April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
REFLECTION
From a Warrensburg parishioner
Warrensburg serves as the "gateway" to vacation points north in the Adirondacks. Mass attendance at St. Cecilia's almost doubles as summer residents return to their seasonal "home parish;" people in surrounding communities call the parish home year-round.
Linda and Ed Gaiotti are Queensbury residents, but make the 25-minute drive to attend St. Cecilia's. Mrs. Gaiotti explained: "We fell in love with the community when our daughter was married there 12 years ago; they were incredibly nurturing. They have seen us through celebrations and tragedies. We are overwhelmed by the constant outpouring of love."
This generosity extends beyond the church. The small community of St. Cecilia's has demonstrated, in very big ways, its commitment to sharing the mission of Jesus to those nearby and far away.
St. Cecilia's is one of the founding parishes of North Country Ministry, a faith-based, non-profit outreach to the needy in Warren County, and has helped support it financially since its inception. Parishioners help make up the staff of volunteers and have hosted NCM's weekly lunch program.
St. Cecilia's is not a wealthy parish, but when the call for help is sounded, parishioners dig deep. Every year, more than $3,000 in Lenten alms is offered to causes such as "Mito Hope and Help" for individuals with mitochondrial diseases; CRS' Rice Bowl program for the needy worldwide; help for Namibian children affected by AIDS; and local appeals for help with rent, mortgage and fuel costs.
Every August, children's bathing suits are collected and sent to Namibia so children there will be allowed to swim at a pool that requires proper bathing attire. St. Cecilia's is proud of its "Undie Sunday," when new underwear, socks and toothbrushes are collected for children in foster care, who often arrive at a new home with only the clothes on their backs.
One of the most inspiring examples of God working through the community of St. Cecilia's is its devotion to mission work. An adult mission group has just returned from a trip to Guatemala [see article on facing page].
When Hurricane Irene hit last year, a group immediately drove to Schoharie to offer assistance to those affected. In June, St. Cecilia's Youth on a Mission group will be traveling to Providence, R.I., for a fourth year of service with Catholic Heart Work Camp, an organization that serves disadvantaged individuals in different communities.
The group of 18 youth and four chaperones set up camp in a school and are sent out to do yard work, paint and work in shelters and food banks. Then they reconvene for prayer, music and fellowship.
"It is absolutely amazing to be in a room with 200 teens who share the same values and want to serve God and their fellow man. To say I am proud of our kids is an understatement," remarked trip coordinator and chaperone Gail DeMarsh. Shortly after returning from each trip, the youth begin fundraising for the next year.
The community has been inspired by this dedication. When Brian Angell, a mission trip chaperone, learned of the devastation brought on by Superstorm Sandy, he said, "It gave me a knot in my stomach - the kind of knot that doesn't go away unless you do something about it."
He contacted Catholic Heart Work Camp to see if the organization had a camp in an affected area; they did not. He was given the green light to coordinate a youth camp there this summer. The camp filled quickly and Brian is now the CHW camp manager for a site in Toms River, N.J., with 400 volunteers coming from as far away as North Carolina.
Because the community of St. Cecilia's has been touched by the power and joy of doing God's work, they will continue reaching out from their little corner of the world.[[In-content Ad]]
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