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The Works of Mercy Initiative is sponsoring its annual celebration of ministry May 22, 7 p.m., at St. Luke's Church in Schenectady to recognize volunteers from all parishes in Schenectady who do works of mercy: food pantry volunteers, visitors of the sick and hospitalized, those who collect or donate clothing for the needy, visit the imprisoned, participate in bereavement ministry or perform spiritual or corporal works of mercy through ministry....

St. Jude School in Wynantskill will have its first Color Me Smart run May 20, starting at 8 a.m., with one-mile and 5K runs. Register for the color run at www.colormesmartrun.com....

On May 26, St. Mary's Academy in Hoosick Falls will have its annual "SMArathon," with a one-mile walk for pre-kindergartners through first-graders and a three-mile for for second through eighth grade. Students are asking for pledges and donations. SMA will also have its annual Duck Derby June 10, 3:30-7 p.m., at Brown's Brewing in North Hoosick. Ducks are $10 each or three for $20.

Immaculate Conception parish in Hoosick Falls is having a "full moon canoe and kayak paddle" June 9, 8:15 p.m., starting at the Buskirk covered bridge. It's described as "a leisurely paddle on Hoosic flat water enjoying the sounds of the season, river stories and the rising full moon." Participants can contact the parish to reserve a canoe or kayak....

KATELYNN LEAVRY of St. Mary's parish in Granville was grateful for $471 donated by parishioners toward her spring medical mission trip....

The 2017 Crop Walk was a success for "Team St. Francis of Assisi." Fifteen people from the Albany parish walked, collecting $2,131; top walker PATRICIA POLAN collected $725. Twenty-five percent of the monies stay in Albany County, divided up among its 28 food pantries and soup kitchens.

Before winter ended, the food pantry at St. Francis of Assisi got a donation of scarves, hats and gloves from ANTHONY CAVALERI and his New York City-based "Hugs" organization....

In related news, director BARBARA QUINN of St. John's/St. Ann's Center in Albany, which provides food and more for people in need, congratulated JO-ANN GARRISON, a winner in the center's annual Spring Run Off; and GEORGEANN PAYNE, who spread the word about the run. Ms. Quinn gave a talking about the center to students at The Academy of the Holy Names in Albany, who had a food drive for it and plan on doing a drive each year....

Parishioners of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany and students from Bishop Maginn High School who participated in the most recent Crop Walk to fight hunger got a "golden sneaker" award for improving their collections; the cathedral's food pantry got $1,500 of the more than $2,000 they raised....

Holy Trinity parish in Cohoes said the Lion's Club Recycle for Sight program was grateful for the impressive 160 pairs of eyeglasses parishioners recently donated. Seminarians CHARLES ONYENEKE and NATHANIEL RESILA will be spending the summer at Holy Trinity during their journey to the priesthood....

St. Joseph's parish in Greenfield Center is continuing its tradition of buying carnations from Birthright for its May crowning and passing them out to women at church on Mother's Day. The proceeds benefit women who need support through a crisis pregnancy....

St. Gabriel's parish in Rotterdam has plots available in its community garden for parishioners wishing to grow their own organic vegetables. Contact ARNIE SCHULTZ, (518) 356-4056....

Once again, St. Clement's parish in Saratoga Springs is having a blanket drive for backstretch workers at the Saratoga Race Course. Needed are gently-used blankets, twin sheets, pillows and pillowcases, as well as hoodies. St. Clement's has a support group for people trying to quit smoking. People who can offer experience and support can contact LISA KENT at [email protected]....

Sacred Heart in Castleton had an "Undie Sunday," with parish teens collecting underclothing for people in need at The Anchor.[[In-content Ad]]

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