TimesLeader.com

AVOCA

October 25

Orders for homemade pierogies are due by Nov. 1

Boy do I love pierogies! My Aunt Nancy recently made some for me, and I can’t begin to tell you how good they tasted. She prepares them just the way I like them, and the ladies of SS. Peter and Paul’s Church altar and rosary society are gearing up to prepare some for you.

SS. Peter and Paul’s Church altar and rosary society will have their advent pierogi sale in November. The pierogies are potato cheese flavored and are $6 per dozen.

To place an order, please call Arline Sable at 457-5793, Mary Jane Kuchar at 457-9248, or Louise Chernefski at 346-3555. But you’d better hurry! The deadline to place your order is November 1, and the ladies are planning to make a limited amount of this annual advent treat.

In addition to taking orders, the ladies are also seeking volunteers to help make the pierogies November 12-16 at 9 a.m. in the lower level of the church, 1000 Main St. Anyone who is interested in helping in encouraged to attend.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to my husband, Jim, celebrated his special day October 22. I love you very much!

Happy Anniversary

Happy 46th wedding anniversary to John and Dolores Lampman who will celebrate their special day Monday, Oct. 26.

Pot of Gold Winners

Congratulations to the winners of St. Mary’s Church’s pot of gold raffle for October 13-19: John Zinkavich, Bernice Herman, Kevin Sowa, and Andy Coffee.

Raffle Winners

Congratulations to the winners of SS. Peter and Paul’s Church’s match the daily number raffle for October 13-19: Jim Lavelle, J. Sabitus, Kevin Sowa, and Andy Coffee.

Polling Change

Residents of the second ward who previously voted at the Avoca Municipal Building will now vote at the Avoca Community Center, 800 Main St.

Food Bank

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Church is seeking non-perishable food items and monetary gifts for their food bank for the needy. Food donations can be left in the boxes in either of the church vestibules. Monetary gifts can be given to the food bank by placing a gift in an envelope marked food bank and dropping it in the collection basket at any weekend Mass.

Volunteers Needed

St. Mary’s Church fundraising committee is seeking more members. If you would like to help, please call the rectory at 457-3412 or e-mail Jimbo McMahon at JIMMCMAHON1@VERIZON.NET. The next meeting will take place in November.

Finance Committee

St. Mary’s Church finance committee will meet Monday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the rectory, 715 Hawthorne St.

Food Giveaway

The Avoca Lions Club will have their monthly food drive Thursday, Oct. 29 from 4-6 p.m. at the Bethel United Methodist Church, 532 Main St. Volunteers are needed to unload the truck at 1:30 p.m. Individuals who use this service are encouraged to bring boxes and bags with them for their goods. For more information please call Mary Ann at 457-7619. Please note you must be a Luzerne County resident to participate in this program.

All Saints Day

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will have vigil Masses for All Saints Day Saturday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. at SS. Peter and Paul’s Church, 1000 Main St., and 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 715 Hawthorne St. During these Masses, the parishioners will remember the deceased members of the parish as well as their individual families in prayer. The deceased members of each parish you have died this past year will also be honored by having a family member or a friend carry a candle in their memory to the altar at the beginning of the liturgies.

All Souls Day

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will have All Souls Day cemetery services Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. at SS. Peter and Paul’s Cemetery and 5 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

VFW Auxiliary

The Avoca V.F.W. Post 8335 Ladies Auxiliary will meet Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in the post home, 915 Main St. District President Debby Wojiechowicz will present her annual report on the auxiliary’s activities. President June Fitzgerald will preside over the meeting, and Pat Rinkus, Marilyn O’Boyle, and Joan Emlaw will be the hostesses.

Altar & Rosary

SS. Peter and Paul’s Church altar and rosary society will meet Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. to pray the rosary followed by their meeting at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, which is located in the lower level of the church, 1000 Main St.

Eye Bank Meeting

The Avoca Lions Club will have an eye bank meeting Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at the V.F.W. Post 8335, 915 Main St.

Yard Waste

The Avoca Borough will have yard waste collections Tuesday, Nov. 10 and 24 weather permitting. In addition to collecting grass clippings and leaves, the borough workers will also collect shrubs, hedge clippings, and tree limbs. Please note that grass clippings and leaves may be placed in the same container but other yard waste must be placed in a separate container. The tree limbs should not exceed three feet in length and one-half inch in diameter.

Christmas Trees

The members of the Avoca Hose Company will have their annual Christmas tree sale beginning Sunday, Nov. 29. If you would like to order a tree that is more than 10 feet tall, please call the hose company at 457-2894.

Baby Shower

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Youth Club will have a baby shower during October in honor of Respect Life month. During the month, they will collect new and next to new clothes and blankets. They are also seeking baby food, formula, diapers, and other baby items. Donations can be placed in the collection containers in the vestibules of St. Mary’s and SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches. All proceeds will benefit the Pennsylvanians for Human Life and the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic located in the former Seton Catholic High School, Pittston.

Smoke Detectors

The Avoca Fire Department, in conjunction with WNEP-TV 16’s Operation Save a Life program, is distributing free smoke detectors to residents. For information about the program or to request a smoke detector, please call 457-2894 or visit www.avocafire.net.

Entertainment Books

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s High School Youth Group is selling Entertainment Books for $20 each. The books contain numerous coupons and discounts for area restaurants, attractions, and retail establishments and make a great gift. For more information please call Kay at 504-4199.

Eucharistic Adoration

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches have Eucharistic Adoration Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in SS. Peter and Paul’s Church, 1000 Main 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, St. Mary’s Rectory at 457-3412, or SS. Peter and Paul’s Rectory at 457-2483.

Al-Anon Meetings

Al-Anon, a support group offering hope and help to families and friends of alcoholics, meets Mondays at 7 p.m. in the basement meeting room of St. Mary’s Rectory, 715 Hawthorne St., and Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the basement meeting room of the Brick United Methodist Church, 935 Foote Ave., Duryea. Anyone who has been impacted by someone else’s drinking can find solutions that lead to serenity in the Al-Anon fellowship.

Until Next Time

That’s about it for this week! Drop me a line or e-mail me your latest news by Thursday at noon. You can call me at 457-3351 or e-mail me at avocahappenings@verizon.net. Please be sure to include your name and phone number with any correspondence in case I need to reach you.

Have a great week!