The Annual Novena to St. Joseph will be held at the Oblates of St. Joseph Chapel, Route 315, Laflin, beginning on Saturday, March 11, with Masses and devotions held each day beginning at 12 Noon and 7:00 pm. This year's novena preacher is Father Mark Ward, a Passionist priest from St. Ann's Monastery, Scranton. Father Ward, a native of the Buffalo, NY area, entered the formation program of the Passionist after high school graduation in 1965, receiving numerous degrees of higher education from a diversity of universities before his ordination to the priesthood in 1976. Father Ward's priestly ministry has brought him to serve in New York, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, PA before moving to St. Ann's Monastery, Scranton, in 2018. Besides assisting at the basilica, he offers pastoral assistance in churches throughout the diocese and serves as spiritual director of the Passionist Associates of St. Ann. Before every Mass during the Novena, confessions will be heard and the rosary will be prayed by the faithful in attendance. Following the novena devotions, a blessing will be offered with the first-class relic of St. Joseph Marello, Founder of the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph. All 12 Noon Masses will be broadcast live on Catholic Radio 104.5 FM and on the Facebook: http://www.osjseminary.com The Novena will conclude on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Monday, March 20th, with a special Mass at 12 Noon celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., Bishop of Scranton, concelebrated by Oblate and diocesan priests. Fr. Paul McDonnell, OSJ, invites the faithful of the Greater Pittston area to participate in this year's Novena & Feast of St. Joseph. For further information, contact the seminary office at 654-7542.