Monsignor Delaney would like to thank all parishioners, both from Holy Cross and Blessed Sacrament, for their generosity over the past year. Every time we have a fundraiser or ask for donations there is an overwhelmingly positive response and it is sincerely appreciated. There will be a Thank You Reception on June 22nd after the 4:00 PM Mass at Holy Cross and on June 23rd after the 9:30 AM Mass at Blessed Sacrament. All are invited to attend.

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.

On Pentecost Sunday, June 9, our 8th grade students will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation:

Blessed Sacrament-Sunday, June 9; 9:30 AM Mass

Holy Cross-Sunday, June 9, 2:00 PM

Please keep our Confirmation candidates in your prayers as they complete their preparation to celebrate the Sacrament.

Please note practice times:

Sunday, June 2; 1:00 PM Holy Cross (with sponsors)

Sunday, June 2; 3:00 PM Blessed Sacrament (with sponsors)

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love….”

HOW TO PRAY FOR VOCATIONS

Today on World Day of Prayer for Vocations consider praying a rosary for vocations:

*Pray the first decade that you may grow in holiness in your own vocation.

*Pray the second decade for all those called to marriage.

*Pray the third decade for those called to the permanent diaconate.

*Pray the fourth decade for all those called to religious life.

*Pray the fifth decade for all those called to the priesthood.

At Every Sunday Mass when you take time for personal prayer at Mass, ask God that a young man from your parish will hear the call to the priesthood or religious life, and that a young woman will hear the call to become a sister. At Home during mealtime, pray for vocations with your family and encourage your children to be open to God’s call.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

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 reached, the poor are served with love, the suffering are comforted, and your people are strengthened by the sacraments. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Holy Cross Annual Chicken Bar-B-Q – Sunday, August 4, 2019. Chicken Bar-B-Q organizational meeting Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 PM, Kelley Hall.

Blessed Sacrament Annual Family Festival – Friday, August 16; Saturday, August 17; Sunday, August 18— Bingo. Volunteers are needed – come join in the fun and help in putting together a successful event! Meeting: Tuesday, May 14, 6:30 PM Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall.

The U.S. Senate recently failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act—legislation that prohibits infanticide by ensuring that a child born alive, following an attempted abortion would receive the same degree of care to preserve her or his life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. Please pray for an end to infanticide:

“Jesus, Lord of Life, transform the hearts of all elected leaders to recognize that infanticide is wrong and must not be tolerated. Open hearts and minds to recognize and defend the precious gift of every human life.”

CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN

will hold their meeting on Sunday, April 7, 2:00 PM, Kelley Hall.

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.

OUR GRATITUDE

Our linked parishes’ Social Concern Committee extends sincere and profound gratitude for the generosity shown by the members of Holy Cross and Blessed Sacrament Parishes.

Whether gathering food; collecting coats and personal hygiene items at Christmas; providing assistance to new moms, feeding the homeless, conducting our weekly held community lunch or aiding in so many other service projects, your compassionate, generous response helps us to be about our mission loving God and loving our neighbor.

On Saturday, June 22 following 4:00 PM Mass at Holy Cross and on Sunday, June 23 following 9:30 AM Mass at Blessed Sacrament, the Social Concerns Committee will host a THANK-YOU RECEPTION. All are invited to attend.

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

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.

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.