Confirmation students make today ‘Souper Bowl Sunday’

Many of us will gather today with family and friends to enjoy this annual event and feast on snacks and other party fare. But before you dive in to your kickoff classic delectables, take a moment to pause and think of those who don’t have any food to eat let alone a party and snacks to enjoy. While none of us can singularly solve one another’s economic woes, we can work together to make life a little easier for one another.

And the confirmation students of St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches are doing their part today.

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches’ confirmation students will conduct “Souper Bowl Sunday” today following the 8 and 11:30 a.m. Masses at St. Mary’s Church, 715 Hawthorne St., and the 10 a.m. Mass at SS. Peter and Paul’s Church, 1000 Main St.

At this time, students will accept monetary donations in the vestibule of each church. All proceeds will benefit the Greater Pittston Food Pantry.

Raffle Winners

Congratulations to the winners of St. Mary’s Church’s pot of gold raffle for January 26-31: Katie Nese, Ed Booth, and Mary Ann Ruane.

Congratulations to the winners of SS. Peter and Paul’s Church’s razzle dazzle raffle for January 26-31: Cathy Haduck, Avoca; Bud and Bernie Novack, Avoca; Lottie Dudek, Duryea; and Cindy Dorosky, Avoca.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Don “Babe” Gutowski who celebrated his special day January 25.

Little League Sign-ups

The Avoca/Dupont Little League will have registration sessions February 8-10 from 6-8 p.m. at the upper Avoca Little League field clubhouse.

These registration sessions include tee-ball, coach pitch, minor baseball and softball, major baseball and softball, junior baseball and softball, and senior baseball.

The registration fee is $50 per player, $60 per family with junior and senior baseball being $50 for each player.

Pastoral Council

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will have a joint pastoral council meeting Monday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in St. Mary’s Rectory, 715 Hawthorne St.

Council Meeting

The Avoca Borough Council will have its regular monthly meeting and work session Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Avoca Municipal Building, 752 Main St.

Lectors Meeting

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will have a combined lectors makeup meeting Saturday, Feb. 13 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 715 Hawthorne St.

CCD Schedule

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will not have religious education classes Sunday, Feb. 14 or Monday, Feb. 15 in observance of Presidents Day.

Youth Groups

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches’ high school youth group will meet Sunday, Feb. 14 from 6-9 p.m.

New members are welcome. Please call Kay Price at 504-4199 for meeting location information.

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches’ youth club will meet Sunday, Feb. 14 from 6:30-8 p.m. at SS. Peter and Paul’s Church, 1000 Main St.

Fundraising Committee

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Church will have a fundraising committee meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in St. Mary’s Rectory, 715 Hawthorne St.

Ash Wednesday

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will have Ash Wednesday Masses February 17 at the following times and churches: 8 a.m. at St. Mary’s, noon at SS. Peter and Paul’s (ashes only), 5 p.m. at St. Mary’s (ashes only); and 7 p.m. at SS. Peter and Paul’s.

First Penance

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will celebrate the Sacrament of First Penance Sunday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 715 Hawthorne St.

Night at the Races

St. Mary’s Church will have its winter night at the races Saturday, Feb. 20 in St. Mary’s School auditorium, 742 Spring St. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the races begin at 7 p.m.

Admission is $5 which includes all you can eat and drink the entire night. Horses are $10 each.

Racing forms can be obtained at St. Mary’s Church following the weekend Masses (Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8 and 11:30 a.m.) or by calling the rectory at 457-3412.

The sponsor of the winning horse will win $50 and does not need to be present to win.

AOH Meeting

The Avoca A.O.H. will have an important meeting Thursday, Feb. 25 at the West Side Social Club, 700 McAlpine St. Plans for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner, and posting the Irish banners on Main and McAlpine Streets in Avoca will be discussed at this time.

Haiti Relief

The Brick United Methodist Women’s group is currently assembling health kits for victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

The ladies are seeking the following items: 15 inches by 25 inches hand towels up to 17 inches by 27 inches, wash cloths, wide toothed combs (large and sturdy, not pocket sized), finger nail clippers, nail files (no emery boards), bath size bars of soap (3 ounces or larger), toothbrushes, adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages, and one-gallon resealable plastic sandwich bags.

Donations can be left in either the vestibule of the Bethel United Methodist Church, 532 Main St., or the Brick United Methodist Church, 935 Foote Ave., Duryea.

Monetary gifts will also be accepted. Checks can be made payable to Mission Central.

Garbage Stickers

The 2010 Avoca Borough garbage stickers can be purchased from Therese Wrubel at the Avoca Municipal Building, 752 Main St., Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and Fridays from 6-7 p.m.

The fee schedule for purchasing the window sticker in order to have up to three bags collected weekly is as follows:

$155 if purchased by February 20; $160 if purchased between February 21 and March 20; $170 if purchased between March 21 and April 20; $180 if purchased between April 21 and May 20; and $190 if purchased between May 21 and June 20.

Residents who are unable to stop by the municipal building to purchase a garbage sticker, can mail a check made payable to Avoca Borough and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Avoca Borough c/o Therese Wrubel, 129 Factory St., Avoca, PA 18641.

Please note that delinquent accounts will be referred to district court after June 20.

Eucharistic Adoration

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches have Eucharistic Adoration Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 715 Hawthorne St.

The public is welcome to come and spend some time in quiet reflection and meditation.

For more information please call Eucharistic Adoration Coordinators Ken and Ann Francis at 457-8241 or Mary’s Rectory at 457-3412.

Until Next Time

If you would like something to appear in next Sunday’s edition of the Avoca News, please e-mail or call me with your information by Thursday at noon. You can e-mail me at avocahappenings@verizon.net or call me at 457-3351.

Please be sure to include your name and phone number with any correspondence in case I need to reach you.