The Light Is On For You - all Mondays of Lent from 5:30-7:00pm. All the parishes in the Diocese of Scranton will be open for individual conffessions.

The Light is On For You. Schedule is as follows:

• Monday, March 11 - Holy Cross
• Monday, March 18 - Blessed Sacrament
• Monday, March 25 - Holy Cross
• Monday, April 1 - Blessed Sacrament
• Monday, April 8 - Holy Cross
• Monday, April 15 - Blessed Sacrament


• Tuesday, April 9 - Blessed Sacrament, Throop


• Wednesday, April 10 - St. Mary's, Dickson City


• Thursday, April 11 - Holy Cross, Olyphant

Saturday, April 20

11:00 AM Blessed Sacrament

12:30 PM Holy Cross.

You can still order this weekend at the entrances to Blessed Sacrament Parish. Paska, with or without raisins, Kolachi-nut, poppy, cheese, lekvar, apricot and raspberry, a boxed dozen of Easter Cookies, all made by Bakery Delite; and our Hand-Made Butter Lamb. Pickup up is on Holy Thursday from 1 to 4:45 PM. Orders can also be made by calling Joseph Butash 570- 489-4515. The Holy Name thanks you for supporting this fundraiser.

will be taken up at the Holy Thursday evening mass. Please be generous. Food will be donated to our local food banks.

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 June 9.

Heavenly Father,

As I enter another week of my Lenten journey, guide me to the path that leads to you. Fill my heart with gratitude, patience, strength, and peace as I strive to become the-best-version-of-myself, honestly admitting my shortcomings and sins.

As I renew my resolve each day to become a better person, let me hear your voice in the deepest reaches of my heart. Give me rest in you. Help me to accept others, showing them your great love instead of casting judgement.

Stay with me through the busy days this week and remind me that when I need comfort, solitude, wisdom, or guidance, I can always turn to you.

Help me develop discipline and generosity through fasting and almsgiving, and come closer to you through prayer this Lent.

In your name I pray.

Amen

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.”

SCHEDULED ALTAR SERVERS ONLY

Holy Thursday Practice- Palm Sunday, April 14 – 2:00 pm at Blessed Sacrament; 3:30 pm at Holy Cross.

Good Friday Practice- Wednesday, April 17 – 5:30 pm at Blessed Sacrament and 7:00 pm at Holy Cross.

SCHEDULED LECTORS AND ALTAR SERVERS ONLY:

Saturday, April 20 – 9:00 am Lectors and 9:45 am Altar Servers at Holy Cross.

Celebrating the Eucharist is the most important thing we do as Catholics. Participating at Mass is more than receiving Holy Communion – it is offering a sacrifice. All of the baptized are called by God to offer a sacrifice at Mass.

In the booklet shared on Ash Wednesday and this weekend, Father Paul Turner explains the meaning of the sacrifice of the Mass and how we share in this sacrifice as priestly people by our Baptism. Each section of the pamphlet includes some questions for reflection and a discussion, a helpful tool entering into our Lenten experience. “My Sacrifice and Yours” is a beautiful exploration of Christ’s sacrifice and our participation in this sacrifice at Mass.

Sponsored by the Ministerium of the Mid Valley

Wednesdays in Lent, all services at 7:00 PM

• Wednesday, March 13
Holy Cross Parish, 200 Delaware Avenue,
Olyphant, PA 18447
Message: Rev. David Brague

• Wednesday, March 20
St. James/St. George Episcopel Church
398 Washington Avenue, Jermyn, PA 18433
Message: Rev. David Repenning

• Wednesday, March 27
Peckville United Methodist Church
722 Main Street, Peckville, PA 18452
Message: Msgr. Michael J. Delaney

• Wednesday, April 3
Blakely Baptist Church
201 Main Street, Blakely, PA 18447
Message: Rev. Daniel Jones

• Wednesday, April 10
First United Presbyterian Church
1557 Main Street, Peckville, PA 18452
Message: Rev. Andrew Kurovsky

Fellowship and refreshments follow each
service. All are invited to participate in prayer
with our neighbors and friends of the Christian
Churches of the Mid Valley as we prepare for
Easter.

Every Friday during Lent: Holy Cross 5:30 PM, soup will follow. Blessed Sacrament 6:00 PM.

Holy Cross Parish invites you to join in soup and fellowship after Stations of the Cross in Kelley Hall. Volunteers needed to help make Lenten soup and set-up and clean-up.

Bill Kosydar has served at Blessed Sacrament Parish, called to join us in our mission and ministry on May 27, 2011. We thank Bill for his dedication to his work and his kindness to our people, especially those in need of care and consolation at the death of a loved one. We thank God for the gifts and skills he has given to Bill and ask God to guide his path as he begins new employment. May you continue to serve God and God’s people in the new adventure before you.

Monday, February 11th Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The World Day of the Sick was instituted by Saint John Paul II in 1992 and has three permanent themes. First, it reminds the faithful to pray intensely and sincerely for those who are sick. Second, the celebration invites Christians to reflection and respond to human suffering and third, this day recognizes and honors all persons who work in health care and all who serve as caregivers.

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.

The Social Concerns Committee of our parishes will meet on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30 PM in Kelley Hall, Holy Cross Parish.

Our committee coordinates various charitable works in our parishes, conducts adult education programs and offers support and guidance in outreach more effectively accomplishing the corporal works of mercy. We welcome one and all in assisting us in this ministry.

Financial Statements for the 2018 calendar year will be mailed in late January 2019, upon request only. Donations for tax purposes for 2018 should have already been made. If you would like a tax statement please call the parish office.

Your generosity helps:

Serve, comfort and care for thousands of our friends and neighbors each year through a variety of Catholic Social Services and Parish Outreach programs.

Support our retired priests and those who are ill, who have faithfully served our Diocese for many years. Assist our men in formation to become priests and deacons as we look to the future of our parishes and our Diocese.

Prepare our children for fulfilling and faith-filled lives through education in our Catholic schools and in our parish religious education programs.

Provide opportunities in our parish communities for everyone to more fully share their personal gifts in devoted service to God and one another.

Joyfully spread the Gospel and the message of our Catholic faith to all members of our Diocese and our community.

To make a donation to this year’s Annual Appeal, please visit www.AnnualAppeal.org or call 570-207-2250.

Thank you one and all for your generosity! Where we stand:

we stand:

Holy Cross $50,000.00 goal, 74% of goal, $36,834.00 in pledges and donations.

Blessed Sacrament $17,000.00 goal, 104% of goal! $17635.00 in pledges and donations.

Remember that 75% of all donations collected over goal are returned to the parish.

DID YOU KNOW…

You may make a gift to your parish or to the Diocesan Annual Appeal directly from your IRA?

If you are 70 ½ or older and have a traditional individual retirement account, you can use all or part of your required minimum distribution to support your parish or the Diocesan Annual Appeal without having to count the transfers as income for federal tax purposes.

Distributions must be sent directly to your parish or the Diocese by the plan administrator of your IRA. For more information please contact Jim Bebla, Diocesan Secretary of Development, at Jim- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 570-207-2250.

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

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.

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.