Greetings from River City. When you read this, Groundhog Day will have been. I don’t know what Punxsutawney Phil will predict, but I know that high heating bills have most of us hoping for an early spring and a cool summer.  
  
The Desmond Center for Community Engagement and Wellness, a Mount Saint Mary College initiative, announces its February 2023 events. All events are open to the community, and unless otherwise noted, are free. The MSMC campus is at 330 Powell Avenue. The center provides wellness and educational services for underserved individuals and families, including the uninsured. For more information, visit www.msmc.edu/wellness.   

February Desmond Center Schedule: Wednesday, February 1: Pilates with Angela Paul-Gaito, 6 - 7 p.m. at Newburgh Free Library, 124 Grand Street. Thursday, February 2: “Socacize” with La’Shawn Martinez, 6 - 7 p.m. at Mount Saint Mary College, 330 Powell Avenue. 
Saturday, February 4: Coats, Clothing & Care Kits, 9 – 11:30 a.m. Location: Mount Saint Mary College, 330 Powell Avenue. The Desmond Center and local grassroots organization Melanin Unchained host Coats, Clothes & Care Kits. Attendees will be able to select from donated winter coats, winter accessories and clothing. A hot breakfast will be provided, along with care kits crafted and distributed by Mount students.  

Tuesday, February 7: Yoga with Kaylan, 6 – 7 p.m. at the College. Wednesday, February 8: Pilates with Angela, 6 – 7 p.m. at Newburgh Free Library, 124 Grand St.  Thursday, February 9: “Socacize” with La’Shawn, 6 – 7 p.m. at the College.  

 Monday, February. 13: Heart Health Happy Hour, 6 – 8 p.m. at the College.  February is Heart Health Awareness Month! Attendees will learn about heart health, nutrition, managing stress, healthy relationships and more. Mount Nursing Students will be on site to provide blood pressure screenings and heart health education, and candle decorating workshops will be led by Healing Looks Great On You, Inc.’s Isabel Rojas. Enjoy healthy light bites and mocktails provided by Shoot Ya Shot Juice bar.  

Tuesday, February 14: Soulful Yoga with La’Shawn, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Colleges. Instructor La’Shawn Martinez puts her own spin to the restorative practice: yoga done to R&B and soulful beats.  
Wednesday, Feb. 15: Pilates with Angela, 6 – 7 p.m. at Newburgh Free Library.  Thursday, February 16: “Socacize” with La’Shawn, 6 – 7 p.m. at the College.  

Monday, February 20: Healing and Mental Health Arts Showcase of Local Black Artists, 6 – 8 p.m. at the College. In celebration of Black History Month, the Desmond Center brings together mental health awareness and the arts. Join them for an evening of community conversation around resilience and celebration of local Black Artists. 

Tuesday, February 21: Yoga with Ali, 6 – 7 p.m. at the College.  Instructor Alison Klein from Barre, Body & Soul studios leads a one-time offering of Vinyasa yoga, style of yoga characterized by stringing postures together seamlessly. Wednesday, February 22: Pilates with Angela, 6 – 7 p.m. at Newburgh Free Library.   

Thursday, February 23: Reiki with Kerri Lumsden, 6 – 7:30 p.m. the College.  Registration required: www.msmc.edu/DCCEWfeb23. Reiki promotes relaxation and stress/anxiety reduction through gentle touch. Attendees will enjoy a 1-on-1, 15-minute reiki session. 
Saturday, February 25: Paint ’N’ Sip, noon – 2 p.m. the College.  Registration required: msmc.edu/DCCEWfeb23. Receive art instruction by Mount Saint Mary College’s Stefanie Singer and produce your own art piece to take home. Priority will be given to first-time attendees. Light bites will be provided.  

Monday, February 27: Women’s Healing Circle with Kerri, 6 – 7 p.m. at the College. Registration required: msmc.edu/DCCEWfeb23. The Women’s Healing Circle, led by Kerri from The Balanced Nurse, is an energetic space for women to feel supported while taking part in a mindful theme and activity to assist in one’s self-healing journey.  
Tuesday, February 28: Introduction to Acupuncture, 6– 7:30 p.m. the  College. Registration required: msmc.edu/DCCEWfeb23.  Back by popular demand! Attendees enjoy some historical knowledge on Acupuncture as a healing practice followed by individualized acupuncture session led by Jenny Ingram from The Newburgh Acupuncture Project.  

 
 Please add or continue your prayers for my dear sister Maurena who is possible surgery. Maurena and the family are all most grateful for your prayers. She believes with all her heart that your prayers have been a critical part of her life (So do I).  

Please pray for Susan Short, who has serious health issues and is back in EMS after an operation. Susan and Maurena are women of great faith and believe profoundly in the power of prayer and are grateful for every one offered for them. 
    
  Sunday, March 12, is the Feast Day Mass and Dinner Dance for St. Patrick’s Day celebration for Newburgh! Mass is at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, complete with flutist and bagpiper, and the Dinner/Dance is at The Grand View, beginning with a 4 p.m. Cocktail Hour, then dinner and dancing from 5 - 9 p.m.  

DJ Twist will be featured from 5 - 9 p.m. The cost per ticket is $80 and this includes free beer, wine and soda throughout the event. Call Pam at St. Patrick’s Rectory (845) 561-0885 for your tickets and table seating arrangements.   
 
The Catholic Daughters, Court Patricia #195, will meet Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Church Chapel (rear entrance). Please bring socks to be distributed by the Franciscan Friars. New members are always welcome. 

The 6th Annual football viewing will be held on Sunday, February 12 from 4:30 p.m. until the end of the game, in  O’Connor Hall located in the Saint Francis of Assisi Church basement. Cost is $5 per person or food donation to share. There will be games for the youngsters, football pools, 50/50 raffle, and BYOB.

Contact Bill Kuntz at (201)697-9920 to RSVP or with any questions. 

 
Thinking of Spring: In America, we have Groundhog Day and furry Phil, In Europe they have Candlemass Day and a bear; both have the same mission. “If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another fight; But if Candlemas Day be clouds and rain, Winter is gone, and will not come again.” – Old rhyme. “Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.” ~Maori proverb.

As always, I closed with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads my dears.