact Ann Valley at (W) (518) 759-1828, (C) (518) 227 1025 or ccnccformation@gmail.com for more information about any of our programs. 

Congratulations to all our first communicants during the month of May, and congratulations and blessings to our Confirmandi - those
who received their Confirmation this past Sunday by Bishop Mark! (Pictures will be in a future edition of the bulletin.)

Those who have received their confirmation and all teenagers are invited to join our Tri-Parish Teen Council, who meet about once-amonth to plan and implement initiatives to help others in our community who are less fortunate than we are. Come tonight to the
5pm mass and to the picnic afterwards and ask questions. We'll announce the next meeting date and if you are open to joining,
maybe Fr. Steve will buy you pizza at the upcoming meeting. Congrats and Blessings and please join us!

When I was a young altar server, I once overheard two very different comments about the Eucharist. One person asked, "Is Father
distributing the bread or the wine?" Later, another asked, "Can you go get Jesus from the tabernacle?" Same parish, same Mass, but
two very different ways of speaking. I pondered: So, is it bread that we pretend is Jesus? Or is Jesus a tiny white thing in a box? I was
utterly confused.

This Feast of Corpus Christi is an excellent time to think about how we should speak about the Eucharist. In today's Gospel, Jesus
declares: "My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink." (John 6:55) His words scandalized his listeners, who feared cannibalism,
and even today puzzle many, who reduce them to metaphor. Both miss the truth.

The Church gives us better words that honor Jesus' words in the Gospel. After the consecration, we do not call it "bread" or "wine."
Nor do we say, "a piece of Jesus" or even "Jesus." We say: the Eucharist. We say: the Body and Blood of Christ. We say: the Real
Presence. We say: the Most Blessed Sacrament. These words safeguard the astonishing reality that Christ himself is truly present, whole and entire, under the appearances of bread and wine.

If we speak well about the Eucharist, we will think more clearly and believe more deeply. And if we believe more deeply, we will adore
more truly the On