SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY
This year the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady (August 15) falls on a Saturday. Therefore, IT IS NOT a Holy Day of Obligation this year. Mass in honor of the Assumption of Our Lady will be held this Saturday at 8:00 am.  

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday 5:30 pm in church
Sunday 8:00 am outdoors (weather permitting)
          10:00 am outdoors (weather permitting)
          12:00 noon in church
Seating is at 33% capacity. We are prepared to offer “overflow Masses” at 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Please come first to church. You will be directed to the gym if needed.

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT ST. COLUMBA 2020-2021
Our Religious Education Program will resume on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Distance Learning is deemed to be the best immediate format for the safety, comfort, and minimalization of logistics for all. The experience and quality of our catechists coupled with our new program – “Christ In Us” – should help us provide and enriching formation in Faith and Sacrament reception. Students are registered according to a specific day and time with no more than 14 students per group.  This organization will allow us to seamlessly return to the classroom when the crisis is no longer a health threat. More specific information will be forthcoming.
To realize our plan, seven (7) more parishioners are needed to serve as catechists. Please help us to love and serve our young parishioners! Call our Religious Education Office at 845-221-4900.
If you have not yet signed up your children for Religious Ed, please do not delay! Do it this week. Thank you!

SACRAMENTS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR THE SPRING
CONFIRMATION – All Ceremonies, not Mass
Saturday, September 26 at 10:30 am – Bishop Dominick
Saturday, October 3 at 10:30 am & 1:30 pm – Bishop Colacicco
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Saturday, October 17 at 9:30 am & Noon
Saturday, October 24 at 9:30 am
NOTE – Logistics still need to be worked out, but we are working on it. The church will be a maximum 50% capacity, and the Confirmandi/First Communicants will need to be spread out, so seating for guests will be extremely limited. We plan to livestream each liturgy. Thank you for understanding these unprecedented circumstances. What is most important is that our young people and children will receive these Sacraments!

CONDOLENCES
Our friends the Oblates to the Blessed Trinity suffered the loss of one of their sisters in the Bronx, Sister Clara Luz Chinchilla (age 91). Her Funeral Mass will be offered here today (Thursday) at 1:30 pm and she will be buried at St. Denis Cemetery after the Funeral Mass. Please pray for the repose of her soul.

PRIEST TIME AWAY
Father Connolly will be away from St. Columba August 17-21. Father Michael will be away August 24-29.

Our Bookkeeper, Mary Gallagher, estimates that due to the pandemic, our Collections are short about $1,000 each week. We are so grateful to all who are trying to keep up with their donations. Perhaps some who are reading this are not regular givers to St. Columba. Would you consider adding your support, especially during these challenging days? An easy way to give is We Share. Check our parish web site for more information.

Cardinal’s Appeal
Goal - $139,000.00
Pledges - $93,659.00
Gifts – 402
Average Gift - $232.98

Renew and Rebuild
Pledged - $1,758,121.92
Paid - $1,092,754.58
God bless you for your generosity, especially during these difficult times.

A New 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:

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

Outdoors Masses - bring chairs!
Saturday - 5:30 pm (in church)
Sunday - 8:00 am & 10:00 am (outdoors) - 12:00 noon (in church)
Church open 7:00 am until after last Mass or Baptism

Bad Weather - all indoors at 33% capacity
Overflow Masses at 8:00 am & 10:00 am in gym (come to church first)

Daily Schedule - all outdoors this summer - bring chairs (bad weather-indoors)
Monday - Wednesday - Friday
Mass at 8:00 am
Adoration 4:00 - 8:00 pm (Benediction 7:50 pm)
Church open 7:00 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 - Outdoors - side parking lot
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 on the sidewalk near the altar at every Mass (in church near the entrance). You can walk up either before or after any Mass and drop your donation in the basket. 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.
• Bring chairs
• 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.
• School bathrooms will be open
• Reception of Communion is at the end of Mass – keep 6 ft distance on the Communion lines.

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 33% 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 33 % capacity of church.

Wedding Anniversaries - 25th & 50th - have been moved to Sunday, September 20. More information when restrictions are lifted.

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. 

First Communions have been rescheduled for October 17 at 9:30 am and 12:00 noon and on October 24 at 9:30 am. These dates may have to be adjusted for safety's sake.
 
Confirmations have been rescheduled for September 26 and October 3, 2020. These dates may have to be adjusted for safety's sake. 
 
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.
 
Catholic Schools are closed for the school year. The office at St. Denis – St. Columba School is closed but you can leave messages.
 
Religious Education Programs and Youth Ministry Programs are closed for the school year. The Religious Ed Office is closed but you can leave messages. 
 
 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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