Entries for July 2020

We have no clear idea of where this crisis is going. But we are scheduling. If we need to cancel, at least we had some plans in place. Here are some sneak previews of the Fall: Bible Study - The Psalms will commence on Tuesday September 15th at 6:30pm for 7sessions ending November 3rd. Taize Evening of Prayer - Sunday September 20th at 8pm (for candlelight) only 30 minutes in length Retreat with Dr. Mary Ann Getty -Thursday October 8th, author of Women in New Testament, two different talks at 2pm and 6:30pm Made for More - Thursday, October 15th Concert by ...

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July 26 - The students of Lyco were effusive in their gratitude. As victims of covid and international politics, they were feeling forgotten and lonely. Plus, this summer seemed wasted and very uncomfortable. Parishioner generosity shocked them with a mound of food which they ate and took back to the dorms in boxes. But most impressive were the parishioners who exchanged contacts with them and have already reached out. The day after the Nazi rally in town, we lived the Christian ideal. Welcoming strangers who don't share our religion, nationality or ethnicity. Chri...

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Our parish is gifted with a number of talented people. You could give back to the parish by teaching someone else this Fall.  Some of these could occur in a garage, on parish property, in someone's basement work room. Informal and friendly yet safe could be the way we gather.   Some of them might be: Sewing (you define what type); Piano for Adults; Woodworking (you define); Spanish for Beginners; Flower Arranging; Cooking Italian (samples to leave at the rectory), etc. If you are interested in leading something like this for 5 people, c...

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July 19 - Based on some of the depictions of Mary Magdalene, it always strikes me as ironic that we call her Saint. Some early portrayals confused her with other women of the New Testament, thus being painted as a street worker. In fact, we don't know her background. But we do know that she ended up the Apostle to the Apostles, telling them of the Risen Christ. In 2016 the Pope raised her Tuesday 22nd memorial to a Feast Day. May we elevate the status of all women in the Church.

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GREAT NEWS! The parishes of St. Ann, St. Joseph the Worker, and Sts. Boniface & Lawrence, in conjunction with Cat.Chat Productions, are offering your family a unique Vacation Bible School experience this summer. More Information visit Faith Formation page.  Our WILDERNESS ADVENTURE VBS begins Monday, July 27th!  Register Here

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JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR... our guidelines for Mass have not changed.   OUR NUMBERS AND HABITS REMAIN THE SAME.   SO, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT THINK WE ARE SHUTDOWN AGAIN.   MASS TIMES REMAIN THE SAME. NOTHING HAS CHANGED for St BONIFACE and ST LAWRENCE.  But it does reiterate that all must wear masks.   The following is an email from the Bishop to the priests of our Diocese: Reverend and dear Father, On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf announced new mitigation efforts for COVID-19. The order includes a limit...

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 Over the past weeks, you have noticed some temporary liturgical changes. We eliminated the following for extra efforts at protection: altar servers - to protect them from the priest when he prays Eucharistic prayers without a mask offertory procession - to limit people's interaction with each other and the touching of the hosts and chalice, etc. hymnals & missalettes - to reduce germ catchers in pews congregational singing - to lower the projection of germs beyond your masks. How long this will continue is anybody's guess. When we do ...

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July 12 - Tuesday, we honor St. Kateri Tekakwitha, part of the Mohawk nation, that converted to Catholicism. For following Jesus, she suffered horribly from her own tribe until she died in 1680 just north of NY State. She was only 24 yrs old but left a mark of faith. That witness begs us to treat Native Americans better than we have since we arrived in their land. They are twice as likely to be hospitalized and die of Covid than whites. Their legacy of poverty and despair should scandalize us and bring us to the Gospel values that attracted her.

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Up & Over Jr. High Retreat: Virtual Edition. Up & Over is open to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade during the 2019-2020 academic year. While we cannot be together in person for the summer session of Up & Over, our retreat team has been working hard to bring you a virtual retreat! We’ve taken some of the best things about Up & Over and created a hybrid version for your son or daughter to participate in at home. Once your child is registered, you will get access to our virtual camp website where you will find a suggested schedule and videos from ou...

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Everyone has questions about Church practices and matters of faith. Some are curiosities and some doubts. Let's talk in a relaxed manner to enlighten each other a little more.   Tuesday July 14th we will gather at St. Boniface at 6:30pm.  Bring your own lawn chair. If its enjoyable we will stay outside, if necessary we can use the narthex (foyer) and still be distanced.  Wine and soft drinks will be provided.  I will also have some books on hand if someone wants to dig deeper.

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New Books in Lending Library: Jerusalem - a biography, very readable, famous author - Montefiore  The Body and the Blood - a recent account of Christians struggling in Israel and Middle East - Charles Sennott of Boston Globe Abiding in the Indwelling Trinity - life in the Spirit with emphasis on early Church Fathers - Fr. George Maloney, SJ They are available in the beautiful new bookcase at St Boniface.

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July 5 - If you are looking for intentions to add to your prayer lists, let me recommend:  over July 4th weekend - our country. May we be rooted in justice and thrive in peace, globally and locally. after recent Ordinations - for our 3 new priests. Leadership is not easy but especially spiritual guidance of parishes and communities. The new priests have been assigned and will start soon. Fr. Jonathan Kuhar, an ex. lawyer, will go to Scranton; Fr. Kevin Miller, ex. military, will go to Carbondale: and Fr. Shawn Simchock, a former salesman, will serve in Nanticok...

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