MINISTRY SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 3—4:30PM—St. Francis: Lector Sandy Gardner; Ministers Joanne Nolt & Mike Griffin; Servers—volunteer; Rosary—Mary Shaughnessy; Greeter—Rosemary Calabretta Sunday, May 4—8:00AM—St. Francis: Lector Rosanne Williams; Ministers Joyce Barnum & Karen Glowa; Servers volunteer; Rosary Dave Curley; Greeter volunteer Sunday, May 4 10:30AM St. Augustine: Lector—Bob Allen; Ministers—Barbara & Michael Merritt; Servers volunteer; Rosary volunteer; Greeter Cott DeMaree
PRAYER LIST
Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish & Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers, . Kaitlyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Ruth King, Kyle Stoddard, Tom Wenman, Toni Colardino, Emily D., Joe Grindel, Amanda Branning, Daniel Gavin, Tommy Williams, Kathy Holt, Raub Family, Linda Hollenback, Don Zaleski, Elton Carr, Jim Raftis, Bub Davis, Tyler Fletcher, “D”, William Chaney, Chelsea Judson, Trisha, Mary Guido, Hallie Brooks, Mark Kovach, Brooke Arnold, Ethel Reid, Robyn Lawson, Ned Offner, Rusty Carmen, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Marie Donahue, Barbara Mahoney, Adam Price, Jay Gurn, Greg Lasgowka, Terry, Cameron & Levi White, Natalie Dawn Abell, Tom Ellison, the Reed Family, Don Higgins, Todd Legg, Ryan Hayes, Chad Grindel, Thomas McWilliams, Marty Mosher, Cathy Ballogg, Mary Ann Casterline, Janice Jacobs, Mary Joan, Patricia Charpinsky, Diane Holleran, Kineer Worgen, James Dughi, Peg Broadwater, Adrian Stephens, Millie, John, Reilly, Sophia ILichishin, Josh Zaleski, Jay C., Caleb Scepaniak, Dana Marsh, Lori Rawlins, Brendan Merritt, Mark Pasteka, Tim Fruehan, Linda, Gloria, Lori Hammerly Coleman, Pat Walsh, Brendan Kelly, R.C.M., Angelo Scarfalloto, Emily Graves, Cathy Albert, Robert Nemcek, Laura Nelson, Garrett Farr, Everly Hausmann, George Coleman, Sally Saunders, Evelyn Ferro, Marie Cavallaro, Alice, Briana Grisdale, Jay S., Gregory Diorio, Diane, Mike Coleman, Nicholas, Alex, Mike & Pat Stelacio, Fr. John Victoria, Joseph Santora, Carol Garcia, Cathy Edsell, Sue L., Jessica Lawrence, Nellie Manarchuck, Monica Gibson, Diane Coffee, Bill Noldy, Jr., Patricia Hutchinson, Mark, Chris Mortensen, Clyde & Mary Tims, Aaron Fredendall, Louise Eastman, Niki Rogers, Wade Leach, Shirley Conboy, Mike, Joseph Olszewski, Matthew Gatto, Kris Kiesly, Kylie Keenan, Sara Kelly Price, Tucker White, Terri Grindel, Jerry Wells, Fred Brown, Rosa Prieto, Ed Snee, A.J. Pass, Carl Whitehead, Pete Strojny, Mary (Jones) Edsell, Nancy, Eileen Maruschok, Leonard Howell, Shirley Rockefeller, Tony McHugh, Hunter Allen Sapp, Bryce Histand, Dcn. Tom Hartley, Ken Warner, George Thrasher, Gerry, Kathy Conklin, Tom Walz, Gary Fisher, Joan Middendorf, Kevin Pierson, Megan Hale, Ben Naylor, Kathleen, Gail Lutz, Margaret Zernone, Tammy Volk Jennings, Rosemary Stewart, Joe, Bucky Russell, Carolyn Doolittle, Jane Borelli, Chuck Bullock, Tom Krupinski, Eileen Drab, Doug Packer, Ellen Bieleski, Joyce Danielewicz, Dorothy Angel, Jackie Foster, Mary Ann Severage, Michael Stone, Grady White, John Mulrooney, Joan Golis, Jeff, Margaret Connolly, Wally, Elizabeth Fancher, George Starzec, Nancy, Dustin, Marie Violini, Sam Arnold, Kelly Burridge, Caesar Siedlecki, Ty, Joe Leonard, Geri Mokris, Linda Henry, Gabi, Katie, Matt, Bill, Larry Wise, Ray Jones, Dan, George, Leah Walters, Michael Sacco, Liam & Maverick Dudock, Rudy Mattes, Linda Landis, Todd, Jane Murphy, Larry & Judy Black, Doug N., Cindy, George Szparagowski, Pamela, Robin, Tiffany, Connor James, Rev. Tom Burlington, Jim Snook, Sr., Jim Snook, Jr., Diane Linaberry, Dale, Nick, Devin, Mark Atkinson, Jen Davis, Arden Tewksbury, Terry Popek, and Ruth. Please pray for the needs in our Parish and Community. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.
ARMED FORCES LIST
Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish & Community, Ryan Gormley, Christopher Reichlen, Mike Griffith, Steven Shelp, Matthew Kramer, Ryan Neville, Shane Kalpokas, Dustin Ryder, Ricky Trowbridge, Jay Tewksbury, Lukas Crisman, Ryan Newberry, Mark W. Gregg, Lisa Phillips, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Joseph Elliott, Wayne M. Bennett, Bradley J. Bryant, John Baltsley, Mara Redding, Michael Redding, James Hemmerly, Rip VanWinkle, Amberlynn Villanella, Jacob Balchikonis, Cameron, Jonathan Green, Garrett Kiehle, and all who serve with them.
lease call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away. Please also call us when those in the Armed Forces are no longer serving so their name can be removed.
Second Sunday of Easter—Divine Mercy Sunday
April 27th, 2025
Give thanks to God, for His mercy endures forever!
MASS SCHEDULE
Sat. April 26 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY BERNARD JOSEPH & VICTORIA ZALEWSKI by Bill & Dawn Zalewski
Sun. April 27 8:00AM St. Francis Church - DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
10:30AM St. Augustine Church - 30 Day TOM FLAHERTY by Jim McNerney Mon. April 28 NO MASS
Tue. April 29 12:00NN St. Francis Church - SOPHIE PADULA by Frank & Lisa Padula
Wed.April 30 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS
Thur.May 1 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - JACK ZEGGERT, PAUL, DOATHENS AND WILLIAM ANDREESEN by Patricia Zeggert
Fri. May 2 12:00NN St. Francis ChurchSat. May 3 10:00AM St. Augustine Church - FIRST SATURDAY MAUREEN MILLER by Ken & Barb Brennan 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER LIVING MEMBERS OF ST. BRIGID ALTAR & ROSARY SOCIETY by the Society Sun. May 4 8:00AM St. Francis Church - THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS 10:30AM St. Augustine Church - MARY BETH ADAMS by the Mahoney Girls
CONFESSION SCHEDULE—(BEFORE ALL WEEKEND MASSES)
Saturday St. Francis Xavier before 4:30PM Mass 3:30 to 4:15PM
Sunday St. Francis Xavier before 8:00AM Mass 7:30 to 7:50AM
Sunday St. Augustine before 10:30AM Mass 10:00 to 10:20AM
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Our Easter collection total was $ 5,740.00. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
LIFELINES
If you or someone you know has had an abortion, be assured that it is never too late to seek God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Additionally, other confidential, compassionate help is available. Select “Find Help” from the menu on www.hopeafterabortion.org to find the diocesan Project Rachel Ministry near you.
~ USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, “Bridges of Mercy for Healing after Abortion” www.usccb.org/bridges-of-mercy
Dear Friends!
Once again we see Jesus assurance, empowerment as he appears to his apostles. But more so in his appearance he commissions them. He wants them to continue the mission that was mandated by the Father to him. Thomas initially skeptical encounters Jesus personally, leading to his declaration of faith. This highlights the transformative power of encountering the Risen Christ, moving from doubt to belief. It emphasizes the importance of faith grounded in personal experiences rather than hearsay. Jesus gentle rebuke of Thomas doubt underscores his grace and desire for all to come to faith. Through Thomas confession we are asked to make our confession too. At the same time we are also blessed by him as we are truly believing in this mystery. Let us continue to live as followers of Risen Christ.
~ Father Augustine
200TH ANNIVERSARY AT ST. AUGUSTINE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
St. Augustine is the oldest church in the Diocese! We are planning a celebration at St. Augustine Church for Sunday, September 14th. The celebration begins with Mass at 10:30AM, celebrated by Bishop Bambera, and followed by a catered dinner in a large tent behind St. Augustine Church. We are looking forward to seeing all our current and former parishioners. Please save the date! More helpers are still
OFFICIAL PILGRIMAGE SITE
St. Augustine Church is an official pilgrimage site in the Diocese of Scranton for the Jubilee Year 2025!!!
To obtain a plenary indulgence you must visit one of the 8 designated pilgrimage sites in our Diocese, make a sacramental confession within 20 days before or after seeking the indulgence (which includes the intention of sincere detachment from all sin), receive Holy Communion during full, conscious, active participation at Mass, and pray for the intentions of the Pope (this is satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary, but you have the option of reciting any other prayer according to individual piety and devotion, if recited for his intention.)
• Cathedral of Saint Peter, 315 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA
• Saint Ann Basilica, 1250 St. Ann Street, Scranton, PA
• Saint Augustine Church, 295 Church Road, Brackney, PA
• Saint Matthew Church, 78 Ridgeway Street, East Stroudsburg, PA
• Saint John the Evangelist Church, 150 Terrace Street, Honesdale, PA
• Saint Boniface Church, 326 Washington Boulevard, Williamsport, PA
• Saint Gabriel Church, 122 South Wyoming Street, Hazleton, PA
• Saint Nicholas Church, 226 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA
We are asked to make preparations to ensure our church is ready to receive visitors throughout the year. Below are a few key things to consider.
Extended Hours: If needed, it is recommended that the hours our church is open to the faithful be extended to allow more people the opportunity to visit and participate in a pilgrimage.
Prayer Card Availability: The Diocesan Office for Parish Life is printing prayer cards that will be available for pilgrims to pick up during their visits. We will also be provided a retractable banner for the inside of the church to denote the building as a pilgrimage destination.
Consider Additional Prayer Opportunities As Appropriate: At the pastor’s discretion, additional opportunities for prayer throughout the year can be added to our schedule. These will be publicized widely across the Diocese in The Catholic Light and social media. These can include Eucharistic Adoration, recitation of the Rosary, or special Masses.
Welcoming Pilgrims: Please warmly welcome visitors throughout the Jubilee Year, guiding them as they seek to obtain the plenary indulgence and deepen their spiritual journey.
CATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS APPEAL—TODAY!
Support the Catholic Home Missions Appeal today! Nearly 40% of dioceses in the United States and its current and former territories are considered mission territories because they are unable to fund essential pastoral activities for their communities. Your support fund religious education, seminary formation, lay ministry training, and other programs that build vibrant fiath communities right here in the United States. Please be generous. Find more information at www.usccb.org/home-missions .
CARE & EDUCATION OF PRIESTS
The collection for the Care & Education of Priests will be our second collection next weekend.
“SPRING” BANQUET
The Banquet will be held Wednesday, May 14th at 5:30PM at the Blue Dolphin Restaurant in Apalachin. Meal choices are Marinated Chicken with Rice; Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti; Meatloaf; Virginia Baked Ham; Roast Turkey with Dressing and Fried or Broiled Haddock. Cost is $ 25.00 per person which includes your meal, non-alcoholic drinks, tax & tip. Sign up sheets are in the back of the Churches. Please sign up by Sunday, May 11th. Anyone in the Parish, men, women, or friends are welcome to attend. Please join us for a great meal and night out with friends. Deacon Paul will be our guest speaker. Please place your payment in the collection basket or return to an Altar & Rosary Officer Sr. Bette Brown, Kay Keenan, Dawn Davis, or Helena Arbosheski.
PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS
There are about 120 Parish Lottery Calendars are available in the back of our Churches. Thanks to your help the number is going down! They are $ 20.00 each and run from thru December 31st. There are packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars. Please sign the calendars out on the sheet provided. To date 791 Calendars have been returned. Drawings have begun! If a calendar wins now and is sold later, the purchaser will still get the money! Please get your calendars sold and returns in ASAP and help make this important fund raiser a success!!
ST. AUGUSTINE CEMETERY NEWS
St. Augustine Cemetery Association will meet THIS Tuesday April 29 at 7:00 pm at the Church.
ST. JOHN’S CEMETERY NEWS
If you own plots in St. John Cemetery or know anyone who does, send your name, address & phone number to Diane Mooney, 26 Jackson St., Montrose, Pa. 18801.
ST. PATRICK’S CEMETERY—CLEAN–UP TIME
With spring upon us and the grass beginning to grow, you are asked to please help get the cemetery cleaned up by removing old flower pots and decorations from your family graves. When you clean up, please take your debris with you. Do not throw it along the perimeter of the grounds for someone else to attend to.
HELPFUL FOR ALL CEMETERIES
Now is a good time for anyone who puts flower pots or decorations on any family graves in any cemetery to help do their part by cleaning up and removing all old flower pots and decorations from your family graves. When you clean up, please take your debris with you. Do not throw it along the perimeter of the cemetery for someone else to attend to. Cleaning up is very helpful to those who mow the cemeteries (their job is, after all, only to mow and weed eat) and your efforts help keep things looking nice for all visitors to enjoy.
SPRING RUMMAGE & BAKE SALE
A Rummage & Bake Sale will be held Saturday, May 3rd, 9AM to 2PM at the Little Meadows United Methodist Church. Lunch will be available for purchase to eat in or take out. Bag sale begins at 1PM. To donate items in GOOD condition, drop off Wednesday, April 31 & Thursday, May 1 from 9AM to 6PM. Accepting CLOTHING Adult, children, and baby no torn, stained, or soiled clothing—coats, furniture, small appliances/household items (in working condition), jewelry, pictures, and books. NO electronics, baby strollers, car seats, etc. DO NOT leave items when no one is at church.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to our RCIA Candidates, Dawn Davis and Carl Nolt. Dawn and Carl both receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil Mass. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. May they always live by the light of Christ!
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
First Holy Communion will be held this Sunday at St. Augustine Church. Our students who will receive the Sacrament this year are: Clara Balchikonis, Jayden Brown, Dominick Rebello, Luke Vaughan, and Callum Wise. Please keep them in your prayers.
ADORATION HELP IS ALWAYS NEEDED
Substituting even once would help. Jesus is always happy to visit with you. Can you help out once a month? Can you help every once in a while? Please let Rosalynd Perlick know (570-663-2212). This way you aren’t scheduled every week—you are only scheduled when you are available.
EASTER FOOD PANTRY
Thank you to everyone for your generosity to the Easter Food Pantry. We collected $ 1,340.00 as well as food to help 22 families, 123 people have a happy Easter. A big thank you to all!!!
EASTER READING MATERIALS
There are copies of the “Little White Books” for Easter and the Easter Edition of “The Word Among Us” available in the back of the Churches. Please feel free to take a copy home with you and use as part of your daily Easter meditations.
OPERATION RICE BOWL
Our Operation Rice Bowl Collection total was $ 458.00. Thank you all for your generosity!
GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION
Our Holy Land Collection total was $ 1,015.00. Thank you all for your very generous donations!
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS
His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2025 to a Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 1st. The day includes a 2:30PM mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter followed by a light reception. The registration deadline is May 11th. To register, please contact Bridget Guarnieri (570-207-2213 x 1133) or familylife@dioceseofscranton.org
ST. BRIGID PARISH CAPITAL RENOVATION FUND
There are many areas of our churches, rectory and hall that need renovations and repairs. In order to fund these repairs we have established a Capital Renovation Fund. This fund will be used for needed repairs and renovations and also be available for emergency repairs. It is our intention to maintain a fund balance of $ 50,000.00 funded initially by this parish appeal. Once that goal is reached we hope to maintain a baseline $ 50,000.00 with ongoing collections under the title of Capital Renovation Fund Collection. Thank you for your help making this Fund a reality and your continued help to keep it funded. A big thank you everyone who has donated! We now have $ 53,525.00 collected! Every donation, no matter the size is a big help.
MAILING ADDRESS FOR GAIL LUTZ
If anyone would like to send Gail a cheerful card, her address is: Rochester Center, 525 Beahan Road, Gail Lutz, Room 201, Rochester NY 14624.
FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS—
NEXT SATURDAY, MAY 3RD
NEXT Saturday, May 3rd, we observe Fatima First Saturday Devotions in reparation for offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary as our Lord and Lady asked of Sister Lucia, shepherd visionary of Fatima.
Please consider participating as we seek to fulfill our Savior's and Blessed Mother's request for prayer and penance in reparation to her most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. All are welcome.
The schedule for these Devotions at Saint Augustine Church is:
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by confessions: 8:30AM-9:00AM
Recitation of Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary: 9:00AM-9:30AM
Adoration and Meditation on Mysteries of the Rosary: 9:30AM-9:45AM
Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 9:45AM-9:55AM
Mass: 10:00AM-10:45AM
SANCTUARY & DEVOTIONAL CANDLES
~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention offered by Joe Purr. . .
SPECIAL PRAYERS
Please continue to pray for vocations to the Priesthood in our Diocese.
PARISH PRAYER CHAIN
If you have a prayer request, please call Rosalynd Perlick (570-663-2212), Maureen Allen (570-663-2256) or the Rectory (570-553-2288) sfxc@epix.net. Many prayers will be offered for your intentions. Please call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away.
CHURCH CLEANING
St. Augustine: April 28 to May 4 Helen Gardella; May 5 to 11 Helen Gardella; May 12 to 18 Mary Homan; May 19 to 25 Mary Homan; May 26 to June 1 Kristen Olsen; June 2 to 8 Tanya Dearborn & Paulette Guyette; June 9 to 15 Tanya Dearborn & Paulette Guyette; June 16 to 22 Cathy O’Reilly; June 23 to 29 Kim Fruehan; June 30 to July 6 Kim Fruehan; July 7 to 13 Johanna Higgins; July 14 to 20 Johanna Higgins; July 21 to 27 need volunteer; July 28 to August 3—need volunteer; August 4 to 10—need volunteer; August 11 to 17 need volunteer; August 18 to 24 need volunteer; August 25 to 31 need volunteer
St. Francis cleaner for May Matt Oleniacz & Family
NEW VOLUNTEERS are welcome & needed to help clean our Churches. There are many openings at St. Augustine. To volunteer, call or email Kay (570)553-2288 or sfxc@epix.net
FLOWERS FOR THE ALTARS
To provide flowers for St. Francis Church, call the Rectory (570-553-2288); for St. Augustine Church, please sign up on the calendar in the back of the Church or call Heidi Jaeger (570-663-2459). For both Churches, please call or email (sfxc@epix.net) the Rectory with the “Intention” so it can be put in the bulletin. Dates are open at both Churches thru November.
~ St. Francis Flowers are in Memory of Bernard Joseph and Victoria Zalewski given by Bill and Dawn Zalewski.