EVENTS FOR NOV. 28- DEC. 5

If you want your event to be published in the Calendar, please email us at [email protected] or mail your event to 40 N. Main Ave., Albany NY 12203, Attn: The Evangelist. All Calendar items must be submitted by Wednesday of the week before publication.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 

Latham

Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by the Latham Colonie Knights of Columbus (328 Troy-Schen­ectady Road) from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and use our sponsor code: LathamKofC. 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1

Clifton Park

Chant Meets Jazz at St. Edward the Confessor (569 Clifton Park Center Road) at 2 p.m. Join our network of parishes for this unique experience of sacred chant and jazz. Tickets are $10 per person. 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5

Waterford

Guided Mini Retreat: Encount­er­ing Emmanuel at St. Mary’s, Crescent (86 Church Hill Road) from 9-10 a.m. The busy season is upon us, but St. Mary’s in­vites you to begin the new liturgical year by focusing on your spiritual journey. Prepare your heart this Advent with our guided mini retreat. Join us for peaceful Communion services on Thursdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, from 9-10 a.m., in the chapel. Led by Marge Milanese, these sessions will help us embrace Advent’s joy and deepen our awareness of God’s presence. All are welcome.

DECEMBER 6-8

Albany

Annual Italian Christmas Market at the American Italian Heritage Association & Museum (227 Central Ave.) Open Friday, Dec. 6, and Satur­day, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Come see the traditional Italian nativity scene of the Lord on display by artist Joseph Anastasio. In the rooms of the museum, you will find something for almost everyone on your Christmas list. We have a large selection of religious articles, cards, CDs, Advent wreaths, candles and more. On the second floor are additional vendors and an Italian Cafe for light lunch and dessert. 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 

Rensselaer

Feast of St. Nicholas Celebra­tion at the Church of St. Mary at Clifton Heights (163 Colum­bia Turnpike) at 6:30 p.m. All the young children and their parents are invited to celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas with us! Come and hear the story of St. Nicholas told by himself, get a chance to visit with St. Nicholas, receive a gift and share in some goodies and hot cocoa.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7

Corinth

Christmas Fair at Holy Mother and Child Parish (405 Palmer Ave.) from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Shop local and get your Christmas shopping done early while helping to support the parish! Items for sale include food, cookies and various new and used donated items. Please note there will be no books or clothing for sale. We hope to see you there!

Guilderland

Blood Drive at Christ the King Church (20 Sumter Ave.) from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration for our next drive is now open! To register, visit www.redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code “churchchristking.”

Rotterdam

Holiday Craft Fair at St. Gabriel’s School Hall (3040 Hamburg St.) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Enjoy leisurely shopping for your holiday gifts. Browse around among over 40 unique and exceptional crafters to find the perfect gifts to purchase for your family and friends. This event will feature the St. Gabriel’s Women’s Club’s famous “Cookie Walk,” with endless varieties of luscious and delicious homemade cookies. There will be food and a variety of raffles.

Troy

Eastside Christkindlmarket at Sacred Heart Church (310 Spring Ave.) from 2-7 p.m. If you or someone you know is a local crafter or maker/seller of goods, we want you! This German-inspired Christmas festival is indoor/outdoor and will feature local vendors, a Biergarten, food and kids activities. There will be something for everyone. If you would like to be a vendor, please go to https://sacredhearttroy.com/community-and-christian-service to register or call the parish office at (518) 274-1363.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 

Fort Plain 

Sixteenth Annual Candlelight Memorial Service at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church (115 Reid St.) at 6:45 p.m., sponsored by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Our Lady of Hope Church. Held in honor of the worldwide Candle Lighting event, this ecumenical gesture unites family and friends who light candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles burn down in one time zone, they are then lit in the next, creating a virtual 24-hour wave of light. Refreshments and fellowship will be available after the service. Please RSVP by Nov. 30 to Doris Dutcher at (518) 993-4612. 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14

Schenectady

Holiday Craft Show & Bake Sale at St. John the Evangelist Church (806 Union St.) in the parish center gym and cafeteria. Sponsored by the Rosary Altar Society. Additional information will be provided as we get closer to the event.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 

Delmar

Way of the Star Event at St. Thomas the Apostle Church (35 Adams Place) at 6 p.m. (following the 5 p.m. Mass). Be sure to attend this wonderful, family-friendly event about the Infancy Narratives in preparation for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. The event will in­clude stunning visual images, incredible music, and a period of Eucharistic adoration at the end. Participants will be guided through five “stations” or familiar scenes from the Infancy Narratives. Each mediation will begin with the reading of a short reflection and Scripture. The focus will shift from spoken reflection to visual and musical reflection. For more information, visit www.thevigilproject.com.

Gloversville

Christmas Concert “Sounds of the Season” at the Church of the Holy Spirit (151 South Main St.) at 3 p.m. The concert is free to all who wish to attend. Free will donations will be accepted. Featured musicians will be Father Matt and Kyle Zimmer­man on trumpet, Paul Whitney and Bob Cline on guitar, and Kathy Sponenberg and Sam Zimmerman on keyboard. Featured soloists (so far) are Olivia Esposito, Angela Veeder, Paul Whitney, Jessica Zimmer­man, Ann Marie Trojan, Preston Gillis and Sue Shrader. Our carolers will consist of people who love music and Christmas.   

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

Gloversville

“Midnight at Nine” at Holy Spirit Parish Hall (151 South Main St.). Come and enjoy dinner and ring in the New Year with us! Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and social hour begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner. Donations are $20 for adults, $10 for kids 10 and under. Tickets are available at the parish office. Only 75 tickets will be sold. No tickets will be sold at the door.