On behalf of Monsignor Delaney and the entire parish staff, best wishes for a blessed and enjoyable Father’s Day to all fathers, grandfathers and godfathers.

God, bless all the fathers in the world. Guide them to be good role models and loving to all their children. Help them to be a father like You are. Give them grace and patience to handle situations in a loving way. Amen

1) Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2) Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

3) Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

4) Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

5) Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

6) Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7) Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

8) Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

9) Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearance, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.

10)Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

My name is Mark DeCelles. You may have seen me at Mass this past weekend, but for those who have not….I am a seminarian for the Diocese of Scranton and I am in my second year of theological studies at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland.

I am thrilled that the diocese has assigned me to Holy Cross and Blessed Sacrament Parishes for the summer!

My family and I are parishioners at Immaculate Conception Church in Scranton, where we got to know Monsignor Delaney many years ago. I am a native of Dunmore and I studied at St. Clare’s, St. Paul’s and Scranton Prep. I have a Ph.D in theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC; my Bachelor’s and Master’s came from the same school.

I am looking forward to getting to know you all over the next several weeks. God Bless You!

.......Mark DeCelles

God our Father, You made each of us to use our gifts in the Body of Christ.

We ask that You inspire young people whom you call to priesthood and consecrated life to courageously follow Your will.

Send workers into Your great harvest so that the Gospel is preached, the poor are served with love, the suffering are comforted, and Your people are strengthened by the sacraments.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Deacon Edward Casey and Deacon Ryan Glenn have been ordained priests of the Diocese of Scranton by our Bishop, Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. on Saturday, June 9.

Congratulations to Father Casey and Father Glenn. May God bless them with many happy years of service to the Church of Scranton.

Father William D. Campbell, a native son of St. Patrick Parish, Olyphant, celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood for ministry and service to the people of God in the Diocese of Scranton. We join Father Campbell’s family and friends in love and celebration as we mark this special moment with Father Campbell. Notes of congratulations may be sent to:

Father William D. Campbell
Little Flower Manor
200 South Meade Street, Room 204
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

Readings:

Today’s celebration of the Body and Blood of the Lord originated in the Diocese of Liege in 1246 as the feast of Corpus Christi. In the reforms of Vatican II, the feast was joined with the feast of the Precious Blood (July 1) to become the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Today, we celebrate the Christ’s gift of the Eucharist, the source and summit of our life together as the Church.

Today’s Gospel is Mark’s account of the Last Supper. At the Passover meal marking the First Covenant, Jesus, the Lamb of the New Covenant, institutes the New Passover of the Eucharist.

The ancients believed the source of life was contained in blood – blood, therefore, belonged to God alone (that is why even today a devout Jew will never eat any meat which is not completely drained of blood). In marking Israel’s covenant with the Lord who brought them out of slavery and into freedom, Moses splashes half of the offerings’ blood on the altar, the symbol of God, and sprinkles the other half on the people, joining the covenanted people to their God (first reading).

This understanding of the sacredness of blood is central to the theme of the letter to the Hebrews (second reading). Jesus is both priest and victim on the cross, whose own blood seals a new covenant and creates a new Israel.

Themes:

Eucharist: becoming the body of Christ.

“If you have received worthily,” St. Augustine preached, “you are what you have received.” The gift of the Eucharist comes with an important “string” is attached: it must be shared. In sharing the body of Christ, we become the body of Christ. If we partake of the one bread and cup, then we must be willing to become Eucharist for others – to make the love of Christ real for all.

Eucharist: the table of the Lord.

Christ calls us to his table, offering his peace, affirmation, support and love. We come to the Eucharist to celebrate our identity as his disciples and to seek the sustaining grace to live the hard demands of such discipleship; we come to the Eucharist seeking the peace and hope of the Risen One in the compassion and support we offer and receive from one another. At Christ’s table, we are always welcome. In celebrating the Eucharist, we make our parish family’s table the Lord’s own table, a place of reconciliation and compassion.

Prayer is nothing else than union with God. In this intimate union God and the soul are like two pieces of wax molded into one; they cannot anymore be separated. It is a very wonderful thing, this union of God with his insignificant creature, a happiness passing all understanding.

……..St. John Vianney

Our Lady of the Rosary

Mary, Mother of Christ, tech us to pray your rosary as it should be prayed. For these ordinary beads strung on threads hold within themselves all the mysteries of our holy faith and all the main ways of prayer. Mary, Queen of the Rosary, open to us its holy secrets. Let it be our door to the heart of your son, his Father, and the Holy Spirit. ………….Catherine Doherty

"May is a month which the piety of the faithful has long dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. This is the month during which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and it is the month is which a greater abundance of God’s merciful gifts comes down to us from our Mother’s throne."

……..Pope Paul VI

We are most grateful to Bishop Bambera for assigning Mark DeCelles, seminarian in preparation for priestly ministry for our diocese, to serve in our parishes from May 29 to August 5. We look forward to getting to know Mark and in Mark getting to know us!

A NOTE FROM BISHOP BAMBERA

Dear Monsignor Delaney,

Congratulations to you and your parishioners for surpassing your parish goal for our 2017 Diocesan Annual Appeal.

I appreciate your commitment to helping us once again raise more than $5 million in gifts and pledges to support all of our Diocesan ministries. Thank you for “walking together in the light of Christ” to bring joy and hope to all who seek our assistance.

Kindly extend my gratitude to your parishioners for their generous spirit and faithful service to your parish and to our Diocese. When we open our hearts to extend God’s mercy and love to our sisters and brothers, we grow as disciple of Jesus Christ. May God bless you and your parishioners as you continue to share His mercy6 and love in all that you do.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Joseph C. Bambera
Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Scranton

As always thank you for your generosity.

Msgr. Michael J. Delaney
Pastor

Saint Paul reminds us: “That at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bend in the heavens and on the earth; and every tongue proclaim, to the glory of God the Father that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.”

After living a life proclaiming that “Jesus Christ is Lord”, Mary Ann was called home to God’s love on April 3rd, on the Octave of Easter. Mary Ann worked tirelessly and spent her life selflessly for our parishes for twenty years.

Born in Jessup, Mary Ann Bisignani was the daughter of the late Helen Jakunski and Geremia (Frank) Galli. Mary Ann loved serving the Gospel as a member of our parish staff and shared her faith and creativity on many committees as well as carrying the Lord to God’s people as an extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Her talents were shared participating in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Diocese of Scranton. She believed deeply in the love God has for us and in the power of prayer, always remembering the needs of those around her.

We ask the kindness of your prayers for Mary Ann’s family and those who love her, especially her husband Richard (married 59 years) and children: Kathryn Tomsofsky and husband Paul; Richard (Ricky); Maria Harrell and Ron, and Dr. Lynn Mailloux and Brian as well as her treasured grandchildren: Christian, Morgan, Nicole, MaCayla, Parker and Sean; and her sisters Gerri Dunda and Nancy Casama and brother frank Galli, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Eternal rest grant unto Mary Ann Bisignani, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION will take place Saturday, May 5th at 10:00 AM at Holy Cross Parish and on Sunday, May 6th at 9:30 AM at Blessed Sacrament Parish. Parents and/or guardians are asked to please make sure your children attend all practices. Please contact John Musyt or Rosemarie Liesiefsky if you have any questions about the dates or times of practices:

Sunday, April 29th – during class (both churches)

Tuesday, May 1—6 to 8 PM. Both churches

Thursday, May 3 – 6 to 8 PM Both churches

All parishioners are reminded of their obligation to fulfill their “Easter Duty.” A person’s Easter duty consists of receiving Holy Communion at least once between Ash Wednesday and Pentecost Sunday as well as celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This year Pentecost Sunday is May 20.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 6:30 PM Holy Hour/Adoration/Benediction

Join us as we lift up in prayer our faith in the holiness of all life, the dignity of each woman person created in the image and likeness of God. January 22nd marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the United States. We earnestly pray for the safty of all unjborn children, for all expectant Moms and their families, and that the love of God will touch and transform human hearts to be dedicated to care for, treasur and cherish every man, woman and child from conception until natural death.

On Monday, January 9th, our Merciful Father called his devoted daughter, our sister and friend, Therese Peko, home to eternal life.

Therese began her service to the Church of St. Anthony of Padua in 1948, 70 years ago, continuing to share her gentle spirit and gifts with the people of our community after the consolidation of parishes until very recently.

Therese was born in Throop, daughter of the late Stephen and Tessi Lewandowski Peko, she was a graduate of Throop High School and attended classes at Marywood College. She served our parish with exemplary commitment and devotion as parish secretary, organist, companion and dear friend. She leaves us with an extraordinary model of faith and service for us to follow.

As we mourn her passing, we pray for her sister Estelle Hanis and her brother Henry Peko and for her many nieces and nephews. Therese was preceded in death by four sisters and four brothers: Ceil Borden, Ann Rudzinski, Stepheny McCurl, Martha Mallas, Stanley, Stephen, Chester and Gene Peko. After sharing 70 years of love and service to our parish, we pray…..Eternal rest grant unto Therese Peko, O Lord.

“They whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are.” ………St. John Chrysostom

Join us at Kelley Hall at 12 Noon each Wednesday for a free community meal. The nutritious meal, prepared at St. Francis Kitchen, Scranton, is served cafeteria style. All are welcome.

The Christmas shopping season will officially be underway this Friday! When purchasing items from Amazon.com, please consider logging into your account via the Amazon Smile Program. A portion of your sale will be donated to our home at no additional cost to you!

To help, log in to your account at smile.amazon.com/ch/24-0832764.

Our parish family welcomes all who joined us for the celebration of the Eucharist this weekend. If you are not a registered member of the parish and would like to join the parish, please contact the parish office or see Monsignor Delaney for more information.

SOCIAL CONCERNS MEETING

Mark your calendar. The next Social Concerns Committee meeting will be May 21 at 6:30 PM in Kelley Hall at Holy Cross Parish. We will be hosting a guest speaker, Cassie Rose Kobeski, M.F.A. Cassie is the Compassionate Care Hospice Volunteer Coordinator. She will be giving a presentation on the role of a Hospice volunteer and why volunteers are in such need. If you are a kind, patient and caring individual and want to make a difference in the lives of others, please consider attending this meeting to learn more about this program and how you might be able to assist others.

Our Catholic life begins and ends in the Parish because a Parish is the gathering of God’s faithful people. Today, more than ever, we must connect with our fellow parishioners, reinforcing our faith and keeping it vital for the next generation of Catholics. It is crucial that we foster a rich parish life, where families and friends come together in the spirit of Catholic fellowship. The Office for Parish Life assists in all aspects of Liturgy and Worship, Service & Social Concerns, Community and Family Development. Your gifts fund such programs as networking and training for Youth .Ministry Leaders, Directors of Religious Education, Music and Liturgical Ministry, Bereavement Support, Social Concerns and Parish Councils.

Care & Education to Priests:

“Answering God’s call to a life of service to His People” Our priests and deacons unconditionally answer the call to serve God’s people meeting increasing needs throughout our Diocese. Contributions to the Annual Appeal fund ongoing formation of our priests, permanent deacons, seminarians and deacon candidates. These funds also help us to care for and support our 96 retired or ill priests, many of whom continue to generously assist with the celebration of Masses, the visitation of the sick and by offering spiritual guidance to all in need. Appeal gifts also assist the Vocation Office, which has been blessed with encouraging growth, in guiding those who are considering priesthood through a comprehensive discernment process. We are grateful to currently have 11 seminarians pursuing the priesthood in the Diocese of Scranton. Your gift to the Annual Appeal directly supports the celebration of the Eucharist, men in clergy formation, proclamation of the Gospel and administration of the Sacraments within our parish communities.

Educating the future generations of the faithful

Shaping the next generation of the faithful through a Catholic education in our schools and parishes is an essential mission of the Diocese of Scranton. Last year, more than 5,100 elementary, middle and high school students benefitted from the academic programs and spiritual guidance offered by our Catholic Schools. More than 15,000 children received religious education in parish based-programs, instilling in them an intimate knowledge of the faith and the love of God and fostering a desire to serve one another.

If you didn’t bring your phone to Mass today, it’s not too late to make a gift or pledge using your cell phone. Gifts are appreciated in any amount and are fully tax-deductible. Will you help by sharing your gifts?

To text a gift using your cell phone to support the ministries and services supported by the Diocesan Appeal, just…Text the word “Appeal” to number 91999, and follow the prompts. We appreciate your generosity. May God bless you.

Living Faith, Serving with Mercy “The great gift of mercy lies at the heart of all that we do as a church, and it also lies at the heart of the support we receive from the Diocesan Annual Appeal.”

Where we stand:

Holy Cross Parish: HOLY CROSS:We are at 99.66% of our $50,000 goal; $49,830.00 ($170.00)

Blessed Sacrament: Congratulations!! We are at 107% of our $17,000 goal;$18,515.00, $1,515.00 over. Remember that 75% of collected appeal donations above goal will be returned our parishes.

As Augustine is remembered as saying “He who sings prays twice” Come join our parish choirs and help lead our parishes in prayers.

Choirs began meeting on Wednesday, September 7th at 6:30 pm. In both Holy Cross and Blessed Sacrament Parishes. Holy Cross is under the direction of Mary Therese McKane, Blessed Sacrament.

Too Busy to Pray?

If we are too busy to pray, maybe we are just too busy. In today's world many people are busy doing good and necessary things. Accomplishing primary tasks instead of dwelling on secondary ones is a matter of setting our priorities aright. Jesus set the example as he withdrew from the crowds to pray and commune with his heavenly Father. "But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray (Luke 5:15-16 NASB). Surely, preaching and healing the sick were good and necessary pursuits; but despite the clamor of the crowds, Jesus often forsook them for a higher priority, prayer.

Provident God, You bless us with the gift of Jesus Who cares for us as a good shepherd. By our Baptism we are anointed and sent to continue the mission of Jesus. Guide Your people to prayerfully choose a way of life that best serves you with their gifts. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to live dedicated lives as married and single people, as deacons, priests, and religious. United with Jesus, our shepherd, we are one with You, now and forever. Amen.

Catholic Social Services of The Diocese of Scranton offers compassionate counseling in a safe, comfortable environment where your privacy is always respected. Counseling is about self-discovery and can be used for personal growth or when distressing conditions exist and you need a bit of extra support… help is available. Anyone who struggles with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions or a variety of emotional or psychological conditions is welcome. For more information or to make an appointment, call 570-207-2283.

Unexpected Pregnancy

An unexpected pregnancy may cause one to panic and feel their entire world is falling apart. Pregnancy counseling is available to every pregnant woman regardless of age, race, religion, or marital status. Supportive counseling is also offered to anyone affected by the pregnancy. For assistance or more information call Catholic Social Services at 800-982-4310.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELING

Are you or someone you know struggling with problems related to Drugs or Alcohol? For over 80 years Catholic Social Services has helped individuals and families deal with substance abuse. For more information please call Catholic Social Services at 570-829-3489.