Saint Monica Parish

Religious Education News:

Welcome Back CCD Students!
                
CCD Begins September 19   

CCD classes begin Sunday, September 23, 9:45-10:45AM.

The first day, which will be Sept 19 at 9:45AM to 10:45AM is for grades 1 to 6. Confirmation classes for 7th and 8th grade will begin Sunday Sept 19 from 6:00PM to 7:00PM in the CCD building and will meet every other Sunday.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will resume here at Saint Monica Church this Friday, September 24^th, after the 8:00AM Mass.  Adoration is a sign of devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is present in body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearance of the consecrated host.  Eucharistic meditation performed in the presence of the Sacred Host outside Mass has been practiced and recommended by some of our greatest saints. A visit to the Blessed Sacrament is a great treasure of the Catholic faith.  It spiritually nourishes us and gives us opportunities for thanksgiving, reparation and supplication.  Friday adorations will end at 10:00AM with Reposition of our Sacramental Lord.  All are welcome and encouraged to come to our dear Lord during our Friday Adorations for a grace-filled occasion and experience.  
 

Offering Mass
1.) Offering Mass for a deceased loved one.
When we offer Mass for our deceased loved one, we are asking God to apply the graces of the Mass to that person’s soul, so that their time of purification can be brought quickly to completion and they can enter into the fullness of heaven. Just as we pray for each other and share each other's burdens now, the faithful on earth can offer prayers and sacrifices to help the departed souls undergoing purification. To have a Mass offered for the repose of the soul of a person who is not Catholic is more beneficial and comforting than any other sympathy card or bouquet of flowers. No better prayer could be offered than that of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is a truly loving and faith-filled thing to do; a beautiful expression of the communion of all believers in Christ – a communion that transcends time and space.
2.) A Mass can be offered for a person who is still living.
Though we often think of having a Mass said for those who have passed away, Masses can be offered for those who are still alive. The Mass may be said: "for the living and the dead, and other necessities." In other words, if you know someone who could benefit from the spiritual graces that come with having a Mass said on their behalf, there is no need to delay in doing so.
3.) You can have a Mass said in Thanksgiving or for a celebration.
Most people remember to have a Mass said for the death of a loved one and a few may think to have a Mass offered for a special intention or friend who is suffering, but rarely do we think of having a Mass offered for a celebration. Is there a better way to show our gratitude to God? Masses can be said for birthdays, anniversaries, in celebration of the reception of the sacraments, or for prayers that have been answered!
4.) Please consider having Masses said at Saint Monica Church.
It is easy to do so. To request a Mass, you may mail your request to the parish office or drop it in the mail slot at the rectory. You may also drop your request in the weekend offertory collection basket marked “Mass Intention.” Please include: 1) who the Mass is for, 2) who it is by, 3) along with your $10.00 stipend per Mass. You may request a date; if the date is taken, we will schedule your Mass to the nearest date open.
Don't miss out on these graces for yourself and those you love! Find a reason to have a Mass offered today.

2022 Mass Book is now open.  To reserve a Mass please send the name of who the Mass is for, who it is from, and your $10.00 per Mass stipend, to the Parish Office either by mail or drop into the weekend collection basket.  You may request a date if it is already taken your Mass will be on the closest date to the one requested. Please do not call or email a Mass request.  We cannot take requests over the phone or email.  Please do not come to the Office until the second wave of Covid 19 is over.  

Sanctuary Candle and Bread and Wine

Requesting the Sanctuary Candle or donating the Bread and Wine is a wonderful way to honor your loved one.  It may also be offered in honor of a special occasion, birthday, anniversary, special intention or in thanksgiving. 
The Sanctuary Candle burns for the entire week for $15.00.
Our Bread and Wine is donated for the entire month for $25.00.  
You may request the Bread and Wine or Sanctuary Candle by dropping your request in the weekend collection basket or by mail.  Include the name or occasion you are requsting, who it is by and your donation.  

Saturday Vigil Mass - 4:00PM
Sunday Morning Mass - 11:00AM
Monday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Tuesday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Wednesday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Thursday - No Mass
Friday Morning Mass - 8:00AM
Confession
Saturday Afternoon - 2:30PM till 3:15PM
        (Please use the door near Sacristy)

August 6, 2021

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Caring for the health, safety and spiritual well-being of all parishioners- and our entire community- has been my priority since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Diocese of Scranton has made every effort to implement best practices in public health- and has been continuously evaluating policies, monitoring data and consulting with healthcare experts. I want to assure you that these efforts continue to this day.

It is now evident that this global health crisis continues to linger- especially with the delta variant–, which medical experts explain is more infectious, and can spread more aggressively, than previous virus strains.

As the Diocese of Scranton looks forward to welcoming the faithful back to the celebration of Mass with the reinstatement of our obligation as Christians to worship on Sundays and Holy Days beginning August 15, it is imperative that we maintain the accessibility of the Eucharist in a safe environment.

I am 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, I have also requested that altar servers  wear masks  and all Priests,   Deacons   and  Extraordinary  Ministers return  to  wearing  masks   during  the  distribution  of  Holy Communion.

I also encourage everyone to continue good hygiene habits and follow the example of Pope Francis, Pope

Emeritus Benedict XVI, and all Pennsylvania Bishops, in receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

While I, along  with your  pastor,  look forward to welcoming you  back to experience the Real Presence  of Jesus Christ  in the Holy  Eucharist, individuals who  have  serious health  conditions or concerns  will still not  be obligated to attend Mass. By longstanding Church law, the Sunday obligation does not apply to those who are:

• Sick
• Have a serious health risk
• In a household with those at risk
• Primary caregivers to those at risk
• Have serious anxiety or concerns about being in a large-group setting due to COVID-19
• Unable to attend Mass in person

As an act of charity, anyone who believes they might have COVID-19 or one of its variants should stay home.

Those who are legitimately excused from Mass on Sundays and Holy Days are encouraged to spend time

in  prayer, meditating on  the  death and  Resurrection of the  Lord,  reading the  sacred  Scriptures, and  uniting themselves to Christ. They are also encouraged to watch televised or livestream Masses.

As we continue to respond to the invitation of Jesus to come to Him, I invite all the faithful to safely return to Mass to have an intimate encounter with the Lord.

Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Scranton

Prayer of Spiritual Communion – My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself
wholly to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You.   Amen.

Reconciliation – Confessions are heard in the Parish Hall on Saturday afternoons from 2:15PM till 3:15PM.   In order to maintain safe distancing and privacy we will have a temporary confessional in the Church Hall.  Only one person will be allowed in at a time.  All other doors will be locked.  One may enter through the door by the Sacristy and exit by way of the door and handicap ramp.  Please know that perfect contrition still holds true at this time and one should have the following to do so. 

•  A love of God above all else
•  A sincere desire for the forgiveness from sin
•  The resolution to go to confession as soon as  
possible when this health crisis subsides