St. Columba Parish

Dear Saint Columba Family:
     
     With Fr. MacDonald's new assignment, Fr. Innocent getting a well deserved time home, and no replacement assigned,  I am stretched (to put it mildly). Yet through the generosity of my brother priests in the area we will be okay.

     I have managed to get coverage for every Sunday Mass (including Saturday evening) so for the vast majority of you there will be absolutely no change in what you are accustomed to. Weekdays will be slightly altered. Since for the most part I am doing both morning Masses at St. Columba Church and St. Mary's Church,  if a funeral comes in at St. Mary's, the 9 AM Mass will be the funeral Mass. If a funeral comes in at St. Columba, I will have to add that on since 8am is too early for a funeral and I am running off to cover St. Mary's after that daily Mass.

     Since I have already secured help on some weekdays, hopefully we can try and schedule funerals those days at the normal time (10am or 11am) to avoid disruption, but these things are sometimes out of our control. Also, starting January 25th, the Saturday 9 AM Mass at St. Mary's is suspended. I am already covering four Sunday Masses, with the possibility of a Saturday funeral it could raise it to five or six which is not healthy physically or spiritually.

     Additionally, if the weather is inclement and Washingtonville Central School District has a two hour delay or cancellation, the daily Mass at St. Mary's is cancelled since I won't be able to get over from my rectory. If I get sick and am unable to celebrate Mass, in lieu of Mass, there will be a Communion service. 

     Many of you have been incredibly gracious and kind in voicing your concern about how I would handle these next several weeks. I know any disruption to the schedule is unpleasant so I ask for your continued patience and understanding with the knowledge that we are facing a unique challenge right now. Please know I am doing everything I can to make this as painless as possible for you. Please pray for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood!

Rev. Christopher Argano
Pastor
St. Mary-St. Columba Parish

   *  PLEASE NOTE:.If there is an EMERGENCY and you need a priest, please call: 
                 845-535-3084 
*  For those of you who are unable to come to church, the Sunday Mass is live streamed on the YouTube channel. In order to receive updates and notifications, please subscribe to our channel located on St. Columba’s web-site. 
     
*  Our guidelines for attendance at           the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass:   
     

• Everyone is invited to enter the church and to attend all services. 

• Those of you  who prefer to wear a mask even if you have been vacinated is strictly up to you. However, they are not required.

• Continue to refrain from physical contact except for communion. 

• Collections of your weekly offerings will continue to, as previously done, taken up by the ushers.  

• Finally, your Pastor, or priest offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will walk down the isle after Mass to greet you as you exit the church.