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WILKES-BARRE – Father Raj says a church is a living and dynamic organism that adapts and never closes.
KINGSTON – “This is the first Sunday we are together as a blended family,” the Rev. John Lapera said as he welcomed families from the former Saint Hedwig’s and Saint Mary of the Annunciation churches during the 10:30 Mass at Saint Ignatius. The three West Side churches merged as part of the Scranton Diocese consolidation plan.
KINGSTON -- It was a moment that tied generations together as little Isabel Shoemaker’s first memories of St. Mary’s Annunciation Church twined together with memories of her great-grandmother on the day the family church closed its doors for good.
KINGSTON – Mae Perles is 98 years old, and St. Mary’s Annunciation Church is the only church she has ever known.
HANOVER TWP. – Celebration of the 120th anniversary of St. Casimir’s Church in Lyndwood on Sunday was bittersweet, as parishioners knew it likely would be the church’s last anniversary celebration.
SCRANTON – Plans to demolish a former West Scranton church are on hold.
HAZLE TWP. -- In 1893, Italian immigrants brought their faith and a bit of home with them to Hazle Township. They established a church and named it after the patron saint of their hometown, St. Nazarius.
PLAINS TWP. -- When it was his turn to kiss the altar after the closing of Mass of Sacred Heart Church on Sunday, Albert Vannucchi broke down and sobbed.
Given the recent closings and consolidations of numerous parishes as part of a diocesan restructuring, this year’s church bazaar season is an emotionally difficult one for people in many parishes, including longtime St. Hedwig’s parishioner and volunteer Gerry Dicton.
PLAINS TWP. – After 110 years of educating and instilling the Catholic faith in students, SS Peter and Paul School is closing its doors next week.
SUGAR NOTCH – Following Polish tradition, Elizabeth Vrotkoski attended the annual blessing of the Easter food baskets Saturday at Holy Family Church on Main Street with her daughter, Liz Vrotkoski, and grandson 7-year old Scott Kemmerer.
Most Viewed Church Closings Stories in Past 7 Days
1. Final Christmas upsets W-B church members
2. Not all ‘closed’ churches will close
3. At least 19 Lackawanna churches will be closing
4. Group to fight church closings
5. Holy Cross demolition plans put on hold
6. Church changes by cluster
7. Bazaar marriage
8. Old faith, new home