Wallkill Valley Times May 08 2019 | Page 3

3 Wallkill Valley Times, Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Former pastor returns to Most Precious Blood By LAURA FITZGERALD [email protected] Bill Muhm, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, returned to his previous parish, Most Precious Blood in Walden, last Friday to hold confirmation mass. Muhm served as a pastor from Dec.1 to March 1, when he was promoted to bishop. Muhm returned to deliver confirmation for 27 members of the parish, an important sacrament in the Catholic faith. “It’s a wonderful honor to be able to confirm these young people,” Muhm said. Muhm said the sacrament carries divine grace for both the person being confirmed and the church. He said confirmation sets the person up to evangelize and bring Christ into the world because the church operates through its people. “We’ll have 27 new evangelizers, and the world needs them,” Muhm said. Those smiling evangelizers marched down the church aisle in red robes, a white dove embroidered on their shoulders. Organ music played in the background. Bill Muhm, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, returned to his previous parish, Most Precious Blood in Walden, last Friday to hold confirmation mass. He was joined by current parish administrator Tom Colucci and previous pastor Joseph Fallon. The students filed down to the basement, where they received their diplomas and parents snapped pictures. Confirmed member Adriana Valentin said the rite of passage means she is her own person who chooses the Catholic faith. She is no longer defined by her parents’ decision to have her baptized. “I am a Catholic,” Valentin said. “It’s my choice.” Sergio Lupian, another confirmed member, said the special day was filled with happiness. “It makes me feel closer to God,” Lupian said. Muhm returned to his current location in Washington, D.C. after the ceremony. He will leave for Germany this summer, where he will travel to U.S. military bases in Europe and Asia. Walden library unveils remodeled children’s room By LAURA FITZGERALD [email protected] The Josephine-Louise Public Library of Walden unveiled its children’s room last Saturday, which was completely renovated and gutted to accommodate additional shelving and floor space. Library Director Ginny Neidermier said the space was remodeled to create more floor space and an open area to accommodate reading time. The remodel also includes additional shelving, which will accommodate additional books. “The floor space is a little more open to accommodate our story time,” Neidermier said. The remodel also included the addition of a desk for three designated children’s computers, which will arrive soon. The computers will have single- player and multi-player educational games and programs, such as coding programs. The Bruderhof Community donated three fireman’s benches for the computers with the names of the fire hose companies who used to meet in the library, as well as other children’s furniture. The new children’s desk is at a lower height than the previous one to allow children to see over it and interact with the librarians. “We really designed it for the children, not the adults,” Neidermier said. Neidermier said the furniture is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- compliant. There is new carpeting, lighting and shelving. Half of the $71,000 renovation was funded by a grant from the New York State Division of Library Development. Renovations began in December of 2018. Author Colleen Venable gave a workshop at the opening on graphic novel writing. The author of children’s books and graphic novels, Venable grew up in Walden before moving to New York City. A self-described hyperactive child, Venable said the Walden library was her safe haven, and the place she would go almost every day after school. It was there that she learned to read and eventually write. To learn more about library programs and collections, visit waldenlibrary.org, or check out the new children’s room at 5 Scofield Street, Walden. Packaging your auto & home Let JOY INSURANCE combine your home and auto and they’ll make sure there are no gaps in your protection. COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE & PRICING BUSINESS • HOME • AUTO TO “Personalized Service for over 33 Years” 342-4888 www.joyinsurance.com m