Greetings from River City. Regular readers of this column know that I have a lot of respect for the police. Are they perfect? Are they always right? No. Neither are we, despite the fact that we do not have to make life-and-death decisions in seconds. Police, like firefighters, run toward what we fearfully run from. When in danger, even those who do not like the police will call on them for help.

This business of throwing water and worse on policeman by grown men and older teenaged boys is disgraceful, but what was truly heartbreaking was seeing a little boy, perhaps 5 or 6 years old, in the midst of that and doing what he saw his elders do, throwing water on a policeman.

The men in that group cheated that little boy. What one of you would hand your child a stone when he asks for bread? That little innocent was handed a boulder and left to carry it himself. What message was given to that child, is it a message that will not one day hurt his life?

Very few things are inconsequential to a child. For the child’s sake – – and not only our own, but any child in whose presence we are – – in serious matters we are obliged to be the grown-up, whether we like to or not.

God bless and protect that little boy and all children in this world. Children are fragile, though it is often said a child will be able to get over some of the most traumatic things, as though those traumas had little effect. If that were really true, the world would be a much better place, don’t you think?

Eileen Burke, at Newburgh Free Library announced some of their upcoming programs from Aug. 14 – 27.

Benefit from Tech Support on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. Get free one-on-one help with your mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Learn how to use library apps to access e-books, audiobooks, mobile printing, movies and more!

Join the fun at the Sun-sational Summer Wrap-up Party on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. Share what you have read and learned this summer over space-themed crafts and free ice cream.

Attend the Path to Entrepreneurship Workshop on Monday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. for an introduction to small business ownership. Learn about the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur and what it takes to run your own business. Free pre-registration required at wedcbiz.org/events.

Participate in the monthly meeting and sharing of poetry with the Hudson River Poets on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. Listen to local poets or bring a poem to share.

Carl Aiello posted a Ralph Aiello photo of Gully’s on Remembering Newburgh that will recall many memories for locals and visitors. Ralph Aiello’s great photos of Newburgh can be enjoyed at imagesofthehudsonvalley.com and Remembering Newburgh.

Check out his photos, if you’d like to remember or see what this old city and its surroundings had to offer from Hudson River scenes and long gone picturesque farms, to streets and buildings gone and still here, and all between. You might be able to tell, I really like his choice and composition of subjects. Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary wishes to Mark and Bette Grethe on August 21 as they celebrate their 48th anniversary. May this be all you would hope it to be and may it become a treasured memory Congratulations on this anniversary and many more, Bette and Mark.

Virginia DiOrio, Nurse, Educator and Community Activist with We Are Newburgh is spreading the word about their 6th Annual Back to School BBQ on Aug. 25. Vendors who wish to set up a table at The We Are Newburgh 6th Annual Back To School BBQ, held in Downing Park on Sunday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., must fill out and submit a registration form.

Vendors are invited to connect with the Newburgh community and share their products or services. Selling of any kind to the public is prohibited at all We Are Newburgh events, vendors must share their products or services entirely free at the event.

Set up for vendors will be from 9 – 11 a.m. and all vendors must bring their own tents, tables, and chairs. A 10’X10’ space will be allotted to each vendor who wishes to table at this event.

Vendors may enter the park for set up at the intersection of South St. and Rte. 32. Non-profit organizations may table at the event for $35, for-profit businesses may table at the event for $50.

This year’s BBQ will be sponsored in part by IMPACT!, Inc. All checks can be made out to: IMPACT!, Inc. with “We Are Newburgh BBQ” in the “for/memo” line. They should be go to IMPACT!, Inc., 120 South St.

For more information email: wearenewburgh2013@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

From Saint Francis of Assisi Sacred Heart Church: R.C.I.A. News – In our parish, the process known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is available to anyone who would like to have the opportunity to learn about the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

The process is open to any adult who is unbaptized, or a member of a denomination other than the Catholic Church, or a baptized Catholic who has not completed reception of the Sacraments of Initiation, (Eucharist and/or Confirmation).

The formal aspects of the RCIA program will take individuals through various stages of study, prayer, and spiritual formation culminating in baptism (for non-Christians) or full reception into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
If you know a man or woman who has expressed some personal interest in Catholicism please contact the rectory at (845) 561-2264. Informal introductory sessions will acquaint the inquirer with the RCIA process and will be the first step in their journey of faith.

REP families were sent registration forms in the mail for the new 2019-2020 year. Emails were also sent through Flock Notes to all families. Please send registration forms and fees to the Parish of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, 301 Ann St., Newburgh, New York 12550, Attention: Sister Laura Urbano.

There will be an informational meeting and the opportunity to register in person on Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. in one of the classrooms at the old Sacred Heart School located on Ann St. and Robinson Ave. On site/in person registration will be on Aug. 26, 27 and 28 and on Sept. 3, 4, and 5 from 3 – 7 p.m. in the REP office.

Any questions, contact Sister Laura at (347) 207-5020.

Religious Education Program (REP) Catechists are needed. Please consider being a catechist, catechist aide or hall monitor on Mondays from 5 - 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 - 8:15 p.m.; on Tuesdays (once a month) from 6 - 7:45 p.m.

A Catechist is needed for Grade 2 on Mondays from 5 - 6:30 p.m. and for Grade 7 on Mondays from 6:45 - 8:15 p.m. Catechists are also needed in the family based program for Grades 4 and 5.

Catechists would meet once a month with their students on the second Tuesday of every month from 6 - 7:45 p.m. Anyone interested, contact Sister Laura at (347) 207-5020.

The baptismal preparation class for September will be on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. in the old Sacred Heart School located on Ann St. and Robinson Ave. Please bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate and the sponsors’ certificates or letters from their church saying they are practicing Catholics. Parents and Godparents must attend the session.

High School Confirmation Program: Any high school student in grades 9 - 12 who has not made Confirmation and would like to, please contact Sister Laura at (347) 207-5020. Sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 - 7:30 p.m. starting Sept. 18.

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish Youth Ministry News: Our parish youth ministry meets in the old Sacred Heart School, using the Ann St. entrance.
Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Mass Schedule Vigil - Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 5:30 p.m., and Thursday Aug. 15 at 12 Noon at St. Francis of Assisi. On Thursday, Aug. 15 at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart.

Prayers have been asked for little Jayce, who is five years old and who has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Please, if you will, give him and his family your precious gift of prayer. Thank you.

The 19th Century Renaissance man, Frederick Douglass, understood the profound truth of his statement, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Perhaps even truer today.

As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears and on the heads of all our brothers and sisters in this world, from the youngest in the womb to the oldest on earth.