Saint Monica Parish

Pope Francis formally opened this two-year process for the Universal Catholic Church at the Vatican on October 10, 2021 and it will continue until October, 2023.  He said this process should include parishioners of every Diocese, Religious Order, and Catholic Movement in the world.
SYNOD is an ancient Greek word that means a journey of discernment in which the people of God are called to pray and reflect upon the Holy Spirit’s Will for the Church moving forward. All participating is asked to call upon the Holy Spirit as they prayerfully consider the ways in which they currently experience the Church as SYNODAL, a community walking together, and the ways to strengthen that in practice. This idea is rooted in the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 15, in the New Testament. SYNODALITY is the way the Synod makes decisions.
There are 3 phases of this Synod.  DIOCESAN PHASE (October 2021 – April 2022); CONTINENTAL PHASE (September 2022 – March 2023); UNIVERSAL CHURCH PHASE (0ctober 2023).
The DIOCESAN PHASE of listening has already begun. In THE CATHOLIC LIGHT of Thursday, November 18, 2021, our Diocese of Scranton outlined their THREE-PRONGED APPROACH to Pope Francis’s “challenge of creating a listening posture that makes its way through every aspect of our diocese” as quoted by Fr. Jeffrey D. Tudgay, J.C.L., pastor, Saint Eulalia Parish.  Fr. Tudgay also said that based on what we hear, observe, and discern “will really determine the vision and future of the Church.”
FIRST APPROACH:  An online survey for everyone in the 11 counties of the Diocese of Scranton went live November 14 and remains currently available on the main page of the Diocese of Scranton’s website in both English and Spanish.  All 10 questions relate to your experiences as a member of the Diocese of Scranton.  All responders remain anonymous. Available responses are STRONGLY AGREE, AGREE, DISAGREE, STRONGLY DISAGREE, NO OPINION. If you do not have internet access, call THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON SYNOD VOICEMAIL SYSTEM @ (570) 591-5024 to leave your answers.
SECOND APPROACH:  In-person gatherings are encouraged in every parish through March 15, 2022. Per quote of Jennifer Housel, Director for Community and Family Development in the Office for Parish Life, also in THE CATHOLIC LIGHT of November 18, 2021, “We want to hear what everyone has to say, recognizing that some of what we hear will be painful and that is necessary and an important part of this process.” With a prayerful heart, people are asked to speak boldly and with frankness, listen humbly, and be open to discussion on new ideas. During this local listening phase, Pope Francis has also encouraged dioceses around the world to gather input from local people “on the margins” of society that would include those ill, in pain, struggling, hurt by the Church, etc.  More information on the in-person gatherings at St. Monica Parish and other options to give your feedback will be presented in early January 2022. All responses will be collected and anonymously submitted in a report to Bishop Bambera through the Scranton Diocese Team by April 1, 2022.
THIRD APPROACH: In May, 2022, Bishop Bambera will hold a pre-Synodal meeting with representatives from each parish to further discuss all parish reports and solicit any additional feedback needed.
The Synod process will then continue with all Bishops submitting a summary of their local discussions to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops by the end of summer of 2022. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops will synthesize all responses into a written presentation for the Vatican. The General Assembly of Bishops will convene in Rome in October 2023.
Do you want our Church to add new directions, remain status quo, or do both starting in 2023? These decisions will be determined through this Synod process.  That is why your participation is so important! Please start now to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern what is in the depths of your heart regarding Holy Mother Church. Ask Him to help you speak out at our St. Monica gatherings with holy boldness. Your voice, everyone’s voice, needs to be heard!
 

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
            Adoration until  - 10:00AM
Confession
Saturday Afternoon - 2:30PM till 3:15PM
        (Please use the door near Sacristy)

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

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
 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.