CONGRATULATIONS to Dante Hernandez, celebrating his First Holy Communion on Sunday, May 12 at the 11:00 AM mass at Holy Cross.

On behalf of Monsignor Delaney, and the entire parish staff, best wishes for a blessed and enjoyable Mother’s Day to all mothers, grandmothers and godmothers.

Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers, grandmothers and godmothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Congratulations to the following children who received Holy Communion for the first time! May God bless you and strengthen you throughout your life every time you receive the Body & Blood of Christ.

BLESSED SACRAMENT

Holy Cross

THANK YOU

to our second grade teachers: Mrs. Barbara Tracewski and Miss Amanda Rimosites; assistant: Mrs. Linda Sablan. Thank you to LaSalle Academy, St. Clare/St. Paul Elementary School and St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Elementary School teachers. Thank you to our directors of Religious Education: Mr. John Musyt and Mrs. Karen Doyle. Thank you to our parents and grandparents and extended family for your dedication to your child’s religious education and his/her faith development.

HOLY COMMUNION

The first time I received Jesus

Was a wondrous day for me!

To be united with Christ, my Savior

Who died for us on Calvary.

This prayer reminds me to thank Him

For the special gift He gave:

The sacrament of Holy Eucharist

Through which we all are saved.

It helps me think of the first time

Jesus came into my heart

And if I but follow His message

He and I will never part.

As Jesus said on that holy night

So many years ago

If we but take and eat this bread

Eternal Life we will know.

Each time I receive communion

I’ll think of His love for me

And I’ll thank Him for giving to us

The greatest miracle in history.

“I am the living bread which has

Come down from heaven. Anyone

Who eats this bread will live forever.”

In Saint Faustina’s vision, Jesus asked that the Feast of Mercy be celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. In this, our Lord is showing us the close connection between the Easter mystery of man’s redemption and His Divine Mercy. The Feast of Divine Mercy is a day of grace for all people.

Jesus attached great promises to this Feast, the greatest of which is tied in the reception of Holy Communion. He promises complete forgiveness of sins if one approaches the fountain of Life on the Feast of Mercy with an attitude of trust.

The greatness of this Feast lies also in the fact that everyone, even those who are converted that every day may obtain grace for the asking, if what they ask is compatible with God’s will.

“I want this image of Divine Mercy” Jesus told Faustina to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter. I desire the Feast of Mercy to be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.

The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though their sins be scarlet.

I want to extend wishes of a beautiful and happy Easter to all parishioners and staff and visitors who gather this weekend at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Throop and Holy Cross Parish, Olyphant. We have prepared for 40 days, how we enter into the joyful season of Easter celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection and our participation in His Risen life.

We celebrate with Crystal and Steven, Stephen and Heather who celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Their desire to know, love and serve the Lord is a gift and grace reminding us all of the blessing it is to share our faith and to invite more and more to experience with us the love of Christ we encounter in Word and Sacrament.

We enter into these fifty days of rejoicing preparing our second graders to come to communion for the first time and our eighth graders to complete their initiation on Pentecost Sunday as they take ownership of and responsibility for the living out of this Resurrection faith we celebrate today.

We have so much to celebrate, so many reasons to be hopeful. We do not dismiss the hardships of life or the crosses we carry, do not diminish in any way the sufferings of the wounded Body of Christ in our midst, but we, in the midst of a broken world cry out “Christ Our Light,” Alleluia! We carry the hope and share the message of Easter—that we can move beyond darkness and doubt, that love is possible, that all people are imbued with sanctity and dignity as cherished children of God.

“Do you choose this day to reject sin so as to live in the freedom of the children of God?”... I do!.. We do! “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.” Christ has won the victory for us. The Church in her wisdom asks us to keep this festival alive for 50 days. Let’s reflect on this and just how much our Lord loves us. Flowers, Easter eggs, candy, keilbosi and butter lambs, beautiful music and so much more! The victory has been won in Christ who gives ultimate purpose to our lives.

We welcome all who join us this Easter. Pope Francis writes: “I invite all Christians, everywhere at this very moment to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them: I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step toward Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms.”

I am grateful to our parish staff and to all who have helped us to celebrate Easter—Judy Novak, Tom Pearce, Ed Bush, Steve Senko, Deacon John Musyt, Karen Doyle, to Mary Therese McKane, Ned Dructor and our music ministry, John Kilker, Michele Malewicz, Jeannie Commadario, Sally Dziedzic—and to the army of volunteers who help us to live our Easter faith with joy and in hope.

May the Peace of the Risen Christ be with you all United in His Service,

Monsignor Delaney, Pastor

The month of May is traditionally dedicated to Mary and is a special time of reciting the Rosary. Please join us in reciting the Rosary before Mass as we pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Please note, the Rosary should not be said during the celebration of Mass. The celebration of the Eucharist is the greatest prayer that Jesus left the Church and should be prayed fully and actively. Please join us in reciting the rosary before the 4 PM mass every Saturday at Holy Cross. Please join the Altar & Rosary & Holy Name Societies of Blessed Sacrament recite the rosary before the 9:30 AM mass every Sunday during the month of May.

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.

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.

Our linked Parish Social Concerns Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 PM in Kelley Hall, Holy Cross Parish. We are always looking for folks to help us in our educational and outreach programs.

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.

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

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.