Parish Life Director

From
Lynn O’Rourke,
Parish Life Director

Welcome to Our Lady of Fatima!  Whether you are a newcomer to the parish, a regular attendee at our liturgies, or someone who has been away from the Church for a time, it’s all good here at OLF!   When we are baptized, we are ALL called by Christ to be witnesses to the Good News.  These are some of the newer ways in which parishioners of OLF are answering their Baptismal call:

OUTREACH
OLF’s Outreach Ministry has expanded during the past year. A dedicated, trained group of volunteers make regular Communion visits to those of the parish who are unable to attend Mass due to infirmity.  We also visit those who are hospitalized or in nursing homes.  Please notify the Parish Office if you are aware of someone who should be on our visitation list.  Also, if you have surgery scheduled and would like to receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please contact the Parish Life Director in advance of admission, and arrangements will be made for you to be given the Sacrament before you enter the hospital.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry continues to be a thriving group of volunteers who reach out in Christian love with Prayer Shawls for the sick and hospitalized, Chemo Caps for those suffering from chemotherapy-related hair loss and gifts for each baby who is baptized here.
‘Soup For The Shut-Ins’ – On a regular basis, volunteers make soup which we bring to those who are unable to cook for themselves due to illness or infirmity.  Feedback from those who have received containers of soup is that they are absolutely delighted to get it!

JAIL MINISTRY    
OLF is in the process of becoming the face of the Catholic Church at the Schenectady County Jail. There is a newly-formed team of volunteers who are in the midst of being screened and trained to minister to those incarcerated in the jail.  We envision offering Communion services, scripture study and faith sharing to the inmates.

YOUTH MINISTRY
After an absence of several years, Youth Ministry is again alive and well at OLF!  Youth Ministry kicked off during the summer of 2010 with a successful Pizza Party and an Ice Cream Social.  You will notice that the Teens are gradually becoming a visible presence in the parish.  One has volunteered to represent the Youth on the Pastoral Council and another will be serving God as a Lector.  The Youth Ministry have adopted the name C.H.I.C.K.E.N.s for the group; this acronym stands for: Children Helping In Causes Knowing  Enjoyments  Needed.  The CHICKENs planned their first fund-raiser for late in August- a Bake Sale at the Cobleskill Wal-Mart.  We anticipate sending a delegation from the parish to the Amazing God
Diocesan Youth Rally this Fall.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Several months ago, a Knights of Columbus Council was formally established at OLF. Within a few months, the K of C has doubled its initial membership.  To date, the K of C had its first successful event in June, a Chicken barbeque.  The Knights hosted the Confirmation reception last May.  More activities and events are planned.  The Knights of Columbus is a charitable and fraternal organization with over a 100 year history.  Membership is open to any Catholic man over eighteen years of age.  For more information or to join the K of C, contact Grand Knight Bob O’Rourke at 895-2788.

In spite of all the new opportunities for involvement and service that already exist at OLF, there is still so much more to be done to fully meet the call of Christ as handed down to us through the Corporal Works of Mercy.

SCRIPTURE STUDY
During the Fall of 2010, regularly scheduled Scripture Study is expected to begin.  It is anticipated that we will meet on a bi-weekly basis to break open the Scripture, enrich our understanding of God’s Word, and deepen our faith.  Starting date TBA in the “Good News Gazette.”

OUTREACH MINISTRY
As a further extension of OLF’s Outreach Ministry, it is essential that we continue the mandate of the Gospel by expanding the services we offer to those who mourn.  To this end, please consider answering Jesus’ call by helping to establish a Parish Hospitality Ministry and a Bereavement Committee. Hospitality Ministers would be called upon, on an as-needed basis, to organize and host parish receptions on special occasions, such as the annual Schenectady Deanery Meeting and receptions after funerals held here. Bereavement Team Ministers would follow up with families who have lost loved ones to provide those who mourn with Christian fellowship and support   If you are interested in becoming involved as either a Hospitality Minister or a member of the parish Bereavement Team, please notify the Parish Life Director.

In closing, OLF continues to be an active, thriving community of believers, but there is always more that can be done.  By continuously striving to grow in our faith together, we can fully live out our Baptismal call.