YOUTH MINISTRY SUMMIT
Saranac Lake – First Annual Youth Ministry Summit to be held.  Open to all adults who work with MS/HS aged young people in the diocese.
Date: Aug. 28-30
Place: Camp Guggenheim
Cost: $25 to help defray the cost of food. Includes all lodging, food, and events.
Features: We have Camp Guggenheim booked for the whole weekend, so you can come for a day or retreat the whole time! It will be a time of collaboration, problem-solving, resource sharing, prayer, and strategizing for the year and, of course, some well-deserved relaxation. Catechists, Confirmation Teachers, Youth Group Leaders, Religion Teachers...if you work with young people, you are invited!
Contact: To register go to forms.cloud.microsoft/r/7FNXDbFmVP

FREE THEOLOGY SERIES
Canton - This free professional-development opportunity is open to all who work with middle school or high school youth, including catechists, Catholic school teachers, youth group volunteers, parish youth ministers, and core-team members.
Date: Sept. 12
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Place: St. Mary’s Parish Center
Features: How do we know God exists? Why does evil happen if God is good? What about evolution, the Big Bang, or the multiverse? The first session of the Ready to Give an Answer series will help Catholics respond to these questions with clarity, confidence, and charity while exploring the relationship between faith and science. A continental breakfast will be provided, and participants may receive credit toward certification in Youth Ministry.
Contact: Although the event is free, registration is required so that we can prepare for food and communicate any changes. Register at or email Patrick Looby at plooby@rcdony.org.

SSJ LAY ASSOCIATE PROGRAM
The Sisters of St. Joseph invite you to a meeting being held around the diocese if you are interested in learning about our Lay Associate Program.
Schedule: Sept. 12 at St. Patrick’s Church, Colton at 1 p.m.; Sept. 13 at John XXIII Newman Center, Plattsburgh at 2 p.m.; Sept. 20 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Dostie Hall, Watertown from 2 to 4 p.m.
Features: Associates meet once a month to learn about the spirituality, the charism and mission and history of the Sisters of St. Joseph, pray together, and discuss ways to deepen one’s spiritual life. This group is open to men and women.
Contact: If you are interested, please contact Sister Mary Eamon (smelyngssj@yahoo.com) or call 315-393-6511 or Sister Bethany srbethssj@gmail.com or call 315-405-4058.

MARRIAGE CELEBRATION MASS
Ogdensburg - We invite all married couples and their families to join us at the annual Celebration of Love and Marriage Mass.
Date: Sept. 20
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: St. Mary’s Cathedral|
Features: Bishop LaValley will be presiding. Whether you have been married for less than 1 year, over 50 years or anywhere in between, we want to acknowledge your commitment and celebrate with you. Married couples that wish to receive a certificate signed by Bishop LaValley and have their names appear in the program should register no later than September 11th at https://www.rcdony.org/jubilee. There will be a gathering with refreshments after the Mass.
Contact: For more information please contact Steve Tartaglia at 315-393-2920 or startaglia@rcdony.org.

HIGHSCHOOL LEADERSHIP WEEKEND
Saranac Lake – Highschool Leadership weekend to be held for teens entering 9th to 12th grade.
Date: Sept. 25 – 27
Place: Camp Guggenheim
Cost: $150, Financial Aid available
Features: Spend an unforgettable weekend growing in faith, building friendships, enjoying outdoor adventure, and learning from inspiring Catholic leaders.
Contact: To register and find out more information go to www.rcdony.org/leadership

BLUE MASS
Black River – Bishop Terry R. LaValley cordially invites all Police, Corrections, Fire and EMS Personnel to the Diocese of Ogdensburg Blue Mass.
Date: Sept. 27
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: St. Paul’s Church
Features: The Blue Mass is the Church’s way to offer thanksgiving to God for the dedication and sacrifices made by the men and women of Fire, EMS, Corrections, Law Enforcement and Communications. First Responders, their families and all the faithful are invited to attend this Sunday celebration. Uniforms are encouraged but not required.
Contact: Questions can be addressed to Father Chris Carrara, Blue Mass Committee Chair at info@rcdony.org or by phone at 315-393-2920.

DYING WITH CHRIST, LIVING WITH HOPE
Plattsburgh - When we make a commitment to die with Christ, we can truly live with hope. Learn about the new Physician Assisted Suicide law and how MAID has progressed throughout Canada.
Date: Sept. 29
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: St. Peter’s Emmaus Room
Cost: $10 donation, includes lunch
Features: Discussions feature theologians and healthcare professionals giving perspectives on suffering, grief, dying and our Christian duty to care.  The day will include guest speaker Jessica Rodgers, coalition director of Patients Rights Action Fund.
Contact: Registration online at: https://www.rcdony.org.livingwithhope For more information contact cminer@rcdony.org

MIDDLE SCHOOL WEEKEND
Saranac Lake - Join us for an exciting weekend at Camp Guggenheim designed just for middle school students, entering 6th to 8th grade.
Date: Oct. 2 to 4
Place: Camp Guggenheim
Cost: $100, Financial Aid Available
Features: Experience fun outdoor activities, high-energy games, inspiring talks, praise and worship, prayer, and new friendships—all while discovering how much God loves you. Whether you're coming with friends or meeting new ones, Middle School Impact Weekend is the perfect opportunity to grow in faith, have an amazing time, and make memories that will last long after the weekend ends.
Contact: To register and find out more information go to www.rcdony.org/msleadership

RACHELS VINEYARD
Saranac Lake - Are you or a friend suffering after abortion? You aren't alone. Join others for a weekend of hope and healing.
Date: Oct. 9 -11
Place: Guggenheim Lodge
Cost: $150 includes lodging, food and all retreat materials. Scholarships available.
Contact: Confidential online registration at www.rcdony.org/pro-life/rv-retreat For more information: Colleen Miner Email: cminer@rcdony.org Phone Number: 518-524-0774

HEALING RETREAT
Ogdensburg – This year’s Annual Our Lady of the Rosary Healing Retreat will have the theme of Love Heals.
Date: Oct. 8 – 11
Place: Wadhams Hall
Features: The Presenter will be Sonja Corbitt. Do not waste another day. Stop the pain. Love heals. John Paul the Great said, “Suffering unleashes love,” because we only ever find Jesus and His love in our wounds. Sonja Corbitt has been teaching people how to acknowledge and open their woundedness to God’s love for over 17 years as a leader in the Catholic Church and Scripture teaching space. You may know her as the Catholic Evangelista through her speaking, writing, and podcasting. 
Contact: Space is limited and Register today: https://www.rcdony.org/ourlady.  For more information contact Kathleen Nichols kmsnichols1163@gmail.com

JOURNEY WITH CHRIST
Norfolk - All catechists and parish leaders are invited to join us for Journey with Christ.
Date: Oct. 17
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Features: More information to come.

MEN’S DISCERNMENT GROUPS
Men ages 18–40, are you searching for purpose and wondering about God’s plan for your life? Come be part of our Men’s Discernment Groups.
Locations: Canton/Potsdam area, St. Mary’s Church, start date Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. facilitated by Fr. Scott Belina; Plattsburgh area, St. John XXIII Newman Center, start date Jan. 30 at 10 a.m., facilitated by Fr. Carter Pierce.
Features: A welcoming space for prayer, reflection, and honest conversation with others exploring the call to priesthood or a deeper walk with Christ. Refreshments and materials provided. Take the next step toward clarity and peace. Your journey begins here!
Contact: Deacon Garry Stevens, Vocations Coordinator at gstevens@rcdony.org or 315-854-6158

SURVIVING DIVORCE
Canton - The Family Life Office will be offering the Surviving Divorce program again starting in late February.
Time: Meeting dates and times will be determined by the needs of the participants.
Cost: The program is free but we happily accept $25 donations to offset the cost of materials.
Features: Surviving Divorce features twelve video presentations that cover topics such as shock and grief, anger and forgiveness, money issues, dealing with children and a former spouse, and annulment and remarriage. This program is for the newly separated and divorced and those still struggling with issues many years later. It will help them find answers to their questions, restore their hope, and begin authentic healing.
Contact: To register, go to https://www.rcdony.org/survivingdivorce. For more information, contact Steve Tartaglia at 315-393-2920.

FOSTER GRANDPARENT  
Foster Grandparents are role models, mentors and friends to children with exceptional needs. The program provides a way for volunteers age 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their communities. They are placed in a classroom serving with a child or children who are in need of emotional support, development of basic learning skills, friendship, companionship, encouragement, individual attention and unhurried help. The program currently has 40 volunteers and serves more than 100 kids per year. To volunteer in this program, you can live in one of the following counties. Franklin, Essex County, Clinton County, St. Lawrence County or Jefferson County
Contact: Melissa Howard, Volunteer Coordinator at (518) 359-7688 or E-mail: mhoward@cathcharities.org 

SIDEWALK ADVOCATES FOR LIFE 
Experience Sidewalk Advocated for Life’s new virtual basic training 2.0. 
Features: Sidewalk Advocates for Life employs peaceful, prayerful, loving, and law-abiding outreach outside of abortion centers to aid mothers in crisis and connect them with life-affirming resources in the effort to save their preborn children and end abortion. By God’s grace, this effort has witnessed over 9,000 women turn around at abortion centers and CHOOSE LIFE! 
Contact: To get started, YOU’RE INVITED to fill out the brief application at sidewalkadvocates.org/trainingapp. Upon receipt, we’ll be in touch with next steps for accessing the online training.