LARKSVILLE – Parishioners of Saint John the Baptist Parish in Larksville came together on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, for a long-awaited Mass celebrating 125 years of faith, family, and their church community.
Originally planned for 2024, the Anniversary Mass was postponed so the parish could wait for their pastor, Father Gerald J. Gurka, to recover from eye surgery.
“We have some really great seeds of faith planted here and growing,” Father Gurka said.
The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, was principal celebrant and homilist for the Anniversary Mass. Many parishioners described his homily as especially moving.
“Bishop hit it out of the park for me,” parishioner Paula Yozwiak shared. “I even choked up a little bit sitting there, remembering everything that has gone on in my family – the good, the bad. I’m just grateful to be here.”
Lifelong parishioner Charles Prohaska, 85, is hopeful that young people will continue to be involved in parish life.
“It is a great parish. It’s a very welcoming parish,” he said. “My hope is parishioners, especially the young ones, will take part in everything that we do here.”
The Anniversary Mass brought back a keen sense of tradition and history for parishioners.
Michael Novrocki, a fourth-generation parishioner, said the Anniversary Mass held a lot of personal significance.
“My family history goes back to 1903 so today is a particular moment of pride for me and my family,” he said.
“I wrote the history (of the parish) for the 100th anniversary back in 1999 and I just did an update for the 125th anniversary,” Novrocki added.
Novrocki recalled the early sacrifices of the Polish immigrants who founded the parish in 1898, including building a new church after the original was lost to fire.
“The parish really banded together, rolled up their sleeves and they each contributed $75 to the construction of the new church,” he said.
As the community looks to the future, many say the spirit of Saint John the Baptist Parish remains strong.
“My hope is that people remain faithful and inspire others to be faithful and go to church, and be active in their church and community,” Yozwiak said.