Greetings from River City.  The news this morning that one of our city’s 7-year olds died in a manner that is, at this point, being questioned, is heartbreaking.  I pray that this child was not a victim of violence.  Having just lost our Jayce to stem cell cancer (DIPG), I thought of how beloved he was and is still, how much his parents cherished him and did to help him.  I pray with all my heart our little Newburgher was loved and cherished, as all children should and deserve to be. God be with his dear little soul and grant him his place in Heaven.   

Saint Mary’s outreach will will hold their next Giving Day on Friday, Feb 19, at its new location, the Newburgh Armory Unity, 321 South William Street. Gates will open at 9 a.m.   Bring tote bags or a cart. One member per household only. Please bring an ID and a proof of residency.
Items to be distributed include deodorant, toothpaste, detergent, eggs, cheese, sausage, canned tuna, hot dogs, peanut butter, mac & cheese, clothing and other houseware items.
Call Saint Mary’s Outreach at 541-8144 for more information.

Mary Anne McEnery, Newburgh Chamber Music Publicity  invite you to join members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for an evening of chamber music on Sunday, Feb. 21, the sixth in the ALIVEmusica series of livestreamed concerts.   The performance, from the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, begins at 8 p.m.  It is co-presented by the Howland Chamber Music Circle, Newburgh Chamber Music, Pawling Concert Series, and WMHT-FM classical radio. 

While furloughed by the pandemic, many members of the orchestra perform in ensembles to remain employed and reach audiences on a livestream.  The Feb. 21 performance will feature harpist Stacey Shames, violinists Caterina Szepes and Bruno Eicher, violist Mary Hammann, and cellist Kari Jane Docter. 
The program, which draws from a broad spectrum of composers, will feature Camille Saint-Saëns’s Fantasie in A Major, Jules Massenet’s Meditation from Thaïs, Beethoven’s String Trio in C Minor, and Zapatos de Chincha by Gabriella Lena Frank. 
The concert can be streamed on the websites of the co-presenters, including newburghchambermusic.org and howlandmusic.org/ALIVEmusica. A donation of $20 is suggested. The concert will be available for two weeks following the initial presentation. 
 
From Safe Harbors: DIY African Handicrafts: Pick up your DIY craft packages at the Lobby at the Ritz and join guest artist Khalidah Carrington of the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy, as she virtually walks participants through the creation of traditional African handicrafts in a series of guided how-to videos on Safe Harbors Facebook page February 28. All materials provided. 
DIY craft packages can be picked up at Safe Harbors Lobby at the Ritz, February 24 and 25 between 4 - 6 p.m. at 107 Broadway, Newburgh. Any questions, please contact June Henley at (845) 784-1110.  Black History Month Youth Festival is sponsored in part by Mid Hudson Times.   Safe Harbors of the Hudson, 111 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550.   
 
Sacred Heart Donations for Mary’s Hope  - The are very much in need of Cereal, Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Roni, Canned Vegetables and Fruit, Spaghetti & Sauce, Tuna, Complete Pancake Mix & Syrup, Mashed Potatoes in a box, Rice in 1lb packages, Gravy, Stuffing, Pasta in a can, Baked Beans, Tomato and Chicken Noodle soup. We also need plastic bags (yellow or white) and paper bags with handles.  Please note:  They cannot give out expired food to our clients.  Please bring donations to Sacred Heart church. Thank you for your continued generosity. 
Call the Sacred Heart-St. Francis rectory (561-2264) to add to/delete names from the Parish sick list.   
  
Please remember the following members of the armed service in your prayers: US Marines, Sgt. C.J. Kozlik; US Army, LCDR Thomas O. Mennerich, USN, LCDR Abby K. Mennerich Lorfeld; USN, Keith O’Connor; US Army, Nicholos M. Pisani; US Navy, Capt. Bryan Malone; US Army;  Airman Matthew Cook; Air Force, PFC Cory Ray Kretzmer; and US Army. Sgt Vincent Thurston. 
In addition, US Marines, Pvt Francis Thurston; US Marines, E2 Thomas Pacenza III; USAF Pvt. Haley Pacenza; US Army, Airman Samantha Trappe; Air Nat’l Guard, S/Sgt Grant Drumgold; Air Force, M/Sgt Theresa Castellane; Air Force, SPC Patrick D.Ortland; US Army, PFC David Recine Jr.; US Army, PFC Matthew F. Lease;  USMC, Capt Matthew Stark; Army, Jonathan Stagliano; and Master at Arms Navy.  If you know of someone deployed overseas, please let your house of worship know or email me.  
 
Stations of the Cross: Starting Friday, Feb. 19, and every Friday during Lent.  Stations of the Cross will be 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Spanish) at St. Francis.   
 
Calling All Animal Lovers. Please Help.  Are you looking for a “Lent Project” that may be close to your heart?  This is it!!  Are you looking for an easy hands-on “Children’s Lent Project”? This is it!!  Our Little Furry Ministry is in much need of any helpful pet supplies.  They can use pet food, pet toys, old blankets, bleach, paper towels, sponges, or anything that you think would be helpful.  
Of course, monetary donations are always greatly appreciated. Just one can of pet food, or one bag of pet food, or one dollar each Sunday during Lent will make a big difference in the lives of these helpless animals.  “Thank you!”
  40 Days For Life: From Feb. 17 through March 28, please join others for 40 Days for Life, which consist of 40 days of prayer and fasting to end abortion.  You are also invited to stand and peacefully pray during a 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Newburgh Planned Parenthood.  For more information, call Wendy Wood at (845) 820-4366 or go to the website 
40daysforlife.com/Newburgh.  A Pro-Life Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Feb.16 at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Church. 
 
The wisdom of Martin Luther King, Jr., “I have decided to stick with Love, Hate is too great a burden to bear.”   
  May we all know the light of Love; May the hellish darkness of Hate never envelop us.  As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.