Palm crosses benefit

For the fifth year in a row, the Schenectady Vicariate of the Ladies of Charity will offer braided palms to benefit local Catholic food pantries.

The Schenectady Ladies of Charity spend the weeks leading up to Palm Sunday braiding palm branches into crosses, big and small, both elaborate and simple, as well as rosettes, “grapes” and “leaves.” This isn’t a mere craft hour, but a busy, mission-oriented week geared at making sure members have plenty to offer for donation at parishes throughout Schenectady County. Each palm item is crafted with love and prayers, and parishioners are encouraged to grab a few, have them blessed during Mass, and share them with friends and loved ones to keep in their homes for the coming year.

Handcrafted palm crosses — made by Corinne Cazer, Rita Diehsner and Judith Kiernan will be available for donation at each of the Palm Sunday Masses (Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14) at the following Schenectady Churches: St. Paul The Apostle, St. Luke’s, St. Joseph’s (State Street), Immaculate Conception in Glenville, Our Lady Queen of Peace and St. Margaret of Cortona in Rotterdam. All proceeds fund local Catholic food pantries.