"RADIATE CHRIST"

The office for Parish Life will offer this retreat on Wednesday February 26th from 9:30am-2:30pm at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on Wyoming Ave. in Scranton. Catherine Butel, Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life, will lead the retreat. The theme will focus on how Lent is a counter-cultural season that is more about how we are meant to bring Christ to the world than just a focus on ourselves as individuals. The day will include the Sacrament of Reconciliation, mass at St. Peter's Cathedral, and a lunch will be provided. The fee is $30.00. To register, visit www.dioceseofscranton.org/parish-life/ash-wednesday-retreat or call 570-207-2213 ext 1000.

To make it as easy as possible for every Catholic to experience the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the season of Lent, a noble practice has been set forth in every parish of the Diocese of Scranton. "The Light Is On For You" which has served our parishes well for several years now, will provide the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation each Monday from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, March 2 - Holy Cross
• Monday, March 9 - Blessed Sacrament
• Monday, March 16 - Holy Cross
• Monday, March 23 - Blessed Sacrament
• Monday, March 30 - Holy Cross
• Monday, April 6 - Blessed Sacrament

Additionally, a number of priests will be available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 6:30pm at the following parishes:

• Tuesday, March 31 - Blessed Sacrament, Throop


• Wednesday, April 1 - St. Mary's, Dickson City


• Thursday, April 2 - Holy Cross, Olyphant

Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated every Saturday from 3:00-3:45pm at Holy Cross Parish and 4:30-5:15pm at Blessed Sacrament Parish, or by calling the Rectory at 570-489-0752 to schedule an appointment.

Stations of the cross will begin Friday February 28th and will be every Friday During Lent. Stations at Holy Cross will be at 5:30pm, followed by soup. Blessed Sacrament will be at 6:00pm.

Volunteers Needed

Will begin Friday February 28th and will be every Friday During Lent. Stations at Holy Cross will be at 5:30pm, followed by soup. Blessed Sacrament will be at 6:00pm.

• March 4 Blakely Baptist, 1748 Main Street, Blakely: Host Dr. William Duke - Message Msgr. Michael Delaney
• March 11 Peckville United Methodist Church, 732 Main Street, Peckville: Host Rev. David Repenning - Message Rev. Jack Munley
• March 18 St. James & George Episcopal Church 398 Washington Avenue, Jermyn: Host Rev. Brian Pauvlic - Message Rev. David Repenning
• March 25 First United Presbyterian of Lackawanna Valley, 1557 Main Street, Peckville: Host Pastor Margaret Hartman -- Message Rev. Andrew Kurovsky
• April 1 Rescue & Restore Church, 125 Lakawanna Avenue, Olyphant: Host Rev. Jack Munley - Message Dr. Willaim Duke

During Lent, the Church invites us to reflect on those times when we have turned away from God and consider how we can return to God in all we say and do. It is a time for reconciliation and healing. At the heart of all these actions is our relationship with God that began at our Baptism.

On each Tuesday during Lent, all are invited at 6:30pm in Kelley Hall, Holy Cross Parish to come pray with and reflect upon the promises made during Baptism, through which we reject sin and profess our faith in God. We share in this journey with those who are preparing for Baptism at the Easter Vigil. Each week during Lent, we will reflect on one of the Baptismal promises and consider its meaning in our daily life. We are encouraged to transform our hearts so that we become witnesses to the love of God. Our Lenten journey leads us to the celebration of Easter, when we renew our Baptismal promises and rejoice in the salvation gained for us by Christ's Resurrection.

The Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Call to continuing Conversion of Candidates who are Preparing for Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church is celebrated each year on the First Sunday of Lent. We pray for those entering into Lent, as they have made their intention known to join us at the table of the Lord, as we, baptized members of the Roman Catholic Church, reflect upon our initiation and prepare to be renewed in our Baptism at Easter.

Is your marriage going down the right road…or is it a little off track? Are you already separated? Retrouvaille can help and offers hope for a better relationship. Retrouvaille is a peer ministry of volunteer couples that can help you learn the tools of healthy communication. Couples of al faiths as well as non-religious couples are welcome. For more information contact 717-356-2185 or visit the website at www.HelpOurMarriage.org.

Financial Statements for the 2019 calendar year will be mailed in late January 2019, upon request only. Donations for tax purposes for 2019 should have already been made. If you would like a tax statement please call the parish office.

(1) THE ANNULMENT PROCESS

If you are or know someone looking for information how to proceed and move forward after a divorce, please call the Rectory (570-489-0752).

(2) “HOW DO I GET MY MARRIAGE BLESSED IN THE CHURCH?”

If you’ve been married civilly (judge, mayor, justice of the peace, etc.) and are looking to have your marriage convalidated (blessed in the Church, celebrating the Sacrament of Matrimony), and need information or have questions, please call the Rectory and ask for Monsignor Delaney.

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.

Have you ever thought about serving the Lord at the Altar during Mass? Would you like to help lead the people of your parish in prayer? Are you in the 3rd grade or older? If you answered yes to these questions, then you are a good candidate for the ministry of being an Altar Server. Deacon Musyt will be conducting a training session for new altar servers on Wednesday November 20th and Thursday November 21st at 6:30pm at Holy Cross Parish. Interested servers must attend both practice sessions.

CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN

will hold their meeting on March 1, 2:00 PM at Kelley Hall. All are welcome to attend.

HOLY CROSS AND BLESSED SACRAMENT would like to thank Holy Cross Confraternity of Christian Women

for the purchase of new computers for the office. Money used was from the December Lotto. Also, a thank you to parishioners and friends for participating with the Lotto which made this possible.THE CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN is seeking new members!

The Confraternity is one of our parish’s oldest and most dedicated ministries. Members of the Confraternity serve Holy Cross Parish by living out their call to holiness distinctively as women, who are the backbone of this spiritual and charitable organization, which is under the banner of our Blessed Mother. They share a social bond as well as a love of their parish, and the need to participate in helping it grow and prosper. While primarily a spiritual group, the Confraternity also helps organize and run a number of different events throughout the year. Members are also active in volunteering with other parish ministries. Meetings are held monthly. The Confraternity of Christian Women welcomes women of any age for prayer, community, spirituality, service and friendship.

MOVIE NIGHT: "A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD"

MOVIE NIGHT - Thursday, March 12; 6:30 PM; Kelley Hall; Holy Cross, Olyphant

Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in this timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about kindness, love and forgiveness from America's most beloved neighbor. A wonderful Lenten reflection on the importance of compassion. Rated PG 109 minutes.

SERVING IN FAITH WITH HOPE AND GRATITUDE

Thank you for your continued support for our seminarians and clergy and for all the Diocesan ministries which depend on your gifts to the Annual Appeal to serve people in need throughout our 11 counties. If you have not donated please call the Development Office 570-207-2250 to make a pledge or give a gift by credit card; mail a check to the Diocesan Appeal Office at 300 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton 18503 or give online at www.DioceseofScranton.org. Our parish is reimbursed 75% for any gifts made to the Appeal in excess of our Appeal goal.

The goal for Holy Cross is $50,000.00. To date we have raised $40,165.38. The goal for Blessed Sacrament is $17,000.00. To date we have raised $18,556.00.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BLESSED SACRAMENT FOR GOING BEYOND OUR GOAL.

Your donation truly matters. Call 570-207-2250, or give online at AnnualAppeal.org.

Be a minister of God’s hope and love…Help us reach our Parish Appeal goal.

Our Annual Appeal begins in September. New in 2019:

• More direct support to parishes for Social Justice Grants and New Faith Formation Grants

• Increased support for Catholic Social Services

• Opportunity to designate your Appeal gift to the ministry of your choice

• Unique videos featuring parishioners and clergy showing the Appeal at work in your region Gifts to the 2018 Appeal touched thousands of lives:

• 4,143 Families served in Catholic Social Services Food and Clothing Pantries

• 104 Retired & Ill Priests Received Care

• 12 Seminarians receiving tuition and living expenses

• 44 Parishes using Social Justice Grants to serve countless families

• 118 Parishes receiving support in all aspects of Parish Life

• 16,555 Nights of shelter and Support

• 15,000 Children in Religious Education and 4,500 in Catholic Schools.

Share your blessings. Give to the Appeal. Gifts to the Appeal support Diocesan ministries and will not be used to defray legal fees or fund the Survivors Compensation Program.

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.

In order to hear the voice of God, one has to have silence in one’s soul and to keep silence; not a gloomy silence, but an interior silence, that is to say, recollection in God. One can speak a great deal without breaking silence and, on the contrary, one can speak little and be constantly breaking silence.

……..St. Faustina Kowalska

Meditation is the mother of the love of God, and contemplation is the daughter of the love of God. Contemplation is nothing other than taking delight in the goodness of him whom we have learned to know in meditation, and whom we have learned to love by means of this knowledge.

………..St. Francis De Sales

Let us put our hope in Jesus, the name of salvation given to men and women of every language and race. Confessing his name, let us walk trustfully toward the future, certain that we will not be disappointed if we trust in the most holy name of Jesus. - St. John Paul II

Every moment of prayer, especially before our Lord in the tabernacle, is a positive gain. The time we spend in having our daily audience with God is the most precious part of the whole day.

……….Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

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

Meditation is the mother of the love of God, and contemplation is the daughter of the love of God. Contemplation is nothing other than taking delight in the goodness of him whom we have learned to know in meditation, and whom we have learned to love by means of this knowledge. ……..St. Francis De Sales

The More you pray, the more you want to pray. It’s like a fish that starts by swimming near the surface of the water then plunges and goes on swimming deeper and deeper. The soul plunges, is swallowed up, loses itself in the delights of conversation with God. ….St John Vianney

Parents who are sitting in the choir loft with their children, are asked NOT to sit in the first row due to safety issues. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

Know a Marriage That Needs Help?  Throw them a lifeline and tell them about Retrouvaille, an international program that helps couples who are experiencing marital difficulties. This program is for all couples, at any stage of marriage that needs help to communicate with each other in a more attentive and loving manner. The next program in the Scranton Diocese begins Feb. 26-Feb. 28, 2016, at The Ramada Inn, Clarks Summit, PA. Please call 800-470-2230 for more information or to register or visit the website at www.helpourmarriage.org.