Evangelizing the Spring Festival and Car Show at Ulster Park (Debut of our new joint Parish Banner!)

Armed with prayer, smiles, a shady tent, a water cooler, and all kinds of pamphlets and items, our Administrator and a team of interpid parishioners offered a visible presence to neighbors, vendors, and participants at a local Spring Festival and Car Show organized at Ulster Park by the Esopus Community Foundation on Saturday, May 21.

"During these troubled times, we Catholics cannot show fear or withdraw readily behind locked doors of our churches or homes,"  asserted Fr. Arthur Rojas, "we should pursue evangelization ever the more."  Assisted in the setup by parishioners Chester Van Wegenen and Zina Matera in the morning and followed by the assistance of parishioners Marilou Abramshe and Kathleen Larson, Fr. Rojas further observed, "Our debut foray into the swirl of community festivities brought together parishioners of both churches of our parish, namely Chester and Kathleen (Presentation) and Marilou and Zina (Sacred Heart) with myself as one initiative by one parish."

Indeed, the new parish banner was displayed at the parish booth, to the delight of various parishioners who stopped by throughout the day and others who observed the bringing together of elements of both Presentation and Sacred Heart churches on the joint banner.

"We invite all of our parishioners to march behind our beautiful new parish banner at the Memorial Day parade at Port Ewen!," exclaimed our administrator.  Parishioners should meet Fr. Rojas by the Dollar General store at Port Ewen on Monday, May 30th by 9:30 a.m., as the parade starts at 10 a.m.  In the alternative, "at least cheer us by when those of us who march under our banner pass along Broadway," exhorted our spiritual father.  The parish's participation in the parade (and in future, hopefully more such events) is another step forward in the evangelization of the Town of Esopus.  May God bless our efforts!