A Great Way to Give to St. Columba – We Share

We estimate that since the pandemic began, our collections are running short about $1,000 per week. Can you help support your parish during this difficult time?

We Share is On Line giving with new options – you can give using a bank account, credit card or debit card. It is easy, safe and secure. It is used by hundreds of parishes. It is under your control! For questions and support go to: https://www.4lpi.com/my-account/donor-support/

This is a great new way to support St. Columba. If you are presently using E-Giving, you can stay or switch, your choice. If you want to switch to We Share, email manager@stcolumbaonline.org.

To get started, just click the image below. Thanks for supporting your parish, especially during these difficult days!

Please click on the icon below to start online giving:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING - On behalf of the priests, religious sisters, deacons, and staff of St. Columba, we wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Each day we give thanks to God for you!

OUR SCHEDULE CHANGES THIS WEEK
Wednesday, November 25 – Morning Mass at 7:00 am, Parish Office open 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Adoration 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Thursday, November 26 – Thanksgiving Day Mass at 8:00 am. Parish Office Closed. No Adoration. Church closed 10:00 am.

Friday, November 27 – Morning Mass at 8:00 am. Parish Office Closed. No Adoration. Church open until 4:00 pm.

CHURCH OFFICE VISITS – For the safety of our priests and staff, we ask you, as much as possible, to try to do rectory business over the phone or email.  All visits to the office should be by appointment. If you are dropping off donations, use the convenient box to your left just as you enter the church. Thank you for helping to keep us safe!

CHRISTMAS 2020 – ONLINE PORTAL OPENS DECEMBER 2
Our Christmas Mass schedule is set, and the details were sent out in the mail to all parishioners on Monday. We will also send a Flocknote soon.  Due to our seating restrictions, we need to require everyone to have a ticket for Christmas Mass. We cannot seat more than 200 people at any Mass, and we want to avoid disappointments as well as keep everyone safe.

We will be using an on-line ticketing tool that is quite simple to use.  However, we realize some of our parishioners do not have a computer, access to a computer or the confidence in navigating a website.  We will be offering help to those parishioners.  Volunteers will do the registration for them. If you do not need assistance, please follow the instructions in the letter that you will receive soon (portal opens December 2). This help is targeted to those who genuinely need help. We will be offering this help on Thanksgiving weekend (November 28^th & 29th) after all Masses.

Our Christmas Mass schedule is: 

• Christmas Eve at 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM & Midnight
• Christmas Day at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. 
• Five of these Masses will also have overflow Masses in the gym giving us the possibility of 12 Masses.
• Due to the pandemic, Cardinal Dolan has given a one-time permission for a Christmas Eve 2pm Mass.

If you need help, please see our volunteers in the Narthex this weekend and be sure to use proper spacing while waiting for help.  They will need your name, address, your desired Mass to attend and the number of tickets you are requesting.  Your tickets will be mailed to you.

ALTAR ROSARY FUNDRAISER - Altar Rosary Society is planning a Christmas Fundraising Take Out Dinner on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 from Pizza Village in Hopewell Jct.  The meal will be a choice of Chicken Francese, Sliced Sirloin (au jus) or Stuffed Shrimp. Included are a tossed salad, roasted potatoes, vegetable, and assorted mini pastries.  The price is $30.00. Pick up time for the meals would be 5-6:30 pm. You will be notified of exact time (15 min. increments) by phone.  Reservations must be made and paid for by Dec. 1, include your name and phone.  Check made out to Altar Rosary Society and mailed to Joyce Moroney 12 Northview La., Hopewell Jct., NY 12533.  Call 845-592-1360 for further details.

CONGRATULATIONS RYAN LUGO - Ryan had his Eagle Board of Review a week ago on Monday and is officially an Eagle Scout.  Ryan organized the project to erect the statue of St. Joseph near the convent. He fund raised over and above the amount needed, so he has donated the balance of $1,400.00 to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. Our parish is immensely proud of Ryan, who is also a member of our God Squad High School Youth Group. Way to go Ryan!

NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY – WREATHES ACROSS AMERICA
The Dutchess County Cadet Squadron will once again host a National Remembrance Ceremony at St. Denis Cemetery on Saturday, December 19 at 10:00 am. This is an opportunity for you to donate a wreath for a deceased veteran. Sponsor forms are available in the narthex or you can go to www.DutchessCountyCadetSquadron.org and click on the link. Major Sunshine and the Cadets will be available after all Masses this weekend outside the church.

CARDINAL’S APPEAL 2020 as of November 13
Goal - $139,000.00
Pledged - $103,469.00
Number of Gifts – 442
Average Gift - $234.09
There is still time to make a pledge or gift!

RENEW AND REBUILD as of November 13
Goal - $1,709,000.00
Pledged - $1,759,646.92
Paid - $1,147,624.60
Number of Gifts – 517
Thank you so much for keeping up with your pledge – God bless you!

FORMED - We are delighted to offer FORMED for our parishioners. There are many excellent Catholic movies, courses, and books available. Use the FORMED app or go to Formed.org. Our Parish Code is Y98H69. Feel free to share it with friends and relatives. The cost to our parish this year is $399.00. Would you like to be a sponsor of FORMED for the Parish of St. Columba and help us cover this cost? Contact Father Michael at the Church Office at 845-227-8380.

CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS FROM ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY
Due to the Pandemic, we will not distribute Food Baskets this Christmas. Instead, we have purchased grocery store gift cards for our clients. Can you help us? Drop your donation in the SVDP box in church or mail your check (made out to SVDP Food Pantry) to SVDP Food Pantry. c/o St. Columba Church, PO Box 428, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. God bless you for your generosity.

A WEBINAR ABOUT PORNOGRAPHY PARENTS AND INDIVIDUALS MAY FIND HELPFUL
Winning the Battle, hosted by The Religious Alliance Against Pornography.

St. Columba LIVESTREAM - Click here: http://www.facebook.com/stcolumbahj
Videos also archived on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/saintcolumbahopewell

LITURGY SCHEDULE DURING THIS TIME OF PANDEMIC

Weekend Masses (No more outdoor Masses)

Saturday - 5:30 pm
Sunday - 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am and 12:00 noon.
Church open 7:00 am until after last Mass or Baptism

Daily Schedule
Monday - Wednesday - Friday
Mass at 7:00 am
Adoration 4:00 - 8:00 pm (Benediction 7:50 pm)
Church open 6:00 am - 8:00 pm

Tuesday & Thursday
Mass at 7:00 pm
Adoration 4:00 - 6:45 pm (Benediction 6:35 pm)
Church open 7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Saturday
Morning Mass at 8:00 am
Church open 7:00 am to 6:30 pm

Confessions on Saturdays from 8:30 - 9:00 am & 4:00 - 5:00 pm - Confessionals - no "face to face." 
Please wear a face mask & keep social distance. Thank you!

You are required to wear a facemask when you enter church or for confessions. You must keep it on during your time in church. This is for the safety of all. Thank you!
 

Collection baskets will be placed inside the entrance to the Church. You can drop your donation in the basket before or after Mass. At other times you are welcome to use the SVDP box in church or mail your gift. We are most grateful to so many who continue to support your parish.
 
Helpful reminders

• Still no requirement to attend Mass, especially if you feel unsafe. This particularly pertains to those 65 and older and with medical conditions.
• Wear a facemask
• Bring antibacterial
• Do not block traffic – do not park in fire lanes – park only in parking spaces – you can also park in the lot at the side of the church, behind the school and at ACME and walk over

PLEASE BE REMINDED – BEFORE ENTERING OUR CHURCH – THINK – Do you have any cold or flu-like symptoms? – Have you spent time with anyone with a cold or flu-like symptoms? IF ANY APPLY TO YOU – DO NOT ENTER  – Stay home and get better - then come back!  Thank you!

Prayer Requests – The Prayer Intention Books in the narthex have been removed for safety. We still want to pray for your Intentions, especially for those who have the corona virus or have lost their lives because of it. We also want to pray for those on the front lines – doctors, nurses, emergency service workers and the people who care for our every day needs like grocery store workers, and those delivering the mail and our packages. Send your Intentions to rectory@stcolumbaonline.org 

The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Appointments are preferred. Call ahead. You must wear a face mask. Plexiglass has been installed at the desks. 

Baptisms on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 & 3:00 pm. Contact Deacon Bill to schedule. Brief ceremonies. Social distancing. Limited attendance.

Sponsor and Godparent certificates can be obtained by calling the Parish Office and ask for a priest or deacon. During the pandemic they will not be done after Mass or in person, only over the phone. Thank you!

Funeral Masses and Memorial Masses can be scheduled at 50% capacity of Church, social distance and other precautions. Monday to Friday at 10:00 am or noon. Saturdays 9:30 am or 11:30 am.

Weddings can be scheduled observing all requirements for social distancing at 50 % capacity of church.

Communion Calls - Some of our EM's have volunteered to bring Communion to the homebound. How we do it will be quite different. First, the EM will make sure the homebound person’s family agrees to these weekly visits. Second, the EM will wear a mask and carry sanitizer for use both before and after distributing Holy Communion. Third, the EM will ask to meet the homebound person on the front porch or back deck (outside the house). The EM will not enter the house. If necessary, Communion will be given at the door. Fourth, the EM will briefly say a prayer at a distance, give Communion, say the Our Father at a distance and depart. Any conversations should take place before or after by phone. This is for the safety of the homebound person and the EM. If you know someone who is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, email rectory@stcolumbaonline.org.

Anointings of those in danger of death and The Last Rites can possibly be offered, depending on the hospital or nursing home in Dutchess County. They can also be offered at home. Call the Parish Office. When the Office is closed you will be directed to the Emergency Line. 

 Care Ministry usually offers rides to doctors and home visits. This is not possible right now. But they are happy to offer telephone calls to anyone who may feel isolated and would like to talk to a fellow parishioner. They are now in contact with over twenty parishioners. Call 227-7430 and leave a message.
 
St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry is available. Some of our parishioners may have been laid off or lost their jobs. The food pantry can help you – call 227-7863 and leave a message – they will get back to you. Please consider making a donation toward our Food Pantry. Make your check payable to SVDP Food Pantry. Send it to St. Columba Church, SVDP Food Pantry, PO Box 428. Hopewell Junction NY 12533.
 
Act of Spiritual Communion: It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Prayer for Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, Come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there And unite myself wholly to you.  Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for Protection O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Our Lady of New York, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
 
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

See Video
https://vimeo.com/386732628

To give to the Cardinal's Appeal
https://Cardinalsappeal.org

Blog By Father Connolly
https://www.millennialpriestblog.com

Podcast - "Raising Saints" for Catholic Families by Father Connolly & Alexandra Sullivan
https://anchor.fm/raisingsaints

On our home page, click on ABOUT, then click on
"A Scriptural Tour of our Stained Glass Windows" on side bar, for our Church layout, history and stained glass windows. Second document contains an explanation of each statue located within our Parish.

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