The Festival of Trees

The 25th Annual Saratoga Festival of Trees

Dear Friends, The world as we know it has changed dramatically since last March. As COVID-19 continues to spread, the future has never felt so unpredictable. For the past eight months, we have been challenged by isolation from families and friends and limitations on freedoms we’ve always known. We have witnessed people losing their jobs or trying to balance working remotely while their children are often doing their schoolwork remotely as well. Requests for help with basic needs are increasing dramatically, and in the midst of it all, Catholic Charities staff have not missed a beat in rendering services to those in need. This year, we were hoping to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Trees in grand style – the agency’s primary fundraiser and the community’s premier holiday event. Due to the pandemic, we have had to make necessary modifications to ensure the safety of our community, our volunteers and ourselves. Thus there will be no Preview Reception on opening night, and Family Day with Breakfast with Santa, the holiday store and the raffle have all been canceled. We will have the usual display of beautifully decorated trees which will be featured virtually for purchase as well as in person. The smaller items – wreaths, centerpieces, etc. will be cash and carry. In lieu of breakfast with Santa we will offer face time visits with Santa, personalized letters and Christmas Cookie kits. The needs of our neighbors are growing dramatically and will continue to do so in the near future. In times like this, we’re reminded of how interconnected we all are. Thank you in advance for supporting the mission of Catholic Charities and the Festival of Trees. Now more than ever our communities need us and we need you. Sister Charla Commins, Executive Director Earline Johnson and Bruce O’Connell, Event Chairs

Festival Schedule Saratoga Springs City Center

Wednesday, December 2nd 5:00 – 7:00 pm Thursday, December 3rd 4:00 – 9:00 pm Friday, December 4th 2:00 – 6:00 pm Saturday, December 5th 12:00 – 6:00 pm Sunday, December 6th 11:00 - 2:00 pm This year patrons can also view and purchase trees online at Give.classy.org/FestivalTrees COVID-19 related protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of all.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT Bruce O’Connell VICE PRESIDENT Jim Norton TREASURER Paul von Schenk SECRETARY Pam Stiansen BOARD MEMBERS Fran Dingeman Earline Johnson Christin Mason Kimberly Pacheco Carol Raike

HONORARY COMMITTEE

Wally & Sue Allerdice Mary N. Bonner Diana M. Burke Ellen & Hal Card Catholic Charities Diocese of Albany Rev. Thomas H. Chevalier Rebecca Christner & Carter White Linda & Vince Colonno Fran Dingeman Sharon & Stan Drosky Anita Dunn Claudette M. Farchione Thomas Frost Bishop Emeritus Howard J. Hubbard Kathleen James Matt & Earline Johnson Annie & John Krasnicki Drs. John Leary & Nancy Wade Leary Chris & Christin Mason Mike & Kate Naughton Anne Marthy Noonan Jim & Alison Norton Madge & Bruce O’Connell Kim & Keith Pacheco Chrissy & Cliff Passen Kathy Phelps Michele & Mark Phillips Helen Porter Ann Seton Quinn David & Deborah Quinn Norma M. Quinn Carol & Larry Raike Colleen & Ed Roohan Kristie & Tom Roohan Lynn & Bill Roohan Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger Dave And Chris Stack Pam & Steve Stiansen

Saratoga Festival of Trees

Programs and Services offered by Catholic Charities in 2019

Counseling – Individual, couple and family counseling. This program provided mental health services to 1457 individuals including 438 children, 970 adults, and 49 older adults. Domestic Violence Project – Shelter, counseling, crime victim services, advocacy, education, 24 hour hotline services for victims of domestic violence and their children in Warren and Washington counties. 769 adults and 131 children were served in the program. A total of 2655 bed-nights were provided in the safe shelter. In addition, 2000 individuals received education and prevention services. Mary’s Haven – A community home for the dying serving persons with irreversible illness, who are in the last three months of their lives and who no longer can remain safely in their homes. In 2018, the program served 32 families and provided 411 bed-nights to the terminally ill. Mentoring Program – Prevention / diversion program impacting youth’s academic, social, and emotional milieu. 118 youth and 119 of their family members took part in the program last year. NOEP (Nutrition Outreach Education Program) served 342 households with 1799 face to face contacts and 117 informational presentations throughout Warren County. Services to the Elderly were provided to 532 senior citizens. Emergency Services, primarily assistance with concrete basic needs, were provided to 1295 individuals. $56,495 was spent on concrete basic needs and $7340 in donated gift cards was distributed to those in need. Programs and Services are available to anyone in Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties, always accompanied by information, referral and advocacy as needed. Individuals are never refused services because of their inability to pay.

Administrative Office

142 Regent Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 • 518-587-5000 North County, , 35 Broad St. Glen Falls, NY 12801 • 518-793-6212

MEET… Father James Ebert, St. Clement’s Church

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY THERESA ST. JOHN

Ientered the church quietly, drawn towards the calming sounds of an organ playing in the distance. A young teen was practicing a hymn, eyes staring intently on the sheets of music before her.

I’d arrived for my interview with the new priest, Father James

Ebert, a few minutes early, and I was happy to stand still and listen for a few moments, admiring the sunlight streaming in through stained-glass windows.

Eventually, she stopped, looked up, and spotted me. I was directed to the office area and called out a hello.

After our introductions, Father James led me back to the pews, where we sat together and talked.

It was hard not to notice the pews cordoned off due to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because we were in a house of worship, where people come together to be closer to

God, with no distance between humankind and the creator, the sight bothered me.

Father Ebert is a young 40-year-old man with a comfortable, open smile. He was easy to talk to, and I felt like I could ask questions and express personal views without being judged.

He grew up in Charlton, an only child. He, along with his mother and father, lived with his maternal grandparents. “I was close with both sets of grandparents and was showered with love from all of them.” He spoke of visiting the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville, NY, as a child. I had no idea what the significance was, and he explained it was a shrine dedicated to three Jesuit missionaries martyred at the Mohawk Indian village of Ossernenon in 1642 and 1646. His desire to become a priest was innate. “Ever since I was, say, seven, I knew this was what I wanted/needed/was called to be.” I laughed and told him that I’m 62 and still don’t always know what I want to be. “I would set up an altar and say Mass as a kid. I’d line up all my stuffed animals; they were my congregation.” He looked away for a second, then spoke again, an endearing grin on his face. “Funny story – once my Gram came into my room and asked what I was doing. I told her I was saying Mass and serving Communion.” She stood by and watched the youngster carry out his duties and laughed when he handed her a basket. “What’s this for?” she asked him. “The offering,” young James replied. Father Ebert spoke of a verse that has always encouraged him. Luke 2:19. “Mary kept all of these things in her heart.” I’d asked him how he dealt with the anxiety of things going on today in the world. It was an admission from me – that I have doubts sometimes and wonder if things will get better. I have fears that the world’s condition will remain chaotic – and that this scares me.

It was comforting to hear him say that these feelings were normal – we were going through some terrible things right now across the globe. “It helps to remember all of the times that God has been by our side in life,” he told me. “If we keep those memories in our hearts as Mary did, we can draw on them when we doubt God’s presence.” He also drew attention to John Paul II, whose words remain meaningful, timely even. A few years before Father James was born, John Paul II said something as he stood out on a balcony, looking over the crowd below. “He spoke three little words,” Father James tells me. “They were ‘Be not afraid.’ I can’t even begin to tell you how those words speak to me.” We talked more about worry. I mentioned the social unrest in the world, the rise in suicides since the beginning of the pandemic, anxiety over jobs, money, how every little thing seemed too much to handle sometimes. “It’s human to worry, things weigh on our spirit,” he told me. “and it’s ok to question things that are happening around us every day.” One of the people he thinks of in times like these is Padre Pio, an Italian priest known for his adoration of charity and deep love for the people around him. “One of the many things he said that has always stayed with me is this; ‘Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayers.’” Easier said than done, but I had to agree. Worry is useless. Father James has been the new pastor at St. Clement’s since September 1st. He explained that the congregation is his family. “I cannot marry or have children,” he told me. “This is my family, and I spend time getting to know them – their lives and loves, who needs prayer and who is celebrating a milestone.” There are approximately 3,000 members, and during the pandemic, they’ve live-streamed services, recorded services, and have held five masses for those who wanted to come and worship in person. Ordained in 2009, he was a graduate of Saratoga Central Catholic High School, Siena College, and St. Mary’s Seminary and University. He was assigned Pastor at Mater Christi in Albany. He spent time as Pastor of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Cohoes, was assigned to St. Mary’s in Ballston Spa, and served as Chaplin of Saratoga Central Catholic High School. He also currently serves as the Vicar for Clergy in the Diocese of Albany. He always had the support of family and friends for his calling, a blessing for sure. I asked if he was ever lonely. He shook his head ‘no.’ He explained that parishioners, strangers, and friends asked him the same thing over the years. “I am often alone, but I’m never lonely. My life is rich. I tell people that this is a beautiful life, a joyful life, and I mean that. I feel honored to be a spiritual connection – a bridge between the congregation and God.” When I asked him to offer up some sign of hope, something people could cling to during these times of great uncertainty; you could have heard a pin drop inside St. Clement’s. Father James looked away for a moment. I swear his eyes were watering, another acknowledgment that the world was suffering. His words were strong, though, and his message was clear. “Emmanuel,” he stated. “Never forget God is with us.” Walking out into the sunshine after saying our goodbyes, I couldn’t help but feel God close beside me at the moment, and my heart was grateful.

A powerful message in Father Ebert’s Mass from March 23, 2020