The inaugural meeting of our 2010-2011 season will take place on Tuesday, September 14, from 12:30 pm until 2:30 pm.

As is our custom, the season will kick off with a fellowship luncheon at an area restaurant. A chief purpose of this meeting is always to provide time for camaraderie among one another, in the spirit of inter-religious dialog.

And, because our organization has much to be busy about with our community and faith-based projects, we will conduct the regular business portion of our gathering as well.

The meeting will take place at “Restaurante La Herradura” located at 118 North Division Street in downtown Peekskill. Carlos, our host, looks forward to our return to his establishment.

We are excited to be welcoming into our community, several newly appointed pastors at area houses of worship and places of ministry. It will be a perfect opportunity for you to get to know them and they, you.

The menu will be a different variation than last year and as always, provisions will be made for those with certain dietary practices.

If you have not already RSVP’d via our electronic system, please confirm your presence by emailing us at info@pastorsofpeekskill.org

In the spirit of our mission statement, PAPA is a interfaith collegium of clergy and those in specialized ministries. We do not debate theology, but come together in projects of service to the community, and to dispel all forms of bias, while promoting inter-religious knowledge and acceptance.

I look forward to seeing you all on September 14.

Best regards,

Bishop Michael J. Champion
President

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REGARDING THE VIOLENT ASSAULT AGAINST JULIO SERRANO

As religious leaders of different faiths in the greater Peekskill area, we express our unequivocal outrage at the vicious and hateful attack against a member of our local community. We can only feel great sadness at this blatant disregard for human life and the dignity of all persons.

We pledge our solidarity with the Serrano family. Our prayers are with them during this most concerning time. We likewise share their call for justice for their brother, cousin and loved one and for all of the vulnerable people like him, who each day, face the fear of discrimination and violence. As people of faith, we pray also for the perpetrators, that they might come to a realization of what they have done, in a spirit of true contrition.

Our gratitude goes out to Chief Eugene Tumolo and the Peekskill Police Department for their aggressive pursuit of this case. We trust that they will continue until there is redress for Julio.

In like manner, we stand with Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster and local government officials, who have expressed their desire to take measures which address the gravity of this event and which bring both its consequences and the means to prevent further such odious activity to the forefront of public awareness.

Peekskill is an area which has welcomed immigrants for well over 150 years, who have followed their dreams to our locale. The city has also played a leading historical role in the pursuit of civil rights and freedom. This is a sad week for our community, because in our midst, a dream has been broken.

Our message is that we will not tolerate more violence, more hatred, more prejudice or more disregard for dignity of our fellow residents. We pledge our unwavering commitment to work further for justice and for change, in the spirit of God’s liberating Word.

Bishop Michael J. Champion
President

More:

• En español
• Media coverage

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The Peekskill Area Pastors Association (PAPA) has been in existence for close to 150 years. We are a model for cooperation between communities of diverse beliefs and have historically played a pivotal role in issues of justice, diversity and service in our area.

While we come together to further causes that put our individual faith into action, we respect and do not debate the different approaches to God which we all hold dear.

PAPA and its member congregations is the founder and sponsor of the “noontime meal program” which is served Monday-Friday every week at the Salvation Army building. Three decades ago, our members organized and provided for the now well known “Thanksgiving Day Dinner” which this past year, served approximately 300 persons and distributed clothing, children’s items and other necessities to area families.

Among other humanitarian outreaches, we were instrumental in starting CHOP (Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill), support the Jan Peek Shelter, Fred´s Choice Food Pantry, Hudson River Health Care, Sunny Doughnut Breakfast Program, other area food pantries and much more. In these difficult times, the need for our work is increasing more than ever.
Well over a decade ago, our organization began the inter-faith chaplaincy program at the Hudson Valley Hospital Center, which today boasts round-the-clock service of some 40 chaplains of various confessions.
We host the annual Thanksgiving Inter-Religious Service. In 2009, this service attracted close to 400 people and was highlighted over seven languages and the various cultures of the greater Peekskill-Cortlandt area.
In the second decade of the Twenty-first century, PAPA remains committed to promoting inter-faith dialogue, understanding and cooperation, so much needed in our world today.

This website is here as a resource for you, the people of our community. As it continues to expand and grow, we welcome your input and suggestions. As always, we are grateful for your support.

Bishop Michael J. Champion
PAPA President

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Ellen Buccellato is an active member of PAPA, the Peekskill Area Pastors’ Association. Her work in the community helps her keep the clergy in the area informed of the needs for food and shelter among area residents. Ellen is currently Chairperson for CHOP, Inc.( Caring For the Homeless of Peekskill). She has been involved with the Jan Peek Homeless Shelter in Peekskill for many years in many capacities. In 2006, for example, in collaboration with the Hudson Valley Hospital Center, Ellen organized a coat drive which collected over 200 coats for men, women and children. In addition, Ellen has hosted several fundraising dinners that have raised $25,000 for the shelter and its programs.

Ellen is in constant communication with the Peekskill City Council members and works tirelessly to keep them informed regarding the homeless and the meals programs in the city. Ellen helped negotiate a settlement to save the shelter when developers wanted to purchase the property where the shelter resides.

Ellen is a dedicated and energetic woman who has given countless hours to the chaplaincy program at Hudson Valley Hospital Center over the past five years. She brings spiritual guidance to patients and their families and to the hospital staff members. She is a valued member of PAPA and has been an asset to community of caring in the Peekskill Area.

Ellen Buccellato Award

Slideshow

 

Ellen Buccellato was inducted into the Westchester County Senior Citizens’ Hall of Fame for 2009

Ellen Buccellato Award

Ellen Buccellato Award

Ellen Buccellato Award

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