St. Eulalia Festival Committee members are planning the parish’s signature fundraising event on July 19-20. Those pictured include, left to right Walter Serowinski; A.J. McConnell; Kelley McConnell; Anne Field; Karen Cunningham; Sheryl Lynn Sochoka, festival co-chair; Jay Sochoka, festival co-chair; Lorna Kosko; Eliza Manganzini; Dana Bilotta; Angela Van Ness; Rev. Dave Cramer, pastor, and Lisa Cummings.

(ROARING BROOK TWP. – June 21, 2024) – St. Eulalia’s Parish, with the assistance of many parish volunteers, will celebrate its annual Summer Festival on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, from 5-10 p.m., on the picnic grounds of its parish campus, located at 214 Blue Shutters Road in Roaring Brook Township. The summer festival weekend, which also features the 14th Annual Jerry Mahon 5K Walk/Run on Saturday at 9 a.m., is the parish’s largest fundraising initiative of the year.

The festival includes an array of homemade ethnic foods, such as pizza fritta, potato pancakes, haluski, pierogi, porchetta, and sausage and peppers, as well as traditional picnic fare like wimpies, burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and a beer pavilion. Additionally, the festival’s signature features include the parish flea market, known as Grandma’s Attic; Tricky Tray basket raffles; a bake sale; and an arts & crafts boutique. New this year is a candy shop in the Parish Hall, known as “Sweet Taste of Heaven,” which will feature a selection of nostalgic candies, as well as cotton candy and candy apples. The festival also includes kids’ games, face painting, a Summer Cash Raffle, and small games of chance.

Featured entertainment begins on Friday, July 19, with the Electric City Steel Drum Project, performing from 6-7 p.m.,  followed by Alex Nebraski, known as “Alex the Crooner,” from 7-9 p.m. On Saturday, July 20, Between the Velvet Lies, a classic rock band, will perform from 7-10 p.m.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase with cash or credit cards this year. However,  if festival attendees still have some food/drink tickets from past years, they will be accepted like cash. Children’s games will require tickets, which are available for $2 per sheet. Cash will be accepted at bake sale, candy shop, arts & crafts boutique, Grandma’s Attic, raffles, and the gaming wheel.

During the festival weekend, St. Eulalia’s is hosting its 14th Annual Jerry Mahon 5K event through the Roaring Brook/Elmhurst area, rain or shine, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 20. Those who would like to participate need to pre-register, as there is no same-day registration. For more information about St. Eulalia’s Summer Festival and the Jerry Mahon 5K, go to sainteulalias.com/festival-and-5k. 

 


Reverend Thomas J. Maloney, Pastor Emeritus of Our Lady of the Eucharist, Pittston, died on June 19, 2024, at Marywood Heights, Scranton, after having faithfully served the Diocese of Scranton for fifty-nine years.

Reverend Thomas J. Maloney, son of the late Thomas F. and Irene (Woods) Maloney, was born in Avoca on October 23, 1939. A graduate of Scranton Preparatory School, he continued his education at St. Charles Seminary, Catonsville, Maryland.  He completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, MD receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1961 and a Bachelors of Sacred Theology in 1963.  Father was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1965, by the Most Reverend Jerome D. Hannan, late Bishop of Scranton.

Father Maloney served as assistant pastor at St. Matthew Parish, East Stroudsburg, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Wilkes-Barre, and St. Rose Church, Carbondale. While serving in his capacity as assistant pastor at St. Mary’s and St. Rose, he taught at St. Mary’s High School, Wilkes-Barre and St. Rose High School, Carbondale.

During the summers from 1967 to 1972, Father studied at Marywood College, Scranton, Pa and Loyola University, Chicago, IL and obtained Masters in Religious Education in February 1973.

In 1970, Father was appointed Chaplain at Mercy Heights Hospital, Scranton, and Director of Religious Formation at Bishop Hannan High School, Scranton.  In 1972, he was appointed in residence at St. Mary’s Assumption Church, Scranton, and Director of Religious Formation at South Catholic High School/Bishop Klonowski High School, Scranton.  Father was appointed Principal at Bishop Klonowski High School, Scranton in July of 1978 and served until September of 1980.

In 1980, Father was appointed Pastor at Holy Child Church, Mansfield, where he served for three years and during this time also served as Director of Campus Ministry at Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA.  In 1983, he was assigned pastor at St. Ann’s in Tobyhanna and served in this position until 1985, when he became the founding pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church, Pocono Pines.  In 1998, he was appointed Pastor at Nativity of our Lord Church in Scranton.  In 2000, he was appointed Pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Hughestown.  In June of 2007, Father was appointed Pastor at St. Mary’s Assumption, Pittston and St. Mary, Help of Christians, Pittston, while remaining Pastor of Blessed Sacrament.  In November of 2010, the churches consolidated into the new parish of Our Lady of the Eucharist, Pittston, at St. Mary Help of Christian Church where Father remained until his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus in 2015.

After retirement, Father continued to serve the Diocese in his appointment as Administrator pro-tem of St. Elizabeth Parish, Bear Creek in December of 2015 and in May of 2016 he was appointed Sacramental Minister.

Father also served the Diocese as President, Board of Pastors, from 1985 to 1987, at Pocono Central Catholic High School, Canadensis, and at Seton Catholic High School, Pittston, from 2003 to 2007.  Father also served as Spiritual Director in the Diocesan Permanent Diaconate Formation Program from 1995 to 2000, and on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council from September 2012 until 2015.

Father Maloney celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination with a Pontifical Mass celebrated by Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., on June 18, 2015.

Father is survived by cousins, friends, parishioners and caregiver, Sister Mary Ann Cody, IHM.

Viewing will take place on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, 535 N. Main Street, Pittston, PA, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., followed by a Vesper Service.  A viewing will also be held at Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish on Monday, June 24, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

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 Monday, June 24, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Pittston. 

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Avoca.

In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Vianney Vocations Endowment Fund, c/o Diocese of Scranton, Office of Development, 300 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503.

Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC and Paul F. Leonard Funeral Home.




HAZLETON (June 18, 2024) – On Friday, June 14, 2024, more than 75 people came together in Hazleton to enjoy ‘A Night Under the Stars,’ an event organized by Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton.

The Power City Parking Lot provided the unique setting for an unforgettable evening of joy, which featured food, music and dancing.

Attendees were treated to a four-course meal at the event, which included entertainment by ‘Six Shots.’

Proceeds from the event will be used to support the mission and services provided by Catholic Social Services, including Saint Joseph’s Food Pantry, Divine Providence Emergency Shelter and the Bridge to Independence Program.

“We are thrilled by the overwhelming response to ‘A Night Under the Stars,’ Danielle Matarella, Greater Hazleton Director of Catholic Social Services, explained. “It was wonderful to see people come together to enjoy a wonderful meal and fellowship. This event truly encapsulated the essence of our community.”

The success of ‘A Night Under the Stars’ would not have been possible without the generous support of many community sponsors and the hard work of dedicated volunteers and staff.

 

On the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi Sunday) after the 9 AM Mass, Father Joe Jose Kuriappilly, Pastor led a procession with the Blessed Sacrament from SS. Peter and Paul Church in Towanda to the Grotto Shrine.

The parishioners returned to the church for Benediction. First Communicants participated in their First Communion outfits. This was a commemoration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his Apostles honoring the Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

 

 

Shown are members of the St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen Advisory Board. First row, from left: Carl Frank, Monsignor John J. Sempa, Board President Chris Bedwick, Alan Stout, Katie Kemmerer. Second row: John Graham, Andy Reno, Tom MacNeely, Kim Cardone, Deacon Bill Behm. Absent from photo: Joseph Frank Jr., Janet Kobylski, Gary Lambert Jr., Jack Nolan, Frank Orloski Jr., Chip Prescott, Sam Rostock, Dr. Dave Shemo, Deb Brezna and Mark Soprano.

The St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre will be kicking off its annual “Sponsor For A Day” campaign on June 1.

For $125, one can sponsor the day’s meal at St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen and help provide meals to those in need. The sponsorship can be from oneself, a family, in memory of a loved one, or on behalf of a business. Sponsors are recognized each day on the “Sponsor For The Day” draw-board in the Kitchen as well as on the Kitchen’s Facebook page. Past sponsors will be receiving letters asking for renewals during the week of June 1-7. New sponsors may call (570) 829-7796 for more information.

To follow St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/stvincentkitchen

 

 

 

 

A Baccalaureate Mass was held on Sunday, May 19 (Pentecost) at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Peckville.

High school seniors from Valley View, Mid-Valley, Holy Cross, Scranton Prep, and Lakeland received a special blessing as they celebrate their accomplishments and transition to a new chapter of life.

The Pastor, Fr. Andy Kurovsky was assisted by Deacon Jerry Carpenter of Queen of Angels Parish, Jessup. The soon-to-be graduates participated as lectors, cantors, choir, presentation of the gifts, and collection volunteers.

 

1st row left to right:  Nancy McAndrew Yavoroski, Karen Collins Levenstein, Mary Helen Sweeney Schulte, Maria Roccato Andrews, Susan Farrell Masler, Ellen Gessler Tuohy, Paul Juliano, Cindy Congdon Waibel, Mimi Smiley, Mary Carol Bonacci Snyder. 2nd row left to right: Mary Margaret Zukas Madison, Sister Joan Quinn IHM Senior Class Advisor), Sandy Oakley Waering, Kathy Tuzzy Carito, Lynn Hazen, Audrey Kuna, Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Jerry Durkin, Judith Farley Hoffman,Mary Beth O’Hara Osborne, Joan Shields 3rd row Donald Jackovitz, Billy Mussari, Robert Molinaro, Kevin Osborne, Cindy Mazza, Lou Norella, Joseph Janinek.

Saint Rose High School Carbondale PA class of 1974 celebrated their 50th class reunion starting with a mass celebrated by their classmate,  the Most Reverend Bishop Joseph C Bambara Saturday May 18th at Saint Rose of Lima Parish.

 

 

 

The Parish Council of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Towanda, PA, along with current pastor Father Jose Kuriappilly and former pastor Father Ed Michelini recognized the retirement of Mary Pfeffer, office administrator of the parish. Mary Pfeffer and her husband George Rogers were thanked for their faithfulness to the church,  willingness to go above and beyond and for their compassion and kindness shown toward parishioners.  A dinner celebration was  held at the Wildfire Grill on May 9 , 2024 with council spouses in attendance. 

 

 

Shown from left to right are: First Row: Reverend Brian VanFossen (Conference Chaplain), Jim Biondo, Jim Gerichten, Dr. Chris Carr, Dr. Lou Guarnieri, Kevin Burleigh, Ralph Marino and John Witkosky. 2nd Row: Tim Polack, Alex Piochocki, Mike Kilmer (Conference Chairman), Paul Binner, George Hayden, Gerard Schmidt, and Dennis Shovlin.

Shown are committee members for ‘Be A Catholic Man’ who recently gathered to plan for its ninth annual Catholic Men’s Conference. This year’s theme will be ‘Come Follow Me’. The event will be held at Holy Redeemer High School, 159 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Saturday, October 5th, 2024, from 8 am to 3 pm.

Nationally known speakers will be: Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, John Edwards, Father Bill Casey, and concluding with Mass Offered by Bishop Joseph Bambera.  These informative talks are conducive for fathers and sons, clergy, and men of every age.

Register for the conference online at www.BeACatholicMan.com or by mail to: “Be A Catholic Man”, PO Box 669, Wyalusing, Pa. 18853. (Please write “Men’s Conference” on the check memo and include ones contact info, e-mail, and Parish.) The cost is $40.00 ($30.00 if mailed by Sept. 15th). Students are $15.00.  Priests, Deacons and Seminarians are free.

For more information, see www.BeACatholicMan.com  or call 570-721-0872.

 

On Saturday May 11th the Lycoming County Catholic Young Adults Group hosted a silent retreat at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bastress, PA. The day was filled with presentations by Fr. Bert Kozen and the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth on Meeting Christ through Mary, as well as periods of silence for reflection and prayer. The day ended with a Tazié mass and fellowship. Thank you to all who attended!

For anyone interested, the Lycoming County Catholic Young Adults Group meets every Wednesday at 7:00pm in the St. Joseph the Worker Admin Building in Williamsport.