Category: News

 

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 11^th 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”. 

 

 

The Knights of Columbus John Paul II Council 13935 and Our Lady of Guadalupe Assembly 2605 held an unveiling ceremony for a memorial dedicated to the unborn victims of abortion on Sunday October 27th at St. Patrick’s Church in Milford PA.

The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Fr. Joseph Manurchuck and a few words were made by Antonio Perito, the council Life Director. In attendance were dignitaries from Pennsylvania’s Central District along with the Pennsylvania State Council executive team.

Brother Perito reminded and called us to remember the victims, have mercy on the mothers, and to promote the Gospel of Life through support of local pregnancy resource centers, advocating for pro-life and pro-family policies, and to be compassionate and understanding to mothers and family’s in need.

After the dedication three new brother Knights joined our order in an exemplification of Charity Unity and Fraternity. Finally, the night ended with a community dinner where Elvia Toombs, director of Tri-State Family & Pregnancy Center, spoke to the group on the personal, familial, and community effects of abortion.

 

Your help is urgently needed! Urge your members of Congress to ensure that lifesaving social safety net programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are funded and to end the government shutdown as quickly as possible. 

More than 42 million Americans rely on SNAP to put food on the table. As the government shutdown continues, these families in need are at risk of losing access to this lifeline. Last night, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a plea to lawmakers and the Administration to work in a bipartisan way to ensure funding for lifesaving programs and an end to the government shutdown. He wrote:

“As this government shutdown continues, the U.S. bishops are deeply alarmed that essential programs that support the common good, such as SNAP, may be interrupted. This would be catastrophic for families and individuals who rely on SNAP to put food on the table and places the burdens of this shutdown most heavily on the poor and vulnerable of our nation, who are the least able to move forward. This consequence is unjust and unacceptable.”

As people of faith, let us stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in need. Tell your members of Congress to work in a bipartisan way to ensure continued funding of lifesaving programs and to put an end to the government shutdown. 

By advocating today, your voice can help families with children, soon-to-be mothers, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Take Action Now

 

 

Arrangements are well underway for the 13th annual “Run Against Hunger,” which benefits the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen. This will take place on November 8, 2025.

The Scranton Running Company and AllOne Charities are hosting the weekend’s events. 

For information about sponsorships, participating and to pre-register for the event, visit https://runsignup.com/runagainsthunger

For online sponsorship payments, visit: https://formstack.io/BD418

 

John Frank from Holy Rosary Church Hazleton, chairperson of the VOICE of JOHN annual Christmas Card Event has announced this year’s competition, open to all students grades 9-12.  

Artist for this year’s card prayerfully designed the cover.  Linda Ross, a native of Scranton, and graduate of Marywood University majoring in art, was the recipient of the prestigious St Luke Award for artists.  Linda now resides in East Stroudsburg and is a member of St Matthew’s Parish.   She serves as artist for the VOICE of JOHN Ministry.

The Christmas Card, the second in “the Lamb of God Series”, is rich in symbolism, featuring the Christ Child in a wooden cradle, our Blessed Mother by His side, clearly depicting the love of a Mother and Child.  The lamb, representing the lamb of God, looks out to the card holder, and the world, bringing them into the scene, so that all will share that same love.

The word above the scene reads “Blessed Is He Who Comes in The Name of the Lord” John 12:13.  Maryann Lawhon, the VOICE of JOHN CEO, stated that she paused when she read these “Palm Sunday Words on the Christmas Card”, but further contemplated the depth of the artist in choosing these words.

Students are challenged to meditate on the Card and its profound message, and then to write the verse for inside the card.  Deadline for entries is Tuesday 10/21 and should be sent to thevoiceofjohn1977@gmail.com or The VOICE of JOHN Ministry at 103 Johns Jog, Drums, PA 18222.

Winner will receive a prize of $250.

John Frank, who chairs this annual event, serves on the board of directors for the organization and is spokesperson for our Down Syndrome Education and Support program.  

 

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield recently served as the presenting sponsor of St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen’s “Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.” Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s $3,000 donation covered the cost of the dinner, which served as a “thank you” to the many volunteers that help serve meals at the Kitchen throughout the year, as well as volunteers who assist at the Kitchen’s food pantry and free clothing store. 

For information on becoming a  “Sponsor for a Day” at St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen, or for information about volunteer opportunities, call (570) 829-7796.

 

Area members of our Hispanic population gathered at St. Lawrence Church in Great Bend, PA to celebrate Mass for our Blessed Mother, followed by a fellowship at local family’s home. Over 150 members attended this special event, similar to the one celebrated in Ecuador, from where many of our family have come.

 

We held our second annual Parish Family Picnic at Green Gables in New Milford, PA. We had a prepared dinner, a corn hold tournament, pie contest, basket raffle, and 50/50.

One hundred parishioners attended the event with Fr. Sudhir Toppo and Deacon Ron Maida. Dr. Christopher Lake mc’ed the event.

Three parishioners–Joe Bucci, Lorraine James, and Frank Supancik were recognized for the Life Time Dedication to our churches and newly formed parish (2019).