Tri-Parish Outreach
If you would like to get involved with any of our outreach programs or have questions, contact us by Email
News from Theresa Lux, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties: The Columbia County Office for the Aging hosts, “Recharge & Renew Respite” for caregivers in Northern Columbia County. Caregivers can bring loved ones to the Canaan Congregational Church on Fridays for planned activities, including lunch, allowing caregivers time to rest and recharge. Please call the Office for the Aging at (518) 828-4258
for more information and to register.
La Oficina para la Tercera Edad del condado de Columbia organiza el programa «Recharge & Renew Respite» para cuidadores del norte del condado. Los cuidadores pueden traer a sus seres queridos a la Iglesia Congregacional de Canaan los viernes para participar en actividades programadas, incluido el almuerzo, lo que les permite descansar y recargar energías. Para obtener más información e inscribirse, llame a la Oficina para la Tercera Edad al (518) 828-4258.
Catholic Charities—Volunteers Needed! Bring warmth and companionship to seniors in your community. A simple phone call or friendly visit can make the world of a 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 -
St. James Safety Committee: On Sun., May 17, following Mass, there will be a meeting of the safety volunteers to help in an emergency—for those of you that have been contacted and any other interested parishioners.
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 Activities Committee: SJTB’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! Now we are looking for volunteers to help execute some of these ideas. Join us on Wednesday, April 29th at 6:30 pm at SJTB for our next meeting, choose an activity that interests you and you can help turn ideas
into events for the parish!
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.
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, June 12th
Food Pantry: at the Church of St. Joseph/Stuyvesant Falls Friday, June 12, 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 12 de junio de 1:30-3:30 PM. Continúe remitiendo a los necesitados a nuestra despensa.
Donations Sought for Our Ministries:
Spring Donation Drives:
Food Pantry: Spring has arrived! When shopping at the local Farmers' Markets, please consider buying some extra vegetables to donate to the food pantries. When sowing your garden at home, please consider planting an extra row of vegetables for the pantries at harvest: your kindness will be much appreciated.
Our Collection of Non-Food items has been scheduled for Sun., May 31. Paper goods, hygiene products, diapers (any size), laundry detergent and dryer sheets are needed. This drive is conducted biannually in May and September to benefit the Chatham and Ghent food pantries. A receptacle will be placed in the Gathering Space at St. James for donated items. Interested parishioners at St. John's and St. Joseph's Parishes are welcome to participate at their churches for distribution at food pantries in the Valatie and Stuyvesant Falls vicinities.
Social Worker and parishioner, Debra Kelsey, has a client in Valatie who needs a dresser for teenage girls. If you have one in good condition to offer, she will pick it up. 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.