Father Leo McKernan,

Pastor of Saint Monica Parish

 

The Parish of Saint Monica was formed November 21, 2010 through the consolidation of St. Joseph's Parish in Wyoming with Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in West Wyoming.  The parish is located in NEPA, within the Diocese of Scranton.   Together we shall become stronger in our faith and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 

New members are always welcome to join our parish.  Call the Parish Office for registration information.  Membership is necessary for anyone interested in our Religious Education and Sacraments programs and for anyone wishing to be a sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation.

 

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Religious Freedom & Conscience

vrs.

U.S. Government

In light of the government action being taken to force employers to provide services and medications within their health plans that contradict our beliefs as Catholics, we are listing the contact information for our Pennsylvania Senators.  Senator Casey voted in favor of this legislation; Senator Toomey was not a Senator when PPACA was passed.  Let your voice be heard!  To read the letter from Bishop Bambera, click here.  To find out more information, visit www.usccb.org/conscience

   

Sen. Toomey

538 Spruce St., Suite 302

Scranton, PA.  18503

Phone: 570-941-3540

 

502 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C.  20510

 www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=contact

 

Robert Casey

393 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C.  20510

www.casey.senate.gov/contact/

 

Washington, D.C. phone:  202-224-6324

Scranton office phone:  570-941-0930

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St. Patrick’s Day Party

St. Monica Men’s Group will hold a St. Patrick’s Day Party at Our Lady of Sorrows Church Hall, West Wyoming on Saturday, March 17 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Food by KL’s Distinctive Impressions. Music is by Chic Colarusso. Tickets are $20.00 per person and may be purchased from any member of the Men’s Group or by calling Rocco Yanora at 693-2999. Tickets will also be available after weekend Liturgies at Our Lady of Sorrows Worship Site. Reserved tables of eight are encouraged. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

This is a non-smoking event.

 

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St. Monica’s Parish Men’s Group Retreat

 

            Tired of the daily routine? 

Feeling run-down by the pressures of daily life? 

Wouldn’t it be great to just get away to

peace and serenity?

 

St. Monica’s Men’s group will be holding a weekend retreat that will give you that opportunity.  The Retreat will be conducted on the weekend of June 1-3, 2012 at Mount Saviour Monastery located between Elmira and Corning, New York.  The Monastery of Mount Saviour is a community of monks striving to live a simple, genuine and full monastic life according to the Scriptures and the Rule of St. Benedict.

Peace, serenity and closeness to God are present at the picturesque location of the Monastery.  Take time to get closer to God and fellow Brothers in Christ Jesus at this retreat. 

Click here learn more about Mount Saviour.

            For more information about the weekend or to make reservations contact Fr. McKernan at 693-1991 (email Fr. McKernan) or Joe Lisewski at 693-3366 (email Joe Lisewski).

  Group size is limited and reservations will be

on a first-come basis.

 

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Welcome to the Parish, Deacon Bill & Sara!

 

L-R: Sara Jenkins, Father Leo McKernan and Deacon Bill Jenkins

 

Bishop Joseph Bambera has assigned William (Bill) Jenkins as Deacon for the Parish of St. Monica to assist Father Leo McKernan in many Pastoral duties. As Deacon, Bill can read the Gospel at Mass, give a homily, and preside over Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. He can bring Communion to the homebound and Viaticum to the dying. Bill looks forward to being involved with the people of the Parish. On Saturday, Dec. 3^rd & Sunday, Dec. 4^th he assisted at the Liturgy at both worship sites, where he received a warm welcome from the parishioners. Bill and his wife Sara have a daughter, Elizabeth.

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Night at the Races

 

(L-R) David Kuharchik, WBRE Emcee, Father McKernan, Pastor and Tom Tomsak, Chairman of Fund Raising Committee. A great big thanks to all who volunteered, supported and attended this event!

 

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A Biblical Walk Through the Mass

 

A Lenten program sponsored by St. Monica's & St. Barbara's Parishes.

This series is designed to bring Catholics closer to God through a more profound experience of this central mystery of our faith.  It will be held at St. Anthony's Hall of St. Barbara's Parish and hosted by Fr. Phil, Rocco Yanora, Barbara Russo & Ray Pascavage during Lent on Wednesday evenings from February 29th through March 28th at 7 PM.

 

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Life in the Spirit Seminar

 

Beginning the week after Easter on Thursday, April 12^th and continuing through the Thursday before Pentecost, May 24^th, St. Monica’s Parish will have a seminar entitled, “Life in the Spirit.”

Each Thursday after the 7:00 p.m. Mass, there will be a teaching on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

This seven week seminar will lead to a deeper knowledge and relationship with Jesus and a living sense of God’s presence in our life through

the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

For more information call Fr. Leo McKernan at 693-1991.

or email

Registration is required

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Business & Service Sponsors needed for Parish Bulletin: To help defray the cost of printing the Sunday Church Bulletin, Businesses & Services in the Community can place an ad on the back of the Bulletin.

This is a nice Directory and has a two-fold advantage both for Businesses and the Services, which serve our area. Consider helping your Parish by having you name going to hundreds of homes each week. If interested, please call the Parish Office at 693-1991.

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St. Monica Parish Youth Orchestra New Members

St. Monica’s Parish is pleased to announce the addition of two new members, Sara Tomsak and Ariel Vikara to the Youth Orchestra.  After only four months of instruction and practice these two young musicians were accepted to the Youth Orchestra.  In light of this accomplishment, any degree of proficiency is acceptable for the Choir Director to write music to suit the ability of the student. Shown in the photo are: Sara Tomsak (with flute) and Ariel Vikara (with violin).

Should any student in music be interested in joining the St. Monica Orchestra or the Junior Choir, please contact Ninarose Lewko through the contact page.

 

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2012 PA Pro-Life Essay Contest

The contest is open to all students in grades 7-12. Students must write a pro-life essay about abortion, euthanasia or stem cell research with a word limit of 500 for grades 7-9 and 750 for grades 10-12. Deadline is March 1, 2012. Each essay must include a cover sheet with the student’s name, address, phone number, grade and name of the school. Essays may be emailed to PA Pro-Life or mailed to the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, 4800 Johnstown Rd. Suite 102, Harrisburg, Pa 17109.

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National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) recently installed Joanne Austin from St. Monica Parish as Director for the Province of Philadelphia. As Director, Joanne is a Representative & Liaison for the State of Pennsylvania, serving on the NCCW Board of Directors & providing an important link between the national, diocesan and parish councils of Catholic women in the area. Congratulations!

 

 

The Diocesan Appeal is underway...St. Monica's goal is $33,680.  Your donation will enable the Diocese to serve those living in poverty or those on the margins of society.

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“He who sings, prays twice”

is a quote from St. Augustine who was the son of St. Monica, the patron Saint of our Parish. Perhaps that is why music is an integral part of all our worship services and especially the Mass. Our Music Director is Ninarose Lewko who teaches, directs and plays for all Church events. Not only is Organ music so beautiful but also the newly donated Grand Piano is the musical accompaniment for many liturgical pieces. Our youth orchestra consists of 4 flutes, 2 clarinets, 4 trumpets, 4 guitarists, 2 percussionists and mallets, a violin and a cellist. We have a youth schola cantorum, junior choir and adult choir.

Shown in the above photo taken at the Thanksgiving Liturgy are: 

1st row, l-r: Morgan Coolbaugh, Maria Marianacci, Grace Washney, Elizabeth Sheeder, Sara Tomsak, Alyssa Vikara, Isabella Romani

 2nd row, l-r: Olivia Dekmar, Morgan Chesna, Maryssa Lewko, Brittany Bubblo, Brittany Thomas, Danielle Confletti,

Ashley Vikara, Juliana Buonsante, Amanda Dekmar,

Ninarose Lewko, Music Director

3rd row, l-r: Blaise Erzar, Joshua Kopcza, Jackie Stash, Lauren Stash, Doug Jones, Father Leo McKernan, Pastor, Gaetano Buonsante, Nick Granteed, Nick Dominic, Matthew Blom

During the Mass of Thanksgiving the C.C.D. students from 7^th and 8^th grades participated in the readings, songs, and presentation of gifts. The children attending the Parish Christian Doctrine Classes donated all the gifts of food for distribution that were presented at the Offertory.

 

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ADORATION OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

(Winter Schedule)

 

From December 2011 thru March 2012, First Friday.

Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

will follow 7:00 PM Mass until Midnight.

Benediction and Dismissal will follow.

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St. Monica Spiritual Media Center

St. Monica Parish is starting a spiritual lending library consisting of books, CDs and DVDs.  The Library is located in the OLOS hall.  Items may be donated to the Library. 

Mary Ann Romanoski will review and stamp items for circulation.  Care about others-- share the Word!

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