Greetings from River City.  Some weeks ago in this column I asked how many children murdered, how much destruction and desecration, how many voices muffled, how much license and wantonness will it take before it is all too much?  From all the events since then, it seems it will take a lot more.
It will be our cowardice, our ignorance, our acquiescence, our complacency that will allow the bullies to bring, as they do everywhere they reign, unbridled misery and a level of incompetence that we are only beginning to experience.
One has to be truly brave these days to speak truth, logic, honesty, and civility.   Rancor, hatred, and sheer lunacy are overtaking too much of the land.  When a mere difference of opinion can destroy a person’s life (quite literally) and livelihood, more people need to be brave, more people need to speak up for the brave.

From the City: The organization Department of Small Interventions is seeking proposals for Newburgh: Design for Play, a contest for innovative ways to help people play, learn and socialize in Newburgh’s public spaces. Anyone can apply and up to five winning entries will be chosen and awarded a design/build stipend of up to $2,000 to bring projects to life.

Applications for the COVID Rent Relief Program are being accepted and the deadline has been extended to August 6. This program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to their landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. Approval will be prioritized for people who are in the greatest need or who are facing homelessness.

We are excited to launch a series of socially-distant drive-in movies for residents this summer. Each Thursday in August will feature a family-friendly film in the municipal lot on Ann Street. We will start on the evening of August 6 with Frozen II. People who do not have cars will be accommodated and are encouraged to attend.
Need some space for social distancing? We opened up the streets that pass through Downing Park to give people more places to walk, run, bike, and play. Carpenter Avenue and Joan Shapiro Way are entirely closed to traffic. There is limited access for parking and drop off along Haible Way. Access to Downing Park Urban Farm and Elm Street is still available from Gidney Avenue only. Feel free to use these streets for skating, rollerblading, cartwheeling—whatever!
Several payment deadlines were extended to help people experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The next affected deadline is for the fourth installment for Real Property Tax. This deadline was extended from August 5 to September 18 without fees.

Call for Submissions + Live Audition: Artists & Creatives, submit your expressions of spoken word, song, dance or visual arts.  Safe Harbors of the Hudson, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, presents - Black Renaissance Festival - A Talent Showcase Amplifying and Celebrating Black Voices of Newburgh
Seeking submissions from the community’s Black artists, due by Aug. 8.  There will be an open live audition Saturday, Aug. 8 from 12 - 4 p.m. at Safe Harbors Lobby at the Ritz, 107 Broadway.  Following CDC requirements, masks must be worn and you must follow social distancing rules. Mask may be removed during audition.
Please be sure to include your full name, phone number and title of your work in the file name https://tinyurl.com/y8ofd9cf.  Festival performance date to be announced.

Newburgh Farmers Market has returned to Safe Harbors Green on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., through Nov. 21.  They hope you will support the farmers and get some local goodies!
Safe Harbors is excited to see you and looking forward to all the delicious produce from Grandpa Farm, Huertas Farm and Newburgh Urban Farm and Food.  They are still accepting applications for vendors, so if you know a farm or small business that would be a good fit, please get in touch by emailing them at newburgh@commongroundfarm.org.

Msgr. Henry O’ Carroll Council #444 of the Knights of Columbus in Newburgh is excited to announce that we are starting a Family of the Month program. This program will involve our four churches:  Sacred Heart, St. Francis, St. Patrick’s, and Our Lady of the Lake, which we support on many levels. Each month, one family will be selected with the help of the parish priest.
Churches and the months for the award:  Sacred Heart – July, September, and March St. Francis – August, December, and April St. Patrick’s - October, January, and May Our Lady of the Lake – November, February, and June
This will allow three families per church per year. At the end of the year, one family from the group of 12 will be selected as Family of the Year. The family selected does not need to be a member of the Knights of Columbus. Seven items will be considered for the family selection.
Is the family supportive of each other?  Does the family spend quality time together?  Does the family attend weekly mass together?  Does the family pray together outside of mass?  Has the family made significant contribution to the parish and church community?  Does the family serve as a role model of Catholic family values?  Parish Pastor Recommendation.

There are no fees involved.  Each family selected will receive a certificate and a gift from Msgr. Henry O’Carroll Council that will be given out at a specified mass.  There are forms you can fill out to nominate your family or another family you think would be deserving of the award.  
The form will be near a box in the back of each church where you can drop it off, or you can contact us by email at kofcbowler444@gmail.com, or you can call Bill Kuntz with any questions at (201) 697-9920.  “Thank you for your interest. Good luck to all families, and God bless all.” 

Deacon Jack Seymour Food Pantry Hours: Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 12 Noon.  Located at The Msgr. Valastro Activity Center, 319 Broadway.  In your goodness, please bring canned vegetables to Church next weekend to be distributed to the less fortunate in our area.  If something is on sale and of good value, please feel free to donate that as well.
Sacred Heart Donations for Mary’s Hope:  They are very much in need of cereal, Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Roni, canned vegetables and fruit, spaghetti & sauce, tuna, complete pancake mix & syrup, mashed potatoes in a box, rice in 1lb packages, gravy, stuffing, pasta in a can, baked beans, tomato and chicken noodle soup.  Please note: They cannot give out expired food to their clients.  Please bring donations to Sacred Heart Church.  Thank you to all you who continue to help.

Abraham Lincoln’s timely caution, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

The degree of vigilant in our actions and inactions will determine our life and the lives of the generations of our children.  As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.