WASHINGTON – In response to the leak of a draft opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, some abortion advocates are calling for nationwide demonstrations, disruptions of church services, and the personal intimidation of specific Supreme Court justices. Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities invited the faithful to unite in fasting and prayer:

“In the midst of current tensions, we invite Catholics around the country to join us in fasting and praying the Rosary on Friday, May 13, the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima. Let us offer our prayers and fasting for these intentions:

• For our nation, for the integrity of our judicial system, and that all branches of government be dedicated to seeking the common good and protecting the dignity and rights of the human person, from conception to natural death.

• For the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the Supreme Court’s final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson.

• For the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who advocate for abortion.

• For a new commitment to building an America where children are welcomed, cherished, and cared for; where mothers and fathers are encouraged and strengthened; and where marriage and the family are recognized and supported as the true foundations of a healthy and flourishing society.

• For Our Blessed Mother’s intercession and guidance as the Church continues to walk with mothers and families in need, and continues to promote alternatives to abortion, and seeks to create a culture of life.

As Catholics, let us witness to the beautiful gift of life with civility and love, and with our peaceful prayers and our compassionate service to all those in need.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.”

 


On Sunday, May 1, these twenty boys and girls received the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for the first time during the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Liturgy with Rev. Michael M. Bryant, Pastor, presiding.

Pictured with Father Michael are:  Nicholas Zbylicki, Paige Hubert, Penelope Nealis, Liliana Nee, Lyla Lenceski, Aaron Traeger, Joseph Gromelski, Ashton Schumaker, Roman Limongelli, Vincent Wall, Matthew Balchune, Christian Pace, Luke Sciandra, Levi Boyanowski, Emma Rose Hadley, Aubrianna Scartelli, Anna Barycki, Hannah MacRae, Ayla Amico, and Mia Concepcion.

 

The 2022 First Communion Class shown with L-R Deacon Tom Spataro, Catechist Anne French and Pastor of the Church of St. Patrick, Rev. Joseph Manarchuck (Photo by Tom Duncan Photography)

Nineteen area children received the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time in ceremonies held at the Church of St. Patrick in Milford.

The catechetical student recipients were: Emma Armandi, Joseph Barcia, Emma Bauman, Michael DeMaio, Noah Eira and Harper Ganska, all of Milford;  Liam Johnson, Charlotte Keller, Ayden and Anaya McIntosh of Dingmans

Ferry;  Anya Nielsen, Jacob and Julianna Rizzo, Aaron Rodgers, Jillian Sell, Jason and Theodore Stierle, Avery Stewart and Mya Terry, all of Milford.

The Mass and ceremony, witnessed by their parents, grandparents, guardians and family members, included: Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Renewal of Baptismal Promises, Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion Rite.

Jillian Sell presents a bouquet of flowers in honor of the Blessed Mother. (Photo by Tom Duncan Photography)

In preparation for the occasion, students made beautiful banners reflective of images associated with Holy Communion, e.g. the chalice and sacred host.

Following the ceremony, the students received special gifts and a Certificate of Holy Communion signed by Pastor, Rev. Joseph Manarchuck. On the day after receiving First Holy Communion (Mother’s Day),  several of the students  participated in the crowning of the statue of the Blessed Mother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pat and Carol Beirne, 70 years married

Over 1100 years of marriage were celebrated by the parishioners of St. Peter and Paul parish in Towanda on April 24th at JFK Hall.

Each couple was recognized and photographed.

Featured was the longest married couple Pat and Carol Beirne celebrating 70 years.

Tips were shared for a happy marriage.  Popular DJ Bob and wife Bev Brenner entertained, and Pastor Father Ed Michelini sang “IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY” to a receptive audience.

Following a delicious lunch prepared by Kathie Dewan and Sandy Kasenga, lively dancing ensued.

 

April 25, 2022

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments:

Reverend Michael E. Finn, from Pastor, St. Barbara Parish, Exeter, to Pastor Emeritus, St. Barbara Parish, Exeter, effective May 1, 2022.

Monsignor  John J. Sempa, to Administrator pro tem, St. Barbara Parish, Exeter, effective May 1, 2022.  Monsignor will remain Pastor, Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston.

 

KINGSTON – May 11, 2022 – For the first time since 2014, the acclaimed Bratislava Boys Choir from Bratislava, Slovakia will return to Northeastern Pennsylvania for concerts in Kingston and Scranton.

The first performance is scheduled for St. Ignatius Church, 339 N. Maple Ave., Kingston on Wednesday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. A second will be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton on Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. Both concerts are free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted.

While in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the boys – ranging in age from ten to eighteen – will experience local history and culture as they spend two nights with host families and enjoy visits to Steamtown and the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour.

Founded by Dr. Magdaléna Rovňáková in 1982, the Bratislava Boys Choir is part of a private music school enrolling about ninety students ages seven through twenty-eight. The choir’s repertoire features a wide variety of both sacred and secular works including Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, concert Masses, arrangements of folk songs, and works by contemporary composers. The widely traveled choir has collaborated with the Slovak Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony, and the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra in addition to recording seven compact discs. The boys have been featured in the soundtracks of several films.

The Bratislava Boys Choir’s visit to Northeastern Pennsylvania is presented by the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania in cooperation with World Artists Experiences and the Embassy of Slovakia.

For more information, contact Michael Stretanski at 570-817-3430, Raphael Micca at rdmicca@aol.com, or visit www.facebook.com/worldartistsNEPA.

 

 

The Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton will mark the conclusion of its 2022 Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign with a Virtual Celebration highlighting the mission of the Kitchen and those who make it possible.

The Kitchen serves a free, hot, nutritious meal to approximately 200 men, women and children each day at lunchtime and three evenings a week. This includes those who are offered weekly meals through the Mid Valley Outreach Program at parish locations and high-rise housing buildings in Carbondale and Olyphant. In addition, the Kitchen operates a Client-Choice Food Pantry and Free Clothing Store that serve hundreds of families and individuals each month.

The Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign is the primary source of financial support for these programs. For a donation of $100 or more, an individual, family, business, community organization or faith-based group can help to sponsor the day’s meal. In effect, each contributor becomes a “host” for a day.

Out of continuing concern for the health and safety of benefactors, the typical Appreciation Reception that concludes the campaign will again be marked with a Virtual Celebration consisting of a brief pre-recorded program.

According to Melissa Pavlowski, president of the Kitchen Advisory Board, and Maria McCool, a Board member who is chairing the Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign, this year the Virtual Celebration will honor Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi, who founded the Kitchen in 1978, and the management and employees of Toyota of Scranton for their continuing outstanding support.

The Virtual Celebration video will be presented on www.stfranciskitchen.org and www.facebook.com/stfranciskitchen. It will debut on Wednesday, April 27, at 6 p.m. and will remain online so it can be viewed any time after that.

The Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign still needs donations to meet its goal. Contributions can be made by calling the Kitchen at 570-342‑5556, or sending a check to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Avenue, Scranton PA 18509. Donations can also be made online at: www.stfranciskitchen.org.

Those who would like to sponsor the Virtual Reception are asked to call the Kitchen at 570-342‑5556.

SCRANTON – After six weeks of friendly competition, the Diocese of Scranton’s inaugural cooking fundraiser, Rectory, Set, Cook!, came to an end on Sunday, April 10, raising more than $170,000 for parishes in the Diocese of Scranton and anti-hunger initiatives sponsored by Catholic Social Services.

More than 2,700 donors voted for their favorite “pastor chef.” Thank you to everyone who participated!

 

Students in the Children’s Faith Formation program at St. Patrick’s Church in Milford recently followed, in image, word and song, the events of Jesus’ Passion and Death, also known as Via Crucis or  Via Dolorosa.

Each scene was narrated by Deacon Mike Calafiore, accompanied by Maggie Marley and Rich Gherardi of St. Patrick’s Music Ministry  in verses from the hymn, “Were You There?”

Poster images of each scene depicting the chief events of the day were exhibited by the students in the catechetical program, which is conducted at St. Patrick’s Hall for children, grades 1 through 8.