The Sunday Good News PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD

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1 The Church of Saint John Bosco September 10, 2017 HIS WORD TODAY BY Rev. William J. Reilly Amen, amen I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them How wonderful when we find several people gathered in prayer. It may be before a statue or shrine, at table in a family home, or before the Blessed Sacrament. Maybe beads pass through gnarled fingers, hands raised in praise, or a simple profound bow, people turning to a loving God. His grace and their faith allow this stirring moment to happen. PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX (Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is September 14) Behold, O kind and gentle Jesus, I kneel before You and pray that You would impress upon my heart the virtues of faith, hope and charity, with true repentance for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment. At the same time, with sorrow I meditate on Your five precious wounds having in mind the words which David spoke in prophecy, They have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. Amen. Our prayer may be for our personal needs, may be prayer of intercession for someone who is ill or in difficult circumstances, or an expression of deep gratitude for favors granted. On each occasion may we acknowledge the words of the gospel that the Lord is truly present in such gatherings. He invites us to prayer, we invite Him to participate with us. POPE FRANCIS QUOTES TO LIVE OUT 2017 This column features quotes from the 2016 Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy to help you to grow in holiness and live out love and mercy in 2017! Following Jesus is a serious task, and, at the same time, one filled with joy; it takes a certain daring and courage to recognize the divine Master in the poorest of the poor and those who are cast aside, and to give oneself in their service. (9/4/16) ~ Pope Francis THIS WEEK & IN THE WEEKS AHEAD Diocesan Annual Appeal - Kickoff... September 9/10 First Day of Faith Formation... Sunday, September 10 Teen Lunch Bunch...Sept. 10, 12:30 PM, M-P Room Pasta Dinner Planning Meeting... Mon., Sept. 11,... 6:30 PM, Multi-Purpose Room Little Sisters of the Poor... Weekend of September 16/17 RCIA... September 17, AM, Office Conference Room Confirmation Class... Sunday, September 17, 6:00-7:30 PM Grey Dog Initial Meeting... Wed., Sept. 20, 1 PM, Office Conference Rm Social Committee Mtg... Wed., September 20, 6-7 PM, Multi-Purpose Rm ARISE Facilitator Training... Saturday, September 23, 9 AM until 4 PM,... Diocesan Pastoral Center, Scranton Parent Meeting, (2nd Level Students).. September 24, 10:00 AM, Church Teen Lunch Bunch... September 24, 12:30 PM, Multi-Purpose Room SJB Book Club...September 24, 12:30 PM, Mayme s Café ARISE, Week 1... Week of October 1 Spiritual Passages + Beatitudes.. Saturday, October 7, 9-11 AM, Room 3 Bosco Derby... Saturday, October 14, Doors Open 6 PM, Gym Finance Committee Mtg.. Tues., October 17, 6:00 PM, Multi-Purpose Rm Liturgy Committee Meeting... Wed., October 18, 6:30-8:00 PM, M-P Rm Parish Council Meeting... Thursday, October 26, 6:30 PM Election Day Pasta Dinner... Tuesday, November 7

2 PAGE 2 SUNDAY STEWARDS 1,115 families receive envelopes 385 white offertory envelopes were used on the weekend of Sept. 2/3 Total Mass Attendance: 932 Total Sunday Offering: $6, Thank you for your generosity! DIOCESAN COLLECTION TO AID STORM VICTIMS Hurricane Harvey is a catastrophic weather event that has caused enormous damage in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Twelve million people thus far have been affected. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has requested that each diocese participate in an emergency collection to assist the victims of Hurricane Harvey. This special second collection will occur in the Diocese of Scranton this weekend, September 9 and 10. This emergency collection will be used both to support the humanitarian and recovery efforts of Catholic Charities USA, and to provide pastoral and rebuilding support to impacted dioceses through the USCCB. This storm of historic proportions has caused great hardship for so many people, said Bishop Joseph C. Bambera. I ask all of us to offer prayers and support as we accompany our sisters and brothers on their long and difficult road to recovery. LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR The Little Sisters of the Poor will make their annual visit to St. John Bosco Parish on the weekend of September Your prayerful and financial support of their ministry to the infirm and aged is deeply appreciated. GREY DOG INITIAL MEETING All past committee and any new members are welcome to attend the initial Grey Dog Planning Meeting on Wednesday, September 20 at 1:00 PM, in the Parish Office Conference Room. TEEN LUNCH BUNCH will meet on September 10 and September 24 at 12:30 PM in the multipurpose room. 9th Graders and up are invited to join. Parish Registration: We always welcome new members to our parish family. To register, contact the parish office to schedule an appointment with Fr. Ric. Moving? Please notify the office. Faith Formation Corner This Sunday, September 10, is the first day of Faith Formation. Classes will meet from 10:00-11:10 AM. Any students not registered ahead of time may not attend class this weekend, and must contact the Faith Formation office to schedule an appointment to register. Students are expected to arrive on time and remain in class until 11:10. Early dismissals are not permitted, as per the Handbook and Registration Agreement. Please note that your commitment to enroll your child in our Faith Formation includes a commitment to attend Sunday or Saturday evening Mass on a weekly basis. We thank you for your example to your child and our parish community through your own practice of your faith. Our first evening Confirmation Class will meet on Sunday, September 17 from 6:00-7:30 PM in the gym. We will be using the Decision Point program again this year, and encourage families to check out this great program at Signed Confirmation Agreement forms are due at this time. There is a meeting for parents of 2nd Level students on Sunday, September 24 at 10:00 AM in the church (during Faith Formation). At least one parent must be in attendance. Please note the following temporary fall office hours for the Faith Formation Office: Monday-Friday, 5:30-7:30 PM, Saturday, 3:00-6:00 PM, and Sunday, 7:00 AM-3:00 PM. FAITH FORMATION GRADE LEVEL AND CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS Grade/Level Students (Last Name) Teacher(s) Location 1A... A-L... Mrs. Ashton... Classroom 4 1B... M-Z... Mrs. Younger... Classroom ALL STUDENTS... Mrs. Maylath,... Classroom 1 Ms. Pekala, Mrs. Zapotocky 3...ALL STUDENTS... Ms. Robbins... Classroom ALL STUDENTS... Ms. Horwath... Church Day Chapel 5...ALL STUDENTS... Mrs. Fisher... Classroom 5 6A... A-L... Mrs. Synoski... Classroom 2 6B... M-Z... Ms. Currier... Music Room 7A... A-L...Ms. Gammer... Multipurpose Room 7B... M-Z... Mr. & Mrs. Gallagher... Classroom 7 8A... A-M... Mrs. Ciavarella... Gym - Left Side 8B... N-Z... Mr. Babula... Gym - Right Side

3 Walk Together in the Light of Christ Since our earliest days we have been taught how to pray by the words that Jesus himself shared with us in the scriptures. He began that prayer by saying Our Father. We walk together as brothers and sisters in the light of Christ by the very nature of our faith. In his great instruction to us, Evangelii Gaudum (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis invites us all to missionary discipleship as authentic followers of the Lord Jesus. Missionary discipleship calls us to go out of ourselves and to preach the Gospel and to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters with whom we walk. - Bishop Joseph C. Bambera Our Holy Father tells us, God s heart has a special place for the poor, so much so that he himself 'became poor.' He explains that the proclamation of the Gospel is itself the prime form of charity. You are invited to join with parishioners across the Diocese as they Walk Together in the Light of Christ proclaiming the Gospel by supporting the many ministries and services made possible through gifts to the 2017 Annual Appeal throughout the 11 counties of our Diocese. DIOCESE OF SCRANTON SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY In 2018 the Diocese will celebrate its 150 th (Sesquicentennial) Anniversary of its establishment ( March ). The Scranton Diocese was originally part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The theme of the year-long celebration will be The Journey Makes Us One. It will begin on the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, The actual Anniversary date is Saturday, March 3, The Anniversary Year will conclude on Christ the King Sunday, November 25, Msgr. Joseph Quinn is coordinating the celebration. A special Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera at the Cathedral on Sunday, March 4, Details of the Anniversary celebration and activities will be announced as they are received. ALTAR CANDLES The two Altar Candles burn this week in memory of Camille Zions by Carolyn Luchi Family. COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS... Lattimer Massacre Memorial Service - Sun., Sept th Anniversary. 3:30 PM - Memorial Service held at Monument; 4:15 PM - Radio Drama. Black Creek United Methodist Church - Monthly Breakfast, Sunday, Sept. 10, 11 AM until 1 PM. No charge; donation given to a different charity each month. Hazleton UNICO 10th Annual Bell Italia Festival - Sept. 16, 17, Hazle Twp. Community Park, Hazle Township. Visit hazletonunico.org for more information. Empty Bowls Event - Sunday, September 17, Noon to 3 PM, Fireside Lounge, 250 W. 21st St., Hazleton, $15/Adult Children under 12: $5 Advanced tickets only. Contact Liz Hoegg (570) or Jo Robbins (570) Good Shepherd Scripture Sessions - Begin Thursday, September 21, 9 AM. Fr. McHugh will have two presentations in September and three October offerings. Call (570) if you want to attend. MPB Madonna del Monte Society Bus Trip - September 23, to Jonah at Sight and Sound, Lancaster. $120, includes bus, show and meal at Shady Maple. Call Maureen at (570) for more information and reservations. Butler Township Community Garden - Open House and Health Awareness Event, Saturday, September 23, 10 AM to 2 PM. Includes Scarecrow Contest for children 5-12 years of age. Contact Roberta Robbins (570) for more information or Facebook Page Butler Township Community Garden. WE REMEMBER PAGE 3 Saturday, 4:00 PM September 9 Biagio A. Dente By Fr. Ric Polmounter Sunday, 7:30 AM September 10 Dennis Kormonick By Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ritz, Sr. Sunday, 9:00 AM September 10 Antoni Jozef Gorlczyk By Family Sunday, 11:30 AM September 10 Living & Deceased Parishioners of St. John Bosco Church Monday, 8:00 AM September 11 Joseph and Anna Hanna By Cecilia, James & Joann Zielinski Monday, 2:00 PM September 11 THE LAURELS Gary Labanoski By Dolores & Melanie Sarno Tuesday, 8:00 AM September 12 Julia Sider By Daughters Wednesday, 8:00 AM September 13 James Stagg By Angela Lonzetta Thursday, 8:00 AM September 14 Pasqualina & Lucia Lamberti By Mr. & Mrs. Lorenzo Ruggiero Friday, 8:00 AM September 15 William M. Grencavich By Jim & Monica Polshock Saturday, 4:00 PM September 16 John Smulligan By Bodeck Family Sunday, 7:30 AM September 17 Melane Pavlick Lafferty By Joanne, Ronald & Heather Rosato Sunday, 9:00 AM September 17 Living & Deceased Parishioners of St. John Bosco Church Sunday, 11:30 AM September 17 Clara and Andrew Kaspar By Daughter, Mary Susan & Family TABERNACLE CANDLE The Tabernacle Candle burns this week in memory of Lorraine Radice, given by the Wallace Family.

4 PAGE 4 From the Pastor s Laptop... September 9-10, 2017 Dear Parishioners and Friends, The PASTOR S PAGE Growing up in Hazleton and because of my interest in local history, I have often heard about the Lattimer Massacre. This Sunday, September 10th, there will be a Memorial Service marking the 120th Anniversary of this event that occurred on Friday, September 10, The Greater Hazleton Inter-Faith Ministerium has been making plans to mark this historic occasion and to remember those who died in this violent incident. The service will be held on Sunday, September 10 at 3:30 pm beginning at the Historical Marker and Monument in Lattimer (Intersection of Lattimer & Quality roads). At God Bless You! 4:15 pm you are invited to gather at the Lattimer United Methodist Church. A program will begin promptly at 4:30 pm and will include a recorded Radio Drama written and produced by Bill Bachman, a Penn State Professor. This will be followed by an opportunity for a question/answer session, music and prayer. Refreshments will be available. Wake Up to a new Relationship with Christ! Next Steps on the Journey SEASON FIVE - October 2 - November 9 All are welcome to join an ARISE Together in Christ faith-sharing group. PHONE REGISTRATION: Call Mary Ann Miller, Co-chair, (570) Leave name and phone number. Deadline for Sign-up - September 17 *N.B. Current participants contacted by their group facilitator to confirm participation. This local Labor dispute pitted coal company owners, the sheriff of Luzerne County and his armed posse against the non-violent unarmed striking anthracite coal miners. Nineteen miners died and over 50 were wounded in the melee, mostly southern European immigrants, who were being discriminated against and horribly exploited. They were all shot in their back. This Massacre was a turning point in the history of the United Mine Workers of America. I encourage you to participate this Sunday afternoon, September 10th, in some or part of this memorial program. It is an opportunity to recall the suffering and injustice that many of our immigrant forbearers had to endure and to consider the refugee and immigrant issues that our country is facing in our time. Father Ric Polmounter Pastor GRANDPARENTS DAY, September 10 We extend our prayerful best wishes to all of our Grandparents on this special weekend. May the Lord continue to bless you and your role in influencing the next generation. Happy Grandparents Day! A Grandparents Prayer God, you have blessed me indeed as the child I love has had a child I love with all that is within me. I pray that in your mercy you watch over and protect my grandchildren as you have always done for me. May their lives be long and healthy. May they have the courage to follow their dreams and should the day come when I am no longer on Earth with them, may they look back upon me with fond memories and may they never forget that they were and always will be deeply loved by me. By Jane Craft THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION I was notified this past week that the Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred on our 8 th Grade students on Monday, April 23, 2018, at 5 PM by Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. The Sacrament will take place in our Church. The 8 th Grade Confirmation students of Most Precious Blood Church will join us for the celebration. Information regarding the mandatory Confirmation rehearsal for Candidates and Sponsors will be announced at a later date. If you have any questions, please contact Carla Bednar, Faith Formation Coordinator, (570) , Ext. 6.

5 THE TRAVELING CHALICE Would you like to participate in the Vocation Chalice Program? Parishioners may sign up to accept the Chalice into their homes for one week. You are asked to find a prominent place in your home where the Chalice is noticed throughout the week, and to pray daily for vocations to the Priesthood, Permanent Diaconate, and Religious Life. Call the Parish Office at (570) , ext. 3, to sign up for a week. CHARISMATIC MASS The next Charismatic Mass and Healing Service at St. John Bosco Church will be Thursday, September 21 at 7 PM. Father Gus Riccardi will preside and Sue Shaw will begin her music ministry at 6:45 PM. Light refreshments will be available afterward in Room 3. Come and See. Any questions, please call Arlene at (570) UP & OVER MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT Weekend Retreat for 6 th, 7 th & 8 th Graders September 29 October 1 Camp Orchard Hill, Dallas, PA The Up & Over Retreat is a weekend of fun, friendship, and faith at the beautiful wooded Camp Orchard Hill in Dallas, PA. You will spend time outdoors, meet new friends and learn how your God-given gifts can be used working with others as a team! Built into the weekend are opportunities for Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation. There will also be fun activities and events including a movie, free time and an outdoor obstacle course. Come and join us for an outstanding experience. You will have a great time, meet new friends and come closer to God who loves you! Registration includes cabin lodging, delicious home-cooked meals, a t-shirt and unforgettable memories! ARRIVAL: Friday, September 29, 7:00 PM DEPARTURE: Sunday, October 1, 12:00 Noon COST: $140 (includes a $70 non-refundable deposit.) St. John Bosco will pay the $70 balance for all registered and participating parishioners on the completion of the retreat. Deadline to register is September 22, Call (570) to sign up! XLT (Exalt) XLT (Exalt!) will be held Friday, September 22, from 7-9 PM at Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis Street, Scranton. The event, sponsored by the Diocesan Offices for Parish Life and Vocations, will consist of Eucharistic Adoration; praise and worship music; a talk by Laura Wendt; reconciliation; and a social. Father Jeffrey Walsh, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, will preside and serve as homilist. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Dominick Costantino at (570) DIOCESAN DAY OF SERVICE Our Diocesan Offices for Parish Life and Vocations are teaming up for a Diocesan Day of Service (#Leaveamark17) for ages 16 to 35 and adult chaperones on Saturday, September 16. Online registration will be open until Monday, September 11. Once you register, you will receive an confirmation with your exact schedule for the day. Registration locations and schedules will vary based on the region and the volunteer sites. All individuals or groups must be able to provide their own transportation. Online Registration Form: ANNUAL PASTA & MEATBALL DINNER Planning Meeting: Our initial meeting to make plans for our Annual Election Day Pasta and Meatball Dinner is scheduled for this Monday, September 11, at 6:30 PM in the Multi-purpose Room. We encourage all past volunteers and new volunteers to be present. Those who work in the kitchen, servers for take-out and sit down, tricky tray (theme basket) chairpersons, basket of cheer chairperson and those who help with ticket sales, bread, salad, beverages and desserts to be present. This is one of our parish s important social and financial events. We need a lot of volunteers of all ages to make this a success. Bakers will also be needed as well as donations of bottles of cheer and theme baskets. Cheer and tricky trays may be taken to the parish office. The dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, Take-outs begin at 3:30 PM and sit-down meals will be served from 4-7 PM in the Gym. CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL RETREAT The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Scranton continues its celebration of the 50 th anniversary of the founding of the worldwide Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement by hosting a Retreat on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16, at the Villa of Our Lady in Mount Pocono. The main program will begin at 8:00 PM on Friday, and conclude at 8:00 PM on Saturday. The registration for the retreat includes three meals on Saturday. For additional information and registration details, contact the office of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, P.O. Box 3306, Scranton, PA , phone (570) ; or ccrenewal@comcast.net. BOSCO DERBY - Saturday, October 14 Doors Open: 6 PM - Post-time: 7 PM The new Social Committee invites you to the Nite of the Races. Anyone 21 years of age and older can attend. Tickets will be sold the weekend of September 9, before and after all Masses. Cost is $10; includes hot buffet, beer, soda and water. Anyone who attends can bring a dessert to share. Direct any questions to Co-chairs: Eileen Correale, (570) ; Terri Paisley (570) NEW PARISH LECTOR We welcome Rickie Blase to the Ministry of Lector in our parish. He has been trained and will begin serving as a Reader of Scripture during Mass with the new schedule.

6 SPONSOR NEEDED We will place an ad in the October 19 edition of THE CATHOLIC LIGHT for our upcoming Election Day Pasta & Meatball Dinner. If you are able to sponsor our parish ad to help defray the cost of our dinner expenses, it would be deeply appreciated. Your business or firm would be listed in the ad as well as acknowledged in our bulletin unless requested otherwise. Contact the Parish Office, (570) , Ext. 3, if interested. The Election Day Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7. Mark your calendar! MUSIC MINISTRY NEWS Got talent??? Mark your calendars!!! The STJB Music Ministry is having a Welcome Weekend on September 16 and 17 after all Masses. We invite all our parishioners with singing ability to seriously consider the idea of joining this active ministry. Not only does it serve a very important function in our liturgies, but it also provides an enjoyable social opportunity for those looking to become involved in our parish. There are several entities in our music ministry that would be of interest to parishioners from second grade to adulthood. Be sure to check out the upcoming insert in our bulletin for more information on signing up. Help us Sing a Joyful Song to the Lord! WEDDING BELLS We extend our prayerful best wishes and congratulations to Dustin Hendricks and Mandie Jordan on their Nuptial Mass that was celebrated by Fr. Ric on Saturday, September 9. May the Lord grant them a happy and holy life together. ANNIVERSARY CONGRATULATIONS We extend prayerful congratulations and best wishes to WILLIAM AND PATRICIA HORAN, faithful parishioners of St. John Bosco Parish, who celebrated their 60 th Wedding Anniversary on September 7. They were married in Carbondale, PA at St. Rose of Lima Church on September 7, May the Lord continue to bless you and grant you many more happy and holy years together. God bless you! PARISH CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES After reviewing the parish fiscal year , and preparing the reports for the Diocesan Finance Office, it has come to our attention that only one-third of our parish families are using their church contribution envelopes consistently and another onethird sporadically. One-third have not used them at all. The cost of these unused envelope mailings is an unnecessary expense for our parish and could be used to support our parish education, youth, and outreach programs. Beginning in January 2018, in the interest of good stewardship, those who have not used their church collection envelopes at all since July 1, 2016 to the present will no longer have church envelopes mailed to them. The Pregnancy Resource Center of Greater Hazleton will be hosting an Annual Fundraising Banquet at Capriotti s in McAdoo on Thursday, October 19. The PRC is a Christian based organization which assists women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy by providing support, counseling, and other services. This year s banquet will feature speaker, comedian, actor, author and pastor, Greg Kulp. More information may be found on the Bulletin Board and online at To request an invitation, call or the Center at (570) or hazletonpregnancycenter@gmail.com. Mark your calendar: Parishioners of St. John Bosco will gather to pray at the Center at 131 Warren St., West Hazleton, at 10 AM on October 2 and October 16. Contact Valerie White at (570) for more information. The Malvern Retreat House, Malvern, PA, is holding their annual retreat for adults with disabilities. The dates are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, October 10, 11, and 12, Please call Tom Mahon, (215) for more information. To request a registration form, call or Malvern Retreat House, (610) ; mail@malvernretreat.com. DA I L Y REA DI N GS Sunday Ez 33:7-9; Rom 13:8-10; Mt 18:15-20 Monday Col 1:24 2:3; Lk 6:6-11 Tuesday Col 2:6-15; Lk 6:12-19 Wednesday Col 3:1-11; Lk 6:20-26 Thursday Nm 21:4b-9; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17 Friday 1 Tm 1:1-2, 12-14; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35 Saturday 1 Tm 1:15-17; Lk 6:43-49 Members of the RCIA Team: Fr. Ric Polmounter Deacon Maurice Cerasaro Jason Seiwell Thomas Pandolfi Sandy Honis Frank Polidora Scott Green BELL CHOIR The St. John Bosco Bell Choir will participate in the 9:00 Mass on Sunday, September 17. RCIA CALENDAR Date of Session: Sunday, September 17 Place & Time of Session: Office Conference Room, AM Presenter: Fr. Ric and RCIA Team Topic: Introduction ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT Thank you to MERRILL LYNCH WEALTH MANAGEMENT Bulletin Advertiser Please support all our advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad here!