Author: Dan Gallagher

 

The annual Friday Lenten Buffets at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Pocono Pines are scheduled to begin on Friday, March 7, from 4 – 6 p.m.  All three buffets will include a variety of meatless dishes for your dining pleasure.  Our first dinner will offer a garden salad, a choice of two soups, and many delicious entrées and side dishes, including, but not limited to, fish, stuffed shells, macaroni and cheese, halushki, baked ziti, veggie penne, pierogi casserole, spinach lasagna, Mexican casserole, penne with vodka sauce, plus steamed and roasted vegetables. There will be several gluten-free offerings as well.  The buffet includes rolls, hot and cold beverages and a visit to St. Max’s famous dessert table.  Our menu is subject to change and all menu items will be available while supplies last. Enjoy a delicious array of food at the low price of $14 per person with a discount to our Senior citizens (65+) whose meal price will be $12.  Reservations are not needed. You are welcome to dine in or take out.

All meals will be held downstairs in Our Lady of the Lake Hall, which is handicap accessible.  Additional buffets are planned for Friday, March 21^st and Friday, April 4^th.  In the event of snow or hazardous road conditions, a dinner will be postponed and rescheduled for Friday, April 11^th.

For many years, the Social Concerns Committee of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish has held three dinners during the Lenten season. Since the committee does not use any parish funds, they are dependent on the generosity of St. Max parishioners, the community, and the proceeds of these dinners – their only fundraisers – to support their many outreach endeavors. 

The committee, guided by the Corporal Works of Mercy, is actively involved in programs benefiting both the parish and the surrounding community.  They have served the community at large by supporting the following agencies with their time, talent and treasure: Family Promise of the Poconos, Shepherd’s Maternity House, Pregnancy Resource Center of the Poconos, Nurse-Family Partnership, Safe Monroe (formerly Women’s Resources), Meals on Wheels, and the Top of the Mountain Ecumenical Council Food Pantry.  In 2024, the committee donated funds to the Sunyani Diocese, Ghana, to help drill a well in an area of need and donated to the American Red Cross for disaster relief after Hurricane Helene.  They offer monetary gifts to parish families in need during the holidays and host Bereavement luncheons for parishioners and their guests.  In addition, the committee hosts three free Community Dinners each year. These dinners are offered regardless of need and warmly welcome all to share a meal and enjoy a time of fellowship. 

St. Maximilian Kolbe is located at 5112 Pocono Crest Rd., Pocono Pines, near the intersection of Routes 940 and 423.  For additional information, please call 570-646-6424 or visit the parish website www.stmaxkolbepoconos.org.

 

 

The Knights of Columbus John Paul II Council 13935 and St. Joseph’s Parish welcomed scouts from the Hudson Delaware Council for a special Scout Mass in honor of the 115th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. The Mass, held at St. Joseph’s Church, was a tribute to the values of leadership, service, and faith that Scouting fosters in young people.

During his homily, Fr. Joseph Manurchuck reflected on the Scout Oath as a representation of Christian virtues, emphasizing the commitment to duty, honor, and service to God and others. He encouraged the scouts to live out these principles in their daily lives, mirroring the Gospel call to discipleship.

Following the Mass, the Knights of Columbus hosted a pancake breakfast for the scouts and their families, fostering fellowship and community spirit. The breakfast was part of a fundraising effort conducted in partnership with Ben’s Fresh of Port Jervis, further supporting the mission of the Knights and local Scouting initiatives.

“We are honored to support the next generation of leaders through this event,” said Joseph Saski, Grand Knight of Council 13935. “Scouting instills values that align closely with our Catholic faith, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with them.”

The event served as a reminder of the shared mission between the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Church, and the Scouting community—to develop young men and women of character, faith, and service.

For more information about upcoming events and initiatives, visit KofC13935.org.

 

Scranton High School Athletic Department conducted the 12th Annual Donald J. Wolff Freshman Basketball Tournament over the recent holiday. 

All proceeds were donated to the St Francis of Assisi  Kitchen.  A check presentation of $850 is shown here.

 

 

Campaign Celebration Event is April 30; RSVPs Required by April 15

With more people than ever requiring its services, Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton has begun the 47^th annual Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign to support its mission of feeding and clothing individuals and families in need.

For a donation of $100 or more, an individual, family, business, community organization or faith-based group can help to fund a day’s meal. Major sponsorship levels are also available starting at $500.

In effect, each contributor becomes a “host” for a day. Contributors may then select a date on which they or someone they designate or memorialize will be recognized as helping to provide that meal.

Financial contributions to the Kitchen also help to fund other programs such as a Client-Choice Food Pantry and Free Clothing Store and weekly meals at parish locations and high-rise housing buildings in Carbondale and Olyphant and also weekly meals at parish sites in Roaring Brook Township and Archbald.

The Kitchen’s Free Clothing Mobile Trailer visits various locations to bring clothing items to those in need who might not be able to come to the Scranton property.

Also, the Kitchen maintains a “Code Blue” collaboration with the City of Scranton and Keystone Mission. When the temperature gets below 20 degrees, the Kitchen provides hot soup to homeless folks welcomed to shelter at Weston Field.

Rob Williams, Kitchen Executive Director, noted that the Kitchen recently had the highest single month serving counts in its history. In just one month, the Kitchen served nearly 10,000 meals, provided more than 1,000 family servings through the Client Choice Food Pantry and had nearly 1,000 visits to the Free Clothing operations. In 2024, a total of 96,000 meals were provided.

“Now more than ever, our brothers and sisters in need are relying on us for help,” he said. “Fortunately, through donations and the dedication of our staff and volunteers, we are able to provide for those we serve in a dignified and compassionate manner.”

Michael Colarusso, a member of the Kitchen’s Advisory Board, is chairing the 2025 Host-for-a-Day campaign and leading the effort with his fellow board members.

“Considering all the services that the Kitchen provides, you truly realize that it’s only possible thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations within our community,” he said. “The need is so great and you understand how important the Host-for-a-Day campaign is.”

Recent contributors to the campaign are receiving an appeal directly from the Kitchen through the mail or will be contacted by members of the Kitchen’s Advisory Board.

Host‑for‑a‑Day gifts can also 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 or facebook.com/stfranciskitchen or text SFAK to 26989.

This year the celebration that concludes the campaign will be held at Fiorelli’s in Peckville on Wednesday, April 30, beginning at 6 p.m. Each contributor and a guest is invited to attend. RSVPs are required by April 15 to confirm attendance and an accurate meal count.

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

 

The Gym at Prince of Peace Parish in Old Forge was recently remodeled with new electrical capacity, new lighting, signage, emergency lighting, exit signs, and a completely refurbished floor. The water damage issue was rectified prior to the upgrades. It is now open for approved youth groups within the community for basketball and other sports-related activities. 

SCRANTON – A Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the lower church of St. Ann’s Basilica, 1233 St. Ann St., Scranton, to prayerfully mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade. 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have called for all dioceses of the United States to observe “a day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.” 

All area faithful are invited to attend this Mass, which will conclude with a period of Eucharistic Adoration and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  A light social will follow. 

This evening of prayer is sponsored by the Scranton Section of the Eastern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and will be led by the Reverend Thomas J. Petro, KCHS, Section Prior.  Sir Brian C. Hallock, KHS, serves as the Section Delegate. 

The knights and dames of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre who are residing in the Diocese of Scranton are invited to vest in their regalia and assist at the Mass. 

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Public Association of faithful with a legal canonical and public personality having as its primary mission the support of the Christian presence in the Holy Land. 

It is a Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the Holy See and is an internationally recognized order of chivalry. 

The origins of the Order date back to 1099 during the First Crusade, when its leader, Godfrey de Bouillon, liberated Jerusalem. 

For more information on the Order’s presence in the Diocese of Scranton, visit www.eohsjscranton.org

 

 

On Saturday, December 28th, the Pennsylvania Central District witnessed a truly inspiring and historic moment as The Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh, Bishop of Gaylord, Michigan, was the Honoree for the Exemplification Ceremony of 16 new Sir Knights exemplified into the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. Led by Master Brian Hallock, this significant event marked the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of these men, who were officially welcomed into the proud ranks of Sir Knights in the Fourth Degree.

The day began at the magnificent St. Ann’s Basilica in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where the Exemplification Ceremony filled the air with a sense of patriotism and love for our country. As the candidates took their Fourth Degree, they committed to live and promote patriotism, and honor—values that the Knights of Columbus hold sacred.

The ceremony was further elevated by the presence of State Deputy Gary Damich and State Chaplain, Father Pierre Bud Falkenhan, whose support and leadership added to the sense of unity and strength throughout the day.

The spirit of the day soared even higher as His Excellency, Bishop Walsh, celebrated a powerful 4:00 PM Mass, deepening the sense of unity and spiritual devotion that defined the entire occasion. The celebration then culminated in a heartfelt banquet at Arcaro & Genell in Old Forge, where brothers in Christ came together to reflect, share, and give thanks for the bonds forged that day.

This event was more than just a ceremony—it was a powerful reminder of the values that drive us to serve others, strengthen our faith, honor our country and build lasting brotherhood. We are deeply grateful to all who made this unforgettable day possible, and we look forward to the continued journey of these new Sir Knights as they live out their commitment to the principles of the Knights of Columbus.

 

The students in the Church of St. Patrick’s Children’s Faith Formation Program once again presented their Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve. The colorful and moving presentation, featuring scriptural narrative and carols of the season, was followed by the celebration of Christmas Eve Mass by Reverend Joseph Manarchuck, Pastor.

Directed by Laurie Barcia of Milford, the Pageant featured costumes by 
Michelle Baron, Lighting Design by Micah Sweeney and Kevin Riker, and carols by St. Patrick’s Music Ministry, under the direction of Rich Gherardi, 
accompanied by the congregation of St. Patrick’s.

Featured in the Pageant were: Angelica and Clare Barcia, Narrators, and cast members: Jillian Sell (Mary), Joseph Barcia (Joseph), Stephen Doyle, Colin Gaspar, Paul Barcia, Angelina Giovane, Charlotte Gregoire, Dominic Lake, Victoria Lake, Juliana Lentoni, Anya Nielsen, Joellen Nielsen, Audrianna O’Connell, Hailey O’Donnell, Charlotte Reynolds, Cora Reynolds, Camila Rizzo, Sofia Rizzo, Zachary Saccento, Jack Sell, Allison Sutton, Mya Terry, Jack Young and Matthew Zianio.

 

 

POCONO PINES—The call went out at all masses in early November that St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish would again participate in the “Giving Tree” gift program annually sponsored by the Top of the Mountain Ecumenical Council (TOMEC) headquartered at the Five Loaf House in Pocono Pines. And St. Maximilian’s parishioners answered.

A “Giving Tree” was set up in the church’s narthex to attract the attention of worshipers attending the three weekend masses. Instead of traditional tree decorations, 85 index cards with a child’s first name, age (17 or younger), type of clothing and size, gender, and tracking number were tied with ribbon to the tree’s branches.

By the Sunday, Dec. 1 deadline, all 85 cards had been replaced with more than 85 gifts wrapped in a blaze of color strewn at the foot of the tree and around the narthex. The gifts, each tagged with one of those 85 index cards, were delivered by the parish’s “Giving Tree” Coordinator Dorota Nowak to the Five Loaf House on Tuesday morning, Dec. 3. The gifts were part of TOMEC’s six-congregation effort to reach 263 children in 115 families in Tobyhanna Township and surrounding communities.

“Each congregation sets its own quota,” explained Kim Bray, “Giving Tree” coordinator at TOMEC, who was busy checking in the gifts from St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. “St. Max does twice as much as any of the congregations,” Bray added.

“‘Giving Tree’ is a great opportunity for the parish to get together for a community outreach especially at this time of year,” said Juli Reese, parish office manager at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. “It gets our families, children, grandparents and people who don’t have children involved in the spirit of giving.”

“It’s very important that parishioners are aware that their gifts are not going to a business but rather directly to kids,” added Nowak.

She further explained that the “Giving Tree” is just what it is. “It is an ideal way to give a child a gift and we are thrilled to help our community along with the churches in TOMEC at a time when giving means so much.”

After all the gifts from the congregations have been dropped off and checked in at Five Loaf House, distribution takes place during Food Pantry days December 9 and 10. The Food Pantry program is run by TOMEC. Tracking numbers on each of the index cards tagged to the gifts make sure that the right family gets the right gift.

“Families in the Food Pantry program register for the “Giving Tree” between August and October and are given their tracking number,” Bray said, “in addition to listing their child’s first name, age, type of clothing and size, and gender.”

Chuck Lawrence, director of the Food Pantry, emphasized an important aspect of “Giving Tree.”

“The names of people giving the gifts are not put on the gifts,” Lawrence said, “so that the kids see that they are receiving the gifts from their parents.”

He added that the total of 263 kids receiving gifts “makes this our highest year in terms of numbers.”

When family members pull into the parking lot at the Five Loaf House on the mornings of Dec. 9 and 10, volunteers will direct them to their food pick up and then to a drive-thru window where they will receive their gift from the “Giving Tree,” “just in time for Christmas,” added Bray. “It’s what Christmas is all about, helping those who need help and spreading the love.”

Just ask the parishioners at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish.