CLARKS GREEN – For more than 140 parishioners of Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, and the Church of Saint Gregory, Clarks Green, the last Saturday of September was a day to roll up their sleeves, lend a hand and put their faith into action.
The two parishes joined together for their annual Day of Service on Sept. 26, 2026, taking on approximately a dozen projects throughout the Abingtons and Scranton community.
“Our Day of Service is an opportunity for our communities to come together as one family, to serve a common purpose and add to our story of faith and service,” Dan Marx, Director of Music and Mission, said.
The parishes, which are currently linked and are in the process of coming together as one parish family, have embraced the motto “Pilgrimage to Pentecost” as a way of marking their journey toward unity. Throughout the coming months, they are intentionally creating opportunities to pray, worship, serve and celebrate together.
The annual Day of Service is an important part of that journey.
At the Church of Saint Gregory, parishioners gathered for “Confections Connections,” packing 50 boxes of homemade baked goods.
The treats, many of which were prepared by parishioners at home, were distributed to local nursing homes and about 25 homebound parishioners.
Other volunteers bagged groceries at Gerrity’s to raise money for Saint Francis Commons Veterans Home in Scranton which is operated by Catholic Social Services. Others participated in various activities at CHOP Out Hunger, The Pines, Clarks Summit Senior Living and elsewhere.
The number of projects was intentional, allowing people of different ages, interests and abilities to find a way to serve.
“Everyone plays a part in serving our community,” Marx added. “There is no talent or skill or amount of energy that is too small or too insignificant to make a difference.”
Thomas Kneiss, who attends Mass at the Church of Saint Gregory, said the importance of the day went beyond the work itself.
“You get to meet more people,” he said. “In Mass, usually it’s just someone around you that you might say hello to. Here, you connect with them.”
Kneiss said service is also an important way to put his Catholic faith into action.
“I think you have to do more than just come to church and pray and receive the sacraments,” Kneiss continued. “The idea is to live out that faith that Jesus Christ said – to go out and help your fellow people – no matter who they are.”
That sentiment was shared by Noreen Blewitt who attends Mass at Our Lady of the Snows Parish. She helped to pack boxes of baked goods for distribution.
“It is such a good feeling. It’s the camaraderie of the group that is participating,” Blewitt said. “To do something like this, you realize the great need that there is in our community and beyond.”
The annual Day of Service is another example of what the two parishes are calling “Our Common Story” – recognizing that while each parish has its own history and traditions, its people already share so much in common.
“Our story – the stories that we share, the stories that we hold onto and embrace – there is so much more common about them than different,” Marx said.