North Country Catholic Newspaper

Diocesan Events

**Please note we do our best to keep the Event Calendar up to date, however if you are unsure if an event is happening, please contact the orgaization holding the event to see if it is still going on**

BLUE MASS
Canton – Bishop Terry R. LaValley will celebrate the annual Blue Mass.
Date: Sept. 29
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: St. Mary’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.

MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREATS
The Vocation Office and the Office of Youth Ministry is sponsoring a Middle School Retreat (Grades 6-8)
Date: Clinton-Northern Franklin & Adirondack Deaneries, Oct. 4 at Holy Cross Parish Center, Plattsburgh; Jefferson-Lewis & Adirondack Deaneries, Oct. 9 at IHC Jr/High School, Watertown; and St. Lawrence & Clinton-Northern Franklin Deaneries, Oct. 16 on at St. Mary’s Social Hall, Massena.
Time: Each of the Deanery Retreat locations sessions are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Features: The purpose of a Middle School Retreat is to guide young women and men to prayerfully consider what God’s plan is for their lives. This invitation is open to students in Grades 6-8 both in the Catholic schools and public schools. This is a Retreat Day for the students and is considered a legal excused absence.
Contact: Your pastor, Catholic school principal, or Religious Education Coordinator for a registration form. Registration forms due by Sept. 30

LIFECHAIN
Lifechain to be held at various locations across the diocese. Join in the annual peaceful, prayerful, public pro-life witness to the sanctity of life.
Schedule: Oct. 6 - Massena, Main Street & Rt 37 at 2:30 p.m.; Plattsburgh, Smithfield Blvd at 1 p.m.; Potsdam, Market Street at Main street at 1 p.m.; Saranac Lake, Bandshell Park at River Street at 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 5 – Watertown at Public Square, Noon to 3 p.m.
Features: Rain or shine. Signs will be provided.
Contact: For more information about Lifechain in your area visit www.lifechain.org.

FALL LEAD WORKSHOP
Lake Placid – Fall LEAD Workshop to be held with the theme “Moving the Needle on Family Faith Formation” for all Pastors, Catechetical Leaders, Catechists, Sacramental Prep Catechists, Youth Ministers and Families are invited to attend.
Date: Oct. 12
Time: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: St. Agnes School
Cost: $25
Speaker: Dr. Kathie Amidei
Features: In this workshop you will learn: Why Family engagement is essential; Strategies and models you can implement; Practical ways to encourage families; How to coach and accompany parents.; Please bring a bag lunch.
Contact: For more information contact Cathy Russell at crussell@rcdony.org. To register go to www.rcdony.org/needle

FAMILY GUGGENHEIM
Saranac Lake – Family Guggenheim to be held with the theme “Trailblazers for Jesus”.
Date: Oct. 11-13
Features: Yee Haw! Come join us for a rootin' tootin' good time at Family Guggenheim, a place to play and pray together as a family.
Contact: For more information and to register, go to https://www.rcdony.org/newsevents/family-guggenheim.html. Questions? Call Steve Tartaglia at 315-393-2920.

PRIESTHOOD DISCERNMENT
Discernment is a call, listen with others. It is a journey of faith, traveling with companions. Are you a single Catholic man, of high school age or older, who is hearing the Lord’s call to the Priesthood? You are invited to join fellow discerners and Father Howard Venette for the following gatherings.
Schedule: St. Bernard’s Church, Saranac Lake Nov. 23, March 22, 2025
St. Mary’s Church Jan. 25, 2025, May 3, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Features: Lunch will be provided at each of the church locations.
Contact: Registration required, please go to www.rcdony.org/priesthooddiscernment. For more information contact: Father Howard Venette – hvenette@rcdony.org

WOMEN’S HEALING RETREAT
Ogdensburg – Our Lady of the Rosary Healing retreat to be held for women.
Date: Oct. 10 – 13
Place: Wadhams Hall
Features: The retreat is open to 45 women over the age of 18. Presenters from the John Paul II Healing Center. Priests in residence will be Fr. Joseph Giroux and Fr. Albert Hauser.
Contact: For more information and registration, please visit the diocese website at www.rcdony.org/ourlady If you would like to send a donation to help defray the cost of the retreat, please mail a check to Mr. Bill Seymour, Wadham’s Hall, 6866 State Highway 37 Ogdensburg, NY 13669. The committee extends their thanks and gratitude for your prayers and support.

GIFTED DISCIPLE
Brushton - This all-day Charism workshop facilitated by Marika Donders from the Office of New Evangelization helps you begin to identify your gifts.
Date: Oct. 19
Time: 9:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Place: St. Mary’s Parish Center
Features: Before the workshop, participants are asked to go online to answer a set of multiple-choice questions. If you need assistance online, please contact Sally White at (518) 483-8370. In the morning, participants learn what charisms are, and each participant receives information about their potential gifts that can be explored further. The session after lunch explores ways to use your gifts to serve others. Discerning your charisms makes it easier to see how you may be asked to answer God’s call to discipleship.
Contact: Registration required: https://forms.office.com/r/RfydpLTyQM by Oct. 4

FOSTER GRANDPARENT
FGP is a local program that shows you how you can apply the skills and wisdom you have acquired throughout your life to make a difference in the lives of others. Get involved in the community and build relationships to last a lifetime. All you need to join is the ability to give the kind of comfort and love that sets a child on the path toward a successful future. If you’re 55 or older and want to share your experience and compassion, you have what it takes to be a Foster Grandparent. You'll also receive a small bi-weekly, non-taxable stipend that cannot be held against any current benefits you may already have as well as paid mileage for your travel. Additionally, you receive paid holidays, vacations, sick and personal leave. Opportunities available in Franklin, Essex, Clinton, St. Lawrence and 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.

Neighboring Dioceses

Pilgrimages

PILGRIMAGE TO ROME AND ASSISI
Join Fr. Chris Looby of St. Alexander's in Morrisonville, St. Augustine's in Peru, and St. James in Cadyville for the 2025 Jubilee: The Holy Year Pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi.
Date: Oct. 15 to Oct. 23, 2025.
Cost: Pricing starts at $4,199 per person for double occupancy and $4,799 for single occupancy, with a $350 per person savings.
Features: This 9-day journey includes visits to Rome's sacred sites, a Papal Blessing in Saint Peter’s Square, the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, and a tour of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Holy Door. Experience the Seven Pilgrim Churches, the Holy Stairs, and daily Mass. Extend your trip with a Venice and St. Anthony of Padua post-tour extension. Enjoy worry-free travel with our cancellation waiver and protection plan.
Contact: For more details and to reserve your spot, contact Mary McIntosh at AAA Travel Center at mmcintosh@nyaaa.com or (315) 558-6372. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey!