Tri-Parish Outreach
(518) 929-4369
News from Theresa Lux, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties: SNAP food benefits are a lifeline to many individuals and families. They also provide monetary support to the local economy where they are utilized. New regulations regarding continuing eligibility began in November. Please reach out to Catholic Charities at (518) 828-8660 if you have questions regarding your current or new SNAP benefits. Los beneficios alimentarios del SNAP son un salvavidas para muchas personas y familias. También proporcionan apoyo monetario a la economía local donde se utilizan. En noviembre entraron en vigor nuevas regulaciones relativas a la continuidad de la elegibilidad. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre sus beneficios actuales o nuevos del SNAP, póngase en contacto con Catholic Charities en el (518) 828-8660
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.
St. Joseph Prayer Shawl/Baptismal Blanket Ministry will continue this Fall. Our crafty ladies will meet on the following dates: Sept 22, Oct 6, Oct. 20, Nov. 3, Nov. 17, Dec. 1, and Dec. 15. We will meet on these Monday mornings at 10:00 am at the Church of St. Joseph. New members are encouraged and all are welcome! Donations of yarn are gladly accepted. For further info, contact Maryanne at MyRascal2@aol.com.
Yarn needed: St. Joseph’s Food Pantry has a client who makes hats for our pantry and other local pantries. She is in need of yarn, size 4 and up. If you have any you are able to donate, please see, call, text Nancy Leonard (518) 821-8651. Thank you!
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 we’ve 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, December 12th
Food Pantry: at the Church of St. Joseph/Stuyvesant Falls Friday, December 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 deciembre 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: This week's donations to our Clothing and Furniture Exchange included a futon, a dining room table with six chairs, a convection oven, and a glass coffee table. If you know of anyone who can make use of these items, please call the OutReach number at (518) 929-4369.
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.
St. James “Adopt A Family Program"—If you would like to “adopt" a family this Christmas, please call OutReach at (518) 929-4369. The extent of commitment is at the donor's discretion. St. James
parishioners usually “adopt" a dozen or fewer families per year. Sometimes the donors agree to provide for children-only, offer a Christmas Day meal or engage in some other agreed-upon arrangement. Please consider helping to share holiday cheer with our neighbors. Thank you.
The annual Christmas Food Drive at St. James is underway from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. If you wish to support this annual endeavor please make your check out to your local food pantry and place it in the collection basket. We will forward your donation to them.
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.
Outreach Assessment: Many thanks to those who responded to the OutReach Assessment that appeared in last week's bulletin. Additional copies of the assessment are located on the Gathering Space table if needed. Although we solicit this information annually, we welcome this information at any time in order to help our parishioners and neighbors.
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....
The "Chi Rho" is an ancient symbol of Christ, having its origins in the 2nd century. It is comprised of the first two letters of the word Christ in Greek (XP) overlapping each other to form a monogram. The Emperor Constantine employed the symbol on his military standards and it became associated with Christian triumph. The symbol remains today, usually depicted on liturgical vestments or in churches.