Beginning on Monday, June 1, we are welcoming people from 9:00 – 11:00 am, Monday – Friday for private prayer in the Commons and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. For everyone’s safety you must wear a mask at all times, sanitize your hands before and as you leave and maintain physical distancing of six feet. As a precautionary measure we have a team of volunteers who will be sanitizing the prayer areas every day! Would you like to help? Call Bruce @ (518) 672-7901.
We will be placing the parish weekly Bulletin in a milk crate outside the front door to the church. Please do stop by and get a copy! (But do remember that paper can hold the COVID-19 virus for a time, so just to be extra safe, make sure to wash your hands when you get home.) Individuals may now go into the Prayer Garden: to pray and to walk the labyrinth. (Please practice social distancing and have a mask with you in case there are others nearby.) See information on the Prayer Garden and prayer suggestions for walking the labyrinth under the Prayer & Worship page or click the heading above. We are working on a plan for safely opening the Blessed Sacrament chapel for individual worship; I hope we can announce that plan very soon.
As Catholics, we have a rich heritage of faith, tradition, and social teaching to draw upon as we seek to live the Gospel faithfully in our own time and situation. As a community of faith, we seek to protect the life and dignity of every person, to care for those who are vulnerable, and to preserve our common home for our children and for future generations. In parishes, dioceses and other Catholic organizations, efforts are being encouraged to bring about discussion on issues affecting the environment (climate change, consumption, pollution, stewardship of the land) that is civil and constructive, that invokes the virtue of prudence in seeking solutions, and that is more responsive to the needs of the poor, both here in the United States and abroad. As Catholics, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to make a difference in addressing the impacts these issues present, particularly on those least able to endure the burdens. In his Encyclical Letter; Laudato Si’, Pope Francis teaches us that “everything is connected.” He invites all of us to come together in unity with him and other Catholics from around the world for Laudato Si' Week. In an effort to further the awareness of our common care for the world and it's inhabitants here are materials at the link below. They include a summary. Global Common Prayer, and activities. Prayer Card Link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xzu5hoCh4ZNdC7lRsmw7PgqqRn2b4Wtc/view Summary of Laudato Si' Link - https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/files/resource/attachment/LaudatoSiSummaryandActionSteps.pdf Laudato Si' Week Webinars - https://laudatosiweek.org/activities/ How to Create a St. Kateri Habitat Link - https://www.kateri.org/saint-kateri-habitat-2/ Mary Garden with Native Plants Link - https://www.kateri.org/saint-kateri-habitat-2/ How to Build a Butterfly Garden Link - https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/how-to-build-backyard-butterfly-garden/
The purpose of this group is to provide emotional, spiritual and logistical support for residents who have non-health related COVID 19 related needs. Support providers for the FAN include spiritual leaders of religions and denominations and mental health professionals. Foore information click on the heading for the information document.
NCR is sharing with our readers a liturgy resource put together by board member and composer Dan Schutte. During this time of global crisis, Schutte said he was feeling the loss of being able to celebrate the liturgy of the Easter Triduum with his home parish. This sadness inspired him to create a virtual celebration to help us be in communion, even though we are physically separated. You can find the entire Easter Triduum virtual celebration here. https://www.ncronline.org/news/spirituality/easter-triduum-holy-thursday?mc
You are invited to our parish's Zoom liturgy gathering at 11am on Easter. Please call 518-929-6666 or email melindacgardiner@gmail.com for the access information.
Hillsdale's Doorstep Deliverers is bringing groceries and medication to senior, immunocompromised, and otherwise at-risk community members facing COVID-19. Its 45 volunteers have been busy making deliveries in Hudson, Copake, Craryville, Hillsdale, Egremont, Great Barrington, and Pittsfield. Seeking to support local businesses that do not have the capacity to offer free deliveries, they deliver from any local supermarket or store that offers “curbside” pickup of orders paid for by phone. The volunteer group was started by students Reed Lessing and Kate Segel. If you or someone you know can benefit from this service, visit their website or call (518) 227-0613.
Please call the Parish Office 518-329-4711 if you need help with any of these things and someone will call you back: Shopping and drop off groceries or prescriptions at your door. Help with banking or post office if you don't have online resources. C.A.N. is a resource for small financial help. Call C.A.N. at 821-6931. Please note that we cannot give rides at this time.
You are invited to our parish's Zoom liturgy gatherings at 11am on Palm Sunday and Easter. Please call 518-929-6666 or email melindacgardiner@gmail.com for the access information.
All Masses and other events are cancelled at Our Lady of Hope until April 1st, 2020. See the "Resource" page (under the Home button) for daily & Sunday TV Mass links.
In light of the serious health risks to vulnerable populations due to the spread of the Coronavirus, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has temporarily dispensed with the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Until further notice, Catholics should use their prudential judgment as to whether or not to attend Mass. Older adults, people with underlying medical conditions, and family members of such individuals should take special care in discerning the best course of action. At this time, Mass will continue to be offered publicly in most cases, contingent on emergency governmental restrictions regarding large gatherings. “Be it ever so humble, home is the safest place to weather a storm. Until this current health crisis passes, the best thing we can do to take care of ourselves and one another is not to wander aimlessly, but to stick together with purpose. We can stay comfortable at home and we can comfort one another,” Bishop Scharfenberger wrote in a letter to the faithful. For Catholics who cannot attend Mass in their areas due to restrictions or health issues, the diocese has put together a page of spiritual resources, including links to daily Scripture readings and televised Masses, for those who would like to pray along with the Mass at home. Visit www.rcda.org/coronavirus/resources. In addition, the Diocese continues to provide updated guidelines related to preventing the spread of Coronavirus at liturgical celebrations, as well as links to national and statewide guidelines at www.rcda.org/coronavirus." Giovanni Virgiglio, Jr. | Diocesan Chancellor