117 Hudson Avenue Chatham, NY part of the Tri-Parish Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County WELCOME WHEREVER YOU ARE ON YOUR LIFE’S JOURNEY PASTOR: Rev. George P. Fleming OUR MISSION: Energized by the Eucharist and Scripture we are a welcoming and affirming community that celebrates Christ Jesus in our midst. We value prayer, education, art, music, and the beauty of God’s creation in our quest for spiritual growth and social justice in the world. Accepted at Liturgy by the St James Parish Community, April 12 and 13, 2014 filled prophet who is able to trumpet the role of his Parish Message from Father George son who, in turn, will point the way to Jesus Christ. This weekend we are trumpeting our youth, You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; particularly the graduates whose lives are moving in for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, new directions. May they have people believe in them to give his people knowledge of salvation as much as Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and by the forgiveness of their sins. Zechariah, believed in their sons. May they never lose In the tender compassion of our God sight of what it means to trust in, and nurture, faith, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, hope and love. For those times that they or we may to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the lose our way, may we never lose the courage to return. shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:76-79 I invite you to pray over the portion of the Canticle with which I began, and perhaps to read the entire The Canticle of Zechariah, also known as passage of Zachariah’s Canticle, Luke 1.67-79. The Zechariah’s Prophesy, is not part of our readings this three verses I highlighted appear to me to be a rallying weekend, but I can’t help but think how special these cry for each of us representing every generation. verses are for our communities. We are particularly Filled with the Holy Spirit, we are called as children blessed at St. John the Baptist that the Solemnity in of God to lead people to Jesus; pointing the way by honor of the church’s patron saint is being celebrated word and example, bringing them knowledge of this year on Sunday when more of us will celebrate. God’s healing and compassion, and truly shedding For all our parishes however, these words embody light in a world full of darkness and shadows. what it means to be true disciples and how to live out Ultimately, we are called to guide others to the way of our baptismal call. peace which is offered to each of us. To quote Zachariah, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,” and may that same God bless all of you in return. The father of John has been mute for the nine months since the angel came to him with news of the Fr. George upcoming birth. His incredulous reaction and lack of trust resulted in, what we might call, a ‘time out’. Once he professes that the name of their child would indeed be John, as Elizabeth first announces, he is Website: www.stjameschatham.org transformed and takes on the role of a wise, faith- THE COMMUNITY OF ST. JAMES CHATHAM, NY PARISH STEWARDSHIP PARISH OUTREACH Please pray for the: Sick, Homebound & those who care for them, Needs of the Community, Peace in the World, & for Contact: Denise Barry 518 392-4731 all men & women in our armed forces & their families. Many thanks to the parishioners who sponsored walkers in the American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life” on June 15. More than $1200. was raised Lorinda Ackley, Harper Adkins, Morgan Alexandrov, Mary to date. Your generosity is much appreciated. Artese, Paul Davis, Mike Denick, William Farrell, Paula Volunteers are welcome at Whittier Adult Home in Ghent to play “memory” Frederick, Billy Glasser, Doug Haines, Carolee Harrell, Leah games, read to residents, offer companionship, and/or engage in other one- Hennessy, Linda Hess, Peggy Keough, Julia Kilcer, Emily on-one activities. Please call Karen Lent, Activities Director, at (518) 828- 0900 if you would like to get involved. Lanphear, Barbara Laspada, Jim Martin, Lori McLaughlin, Melissa Murray, Susan O’Connor, Terry Okolowich, Bob Riegel, The International Eyeglasses Campaign that we have every summer begins Kathy Romano, Kathleen Scherer, Thomas Snowden, Jake next week and extends through the end of August. A receptacle will be in the Gathering Space to collect prescription glasses, inexpensive reading glasses, Stomieroski, Brother Tim, Erica Wager, Alice Wettach and sunglasses for distribution by Lions Club International. Last year hun- dreds of pairs were forwarded from the Northern Columbia Catholic Com- Please Note: Please contact the Church Office (518 392-4991), munity. if new names need to be added or deleted. After 2 months the names are written in the Book of Prayer Petitions unless This week three twin beds were delivered from donors to recipients through our Furniture Exchange program. Two of the beds were moved from East otherwise requested. Chatham to Hudson for social work clients. The other bed was moved from Canaan to Chatham for a disabled gentleman. The Furniture Exchange pro- gram is one of our most active OutReach endeavors. If you have household Bereavement Support Group furnishings to give away, please call the OutReach number (392-5731). A Bereavement Support Group has been organized for those Tri-Parish community service coordinators are invited to attend our annual that have experienced the loss of a spouse or parent and those OutReach meeting this week on Thursday, June 28 at 7pm at St. James. The purpose of the meeting is to share ideas about serving the community. Chat- experiencing general bereavement/grief. The monthly sessions ham-area churches, the Chatham Synagogue, and parishes in the Northern will help guide people through their grieving process in a safe Columbia Catholic Community plan interfaith activities to the extent that and supportive environment. It takes courage to face the many each faith community wishes to participate. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served. feelings and life changes resulting from the death of a loved one. By participating in a support group, you will have the oppor- tunity to share with others who are grieving, learn about the process of grief and be supported during a difficult time. FINANCIALS Confidentiality is a key component to the success of the group Total Collection process. The group will be facilitated by June 17, 2018 $ 3,848.50 Maureen Carty-Martin, RN who has June 18, 2017 $ 4,392.00 completed the diocesan Bereavement Facilitator Training Program and Thank you to those who each week by using envelopes specializes in Geriatrics, Hospice and and through On Line Giving. Palliative Care. For more information, ATTENTION SINGLE WOMEN: Could please call Maureen at 518-330-9260. God be calling YOU? Do you think God may be calling you to the religious life – a Bishop’s Appeal 2018 life of love and service through the vows of The Appeal is underway…St. James Church poverty, chastity, and obedience? Would 2018 Bishop’s Appeal Assessment is you like to learn more about such a life? If $54,334.00. you would like to learn more about the religious life, Total Gifts/Pledges for 2018 Appeal (to date): please contact Sister Laurie-Marie, C.R. at laurie- $18,000 from 69 families. [email protected] or call (518) 453-6690 for more Please help us reach our goal!! Thank you! information. Our Lady of Vocations, pray for us! NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST JUNE 23, 2018 PARISH INFORMATION MASS INTENTIONS Requested by: MASS TIMES: Saturday June 23 Saturday, 5:30 PM 5:30 pm Sunday, 9:00 AM Sunday June 24 Weekdays: Tuesday & Friday at 8:00AM 9:00 am John Wallace Peggy Wilhelm Holy Days: To be announced 9:00 am Robert Scannell Steve Gitto PARISH OFFICE: at Colbert House Monday June 25 129 Hudson Ave. Chatham, NY 12037 11:00 am St. John the Baptist STAFF: Office Assistant: Judy Thornton Tuesday June 26 email: [email protected] 8:00 am Sam Simone Pat Dieffenbach Phone: 518-392-4991 Wednesday June 27 Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11:00 am St. John the Baptist Hours: 9:00AM to 1:00 PM Pastoral Associate for Administration & Parish Life Friday June 29 Ann McCauley 8:00 am email: [email protected] Saturday June 30 In Case of Emergency: 518-303-3636 Website: www.stjameschatham.org 5:30 pm Music Director Justine Rodriguez Sunday July 1 Phone: 518-986-9800 9:00 am John P Monaghan Jack + Emma Yurish email: [email protected] 9:00 am Earl Sr, Ruby+Harold McCagg Martin O’Grady Asylum Response from the USCCB If you have scheduled a Mass Intention and would like to This statement was issued by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the bring up the gifts, please see an usher before Mass. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) , June 13 on behalf of all U.S. bishops, including Bishop Scharfenberger: "At its core, asylum is an instrument to preserve the right to life. The Attor- ney General's recent decision elicits deep concern because it potentially strips asylum from many women who lack adequate protection. These vul- nerable women will now face return to the extreme dangers of domestic violence in their home country. This decision negates decades of precedents St.