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St. Mary's parish in Clinton Heights notes that, thanks to CARL HACKERT, 34 young parishioners who are altar servers or members of the children's choir or teen ensemble got to spend a day at the nearby FunPlex Fun Park as a thank-you for their service.

Also, 10 middle-schoolers recently had a mission trip overseen by MAUREEN BILLA, and a Midnight Run brought items to homeless people in New York City....

St. Thomas the Apostle School in Delmar congratulated students recognized for academic and service achievements. Receiving eighth-grade graduate awards for academic achievement were AIDAN CIANCIO and GABE SILVERSTEIN; for religious studies, GRACIE FLACH; for service, MATTHEW KAZANJIAN and NICOLE QUINN; for spirit, ANTHONY VERDICHIZZI; and for liturgical service, ANNA BARRON, AIDAN CIANCIO, KAILEE HARRIGAN, CAROLYN KOLBERG and ISABEL SCISCI....

The "Angels" group from All Saints parish in Albany sponsored a bingo night at St. Catherine's Marillac Shelter for homeless families in Albany, raising well over $400.

All Saints Catholic Academy announced that its "Crafting for a Cause" after-school group completed a mural in the school cafeteria, designed by eighth-grade graduate MARIA BERNARDINO....

Youths in the Hudson/Germantown area got to participate in a vacation Bible school sponsored by the Palatine Area Ministries in July at the Reformed Church of Germantown....

Our Lady of Fatima parish in Delanson invited high school graduates to its annual "blessing of the graduates" Aug. 13 at the end of Mass. OLF also welcomed new altar server MATTHEW NEWVINE, who made his First Communion in April....

At St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany, young parishioners KALEIGHANNE ATHENS, ELYSE ROEPE and LUKE GIBSON recently put up a lemonade stand and raised $22, which they donated to the parish food pantry....

St. Edward's parish in Clifton Park invited kids in grades three through six to learn how to play the bell chimes; the workshop was led by TERRY HALVERSON. Individual workshops could be arranged for teens and adults who'd like to learn; everyone can then join the bell choir in September....

St. James parish in Chatham hosted an evening for teens and adults from that parish, St. John the Baptist in Valatie and St. Joseph's in Stuyvesant Falls/ Stottville, led by MARY HARRISON, to discuss comprehensive youth ministry. The parishes want to address the needs of youth in a respectful manner that acknowledges their gifts and talents. Comprehensive youth ministry expands traditional faith formation and service projects to involve youth in every aspect of parish and spiritual life, including advocacy, faith formation, evangelization, service, leadership, community and prayer....

St. Michael's parish in South Glens Falls reported that Boy Scout Troop 2 had 21 scouts and four leaders attend a summer camp in Brant Lake in July, riding horses, canoeing, fishing and earning 76 merit badges in areas like astronomy, forestry, welding and weather....

A raffle at St. Mary's parish in Ballston Spa raised funds for students from The College of Saint Rose in Albany who were involved in a volunteer mission trip to Panama this summer. MILLIE ELLIS was the winner.[[In-content Ad]]

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