For each Mass, specific linens are used on the altar and also to purify and cleanse the vessels after Mass.  This ministry, to date, has worked with about 8 people each scheduled once every 8 weeks to launder and press the linens so we have a continuous supply of clean linens for Masses. There are instructions given out.  On the assigned date, the person would take the linen bag from the working sacristy, launder the soiled linens, and return and put them away within that same week.

Contact: Judy Mullins | judymullins@nycap.rr.com

Corpus Christi offers the opportunity to assist as an altar server at the weekend masses and special liturgical functions to any boy or girl from the third grade on up. Training is provided and one’s commitment is scheduled for the mass times that the family attends liturgy.

Contact: Beth Koeferl  | 518-877-0389   |  Jkoeferl@nycap.rr.com

This ministry helps distribute Eucharist at liturgy in an orderly and reverent fashion. It is a ministry of servant at a Eucharistic banquet. It is a ministry of seeing Christ in the eyes of each person you share Eucharist with. The requirements are simple…attend a workshop then be willing to share your time at liturgy on Sunday.  This workshop will also cover those who want to deliver Eucharist to the homebound as part of the Pastoral Care ministry.

Contact: Judy Mullins | judymullins@nycap.rr.com

This is a Monday evening hour that begins with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, surrounded by antiphonal evening prayer and a half hour of quiet, personal meditation and prayer with Jesus in the monstrance.  It ends with 15 minutes of blessing, benediction and the Angelus.  A designated hour of prayer-time with Jesus!

Contact: Judy Mullins | judymullins@nycap.rr.com

Corpus Christi is a warm, spiritually involved, Roman Catholic Parish with a strong sense of community, as inspired by the second Vatican council. We draw our strength from the celebration of the Word and Eucharist. Our Mission, rooted in the example and teaching of Jesus, is to: Reach within and beyond our community with love, compassion and healing; Offer opportunities for lifelong faith formation; Foster lay leadership and ministries in all aspects of parish life; Accept all persons in their diversity of faith and life experience; Encourage and nurture families in their many diversities as they grow in faith; and, Help support each other in our pursuit of Christ-like lives.

The Ushers and greeters ministries at Corpus Christi play a pivotal role in the church’s mission.  From the initial smile that greets parishioners and visitors alike, to assisting with functions essential to the Mass and beyond, these volunteers are truly the “face of the parish.”

Contact: Mark Vinciguerra | (518) 877-8954 | mvinciguerra@registerstar.com

Click for more information regarding this Ministry

Liturgical Environment is a rewarding ministry and discipleship.  The members decorate our beautiful church in order to help us better celebrate the Mass and appreciate God’s beauty. We adorn the church according to the liturgical seasons, and care for the flowers and greens that remain in the church year-round; most especially at Easter and Christmas.  All parishioners are welcome to join our ministry, and be part of the many hands that help to beautify our worship space.

Contact:  Dona Boyer   |   dboyer43@yahoo.com   Or    Pat Maloney 

Starting on November 9th, the Rosary Ministry will be gathering every Wednesday afternoon from 1 to 2pm in the Daily Mass Chapel to pray both the Our Lady of Fatima and Divine Mercy rosaries. Our sessions will also be livestreamed on Corpus Christi’s Facebook page. We look forward to praying with you.

Contact: Linda Marra-Thompson   |   lthompso@nycap.rr.com

How to pray the rosary

The Communion Outreach Ministry of Corpus Christi is dedicated to bringing the Word and Eucharist to those who are homebound by providing a communion service for them on Friday mornings. The residents at the Home of the Good Shepherd and High Pointe are truly thankful for our weekly ministry to them.

Every Friday morning a team of two ministers go to the Home of the Good Shepherd at High Pointe and provides a Communion Service for the residents. On the last Friday of the month, the ministry team goes to the independent living facility at High Pointe located on the same grounds, where a Communion Service is provided for these residents as well.

Contact: Mary Marino | maryjeanmarino14@gmail.com

This ministry proclaims the words of scripture at liturgy. The preparation is very important, for it is more than just reading words. It means really being prepared, taking the time to study a reading, know the meaning of the words and believing the words. Only then can you proclaim the scripture as your own. The requirements are simple…attend a workshop and be willing to share your time and talent at liturgy on a Saturday or Sunday

Contact: Judy Mullins | judymullins@nycap.rr.com

The Rosary Makers Mission is to promote devotion to the Blessed Mother by saying the rosary and by supplying rosaries to people in need. Our group of volunteers makes the rosaries for our First Communion and Confirmation classes in the parish. We send rosaries to the VA Hospital in Albany and have sent our rosaries to St. Jude’s Hospital, to Puerto Rico after the devastating hurricane, and as far away as military bases in Afghanistan. We have also sent rosary and jewelry making supplies to Haiti on a parish missionary trip, where a group of Haitians were taught to make rosaries. 

We hand make the rosaries with love and are guided by the Blessed Mother. We welcome new members and will do one on one teaching sessions. We taught our 2 seminarians this summer and we all enjoyed the experience! We also repair rosaries on request.

We participate in Craft Fair and make/sell items such as rosaries, chaplets, angels, bookmarks, and car rosaries, to name a few. We use the proceeds to buy supplies to support our ministry.

We meet once a week, usually on Mondays, to work together, pray together, discuss new projects, and support each other. It is a good way to share our talents, teach others and honor Our Blessed Mother.

Contact:  Charlene Fowler  |  518-877-8506

Prayer for Rosary Makers

Dearest Mother, to you we pray

Bless the rosaries we make today

With loving hands we add each bead

then with trust in you we plead

Bless the ones in foreign lands

Reach for them with outstretched hands

And pray that God hear our call

For a world united and peace for all.

AMEN

The Welcome Table offers an opportunity for parishioners and visitors to be greeted by a smiling face!  Along with a warm greeting we are able to assist with mass cards, resources, information regarding joining the Parish, baptisms, and more!

We are always looking for new folks to help. There is no specific commitment, except that you choose a weekend service time and place your name on a calendar for that date. We provide training and all the supplies you need. If you would like to help with the Welcome Table or for more information please contact Cecily Bailey.

Contact:  Cecily Bailey |   518-573-8788 | yoga@nycap.rr.com 

Traditional Choir

Individuals who are high school-aged and above lead the assembly in musical prayer at weekend Masses and other special liturgies throughout the year. Weekly rehearsal on Thursday evenings 7:00-8:30 pm, and a half-hour warm-up prior to mass are required.

Contact: Wayne Hawkins  | music@corpuschristichurch.net

Contemporary Ensemble

The Contemporary Ensemble sings and plays throughout the liturgical year at Sunday 11:00 am masses and special liturgies. Anyone from pre-teen to adult with an interest in Contemporary Christian music will sing and play at this Mass. We rehearse from 10:00 am - 10:55 every Sunday.

Contact: Wayne Hawkins  | music@corpuschristichurch.net

Youth choir

We encourage youth singers ages 8 through 18 to join our Youth choir. The ensemble leads the congregation in song and also proclaims the psalm for special liturgies including Christmas Eve, First Communion and Confirmation, as well as some weekend masses. Rehearsal times are determined by the schedule of the participants.

Contact: Wayne Hawkins  | music@corpuschristichurch.net

Cantors

Cantors intone the Word of God through individual singing as well as facilitating congregational singing. Cantors must understand the flow of liturgy, be familiar with the parish musical repertoire, be able to learn new music on their own and be comfortable teaching the assembly. Audition and interview requested.

Contact: Wayne Hawkins  | music@corpuschristichurch.net

Instrumental Musicians

Musicians provide instrumental musical leadership at Mass.

Contact: Wayne Hawkins  | music@corpuschristichurch.net

Adult Faith Formation is the lifelong process of strengthening ones relationship with the Lord. It is continued spiritual and catechetical growth.

Contact:   Paul Wajda  |   518-344-6750

“Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration and initiation into the church that was begun by Jesus, who accepted baptism from St. John the Baptist and also ordered the Apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, Source: www.britannica.com/topic/Roman-Catholicism/Baptism)

The Baptism Ministry at Corpus Christi is about welcoming recipients into the Corpus Christi Catholic community by conducting monthly preparatory classes and assisting the parish’s Celebrant with the celebration of the Baptism ceremonial sacrament. If you have time to give in this way, we would be happy to chat with you about joining this fulfilling ministry.

Contact:  The Baptism Ministry Team |   518-877- 8506   | ccbaptism@corpuschristichurch.net

This ministry makes the "keepsake bib" for baptisms.  It is a wonderful opportunity to use the gift of creativity you have been blessed with for one of our most sacred sacraments.  It is not a job, it's a calling.  It is a service within the community of God and therefore a gift of the Holy Spirit.  There are no regularly scheduled meetings as volunteers work at home at their own pace.  Bibs are made two to three times a year.  If you can serge a rolled hem or hand embroider the design, please volunteer to assist us making the keepsake bibs for Baptism.  You only need to volunteer for one part of the creation of our bibs.  We supply the fabric, lace, DMC embroidery floss, and pattern.  We make about fifty bibs each year. 

Contact: Susan Spadaro   |   518-899-2352  |   sassews2day@gmail.com

Sample Bib

Do you like to read?

We read novels, religious, inspirational, biographies, etc…

Why not join us?

We meet monthly to discuss the books we have read that month!

Contact:   Paul Wajda  |   518-344-6750  

It is the goal of the Corpus Christi Evangelization Team to provide leadership and coordination in the areas of evangelization and to work with other ministries in our parish and act as a leader in encouraging all parishioners to respond to their Baptismal Call to Evangelize.

The Evangelization Team meets on a monthly basis to determine the focus for our activities through a process of prayer, reflection, education, action and evaluation.

Contact:   Paul Wajda  |   518-344-6750  

PRAYER FOR EVANGELIZATION

Loving GOD, you called each by name

and gave your only SON to redeem us.

In your faithfulness, you sent the HOLY SPIRIT

to complete the mission of Jesus among US.

Open our HEARTS to JESUS.  Give us the courage

to speak HIS name to those who are close to us

and the generosity to share HIS love with those

who are far away.

WE pray that every person throughout the

world be invited to know and love JESUS

as SAVIOR and REDEEMER.

May they come to know his ALL-SURPASSING

LOVE.  May that LOVE transform every element

of our SOCIETY.

We make this prayer through Our LORD

JESUS CHRIST, your SON, who LIVES and

REIGNS with you and the HOLY SPIRIT,

one God, forever and ever.  AMEN.

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

PRAY FOR US.

'LANDINGS' welcomes home returning Catholics and offers one on one companionship on your walk back to the Church. You will be listened to, encouraged and supported on this journey.  We want to encourage growth in both your sacramental and spiritual life.  There are no classes or workshops for you to attend. Again you can meet on a one on one or in a group setting, the choice is yours.

Landings offers a safe palce for you to speak and be listened to, a place where you will be understood and a healing place to ask your questions both hard and easy. You will hear from others, the faith stories of both active and inactive Catholics alike.  There is no judgement, just a place where you can find your way back to your faith and become active with us again.

Welcome Home Returning Catholics (Landings) is tailored to meet individual needs and schedules. I look forward to hearing from you so that we can arrange to meet. If you are interested or know of someone who might be, please call or email me.

Contact: Carrie Wajda   |   5518-344-6750   |   clauriew@gmail.com 

Small faith groups that meet together to  share the journey of Lent together

Contact:   Paul Wajda  |   518-344-6750

After communicating with the parish office and meeting with Father, the Marriage Ministry ensures the bride and groom's wedding sacrament is just as they imagined.  We attend wedding rehearsals and ceremonies that take place at Corpus Christi and help "behind the scenes" to ensure the bride and groom’s wedding day is seamless - ie: welcome guests, open doors for the wedding party/bride to process down the aisle, Eucharist Minister (as needed), etc.

Contact:  Carolyn and Elizabeth Wygel |  carolyn.wygel@gmail.com | elizabethwygel@gmail.com

Help to welcome new member to our parish community!

Contact:   Paul Wajda  |   518-344-6750

RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the journey of faith for adults seeking to come to know God through a relationship with Jesus Christ in the Catholic faith, that may lead to reception of the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

If you are interested in this journey, or wish to become a member of this ministry, please contact the parish office or Deacon Andrew

Contact:  Dcn. Andrew Haskins   |   andrew.haskins@rcda.org

Would you like to explore the ways God may be touching your life, how you can deepen your relationship with God, and how you can respond more authentically and freely to God’s love and grace in your life? If so, it can be very helpful to meet periodically (every 4 - 6 weeks) with a spiritual director who can serve as a companion on this inner journey.  We have a private room located at Corpus Christi. Our sessions are always confidential.

If you think you might be interested in having a spiritual director, please call or email one of us (below) and we can arrange a time to talk. We’ll meet individually and chat about what spiritual direction is and what it isn’t, and see if we’re a good fit.

Contact: Don Wilson    |     518-496-6823    |     doneb4x4@aol.com  or

Eileen Davenport    |    518-369-9416    |    edavenport04@gmail.com

(We each hold an MA in theology and pastoral studies from St Bernard’s School of Theology & Ministry and are graduates of the two year Albany Consultation Center Holy Ground Spiritual Direction Program)

Support our Vocations

Priesthood - Diaconate - Religious Life - Married Life - Single Life

Mission of Vocations Awareness

Everyone has a vocation in life, whether it is marriage, single life, religious life, or Holy Orders. The Vocations Awareness ministry is responsible for promoting, encouraging, and praying for parishioners and community members to say "yes" to the call of the Lord to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life.

Daily Vocational Prayer

Loving God,

Life is your gift to us.

Through Baptism you invite us to share

the gift of our life in service to others.

Be with us as we choose each day to show

Your presence in our world.

Give us courage and generosity to respond to Your love...to your call.

We pray especially for those who serve you as

Priests, Deacons, and Religious Brothers and Sisters,

throughout the Diocese of Albany.

We pray also

for the Seminarians, Aspirants, and Discerners

of the Diocese of Albany, that they may not be afraid

to answer God’s call to serve His Church.  Open the minds

and hearts of many other men and women, that they

may accept Your challenge to build the Kingdom of God.  Amen.

Vocations are born in prayer and from prayer;

and only in prayer can they persevere and bear fruit.

~Pope Francis

For more information about this ministry, please contact Steve and Mary Duclos at gsduclos@gmail.com

Contact: Steve and Mary Duclos  |   gsduclos@gmail.com  

Every Tuesday morning at 10:30am, many women of Corpus Christi gather to pray, read the upcoming Sunday readings, and discuss and share on those readings. All women who have Tuesday mornings free are welcome to join us via ZOOM.

Contact:   Susan Spadaro |      Sassews2day@gmail.com   

The 200 Club is the parish’s longest running and one of the largest fundraising programs.  The 200 Club is basically a 50/50 and there are 200 tickets sold each year.  The membership is a yearly commitment at $10.00 per month, per ticket.  Four numbers are drawn each month, with $500 for first prize; $250 for second prize; $150 for third prize and $100 for fourth prize.

Contact:   Sheila Tyler |      200Club@corpuschristichurch.net |   518-588-2628

The Adopt a Family ministry is an annual program at Corpus Christi that helps to provide toys, clothes and other necessities for local children at Christmas time.

Most years wish lists are received in early November and emailed out to volunteers.  Unlike other giving programs, such as the annual Giving Tree, the gifts purchased are likely to be the only presents the child will receive that year. 

Parishioners who volunteer for this program are able to choose whether they would like to shop for a single child, siblings, or whole family.  Wish lists are available for children ages 0-18. 

Thanks to the generosity of our parish, we are able to provide presents for dozens of families in  our community every year!

Contact: Christine Hebert   |  cmhebert18@gmail.com      

What is an Alzheimer's Care Team?

Eddy Alzheimer's Care Team exist to provide support and companionship to individuals with some form of memory loss, whether it is due to Alzheimers Disease or other related dementias. Volunteers provide much needed respite care for caregivers and socialization for the person with the disease. These caring individuals strive to make life better for both caregivers and the patients.

Facts About Alzheimers

-1 in 8 persons over 65 will be diagnosed with the disease

-Half those over 85 will be diagnosed with the disease

-80% of Alzheimers patients are cared for at home by family

Commitment as a Volunteer

-The average volunteer offers just 2-3 hours per month

-As a volunteer, you give the time you can when you can

-All volunteers are offered training and continued support from the staff at Eddy Alzheimer's Services

-Teams of volunteers meet once every six weeks in their parishes for an hour to review patients' and caregivers' needs

Contact:   Bobbie Ziarno |   (518) 664-3212    |   bziarno@yahoo.com

This ministry is composed of a group of committed parishioners who bring a myriad of life experiences to the care and support of families following the death of a loved one. They offer spiritual and emotional support as well as expertise in liturgy planning for funerals and celebrations of life. In addition, they follow up with families through cards and an annual invitation to a Memorial Mass on All Souls' Day, November 2nd.

This team also facilitates a Bereavement Support Group every other Thursday as a way for those who have lost loved ones to meet and share with others who are on a grief journey.

All members of the Bereavement Team strive to follow the second of the eight Beatitudes of Jesus, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Contact:   Sharon Ryan |   (518) 877-8506   |   jcrsar1949@gmail.com

The Christmas Giving Tree Ministry collects Christmas gifts for individuals served by organizations such as Catholic Charities, Unity House in Troy, St Coleman's Home, Saratoga Nursing Center, Saratoga Economic Opportunity Council and Corpus Christi Church Services.

This project offers many opportunities out parish to help the less fortunate in our community.  We have multiple volunteer opportunities each year in November and December.  To volunteer or for questions, please contact Beth and Jason Koeferl at jkoeferl@nycap.rr.com

Contact: Beth and Jason Koeferl  |  jkoeferl@nycap.rr.com     

The Church Mice are a group of women and men who volunteer their time and talents to generate funds for Corpus Christi Church through the creation and sale of their handcrafted work.  These volunteers meet at the first of each year, sharing their ideas and crafts . They then create their craft items on their own making them available for sale when needed.  Subsequent progress meetings are held, as needed, throughout the year. Anyone interested in participating please contact Judy Ewing.

Contact: Judy Ewing  |  (518) 289-5559    

The hospitality ministry prepares coffee and baked goods for after Mass on Monday’s and Friday’s.

Contact:   Bob & Chris Delaney   |  518-369-8212

The Nursing Ministry was created to maintain a safe environment for all who are on the campus of Corpus Christi Church. We respond to incidents per the Diocese of Albany Guidelines and participate in a variety of activities. Past activities have included things such as Maintaining the First Aid Kits, ensuring AEDs are available and maintained, facilitating the annual flu vaccine clinic, and providing blood pressure checks at the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfasts, and attending mass in case of medical emergencies. 

We meet monthly on Tuesdays from September to May at alternate times (12 noon and 6 p.m.) Meetings are posted in the Bulletin.

We invite all Nurses  (R.N. and L.P.N.), Nurse Practitioner (N.P), Physician Assistant (P.A.) and Doctors to join us.

Contact: Barb White |   (518) 877-8506 |  Office@corpuschristichurch.net

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”  (Matthew 25:35-36, Source:  USCCB.org)

Pastoral Care at Corpus Christi is about parishioners helping parishioners.  We or someone we know may be in need at times of a prayerful visit or phone call, home delivery of Eucharist, or perhaps transportation to Mass.  Visits may also include going to hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities.  We are fortunate at Corpus Christi to have a small group of dedicated volunteers who find ministering in this way to be a richly rewarding and joyful experience.  

If you have time to give in this way, we would be happy to chat with you about volunteer opportunities.  Also, if you or someone you know needs a call or visit, please let us know so we can connect them with a volunteer who can help.  We also provide prayer shawls to those who are interested in receiving one.

For more information, reach out to Pastoral Care Coordinator Linda Marra-Thompson, at ccpastoralcare@corpuschristichurch.net, or 518-877-8506 x374.

Contact:  Linda Marra-Thompson |  518-877-8506 x374   |   ccpastoralcare@corpuschristichurch.net

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is part of the Carondolet Weavers a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet.  If you have an ability to knit or crochet, please join this ministry where we provide the yarn and directions to make prayer shawls, lap robes or baby blankets for those in need.  Simply email ccpastoralcare@corpuschristichurch.net to get started. 

If you would like to request a prayer shawl for a loved one, simply email ccpastoralcare@corpuschristichurch.net

Thank you for considering joining this ministry.  God Bless you!

Contact: Pastoral Care  |   ccpastoralcare@corpuschristichurch.net 

Our Widowed and Single Senior Outreach began in 2012 and is hosted by Carol Ann Thomas.  It's function is to promote occasional social activities for widowed and single senior parishioners.

Contact: Carol Ann  |  518-877-6510      

Every year, Corpus Christi parishioners collect, package, and deliver Thanksgiving & Easter baskets for families in need of food for a delicious dinner. And, thanks to such an overwhelming number of donations from our parish community, the parish team has been able to provide enough food to each family for several more meals! The more food donated, the more baskets for each family. That's the good thing!

Starting in early November and before Easter, parishioners are asked to donate both non-perishable (such as canned vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, coffee, sugar, flour, baby food, stuffing mix, tea, and napkins) and perishable items (such as turkeys, hams, butter, apples, oranges, celery, and pies. Items are then sorted and packaged for delivery prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Please contact Linda Marra-Thompson (366-6955 or email lthompso@nycap.rr.com) with any questions or if you would like to help the team with sorting and packing the baskets for the families.

The recipients are so grateful and overwhelmed with our parish's gift giving generosity. Thank you.

Link to brochure

Contact: Linda Marra-Thompson   |   518-366-6955    |    lthompso@nycap.rr.com 

This ministry collects food, paper, cleaning and personal-care/grooming products donated by our parish community and delivers them to the Jonesville Food Pantry, the Mechanicville Community Center and Captain Youth & Family Services. Delivery is during the week. If you wish to volunteer, please contact Karin. Your committment would be approximately once every 6 months.

Contact:   Joe or Karin Thorne   |     (518) 653-0138  |    karinthorne7@gmail.com

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20

Are you or a loved one struggling with substance abuse?

It can be difficult to seek help or even to know you need help.  Our ministry is here to help you. We are a caring group of friends that wants to support you in your recovery.  Start by coming to one of our weekly meetings.

Mission: Our mission is to keep people who are suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) safe and well from the effects of addiction through support and sharing the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We partner with CAPTAIN and Saratoga Co. treatment facilities.

Meetings

Meetings are held based on held on demand.

Call Greg at 518-764-8291 to join a meeting or get on the notification list.

•         Be assured of your confidentiality.

•         Learn from others who share similar issues and how they worked through them with their faith.

•         We can help you find local treatment options.

•         We can help you with transportation to treatment.

•         Join us and start changing your future.

The Ministry:

•         Educates the parish in matters of substance use disorder (SUD).

•         Cares for and supports people who suffer from SUD, their friends and family.

•         Holds weekly support meetings that relate bible readings to our daily lives and uplifts participants by letting them know that the Lord loves them and they have a future.

•         Helps with referrals to treatment options (e.g., AA, NA, Al Anon, SPARC, etc.).

Contact:   Greg   |   518-764-8291

“…Lord when did we visit you when you were in prison?  The King will answer them: ‘I assure you, as often as you did it for one of the least of my brothers, you did it for me.’” Matthew 25:31-40

THE MISSION OF REC

It is the mission of REC to serve the Lord within our diocese by encouraging the prison inmate population to become more active Christians during and after their incarceration.  Our service to the Lord is done primarily through an intense 3 day program. The major theme for the experience is: to know, love and serve the Lord and to die to self, to rise again in the Lord, and to go forth together (The Paschal Mystery).  The basic techniques used emphasize personal and community growth.  A community grows by developing its members (not isolation) and by improving its environment (not avoidance.)

The REC Weekend.: A three (3) day retreat experience for about 60  male residents conducted within a New York State correctional facility by a team of 15 Catholic volunteers.  The weekend usually starts on a Friday morning and ends on Sunday afternoon.

The Lay Director:  A volunteer chosen to organize and coordinate a specific REC weekend retreat. 

REC Team:  A group of Catholic volunteers brought together for to form a team and work together to prepare their talks that will be given on the weekend.  They form the outside team.  A group on inmates are selected to give talks and are the inside team.

THE REC WEEKEND

Friday:  John 12:24 “Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains but a seed…” This day is devoted to ‘dying to self’ and changing.  Talks are given by both the outside team and the inside team.  In the evening there is a Paschal Vigil Service including the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Saturday:  John 12:24 “…if it dies it produces much fruit…” This day starts with a talk on rising again with the Lord and how it is rooted in Scriptures.  Talks are given by the outside team with a Liturgy followed by a Hootenanny.  During the “Hoot” more outside volunteers arrive.  There is singing, a talk given by a volunteer give a Peace Talk and the residents have an opportunity to witness.

Sunday:  Matt. 28:18-20  “As the Father has sent me so I send you…” The purpose of this day is to encourage the residents to continue the process they started on Day One and to continue trying even if they fail.  They are also encouraged to make a conscientious effort to bring Christ to others and share by their example.

Monthly follow up meetings occur and some facilities have Bible Study. 

TIME INVOLVEMENT

The weekend will be from 8 am to 9 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 8 am to 3 pm on Sunday.  Meetings prior to the Weekend for team formation.  Dept. Of Correction application, orientation, TB test are also required for new members.

OTHER INVOLVEMENT

Palanca:  The act of praying and performing sacrifices for the residents and writing Palanca Letters which are given to the residents.  Letters start with “Dear Brother in Christ,”  Your last name is not given and least 60 letters are needed so that each resident receives one.

Hootenanny:  The Saturday late afternoon activity where outside volunteers arrive singing.  A faith sharing witness talk is given.  The residents are given a time to witness.

YOU CAN HELP BY:

Volunteering to work as a team member and music minister.

Participating in the Hootenanny.

Performing Palanca and writing palanca letters – English and Spanish are needed.

Supporting the REC program.   

Click to view the ministry brochure

Visit: https://recrcda.org/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHqc9eyUzEE

Contacts: 

Walter Forney

wforney@nycap.rr.com

(518) 877-8779

Scott Brady

gscottbrady@yahoo.com

(518) 877-5138

Rich Polsinello

labrmon@gmail.com

(518) 369-8738

Gregory Stasik

gstasik@nycap.rr.com

Don Wilson

doneb4x4@aol.com

“Lord when did we visit you when you were in prison? The King will answer them: I assure you, as often as you did it for one of the least of my brothers, you did it for me.”   ……… Matthew 25: 31-40

We currently have a small team who perform Communion Services for Saratoga County Jail in Ballston Spa, NY.

Services include (3) Communion Services – (Including the Sacrament of the Eucharist)

(2) Men’s PODs

(1) Women’s POD

Each service runs about 45 minutes

Currently this services is done on Wednesday evenings from 6 - 8pm

You can help by:

Volunteering to work as a team member.

Send cards & letters. Especially during the Holidays!!

***Here are some differences between Prison facilities and Jail facilities***

•   While people tend to lump both “jail ministry” and “prison ministry” together, in reality there are significant differences. These differences are largely due to the differences between the purposes of jail facilities and prison facilities. Jails are places where people are detained awaiting adjudication of their criminal charges. – Commonly referred to as a Grand Jury Indictment.

•   Jails are also for the recently arrested offenders and can also be where time is served for minor crimes.

•   Prisons can be either Federal or State facilities. Jails are of city or county jurisdiction.

•   Prisons and Jails are similar in that they may have a Chaplain assigned to them on a full or part-time basis.

•   Both jails and prisons allow family visitation. These visitations a found to be critical to the mental health and wellbeing of the offender and families.

Contact:   Don Wilson    |      doneb4x4@aol.com

Our mission is to be disciples of Christ by serving others less fortunate in our community and beyond. On a local level, we provide assistance to local agencies such as CAPTAIN Community Human Services in Southern Saratoga county and FEASST (Family Emergency Assistance of Southern Saratoga). Beyond our community, the parish sponsors students involved the Earn to Learn program run through CTNDP, a technical school located in Pignon, Haiti not far from St. Gabriel’s (associated with Friends of Fontaine). In this program, students are paid to attend CTNDP and take classes in subjects such as agriculture, bookkeeping, and administration.

We do not meet on any regular basis. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact the church office.

Contact:    Laura Evoskevich    |   (518) 877-8506 |  Office@corpuschristichurch.net

“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

The Table of Plenty Ministry, formerly known as Welcome Table, has been around for decades. We have a yearly budget to buy food and prepare meals for those in need on a monthly basis. Our new venue, as of September 2022, is All Saints Parish Center in Mechanicville. Our new schedule is prepping/ cooking at All Saints on 3rd Tuesday of month, and to finish cooking and serve from 12-2pm in Parish Center and clean up detail on Wednesday.  Volunteers can opt to help on Tuesday or Wednesday or both days as their schedules allow.  If not able to help onsite, bakers are needed to make 2 cakes, all ingredients are provided except cooking oil, on rotating schedule. If we get 12 volunteer bakers, it’s only a once a year commitment. Carpooling from the Corpus Christi parking lot to All Saints is available.  New volunteers are welcomed and guided!  If you are not able to help physically, monetary donations to supplement our budget are welcome as well.  Donations can be put in collection basket or dropped off at parish office.  Please designate for Table of Plenty. This ministry is a good way to meet new people, give back to the community and serve the Lord.

Contact:   Maureen Bittel | 518-400-1061  | Mbittel@nycap.rr.com or

                 Doc Salvatore | 518-584-3548 | docsal@nycap.rr.com 

The Building and Grounds Ministry takes care of the physical operations of the church! This may consist of cleaning, painting, spackling, electrical, plumbing, repairs... pretty much everything needed to keep the building and grounds operating smoothly. All volunteers are welcome to join and no experience is necessary!

Contact:  Patty Donovan  |   (518) 877-8506 |  Office@corpuschristichurch.net

The Gardening Ministry at Corpus Christi endeavors to create a welcoming outside environment to complement the liturgical space inside the church. We put annual plants in the containers at the entrances to the church and on the ledge on the northeast side. We also maintain the area around Mary's statue and the Peace Pole. The Gardening Ministry also does landscaping and plants perennials to beautiful the grounds.

This ministry, is seasonal, functioning during the growing season (between April and October).

We call on volunteers to

• Plant annual flowers in the containers and beds in the spring

• Prune broken and dead branches from shrubs

• Spread mulch in the beds

• Clean up the grounds

• Weed along the sidewalks and in the beds throughout the growing season

• Prepare plants for winter

Through telephone calls or email alerts, we contact people for various activities. Volunteers are encouraged to go to the church at anytime to do weeding, sweep the sidewalks at the entries to buildings, monitor plants left at Mary's statue, or do any other task they deem necessary.

We encourage the participation of parishioners of all ages and abilities. The only requirement for members of the Gardening Ministry is that they like playing in the dirt

Contact:  Ed Nash   |   enash@corpuschristichurch.net  

The Money Counting Ministry is run by our bookkeeper, Sheila Tyler, who can be reached at bookkeeper@corpuschristichurch.net or 518-588-2628.  We generally have 2-3 counters plus a team leader each week who open the offertory envelopes and count all the money received for that particular weekend.  Counters usually volunteer for one session per month but may volunteer as often as they would like.  Each session generally takes approximately 1.5-2 hrs.  If you are interested in this Ministry, we would love to have you join us!  Training is provided. 

Contact: Sheila Tyler   |   518-588-2628   |   bookkeeper@corpuschristichurch.net

Volunteers operate a laptop to show screens of the music for each mass every weekend. The screens are put together in advance and projectionists are responsible for navigating through the slides in coordination with the choir.

Volunteers must be willing to assigned to a rotating schedule in advance (based on their own Mass time preference and availability).

Contact: Cecily Bailey  |   (518) 877-8506 |  Office@corpuschristichurch.net

Help us reach our community and beyond through our various social media platforms! 

Contact:   Paul Wajda  |   518-344-6750

Birthright

Boy Scouts

Cub Scouts

CAPTAINS

Catholic News Service 

Catholic Charities

Cursillo

 The Evangelist 

FEASST

Friends of Fontaine

Hearts-A-Flame NCYC

Knights of Columbus

 New York State Catholic Conference

 Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany 

St. Peter's Homeschoolers

The Holy See Vatican Site 

Vocations