NEVER FORGET – Friday marks the 19th Anniversary of the terrible events of 9/11. Because their immune systems have been compromised, many survivors of 9/11 and who worked in rescue operations have been terribly affected by the pandemic. Many lives were lost to COVID-19. The death toll rises. May we never forget them nor their many sacrifices on our behalf.
CONFESSIONALS – We are now hearing confessions in the
confessionals. Plastic has been placed over the screens and temporary walls
have been put up. So, for now, there is no face to face option. You can stand, kneel,
or sit – your choice. Confessions are heard at St. Columba on Saturdays from
8:30 – 9:00 pm and from 4:00 – 5:00 pm. There are some other options at our
Cluster Parishes: St Kateri offers confessions on Mondays from 7:30 – 8:30 pm
and on Wednesdays after the 9:00 am Mass. St. Denis offers confessions on
Saturdays from 8:00 – 8:45 am and from 3:30 – 4:30 pm.
ST. DENIS – ST. COLUMBA SCHOOL IS OPEN – Almost 300
students are enrolled this year. Kindergarten and First Grade are full time.
The rest of the school is hybrid: students rotate coming in three days a week
or two days a week. Some students are full time online learning. Our principal,
Sister Kathleen and her amazing faculty are working hard and facing these many
challenges head on. Please pray for them and for the health and safety of all
involved in our school.
MEETING SPACE – St. Denis – St. Columba School is
using every inch of space in the building during this time of pandemic. Kindergarten
is in the cafeteria and first grade is in the gym. So, until conditions
improve, there is no available space in the school building for any group
meetings. The Bishop Dom Room is available and can be used for meetings –
providing there is social distance and all precautions are taken. Call our
Parish Manager Gary if your group would like to use this space.
LIVESTREAM MASS – Our new mini TV studio is almost
ready. Our goal is to have it up and running by Confirmations on September 26.
It is time to recruit volunteers who will help us run it. We wish to livestream
one Mass every day as well as special liturgies such as Confirmations and
Communions. No experience is necessary. We will train you. If we have enough
volunteers it will not be a burden on anyone. Email Gary at manager@stcolumbaonline.org if
you are interested. We will get word to our Social Media team.
CANTORS – We are looking for a few good cantors to
join our rotation at weekend Masses. One needs a good voice and a willingness
to practice and learn the chants we are using. Please email Gary at manager@stcolumbaonline.org if
you would like to set up an audition. We will pass on the info to Cathy Reale.
USHERS AND GREETERS – This group has done an amazing
job helping us to move back and forth between indoor and outdoor Masses. In
November, we will move all Masses back into Church and return to our normal
weekend schedule – 7:30, 9, 10:30 and noon. This is when we will need more help.
New ushers and greeters will be needed. Would you be willing to join our Mass
teams? Email Gary at manager@stcolumbaonline.org
and let us know! We will get word to Pat Moor and his amazing team.
MEDICAL TEAM – We have a group of men and women who have
volunteered to help keep us safe at Mass. They understand our medical equipment
and know how to use it. Would you like to join our team? You will receive brief
training. All we ask is that you be available in an emergency when you come to Mass.
Please email Gary at manager@stcolumbaonline.org
and we will get the info to Mary Ann Servidio.
SPRING SACRAMENTS IN THE FALL – Spring Confirmations cancelled
due to the Pandemic will be offered on September 26 and October 3. Spring First
Communions cancelled due to the Pandemic will be offered on October 17 and 24.
Due to extremely limited seating, these liturgies will not be open to the
public. Please pray for our Confirmandi and First Communicants.
DIACONATE ORDINATIONS - Steve Broussard and Dennis McCormack
will be ordained Deacons by Cardinal Dolan on October 31 at 9:00 am at St.
Patrick’s Cathedral. Due to the pandemic, each candidate is restricted in the number
of people he can invite. There is no general seating available. Please continue
to pray for Steve and Dennis as they prepare for ordination and service to God’s
people.
PARISH MEETINGS
ST. VINCENT DEPAUL – Zoom on September 9 at 7:00 pm
CORE STAFF – Zoom on Monday, September 14 at 12:00
noon
PARISH COUNCIL – Zoom on Monday, September 14 at 7:00
pm
FINANCE COUNCIL – Zoom on Tuesday, September 15 at
7:15 pm
WELCOME SISTER CHERREE!
We are delighted that the Sisters of the Resurrection
have assigned another Sister to our convent and parish community. What an
incredible blessing! We have asked Sister Cherree to offer a brief
introduction. Welcome Sister Cherree!
Dear Parishioners of St. Columba Parish,
At the age of 10 my family left a small Island off the coast of Newfoundland
called Bell Island. Off to Brooklyn, NY we went. As a young child I
was in shock; I cried every day because trees grew out of concrete!
Meeting friends on our block and attending St. Agatha’s School I readily
adapted to this strange new world.
I was 14 years old when my family moved to Howell, NJ. After meeting a
few neighbors, the next group I was introduced to was the Sisters of the
Resurrection. I was in the 1st grade when I knew I wanted to be a
Sister. In Newfoundland and then in Brooklyn I was taught by Sisters of
Mercy. And here was something new. I attended St. Joseph HS,
now Donovan Catholic, for my freshman year, and then entered the Aspirancy of
the Sisters of the Resurrection for the remainder of my HS and Formation.
After teaching for 5 years in Schenectady, Lake Placid, and Newburgh, I was
assigned to St. Veronica School in Howell, NJ. My family was as surprised
as I to be sent so near to home. The first two years I taught 2nd grade,
which was a delight for me. Then I was asked to create a Pre-K program -
I could not have been happier! Rainbow Patch opened in the basement of
the Convent and was there for 8 years before moving into the new addition of
the “big school”. At that time, I was assigned to St. Francis School in
Newburgh, NY as principal. It was only 2 years later that I was assigned
back to St. Veronica School as principal.
Those 30 years in administration were an absolute JOY for me! I met so
many people along the way. And because I’ve heard so many wonderful
things about you, I look forward to getting to know you, too!
God was preparing me for “Something New” as I awaited His still, small
voice. I am very happy to be here with you at St. Columba. I have visited
our Sisters here numerous times and was always impressed with the beautiful
spirit in your parish! I am very excited to be here at St. Columba as Sr.
Kathleen’s Administrative Assistant. I thank God for His calling me to
your wonderful parish.
May God fill you and your families with an abundance of His Love and Grace!
Sister Cherree Ann Power, C.R.
