Parish Office Hours.................................Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Office closed 12—1 pm for lunch After hours—emergencies only: 570-785-7856
Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil Mass .............................................................................. 4:00 PM St. Joseph Sunday Masses......................................................8:00 AM St. Juliana 9:30 AM St. Joseph 11:00 AM St. James Daily Mass Monday, Wednesday, Friday................................................................. 8:30 AM St. Joseph Tuesday, Thursday.................................................................................... 9:00 AM St. James Holy Day Masses Vigil................................................................................................................. 5:30 PM St. James Holy Day.............................................................................12:00 PM & 6:00 PM St. Joseph Confessions .................................................................................... Half hour before masses
Sacramental Life
Sacrament of Baptism: Because of the importance of the celebration of the sacrament of baptism, please consider carefully the man and woman of faith you choose to inspire and educate your child in the ways of our faith for the entirety of their lives. Godparents must be practicing Catholics and submit a certificate of eligibility from their parish prior to the Baptism.
Please call the office for information regarding Sacrament of Marriage, Natural Family Planning, Anointing of the Sick, and the R.C.I.A. Program.
Mission Statement
Filled with faith, hope and charity, the faithful of Ascension and Saint Katharine Drexel parishes are united as disciples of Jesus Christ. With Christ and under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to continue to celebrate the faith and traditions of the Catholic Church. We seek to inspire others to build a closer relationship with God by reaching out in love through worship, prayer, fellowship, and sharing the Gospel.
8:30 AM-St. Joseph Marian Rushin by Mary Ann Musho
Tuesday, December 7
9:00 AM-St. James The Living Members of the Priests’
Purgatorial Society
5:30 PM-St. James Dominic Passaniti – Mass of the Angels
by Bob and Nancy Non
Wednesday, December 8
12:00 PM-St. Joseph Louis Kotar by Ann Majdic
6:00 PM-St. Joseph Special Intentions
Thursday, December 9
9:00 AM-St. James John Gosciewski by Family
Friday, December 10
8:30 AM-St. Joseph James Marsicano by Barbara Sheptak
Saturday, December 11
4:00 PM-St. Joseph Sybil Wilson by Sue Kulasinsky
Sunday, December 12
8:00 AM-St. Juliana Sue McCormick by St. Katharine
Drexel Altar & Rosary Society
9:30 AM-St. Joseph James Marsicano by Ann Majdic
11:00 AM-St. James Antoinette Terry by Bob & Nancy Non
Bread & Wine Saturday, December 11
St. Joseph 4:00 PM Joseph Franceski, Sr. by Family & Grandchildren
MASS BOOK – DECEMBER The Mass, Bread & Wine, and Sanctuary Candle books for the month of DECEMBER 2021 is now open. If you would like an offering please call the office or email [email protected]. Masses requested will be limited to two per family, per year. SICK VISITS Please call the office at 570-785-3838 for Fr. Stephen to visit if you are ill or going to the hospital for any reason. He will gladly come to your home for a blessing.
ONLINE GIVING! Ascension & St. Katharine Drexel Parishes offer Online Giving, a web-based electronic contribution application. We are providing this service so that you have the option to manage your contributions online or with your offering envelopes. This service is safe and secure and it is convenient for you. Sign up for Online Giving by visiting our parish website at www.apskdp.org and selecting the Online Giving link and then selecting the appropriate parish link.
THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8th IN OBSERVANCE
OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
Ascension Parish Collection Report November 20 & 21, 2021
Weekly Envelopes $1673.00
Other Parish Envelopes $365.00
Loose $44.00
Parish Second Collection $0
Total Parish Collection $2082.00
Diocesan Second Collection $409.00
Diocese Envelopes $10.00
Saint Katharine Drexel Parish Collection Report November 20 & 21, 2021
Weekly Envelopes $1048.00
Other Parish Envelopes $503.00
Loose $82.00
Parish Second Collection $0
Total Parish Collection $1633.00
Diocesan Second Collection $371.00
Diocese Envelopes $5.00
Second Collection This Weekend: The Care & Education of Priests Next Weekend: Retirement Fund for Religious
If you have any questions, please contact Danielle
REFLECTION BY DEACON CARL ALBRIGHT “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar” Today, St. Luke carefully places our Gospel in historical context. He mentions a specific king, a specific governor, and three different tetrarchs. As if knowing that these words would be important for thousands of years, that in time people would maybe begin to question whether it was all true, he put in these verifiable details. In this context, we hear that the word of God came to John the Baptist in the desert. In response to this revelation, John traveled widely and proclaimed that all should “Prepare the way of the Lord.” These words, first spoken so long ago, hold just as much truth today. We are called, once again, to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. We are called to lay low our mountains of pride and to fill in our valleys of ignorance, that we might see and know for real, with all we are, the eternal salvation of God. RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS Give in gratitude. A donor to the Retirement Fund for Religious writes, “I still remember the lessons the sisters gave us and how they instilled in us the love of our faith.” Show your thanks for the prayerful service of elderly Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. Your gift to next week’s second collection helps provide care, medicine, and more. Please be generous. MASS WEATHER POLICY In the event of inclement weather, Father Stephen will say all masses for Ascension Parish regardless of the weather since he is able to walk to St. Joseph Church. St. Katharine Drexel Parish daily and weekend masses will be cancelled via the parish website at apskdp.org.
CHRISTMAS WAFERS Christmas wafers are now available in all churches and the Parish Office. Each pack is $2.00. THANK YOU Thank you to all the volunteers and students who helped make the Ascension Parish Thanksgiving Dinner a success! We couldn’t have done it without our volunteers. SKD ALTAR & ROSARY SOCIETY COOKIE SALE SKD Altar & Rosary Drive-thru Cookie Sale: Saturday Dec. 11 at St. James parking lot, 10 AM-12 PM or until sold out. $10 a box of assorted cookies. Anyone interested in baking cookies for this fundraiser can drop them off at St. James Hall on Dec. 9 between 9-10 AM or Dec. 10 between 4-6 PM. Any questions, contact Bonnie Watson at 570-448-2245. NOTICE REGARDING REPORTING SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR It is the policy of the Diocese of Scranton to report any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to law enforcement. If you are a victim of sexual abuse committed by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton, you are encouraged to immediately report the matter to law enforcement. If any priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton has cause or reason to suspect that a minor has been subjected to any form of abuse, including child sexual abuse, the matter will be reported to law enforcement. It is also the policy of the Diocese to adhere to all civil and state regulations. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Laws, reports of suspected child abuse should also be made immediately by phone to the 24-HourChild Abuse hotline (ChildLine) at 1-800-932-0313 or electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis To this end, the Diocese is equally committed to adhering to the norms of the Code of Canon Law and to upholding the tenets of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes supporting victims of sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being. As such, information regarding an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor should also be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Mary Beth Pacuska at (570-862-7551).
NURSING HOME CHRISTMAS The Forest City Area Rotary Club is once again collecting Christmas gifts for the residents of the Forest City Nursing Home. If you’d like to donate any of these items, please drop them off at the church office or Kresock Insurance, Main St., FC.by Monday Dec. 13th. Thank you for your generosity!! No slip socks, puzzle books, adult coloring books, colored pencils, any arts and crafts, quarters for Bingo, body wash (men’s and women’s) moisturizer, shampoo and conditioner, Deodorant (men’s and women’s), hair clips, manicure products/nail polish/polish remover, decks of cards, bird seed and feeders, & DVD players. ST. FAUSTINA CHAPEL Please come join us Saturday, December 11th at St. Faustina’s Chapel, 1763 Great Bend Tpk, Pleasant Mount to honor and make reparation to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Blessed Mother came to Mexico so many years ago to turn the hearts of her children away from their idols back to God. Now, we wish to make reparation for allowing idols into our Church and our lives, and humbly ask her to yet again bring her people back to God. Confessions, the Rosary, Holy Mass will be at 12 PM. Fr. Dominic Sabi, Assistant Pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale, Pa. Fr. Dominic is a missionary Priest from the Diocese of Sunyani, Ghana. Following Mass, we cordially invite you to join us for a meal at Our Lady’s home. Any desserts brought would be appreciated. Please call us for more details or if you need directions toll free at 1-866-448-6279. BROWNDALE FIRE COMPANY HOLIDAY RAFFLE The Browndale Fire Company will be selling raffle tickets for the holidays. Proceeds benefit the fire company. The Holiday Prize OR Cash Raffle includes the following: 1st prize – Blackstone 2 burner griddle OR $300.00 cash; 2nd prize is a NIXPLAY Smart Digital Photo Frame 10.1 OR $200.00 cash; 3rd prize is a YETI Roadie 24 Cooler OR $100.00 cash; 4th prize is a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card. Donation is $5.00 per ticket and are compliments of NEP Telephone Co. Tickets may be purchased at The Red Cross Drug Store, Simpler Times, or NAPA, all on Main Street, Forest City. Members also will be selling tickets or call the station at: 570-785-5300 and leave a message. Drawing is Tuesday, December 14 at 7:30 PM. The members of the Browndale Fire Co. would like to thank the public for their support.
DIOCESE OF SCRANTON: GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC MASSES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Diocese of Scranton joyfully welcomes the faithful of the Diocese of Scranton to return to Masses at all of its parishes. Despite the challenges of the last year, we
invite those who have not yet returned to Mass to rejoin us in person to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, the
source and summit of the Christian life.
1. The Bishop is strongly recommending that all parishioners wear a mask while attending Mass – regardless of vaccination status. While masks will not be mandated in our parishes at this time, we must all continue to be vigilant against this emerging health threat. In fact, as Catholics, we have a responsibility to protect our friends and neighbors. In order to safeguard our community, the Bishop has also requested that altar servers wear masks and all Priests, Deacons, and Extraordinary Ministers return to wearing masks during the distribution of Holy Communion.
2. Parishioners who have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system, should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss their activities. They may need/want to continue wearing masks and taking precautions while attending Mass.
3. Please use hand sanitizer upon entering the church.
4. The Sign of Peace be celebrated without physical contact.
5. Distribution of the Precious Blood remains suspended at this time.
WINTER CEMETERY POLICIES Cemetery visitations are prohibited when roads and graves are covered with snow. It is often challenging to navigate cemetery roads with plow trucks and we seek to exercise caution in not damaging grass and, most importantly, graves and their markers. We also wish to protect the safety of each of you and ask everyone to exercise prudence in your visitations in general. We do not want any injuries to occur or vehicles to be stuck in snow.
DECEMBER 5, 2021 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them, O Lord: To submit a name, call 785-3838. Prayers for the Sick: Rev. Joseph Horanzy, Pete Vauter, Nancy Mitchell, Mollie Konczyk, Jean Welicka, Dan Kimberley, Carmen M. McCleland, Brian Gasper, John Michalizysen, James Calpin, Karen Campbell, Susan Glinkowski, Debbie Trusky, Jeff Ryan, Louise Brockdorf, Bonnie Watson, Ruthie Sterchak, Robert Polinsky, Marilyn Perine, Joseph Gugliucci, Fulton Joseph Hood, John Reeder, Sr., Jessica Vigorito, Mark Polednak, Charlie Matthews, Vickie Ravnikar, Maury Urmanec, Phyllis Flynn, Caitlyn Vauter, Susan Carpenter, Mary Connors, Amelia Giorgano, Ella Pearson, Erin Andersen, Lydia Jones, Kerry Henderson, Carol Bishop, Geri Duplatre, Bud Peter, Diane Kimberley, Michael Murnin, Jr., Brian Rock, Joe Sprovkin, Carl Poterjoy, Walter Welicka, Gerrit Vanderwell, Patricia Simpson, Ruth ”Rudy” Peterka, Barbara Scott, Mary Lynott, Kathleen Connor, Patricia Connor Mader, Joyce Skinner, and Cheryl Williams. To submit a name, call 785-3838.
SERVERS LECTOR E. MINISTER St. Joseph Church 12/8/21 12:00 PM Bob Trusky Allen Gordon 12/8/21 6:00 PM Dn. Albright 12/11/21 4:00 PM Mary Garm Dn. Albright 12/12/21 9:30 AM Sue Kulasinsky Maryann McCusker St. James Church 12/7/21 5:30 PM Eoghan, Seamus, & Macson Murphy Clara Murphy Dn. Albright 12/12/21 11:00 AM Jason & Nicole Non Gail McKeon Carrie McCormick St. Juliana Church 12/12/21 8:00 AM Al Snyder Dn. Albright
Hymns for 12/5/2021 2nd Sunday of Advent
4:00 pm 9:30 am
8:00 am 11:00 am
Entrance Hymn #218 On Jordan’s Bank # #218 On Jordan’s Bank Readings and Psalm #788 #788 #788 Offertory #222 Waiting in Silence # #222 Waiting in Silence Communion #230 Ready the Way # #230 Ready the Way Recessional #359 Come Now,
Almighty King # #359 Come Now, Almighty
King
Ascension Parish Saint Katharine Drexel Parish 25.46%(96 out of 377) gave/pledged DAA 2021 Goal: $25,000.00 Total Raised: $18,475.00 Over(Under): ($6,525.00)
25.00%(44 out of 171) gave/pledged DAA 2021 Goal: $13,000.00 Total Raised: $ 15,400.00 (Over)Under: ($2,400.00)
The Red School HouseServing Steaks, Seafood & Pizza
570-448-2130Open 7 Days a Week for Lunch & Dinnerwww.TheRedSchoolHouse.com
249 Sunrise AvenueHonesdale, PA
martincaufieldmemorialworks.com
J. Scott Miskovsky, R. PH.Pharmacist
133E (BC) - Ascension/Saint Katharine Drexel, Forest City For Advertising Information Call Bon Venture Services, LLC • 800-364-0684 • P.O. Box 850, Flanders NJ 07836
MACHEK FUEL
Jones & BrennanFuneral Home
John P. Brennan, Supervisor570-785-3500
430 Main Street • Forest City
Richard R. KresockInsurance Agency
570.785.3153
WWW.LESJACKFUNERALHOME.COM
Dr. Gerard T. Genco
(570) 785-9500518 Main Street
Forest City, PA 18421
Social isolation is more than feeling lonely.
"We Keep the Smile in the Mile"
Auto • Home • Life • Business570-785-5454
414 Main Street
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES
• Be understanding of changes in hours and services• Stock up at local stores and businesses
• Order food for takeout or delivery• Donate to charities with items from local stores
• Say thank you and spread the word!
BUY LOCAL • BE FLEXIBLE • BE GENEROUS
P.O. Box 127, Forest City, PA 18421
Home Credit Cards Heating Sales and Accepted Oil Service
