Palm Sunday breakfast today at St. Peter’s | The Pittston Dispatch, Pittston, PA

St. Peter’s in Hughestown will hold their Annual Palm Sunday Breakfast today, Sunday, April 5, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Adults $8.00, kids 10 and under $4.00, kids 3 and under FREE. Tickets are available at the door.

Penny Auctions

St. Peter’s in Hughestown will be hold their Annual Sunday School Penny Auction on Sunday April 19 at 2:00 p.m. Bring lots of coins with you that day. Bidding, pocket change can really pay. Great prizes and it’s really fun to play. A donation of $2.00 includes coffee, tea, and dessert.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pittston Altar and Rosary Society is holding its annual Penny Auction at the Mount Carmel Parish Center on Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $1.00

Pizza Sale

The First United Methodist Church of West Pittston will be holding their last Lenten home made pizza sale on Good Friday, April 10. Pizzas can be ordered baked or unbaked, with or without onions, also with sweet red pepper topping for an additional $1.50. Pick up will be Friday, April 10 between 3 and 6 p.m. Cost for a tray of pizza is $10.00. Half tray of Pizza is $5.50. Orders can be called in to the church office at 655-1083.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Divine Mercy Sunday Service will be held on April 19 at the Oblates of Saint Joseph Chapel, Highway 315, Pittston. The Very Rev. Paul A. McDonnell, OSJ, Provincila Superior and Seminary Rector will be the celebrant.

Introductory comments will be given by Divine Mercy Cenacle Facilitator and Coordinator of the Feast Service, Cathy Mack.

Services will begin with the Blessing of the Image of Divine Mercy followed by the celebration of the Eucharist (Holy Mass) at 2:00 p.m. Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow with the Divine Mercy Chaplet in song, Marian Devotion, the Holy Rosary, Benediction and ending with the Individual Blessing of the First Class Relic of Saint Faustina.

The congregation is reminded to begin the Divine Mercy Novena on Good Friday and ending it on Saturday, April 18th and to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the Feast Day.

Roast Beef Supper

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will hold a Roast Beef Supper on Saturday, April 18, with takeouts from 3:30 p.m. and dinner being served from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $8.50 and children under 12 are only $3.50. For tickets call 675-3859 or at the door the day of the dinner.

Roast Beef Dinner

The First Congregational Church UCC, 500 Luzerne Avenue, West Pittston will hold an all-you-can-eat Roast Beef Dinner on Saturday, April 18. Take outs start at 4 p.m. and will run until 7 p.m. Seating starts at 5 p.m. Tickets for adults are $9.00 and children 12 and under $4.00 For tickets call Jean Williams at 654-0588 or can be purchased at the door.

Young Adult Group

The next meeting of the Catholic Young Adult Group for ages 18-39will be held Wednesday, April at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Rectory, 241 William Street, Pittston. On April the 15th the meeting will be at the meeting room of the parish center. Join other young adults who seek to grow in their faith, discuss current events and participate in social outreach activities. The meeting is held every first and third Wednesday of the month. For more information or directions, please contact Father Johnson at 654-6902 or Lynne Marie Busch at 690-0512.

Pierogi Sale

St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, corner of Church and Winter Streets, Old Forge is sponsoring a pierogi sale on Tuesday, April 7. Deadline for orders is April 2 and can be placed with Al 562-3965, Dorothy 562-1434, Mary 586-2632, Sandra 457-9280 or Church hall 457-2875, and leave a message. Pick up time is 2 to 5 p.m. and the price is still $5.00 per dozen.

Pray the Rosary

Join the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants and other young adults on Saturday April 18 as we pray the Rosary at Allentown Women’s Center, 1409 Union Blvd, rear entrance at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for an end to abortion. All should meet at 7 a.m. at St. Ann’s Basilica in West Scranton. Rides are available. The Bishop of Allentown will be joining us in prayer. For more information email dtafani@aol.com

Craft Fair

St. John the Baptist Church 126, Nesbitt Street, Larksville will hold a craft fair on Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Interested vendors please call St. John’s at 779-9620 weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 417-4927 for information and/or to reserve a space.

Palm Sunday Smoker

St. Rocco’s Church Holy Name Society will hold their annual Palm Sunday Smoker on April 11. This year’s smoker will mark the 61st gathering.

Bethel United Methodist

Blessed Sacrament

St. Mary’s Assumption

St. Mary’s H of C

Thursday of this week is Holy Thursday. The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church. At the conclusion of the Liturgy the Blessed Sacrament will be taken to St. Mary’s Assumption Church. Adoration will take place from after Mass until 11:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Assumption Church. Evening Prayer will be celebrated at 10:45 p.m. Friday of this week is Good Friday. St. Mary’s Assumption Church will be opened for private prayer at 9:00 a.m. The Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion Service will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Assumption. Stations of the Cross will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Assumption. Saturday is Holy Saturday. The blessing of Easter Baskets will be held at 12 Noon at St. Mary, Help of Christians Church. The Easter Vigil will be celebrated at 8:00 p.m. at St. Mary, Help of Christians Church. There are no other Masses on Holy Saturday. The Masses on Easter Sunday will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Assumption and at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary, Help of Christians.

The rehearsal for the altar servers involved in the Holy Thursday celebration will be held on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church. The rehearsal for the altar servers involved in the Good Friday celebration will be held on Friday, April 10, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Assumption Church. The rehearsal for the altar servers involved in the Easter Vigil celebration will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. at St. Mary, Help of Christians Church.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) in preparation for Easter will be celebrated on Monday, April 6th from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s Assumption,. A deanery Penance Service will be held at St. John the Evangelist on Monday, April 6th at 7:00 p.m. A number of area priests will be available to celebrate the Sacrament at that time.

During the season of Lent we will once again have baskets in each of our Churches. All donated food items will be brought to the Pittston Area Food Pantry in the former Seton Catholic building.

There are NO religious education classes this weekend or next weekend. Classes resume on Sunday, April 19, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

The choir will be meeting this Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All members of our parish community are welcome and encouraged to be part of this most important ministry.

Father Tom will lead a Scripture Study of the Acts of the Apostles, beginning on Tuesday April 28, 2009. There will be two programs, one on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. and one on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Both programs will be held in the Religious Education Center at St. Mary, Help of Christians. There will be 10 sessions for each program. The Scripture Study combines personal Bible reading and study, faith sharing, lecture and prayer in an informal setting. Come and join us and learn to make the real connection between your faith and your everyday life! In order to be able to order the necessary materials, we ask that you call the parish office (654-0263) to register. The program is open to all from the greater Pittston area.

On the first Friday of each month Communion is brought to those who are unable to participate in Sunday Mass because of age or health. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated with anyone seriously ill, anticipating a serious operation, or quite elderly. Please notify the parish office of anyone desiring these Sacraments, as well as anyone in the hospital or a nursing home.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Assumption Annex. For further information, call Mary Boylan (654-0529).

Bennett Presbyterian Church

Easter Morning, April 12 - 7:30 a.m. Sunrise Service, refreshments following; 11 a.m. Morning Worship

Everyone is welcome. The church is handicap accessible. Further information may be obtained by calling the church at 288-7361.

Brick United Methodist

First CongregationalUnited Church of Christ

Thursday, 6 p.m. Potluck supper, with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m.

Good Friday Ecumenical Services: Noon to 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church and 7 p.m. Tenebrae Service at First Congregational UCC.

First Baptist Church

Rev. James H. Breese, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Water Street, Pittston, has announced the services which will be held during Holy Week. Thursday, (Maundy) April 9, there will be a Communion Service at 7:15 p.m. A special service on Good Friday, April 10 will be held at 12 noon to 1 p.m.

First United Presbyterian

The Session of the First United Presbyterian Church of West Pittston announces the following schedule

Sunday, April 5 - 9:30 a.m. Church School; 10:30 a.m. Worship returns to the Sanctuary; 11:30 a.m. choir rehearsal

Wednesday, April 8 - 9 a.m. Morning Circle, noon, 6:45 and 8 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous.

Friday, April 10, noon, Good Friday Service at First United Presbyterian Church; 7 p.m. Good Friday Service at United Church of Christ, Luzerne, Ave., W. Pittston.

Sunday , April 12 - 7 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service on the riverbank; 9:30 a.m. Church School; 10:30 a.m. Easter Morning Celebration. The first United Presbyterian Church is located at the corner of Exeter Avenue and Warren Street. The Sanctuary is handicapped accessible an child care is available during Worship.

First United Methodist Church

The First United Methodist Church of West Pittston announces the following schedule

Full Gospel Chapel

April 5 (Palm Sunday) Showing of the film: "The Passion of The Christ" at 6 p.m.

Service time is at 10:30 a.m. Randy Stahl will be joining us with his trumpet. Come join us.

Glendale Gospel Church

Grace Bible Church

Harding Church of Christ

Sunday services: 10:00 a.m. Sunday School and 11:00 a.m. Church Service. Phone 570-388-6534. www.hardingchurchofchrist.org

Holy Mother of Sorrows

Palm Sunday 7:30, 8:30 Blessing of Palms and Procession.10:30, Distribution of Palms to the faithful .

Easter Sunday Masses will be as follows: 6:00 Resurrection Sunrise Service Mass; 8:30, 10:00.

Services for Holy Week: Wednesday April 8 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross; Holy Thursday April 9 Mass at 7:00 p.m. Good Friday April 10 Services at 9:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday Service April 11, at 9:00 a.m. Food Blessing on Saturday at noon and 4:00 p.m. in the Church.

Easter Bunny Breakfast will be held on Sunday April 5 after every Mass. We invite all parishioners and friends. A donation of $7.00 for adults can be paid for at the door. Children of the School of Christian Living are free.

Good Friday Fish Fry Dinner will be held on April 10 from 1:00 to 6:00. Donation for dinner is $8.00 .

Holy Redeemer

There will be no CCD classes this Sunday, April 5 or Easter Sunday. Classes will resume on Sunday, April 19.

Practice for the Living Stations will take place this Sunday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Church.

Our Youth Group will be presenting the “Living Stations of the Cross” on Good Friday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join us as they present this reenactment of the Stations of the Cross.

Immaculate Conception

There will be no CCD classes this Sunday, April 5 or Easter Sunday. Classes will resume on Sunday, April 19.

The Youth Group is sponsoring “Milk &Cookies with the Easter Bunny” for the children of our parish this Sunday, April 5, all children are invited to come downstairs to the church hall after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

Practice for the Living Stations will take place this Sunday, April 5, and Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m.

Immanuel Baptist Church

Easter Morning April 12 - 7 a.m. Youth Sunrise Service, refreshments following, and 9 a.m. Morning Worship

Everyone is welcome. The church is handicap accessible. Further information may be obtained by calling the church at 288-9215.

Inkerman Presbyterian

Langcliffe Presbyterian Church

Oblates of St. Joseph

Perpetual Novena in Honor of St. Joseph & St. Joseph Marello is held every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Recitation of the holy rosary and confessions precede the novena service.

Tune into Catholic Radio 750 AM. The studio is located in the seminary building with call letters WQOR (Queen Of the Rosary). For more information, contact the station at 287-4670.

Oblate Fathers are available everyday during this Holy Week for the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. or you may call the seminary office for an appointment.

Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold their Annual Convention at the seminary on Saturday, April 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Guest celebrant for Mass will be Father Pio Mandato, FMHJ.

Divine Mercy Mass - Sunday, April 19, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the seminary chapel. The afternoon includes Holy Mass celebrated by seminary rector, Father Paul McDonnell, OSJ, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Divine Mercy Chaplet, recitation of the Holy Rosary, Benediction and blessing with the First-Class relic of Saint Faustina. All are welcome to this important celebration in the Church. For more information, contact Cathy Mack at 654-6063.

Confirmation Retreats for the candidates of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Pittston, on Saturday, April 25 (9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.) and Sunday, April 26 (noon - 4:00 p.m.).

Mass enrollments, cards and other religious articles are available at the office. Feel free to stop by for any of your personal religious needs.

The seminary facility is available for small meetings, events and activities, etc. Contact Father Paul McDonnell, OSJ at 654-7542 or at osjseminary@comcast.net

Check out the seminary website: www.oblates-stjoseph.com for any current and vocational information.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Holy Thursday - 8 a.m. Morning prayer, 7 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper, adoration until 11 p.m.

Good Friday - 8 a.m. Morning prayer; 3 p.m. Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion; 7 p.m. traditional Stations of the Cross and Seven Last Words.

Confessions, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week at 6:30 and 11 a.m.; Monday evening Penance Service 7 p.m. at St. John Evangelist; Holy Thursday - 5 p.m.; Good Friday 11 a.m.; Holy Saturday 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Rectory Office will close at noon on Good Friday and will be closed on Easter Monday. The priests will be available for any emergencies.

Lenten Canned Goods collection to benefit the Care and Concern Food Pantry at St. John’s will be conducted throughout the Lenten season. Canned goods can be dropped off in church or at the rectory.

Prayer Group will not meet on Tuesday, April 7 due to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral in Scranton

First Holy Communion Class parent meeting will be held this Sunday, April 5, in the conference room of the parish center. Communion sets will be blessed and given out. A representative from each family must attend.

A First Communion Retreat will be held on Tuesday April 14 at the Oblates of St. Joseph Seminary. All first Communion children should participate unless you have cleared this with Ms. Ann Hrobak 655-9822.

Parish Hall Rentals - Anyone wishing to rent our hall, should contact Christine Silinskie, Hall Manager, for more information and rates at 704-8861.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

The weekly Mass schedule is Holy Thursday, April 9 - 7 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Good Friday, April 10 - 3 p.m. celebration of the Lord’s Pass on; 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross.

Holy Saturday, April 11 - Easter Food will be blessed at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the church hall. The "grave" (tomb) will be in place until 12 noon on Holy Saturday, 8 p.m. the Easter Vigil. This Mass satisfies the Sunday obligation.

Easter Sunday, April 12 - Mass at 7:30 a.m. includes the procession. Other Masses at 9:30 a.m. and 11: a.m.

The Mass Schedule for Holy Week is: Palm Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Monday through Wednesday at 7:00 a.m., Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m., Good Friday - The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 p.m., Holy Saturday- Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 p.m. and Easter Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

The Stations of the Cross will be prayed on Friday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the church.

Easter Food will be blessed on Holy Saturday, April 11 at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the church hall.

The Rectory Office will close at noon on Holy Thursday and will remained closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. The office will reopen on Tuesday, April 14 for regular business hours.

All Altar Servers are requested to take part in the Holy Thursday Mass and Procession. Altar servers are asked to meet at 6:40 p.m. in the church hall in their robes.

The church will be open for private adoration on Holy Thursday following Mass until 11:00 p.m. The Women’s Society will recite the rosary following the evening mass. The Holy Name Society members are asked to consult the adoration list in the vestibule. All men are asked to be faithful to their assigned times between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

On Good Friday, the church will open at 9:00 a.m. for private prayer. The grave "tomb" will remain in place until noon on Holy Saturday.

CCD classes for all grades will be held on April 6. Practice for the Holy Thursday procession will take place on April 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the church. CCD students will take place in the Holy Thursday procession on April 9. There will be no class held on April 13. Class will be held on April 20 where report cards will be distributed. The final CCD mass will take place at the 8:30 a.m. mass on April 26. Students are to meet in the church hall at 8:10 a.m. The final CCD class will take place on April 27. End of the Year celebrations will take place at this class.

The Holy Thursday Procession is open to all the young people in our parish. Children in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to celebrate the Last Supper by being part of the Eucharistic procession. If you would like your child to participate, please sign up in the back of the church by April 3. Children will practice for procession on Wednesday, April 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Students are to meet in the church hall before practice.

Holy Thursday Procession open to all young people in our parish. Children participating in the procession are to meet at 6:45 p.m. in the church hall.

The following young parishioners celebrated the sacrament of First Penance: Joshua Bryk, Charles Callahan, Guinevere Caprari, Jesse Carlen, Alexandra Cook, Ashlyn DeRoberto, Jenna Donahue, Evan Elko, John Falcone, Bryan Giambra, Joshua Hartigan, Christian Holmes, Dylan Homolash, Sydney Hornlein, Austin Kleinberger, Andrew Krawczyk, Justin Lasota, Madison Levandoski, Kaitlyn Lokuta, Marc Malvizzi, Morgan Mesaris, Megan Mihalka, Jacob Modlesky and Luke Warunek.

St. Anthony’s

This weekend Palms will be blessed and distributed after each Mass. All children are invited to attend the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Weather permitting, the Palms will be blessed outside of the Church.

Palm Sunday Family Buffet Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. Anthony’s Parish Center. Tickets are $ 6.00 for adults and $ 2.00 for students. First Holy Communion children and younger FREE. Tickets are available at the door.

The Easter Egg Hunt for all children will be held this Sunday at St. Anthony’s Parking lot after the breakfast starting at 12:30 p.m.

Practice for the Living Stations this Sunday after the 7:00 p.m. Mass in the Church.

A Penitential Service will be held on Monday at 2:30 p.m. and at 6:00 p.m. for all children who attend the Religious Education Program. Parents & everyone are welcome. Confessions will be heard.

On Holy Thursday, the Eucharistic Ministers, the Lectors, the Sodality Members, the First Holy Communion Children, the Altar Services and all children are invited to attend the 7:00 p.m. Mass and participate in the procession.

Lenten Friday Meal: Red and white pizza and clam chowder will be available on Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Take-outs only. Fill out an order form. They are at the entrance of the Church. Clam chowder $ 5.00; Red Pizza: $10.00 (full tray); $5.00 half tray. White Pizza: $15.00 ( full tray); $8.00 half tray.

The Living Stations of the Cross will be presented by St. Anthony’s Students on Good Friday at 7:00 p.m.

The Blessing of the Easter Food Baskets will be held on Holy Saturday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Parish Center.

Students will bake bread this week and it will be available on Holy Thursday after the celebration of the 7:00 p.m. Holy Mass.

Monday and Tuesday, Masses at 7:00 and 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m . Wednesday Masses at 7:00 and 11:00 a.m.

HOLY THURSDAY: Morning Prayers (Lauds) at 8:00 a.m. followed by confessions. 7:00 p.m. – Mass of the Lord’s Supper with the washing, procession and adoration. The Church will be opened until Midnight.

GOOD FRIDAY: Morning Prayers (Lauds) at 8:00 a.m. followed by confessions. 2:30 p.m. – Chaplet of Divine Mercy & The Last Seven Words. 3:00 p.m. – Proclamation of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross, Holy Communion. 7:00 p.m. THE LIVING STATIONSOF THE CROSS presented by St. Anthony of Padua Students.

HOLY SATURDAY: Morning Prayers (Lauds) at 8:00 a.m. followed by confessions. 8:00 p.m. – Easter Vigil and Holy Mass.

EASTER SUNDAY: Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. No evening Mass.

Holy Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Good Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Holy Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist Parish Community

Blessing of Easter Baskets are Saturday, April 11 at Seton Catholic cafeteria on Church Street

Chrism Mass - All the faithful of the Diocese are invited to attend the Chrism mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton on Tuesday, April 7 at 4 p.m. Priests from throughout the Diocese will renew their priestly promises before the Bishop, and the oils to be used for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders will be blessed.

We will be decorating the church for Easter on Saturday April 11 at 9 a.m. All volunteers are welcomed and appreciated. If anyone has a pussy willow bush in their yard and are willing to donate some long branches, please call Gloria Blandina at 693-0766.

Care and Concern Free Health Clinic Pizza Fundraiser. Coupons for pizza from Lizza’s Mezzo Mezzo in Pittston will be sold during Lent. The pizza coupons cost $11 and make the perfect Lenten meal. Kayla Costello organized this project to benefit our free clinic. Coupons available at the parish center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the free health clinic on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Healing Hearts Bereavement Support Group will begin a new series every Tuesday evening, April 28 through June 16 at 7 p.m. in the parish center dining room. Anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one is invited to attend. For more information call 654-0053.

St John’s Lutheran

Vicar Will Cole; Organist Marcia Colleran; Lay Reader Michelle Cherney; Acolyte Joe Mersincavage.

Cost of the lilies are $ 2.50 for each name submitted. Please give your name to Sharleen or Erma.

Volunteers are needed for a Building Committee. Contact Darwin Pershau for the project of renovation of the Parsonage.

Vacation bible School August 3 to 6. If you would like to volunteer please see Marcia Colleran or Vicar Cole.

Schedule for ACOLYTE for Easter week is as follows. April 8, mid week Shelby Rinaldi, Maundy Thursday John Peterson ,Good Friday Katelyn Colleran, Easter Sunday Justin Peterson.

Final mid-week service: Vicar Cole Wednesday’s topic will be Forgiveness and Absolution. The Ultimate Pain Reliever our Maundy Thursday service with Holy Communion. Good Friday Service message is Joseph of Arimathea: In Secret, Now Out, A Tenebrae service tonight.

A Memorial Service was held for Dorothy Menone on March 28. Pastor Michael Erickson was the Liturgist. Vicar Will Cole was the Officant.

We are proud to announce we have added a encloser to the front of our building. Are in the process of remodeling & painting our undercroft (basement).We added a new young Vicar soon to be Pastor. All we need is you. If you would like to join our Church or have any questions call us at 655-2505 and leave your name and number and Vicar Cole or a member of Saint Johns will get back to you as soon as possible

St. John’s P.M. Church

St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Saturday Contemporary Service 5:00 p.m. Sunday Services – 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Palm Sunday Breakfast April 5 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

St. Maria Goretti

Anyone who wishes to join us in taking Holy Eucharist to the sick should plan to attend the following training sessions: April 16, 23 and 30 at Good Shepherd Academy (Bishop O’Reilly HS) from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call the parish office to register. Our parish will pay the fee

Ministry to sick: Our Service Group continues to explore ways to minister to the different needs right here at St. Maria Goretti/St. mark’s. A letter was mailed to everyone concerning this ministry. Everyone is always invited to all our meetings here with hope that you might consider being part of our work in a way in which you may be comfortable. next meeting: Saturday, May 2 at 1 p.m. in the parish office.

Thank you to the choir, the ushers, and the army of people who prepared refreshments for the several hundred people who attended the Road to Resurrection at St. Maria Goretti. Msgr.. Bendik has already sent a thank you for the $488 donation which was the entire amount collected at the Mass. As of March 24, 902 households with a total of 1182 individual persons were provided with food. These statistics are for this calendar year only.

Confessions, Penance, Reconciliation - Monday April 6 p .m. St. John’s Pittston Communal Service and Wednesday, April 8, 4 to 5 and 7 to 8 p.m. St. Maria Goretti

Healing Mass: The public is invited to St. Maria Goretti Church on Tuesday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. for the Sacrament of Anointing and Eucharist. Msgr. John Esseff will be the main celebrant as he is joined with clergy from the great Pittston/Plains area. You are invited to bring a Pot Luck contribution of your choice which you can drop off before the service at the Parish Center.

Saint Mary’s

The Rev. Phillip J. Sladicka and the parishioners of St. Mary’s Church, 715 Hawthorne St., invite the community to their Holy Week and Easter services.

Palms will be blessed and distributed at the 8 and 11 a.m. Masses today. The 11 a.m. Mass will also include a procession.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available Wednesday, April 8 from 7-8 p.m.

On Holy Thursday, Father Phil will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m. This Mass will include a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose for adoration. The church will remain open for Eucharistic Adoration until the conclusion of the night prayer service at 10 p.m.

On Good Friday, the parishioners will pray the Stations of the Cross and commemorate the Lord’s Passion with liturgy of the word, veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion beginning at 1:30 p.m. And at 7 p.m., the youth of the parish will present the “Living Stations of the Cross.”

The parishioners of St. Mary’s Church will meet Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. in St. Mary’s School Auditorium, 742 Spring St., to fill Easter eggs for the parish’s Easter egg hunt. Confirmation students who need to fulfill community service hour requirements are also welcome to attend.

Speaking of the Easter egg hunt, the parishioners of St. Mary’s Church invite the community to their annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 11 at 10 a.m. at the big “bunny hutch” located behind Kiesinger Funeral Services, 255 McAlpine St., Duryea. To register for this free and fun event, please call Erin Berlew at 654-2429 and leave your last name and the number of children who plan to participate as well as if any of the children have peanut allergies. Special thanks to Kiesinger Funeral Services for co-sponsoring this event with St. Mary’s Church.

If you would like to donate plastic eggs or individually wrapped candy for the children, please leave it in the donation bag in the vestibule of the church, 715 Hawthorne St. Also any children who are seeking service hours are welcome to volunteer at this event by calling Erin at 654-2429.

St. Mary’s Church will not have religious education classes Sunday, April 12 in observance of Easter.

St. Mary’s Church fundraising committee will meet Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. in the rectory, 715 Hawthorne St. Anyone who is interested in helping plan the parish’s annual festival is welcome to attend.

St. Mary’s Church Altar and Rosary Society is hosting a bus trip Saturday, April 18 to New York City. The bus will leave from St. Mary’s School at 8 a.m. and return at 8 p.m.

The bus drop-off site in the city is the corner of 6th Avenue and 48th Street. Tickets are $30 each. For reservations please call Jane Maxwell at 457-1107.

St. Mary’s Church’s Holy Name Society will have a reorganizational meeting Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m.

St. Mary’s Church invites the community to participate in the St. Mary’s Classic Golf Tournament and Dinner Saturday, May 2 at the Pine Hills Country Club, Taylor. Registration is at noon and the shotgun start begins at 1 p.m. It is a captain and crew format.

Singles will be placed on a team. The cost is $80 per player. There are also several tournament sponsorship opportunities available at various donation levels which are great vehicles for promoting your business or organization.

For more information please contact John Soy at 947-5163 or Jimbo McMahon at 457-5004.

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.

Anyone who is interested in renting St. Mary’s School for child care, parties, or other useful activities is invited to call the rectory at 457-3412 to learn more about this opportunity.

Daily Masses: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8 a.m., Wednesday at 7 p.m.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church

Saturday Contemporary Service 5:00 p.m. Sunday Services – 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Palm Sunday Breakfast April 5 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Tickets for adults $8.00. Children 10 and under $4.00, and children 3 and under Free. Sunday School Penny Auction April 19 -$2.00 donation

St. Rocco’s

The 61st annual Palm Sunday Smoker sponsored by the Holy Name Society will be held today at 6 p.m. in the St. Rocco’s School Auditorium. Toastmaster will be Eddie Ackerman and principal speaker will be Fr. Louis Grippe. Atty. Jarrett Ferentino is president of the Holy Name Society.

St. Rocco’s Confraternity of Christian Mothers will be sponsoring their annual Palm Sunday bake sale. A variety of baked goods can be purchased after all masses in the church basement.

Its times for some spring housecleaning. We kindly ask that any Christmas arrangements or decorations that were placed on a loved ones grave be removed.

The Oblates of Saint Joseph priests are celebrating the 80th anniversary of their arrival in the Greater Pittston Area from Italy this year. This special milestone is being celebrated with a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on Pentecost Sunday, May 31 at 3 p.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Celebrating the mass will be His Eminence, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, former Vatican Secretary of State and current Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals. After the mass there will be a dinner in the Parish Hall. Tickeets are $40 per person and are being sold at St. Rocco’s rectory. For more information call the Rectory at 654-2914.

Second Presbyterian Church

The session of the Second Presbyterian Church,143 Parsonage Street, Pittston, announces the following schedule

Sunday, April 5 - 10 a.m. Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt; 11 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship and Holy Communion

Thursday, April 9 - noon, Sisterhood of Divine Diners at LaPiazza; 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship

Friday, April 10 - noon - Good Friday Services at First Presbyterian Church, Exeter Ave. W. Pittston; 7 p.m. Good Friday Service at United Church of Christ, Luzerne Ave., W. Pittston.

Sunday, April 12 - 7 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service followed by a continental breakfast; 11 a.m. Easter Morning Celebration.

Shoemaker Memorial United Methodist

Trinity Episcopal

Sunday Holy Eucharist: 11 a.m. Every Sunday. Holy days and weekdays as announced.

Food Pantry: March items needed include instant jello, instant pudding and nutrition breakfast bars.

Youth Program: 10:45 a.m. Every Sunday. Weekday special events and service projects as announced.

Faith Forum fro Adults: Enrichment for adults seeking spiritual renewal and opportunities for ministry and volunteerism.

Giant Neighborhood Yard Sales. Every First Saturday May - October. 25 + Family sale on Trinity Grounds. $10 Space. Reservations in advance only at 654-3261.

Party and Banquet Space. Newly renovated banquet room and kitchen. All Day Rental $100. Reservations at 654-3261.

Upcoming: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Day Services.

United Methodist

Family Style Roast Chicken Dinner and Homemade Bake Sale on Saturday, April 25. Takeouts start at 4:30 p.m. -sit down dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Adults $8.50 and Children $3.00. Advanced tickets recommended - limited tickets at the door. For tickets call 654-3936, 603-1915 or 693-1572.