Pictured are Mark Peterson, Joni Mazzi Troyanoski, Sue Farley, Christine Michel, Kathleen Trishman, Bob Trishman, Jessica Spare, and Danielle Matarella.

Greater Hazleton Catholic Social Services and the Hazleton Art League are partnering for a fun and creative evening at a Sip and Paint fundraiser benefiting both organizations.

The event will be held on Friday, March 13th at 6:00 PM at the Hazleton Art League, 31 W. Broad Street, Hazleton.

The cost is $50.00 per person, which includes all painting supplies and your decorative door hanger to take home. Guests will also enjoy light refreshments, and the event is BYOB.

To purchase tickets, please visit the Diocese of Scranton website or call 570-455-1521. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

All are welcome.

 

February 17, 2026 — Scranton, PA
Mark DiPippa, Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Scranton, addressed the Diocese’s Presbyteral Council during its February meeting, offering an update on opportunities to strengthen long‑term parish support through endowments and to promote the Foundation’s upcoming online art auction.

During the presentation, DiPippa highlighted the growing importance of parish‑based endowments as a sustainable way to support ministry, operations, and the future needs of local faith communities. He invited priests to partner with the Foundation in encouraging parishioners to consider legacy gifts that strengthen their individual parishes for generations to come.

A major portion of the presentation focused on the Foundation’s next online auction benefiting the Founders Campaign, an initiative designed to expand the Foundation’s capacity to serve parishes, schools, and diocesan ministries. This year’s auction features a generous and unique contribution from Austin Burke, former President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and a renowned regional artist. Burke has donated 26 original paintings to support the campaign.

The auction will open shortly after Easter and run through May 8, 2026.

“We are deeply grateful to Austin Burke for his extraordinary generosity and his longstanding commitment to the Diocese of Scranton,” said DiPippa. “His artwork will not only inspire bidders but will also make a meaningful impact on the parishes and ministries we serve.”

For additional information about the online auction or to learn how your parish can benefit from establishing an endowment, please contact:

Mark DiPippa
Executive Director, Catholic Foundation
Phone: 570‑575‑8813

 

In the spirit of Friendship Unity, and Christian Charity the LAOH & AOH of Scranton PA gathered at Saint Patrick’s Parish for Mass to honor Saint Brigid, holy flame-bearer and beloved Patroness of Ireland, whose light of faith had guided her people through the ages.

Those in attendance; Mary Finnerty Browning , Ellen Perry, Kathy McDonnell, Maggie Tucker, Gennette Rotherforth, Katie Murray, Danielle Ketch, Kristin Keenan Krowiak, MaryKate Werner, Sister Kathleen Smith RSM., Erin Kologe, John Michelle. Sister Terese Marques, Conal McHugh, Doreen Gilbride, Celebrant Reverend Richard E. Fox, Sean May, Dorothea Crowley, Maureen Wallace, Craig Tucker, Pat Savitts, Mary Ellen Richard, Amanda Gavin, Chuck Schneider and Kate Schneider.

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

PAROCHIAL VICARS:

Reverend Stephen Kwasi Brenyah, from Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Carbondale, to ministry, Diocese of Sunyani, Ghana, effective December 27, 2025.

Reverend Paul Kwadwo Yeboah, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Faustina Kowalska Parish, Nanticoke, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Hunlock Creek, to ministry, Diocese of Sunyani, Ghana, effective December 27, 2025.

Reverend Boniface Ameyaw, from ministry, Diocese of Sunyani, Ghana, to Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Carbondale, effective January 20, 2026.

Reverend Michael Osei-Boateng, from ministry, Diocese of Sunyani, Ghana, to Parochial Vicar pro tem, Saint Thomas More Parish, Lake Ariel, effective January 20, 2026.

 

Pictured are Shannen Borris of PHP, presenting
a check to Nancy Potter of the Ecumenical Food
Pantry of Pike County

People Helping People (PHP), a nonprofit program of St. Patrick’s Church in Milford, funded the cost of Christmas dinner hams distributed to the Ecumenical Food Pantry during the past holiday season.

St. Patrick’s works closely with the food pantry throughout the year through ongoing food donations, as well as a team of volunteers who work at the food pantry on a regularly scheduled basis distributing food and other necessary items for families in our community.

The mission of PHP is to assist less fortunate individuals and families experiencing financial hardship and in need of occasional help to meet basic life necessities.

 

 

OBITUARY
REVEREND CONNELL A. MCHUGH

Reverend Connell A. McHugh, Pastor Emeritus of Good Shepherd Church, Drums, and current Sacramental Minister at Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, died on January 4, 2026, after having faithfully served the Diocese of Scranton for 54 years.

Rev. Connell A. McHugh was born in Hazleton, the son of Connell and Katherine (Faeley) McHugh. He attended the former St. Gabriel’s School for both his elementary and high school education, graduating in 1964. He began his preparation for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo College in Catonsville, Maryland, which was staffed by the Sulpician Order. He continued his studies at St. Pius X in Dalton, the former Diocesan seminary, in the fall of 1966. It was at St. Pius X that he developed a love of biblical studies, inspired by Fr. Robert Barone, a native of Hazleton and a former student of Fr. Raymond Brown whom Father McHugh regarded as the greatest biblical scholar in the United States of any Christian denomination. Fr. McHugh and classmate Fr. William Karle were largely responsible along with Fr. Devlin of Scranton University to have seminarians receive degrees from Scranton University. Fr. McHugh graduated with a B.A. in philosophy from Scranton University in 1969.

In 1969, Fr. McHugh entered Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Selkirk, New York, just outside of Albany.  He was privileged to have excellent Scripture professors including Fr. John O’Grady and visiting biblical scholars such as Fr. Shaun Kiel. Fr. McHugh completed his studies at Our Lady of Angels in 1972, graduating with high honors and earning both a Master of Arts and a Master of Divinity, both in theology.  He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick on May 13, 1972.

Father McHugh’s summer assignment was at St. Clare’s in Scranton. He then served for a year as assistant Pastor of St. Mary’s, Dunmore and then two years at Nativity of Our Lord in South Scranton. Fr. McHugh also taught in both Diocesan high schools and junior high schools while in the Scranton Area.

In 1975, Father McHugh was assigned as assistant Pastor of St. Francis, West Hazleton, and as catechist at Bishop Hafey High School. He remained as assistant Pastor of St. Francis for nine and a half years and as catechist Bishop Hafey High School for 10 years.

Father McHugh was appointed Pastor of St. Patrick’s, White Haven, in January 1985 and Catholic Chaplain of the White Haven Center. He was named Pastor of St. Francis, West Hazleton, in July 1994, and remained pastor until 2007. He also taught at Bishop Hafey again from 2005-2007. He served briefly at Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre and as weekend celebrant for Good Shepherd, Drums, and St. John Bosco, Conyngham. He was appointed Pastor of Good Shepherd in 2012 and served there for over 8 years until his retirement. In retirement, Fr. McHugh became the Sacramental Minister at Holy Rosary Parish Hazleton.

Fr. McHugh was very active in sports, sponsoring many high school boys’ and girls’ basketball teams that competed successfully in the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton areas. His players were drawn from regional high schools. Father also was an avid tennis player locally and at clubs in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Father wrote sports articles for many years for Panorama magazine as was widely recognized as an authority on vintage sports cards, especially baseball ones.

Many people know Fr. McHugh for his decades of biblical presentations in which he attempted to offer a high level of scholarship in the tradition of Fr. Raymond Brown and his good friend and mentor, Fr. Robert Barone.

Viewings will take place on Friday January 9, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday January 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. in Holy Rosary Parish, 240 South Poplar Street, Hazleton. Vespers will be celebrated Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the church.

A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Saturday January 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. in Holy Rosary Parish, 240 South Poplar Street, Hazleton.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Joseph B. Conahan Funeral Home, Hazleton.

 

Obituary
Reverend John Francis Turi

Reverend John Francis Turi, Pastor Emeritus of Saint Joseph Church, Matamoras, died on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit having faithfully served the Diocese of Scranton for seventy years.

Father Turi, son of the late Martin A. and Florence Walsh Turi, was born April 20, 1929 in Scranton, PA. Father attended Saint Patrick’s from Grade school through High School in Scranton.  He attended Saint Bonaventure University in New York receiving his B.A. in Philosophy in 1951.  Father Turi then entered Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, Olean, New York where he received his Theology Degree in 1955.  He also received a Master of Science Degree in Education from Marywood University in 1983.  Father Turi was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1955, in Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, by the Most Reverend Jerome D. Hannan, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton

         Father Turi’s first assignment was as an assistant pastor at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Bear Creek in 1955, he then served as assistant pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Scranton.  In 1958 he was appointed Chaplain of Mercy Hospital in Scranton and served in that capacity till 1964 when he became assistant pastor of St. Ann’s in Tobyhanna.  Father Turi then returned to Mercy Hospital in Scranton to serve his second stint as Chaplain where he remained until he was appointed to his first pastorate at Saint Joseph’s in White Mills in 1971.  Father Turi then became pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Matamoras in 1975 where he remained until his retirement and appointment as pastor emeritus on July 6, 2004. 

Father Turi also served as the chaplain to the Knights of Columbus at Honesdale Council #363 in 1973.

Father is survived by several nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by a sister Rose Marie Roche and husband AJ; brothers Martin Turi & Sebastian Turi and wife Ann Marie.

Viewings will take place Friday January 2nd 2026 from 5 to 7 pm and Saturday January 3rd 2026 2026 from 9 – 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Vespers will be celebrated Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the church.

A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Saturday January 3rd, 2026 at 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Center, 2010 Adams Ave, Scranton, PA 18509, stjosephscenter.org/donations/.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., Scranton.

Please visit the funeral home website to leave an online condolence.

 

 

Pro-abortion bills are bad anytime of the year, but during this season when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, the House has scheduled a package of SEVEN pro-abortion bills. Rather than embracing life and celebrating a time of good will to all, pro-abortion forces in the House have chosen death and division. Please contact your state Representative today and ask them to vote no.

These bills would:
• Provide a legal “shield” for abortionists and stop victims’ families from seeking justice (HB 1640, HB 1641, HB 1643, and HB 1966)
• Remove safety rails, like informed consent and the 24-hour waiting period (HB 2005)
• Be used as a tool to prosecute those who peacefully communicate and offer resources outside abortion clinics (HB 670)
• Enshrine abortion in our Commonwealth’s constitution, effectively allowing abortion until birth, removing parental consent, and forcing taxpayers to pay for elective abortions (HB 1957)

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.pacatholic.org/resources/voter-voice/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f132155%2fRespond

 

Pictured KofC District Deputy, Lawrence Commisso, and TSFPC volunteers

The Knights of Columbus John Paul II Council in Milford has donated $400 to The Tri-State Family and Pregnancy Center as part of their ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy) program. This will make the council’s total contribution to the center in 2025 over $3500. The Tri-State Family & Pregnancy serves the Tri-State area by serving children, mothers, and families with free maternity tests, peer counseling, formula, diapers, clothes, furnishings, and more. Serving Pregnancy Resource Centers is part of the Knights of Columbus Faith in Action mission.

 

AND THE WINNER IS—-

The VOICE of JOHN Ministry is pleased to announce the winner of the 2025 Christmas Card Contest who submitted the winning verse after her mom showed her the article in the Catholic Light inviting area students to participate in the Christmas Card Contest.

Isabella Novajosky, an 11th grade student from Lakeland Jr/Sr High School and a member of Queen of the Apostles Parish in Avoca, defines herself as prolife.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, FCCLA (family, career, community, leaders of America), Future Business Leaders of America, and Students Against Dangerous Decisions.

Her Mom, Mary Novajosky, read about the contest and encouraged Isabella to write a verse appropriate for the art depicted on the card.  Competing against students throughout the Scranton and Allentown diocese, Isabella chose a beautiful bible verse befitting the artistry of Linda Ross, from St Matthew’s Parish in East Stroudsburg. 

Reflecting on John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.

From Isabella, and the entire team of the VOICE of JOHN Ministry, we wish you peace and blessings as this Christmas we celebrate the greatest gift ever given – Jesus, The Christ”.