Reflection for the Solemnity of Brotherly Love

Is not life full of opportunities for learning love? Every man and woman every day has a thousand of them. The world is not a playground; it is a schoolroom. Life
is not a holiday, but an education. And the one eternal lesson for us all is how better we can love.

What makes a person a good artist, a good sculptor, or a good musician? Practice. What makes a good person? Practice. Love is not a thing of enthusiastic emotion. It is a rich, strong, vigorous expression of the whole Christian character — the Christ-like nature in its fullest development. And the constituents of this great character are only to be built up by ceaseless practice.

Directed Lenten Denial – your generosity

For each week of Lent this year, you were asked to bring in specific items for the needy, as a part of your denial in this penitential season. May the Lord bless your denial!!! We had more bags than last year (52!!!), and were still able to provide for many.

May you be blessed for your sacrifice!! God’s people, some of whom we may never meet, have been nourished and sustained through your donations. May the Lord bless you!!! As the Lord has been gracious to us during our Lenten journey, may He continue to bless us as we continue to sacrifice and give unto Him. To those of you who have allowed this parish to heed the Lord’s command to feed the hungry, God love you all.

Also four bags of toiletries were taken to the Albany City Rescue Mission (the facility where the “famine” participants went to serve lunch). The administrator welcomed the donation, which will allow them to serve needs on an individual basis.

30 hour famine

We undertook the direction of the National United Youth Association and worked through our starving for this Lent. From 11pm on Friday, March 25th until 5am this morning, March 27th, a group of people in our parish hall starved. Yes, starved. The experience will be akin to those who are going hungry in our world not just for 30 hours, but for days on end.

We visited the Albany City Mission to offer some volunteer help during the morning hours yesterday. We returned to the parish hall for some further fellowship, some homework completion, and, yes, continued starving. We planned to supply a light “breaking of the fast” this morning.

We didn’t have a chance to tally up the monetary donations as yet, but the participants would like to thank you and all the others that had offered their help to the group. Teachers, parents, and other concerned individuals outside our parish offered some help to raise funds for World Vision.

We anticipated a life-changing experience, not only for those who starved, but also for those who will be helped by the starving. Thanks for your support.

Your Lenten Journey in Schenectady

Come visit and pray with us throughout these 40 days. Our doors are open and you are welcome.

  • Ash Wednesday, March 9th, Litany and Imposition of Ashes on your lunch break at noon.
  • Ash Wednesday, March 9th, Reflection on the Seven Last Words of Christ and Imposition of Ashes on your lunch break at 7pm.
  • Traditional Stations of the Cross, Every Friday in Lent at 7pm.
  • Matins and Holy Mass, Every Sunday starting at 9:20am.
  • Youth – 30 Hour Famine sponsored by the National United Youth Association
  • Directed Lenten Denial for Charity

Directed Lenten Denial

Each week of Lent this year, we will be asked to bring in a specific item that is needed for those who have not. Although each week is a different item, you may either “catch up” or plan ahead, whichever is better for you. (Note: for those of you who will need to document your donations, simply list what items you have donated and the list will be verified after the Easter season.)

  • FIRST WEEK OF LENT, (3/13): Pasta products: any type of pasta can be donated; boxed or bagged.
  • SECOND WEEK OF LENT, (3/20): Baby Formula: any type of formula may be offered; ready-mix, concentrated, powder, etc. Please be sure it contains iron. Also powdered milk, canned milk, as well.
  • THIRD WEEK OF LENT, (3/27): Baby Food: any type of canned or jarred baby food may be donated for any age group. This donation may include all vegetables, fruits, meats, etc.
  • FOURTH WEEK OF LENT, (4/3): Canned vegetables: any type of canned vegetables may be offered. Soups may be here included.
  • FIFTH WEEK OF LENT, (4/10): Canned fruits: any type of canned fruits may be donated. Fruit sauces are also included here.
  • HOLY WEEK, (4/17): Protein Products: peanut butter, nuts, canned meats (tuna, ham, chicken, etc.), dried cheeses.

The distribution of donations will be done on Maundy Thursday.

This type of donation schedule will allow us to meet specific needs of those in our community. Any other items than these above listed may also be brought in.

May God bless this Lenten Season.

Work in a democratic Church

To sustain our democratic Church, its members are encouraged to be involved, and to exercise their right to a voice and a vote.

Call to Volunteer Ministries

Once again, we turn to the parish family and ask for assistance in the tasks we share as a community:

Altar Servers – This ministry is open to all who have made their First Holy Communion, especially those of this past year’s class. If you would like to share in this ministry, please give your name to Father Stan.

Lectors – This ministry is open to all adult members of our parish, including those who have made their Confirmation. Additionally, if you would like to enter into this ministry, please give your name to Father Stan.

Womens’ Society for the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament – we are always looking for more of our parish women to join the long-standing organization. We thank the women thus organized for their ministry thus far in the service of our Lord and to this parish. Please consider this invitation.

Saturday Night Bingo Workers – we are entering into a new chapter in our efforts on Saturday evening. We could always use some extra help, even if you can only give a few hours between 5-7 pm. If you can offer these or a few more, please see Father Stan.

Nominations and our Annual Congregational Meeting

Please remember that nomination forms found in the December Newsletter are due next Sunday, January 2, 2011. This will give the Nominations Committee some time to fill any positions which have no names suggested for them. Please interact with this democratic aspect of our parish government.

Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be held following Holy Mass on Sunday, January 30, 2011.

Advent

As we look forward to the beginning of a new liturgical year, we look at the season of Advent as a time of preparation and expectation.

There are those around in our community, however, that have little to prepare for or expect.

As we approach this new liturgical year and this penitential season, let us re-new our efforts to provide for those in need: We shall begin our food drive collection, our mitten tree collections, blankets, and various other ways to lend a hand.

Please look with anticipation to this new liturgical year with the hope and peace of Christ, and see how much you can give of yourself this upcoming preparatory season. Thank you.

On Sunday, November 28th, the First Sunday in Advent, we will be holding the blessing of Opłatki (Christmas Wafers), our Advent Wreath, and our Jesse Tree prior to Holy Mass.

Veterans’ Day

On Veterans’ Day, observed this coming week, we pause to give thanks for those who had given in their time in service to our country. We rejoice that they had had a successful campaign and are here living with us. Although some may be disabled, we give great thanks to all those who had survived their tour of duty and had ensured for us the freedom we live each day.

There is one thing we could consider: in the list of those receiving Christmas cards from us, perhaps we include one to:

A Recovering Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Hospital
Washington, DC.

Upcoming Parish Events

SOCL: Our School of Christian Living sessions begin next Sunday, October 17th. Registration for these sessions continues. Children who have reached the necessary age for sacramental preparation will be enrolled for those session. We’re looking forward to another great year!

Music Scholarships: We will recognize and congratulate all Music Scholarship recipients from our Parish next Sunday, October 17th. In honor of their accomplishment we will share in coffee and cake following Holy Mass.

Semi-Annual Rummage Sale: Our Fall edition of our semi-annual rummage sale will take place on Saturday, October 23rd. Have something that needs a good home, a good home looking for something, make the connection.

Donations to Help Pets: Our annual tradition of gathering items for pets in need and pet rescue organizations continues. Please drop items off at the Parish.

Operation Christmas Child: We will be collecting shoeboxes during the last two weeks of October and the first two weeks of November. Let us once again help Samaritan’s Purse bring the love of Jesus to a child somewhere on our plant once again this year.

Pampered Chef: Stay tuned for further details on our Pampered Chef party following Holy Mass on Sunday, November 7th. Will Father Stan and Deacon Jim put on another edition of “Cooking with Clergy?”

Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi and Pet Blessing

As you may have heard, there have been many pets and animals that remain abandoned in the storms and severe weather that had plagued our nation over the past year. Various agencies in and around our area have taken up the search and rescue and rehabilitation of those animals found homeless. Although we could not be involved with the agencies that are trying to match up the animals with their owners, we could be helpful in those plans that will help to provide care until that reunion may take place.

Therefore, we are asking that if you have a pet or not to stop by and add your prayers during the short service on Saturday, October 2nd, 10 am. Also, if you could bring along some items to donate: dry or canned pet food, cat litter, leashes, or other items (no perishable food) you would like to donate. Some early contact with these agencies has been made.

Our prayer again this year will have special import since there are animals we will ask St Francis to intercede for and ask God to protect and reunite these pets with their care-givers. Please add your voice and donation. In advance, THANKS!