Saint Columba RC Church

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

We Share is On Line Giving with many 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 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 sign up for We Share - click below:

 stcolumbahj.weshareonline.org

FATHER JOHN BENNET FINAL WEEKEND
Father John has been a great blessing to our parish these past three months. On Friday, September 30 he will return to Rome for one more year to complete his degree. After that, he will return home to India. When you get a moment, please thank him for his service to St. Columba. 

SEMINARY COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND
St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, Yonkers is our major Seminary. It prepares young men for the priesthood here in the Archdiocese of New York. Your generous donation this weekend in the second collection will help to train our future priests who will serve at St. Columba.

RITE OF ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ORDER OF CATECHUMENS
During the 9:00 Mass this Sunday, Jessica Jackson shall become a Catechumen as she continues to prepare to become a member of the Catholic Church.   Please pray for Jessica as she prepares for Baptism and her other sacraments of initiation next Easter.

CYO BASKETBALL
Sign up NOW @www.stcolumbabasketball.net

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
In honor of St. Francis and asking his intercession, we will have our annual Blessing of Animals on Saturday, October 1 at 12 noon on the lawn in front of the church. All animals, great and small, are welcome!

SAFETY AND SECURITY 
Our Safety and Security Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 28 at 7:00 pm in the Bishop Dom Room. For more information, please visit us at the Ministry Fair.

ANNUAL CONVENTION OF PASTORS
The annual gather of Pastors for prayer, education and fraternity will be held October 3-6 in New Jersey. Father Michael will attend.

MINISTRY FAIR THIS WEEKEND AFTER ALL MASSES
St. Columba Parish kindly invites all of our parishioners to join us at our 2022 Ministry Fair, taking place this weekend, Sept. 24th & 25th, after all Masses in the gym. Come and explore all of the support and love provided by our parishioner focused ministries. Whether you have a particular need, wish to volunteer or just want to have a deeper relationship with your parish, come join us. It’s a great community to belong to! Oh yes, refreshments will be served!

Listing of Programs/Organization participating:

Liturgical Ministries – Parishioners serve as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass and to the Homebound, Ushers, Greeters and Altar Servers. Greeters also assist at Funeral Masses, First Communions and Confirmations.

Adoration Chapel – Parishioners spend one hour a week in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Currently 4:00 – 8:00 pm, we hope to expand hours with enough volunteers.

The St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus Council #4065 is comprised of Catholic men, 18 years or older, who would like to make a difference in their lives, their family lives and the lives of the people in our parish community through our service to all.

St. Mary’s Columbiettes - The Columbiettes is an organization of Catholic women dedicated to promoting the spiritual, social,
and charitable welfare of our members by serving our parish community.

Parish Council – Council members are chosen yearly by lot to assist the Pastor in the care of the parish, serving as an advisory and sounding board.

Finance Council – Council members are appointed by the Pastor to help oversee the finances of the parish and ensuring that good financial practices are in place.

Tri-Parish Respect Life Coalition - Supporting life from conception to natural death Mission Statement: To speak for those who don’t have a voice through our prayers, our smiles and our service consumed by the love of Christ. Our pledge is to teach the truth about the Greatest Gift God has given us… LIFE.

The Care Ministry serves registered parishioners of St. Columba in several ways. We drive people to mass and doctors. appointments, we make wellness phone calls and visits, we also provide meals on an emergency basis only and we do light yard work - not regular weekly mowing, more like cleaning up branches after a storm and raking leaves in the fall.

St. Denis – St. Columba School – Although a Regional School, St. Columba maintains a vibrant relationship with the school and continues to support it financially. Families are encouraged to consider a Catholic education.
 
Religious Education - Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. What better way to bring the children to Jesus than to teach them about the Blessed Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Come join our Religious Education program in teaching our Saint Columba children about God’s love! No experience necessary, we’ll help you.

Parish Safety and Security Ministry -  The Safety and Security Committee consists of representation from clergy, ushers, active/retired law enforcement, medically trained parishioners, security experts, and facility management. The primary focus of the committee involves accessing,  planning and training to address emergencies that can arise during Mass. The Committee develops emergency operation plans, conducts training and exercises, and address other safety or security concerns that arise.

Bible Study -Various new Bible Studies will be offered this year, including one led by Father Walter and a Young Mother’s Bible Study Group. Check us out at the Ministry Fair.

St. Joseph’s Men’s Group - Catholic men gather 2-3 times monthly to study and reflect on Jesus’ Gospel. In the charitable spirit of St. Joseph, our men perform acts of kindness and support for our parish and community
such as building bunk beds for families in need. “Every Child Deserves a Bed.

Tri-Parish Altar Rosary Society - Devoted women from St. Columba, St. Dennis and St. Kateri promoting the advancement of
spiritual, financial and social well being of our three parishes.

The Music Ministry serves at all weekend masses. Cantors proclaim the Psalm, sing the Gospel Acclamation, and lead congregational singing. The Adult Choir is comprised of singers of high school age and older singing at the 10:30 Mass.

St. Vincent dePaul Food Pantry- Our Tri-Parish Food Pantry  is comprised of members from St. Dennis, St. Columba and St. Kateri Parishes. The Food Pantry provides supplemental food assistance, Holiday Food Baskets and back to school supplies to our neighbors in need within our parish boundaries.
 
Hospitality Committee - The Hospitality Committee brings parishioners together after the Masses one Sunday a month to enjoy coffee, cake and socializing with our parish family. We also take the hospitality lead for many planned Parish Events.

Church Decorating Committee - Parish volunteers come together to decorate our church for holidays and special events.

Good Samaritan Service Ministry - We provide service project opportunities on a monthly basis for families in the Parish, with a focus on inviting adults to accompany youth, including teens, on their faith journey by means of service to others.

CYFM - In the spirit and tradition of St. Francis of Assisi, Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries (CYFM) is rebuilding today’s Catholic Church by reaching out to young people and their families through retreats, parish ministry, and service to the poor.

St. Columba Social Media- Our social media group is an extension of the Church’s mission to proclaim the gospel. We live stream Masses, share Christ-centered content, and church events to foster a deeper belief in our faith through our parish worship services.

NY Catholic Radio - Dedicated to spreading the truth and love of the Catholic Church by radio, the internet and social media.

Alpha & Christ Life - Alpha is an opportunity to explore life, faith, and God with others. It is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, run over eight weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and then there are small groups designed to create friendly, open and informal discussion. Christ Life offers people who have gone through Alpha an opportunity to go deeper into their faith and learn how to share their faith confidently to help bring others to faith in Jesus Christ.

Student Leadership Mass - The Student Mass is held once a month throughout the school year at the Sunday 9:00am Mass.
Students participate in various roles during Mass such as Lectures, Greeters, Offertory Petitions, and Gift Bearers.

RCIA -  For Adults thinking about becoming Catholic or wish to complete their sacraments: St. Columba’s RCIA Group (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). If you are an adult (18+) who has not yet been baptized, baptized in another Christian Faith or a Catholic who has not received First Communion and/or been Confirmed, this is the place for you!

IGNITE is a group of young adults who seek to create an environment in which young Catholics can grow in their faith
with each other. We seek to imitate Christ the Way, the Truth, and the Life through prayer, study, fellowship, and service.

Helping Hands - Devoted ladies of St. Columba hand crafting Rosaries out of nearly indestructible paracord for our troops as they are not permitted to carry conventional Rosary Beads.

The Apostles of the Resurrection are lay women who follow the charismas of the Sisters of the Resurrection and model
their love of the risen Jesus in acts of fellowship, service and spiritual works.

Secular Franciscans are committed to live the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. Members live in the world and their primary sphere of activity and influence is in the ordinary events of daily life in their families, communities, workplaces and their parishes.

SCHOOL WINDOWS
As part of our Renew and Rebuild Campaign, we dedicated some of the funds to the replacement of the school windows. Here is where we stand:
Phase One – Abatement Issues. This task is done
Phase Two – Installation of New Windows. This task is done. It is a vast improvement in appearance, functionality, and heat savings.
Phase Three – New Shades for Classrooms.  The shades are ordered and are manufactured to order here in the USA. They will be installed upon delivery.

FURTHER PROJECTS – With Renew and Rebuild Funds we are replacing the boiler in the convent and upgrading the video system in the school gym.
Thanks again to ALL who donated to the Renew and Rebuild Campaign. Please continue to keep up with your pledges. God bless you!

RENEW AND REBUILD as of September 16, 2022
Pledge Goal - $1,709,000.00
Amount Pledged - $1,766,677.27
Paid - $1,592,315.93
Balance - $173,361.34
Number of Gifts - 530

FOR ADULTS THINKING ABOUT BECOMING CATHOLIC OR WISH TO COMPLETE THEIR SACRAMENTS
St. Columba’s RCIA Group (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) meets every Sunday at 10:00 am in the Bishop Dom Room.
If you are an adult (18+) who has not yet been baptized, baptized in another Christian Faith or a Catholic who has not received First Communion and/or been Confirmed, this is the place for you!
Please contact Deacon Chris at 845-227-8380 or come to one of our sessions to find our more.

THE CARDINAL'S APPEAL 2022 - YOU DID IT!!!
We are over the top!!! Thank you so much!!!
Closing in on 500 donors - truly a parish effort!!!
On line giving - https://cardinalsappeal.org/    Note - ask credit to your parish!
As of September 16, 2022:
Goal - $124,500.00
Pledged - $131,825.00
Number of Gifts - 463
Average Gift - $284.72
Thank you and God bless you!!!

ABOUT LAST RITES AND ANOINTING OF THE SICK
If possible, please do not wait until the last minute to request these Sacraments. Both Vassar Hospital and Mid-Hudson Regional have Pastoral Care Departments with Catholic priests assigned to them. They can easily and quickly offer the Sacraments.  Please call them first. The Anointing of the Sick is available every day after Mass or by appointment. Speak to a priest before or after any Mass. Your priests also administer Last Rites at home. Again, if possible, do not wait until the last minute especially after hours. Of course, emergencies cannot be planned, and we will do our best to help.

SPONSOR AND GODPARENT CERTIFICATES
These can be obtained by calling the Parish Office and ask for a priest or deacon. They are not done after Mass or in person, only over the phone.

St. Columba LIVESTREAM - Sundays at 10:30 am  here: http://www.facebook.com/stcolumbahj
Videos also archived on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/saintcolumbahopewell

VIDEO OF OUR CHURCH - Produced by Baker Liturgical Art - https://youtu.be/pr5Sr0e3nIU

TRAVELING AND LOOKING FOR A CATHOLIC CHURCH? Churches Open Near Me

PLEASE CONSIDER REMEMBERING St. COLUMBA PARISH IN YOUR WILL - For more information go to - https://plannedgiving.archny.org/

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