Saint Nicholas Parish Newsletter 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT PARISH LENTEN SYMBOL Our annual observance of Lent reminds us of the continuing call to conversion in our lives. We offer our fasting, prayer and almsgiving to help us renew our lives through Christ’s love for us and our love for Christ. STATIONS OF THE CROSS We will follow Jesus’s Way of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent at 1:30 (with the school students). Traditional Stations of the Cross will be celebrated at 5:15 p.m. Stations of the Cross in Spanish will be held at 7:00 p.m. Come and remember with us the love our Lord shows for us in His Passion and Death. THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) will be celebrated beginning Monday February 23 and continue through Monday, March 23. Confessions will be heard from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the Altar for Adoration during this time. THE DOWNTOWN CHURCHES sponsor a Lenten service on the Wednesdays of Lent. The program begins with an organ recital at 11:30 at St. Stephen’s Church, South Franklin Street. At noon there is a short prayer service and reflection. The speaker to offer the reflection on Wednesday, February 25 will be Fr. Joe Parrish. Following the service there will be a soup and sandwich lunch. Donation for the lunch is $4. Donations benefit the W-B Free Clinic (sponsored by St. Nicholas, St. Stephen’s and Good Shepherd) & Camp Orchard Hill’s Homeless Outreach Program. We hope many parishioners are able to attend. HELPING HAND Volunteers are needed to help serve the luncheon for the Downtown Lenten Service on Wednesday, March 11. If anyone (women & men) can help, please call Sr. Mary Margaret at 570-823-7736. OPERATION RICE BOWL Hungering for a Better Life Our journey with CRS Rice Bowl begins in Tanzania, where a simple soybean is changing lives! What actions can you take this Lent to change lives - at home and around the world. WEEKDAY MASSES Daily Mass during Lent is celebrated at 6:30 & 8:00 a.m. Join us as often as you can at our daily Eucharist this Lent as we remember the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. DAYS OF ABSTINENCE On days of abstinence, no meat may be eaten by anyone who is fourteen or older. All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence

FEBRUARY 22, 2015 LENTEN PRAYER & ADULT EDUCATION For five of the weeks of Lent (February 24 through March 26) we will have a Prayer Service & Hunger Meal on Tuesdays & on Thursdays we will have an Adult Education Program. LENTEN PRAYER – FASTING –ALMSGIVING - SERVICE On Tuesdays during the Season of Lent, our parish will host a Hunger Meal experience for those who wish to participate. We will gather in the Community Room for an evening meal of Soup and Bread on Lenten Tuesdays beginning February 24th at 5:00 p.m. This will be followed by the Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours in the Chapel. Donations will be accepted from participants to reflect the savings compared with a “typical” meal. Proceeds will be used to provide groceries, which the group will assemble, for area poor who visit our parish for their food needs. We ask participants to register by calling the Rectory at 570-823-7736. DON’T MISS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY to better understand how God acts in our everyday life, especially when we are faced with challenges. As we go through the Old Testament, the Jewish Scriptures, we will discover a pattern showing that the God of Israel consistently is merciful, gracious, faithful, forgiving, and steadfast in love. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND THE “ROAD TO EMMAUS SERIES” at the Rectory either Wednesday, February 25 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. OR Thursday, February 26 from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Please don’t hesitate to come even if this is the first time you attend this series. The facilitator is Judy Plummer, King’s College faculty and member of our parish. CONVERSION THE CALL TO HOLINESS On Thursday, February 26, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. a DVD presentation of Rev. Robert E. Barron will be offered in the Community Room. TWO PATHS TO HOLINESS AND BIBLICAL STORIES of people who have changed will be this week’s topics. RCIA: RITE OF SENDING This Sunday during the 9:00 and 12 Noon Liturgies, we will celebrate the “Rite of Sending” after the homily. Our parish community will affirm our Catechumen (preparing for Baptism) who will now be called the “The Elect of God”. We will also express our prayerful approval and support for our Candidates as they enter into the final preparation for the reception of Holy Communion and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Please remember them in your prayers.

THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST COMMUNION will be celebrated on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. and 12 noon.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION will be celebrated on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

Eucharistic Celebration MONDAY FEBRUARY 23

6:30 Richard Templeton Req. by Ruth Templeton & Missy Kittrell 8:00 Peter A. Onukiewech Req. by Mr. & Mrs. Paul Eiden

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24

6:30 Joseph Casey Req. by Pawlowski Family 8:00 Frank A. Jescavage Req. by Michael & Ann Ott

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25

6:30 Virginia “Ginny” Baran Req. by Mr. & Mrs. Al Kita 8:00 Joseph Petrone Req. by Leonard Woods

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26

6:30 Fred Neddoff Req. by Bill & Lizette Barrager 8:00 School Mass: James Dougher Req. by SN-SM School PTG

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27

6:30 Fred Bianchino, Sr., 7th Day Req. by Family 8:00 Joseph J. Fluegel Req. by Mr. & Mrs. James Austin

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28

5:00 Kevin Brislin Req. by Family

SUNDAY MARCH 1

7:30 9:00 10:30 12:00

Louise Sliker, Anniversary Req. by Charlotte & Paul For the Living and Deceased of the Parish Deceased of the Peck & Hogrebe Families Req. by Sisters of Christian Charity In Thanksgiving, Virgin of Guadalupe… Req. by Monica

NEW DATE FOR CONFIRMATION PARENT & STUDENT MEETING The Confirmation Students

LITURGY COMMITTEE will meet on Sunday,

& Parents Meeting and Prayer Service has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 15 at 1:30 p.m. Both parents are asked to please attend. Please remember that the Confirmation name, sponsor cards and service papers are due at this meeting. If you wish your child to receive Confirmation in May, 2015 parents and students must attend this meeting.

EASTER GIFT: DAILY NUMBER RAFFLE

Sanctuary Candle February 21-27 CONVENT CHAPEL In Thanksgiving Req. by Sylvia Waskiewicz

March 1 in the Rectory after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Looking for an Easter gift idea? Consider purchasing a ticket for the daily number being offered by the St. Nicholas Holy Name Society. A daily number raffle will be held for the month of April, 2015. Tickets are $5 with two numbers on each ticket. Match the number exactly (7 p.m. drawing only - straight only). Tickets are available from the rectory or you may place an envelope marked “Holy Name” with your name & phone # in the collection basket. Tickets will be sold after all Masses this weekend.

If you wish to request a Sanctuary Candle or the Bread and Wine Memorial, please call the Rectory at 570-823-7736.

ST. NICHOLAS-ST. MARY’S READING FESTIVAL St. Nicholas-St. Mary’s School would like

PARISH FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

to invite children ages 4-8 to join us for our Read Across America Reading Festival on Wednesday, March 4 from 5:30-7:00 in the school gymnasium. There will be story time, crafts, activities, refreshments, and a book fair. There is no cost to attend, however we do ask that you call the school at 570-823-8089 to register. The school is located at 242 S. Washington St., W-B. Come join us for some fun and bring a friend!

The weekend collection for February 14-15 was $7,012.01. Thank you for your generous weekly support. To date our Christmas offerings total $41,128.33.

THE HOLY NAME SOCIETY is very grateful to all who supported its Annual German Night. The raffle winners were: First Prize: Joe Kubicki; Second Prize: Beth Cappellini; and Third Prize: Joe Burgess.

NEW MINISTRY SCHEDULES for March 21 through July 19, 2015 will be compiled shortly. If any Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist/Outreach, Lectors or Altar Servers have changes/time off for this period, please call Leona at the Rectory at 570-823-7736 by

February 23. IN NEED OF A CO-CHAIR FOR THIS YEAR’S BAZAAR If anyone is interested in acting as the co-chair for this year’s Bazaar, please call Msgr. Rauscher at 570-823-7736.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES resume this Sunday, February 22 in the school.

Classes

INTERESTED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH All are welcome to join our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults RCIA program if interested in becoming a member of the Catholic Faith or in learning more about the faith. If interested, please call Bill & Jean Behm at 570-823-7736 and leave a message.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY will meet Monday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

SAVE THE DATE The First Annual Catholic Men’s Conference for the Diocese of Scranton will be held on Saturday, April 25 at King’s College in W-B. For more info, please contact Men’s Conference Co-Chair Glenn Yanik at [email protected] or 570-362-0417.

DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE As of

MOVING? If you have plans to move to a new address

February 9, 2015, 30.83% (328 out of 1,064) parish families gave/pledged $48,349.50 toward our parish goal of $55,000. We encourage you help us obtain the remaining $6,650.50 to reach our goal. If half of those parishioners who have not pledged would pledge $20.00 we could reach our goal. Thank you for your support of this year’s appeal. Please help our Diocese and Parish to reach our goals.

or out of the parish, please inform the rectory at 570-8237736 so that we can keep our computer files updated.

WRAP (Winter Relief Assistance Program) For

their students for the upcoming school year, consider becoming an Academic Angel! Your contribution is an investment in a child’s future…the outcomes speak for themselves. Our schools offer an instructional environment that challenges the mind, while inspiring and strengthening the spirit. Please consider supporting our students for the 2015-2016 school year. You can designate the gift as a memorial or in honor of someone special, select a particular school to receive it, or let us put it to where it is needed the most. Send contributions to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation, 300 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

those who may qualify please check the flyers on our bulletin boards. PPL Electric Utilities can help lower your energy costs if you meet the guidelines. The phone # is 1888-232-6302.

REMEMBERING OUR PARISH

Thank you to those parish families who have designated St. Nicholas as a recipient of Memorial Donations for their deceased loved ones and to those who remembered the parish in their wills. Please prayerfully consider remembering our parish.

CHILDREN’S BULLETINS for our young members,

2014

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS are now available. Please call the rectory office at 570-823-7736 if you wish to have your statement sent to you. We are very grateful for your financial support. BE AN ACADEMIC ANGEL As families register

are available near the church entrances.

IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY

HAVE YOU BEEN ASKED TO BE A SPONSOR? It is a wonderful honor to be asked to be a

CONGRATULATIONS

sponsor for Baptism and Confirmation. It signifies that you are being asked to live your life as an example and in imitation of God’s love for the person you sponsor. To serve as a sponsor it is required that a person obtain a sponsor letter from his/her pastor. Sponsors must be:
at least 16 years of age, have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation,
if married, be married according to the regulations for marriage as provided by the Roman Catholic Church,
a weekly participant in the Sunday Eucharist & actively strive to live out their own baptismal commitment to Christ. (cf. Code of Canon Law, c. 874.

WANT YOUR TEENS TO WATCH AN INFORMATIVE PRO-LIFE WEBSITE?! Google: teenbreaks.com.

EXTRA! EXTRA! YOUTH NEWS! St. Nicholas parish has been gifted with 12 new altar servers and 6 new Lectors. We are thankful that these young people have taken a more active role in their faith development and are willing to serve their parish. They are following the example of the great Saints in answering the baptismal call to serve. In a special way we want to thank Grace and Jacob Federo for instructing these new altar servers and preparing them so well for this ministry. These young people are a sign that St. Nicholas Parish is alive! At the next few weekend Masses you will see and “hear” our new youth lectors. May God bless all these new ministers, and may God’s continued blessings be upon our parish. New Altar Servers: Julia Gallagher, Antonio Gallo, Tyler Hoedl, Thomas Iskra, Matthew Krasucki, Dominic Nelson, Nicholas Pawlowski, Charlie Revitt, Kaylee Sterling, Alexandria Wesneski, Joshua Wesneski and Austin Zabresky. New Lectors: Cameron Ford, Angela Malinovitch, Isabella Sobejano, Ben Sullivan, Alexis Wylam and Madison Zulkoski.

Please remember and pray for those serving in our military and their families. The Social Concerns Committee is happy to announce the organizations selected for this year’s Grant are The American Red Cross, Sherman St., W-B and the Peace and Justice Center, Kingston. The Grant will be split between the two worthy groups. Each will receive $2,600. We congratulate both organizations.

ORGAN DEDICATION CD’S The audio CD’s of

our October 5th Organ Recital are now available at the Rectory Office (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). The suggested donation is $15.00.

PLEASE NOTE If you or a family member is in the

hospital or homebound or now living in a Nursing Home, call Sr. Mary Margaret at the rectory to arrange for a pastoral visit, if desired. Communion can be distributed during these visits.

WEEKEND OFFERTORY PROCESSIONS

If you requested a weekend Mass for a loved one and wish to have family members bring up the Offertory gifts at the Mass, please call the rectory or sign the sheet on the side entrance bulletin board.

SCHEDULING OF MASS INTENTIONS The Church’s Code of Canon Law calls for the fulfillment of Mass intentions for the deceased within a reasonable time (1 year). With the large number of requests we have in our parish, it is not possible for us to do this at St. Nicholas. We remind you of our policy of limiting the number of Masses (5) requested each year by or for specific individuals/families. With this policy it is still difficult to satisfy all requests. Many people wish to have their Masses celebrated at a specific time - this further limits our ability to fulfill all the requests as desired. It would help us, if you give us permission to send your Mass requests to one of our former assistants or other priests you may know.

Please remember to silence cell phones while in church! Thank You!

ATTENTION - ALL MINISTERS SERVING ON THE ALTAR Thank you for your dedication to

Ministries of the church, serving as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Cantors, Lectors and Altar Servers. Each one of you plays an integral part in many ways to make our services more special and beautiful. However, please be reminded that IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MASSES YOU ARE SCHEDULED FOR, PLEASE FIND A REPLACEMENT and/or CALL THE RECTORY AND LEAVE A MESSAGE. Also, it is requested that out of respect to those present for mass and all those assigned for a particular weekend mass, that all ministers arrive at the church NO LATER THAN 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE START OF MASS. This will ensure all are present as scheduled and the Mass can begin as planned without delay. If there are any questions about the schedule, please call the rectory. Thank you!

SENIOR SERVERS NEEDED A faithful band of

adult women and men are prepared to serve parishioners’ funeral masses as needed. New servers are always welcome. Training is provided (no experience necessary!) If you are interested in helping provide this satisfying Corporal Work of Mercy, please contact the rectory or call Ed Jones at 570-823-0402.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION In order for us to continue our weekly practice of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays from 8:30-4:30, we are in need of volunteers to be present, in the Chapel. Because of our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we may not leave the Blessed Sacrament unattended. As you know, the Tabernacle in which we keep the Blessed Eucharist is a locked safe. Please sign the sheet on the bulletin board, at the parking lot entrance, so that we have sufficient prayers during the time of weekly Exposition. Thank you.

ANNUAL BABY BOTTLE PROJECT

Please remember to return the Baby Bottles as soon as you are able. You may also return your offering in the form of a check made payable to The Pro-Life Center.

RELIGIOUS BOOKS, ETC.

Religious books, articles, rosaries, and much more are available in our downstairs Community Room. Please feel free to help yourself! You may keep anything that draws you closer to God. Spiritual reading is one way to develop your spiritual life and to grow in the knowledge of your faith. Children’s items are also available.

REMEMBERING OUR DECEASED Each week, in the Prayer of the Faithful, we pray for those of our parish, their relatives and friends who have died in the previous week. We check the newspapers, but it would help us avoid missing anyone if you would call the rectory and give us their names.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION & PLANNING Prior to setting a date for the wedding, couples are asked to contact the church. Couples planning to marry are asked to attend one of the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Programs (Pre-Cana) at least six to nine months before the intended date. For info & an up-to-date schedule, go to: www.dioceseofscranton.org/marriagepreparation.

HELP THE WILKES-BARRE FREE CLINIC The clinic is co-sponsored by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral and St. Nicholas Parish and is enabled by the generous volunteer work of doctors, dentists, physician assistants nurses, pharmacists, office support staff and your kind donations.

RCIA INQUIRY If you are curious about the Catholic

faith or if you have ever thought about becoming a Catholic, our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and Christian Initiation for Teens (RCIT) are programs just for you. Adults and Teens from all faiths, traditions, or no religious background at all, are welcome to participate in our programs of formation and instruction designed especially for the needs and lifestyles of busy people. The program focuses on the following essential areas: what the Church teaches (what you must believe); how the Church teaches; (The Bible, Sacraments and spirituality). Our programs begin in October. Our Catechists are members of our parish who are dedicated to meet the needs of the individual participants. Isn’t this worth at least a phone call? Please contact Bill & Jean Behm at the rectory at 570-823 7736 for more info.

REMINDERS: CELL PHONES, TEXTING & VIDEO GAMES We ask that all Cell Phones be turned off as you enter the church. There should be no Texting during Mass. We encourage our young people to refrain from using any Video Games in Church. Thank you!

“WHEN I WAS ILL” (Matthew 25) St. Nicholas Parish helps to sponsor the Wilkes-Barre Free Clinic. The clinic is in need of a dentist(s). Presently, there is a significant waiting list for dental clients due to only one dentist currently volunteering. If there is a dentist in the parish or you know of a dentist who would be willing to do some dental work at the clinic, please contact Sr. Mary Margaret at the parish office at 570-823-7736.

PARISH CENSUS UPDATE Thank you to all who

completed a census card. If who have not yet completed an updated Census Card please take a card from near the church exits, fill it in, and return the card to the rectory.

A TELEVISED SUNDAY MASS is now airing on ABC Family from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. each Sunday morning. THE SUNDAY MASS is produced by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers out of New York City and is available nationally on local affiliates. Too early for you? Tape it, Tivo it, or watch it online. More info at www.TheSundayMass.org.

SOCIAL CONCERNS NOTE Bereavement can be a difficult time. Resources to help with the grieving process can be found by googling Creighton University resources for grieving. If you do not have computer access, call Sr. Mary Margaret at the rectory.

LECTORS: PROCLAIM THE WORD OF GOD Adults, College & High school students who would like to become lectors, contact one of the parish priests for information. Call 570-823-7736.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT Eucharistic Liturgies 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 (English), 12:00 (Spanish) RCIA Rite of Sending 9:00 & 12:00 Mass Church CCD Religious Education Classes 10:15-11:35 School RCIA Rite of Election 3:00 St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton CTV Holy Land Display Boy Scouts Meeting 6:30 Community Room MONDAY FEBRUARY 23 Parish Pastoral Council 6:00 Community Room St. Nicholas Federal Credit Union 6:00-8:30 Convent TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 8:30-4:30 Chapel Miraculous Medal Novena 4:30 Chapel Free Health Clinic 4:30-7:00 St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Hunger Meal/Evening Prayer 5:15 Community Room/Chapel Spanish Language Charismatic Prayer Group 7:00 Chapel WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25 Road to Emmaus 7:00-8:00 Rectory THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26 St. Nicholas-St. Mary’s School Mass 8:00 Church Road to Emmaus 10:45-11:45 Rectory Lenten Adult Ed 6:00 Community Room Choir Rehearsal 7:00 Church

ST. NICHOLAS FOOD PANTRY Thank you for all your generous donations. Food items needed this week are Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly & Instant Mashed Potatoes. Thank you & God Bless! When I was Hungry, you fed me”...St. Nicholas Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-12 Noon. Families in need of food can register at that time. Photo ID & form completion is required. Recipients are required to be residents of W-B.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

A RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND will be held on Feb. 27-March 1 at The Ramada Inn, Clarks Summit, sponsored by the Diocese of Scranton. Retrouvaille is a weekend program for married couples who may be experiencing tension, stress & loneliness in the marriage relationship. The program helps couples, even those separated and divorced, to communicate better & resolve conflicts in their relationships. Cost for the program is by donation and registration is required. For more info or to register, call 1-800-470-2230 or visit: www.helpourmarriage.org. All calls are confidential.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27 Stations of the Cross (English) 1:30 and 5:15 Church Cub Scouts Pack 43 6:30 Cafeteria Stations of the Cross (Spanish) 7:00 Church

EVENING OF REFECTION at St. Monica’s Parish,

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28 Confessions 4:00-4:45 Church Vigil Liturgy for Sunday 5:00 Church

A SPAGHETTI DINNER will be held in Padden Hall

SUNDAY MARCH 1 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT Eucharistic Liturgies 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 (English), 12:00 (Spanish) RCIA Catechesis 10:00 Rectory CCD Religious Education Classes 10:15-11:35 School Liturgy Committee Meeting after 10:30 Mass Rectory Nomination Committee 2:00-3:00 Community Room Boy Scouts Meeting 6:30 Community Room

WORD OF LIFE “See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you...” Used with permission.)

Is 49:16 (NABRE © 2010 CCD.

A

FAMILY PERSPECTIVE Children model acceptance of God’s will by their parents’ acceptance of it. If parents complain bitterly about temporary setbacks and disappointments, children may get the message that God is uncaring and unfair. If, however, parents maintain their trust in God even in times of crises and share their belief that God will never abandon them, children will learn to draw good out of evil. YOUR ST. NICHOLAS CREDIT UNION NEWS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD PEOPLE. Your credit union has 7 Board members. This is a volunteer position that is crucial to the function and success of the credit union. Although the Board is full at this time, we have openings for auxiliary Board members. This position allows an individual to learn more about the credit union before moving into a BOARD seat. Anyone interested in more info can speak to a current Board member (William Brennan, Beth Cottle, Marie Dougherty, Patricia Fagula, Craig Selner, Bud Holmgren, Kevin Weiss) or call 570-825-2640.

THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON CURSILLO MOVEMENT will be hosting a “Grand Ultreya” on Sunday, March 8 at Queen of the Apostles Church, 715 Hawthorne St., Avoca from 2-6 p.m. All diocesan parish Cursillistas and friends are invited to join us for an afternoon of prayer, friendship, sharing and fun. A pot luck dinner and music are part of the day. Please join us! Any questions can be directed to [email protected].

West Wyoming on Sun., Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. All are welcome. (St. Aloysius School Cafeteria), 143 W. Division St., W-B on Sun., Feb. 22 from 12-4 p.m. Cost: adults - $8, Children 612 - $4, Children under 6 - free. Tickets will be sold at the door.

THE HOLY NAME SOCIETY of St. Leo’s/Holy Rosary Church, 33 Manhattan St., Ashley, will sell clam chowder, mushroom soup, halushki, tuna hoagies, pirohy and a special non-meat item each week on the Fridays of Lent, from 12-5 p.m. in the church hall. Eat in or take out.

DIOCESAN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Couples celebrating their 25th or 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2015 are invited to a Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 7. (NB: This is a change from the original date of June 21.) The event includes a 2:30 p.m. mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with a mailing address accurate in March & April, should be made through your pastor before March 16. ALTAR SERVERS FOR THE WEEKEND OF FEB. 28-MARCH 1 5:00 7:30 9:00 10:30

Robert Shovlin, Erin & Meghan Hines Owen & Teresa Martin CCD STUDENTS Alexis Davison, Abby Muth, Matthew Wert

FINANCES FOR THE WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 14-15 Adult Offering Children’s Offering Loose Total Dues Initial (9) & CCD (5) Heat (397) & Holy Days (20) Christmas Care & Education of Priests Total Offering THANK YOU!

$5,242.50 57.69 773.82 $6,074.01 507.00 14.00 417.00 5.00 64.00 $7,081.01

RUTH’S PLACE DONATIONS

Millions of THANKS to all who donated to our drive. It was again an overwhelming RESPONSE!!! It had to be over $800 worth of merchandise we brought to the shelter!! They were so very grateful and it is due to your GENEROSITY and CARING. God bless all of you.

NUT & POPPY SEED ROLLS FOR EASTER at St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Church, W-B Twp. Taking orders beginning Feb. 22 until the limit is reached. Cost per roll is $10. To order, please call Ethel at 570-824-1970.

SCRIPTURE STUDY AT ST. IGNATIUS We will begin our 12-week study of the Gospel of Luke on Tues., Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. or Fri., Feb. 20 at 8:15 a.m. (you have your choice of Tuesday evenings or Friday mornings). The sessions run 1½ hours and the cost is $15 for materials. Call Tony Butel or Fr. Alex Roche at 570-288-6446. WOMEN’S RETREAT: REBUILDING MY CHURCH: St. Francis and Pope Francis Women 17 years old & older are invited for prayer and sharing on March 13-14 from 4:30 p.m. Friday - 6 p.m. Sunday. Bring a friend! Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Motherhouse, 460 St. Bernardine St., Reading, PA 19607. Freewill offering. Please call Sr. Madonna at 610-952-5030 by March 11.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS IN LUZERNE is under new management and have a chef on board in our kitchen and are having lenten specials from fish to pizza in February and March with a St. Paddy’s Day ham and cabbage dinner. Please call for reservations, sit in and take outs welcome limited to 100 meals. Please contact us at 570-287-2826 or email [email protected].

CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE

The First Annual Catholic Men’s Conference for the Diocese of Scranton will be held on Saturday, April 25 at King’s College, W-B. The conference begins at 6:00 a.m. with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and closes at 3:00 p.m. The event will feature two nationally known speakers: Father Larry Richards, author of ‘Be A Man’, and Damon Owens from the Theology of the Body Institute. Fathers, sons, grandsons and friends are most welcome to register for the event. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will join with participants throughout the day & celebrate a closing Mass.

NOVENA A Nine Day Divine Mercy Novena entitled “Journey to Resurrection and Mercy” will be held at St. Lucy’s Church, 949 Scranton St., W. Scranton, every Friday during Lent and finish the weekend after Easter. On the Fridays of Lent at 7:00 p.m., we will have Stations of the Cross, The Divine Mercy Novena and end with Benediction. We will also have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 12-6:30 p.m. After Easter we will conclude on Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 11 after the 4 p.m. Mass. On Divine Mercy Sunday April 12, from 12-3 p.m., there will be the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Praying the Rosary, the Life of St. Faustina and Mass. The Divine Mercy Novena will be said at 3 p.m., with the anointing of the relic of St. Faustina. Afterwards there will also be refreshments in the Church hall.

PARISH

LIBRARY is located in the Church Community Room. Please feel free to take whatever may prove to be beneficial to you. ANNUAL HAM & CABBAGE DINNER at St. Andrew Parish on Sunday, March 15 in the church hall, 318 Parrish St., W-B. Serving from 11:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Cost is $9 for adults & $4 for children age 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Take-outs will be available. A Bake Sale will also be featured.

SHARE

YOUR

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Commonwealth Hospice of W-B is in search of people who are compassionate, patient and willing to help support the needs of our patients, who are terminally ill, and their caregivers. Our goal is to provide quality end of life care that cherishes the dignity and uniqueness of each individual. Our volunteers fulfill a special need within our team through the gift of their presence and talents in a variety of ways. If you have found yourself wondering if there is something you can do to help others, Commonwealth Hospice of W-B may be your answer. We provide training, support & social gatherings for our volunteers. Scheduling and placement is flexible. If interested, please contact Lisa at 570-3487372.

NEEDED AT W-B FREE CLINIC A Dental Assistant on three Fridays a month from 12-4 p.m. Please call Donna at 570-829-0026. ALSO, Dietitian Needed The Diabetic Education Program at the W-B Free Clinic is in need of a dietitian for one Tuesday per month from 4:30-6:30 p.m. For more info, call Lois Myers at 570-735-2877.

FOR THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN & ALL

PLEASE BE CAREFUL & REMEMBER • To accompany your children to the restrooms downstairs as a safety precaution. • To lock your car doors and do not leave any valuables visible in your vehicle. WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIESPHILADELPHIA 2015 Save the Date Join in a once in a lifetime event at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia on September 22-27, 2015. The theme is “Love is Our Mission: The Family fully Alive.” Families from around the world will come together for prayer, speakers, celebrations, and activities for all ages. All are welcome! Visit the official World Meeting of Families website at WorldMeeting2015.org to learn more and to sign up for regular updates on how you can participate. Pope Francis will be there!

VOLUNTEERS

NEEDED for the W-B Free Medical Clinic. The Clinic is open on Tuesdays from 4:30-7:00 p.m. Always needed are – Doctors, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistants, Dentists & people to help do intakes & general duties at the Clinic. If you can help us, please call 570-825-8721 after 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays or call 570-793-4361 and leave a message. Any assistance or donations you can give will be greatly appreciated by the volunteer staff and those who benefit from the services of the clinic.

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN (PGCVIRTUS) Please consider attending the diocesan sponsored VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children for Adults Program on Monday, March 16 beginning at 4 p.m. at Misericordia University, Dallas in MacDowell Hall, Room 105 (across from the Anderson Sports Complex) to help safeguard our most vulnerable and precious gifts: our children. This training session is required for all adult volunteers who work a minimum of 20 hours or more per year with children. To register, contact Dr. Steve Broskoske at 570-674-6761.

ST. MONICA’S PARISH SCRIPTURE STUDY A Journey through the Bible is currently being held at 9:45 a.m. in the lower Chapel (363 W. Eighth St., West Wyoming). The Acts of the Apostles (Bible Study) is being held on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. & 7 p.m. in the Church Hall. Bring your Bible or one will be provided. All are welcome. Questions, call 570693-1991.

PARKING FOR ST. NICHOLAS We have 2 parking lots available for our parish & use - one is immediately behind the church & the other is across the street from the Convent on Washington St. Please remember to help protect your vehicle and belongings, by locking your car doors and do not leave anything of value visible in your vehicle. Also, Holy Redeemer H. S. and we share each other’s lots for overflow parking. Do not park in the lot across from the high school, your car will be towed.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE “Leaving early and

coming late & how we dress for Mass are all symptomatic of a decreasing respect for the sacred in our lives. Everything is so optional and causal in our daily lives that somehow we have come to apply that attitude to the Eucharist (the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass). The respect, awe, and reverence once reserved to this great mystery has become lost on so many Catholics.” When we are guests at the table of others or even hosts at our own tables, we certainly don’t feel free to walk out as we please. If we were invited by the President of the United States to a dinner at the White House how would we act? What respect would we show? So, why do we feel that at the Eucharist, which is the Lord’s table - the making present “again” of the Sacrifice of Calvary, that our departure has no significance?” (Father Charles Bober)

A SOUP, BAKE & BOOK SALE will be held at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, Buttonwood on Thursday, March ??? from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Soup of the month is ???. Cost is $8 per quart. Take outs only! Call Barry at 570-831-5593 / Sylvia at 570-825-6370.

SUPPORT GROUP Divorced, widowed or separated individuals trying to cope with sorrow, doubt, anxiety or loneliness, can come to The Beginning Experience monthly session on the third Friday from 7-9 p.m. at St. Ann’s Parish Center, Scranton. For info, call 570-4897769.

WANTED Clean-used, and new, useable rosaries are needed. It would be helpful if you could send in the rosaries you receive in the mail or ones you no longer use. Please send in ROSARIES ONLY. Take them to the rectory or leave them in the box near the elevator.

TRAVELING? Need Mass times & locations? - call 1-734-794-2100 or on-line at www.MassTimes.org.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED at Little Flower Manor & St. Therese Residence, W-B for Activities, Gift Shop, Laundry, Reception, and In-House Transportation, Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. as needed. Contact Laura Garron at 570-823-6131, ext. 256; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

EMERGENCY SHELTER HOMES

Catholic Social Services is currently recruiting individuals and/or families to serve as emergency shelter homes for runaways and homeless youth ages 12-17. Shelter homes would be utilized for short periods of time while youth are assisted in returning home. There is a $50.00 stipend provided for each night of shelter. For more information, please call Catholic Social Services at 570-822-7118 and ask for Eileen or Mike.

VETERANS ASSISTANCE

Luzerne County Veteran Affairs is a fully accredited Veteran Service Organization available to assist veterans and their spouses in applying for Veteran Benefits. If you served during any period and were injured, we can assist you in applying for V.A. Compensation. If you are a veteran of any war, or the surviving spouse of a wartime veteran, & you need assistance to help pay for in-home health care, assisted living, or other medical expense, we can help. Call 570-706-3960 for more info.

PRO-LIFE MEETING at Our Lady of Victory, Harveys Lake at 6:30 p.m. For info, contact Donna Baloga at [email protected] or 239-9404. Held every Third Tuesday of the month at alternating parishes of Gate of Heaven, Dallas & Our Lady of Victory. All are invited. BIG BROTHERS-BIG SISTERS OF THE BRIDGE, a program of Catholic Social Services, which serves children in five counties throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, is in great need of Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers. Though the agency currently serves approximately 400 children here in NEPA, there are also approximately 250 children on the waiting list. Those children are in great need of mentors. All it takes is an hour or two per week, and it can truly help change the life of a child. For info, call 570-824-8756, ext. 398 or visit www.bbbsnepa.org.

HOLY FAMILY PARISH, 828 Main St., Sugar Notch has placed a St. Pauly clothing drop off shed at the back edge of the parking lot. Community members can donate usable clothing including shoes, purses, blankets, linens, sneakers, belts, curtains and stuffed animals. Clothing is distributed to organizations in the U.S. & around the world.

FREE EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES Available For Children Birth Through Two Are you concerned about your child’s ability to move, see or hear? To talk or express needs? To relate to others? To think & learn? If you answered “YES” to any of the above, call now for a free screening and/or evaluation. Your child may be eligible for free early intervention services. No income guidelines. No insurance necessary. All info is confidential. Phone 570-826-3030 or 1-800816-1880.

TUNE IN to the very best local Catholic radio station - JMJ RADIO 750AM or 98.9FM.

THE VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE clinic is now open 5 days a week due to added providers.

AN OUTDOOR ROSARY DEVOTION is held

every Sunday evening at 7 p.m. at the Fatima Grotto, North St., W-B (across from the Holy Cross Retirement Center), sponsored by the Lay Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.. Devotion includes recitation of 15 decades of the Holy Rosary. All faithful are welcome to participate.

PAY IT FORWARD Some of you may be aware of a local homeless woman named Margaret. Margaret, although not her real name, is a graduate of St. Nicholas High School class of 1968. After 40 years of homelessness she recently entered a shelter in December and has now moved into independent living. Her former classmates have set up a fund with CEO to assist her in getting acclimated to her new life. Contributions can be made payable to: Commission on Economic Opportunity and mailed to PO Box 1127, 165 Amber Lane, W-B, PA 18703-1127. Donations should be marked as “St. Nick’s Class of ‘68 Fund.” Thank you!

SECULAR

DISCALCED CARMELITES, a canonically established group of the Diocese of Scranton, will meet on the third Sunday at 12 Noon at Holy Annunciation Monastery in Sugarloaf. All are welcome, especially those who feel called to a deeper consecration in life and wish to experience Carmelite spirituality and community. Call Carol Wojewodski 570-342-7448 for info. THERE’S GOOD NEWS IN THE AIR! Hear it

on Catholic Radio JMJ 750-AM. Listen to local and national programs to inform and inspire your faith. Local programs include St. Ann’s Novena, Sunday 1:30 p.m. & Monday 10 a.m.; St. Joseph Novena, Wednesday 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.; “In Love of Christ” hosted by Jerome Gilmartin, Tuesday 10 a.m., Wednesday 7:30 a.m., Thursday & Saturday 4:30 p.m. A wide variety of EWTN programs are also aired. JMJ is operated by volunteers and the station is totally listener supported. For information, call 570-287-4670.

PRO-LIFE ROSARY VIGILS 1). Rosary offered

to end abortion will be recited on the first Friday of every month at 9:00 a.m., outside the office of Planned Parenthood, 63 N. Franklin St., W-B. 2). Rosary offered to end abortion will be recited on the first Saturday of every month at 10:00 a.m., outside the office of Planned Parenthood, 316 Penn Ave., Scranton, (sponsored by the K. of C). All faithful are invited to participate.

A TELEVISED SUNDAY MASS is now airing on ABC Family from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. each Sunday morning. THE SUNDAY MASS is produced by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers out of New York City and is available nationally on local affiliates. Too early for you? Tape it, Tivo it, or watch it online. More info at www.TheSundayMass.org.