The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County

While we are still short of our goals in each parish, here is another important reason to donate to the Diocesan Appeal. While I haven’t seen this year’s report, I have compared the Catholic Charities of the 14 counties of the Diocese of Albany Revenue and Expenses report for 2019-2020 with last year’s Diocesan Appeal’s grants to Catholic Charities. These stats include:

The number of households Catholic Charities helped during this timeframe. Additionally, their expenses went for services for the disabled (28%), Maternity and Family Services (8%), Emergency Shelter and Permanent Housing (8%), Domestic Violence (5%), Senior Services (5%) and so much more.

You may be asking how does the Diocesan Appeal affect Catholic Charities? In the timeframe listed above, the Diocesan Appeal granted approximately $818,000 to support Catholic Charities work in the Albany Diocese, which is about
2% of Catholic Charities funding. Those funds mainly support staff who write grant requests of various government agencies that offer funding. Those funds received by Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese total over $36 million dollars! That’s correct!!! The Diocesan Appeal of $818,000 helped raise over $36 million dollars.

I think most of us know someone who has been helped by Catholic Charities. Would you please consider donating directly to the Diocesan Appeal (see link below) this week or as soon as possible? Thank you for those who have already donated! Please see below for our current status toward this fiscal year’s goals for the Diocesan Appeal. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones for your generosity.

                                                  FY 21-22                       Raised
                                                  Parish Assessment       To Date
St. James/Chatham                   $41,000                        $20,100 (49%)
St. John the Baptist/Valatie       $52,000                        $22,485 (43%)
St. Joseph (Stott/StuyFalls)        $12,600                        $5,685 (45%)

Si bien  todavía  estamos por  debajo de  nuestras metas  en  cada parroquia,  aquí hay otra razón importante para donar a  la Campaña Diocesana.  Si  bien  no he visto  el  informe de  este año, he  comparado  el  informe de  Caridades  Católicas  de  los 14 condados de  la Diócesis de Albany Ingresos  y Gastos para 2019-2020 con  las  subvenciones de la  Campaña  Diocesana del año pasado a  Caridades Católicas. Estas  estadísticas incluyen:

El número  de hogares a  los que Caridades  Católicas ayudó durante  este período de tiempo.  Además,  sus  gastos  se destinaron a servicios para discapacitados (28%), servicios de maternidad y familia (8%),  refugio de emergencia y vivienda permanente  (8%), violencia  doméstica (5%), servicios  para personas mayores (5%) y mucho más.

Es posible que  se pregunte  cómo afecta  la  Campaña Diocesana a  Caridades  Católicas.  En  el marco de tiempo mencionado anteriormente,  la Campaña Diocesana otorgó aproximadamente  $818,000 para apoyar el trabajo de Caridades  Católicas  en la Diócesis de Albany, que  es aproximadamente  el 2% de los fondos de  Caridades Católicas.  Esos fondos apoyan principalmente  al personal que escribe solicitudes de  subvenciones  de varias agencias gubernamentales  que ofrecen fondos.  ¡Esos  fondos recibidos por Caridades  Católicas  de  la  Diócesis  de Albany suman  más de $  36 millones  de  dólares!   ¡¡¡Eso es correcto!!!   La Campaña Diocesana   de $818,000 ayudó a recaudar más de $36 millones de dólares.

Creo que  la mayoría de nosotros conocemos a  alguien que ha sido ayudado por  Caridades  Católicas. ¿Consideraría  donar directamente a  la  Campaña  Diocesana (ver  enlace a continuación)  esta  semana o  tan pronto como  sea posible?  ¡Gracias por  los que ya han donado!  Consulte a  continuación nuestro  estado actual hacia  las metas de  este  año fiscal para la Campaña Diocesana.  Que Dios continúe bendiciéndote a  ti y a tus seres queridos  por tu generosidad. 

As you may have heard, the Diocese has ended its mandate that masks be worn in diocesan churches and offices, effective February 10, 2022.  However, parishes may continue to impose stricter guidelines as they see fit. (Please see below.)

Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are strongly encouraged to continue to wear a mask during the distribution of Communion.  (We in our one faith community still will require ministers of Holy Communion to wear a mask while doing so.)

Keep in mind that, in the event a city or county imposes a mask mandate, parishes are expected to act in accordance with applicable local law or regulation.  The Diocese of Albany will continue to follow the mask requirements for schools. Although not mandated, the faithful are more than welcome to wear masks out of concern for the health and safety of others. Since the diocese is permitting stricter requirements, a discussion was held with 4 of the 5 parish trustees and we agreed to wait a few weeks before changing any of our health and safety protocols.

Therefore, we are asking all who will be attending mass to continue wearing masks for a few more weeks.  We will re-assess the circumstances in a few weeks. This is how we can show our care for one another.  

Due to the inclement weather last Sunday, we will be taking a second collection again this weekend, January 14th .

As requested by Bishop Scharfenberger, on the weekend of January 9, we will hold a special second collection for relief following the devastating tornadoes that recently hit the midwestern United States. Please be generous as always in helping our brothers and sisters across the country. If you would like, you may contribute directly to tornado relief at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org."

 As requested by Bishop Scharfenberger, on the weekend of January 9, we will hold a special second collection for relief following the devastating tornadoes that recently hit the midwestern United States. Please be generous as always in helping our brothers and sisters across the country. If you would like, you may contribute directly to tornado relief at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org."

There will be two livestreamed Masses on Christmas Eve:

• • 4PM Vigil Mass on Friday, 12.24.21 livestreamed Christmas Vigil Mass from St. John the Baptist. Fr. Steve Matthews celebrates Christmas Vigil Mass at St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie, NY. Music by Justine Rodriguez. Filmed by Aaron McGuirk. Link: https://youtu.be/OS5PiVJesLo
•  
  • 9PM "Midnight" Mass on Friday, 12.24.21 livestreamed from St. James Church.  Fr. Steve Matthews celebrates Christmas "Midnight" Mass at St. James Church in Chatham, NY. Music by Justine Rodriguez. Filmed by Aaron McGuirk. Link: https://youtu.be/BFqW1jfFXNk

Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
December 13, 2021
MASK-WEARING PROTOCOLS FOR PARISHES

Governor Kathy Hochul on Dec. 10 announced a statewide mandate requiring face masks to be worn by everyone in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues have implemented a COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Since a vaccine verification requirement would be difficult, if not impossible, for churches to implement, we believe the mask mandate is the most efficient option for parishes of the Diocese of Albany to remain compliant. While we realize that this may not be convenient or comfortable, we want to do all we can to ensure the safety of those who celebrate, assist at, and attend Mass throughout the remainder of the Advent season and the Christmas season that is just around the corner. We thank you for all you have done and continue
to do to keep our people safe.

The mandate, as issued by the New York State Department of Health, is effective today, December 13, 2021, through January 15, 2022, at which time the state will reassess its effectiveness based on COVID-related public health conditions.

PARISH OFFICES

• Parish office staff and visitors are required to wear masks at all times except when eating, drinking or alone in an enclosed room.

CHURCHES

• All parishioners will be asked to wear masks while in church, in accordance with the state mandate that masks be worn in all “public places.” Houses of worship are considered public places per the state’s definition.
• Those who are involved in distributing Holy Communion during Mass are required to wear a mask during this distribution.