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Tri-Parish Outreach
(518) 929-4369
News from Theresa Lux, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties: With Tax season upon us, appointments can now be made for the Capital Region Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program organized by the United Way of the Greater Capital Region. Visit www.unitedwaygcr.org/ cash/locations for a list of all locations in the área, including the
Catholic Charities office in Albany; Columbia Opportunities in Hudson; and at the Village of Valatie office.
Con la temporada de impuestos a la vuelta de la esquina, ya se pueden concertar citas para el programa de Asistencia Voluntaria para la Declaración de Impuestos (VITA) de la Región Capital,
organizado por United Way of the Greater Capital Region. Visite www.unitedwaygcr.org/cash/locations para obtener una lista de todas las ubicaciones de la zona, incluidas la oficina de Catholic
Charities en Albany; Columbia Opportunities en Hudson; y la oficina de Village of Valatie.
Catholic Charities—Volunteers Needed! Start the New Year on a positive note! 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!
Caring for Those Who Care Program for Caregivers of Older Adults The County is exploring launching a new initiative to offer free respite care to family caregivers of older adults who cannot safely remain at home without supervision. This monthly program gives caregivers a chance to attend appointments, run errands, or simply take a well-deserved break— knowing their loved one is in safe, compassionate hands.
When: Once a month • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Where: Two local churches (with potential for future expansion) Activities Include: Arts & Crafts • Music • Movement • Social Engagement Care is provided by a Caregiver Coordinator and trained volunteers. Volunteer training is free—offered in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association and the NYS Caregiving & Respite Coalition. Help make a difference in your community and connect with neighbors! Interested in volunteering? Contact Michele Kraham at (518) 929-6379 for more information. Thank you.
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 approaches its fifth year, we remain incredibly proud of what weve accomplished with the help of our generous community. Each Thursday evening, rain or shine, we serve more than 300 individuals, offering meals, essential supplies, and a moment of connection to those facing hardship.
Recently, we've been met with a challenge we cannot face alone. 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. In just the past few months, the number of individuals turning to us for help has continued to grow, while some of our most reliable sources of support have decreased.
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, February 13th
Food Pantry: at the Church of St. Joseph/Stuyvesant Falls Friday, February 13, 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 13 de febrero de 1:30-3:30 PM. Continúe remitiendo a los necesitados a nuestra despensa.
Donations Sought for Our Ministries:
Fall Donation Drives:
Furniture and clothing exchange: If you know of anyone who can make use of these items, please call the OutReach number at (518) 929-4369.
Our Annual Bedding Project is underway in the Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County (CCNCC) during January and February. Please consider donating gently-used comforters, blankets, linens, and towels to share a sense of warmth and well-being with others. Donated items will be distributed to families in our parishes as well as to local food pantries and Catholic Charities W.I.C. program. Please bring items to a gray Honda (CBP483) in the St. James parking lot on Sunday mornings before Mass or call the OutReach number at (518) 929-4369 to arrange delivery.
School Re-supply Weekend will be held on February 8th at St. James with distribution through the Chatham and Ghent Pantries. Donated supplies will replenish those collected last fall on School
Supply Weekend. Please bring glue sticks, pocket folders, pencils, pens, markers, etc., to the receptacle in the gathering space. Teachers are welcome to visit the pantries to acquire supplies for
their students if that would be helpful. We are happy to share the supplies with anyone who may benefit from their use.
St. James parishioner and social worker, Deb Kelsey is associated with the Salvation Army in Hudson. Deb advises that there is need for laundry detergent and dryer sheets, dish detergent and hygiene products for their patrons if anyone wishes to contribute. Please call OutReach if items need to be forwarded. Thank you.
Food Pantry: Suggested food pantry donations during colder weather include store-bought pies, baked goods, and hot beverage mixes (cocoa, tea bags). Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and paper goods are always needed.
The St. James Easter Food Drive begins on the first day of Lent, Feb. 18, and ends on Palm Sunday, Mar. 29. To participate, please make your check out to the Chatham or Ghent Food Pantry and
we will forward it. We will continue to collect non-perishable foods for the pantries in a large wicker basket in the gathering space.
Adoption fees at the Columbia/Greene Humane Society are waived through January. Mr. Ron Perez, manager of the shelter, advises that many animals are ready for adoption. If you are interested, Mr. Perez and his staff will provide information for adoptions at (518) 828-6044.
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.
Fun Facts:
Did you know....
Illuminated manuscripts are elaborately decorated pages covered with ornamental initials, borders, margins, and page paintings. Originating in monasteries, this art form spread to Armenia, the Balkans, and later to Ireland. Irish missionaries brought this art form to England and the Continent, where it flourished during the Middle Ages.