Entries for 2023

Cemetery Maintenance & Clean Up Each year there is a scheduled Spring & Fall Clean up. This year Spring Clean Up is Saturday May 6th. The goal is to tidy up the cemetery from leaves, broken branches, broken/torn articles, & dead plants/flowers. The Annual Cemetery clean up days will follow April 30 & October 31, so please remove items by these dates to ensure that your valuables are not lost. The Cemetery Committee has been notified that more borders of stone, brick & fencing are being placed on graves. These items are potential problems for saf...

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Cemetery

In today’s gospel Jesus tells us he is “the light of the world.” As we tell his story through the liturgical year, we use that image of light to great advantage. Think of the Advent wreath and how its light grows each week. Think also about where our Lent leads us: to the evening celebration of Holy Thursday and the night Mass of the Easter Vigil. The darkness of his Passion will be overcome by the light of his Resurrection! We also have a tradition of praying Tenebrae, a liturgy that runs opposite from that Advent wreath. We begin with candles blazing ...

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Lent

Come experience dramatic and moving music and scripture reflecting Jesus's final moments before the crucifixion--presented by the St. Boniface Choir at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 26 at St. Boniface. No charge for admission. All are welcome.

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Lent

Recognition of our parish youth was held on Tuesday, March 7, at a special Mass with Bishop Bambera honoring students in the Southern and Western Pastoral Regions of the Diocese of Scranton. Each year, 8th and 12th grade students are recognized as leaders in Christian service and commitment to their parish and community. This year, we are pleased to have nominated six outstanding young people: Eighth graders: Brendan Carpenter Audrey Dincher Ocie Engel Kaylene Kriner Seniors: Jackson Fink Lily Reid Congratulations! Please join us in tha...

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The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, commemorate Jesus's passion and death on the cross. There are 14 stations that each depict a moment on his journey to Calvary, usually through sacred art, prayers, and reflections. Our Stations of the Cross will be held on several dates during Lent, including a live presentation led by our PREP students on March 17.  The stations will be held on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. on March 3 (St. Lawrence), March 10 (St. Boniface), March 17 (St. Lawrence with PREP students), March 24 (St. Bonifac...

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Lent

Join us on March 31 from 6-8 p.m. in the St. Lawrence Parish Hall for our Lenten Table dinner. Meatless soups and bread will be provided. Please bring a bowl and a spoon! A sign up sheet for the dinner is located in the back of each chuch.  Fifteen meatless soups will be served, following Stations of the Cross. at St. Lawrence. Catholic Relief Services CRS Rice Bowl donations will be accepted. **You may now use our On-Line Giving to make your donations.for the Rice Bowl osvhub.com/st-lawrence-williamsport/giving/funds or osvhub.com/st-boniface-williamsport/gi...

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Lent

At Mass sometimes the priest has the option of saying things “in these or similar words.” Many times, no such option is offered— “This is my Body” has to be “This is my Body,” after all. We don’t always think of these sorts of options for the lay faithful, do we? There’s no “in these or similar words” option for the Sanctus or the Lamb of God. Parents with babies to be baptized and couples coming to be married have to say “I do!” to the questions. But, there is one place where all of us— lay...

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You are invited to our Living Stations on Friday, March 17 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Lawrence Church. Students in grades 6 & 7 will bring the stations to life with visual representations and meditations for today’s followers of Jesus. Come join us and bring a friend!

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PREP, Lent

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you all for your phone calls, cards and letters over these past two months! They certainly cheered up an otherwise unpleasant time. I’m happy to report that the doctors seem happy with the progress I’ve been making. I look forward to resuming a “normal” life sooner rather than later! Thank you again and please keep me in your prayers as you are in mine. With Warm Regards, Fr. Bob.

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A few years back, we received a new English translation of the Mass. We’ve grown used to “and with your spirit” rather than “and also with you.” So, of course, it’s time for the Church to launch a new English translation for another sacrament: Reconciliation. When you come to confession this Lent and beyond you may notice—and, admittedly, the change is so small you can miss this—two small changes in the priest’s words. Now we tell you that the Father has “poured out” the Spirit and that the Church promises th...

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To commemorate the diocesan phase of the National Eucharistic Revival, a Holy Hour with Bishop Bambera will be held in each of the twelve deaneries of the Diocese of Scranton during the season of Lent. You and your family are invited to attend the Bishop's event for the Williamsport Deanery on Wednesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes in Montoursville. 

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Lent

40 days Jesus stays in the desert, keeping a fast. What does it mean to fast? How would we explain this to someone outside the faith? Many times, we’ve had to explain those ashes on our foreheads to someone else at school or the workplace. Many times, people have wondered why we skip the meat we’d like to opt for the fish on a Friday night. Sometimes we compare a fast to a diet. But, there’s a difference. Dieting is pretty much about us—our health, our self-image, the way we’d like to others to see us. But, fasting tells us to give up something...

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Lent

A St. Patrick's Day Dinner sponsored by St. Lawrence will be held on Friday, March 17 from 4-6:30 p.m. in the St. Lawrence Parish Hall. Tickets will be sold after each Mass at St. Boniface and St. Lawrence beginning February 25. (Adults $14/Children 12 and under $5) From Bishop Bambera: A dispensation from the Friday Lenten observance of abstaining from meat has been granted for those celebrating the Feast of Saint Patrick on Friday, March 17, 2023. In keeping with the sacrificial nature of the Lenten season, I ask that all who receive this dispensation offer some ac...

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St Lawrence

A reminder that our Lenten Schedule is available online and as a handout available in each church.  Please note the schedule for Ash Wednesday: 7 a.m. at Divine Providence Chapel: Liturgy & Ashes;  10 a.m. SJNRA at St. Boniface: Mass & Ashes;  4:30 p.m. at St. Boniface: Fish Dinner Take Out;  5:30 p.m. at St. Boniface: Mass & Ashes;  7 p.m. at St. Lawrence: Liturgy & Ashes

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Lent

Lent 2023 starts on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023. As Catholics, the observation of Lent ends on Holy Thursday, April 6, 2023. For this season, and including Easter weekend, our two parishes have compiled a brochure of the schedule of Masses, special dinners, children's activities, times for confession, and much more. Please download and print this information-filled brochure, or pick up a copy at the back of either St. Lawrence or St. Boniface. 

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Lent

Fasting. Prayer. Almsgiving. In this Wednesday’s — yes, it’s Ash Wednesday already! — gospel we’ll hear Jesus highlight these traditional Jewish—and later, Christian signs of repentance. This Lent each of us may have different paths to take as we fast, pray and do works of charity and justice, but let’s not forget one way in which we can unite with our sisters and brothers across the world this Lent: The Rice Bowl. They’re available at the doors of the church this weekend. Put them together (figuring out just how to ...

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Lent

PREP students in grades 3-7 will have the opportunity to go to confession in the weeks ahead. Our catechists have been working with the students to get them ready to celebrate this sacrament. We are asking parents to help us by reviewing reconciliation materials with their children. Look for materials to be sent home with everything you need. February 26: Grade 4 March 5: Grades 3 & 6 March 12: Grade 5 March 19: Grade 7

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PREP

A reminder that our Lenten Schedule is available online and as a handout available in each church.  Please note the schedule for Ash Wednesday: 7 a.m. at Divine Providence Chapel: Liturgy & Ashes;  10 a.m. SJNRA at St. Boniface: Mass & Ashes;  4:30 p.m. at St. Boniface: Fish Dinner Take Out;  5:30 p.m. at St. Boniface: Mass & Ashes;  7 p.m. at St. Lawrence: Liturgy & Ashes

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Lent

In preparation for this year’s parish pastoral council nominations and election, there will be two information opportunities to learn what it means to serve on this advisory council, and how the election process works. The first will be held at 6 p.m. on February 19 in the St. Lawrence Hall and the second will be at 6 p.m. on February 26 in the St. Boniface RAC. Come hear from current and past council members, understand more about the advisory role of the council, and ask any questions you might have. Light refreshments will be served.

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Oddly, our COVID times offered some moments of grace and growth. We were encouraged to leave our churches open for part of the day—particularly in light of our inability to welcome crowds back to public worship. Many of our parishes have continued to offer our spaces for quiet prayer and meditation. One of the opportunities here in our parishes has been the Monday evening confession time. Because it’s not just about getting to the sacrament of reconciliation, however valuable that may be, during that 5:30 to 7 p.m. time, we place the Blessed Sacrament on the alt...

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Thank you to all parishioners who have completed and submitted your commitment card to the church. For those parishioners who have not yet had the opportunity to submit their card, a letter will be mailed to you with a personalized commitment card. Each and every one of you is a vital member of our parish community and we want to hear from you! This is an opportunity to reflect upon and renew your sacrificial commitment to support the mission of the parish families of St. Boniface and St. Lawrence. For those who are able – there is an opportunity to make a one-time gi...

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Our next summer VBS is June 19-23 at the SJNRA High School campus. Adults are needed for various jobs including leading or supervising activities with small groups of students. Please consider helping us make this the best VBS week ever for our younger students! Contact Karen Balestino for more information at sbslprep@comcast.net or (570) 419-8679.

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Vacation Bible School

Do you realize we’re only 2 ½ weeks away from the beginning of Lent? Yes, Ash Wednesday approaches on February 22 this year. While I know that we often see Lent as a serious time for fasting and penance and prayer, Lent also invites us to prepare for Easter, to embrace a spiritual springtime along with the temporal springtime. Let’s think about how we’ll keep this Lent. This week I’d particularly invite families to consider how we lead our children along the pathways of Lent. Try to bring Lent into the home. We’re not just Catholic ...

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The "Christ is Alive Essay Contest" is open to PREP students in grades 3-8. Students should write a one-page essay about a time they felt God was with them.  Submissions are due no later than Febrary 12. Please hand in submissions at PREP class or the parish office. More information is available online.

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PREP

A budget inserted presented in the fall. A five-year trend report published in January. Now "Faith in the Present, Hope for the Future". Isn’t this a lot of talk about money? Isn’t this the kind of thing that makes people say the Catholic Church only cares about the money? Yes, sometimes—certainly not always—we talk about money. But, that’s because you—the Church, the People of God—have a right to financial transparency. What if we didn’t talk about money at all? What if we let a deficit grow? Or what if we hid a dow...

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St. Blaise is the patron saint of ailments of the ear, nose, and throat. Come join us at Mass on Friday, February 3 at 8 a.m. at St. Boniface for the annual St. Blaise blessing of the throats.

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Come out for a day of fun and fellowship! Designer purse bingo will be held Saturday, February 4, in the St. Boniface elementary school gym. Doors open at 11 a.m. and bingo starts at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $25 for 20 regular games. There will be additional specials, a Chinese auction, a super raffle, and food for purchase. If you or your business would like to donate an item for the Chinese auction, sponsor one of the purses, or reserve tickets, please call Lorrie at 570-433-4464 or Deb at 570-220-2303. Note: If you are planning on attending the 4 p.m. Mass on ...

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Our parish pastoral council responds to a series of listening sessions with plans to invite parishioners to get more involved in the volunteer life of the parishes. The Diocese requires our parishes—and, in fact, all parishes—to offer transparent financial reports on a regular basis. Our Sunday gospels tell the story of Jesus proclaiming the gospel and recruiting disciples. Are these merely random events? Or can we see a convergence here? I certainly hope we can! Jesus calls us to a mission—proclaiming the kingdom of God to our world. That mission needs pe...

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In the coming week you will receive a brochure introducing our Increased Offertory Program. I am sure you are all proud to be part of the Saint Boniface and Saint Lawrence community. On commitment weekend, January 28 & 29, you will be invited to participate in this important program and help us respond to God’s great gift of love. Please prayerfully consider how you and your family can help by financially supporting our ministries, furthering our mission, and reinforcing our future. We ask that all faithful parishioners complete the commitment card included i...

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Sixteen youngsters will receive our Lord’s forgiveness and peace in the sacrament of reconciliation for the first time on Saturday, January 21, at St. Lawrence Church. The students have been very involved in their celebration by preparing readings and learning songs with motions. Many thanks to all who helped prepare for this memorable day. Special appreciation goes out to our 2nd grade catechist, Mrs. Jillian MacInnis, 2nd grade aide, Mrs. Jennifer Hubler, teachers at SJNRA, and all of our parents who have been working with the children to pr...

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PREP, Reconciliation

Tax season is approaching! If you would like your 2022 charitable contributions total mailed or emailed at the end of January, please contact the parish office for your name to be added to the list.

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Since the beginning of Advent the Sunday gospels have come from St. Matthew. That’ll continue to be the pattern—with a rather long interruption from St. John during Lent and Easter—up until the end of November. What should we look for from Matthew’s gospel? What would a one-time tax collector write about Jesus, his unexpected Savior? First, Matthew tells the most Jewish story of all the gospels. Now, all the evangelists write a narrative of the Jewish Messiah and his Jewish disciples. But, Matthew seems to take a particular care to show the continuit...

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The St. Lawrence Parish Activities Committee is sponsoring a pancake breakfast on Sunday, January 22 in the St. Lawrence parish hall. Tickets are being sold after Masses.  If your child needs service hours for school or another organization, or if they would just like to help out at this breakfast, this is the perfect opportunity. Any high school age parishioner is asked to volunteer for the early shift (approx. 8:30-10:30 a.m.). Our confirmation students will take the 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. shift since most of them are attending PREP that morning. We would love...

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The New Year is here and so is our next batch of 300 Club tickets. Tickets will be on sale in the rear of the church after all Masses starting January 7 or can be purchased from any activities member. Cost is $10/ticket. The first drawing will be February 12, with subsequent drawings once a week for five weeks. Winners will be announced in the church bulletin. If you would like a ticket but cannot pick one up at church, please call Deb at 570-220-2303 or Lenny at 570-772-0722.

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I know the print’s small, the numbers might be hard to read, and those financial pages in the bulletin don’t always offer exciting news: but, please take a good look at those financial trend reports. In light of Vision 2030, the Diocese wants us all—priests, parish leadership, the whole community—to be aware of the graces and challenges of being a parish today. Here you see the figures that talk about one piece of parish life—the money we’re given and the money we spend. All in all, for both St. Lawrence and St. Boniface these report...

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Are you interested in sharing your faith with teens? We are looking for a few adults to assist with our high school ministry program. We meet two Sunday evenings a month and need two adults in attendance each time. These adults would act as assistant mentors on an “as needed” basis. Prayerfully consider giving some time to make a difference in the lives of our young people. For more information, contact Karen Balestino.

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Youth Ministry

Adult education opportunities continue January 8 from 9:15-10:10 a.m. in the St. Boniface Rectory Basement (RAC) with our PREP Talks. Newcomers are always welcome, and If you missed any Wednesday sessions of the Symbolon video and discussion series, here is your chance to catch up. Our next three PREP Talk sessions in January will discuss: The Bible: God’s Love Letter to Humanity; The Story of Salvation: Creation, Fall & Redemption; and Who is Jesus? Just a Good Man or Lord of Our Lives? Hope to see you there!

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