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At St. Michael's parish in South Glens Falls, pastor REV. GUY A. CHILDS wrote in the bulletin: "With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, that means that there will be many more people at Mass than if it were on a weekday. I ask everyone to be sure and demonstrate the extraordinary gift of hospitality which our parish is known for at the various Christmas and New Year's Masses, especially for those who will be visiting or who may be returning to Church again after time away. Remember, first impressions are lasting impressions, and we don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. I am sure that our Christmas and New Year's Masses will be filled with joy!"

For those struggling at the holidays, St. Michael's was one of several parishes in the Albany Diocese offering a "blue Christmas" prayer service. Theirs was on Dec. 21, the winter solstice....

Holy Cross parish in Salem turned its Christmas giving tree into a "tree of remembrance" where parishioners could hang an ornament, photo or small token as a symbol of the loss of a loved one or pet. Paper ornaments were available for those who needed them....

Sacred Heart parish in Stamford is planning a live Nativity for Jan. 8, 6-9 p.m.; call (607) 652-7170 for information....

Immaculate Conception parish in Glenville had a children's Advent Mass, with kids processing into the church and sitting with their faith formation classes, and closing the Mass with a song they had been rehearsing all fall. Immaculate Conception parishioner MARION BUCHANAN just turned 107....

Teen carolers from All Saints on the Hudson parish in Mechanicville/Stillwater went to area convalescent homes and visited the homebound on a recent weekend, thanks to the city's Department of Safety, which loaned the use of a bus and driver - and a local pizzeria that fed the carolers. Former altar server WILL MORRIS just got his Eagle Scout badge in a ceremony at the American Legion Hall in Mechanicville....

YOCASTA FABIAN and the Spanish-speaking women's Scripture study group at Our Lady of the Americas Shrine Church in Albany, a mission of Blessed Sacrament parish, organized a retreat day for the Spanish-speaking women of the Diocese. They got a retreat director, musician and site, arranged meals, served the food and gave each woman a rose. There was no cost to the shrine church, and they even took up a collection for the church....

St. Joseph's parish in Greenwich has been selling leftover Christmas ornaments bought for its 2009-10 centennial, as well as Christmas postcards....

Holy Family parish in Little Falls will have a free open house Jan. 8, noon-3 p.m., in the church to celebrate the completion of work on the sacristy and let local residents who may not be active parishioners know more about the parish....

Our Lady of Grace parish in Ballston Lake has planned "name tag Sundays" through Easter to help parishioners get to know each other and welcome new members to the parish....

Members of Girl Scout Troop 2238 at Our Lady of Fatima parish in Delanson collected gently-used clothing for children through age 18 to help Things of My Very Own, a local organization that provides services to children who need to leave their homes because it is not safe....

Transfiguration parish in ­Speigletown/Schaghticoke announced that a parishioner donated two new wireless microphones for the deacons to use at Masses at the Schaghticoke worship site so they be heard without raising their voices or having to stand behind a microphone....

Teens at Our Lady of Victory parish in Troy had a Christmas gathering to go "caroling for a cause," raising money for the St. Francis Xavier Haitian Orphanage Foundation by caroling around the neighborhood. The youth ministry also participated in the Joseph's House winter walk for the homeless, raising $586.

OLV parishioner EMMETT GOLDEN, a senior at Troy High, earned his Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts after restoring a stone wall in front of the parish rectory. OLV has planned an "I Still Do" blessing of marriages prayer service Feb. 17 at 6 p.m., with a guest speaker and reception; on Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m., there will be "Cheese, Crackers and Conversations with REV. RANDALL PATTERSON," pastor. He'll answer questions on faith and other subjects....

Midnight Masses may have waned at some parishes, but many are having slightly earlier Christmas liturgies: 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve at St. Anthony's in Schenectady for example, and 10:10 p.m. at St. Adalbert's in Schenectady on Christmas Eve - with lessons and carols in Polish and English.

The St. Adalbert's Dancers group that attended World Youth Day in Poland over the summer had a presentation in December about the trip, with a Polish meal; proceeds benefit the parish....

The new year will bring interesting developments at some parishes: St. Henry's in Averill Park plans a Jan. 4, 7 p.m., meeting of its diabetes support group, with the theme, "New Year's Resolutions: Choosing Realistic Goals, and Tips on Attaining Them." Call LINDA BANKER, (518) 674-3818....

Meanwhile, St. Matthew's in Voorheesville plans to start First Friday eucharistic adoration as of Jan. 6, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The parish's Tuesday-evening faith-sharing group will support it. For information, call MARIE, (518) 655-0104....

A prayer-based mobility class will start Jan. 12, 11 a.m.-noon, at Corpus Christi parish in Round Lake. Participants will learn exercises to maintain flexibility, balance and strength in the free, six-week program (donations will be accepted), which will include music meditation and/or prayer. Contact CECILY BAILEY, (518) 573-8788.

The youth ministry at Corpus Christi had a weekend cookie sale to support their 2017 trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference....

Sacred Heart parish in Troy printed in its bulletin a note of gratitude from pastor emeritus REV. JAMES VAUGHAN "to those who sent me birthday greetings on the occasion of my 91st birthday. What an honor to be born on Mary's special day! My special thanks to our wonderful school children and faculty staff who attended my Mass that day and gave me their wonderful handmade birthday cards. I enjoyed reading them the whole day. They know me well and always include my sports teams: Yankees, Giants and Notre Dame."[[In-content Ad]]

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