Entries for January 2022

“Last Rites" conjures up lots of imagery but usually dramatic ones from movies. In reality, we restored it to its original purpose based on James 5:14 and called it "Sacrament of the Sick". The sacrament is meant to seek physical and spiritual healing. I've received it three times for serious surgeries. But during COVID, a rash of them were requested as families worked themselves into frenzies, treating this as the card into heaven or a requirement of the Church. Please, understand that no ceremony, no prayer, can guarantee anyone's en...

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Our parishes have an increasing number of elderly who are facing life changing questions. Some need to move into a care facility, others are caring for a spouse with memory issues, and others are simply depressed. We can't solve those issues for them, but we could help refer them to the appropriate professionals. Navigating the bureaucracy can be daunting! Are there parishioners who are current or retired social workers or others who have some knowledge in this area? We would love to create a small team that could help guide bewildered parishioners. Contact Fr. Bil...

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After the 8 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, February 2 at St. Boniface, we will celebrate our devotion to Saint Blaise with the Blessing of Throats. Saint Blaise’s Story: The Feast of St. Blaise is celebrated on February 3. According to tradition, Blaise was of noble birth, became a physician, was educated in the Catholic faith and eventually became bishop of Sebastia, a city in Turkey. Blaise was martyred in 316 AD for the crime of being a Christian.  We know more about the devotion to Saint Blaise than we know about the saint himself. He was kno...

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Tax season is approaching! If you would like a letter outlining your 2021 your charitable contributions made to the church, please contact the office to have your information mailed or emailed to you at the end of January.

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With the cold temperatures keeping us from venturing too far outside, now would be a perfect time to cozy up in front of your laptop and take a virtual tour of St. Boniface and St. Lawrence. Have you ever wondered about the meanings and uses of sacred vessels?  Want to know about what a priest wears for Mass? Want to learn more about the layout of either of churches? Enjoy this 30-minute virtual tour with Father Bill and Karen Balestino to find the answers to these questions and many more.  Originally created for the second grade First Communion cla...

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Our Senior C.A.R.E Ministry Team is looking for blank Valentine's Day card donations for sharing with our homebound and nursing home parishioners. In addition to cards, Valentine's Day stickers and postage stamps for mailing are welcome. Please put all donations in the coat room at St. Boniface or on the entrance table at St. Lawrence. Donations can be made through February 1.  If you interested in joining us in this very special ministry, please reach out to Kristin at kristinfisher1@verizon.net. As always, thank you so very much for your gen...

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Senior CARE Team

At the beginning of a new year, it is natural to look towards the future. For the last several years, the Diocese of Scranton and its churches have been focused on the future with a pastoral planning initiative called the Vision 2030 Blueprint Process. Vision 2030 will help our diocese meet the many opportunities and challenges of the coming decade. The main goal of Vision 2030 is to create vibrant parishes rooted in the life of Jesus Christ. An example of what Vision 2030 includes are possible areas for discussion and pastoral planning that may occur in parishes over th...

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If the Lord loves a cheerful giver, He must love you. These past few months have stunned me with your thoughtfulness. It started with the supplies for the Baby Shower, then, extended to contributions for various needs or children in the area. On top of that, you have helped us succeed with the Annual Appeal and kept both parishes in the black despite limited attendance. Some of that stems from your recognition that regardless of everything, you are blessed and many are struggling. Simultaneously, grateful and generous. May that give you some peace.

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Consider taking time on Tuesday, January 25 to gather on the Lycoming College Quad at 5:15 p.m. to participate in a vigil to remember those who have passed away as a result of COVID, and to honor all the healthcare and frontline workers who have valiantly faced the challenges presented by this pandemic.

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The International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be observed from Tuesday, January 18 through Tuesday, January 25, 2022. The Diocese of Scranton will celebrate a Christian Unity Service on Wednesday, January 19 at 12:10 p.m. and will be livestreamed on CTV and diocesan social media.  This year, the Middle East Council of Churches chose as the theme "We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship Him." from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2. This expresses the Eastern Churches' tradition of joining Epiphany to the mystery of the Baptism of ...

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From 1960-63, my family lived in South Carolina. As the civil rights movement started to peak, local whites often associated it with JFK and Catholics. Being Catholic and from Massachusetts didn't help my parent’s popularity. And yet, we were not prophets. Black Catholics in our town were allowed to attend the "white" parish but only if they sat in the back. Thankfully, society has come a long way. But as we remember MLK, we still have far to go.

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There will NOT be a 7 a.m. Mass at St. Lawrence on Monday, January 17 due to the severe winter storm watch-- snow, ice & windchill.  WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE STAY HOME & BE SAFE!  https://www.pahomepage.com/weather/weather-alerts/

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St Lawrence

CANCELLED. We will try again next year! The chili cook off will not be held on Sunday, Jan. 30. Thanks to all who expressed interest. 

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In 1985, our two parishes baptized 95 children. In 2021 we baptized only 9. That says a lot about the size of families but it also signals less people participating in the faith. And yet, when conducted during Mass, baptisms bring such joy and life to the parish. What will bring new energy to our community if there is no one to carry on in the future? Sometimes we get overly focused on the scarcity of priests and their age (Fr. Bob 72, me approaching 70). But look closer to home. Who are our servers, musicians and volunteers? The future is here.

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Missionaries in Our Midst,  I am grateful to God for the gift of faith, family and my priesthood, and to all of you and your pastor, Rev. William Corcoran, for the generous opportunity to appeal here in your parish, St. Boniface & St. Lawrence, on behalf of my home diocese at this year's World Mission Appeal. I am Rev. Clement Amankwah Yeboah from the Diocese of Sunyani, Ghana. I am working in the Diocese of Scranton along with two classmates of mine, Fr. Philbert Takyi Nketiah at St. Jude's church, Mountain Top and Fr. Stephen Asomah Amponsah, Our Lady ...

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If you have changes to your contact information (phone/cell, email, address), please let us know by using the printed form found in the bulletin, or submitting the online registration/update form on our website. Many phone numbers and addresses in our system are no longer valid and we want to be sure we stay connected!  If you are an online giving participant and no longer wish to receive paper donation envelopes, you can call the parish office or email stboniface@comcast.net. Remember to sign up for our email Weekly News by filling out your inform...

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The Arabs have a way of saying "Happy New Year" that stresses: "May you be well and at peace."  Based on recent history, maybe their lower expectations are more realistic. Not knowing what we face in 2022, let's hope we do so with the inner peace that comes from our connection with Christ. Happy-ness can be fleeting but peace remains. May our prayer together elevate and restore you. May it carry you through the week. May it give you a reason to return to the altar. Despite everything around us, may Jesus be the Alpha & Omega that sustains.

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Our next PREP talk is not just for parents. All parishioners are invited to join PREP parents for an informative presentation on the Catholic Church and the Modern World: A Church of Welcome, Ministry, and Care for Others. This presentation will share the recent events and mission of Pope Francis that embraces a Church that is accepting and inviting to every person in the world and open to all peoples. All in attendence will gain an understanding of the Church's mission to listen, guide, and transform the hearts and minds of people from every walk of life and build loca...

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PREP