Remember us, O God;
from age to age be our comforter.
You have given us the wonder of time,
blessings in days and nights, seasons and years.
Bless your children at the turning of the year
and fill the months ahead with the bright hope
that is ours in the coming of Christ.
You are our God, living and reigning, forever and ever.
R/. Amen.

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord – the manifestation of the Christ to the Gentiles. The feast is traditionally celebrated the 12th day after Christmas, January 6th (hence the Christmas Carol: the 12 Days of Christmas). In the diocese of the United States, however, this feast has been moved to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. On Monday, the Church concludes the Christmas Season with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord celebrates a turning point in the life of Jesus. It was time for Jesus as the anointed servant of God to begin his ministry. The Father pronounces Jesus as his beloved Son and Jesus began his public ministry. As we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, we are reminded of our own rebirth in baptism. We are invited to look to Jesus and to our own lives and to listen to where Jesus is calling us. Through Jesus we are blessed on our mission in life.

No fear, no matter what comes. Bring it, 2019.

According to Fides News Service, as of October 2017, there are 1.28 BILLON Catholics in the world. Some 70.4 million of them are in the United States. The USA has a population of approximately 330,000,000 people. That works out to about 22 percent of the American population being Catholic.

From the pope down to the vagrant, each of us is an individual creation made by God. We are all unique. Incredibly, we will all be judged individually. And, as Catholics, we will be held to a higher standard. After all, we proclaim that we are part of the Mystical Body of Christ, which has the deposit of faith. No matter how we lived our lives, the common denominator for all of us will be: How much we loved each other.

Based on that, here are some points to consider if we focus, before all else, on pleasing God in the New Year, the Catholic way:

• Never forget that you are God’s individual creation and therefore a gift He has bestowed on the world. Be humbled by the fact that He certainly has you in the palm of His hand. Without Him you are nothing.

• Be happy with who and what you are. God made you and loves you. If you feel you need to change to please Him, you can do it. Just ask for His help.

• The choices you make are your responsibility. Sometimes our choices hurt us. Embrace them and learn from them and move on. Thank God for the experience.

• Sometimes NOT getting what you want or what you think you need is a blessing. If you trust God, you will thank Him. When “one door closes another opens.”

• Always count your blessings, not your troubles.

• Always do your best. The “best” is all God expects from each of us.

• You can make it through whatever comes along. Grace will be there, but it only comes one day at a time. Don’t fret about the future.

• Prayer is the most powerful of weapons and can be your greatest ally in all diversity.

• Don’t take things too seriously, especially yourself.

• The key to happiness is to give of yourself, not to “get” for yourself.

• Miracles happen; you are one – I am one – we all are one.

• Temptation is everywhere. It is okay to say “NO.”

• Finally, never fail to help a neighbor, whoever it may be, even a stranger.

We all will experience “highs and lows” during the coming year. As Catholics, we have the armor of the Church to shield us and the angels and saints to help us fight our battles with the evil one.

St. Michael the Archangel will always “defend us in battle.” St. Anthony will help us find lost items. St. Jude will help us through seemingly impossible barricades. Good St. Joseph is ready to help us, and especially to help all men be good fathers and husbands. St. Monica will help moms and St. Dymphna will help those experiencing emotional difficulties or suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. And, of course, the Blessed Virgin Mary is always there for all of us.

Virtually every day of the calendar year honors a particular saint, and that saint is especially inspiring with certain needs – such as St. Padre Pio who is the patron of adolescents and volunteers, or St. Maximilian Kolbe, martyred in the Holocaust, who is the patron of drug addicts. Help is always available when you are Catholic.

Lastly, we have in place for our salvation the most beautiful thing this side of heaven: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We can actually be at the foot of the Cross and then witness the resurrection. Yes, that’s what is happening at Mass. It is there for all us every day if we so CHOOSE. Then there are the sacraments, always available to build us up and restore us to where we should be, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2019 – “No Fear”

……….By Larry Peterson for Aleteia

The blessing of the home is a popular Epiphany custom. Many families use blessed chalk and mark the entrances of their home with the year and the initials CMB: Caspar, Melchior and Batlhasar, the names of the three wise men. The inscription this year would read: “20 + C + M + B + 19.” Blessed chalk and the prayer for the annual house blessing will be available next weekend January 6, Epiphany of the Lord.

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.

REJOICE AND BE GLAD!

CHRISTMAS 2018

MERRY CHRISTMAS, ONE AND ALL!

Rejoice!

- a second grader excitedly stops by with his Dad to drop off the Christmas gift they’ve chosen for a young boy;

- our social concerns committee provides Christmas dinner for the homeless at St. Anthony Haven;

- an organization calls for “2 more families” happily adopting more people to bring Christmas joy;

- gifts are shared with local nursing homes and Saint Joseph Center, carols are sung at homes of shut-ins, flowers taken to the homebound, our children celebrate with Santa;

- we ask for 100 bottles of shampoo and 200 + show up!

- our parish vestibules are filled with packages to share with special families;

- our weekly community lunch brings gifts to share with our guests;

- countless kindnesses and faith-filled gestures of devotion are extended to those in need.

Be Glad!

Pope Francis writes: “The Holy Spirit bestows holiness in abundance among God’s holy and faithful people, for “it has pleased God to make men and women holy and to save them, not as a people…who might serve him in holiness.”

At Christmas we commemorate the birth of Emmanuel, “God with us” as one family, one people. God has “taken into account the complex fabric of interpersonal relationships present in a human community. God enters into the life and history of a people.”

Rejoice and Be Glad!

God continues to enter into our lives, our history, calling us to be a community of faith, holy and joyfilled. Pope Francis writes: “I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to serve their families, in the sick, in the elderly who never lose their smile. In their daily perseverance I see the holiness of the Church. It is a holiness found in our next door neighbors, those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence.”

I certainly get that – understand that, see it. I see the holiness of God each and every day reflected and lived out in the faith communities of Blessed Sacrament, Throop and Holy Cross, Olyphant. Signs of holiness at Christmas and everyday – rejoice and be glad!

Jesus Christ is born! May this Christmas find us living our lives in love and bearing witness to this love in everything we do.

Merry, Merry Christmas, may our homes be filled with joy and peace, faith and hope, love and holiness!

United In His Service,
Monsignor Delaney

Fr. Kizis has changed his address and wants to pass it on to his friends and former parishioners:

Rev. Kenneth G. Kizis
Little Flower Manor
200 South Meade Street
WilkesBarre, PA 18702

Confirmation Class of 2018

Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ. It strengthens our relationship with the Church, and it gives us special strength from the Holy Spirit to defend the faith and confess the name of Christ.

……Pope Francis

Today, Sunday, October 28 at 4:00 PM in Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Dickson City, Bishop John M. Dougherty, D.D., Bishop Auxiliary Emeritus of the Diocese of Scranton will confirm our candidates: 22 from Blessed Sacrament, Throop and 18 from Holy Cross, Olyphant. Congratulations to our young people, their sponsors, parents, grandparents, families and friends.

Thanks to our staff for their support and dedication: Karen Doyle, Director of Religious Education, Blessed Sacrament; Deacon John Musyt, Director of Religious Education, Holy Cross; our catechists Steve Kurilla and Maureen Pitcavage, staff of Scranton Prep and Holy Cross High School; and special thanks to Jackie Musyt and Judy Novak. May the Holy Spirit continue to fill and guide the lives of our young people as they live their commitment to Christ as witnesses of Gospel Joy.

A canonization is a statement by the Church that a person who has lived a holy life is now with God in heaven. While it’s often mistakenly expressed that the Church “credits” or “makes” saints. The reality is that a person’s holiness speaks for itself. A process of study, prayer and discernment concludes with this formal recognition that a person’s name should be placed within the “canon” of the saints, the list of all who are universally venerated by the Church. Acclaimed as holy and admirable examples of the faith, these saints may be invoked in the official prayers of the Church. Churches may be built in their honor, a feast day is set aside in their memory, and they may be designated as special patrons. All those who are canonized are united to the Church as powerful intercessors, and we ask, therefore, for their prayers and those of the whole communion of saints.

Our new saints:

- Nunzio Sulprizio. St. Numzio was only 19 years old when he died in 1836. He is lauded as a model for workers and young people.

- Maria Katharine Kasper. Born in Germany, Saint Maria Katherina cared for the poor and abandoned, formed religious community the “Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ”, died 1898.

- Francesce Spinelli. St. Francesco was a priest of the Diocese of Bergamo, Italy. A co-founder of the Sacramentine Sisters and the Sister Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament. He died on February 6, 1913.

- Nazaria Ignacia de Santa Teresa de Jesus. Saint Nazaria Ignacia founded the Congregation of the Missionary Crusaders of the Church, caring for women, orphans, soldiers and many others.

- Vincenzo Romano. Saint Vincenzo proclaimed a simple message of love aimed at educating the faithful. He died December 20, 1831.

- Oscar Romero. Saint Oscar used his pulpit to speak out against poverty, injustice and violence. On March 24, 1980, a gunman assassinated him while he celebrated Mass. The death of this holy martyr has inspired many to fight for the oppressed.

- Pope Paul VI. Saint Paul VI was elected pope in 1963 in the midst of the Second Vatican Council. He implemented Church reforms and worked toward justice and peace, bringing the world a message of human dignity and development. He died August 16, 1978.

Saints of God, pray for us.

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, 67% of goal, $33,079.00 in pledges and donations.

Blessed Sacrament $17,000.00 goal, 85% of goal! $14,425.00 in pledges and donations

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.

Thank you so much for all you do for us!

We are grateful to have had the pleasure of sharing these past weeks with Mark DeCelles, Ph.D., a seminarian preparing for priestly ministry to, for and with the People of God of the Diocese of Scranton.

Blessed Charles de Foucauld said, “As soon as I believed that there was a God, I understood that I could do nothing other than to live for him.”

The process of discernment, study and spiritual formation, responding to God’s invitation to priestly ministry, is filled with joys and challenges. Mark, in his openness to sharing his many talents as well as receiving the faith and example of the good people of Blessed Sacrament and Holy Cross Parishes, has given witness to his desire to “live for God.”

We ask Almighty God to bless and to deepen that desire as Mark moves forward in prayer and preparation. We pray this prayer for vocations for Mark and all those discerning a call to priestly ministry.

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 preached, the poor are served with love, the suffering are comforted, and Your people are strengthened by the sacraments.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

A FEW WORDS FROM MARK DECELLES

It’s hard to believe that August is already upon us. A new school year is right around the corner, with new joys and new possibilities, new things to learn, people to meet, places to be.

For me, it is a bittersweet time, since August 5 marks the last day of my summer assignment here at Holy Cross and Blessed Sacrament. I am so very grateful to have had the privilege of accompanying this community during the past eight weeks, to pray with you, mourn with you, celebrate with you, learn with you. I have been edified by your faith and lifted up by your kindness and love.

What a wonderful gift, to have been able to minister to you alongside Monsignor Delaney. Many thanks to Monsignor for putting me up and putting up with me; to him and Deacon John for mentoring me and challenging me to grow in pastoral ministry; to all the parish staff for your help, support and encouragement; to the altar servers and liturgical ministers who showed me the ropes; to all those who participated in Vacation Bible School, adoration and benediction, and our adult bible study in Kelley Hall; and to all the parishioners of Blessed Sacrament and Holy Cross for your generosity, hospitality, kind words, and prayers.

You will always have a special place in my heart. As I return to seminary later this month, I humbly request your continued prayers for me, as I will be praying for you. God bless you all.

Mark DeCelles, a seminarian preparing for priestly ministry for the Diocese of Scranton, was kind to leave the Book of Christian Prayer (also referred to as the Liturgy of the Hours or the Breviary) in the Saint John Paul II Adoration Chapel for adorers prayerful use. Mark’s inscription: “Dear Parishioners of Blessed Sacrament and Holy Cross Parishes, Thank you for a wonderful summer!”

“Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves more reservedly to Him.”----- St. Ignatius of Loyola Please pray for our seminarians, but more importantly, pray that more Christians, whether laypersons, seminarians, priests or religious may have the courage to abandon themselves without reserve into His hands.

We thank Mark DeCelles for his kindness and pray for him as he continues his discernment and formation. If you would like to drop a note of encouragement and support to Mark:

Mark DeCelles
St. Mary’s Seminary
5400 Roland Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21210-1994

THE FEAST OF THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Readings:
Isaiah 49: 1-6
Acts 13: 22-26
Luke 1: 56-66,80.

This fest, a segment of Advent in the season of Ordinary Time, makes us aware of the wonderful inner relationship between the sacred mysteries; for we are still in the midst of one Church year and already a bridge is being erected to the coming year of grace.

Ordinarily the Church observes the day of a saint’s death as his feast, because that day marks his entrance into heaven. To this rule there are two notable exceptions, the birthdays of Blessed Mary and of St. John the Baptist. All other persons were stained with original sin at birth, hence, were displeasing to God. But Mary, already in the first moment of her existence, was free from original sin (for which reason even her very conception is commemorated by a special feast), and John was cleansed of original sin in the womb of his mother. This is the dogmatic justification for today’s feast. In the breviary St. Augustine explains the reason for today’s observance in the following words:

“Apart from the most holy solemnity commemorating our Savior’s birth, the Church keeps the birthday of no other person except that of John the Baptist. (The feasts of the Immaculate Conception and of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin had not yet been introduced.) In the case of other saints or of God’s chosen ones, the Church as you know, solemnizes the day on which they were reborn to everlasting beatitude after ending the trials of this life and gloriously triumphing over the world.

“For all these the final day of their lives, the day on which they completed their Earthly service is honored. But for John the day of his birth, the day on which he began this mortal life is likewise sacred. The reason for this is, of course, that the Lord willed to announce to men His own coming through the Baptist, lest if He appeared suddenly, they would fail to recognize Him. John represented the Old Covenant and the Law. Therefore he preceded the Redeemer, even as the Law preceded and heralded the new dispensation of grace.

In other words, today’s feast anticipates the feast of Christmas. Taking an overall view, we keep during the course of the year only two mysteries, that of Christ’s Incarnation and that of His Redemption. The Redemption mystery is the greater of the two; the Incarnation touches the human heart more directly. To the Redemption mystery the entire Easter season is devoted, from Septuagesima until Pentecost; and likewise every Sunday of the year, because Sunday is Easter in miniature.

The Christmas season has for its object the mystery of God-become-Man, to which there is reference only now and then during the remaining part of the year, e.g., on Marian feasts, especially that of the Annunciation (March 25) and today’s feast in honor of the Baptist. In a sense, then, we are celebrating Christ’s incarnation today. The birth of Jesus is observed on December 25 at the time of the winter solstice, while the birth of His forerunner is observed six months earlier at the time of the summer solstice. Christmas is a “light” feast; the same is true today. The popular custom centering about “St. John’s Fire” stems from soundest Christian dogma and could well be given renewed attention. St. John’s Fire symbolizes Christ the Light; John was a lamp that burned and shone. We Christians are called to be the light of the world.

Excerpted from The Church’s Year of Grace, Pius Parsch.

1) Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2) Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

3) Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

4) Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

5) Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

6) Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7) Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

8) Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

9) Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearance, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.

10)Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

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 preached, the poor are served with love, the suffering are comforted, and Your people are strengthened by the sacraments.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Deacon Edward Casey and Deacon Ryan Glenn have been ordained priests of the Diocese of Scranton by our Bishop, Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. on Saturday, June 9.

Congratulations to Father Casey and Father Glenn. May God bless them with many happy years of service to the Church of Scranton.

Readings:

Today’s celebration of the Body and Blood of the Lord originated in the Diocese of Liege in 1246 as the feast of Corpus Christi. In the reforms of Vatican II, the feast was joined with the feast of the Precious Blood (July 1) to become the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Today, we celebrate the Christ’s gift of the Eucharist, the source and summit of our life together as the Church.

Today’s Gospel is Mark’s account of the Last Supper. At the Passover meal marking the First Covenant, Jesus, the Lamb of the New Covenant, institutes the New Passover of the Eucharist.

The ancients believed the source of life was contained in blood – blood, therefore, belonged to God alone (that is why even today a devout Jew will never eat any meat which is not completely drained of blood). In marking Israel’s covenant with the Lord who brought them out of slavery and into freedom, Moses splashes half of the offerings’ blood on the altar, the symbol of God, and sprinkles the other half on the people, joining the covenanted people to their God (first reading).

This understanding of the sacredness of blood is central to the theme of the letter to the Hebrews (second reading). Jesus is both priest and victim on the cross, whose own blood seals a new covenant and creates a new Israel.

Themes:

Eucharist: becoming the body of Christ.

“If you have received worthily,” St. Augustine preached, “you are what you have received.” The gift of the Eucharist comes with an important “string” is attached: it must be shared. In sharing the body of Christ, we become the body of Christ. If we partake of the one bread and cup, then we must be willing to become Eucharist for others – to make the love of Christ real for all.

Eucharist: the table of the Lord.

Christ calls us to his table, offering his peace, affirmation, support and love. We come to the Eucharist to celebrate our identity as his disciples and to seek the sustaining grace to live the hard demands of such discipleship; we come to the Eucharist seeking the peace and hope of the Risen One in the compassion and support we offer and receive from one another. At Christ’s table, we are always welcome. In celebrating the Eucharist, we make our parish family’s table the Lord’s own table, a place of reconciliation and compassion.

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

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.

CHRISTIANS IN ACTION (Youth Group)

Our linked-parish youth group will meet on Sunday, January 15 at 5:00 PM in Kelley Hall, Holy Cross Parish, Olyphant.

Come join us as we begin a new year of activities, service projects and events. All are most welcome.

CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN

will hold their monthly meeting on November 4, Kelley Hall, 2:00 PM, all women are invited.

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.

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.