This year's Faith Formation program will begin tonight at 6:30 PM with our Welcome Back Mass. We invite all families to join us in the church to celebrate the beginning of another year.
Share your gifts and talents with our
Music Ministry!
Come, let us sing for joy! St. Edward’s Choral Season is underway, and our Music Ministry invites you to join with us as we make music for our Lord. We welcome all singers and instrumentalists! Please consider joining us in one or more of the different musical opportunities that we offer – - The Wednesday Choir, our traditional adult choir, meets from 6:30PM to 8:00PM on Wednesdays.
- The Thursday Choir, our adult Contemporary Ensemble, meets from 6:30PM to 8:00PM Thursdays
- The Youth Ensemble rehearses on Monday evenings at 6:30PM.
- The Funeral Choir meets as needed; this ministry is for you if your schedule is flexible and you would like to offer solace to grieving families.
- The Choristers, our children’s choir, will begin rehearsals on October 17.
- Bell Choir rehearses at the director’s discretion.
COATS FOR THE COMMUNITY SAVE THE DATE AND SAVE SOME COATS!
With the first days of Fall upon us we are reminded that there are many among us for whom securing a good winter coat will be difficult. Please go through your closets to locate NEW OR GENTLY USED coats and snow pants that are clean. Adult and children’s sizes are needed. The Ladies of Charity, a Catholic Women’s organization, will be distributing them in October to families residing in Cohoes, Green Island, Waterford and Watervliet. You may leave coats in the collection boxes in the Gathering Area and Atrium until Sunday, October 6th. Thank you for your continuous help as many families are supported by your generosity with lovely coats year after year. If you have questions, please call Mary Ann Sekellick, Pastoral Care Coordinator at 518-371-7372 ext. 224.
With the first days of Fall upon us we are reminded that there are many among us for whom securing a good winter coat will be difficult. Please go through your closets to locate NEW OR GENTLY USED coats and snow pants that are clean. Adult and children’s sizes are needed. The Ladies of Charity, a Catholic Women’s organization, will be distributing them in October to families residing in Cohoes, Green Island, Waterford and Watervliet. You may leave coats in the collection boxes in the Gathering Area and Atrium until Sunday, October 6th. Thank you for your continuous help as many families are supported by your generosity with lovely coats year after year. If you have questions, please call Mary Ann Sekellick, Pastoral Care Coordinator at 518-371-7372 ext. 224.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Our Prayer Shawl Ministry has been busy making Prayer Shawls for the October 5th Retreat for Grieving Parents. The group also provides Prayer Shawls for parishioners and Hospice patients. Mary’s Corner and Birthright receive a variety of baby items and at Christmastime hats, scarves and lap blankets are made for the gifts for the Elderly program. Items are also made when we have our annual winter clothing drive. For the past few years they have been involved in making a variety of preemie items for an Easter project for the N.I.C.U. at Albany Med.We are very much indebted to the parishioners for their continued support of the group. We always welcome new members to join us in in our friendly monthly meetings. Our next meeting is Wednesday, September 18, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM.
St. Edward’s EMBRACE ministry offers assistance to families and individuals who are facing difficult circumstances. Our goal is to ease the burden on people who are dealing with family crises by providing meals and offering support through our parish community. We are in need of volunteers to prepare and deliver meals to help out our parishioners. If you would like to sign up to help this very worthwhile and truly appreciated ministry, or if you know of someone who could use a little help, contact Mary Jo Brue (maryjo.brue@stedwardsny.org) or Beth Lee (leebee880@gmail.com ). Feel free to contact us if you’d like to volunteer, or with any questions. We all need a little help now and then. Here’s our chance to EMBRACE someone who could use a hand.
TIME TO GET THE DOUGHNUTS!
The Hospitality Ministry needs volunteers to bring the doughnuts from Market 32 to Church on a rotating basis early Sunday mornings. If you can help please contact Tom and Bonnie Halabuda at tbabh@juno.com.
K of C will be participating in BOSCOV’S “Friends Helping Friends” fundraiser on Wednesday, October 16th. The event offers a 10-25% off discount shopping pass for most items sold in the store on that day only. The Knights will be selling the passes the weekend of October 12th and 13th in the Atrium and in Boscov’s on October 16th. Cost of each ticket is $5.00, which will benefit the various charities the Knights support. Please stop by and purchase a pass or two for family and friends!!!
The MEDICAL MISSIONARIES OF MARY would like to thank the parish of St. Edward the Confessor for their generous donation of $5,892.00 for the Mission Appeal on June 29th/ 30th. Thank you again for your kindness to Sr. Margaret Anne while she was here!
We are still $4,000 shy of our 2019 BISHOP’S APPEAL goal for St. Edward’s. Your participation is essential to the success of the Bishop’s Appeal. There are pledge/ donation envelopes at the Welcome Center. If you would like to donate to the Bishop’s Appeal online, please go to thebishopsappeal.org and choose “St. Edward the Confessor (Clifton Park)”. Thank you for your support!!!
Pastoral Care ministry is looking for volunteers who would be willing
to visit our homebound parishioners to offer companionship and/or administer communion. Many times it is your gift of presence that brings such joy to those who are isolated. To find out how you can make a difference, please contact Mary Ann Sekellick at (518) 371-7372
x224 or maryann.sekellick@stedwardsny.org
to visit our homebound parishioners to offer companionship and/or administer communion. Many times it is your gift of presence that brings such joy to those who are isolated. To find out how you can make a difference, please contact Mary Ann Sekellick at (518) 371-7372
x224 or maryann.sekellick@stedwardsny.org
DATE CHANGE!!! CHRISTMAS IN JULY IS NOW IN SEPTEMBER!!!
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Christmas in July collection event will be moved to Saturday, September 14th from 9AM until 3PM in the Social Hall. This event is specifically for those families who do not have the means to purchase festive holiday decorations. We ask that you donate any ornaments, Christmas lighting and any decorations you haven’t used, but are still in good shape (do NOT drop off until September 14th). It’s a nice way to clear out the clutter and make someone’s holidays a little brighter. Please mark your calendars. More information to follow. For questions email Deb Galluppi at at debgalluppi@gmail.com. 
BIRTHRIGHT of Ballston Spa needs office volunteers to assist young women by listening to their concerns, helping with a self-administered pregnancy test, reviewing fetal development, and offering information on local community services. Birthright volunteers are compassionate, reliable, and dedicated to a 4-hour weekly commitment. The next 3-part training session is October 15, 22, and 29 from 9:00-11:00AM. If you are pro-life and can listen without judging, please call Susan at 518-430-7922 for more information.
Calling all NURSES!!! The PARISH NURSE MINISTRY is in need of licensed nurses to take blood pressure at the monthly Clinics in the Parlor. Please contact Maureen Norris at 518-541-2068 if you can help!
St. Edward’s has an ONGOING FOOD PANTRY collection year ‘round. We support the Mechanicville and Jonesville Food Pantries with your generous donations! Though it is SUMMER the food pantries are still in need of food donations! Though any non-perishables are appreciated, we also have suggested food items in the Sunday bulletin (SEE BELOW) each week. Both food pantries are always so thankful for what St. Edward’s donates each week! Please place the items on the pew in the Atrium OR Gathering Area. Thanks!!!!
FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION:
(Place items on the pew in the Atrium or Gathering Area), Canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta, macaroni and cheese, rice, beans, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, kid snacks, crackers, juice, Jello/ pudding, cake mixes, baby food, baby formula, ramen noodles/ dried soup and toiletry items.
FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION:
(Place items on the pew in the Atrium or Gathering Area), Canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta, macaroni and cheese, rice, beans, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, kid snacks, crackers, juice, Jello/ pudding, cake mixes, baby food, baby formula, ramen noodles/ dried soup and toiletry items.
It’s 2019! Do you pay most of your bills online? Why not your church offering? If you would like to contribute your offering electronically through a credit card or your bank account, please log on to www.faithdirect.net. Our church id# is ny113.
HELP FOR GRIEVING PARENTS
Losing a child under any circumstance is something no parent should ever experience. Focusing on the spirituality of the grieving process can help tremendously. Just as he comforted His grieving disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus comforts us.
St. Edward's is offering an Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents one day spiritual retreat on Saturday, October 5 from 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM. To register for this retreat please go to www.emfgp.org or download the registration form and mail it to the address provided on the form.
If you would like further information about the retreat please contact Mary Ann Sekellick at (518) 371-7372 x224.
4th ANNUAL ROAD TO EMMAUS
Men’s Conference
Please join us for a day of fellowship on Saturday, September 28th at St. Edward’s. With support from the Albany Diocese Office of Vocations, the day will include several talks from experienced priests, speakers and authors Fr. William P. Casey and Fr. George W. Rutler. The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration will be offered along with Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Scharfenberger. More details and registration can be found online at www.albany-emmaus.org.
COMMUNITY MEAL
Come join us to enjoy a warm meal, or just to socialize with fellow Clifton Park residents on Wednesday, September 25th at 12:00 noon in the Social Hall. Desserts to share are most welcome. To attend you must RSVP due to limited seating at 371-7372 ext. 227.
"While the push to get a community garden on town-owned land in Clifton Park has been slowed to a walk, the one at St. Edward’s Catholic Church is beginning to produce a bountiful harvest." To read the full article in last week's Community News click here.
Did you know that St. Edward's has a prayer chain? If you are in need of prayer, or know someone who may be, please submit your prayer request here and it will be sent to St. Edward's prayer chain so that we can pray for you.
Did you know we have a weekly bible study on Monday evenings at 7 PM. If you would like to gain a better understanding of the Gospel of St. Matthew, based on the teachings of the Church Fathers and saints please consider reaching out to Carol Fontana at (518)393-3434.
“LET’S TALK” AT ST. EDWARD’S: Kathleen A. Lowes Sanvidge, licensed funeral director and owner of Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home in Ballston Lake, will present “Let’s Talk About It Now,” a guide for people considering PRE-PLANNING THEIR FINAL ARRANGEMENTS. This talk will take place 12-2PM in St. Edward’s Social Hall Tuesday, September 24th with an informal lunch at noon and presentation at 12:30PM. Though this lunch/ talk is FREE, you need to RSVP the funeral home at 518-399-5022.
VIRTUS TRAINING: There will be Virtus Training at St. Edward’s 6:30PM Thursday, October 3rd in Social Hall. Virtus is REQUIRED for all new staff, all Catechists and all volunteers (18 and over) involved in any ministry that involves contact or interaction with children at St. Edward’s or elsewhere. If you are or will be involved in any ministry that involves persons under 18 years of age, and have never attended Virtus, you will need to attend. Please pre-register online at www.virtusonline.org.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Please join us 11:00AM Saturday, October 12th in the courtyard near the main entrance! Fr. Pat will offer a special prayer service for our furry, feathered, or scaly friends! For more info contact Sue Carbone at 518-371-7372 ext. 234 or sue.carbone@stedwardsny.org..
If you need to renew your certification for CPR / AED training, the St. Edward’s Parish Nurses will be hosting a class led by Clifton Park & Halfmoon Emergency Corps on Saturday, September 28th, from 8am to 12 noon. Location to be announced at a later time. This class will provide you with a 2-year certification and certification card. AHA “Heartsaver” CPR AED is a classroom, video-based, instructor-led course that teaches adult CPR and AED use, as well as how to relieve choking on an adult. Optional modules include child CPR and AED use, infant CPR and child and infant choking. Maximum attendees for this class is 21. Once we reach 21 registrants, we will have a waiting list for the next scheduled date. Cost for this class is $45pp (includes certification card). All checks should be made out to “CPHM EMS”. PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE CLASS FOR YOUR REGISTRATION TO BE COMPLETE! (An address will be provided once you make initial contact per below.) To register for this class, please contact Becky Crowley at crowbeckpn@gmail.com.
MARY’S LADIES OF THE KNOTS MINISTRY: Join ladies of our parish in prayerful devotion to Mary the Undoer of Knots as we make and gift knotted fleece quilts to those in our community who face “knots” in their lives. This ministry meets as a group once a month on the first Monday of the month in the Social Hall. Each meeting includes a time for prayer and time to cut and knot the quilts to prepare them for distribution. We will provide instruction at the meetings however no sewing skills are needed, just the ability to tie a knot. The next meeting will be in the Social Hall 10AM September 9th For more info contact Joanne DeNovio at denovioj@yahoo.com.
2019- 2020 Faith Formation enrollment is coming to a close! You can still enroll your child online by clicking here. Please note that this enrollment form is only available on a desktop or laptop computer. If you have not already enrolled your child please do so soon as the Faith Formation year begins tonight with our opening Mass at 6:30 PM. If you have any questions about our program or the enrollment process please reach out to Noreen in the Faith Formation office.
UPCOMING DATES
September 10, 6:30 - 7:30 PM - Opening Mass for Faith Formation Families
September 16, 6:30 - 7:30 PM - 9th Grade Parent Meeting
September 17, 6:30 - 7:30 PM - Middle School Parent Meeting
September 18, 6:30 - 7:30 PM - 2nd Grade Parent Meeting
September 23, 6:30 - 7:30 PM - 10th Grade Parent Meeting
There will be no parent meeting for Grades 1, 3, 4, & 5.
Classes for Grades 1 - 8 begin the week of September 22nd. If you have not received an email with information on class dates please contact your grade level coordinator.
Our first ever Middle School T.G.I.F. youth get together will be held this Friday from 5:30 - 8:00 PM. If you are in grades 6 - 8 come and join us for a fun night! For more informati-on please contact Eddie Trevino at 518-371-7372 x237
PLEASE HELP SUPPORT ST. EDWARD’S YOUTH MINISTRY!
Bottle Recyclables - We are registered at two Clifton Park sites: Savemore Beverage at 1512 U.S. 9, Clifton Park, NY 12065 and Clifton Park Bottle & Can Return at 1208 New York 146, Clifton Park, NY 12065 (off of Vischer Ferry Rd, near Ocean State Job Lots). Please mention you are donating to “St. Edward’s Youth Ministry”!!! Youth Ministry has also added a labeled receptacle for the bottle/ can donations at the west side of the building outside Social Hall. Your support is greatly appreciated!
FOLLOW AND LIKE Youth Ministry on social media. On Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram simply search for @stedsym on all three platforms. Keep up to date on youth events, find inspiration from the holy scripture and the saints and occasional humor!!!
We had such a great time at this year's "Cross Training" Summer Bible Camp! The campers and counselors had fun dancing, playing games, making crafts, and learning about their faith. Thank you to all who helped make the week fun!
