Let Go, Landon! (or Surviving the Recent Ice Storm)

Some guests make quite a fuss when they come over.  Winter storm "Landon" made his mark on the Ulster shores of the Hudson River as Landon's icy bluster cut off power, felled trees, threw electric wires, and otherwise afflicted residents of Ulster County, including our parishioners, and elsewhere.  

Although our rectory and Presentation complex enjoy Town water and sewerage, our Sacred Heart site depends on a well for water, as do many of our parishioners.  Many of our parishioners suffered not only from the lack of heat and electric power but also from a lack of water since well pumps rely on electricity.  Furthermore, "we were concerned over whether pipes would burst at our churches in light of the sub-freezing temperatures at night and subsequent damage," disclosed Fr. Arthur Rojas, administrator of Presentation-Sacred Heart Parish.  

Although efforts by Fr. Rojas and a number of selfless parishioners to hold at least one Mass during the weekend of February 6th were squelched by the lack of heat and electricity, our administrator complimented the cooperation of the Town of Esopus with its innovative launch of a warming center at Town Hall on Saturday, February 5th and extended to Sunday, February 6th.  At Town Hall, Fr. Rojas joined Hon. Danielle Freer, Supervisor, and town officials and staff as well as distressed parishioners and neighbors from Esopus for warmth of temperature and solidarity as well as delicious soup from the Bruderhof and snacks and hot drinks provided at the warming center.  "I was pleased to know that our parishioners could seek refuge locally instead of having to find a center miles and miles away" stated Fr. Rojas.  " We gladly cooperated with the Town to publicize this comfort to our parishioners and neighbors with communications resources available to our parish as we also kept our parishioners up to date on conditions locally and at our parish." added our administrator.

Although a fitful generator provided partial support for Fr. Rojas to stay at Presentation rectory, the city boy's introduction to Hudson Valley winter advanced by having to stay over an especially charitable parishioner's house after the generator conked out one frigid night.  Nevertheless, the experience caused Fr. Rojas to express his gratitude to God and the concern of his parishioners, whether through offers of shelter, food provided, and visits from selfless parishioners to both sites to watch over conditions and to help Fr. Rojas monitor the situation in response to the constant communication between our spiritual father/administrator and our parishioners.  "The concern expressed also by our parishioners and friends for the elderly, shut-ins, and distressed was admirable too," enthused Fr. Rojas.  The outreach of Most Rev. Gerardo J. Colacicco, auxiliary bishop, as to the state of affairs at our parish and the attention of Archdiocesan staff from the Finance Office and Catholic Mutual Group were appreciated deeply too.

Appealed Fr. Rojas to our parishioners and neighbors of good will, "We hope to see you at Holy Mass and other events starting tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. with Mass at Sacred Heart as we strive to regain the normal life of our parish.  Also, we urge you to match your contributions this Sunday with what you would have given last Sunday.  We may freeze in winter but our expenses are impervious to Landon and his icy bluster."  Prayers will be offered for all those who still await the success of the restorative labors of the hardworking crews of the Central Hudson company. 

Finally,  we have delayed the start date of our new R.C.I.C. section for teenagers who have not yet made their baptism, First Confession, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation from Monday, February 7th to Monday, February 14th.  For more information, please click on the Religious Education section of our website or contact Deacon Timothy Dean at [email protected]  Thus, there is still time to register!