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Entries for December 2022
Last Sunday, Christmas, was easy to explain: the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary. Today’s a little less easy to explain—mostly because we celebrate several things with this feast. Let’s take a look:
New Year’s Day. This is really a secular observance. But, note the blessings from today’s first reading and psalm. Aren’t we calling God’s blessing, his grace and favor, on this particular moment in time? As we wait for those blessings, don’t we commit ourselves to using them well?
Christmas Octave. While...
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Please make sure to pick up your complimentary copy of the book “Holy Moments” by Matthew Kelly. There are plenty in the rear of each church. Help yourself and happy reading!
More about the book can be found at https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/holy-moments.html.
Holy Moments Will Make You Insanely Happy.
Holy Moments will flood your life with meaning and divine purpose. They will also make you insanely happy.
Moment by moment, they will turn the nagging dissatisfaction in your soul into enduring and overflowing joy.
In a world full...
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We need several more parishioners who would like to be part of an enthusiastic and creative committee tasked with planning and hosting a St. Boniface/St. Lawrence ministry fair this spring. We would like to highlight the volunteer opportunities within our two parishes, and invite our church community to come and discover all that our parishes have to offer. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of or have additional questions, please reach out to Chris Heim (heim2015@comcast.net) or any parish council member. Don't be inti...
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Effective January 2023, the Wednesday 8 a.m. St. Boniface Mass will be on a hiatus until Fr. Bob returns from his surgery. The Divine Providence Hospital Chapel Mass will still be at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays. Any Mass intentions requested for Wednesdays at St. Boniface will now be at the 7 a.m. Mass at Divine. If you would like to make any changes, please contact the parish office: 570-326-1544.
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If you come to Mass with all the magic of childhood in your hearts and minds, come to see the greater wonder of God’s gift in Jesus Christ. If you’ve spent these past Advent weeks, praying and reflecting, come to adore your promised Lord and Messiah. If this year the shadows of grief and loss have fallen upon you, come to seek the true Light, which the darkness cannot overcome. If it’s been a while since you’ve worshipped with us, know that you’re welcome in the name of the Christ Child whose parents sought refuge on that first Christmas night....
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Coffee & Donuts returns Sunday, January 8 to St. Lawrence after the 8 a.m. Mass and to St. Boniface after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. We are looking forward to saying hello over a warm beverage and sweet treat!
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This weekend I’ve been here four months. As a new pastor, I’m often asked—and I often ask myself—if there’s anything I’d like to change. And, I’ll admit it: I’ve changed some things. I’ve added a Mass. I’ve moved confessions times. I’ve encouraged new ventures. I’ve asked why we’ve done some things the way we’ve done them. But, there’s one thing I’d never want to change in these two parishes. The one thing I’d never want to change is your willingness to step forward and do ...
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Important notice for Weekday Masses:
If there is a delay or cancellation of area schools, please follow this Mass schedule:
St. Lawrence will follow the South Williamsport Area School District closure or delay announcements.
St. Boniface will follow the Williamsport Area School District closure or delay announcements.
St. Lawrence Masses:
Monday & Tuesday 7 a.m. services will move to St. Boniface at 9 a.m.
St. Boniface Masses:
Thursday & Friday 8 a.m. services will move to 9 a.m.
Divine Providence Hospi...
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Snow Emergency
The SJNRA Advent Penance Service is rescheduled for Tuesday, December 20, 1 p.m. at St. Boniface Church.
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Thank you to all who worked hard to make our 2022 Christmas Celebration a memorable celebration of the season! Youth and adult musicians, Santa and his helper, Fr. McCreary for his storytelling, and everyone who baked, decorated, organized and otherwise did what was necessary to help glorify this Advent season with our parish friends and family. Thanks also to the several parishioners who submitted a few photos of the event.
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Advent
Please consider helping with decorating St. Lawrence Church for Christmas on Wednesday morning, December 21 at 9 a.m. If you can help, please contact Jack Peck or Dianne Fisher, thank you!
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We’ve made it to Advent’s halfway point. That’s the message behind the rose vestments on the priest and the rose candle on the Advent wreath. We come to a Sunday where the season’s dark color lightens. We hear that Sunday summon us to rejoice in these passing days that have brought us closer to Christmas. But, at the same time, this reminder of time’s passing may jolt us into wondering what we’ve been doing with our Advent? Have we prayed more deeply? Have we been more generous in the works of charity and justice? Have we taken account of...
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We are excited to announce that our parishes are sponsoring a teen study on Catholic social teaching for students in grades 9-12. The program that we are using is from Ascension, and it’s called Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation.
Meetings are held twice each month from 6-7:30 p.m. in the St. Boniface rectory basement (RAC) and involve a meal, activity, video and discussion. Students have an opportunity to ask questions, dive deeper into what the Catholic Church teaches, and learn how it applies to their lives. The group is...
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Youth Ministry
Join us on Sunday, December 11 for a Christmas concert by the St. Boniface Contemporary Choir followed by fellowship and refreshments in the elementary school gym. St. Nicholas plans to visit, with photos by Highland Photography. There will also be ornament-making and and opportunity to participate in a free-will offering to support our local charities. Come enjoy a joy-filled afternoon!
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Mass will be held at St. Boniface on Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. St. Lawrence will offer Christmas services at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. There will be one Mass only on Christmas Day at 9 a.m. at St. Boniface.
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Mass Times
First, some congratulations to a few of our neighbors. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Bishop Bambera ordained several men as permanent deacons, among them Deacon John Bubb from St. Joseph the Worker Parish, and Deacon Matthew Eisley from Immaculate Conception and St. Luke’s Parishes. We thank them for their willingness to say “yes” to God’s call to serve his people in our area.
Also, congratulations later this week to the Sisters of Christian Charity (SCCS). Thursday, December 8 is the holyday, the Immaculate Conception of Mary— patro...
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During any given month, the YWCA houses up to thirty children, many of whom are infants or toddlers, along with their mothers at the Wise Options Shelter and Liberty House. Last year, our parishes chose to help those most vulnerable small children with a “baby shower” of needed items in honor of the birth of the baby Jesus.
Our parishes are again collecting baby necessities for the YWCA during the Advent weekends of December 3–4, 10–11, and 16–17. Most needed wish list items include: Diapers of all sizes, but especially size 3 and up, baby w...
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Plan to attend a Program of Remembrance on Sunday, December 4 at 3:30 p.m. to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the loss of our former church building. Local historical researcher Bruce Huffman will share with us his slide presentation: “A Chronicle of the Second St. Boniface Church—1875-1972.” John Troisi and Dick Welteroth’s slides of the fire and its aftermath will be shown, as well as a CD created by Dick Rohrer. This program will be followed by a vesper service at 4:30 p.m. singing and instruments.
Don’t miss the d...
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