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<<Register Here>>
Registration closes November 6
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We’re delighted to be hosted this year by St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish for Called to Serve Family Sunday on November 16th. This year, we gather as Pilgrims of Hope to celebrate the Jubilee of the Poor.
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“In the Catholic tradition, one of the ways we live out the call to discipleship is through honoring the inherent human dignity of each person. We are called to observe a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, modeling our actions on the examples seen in scripture.” - Pilgrims on the Way of Hope: A Resource for the Jubilee of the Poor, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
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As we come together, we’ll reflect God’s love through our shared commitment to the works of mercy. We’re so excited to have you with us!
Please take a moment to review the details below and complete your registration form to reserve your spot. You won’t need to select workshops in advance-you’ll be free to participate in any (or multiple!) workshops of your choosing during the afternoon. Registration is still required, so we know you’re coming and can prepare accordingly.
Please reach out with any questions to [email protected]
Please take a moment to review the details below and complete your registration form to reserve your spot. You won’t need to select workshops in advance-you’ll be free to participate in any (or multiple!) workshops of your choosing during the afternoon. Registration is still required, so we know you’re coming and can prepare accordingly.
Please reach out with any questions to [email protected]
Opening Prayer Service and Reflection |
#wmifamilysunday2025 |
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As we prepare for our opening prayer service and shared afternoon this November, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on the meaning of the Jubilee of the Poor. Let this time of reflection guide your heart as we come together in compassion, solidarity, and hope.
“The Jubilee of the Poor is not only an opportunity to recommit to the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, but also an invitation to take one step further into the challenge of living in true solidarity with the poor, something Pope Francis explains “‘means combatting the structural causes of poverty, inequality, the lack of work, land, and housing, the denial of social and labor rights. It means confronting the destructive effects of the empire of money…Solidarity, understood in its most profound meaning, is a way of making history’” (Fratelli Tutti no. 116, quoting Address to the Meeting of Popular Movements). The Jubilee of the Poor is a time to renew our commitment to the Church’s mission to walk with the poor and bring about transformative change. Together, we can live out the Gospel call to serve our brothers and sisters most in need, ensuring that all may experience the fullness of God’s love and mercy.” (Pilgrims on the Way of Hope: A Resource for the Jubilee of the Poor, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) Click on image below to explore further.
Event Day Collection
To learn more about the Good Neighbor Program, and how you can help, visit us at:
Good Neighbor Program. |
Schedule
Photo Gallery |
Workshops
Discover how you can live out the works of mercy through simple acts of compassion and kindness. We’ve curated a variety of opportunities to help everyone find something meaningful. You won’t need to select a workshop in advance. On the afternoon of the event, you’re free to join any of the available workshops--or explore even more than one! Below, you’ll find a list of the workshops we plan to offer. Take a look and see what speaks to you.
Please note: While you don’t need to choose a specific workshop now, registration for the event is still required. You’ll find the registration link below.
Please note: While you don’t need to choose a specific workshop now, registration for the event is still required. You’ll find the registration link below.
Card & Ornament Making:
Uplifting the Elderly with Handmade Care Support the Church’s ministry of Pastoral Care by creating heartfelt cards and seasonal ornaments for seniors who are homebound or living in nursing homes and senior communities. Your handmade creations-and the love and prayers behind them-offer comfort, connection, and a reminder that they are deeply valued and remembered. 
Brown Bag Lunches: Nourish with Kindness
Join us in assembling lunch bags filled with simple, nourishing meals to be distributed to those in need in Schenectady through the Salvation Army. Each bag offers more than just food--it’s a gesture of compassion for those facing hunger. Your helping hands and thoughtful care will bring comfort and kindness to someone’s day. |
T-Shirt Tug Toys: Joy for Shelter Dogs
Support the Animal Protective Foundations’s mission to nurture the human-animal bond by crafting dog toys from recycled t-shirts. These handmade toys offer playful enrichment and comfort to dogs awaiting adoption-bringing tail wags and joy while they wait for their forever homes. www.animalprotective.org Thanksgiving Goody Bags: Sharing Joy with Local Kids
Help assemble cheerful treat bags filled with Thanksgiving goodies for children visiting the St. Johns/St. Ann’s Welcome Table at the Albany Outreach Center. Each bag is a small celebration-meant to brighten a child’s day and remind them they’re cared for during the holiday season. <<Register Here>>
Registration closes November 6
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Blessing Bags: A Gift of Care and Compassion
Join us in assembling reusable tote bags filled with pre-packaged snacks and essential items for those in need. Each bag will include a message of kindness or inspiration-reminding the recipient that they are seen, valued, and supported. Completed bags will be distributed through Bethesda House in Schenectady, offering both practical help and a heartfelt touch. Friendship Stones: Spreading Hope Through Art
Unleash your creativity by painting uplifting messages and cheerful designs on friendship stones. Once complete, you will take your stones and place them in spaces around your community where they can brighten someone’s day and offer a moment of hope and inspiration to those who discover them. 
Stars for Our Troops: A Symbol of Gratitude
Craft star packets from retired American-made flags to honor our Military, Veterans, and First Responders. Each star serves as a small but powerful token of appreciation-reminding recipients that their service and sacrifice are seen, valued, and never forgotten. NOTE: If you or someone you know has a flag with embroidered stars that they would like to retire, please bring to the workshop. |