Feeding those in need on Souper Bowl Sunday

For the 12th year in a row, our parish is participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring. We are providing food help for those in need through the Souper Bowl of Caring and YouGiveGoods. Thank you for your support of our efforts.

ygg_default_image_foodYour monetary donations in church will support the work of Schenectady Inner City Ministry. You can donate food online through our YouGiveGoods donation page. Food donations will be provided to Concerned For The Hungry.

Scripture asks us to be attentive to the needs of others.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, Matthew 25:35

John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” Luke 3:11

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:17

  • The Souper Bowl collections go to many charities and so helps many organizations. (Matthew 25:35-36).
  • It follows God’s commands to care of the poor by leaving some of what we have and opening our hearts to them (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 15:7-8).
  • Only asking for a dollar means everyone can participate (2 Corinthians 8:1-4).
  • By doing this in our church, we are setting an example of caring for those in need (1 Timothy 4:12).
  • It is a way we can remember the poor on a day when we are thinking about other things (Galatians 2:10).
  • Since the Souper Bowl does not tell people where to send their collection, it does not exclude anyone (James 2:1-4).
  • It also gives us a chance to trust God when we serve and to see how He blesses us as we do (Phillipians 4:19, Deuteronomy 15:10).

More than 20 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group:

“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat.”

Since that day, more than $90 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and serving.

Be part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need. Please give generously on Super Bowl Sunday.

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First Soup on Sunday — Thank You

Our first ever Soup on Sunday event was wonderful. Thank you to Bob and Stephanie for coordinating, for all who came to work, for the support of Golub Corporation and Hannaford Markets, and to our guests. We look forward to our second Soup on Sunday to be held Sunday, January 27th. Tell everyone you know to join us for a warm meal – always FREE!

Soup on Sunday

Starting Sunday, December 30th and on the last Sunday of every month at Holy Name of Jesus Parish Hall, 1040 Pearl Street in Schenectady (between Crane and Chrisler Avenues). Come enjoy a great bowl of homemade soup and a beverage (plus more) in a safe place. Everyone is welcome.

Soup on Sunday is absolutely FREE!!!

What: Soup on Sunday
When: Sunday, December 30, 2012
Where: 1040 Pearl St., Schenectady
Time: 11:30am till 1:30pm
Other: Free, open to all, a great bowl of soup, a safe place to enjoy a meal.

Special Note – Events and Times for Sunday, December 16th

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out – Acts 3:19

Next Sunday, December 16th, we observe the Third Sunday of Advent, the lighting of the Third Advent Candle. On this Sunday we traditionally add to our Advent preparations during Holy Mass with a special Advent Penitential Service.

Proper Advent preparation requires that we free ourselves of sin. This is our opportunity. In this special preparatory moment we are better able to examine our conscience and put forth our best effort to make things right with God and our neighbor. These special penitential services occur only twice a year – so it is vitally important that we attend, participate, and celebrate together.

Following Holy Mass we will take time to enjoy fellowship, our Youth Christmas presentation, and join in preparing all those wonderful meatless dishes we will share with each other at our Vigil Dinner starting at 11:30am.

To allow sufficient time for our Penitential Service, Holy Mass, our Youth Presentation, and our Vigil Dinner we will begin at 8:45am with the lighting of the Advent Wreath immediately followed by our Penitential Service, receipt of the Sacrament of Penance, and Holy Mass. We are pleased to have Fr. Rafał Dadiełło from Holy Spirit Parish in Little Falls join us to administer the Sacrament of Penance and to offer Holy Mass.

St. Paul reminds us: All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation — 2 Corinthians 5:18. God gave His Holy Church the power to loose us of our sins -– come and be made free once again in the love of God who has reconciled all things to Himself in Christ Jesus. Then free, join in celebrating the coming season with each other.

Advent Charity – food gathering and fresh water wells

Rather than lamenting the trends of society, and complaining about the secularization of Jesus’ birth, let’s resolve to do something positive.

Let our preparation focus first on prayer – a prayer of hope and anticipation for God’s coming among us. Pray for reconciliation and an end to greed.

Let us then also sacrifice for those in need.

This Advent we will put out a donation basket. Our contributions will be used toward the purchase of a well for people in need of fresh water through Operation Christmas Child/Samaritan’s Purse. Women and children in developing countries usually walk miles to reach the nearest water source—which might be a stagnant pond or polluted stream. Samaritan’s Purse is working to solve this problem by building and repairing hundreds of wells, along with providing pumps and other equipment, across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Costs range from $400 for a hand-dug well serving a few families to $10,000 for a deep-drilled well serving an entire community.

We will also be collecting food, gloves, and hats for those in need in our immediate community. Canned, dried, and non-perishable foods, as well mittens, gloves, and hats are all needed. The latest U.S. census figures show an alarming statistic — 50.8 percent of Schenectady’s children live below the poverty line. For a family of four, that means a yearly income of less than $22,350. That number, provided as part of the 2011 American Community Survey, puts Schenectady 13th in the nation for highest childhood poverty rate among cities over 65,000 in population.

God bless you for your generosity and sacrifice in preparation for Jesus’ coming.

Rap with us on Back to Church Sunday – September 16th

Join and rap with us as we explore our relationship with Jesus.

Yes, Jesus who loves us.
Jesus, who is our friend.
Jesus, who doesn’t care how we dress or look, who doesn’t care whether we are rich or poor, who only longs to welcome us.

Back to Church Sunday at Holy Name – September 16th, 9:30am.
Breakfast served after services.

Parishioners invited to a BBQ

The members of our parish have been invited to a BBQ sponsored by the YMSofR at Blessed Virgin Mary of Częstochowa PNC parish in Latham. The BBQ will be held this coming Sunday, July 8th starting around 11am.

This is a great opportunity to share in fellowship with members of the PNCC from across the Capital District and Mohawk Valley.

The BBQ will be held on the BVMC church grounds at 250 Old Maxwell Rd, Latham, NY. Food and refreshments will include smoked BBQ ribs, BBQ chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs, and of course kielbasa.

Feel free to bring a salad or a side dish to share. Also, bring lawn chairs and if you wish lawn games, umbrellas (for the sun), bathing suits for the water slide, a big appetite, and your favorite music.