“Christmas Bags for the Sacred Heart Homebound” Youth Ministry/Religious Education Service Project.

Today’s first reading may tempt one to think that God is open to negotiation. Rather it was the ancient Semitic cultural way of expressing perseverance when communicating with God. At the same time, notice that Abraham is not praying for himself, but for others. How many times have we told someone that we would pray for them, and then simply not gotten around to it?

New To the parish? Welcome, we are happy to have you in our community and hope that you will enjoy a truly Christian experience with us. Please call or stop by the rectory to register (518) 274-1363. This helps us for sacraments, sick calls or any other assistance you may need. Thank you!

The traditional understanding of today’s first reading is that without being aware of it, Abraham was visited by angels, who communicated to him God’s will. Today’s second reading conveys a different set of circumstances or method by which God conveys His will, i.e. adversity and affliction, which St. Paul recognizes as an opportunity to more deeply unite ourselves with the dying and rising of Christ.

Are you anxious and worried about many things? Learn how to make Jesus a part of your marriage and take your worries away by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are Oct 18-20, 2019 in ALBANY, NY and Sep 13-15, 2019 in Huntington, NY. For more information, call Ed & Rhonda Staats at 518-279-3243 or visit them at https://wwmenyalb.org/.

“Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; you have the words of everlasting life.” Let Jesus speak to you in your marriage by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are Oct 18-20, 2019 in ALBANY, NY and Jul 12-14, 2019 in MANCHESTER, CT. For more information, call Ed & Rhonda Staats at 518-279-3243 or visit them at https://wwmenyalb.org/.

Parish Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-2pm and Friday 9am-12noon. School Office Hours: Tuesday-Thursday will be 7:30am-1pm.

As of this week we are getting closer to our goal. We have 156 gifts totaling $54,433.00 of our $69,661.00 assessment. Please continue to send in your contributions or put in the collection basket at Mass. Online giving at www.thebishopsappeal.org is an easy way to give. Envelopes are available in the rear of the church. Thank you to all who have contributed to date.

Grade 6 Graduates: Thank you for supporting our graduating sixth graders! Matthias Bullough, Joseph Darrah, Gabriel D’Andrade, Abigail Haker, Seth Kataoka, Kyle Manny, Olivia Moll, Brady Pratt, Hailey Quintal, Jayden Schreyer, Christopher (CJ) Strong, and Kaden Warren. STREAM Program Update: Our teachers have been trained in STREAM through the Massachusetts based organization of STREAM. STREAM is an innovative framework of hands on instruction whereas students explore a selected topic across the content areas of science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and mathematics. This program incorporates up to date, cutting edge educational concepts and practice that demonstrate the quality education that students receive at a Catholic school in our diocese. Learning occurs at an individual student pace based level enhanced by the collaboration between peers and instructors. SH students had three opportunities to explore a topic of their choice over an eight week cycle. Design, research and construction will culminate in a fully developed project which culminates in a demonstration day for all. Our program is also rather unique because our project groups are formed by student interest with a multi-aged approach. For example, Sally in grade five may select “robotics” and find herself working with other students from grades 3 through 6. Some of this year’s STREAM activities included: rockets (gr. 3-6), bridge construction (gr. 4-6), CO2 car racing (gr. 4-6), robotics (gr. 3-6), agricultural engineering (gr. K-6), architecture (gr. 3-6), understanding simple machines (gr. K-6), light circuits (gr. 4-6), engineering a shelter for a Lego person (Pre K), building a toy chute (Pre K), pool noodle engineering wall (Pre K), building a sculpture from nuts and bolts (Pre K), theme based musical (gr. 4-6), look at me now (gr. 3-6), making a compost bin (gr. K-3), make your own snack machine (gr. K-3), a new ride at Disney World (gr. K-3) and so much more.

On behalf of Father Vaughan, the staff and myself, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our fathers and grandfathers a very Happy Father’s Day. All fathers and grandfathers, both living and deceased, will be remembered in the masses and prayers throughout the month of June. Fr. Yanas

ECP Moving Up and Early Dismissal: Our Early Childhood Program (ECP) will be celebrating their Moving Up Ceremony on Wednesday, June 19th at 10:00 am. Students in K-5 will be dismissed at 11:30 am. Last Day of School: Thursday, June 20th is the last day of school for students in K-5 with a 10:30 am dismissal.

The Bishop’s Appeal report for this past week is $48,323.00 towards our goal of $69,661.00 from 145 supporters. The Appeal is ongoing and you may contribute at Mass, mail it in or give online at www.thebishopsappeal.org. By pledging you may spread your gift over 8 months. I encourage you to read the brochure (they are in the rear of the Church) and see first hand the good works undertaken by the ministries and programs made possible by your generosity to this Appeal. Simply put, our Parish and Diocese rely on your financial support! If you have never given before, please consider giving this year. No gift is to small when given from the heart. Let us pray for each other and the continued success of Sacred Heart’s 2019 Bishop’s Appeal. God Bless, Alice Swertinski

Happy Father’s Day! Wives, give your husbands the greatest gift of all, the gift of your love, by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are Oct 18-20, 2019 in ALBANY, NY and Jun 28-30, 2019 in Huntington, NY. For more information, call Ed & Rhonda Staats at 518-279-3243 or visit them at https://wwmenyalb.org/.

Today, all who have been baptized and believe, celebrate that most wonderful of gifts, the gift to each one of us of the Holy Spirit. It is the third most important feast of the entire liturgical year. So important is it that the priest celebrant has a choice for the second reading and Gospel. For the second reading, should we hear first Corinthians, may I point out that in this passage from St. Paul’s magnificent discourse on the risen Christ as head of his mystical body (us) he explains: ”There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit (for all) there are different forms of service but the same Lord (for all) there are different workings but the same God, who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit (to the rest of the body).” Each of us can and should meditate on this deeply and often. Our faith should remind us that “no man is an island”; we are called to live in relation to other people, to be a community, to be of some benefit to others, whatever talents and gifts God chooses to give us. If we are responsible, we cannot sleep walk through life, ignoring this call to mission.

Sixth Grade Graduation will be held on Thursday, June 13th, 2019 Liturgy, and graduation ceremony will be held in Sacred Heart Church at 6:00 pm. Immediately following conclusion of the graduation exercises, light refreshments will be served as we celebrate this very special occasion with our graduates and their families! Please keep all of our graduates in your thoughts and prayers as they move on to Junior High. Congratulations Graduates!

On Wednesday June 19, 2019 at 6 pm, the Capital District Chapter Columbiettes will hold their June meeting at the Latham-Colonie Knights of Columbus Council 328, Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham, NY. The Baby Shower for Birthright Schenectady and Election of Officers will be held. Capital District Columbiette Chapter President Linda Cotch will preside. Any questions please contact Kathleen Majer at (518) 272-8831 or [email protected]. Driving Directions: (787 North to exit 8, 23rdst Watervliet, East on 23rd to 2nd Ave, South to 19th St is Rt. 2, take a right on 19th St. continue to city line Troy-Schenectady Rd. Council is about 2 miles from city line. Coming from Rt 87 exit 6 to Rt 7 (Latham Roundabout continue to Rt. 2, (Troy-Schenectady Rd.)