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.

 

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.

 

 

Children from St. Patrick’s Church in Milford and St. Joseph’s Church in Matamoras shared a truly memorable day as they celebrated their Catholic faith, and the Eucharist as the centerpiece of that faith, in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Holy Communion in May.

The Retreat, which featured videos, sacramental-based treasure hunt, interpretative dance, arts and crafts and prayer, was held at St. Patrick’s Hall in Milford, and featured the popular and dynamic retreat leader, Kristin Travis. Ms. Travis was assisted by catechists Anne French, Mary Caraballo and Linda Tomik, as well as teacher assistant Rachel Swinton and Jack Boyle, Director of Religious Education.

 

SCRANTON (March 11, 2022) – As Russia continues to widen its attacks on major cities across Ukraine, all people in northeastern and north central are invited to come together in prayer for our brothers and sisters who are suffering.

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will lead a special Holy Hour of Prayer for the People of Ukraine on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. The Holy Hour is open to any person looking for a way to lift his or her voice and heart to God during these difficult days.

Bishop Bambera has invited all parishes in the 11 counties of the Diocese of Scranton to hold a special Holy Hour of Prayer at the same time on Tuesday – or arrange a time of prayer next week that would be best for that specific community.

In his letter to clergy announcing the Holy Hour, Bishop Bambera stated, “Archbishop Borys Gudziak, leader of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, who shepherds ten Ukrainian Catholic parishes in the territory of the Diocese of Scranton, recently shared that there are three things U.S. Catholics can do to help Ukraine: ‘Pray, stay informed and talk about Ukraine, and provide help.’”

While in-person attendance is encouraged, the Holy Hour at the Cathedral of Saint Peter will be broadcast live on CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton and a livestream will be made available on the Diocese of Scranton website and social media platforms.

Bishop Bambera’s Letter to Clergy March 10, 2022

 

March 4, 2022

WASHINGTON – As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace offered the following statement:

“On February 24, the world watched in horror as Russia launched airstrikes and began shelling Ukraine. The death toll is already in the hundreds if not thousands and mounting. Over one million Ukrainians have already fled the fighting into neighboring European countries and millions more could become refugees.

“In this time of crisis, we echo the appeal by Pope Francis to those ‘with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war…who wants us to be brothers and not enemies.’ We join with the Holy Father in praying that ‘all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.’ We also join in solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches and the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the U.S. who are all united in prayer for their people and their homeland.

“In view of the developing humanitarian crisis, I urge the U.S. government to provide all possible assistance to the people of Ukraine and to work closely with faith-based partners who are already on the ground providing emergency aid. I encourage everyone to give generously to organizations such as Catholic Relief Services and USCCB’s Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe that are bringing tangible relief and the hope of Christ to those in need.

“Those suffering in Ukraine and in the surrounding region will remain close in our hearts through this conflict. During this penitential season of Lent, with Our Lady of Fatima as our guide, let us not grow weary in praying for peace, justice, and the salvation of the whole world.”