APRIL 13, 2025 BULLETIN PALM SUNDAY by Fred Brown

MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR HOLY WEEK & EASTER

Friday, April 18—7:00PM—St. Francis: Lector Amanda Reeves & Rosanne Williams; Servers—Aiden & Kaitlin Reeves

Saturday, April 19 8:00PM St. Francis: Lector Christina Long & Matt Oleniacz; Ministers Katie Volk & Chris Volk; Servers Jacob & Carson Oleniacz

Sunday, April 20—8:00AM—St. Francis: Lector Dick Manjerovic; Ministers Tim LaRue & Larry Purtell; Servers volunteer

Sunday, April 20—10:30AM—St. Augustine: Lector Dave Rebello; Ministers Sr. Bette Brown & Travis Wise; Servers Travis Wise; Rosary volunteer; Greeter Cott DeMaree

PRAYER LIST

Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish & Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers, . Kaitlyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Ruth King, Kyle Stoddard, Tom Wenman, Toni Colardino, Emily D., Amanda Branning, Daniel Gavin, Tommy Williams, Kathy Holt, Raub Family, Linda Hollenback, Don Zaleski, Elton Carr, Jim Raftis, Bub Davis, Tyler Fletcher, “D”, William Chaney, Joe Grindel, Chelsea Judson, Trisha, Mary Guido, Hallie Brooks, Mark Kovach, Brooke Arnold, Robyn Lawson, Ned Offner, Ethel Reid, Rusty Carmen, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Marie Donahue, Barbara Mahoney, Adam Price, Jay Gurn, Greg Lasgowka, Terry, Cameron & Levi White, Natalie Dawn Abell, Tom Ellison, the Reed Family, Don Higgins, Todd Legg, Ryan Hayes, Chad Grindel, Thomas McWilliams, Marty Mosher, Cathy Ballogg, Mary Ann Casterline, Janice Jacobs, Mary Joan, Patricia Charpinsky, Diane Holleran, Kineer Worgen, James Dughi, Peg Broadwater, Adrian Stephens, Millie, John, Reilly, Sophia ILichishin, Josh Zaleski, Caleb Scepaniak, Dana Marsh, Lori Rawlins, Brendan Merritt, Mark Pasteka, Jay C., Tim Fruehan, Linda, Gloria, Lori Hammerly Coleman, Pat Walsh, Brendan Kelly, R.C.M., Angelo Scarfalloto, Emily Graves, Cathy Albert, Robert Nemcek, Laura Nelson, Garrett Farr, Everly Hausmann, George Coleman, Sally Saunders, Evelyn Ferro, Marie Cavallaro, Sully & Patty Cavallaro, Alice, Briana Grisdale, Jay S., Gregory Diorio, Diane, Mike Coleman, Nicholas, Alex, Mike & Pat Stelacio, Fr. John Victoria, Joseph Santora, Carol Garcia, Cathy Edsell, Jessica Lawrence, Sue L., Nellie Manarchuck, Monica Gibson, Diane Coffee, Bill Noldy, Jr., Patricia Hutchinson, Mark, Chris Mortensen, Clyde & Mary Tims, Aaron Fredendall, Louise Eastman, Niki Rogers, Wade Leach, Shirley Conboy, Mike, Joseph Olszewski, Matthew Gatto, Kris Kiesly, Kylie Keenan, Sara Kelly Price, Tucker White, Terri Grindel, Jerry Wells, Fred Brown, Rosa Prieto, Ed Snee, Carl Whitehead, Pete Strojny, Mary (Jones) Edsell, Nancy, Eileen Maruschok, Leonard Howell, Shirley Rockefeller, A.J. Pass, Tony McHugh, Hunter Allen Sapp, Bryce Histand, Dcn. Tom Hartley, Ken Warner, George Thrasher, Norma Volk, Gerry, Kathy Conklin, Tom Walz, Gary Fisher, Joan Middendorf, Kevin Pierson, Megan Hale, Ben Naylor, Kathleen, Gail Lutz, Tammy Volk Jennings, Rosemary Stewart, Joe, Margaret Zernone, Bucky Russell, Carolyn Doolittle, Jane Borelli, Chuck Bullock, Tom Krupinski, Eileen Drab, Susanne Wolf, Doug Packer, Ellen Bieleski, Joyce Danielewicz, Dorothy Angel, Jackie Foster, Mary Ann Severage, Jeanette Williams, Michael Stone, Grady White, John Mulrooney, Joan Golis, Jeff, Margaret Connolly, Wally, Elizabeth Fancher, George Starzec, Nancy, Dustin, Marie Violini, Sam Arnold, Kelly Burridge, Caesar Siedlecki, Joe Leonard, Geri Mokris, Linda Henry, Gabi, Keith, Katie, Matt, Bill, Larry Wise, Ray Jones, Dan, Ty, George, Leah Walters, Michael Sacco, Liam & Maverick Dudock, Rudy Mattes, Linda Landis, Jane Murphy, Larry & Judy Black, Doug N., Todd, Cindy, George Szparagowski, Pamela, Amy, Robin, Tiffany, Connor James, Rev. Tom Burlington, Jim Snook, Sr., Jim Snook, Jr., Diane Linaberry, Dale, Nick, Devin, and Tom Ruddy. Please pray for the needs in our Parish and Community. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.

ARMED FORCES LIST

Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish & Community, Ryan Gormley, Christopher Reichlen, Mike Griffith, Steven Shelp, Matthew Kramer, Ryan Neville, Shane Kalpokas, Dustin Ryder, Ricky Trowbridge, Jay Tewksbury, Lukas Crisman, Ryan Newberry, Mark W. Gregg, Lisa Phillips, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Joseph Elliott, Wayne M. Bennett, Bradley J. Bryant, John Baltsley, Mara Redding, Michael Redding, James Hemmerly, Rip VanWinkle, Amberlynn Villanella, Jacob Balchikonis, Cameron, Jonathan Green, Garrett Kiehle, and all who serve with them.

PALM

SUNDAY

OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

April 13th, 2025

MASS SCHEDULE

Sat. April 12 4:30PM St. Francis Church - VIGIL: PALM SUNDAY SOPHIE PADULA by Eddie & Ruthie Silver

Sun. April 13 8:00AM St. Francis Church - PALM SUNDAY INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS

10:30AM St. Augustine Church -

Mon.April 14 10:00AM Church -FUNERAL MASS SAMUEL V. MANNING

Tue. April 15

Wed.April 16 8:30AM St. Augustine Church - M. REBECCA MURPHY by the Family

Thur.April 17 7:00PM St. Francis ChurchJEROME RYAN by Gary & Betty Ellen Hardy

Fri. April 18 12:00NN St. Augustine Church - GOOD FRIDAY—Stations of the Cross 7:00PM St. Francis ChurchHOLY SATURDAY—EASTER VIGIL

Sat. April 19 8:00PM St. Francis Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS & OUR RCIA CANDIDATES, DAWN & CARL

EASTER SUNDAY—CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S RESURRECTION

Sun. April 20 8:00AM St. Francis Church - JOAN WILLIAMS by Jeff & Rosanne Williams 10:30AM St. Augustine Church - JOE & MARY BETH ADAMS by Judy Adams

CONFESSION SCHEDULE—(BEFORE ALL WEEKEND MASSES)

Saturday St. Francis Xavier before 4:30PM Mass 3:30 to 4:15PM

Sunday St. Francis Xavier before 8:00AM Mass 7:30 to 7:50AM

Sunday St. Augustine before 10:30AM Mass 10:00 to 10:20AM

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Our weekly collection total was $ 5,534.00. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

LIFELINES

Dear Friends!

The gospel passage that we read today just before the procession begins, portrays Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecy and inaugurating his final journey to the cross. Riding on a colt he is hailed by crowds spreading their cloaks and waving palm branches. This is a pivotal moment in Jesus ministry as he is publicly recognized as the Messiah. The symbolism of riding a colt echoes Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah's arrival. However the true nature of Jesus kingship is paradoxical, as he comes not as a conquering warrior but as a humble servant. This passage also foreshadows Jesus ultimate sacrifice and the establishment of his kingdom through love and selflessness, inviting us to reflect on the nature of true kingship and our response to Jesus as the King of our lives.

~ Father Augustine

200TH ANNIVERSARY AT ST. AUGUSTINE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH

St. Augustine is the oldest church in the Diocese! We are planning a celebration at St. Augustine Church for Sunday, September 14th. The celebration begins with Mass at 10:30AM, celebrated by Bishop Bambera, and followed by a catered dinner in a large tent behind St. Augustine Church. We are looking forward to seeing all our current and former parishioners. Please save the date! We need lots of help.

OFFICIAL PILGRIMAGE SITE

St. Augustine Church is an official pilgrimage site in the Diocese of Scranton for the Jubilee Year 2025!!!

To obtain a plenary indulgence you must visit one of the 8 designated pilgrimage sites in our Diocese, make a sacramental confession within 20 days before or after seeking the indulgence (which includes the intention of sincere detachment from all sin), receive Holy Communion during full, conscious, active participation at Mass, and pray for the intentions of the Pope (this is satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary, but you have the option of reciting any other prayer according to individual piety and devotion, if recited for his intention.)

• Cathedral of Saint Peter, 315 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA

• Saint Ann Basilica, 1250 St. Ann Street, Scranton, PA

• Saint Augustine Church, 295 Church Road, Brackney, PA

• Saint Matthew Church, 78 Ridgeway Street, East Stroudsburg, PA

• Saint John the Evangelist Church, 150 Terrace Street, Honesdale, PA

• Saint Boniface Church, 326 Washington Boulevard, Williamsport, PA

• Saint Gabriel Church, 122 South Wyoming Street, Hazleton, PA

• Saint Nicholas Church, 226 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA

We are asked to make preparations to ensure our church is ready to receive visitors throughout the year. Below are a few key things to consider.

Extended Hours: If needed, it is recommended that the hours our church is open to the faithful be extended to allow more people the opportunity to visit and participate in a pilgrimage.

Prayer Card Availability: The Diocesan Office for Parish Life is printing prayer cards that will be available for pilgrims to pick up during their visits. We will also be provided a retractable banner for the inside of the church to denote the building as a pilgrimage destination.

Consider Additional Prayer Opportunities As Appropriate: At the pastor’s discretion, additional opportunities for prayer throughout the year can be added to our schedule. These will be publicized widely across the Diocese in The Catholic Light and social media. These can include Eucharistic Adoration, recitation of the Rosary, or special Masses.

Welcoming Pilgrims: Please warmly welcome visitors throughout the Jubilee Year, guiding them as they seek to obtain the plenary indulgence and deepen their spiritual journey.

Priests serving throughout the Diocese will gather at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 315 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, on Tuesday, April 15th, at 4:00PM for the Solemn Pontifical Chrism Mass. At this Mass the Holy Oils used during the conferral of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders, throughout the Church year will be blessed. Priests will also renew their priestly promises before the Bishop. Bishop Bambera will be the principal celebrant and homilist. The Chrism Mass is a beautiful way to pray for and support our priests and to express our unity as the Diocese of Scranton. All the faithful are invited to attend.

“THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU” - CONFESSIONS

Confessions will be held THIS WEDNESDAY from 5:30 to 7:00PM at St. Augustine.

CHOIR PRACTICE FOR EASTER

The final Choir practice for Easter will be held this Tuesday evening at 6:00PM in St. Francis Church. Anyone interested in singing is welcome to attend.

Lent continues until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17th.

SACRED TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday—Mass of the Lord’s Supper—7:00PM—St. Francis Xavier

Good Friday—Stations of the Cross—12 Noon—St. Augustine

Good Friday Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion 7:00PM St. Francis Xavier

Holy Saturday—Easter Vigil—8:00PM—St. Francis Xavier

Easter Sunday Celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection 8:00AM St. Francis Xavier

Easter Sunday—Celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection—10:30AM—St. Augustine

FAST & ABSTINENCE

• Good Friday, April 18th, is a day of fast and abstinence.

• All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Good Friday.

• All Catholics over 18 years of age to the beginning of their 60th year are bound to the obligation of fasting. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal and two smaller meals unless dispensed or excused.

EASTER READING MATERIALS

There are copies of the “Little White Books” for Easter and the Easter Edition of “The Word Among Us” available in the back of the Churches. Please feel free to take a copy home with you and use as part of your daily Easter meditations.

EASTER FLOWERS

Thank you for your generous donations to the Easter Flower collection. Our collection total was $ 1,312.00.

FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS—SATURDAY, MAY 3RD

Saturday, May 3rd, we observe Fatima First Saturday Devotions in reparation for offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary as our Lord and Lady asked of Sister Lucia, shepherd visionary of Fatima.

Please consider participating as we seek to fulfill our Savior's and Blessed Mother's request for prayer and penance in reparation to her most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. All are welcome.

The schedule for these Devotions at Saint Augustine Church is:

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by confessions: 8:30AM-9:00AM

Recitation of Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary: 9:00AM-9:30AM

Adoration and Meditation on Mysteries of the Rosary: 9:30AM-9:45AM

Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 9:45AM-9:55AM

Mass: 10:00AM-10:45AM

SANCTUARY & DEVOTIONAL CANDLES

~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for a Special Intention offered by Joe Purr. .

~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis burns for the return to health of all the sick in our Parish & Community offered by St. Brigid Altar and Rosary Society.

SPECIAL PRAYERS

Please continue to pray for vocations to the Priesthood in our Diocese.

PARISH PRAYER CHAIN

If you have a prayer request, please call Rosalynd Perlick (570-663-2212), Maureen Allen (570-663-2256) or the Rectory (570-553-2288) sfxc@epix.net. Many prayers will be offered for your intentions. Please call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away.

DECEASED

Please pray for the deceased, especially our Parishioner, Samuel V. Manning, who passed away this week. May he rest in peace. Amen.

CHURCH CLEANING

St. Augustine: April 14 to 20 Julie Perlick & Nancy Lamberty; April 21 to 27

Barbara & Mike Merritt; April 28 to May 4 Helen Gardella; May 5 to 11 Helen Gardella; May 12 to 18 Mary Homan; May 19 to 25 Mary Homan; May 26 to June 1—Kristen Olsen

St. Francis cleaner for April Eileen Drab; May Matt Oleniacz & Family

NEW VOLUNTEERS are welcome & needed to help clean our Churches. There are many openings at St. Augustine. To volunteer, call or email Kay (570) 553-2288 or sfxc@epix.net

ADORATION HELP IS

NEEDED

ONE temporary hour is open! Hurry and get it before it is gone!! Friday—5-6PM

Substituting even once would help. Jesus will be happy to visit with you. Can you help out once a month? Can you help every once in a while?

Please let Rosalynd Perlick know—(570-663-2212). This way you aren’t scheduled every week—you are only scheduled when you are available.

“THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU” - CONFESSIONS

Confessions will be held THIS WEDNESDAY from 5:30 to 7:00PM at St. Augustine.

CHOIR PRACTICE FOR EASTER

The final Choir practice for Easter will be held this Tuesday evening at 6:00PM in St. Francis Church. Anyone interested in singing is welcome to attend.

Lent continues until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17th.

SACRED TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday—Mass of the Lord’s Supper—7:00PM—St. Francis Xavier

Good Friday—Stations of the Cross—12 Noon—St. Augustine

Good Friday—Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion—7:00PM—St. Francis Xavier

Holy Saturday—Easter Vigil—8:00PM—St. Francis Xavier

Easter Sunday—Celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection—8:00AM—St. Francis Xavier Easter Sunday—Celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection—10:30AM—St. Augustine

FAST & ABSTINENCE

• Good Friday, April 18th, is a day of fast and abstinence.

• All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Good Friday.

EASTER READING MATERIALS

EASTER FLOWERS

Thank you for your generous donations to the Easter Flower collection. Our collection total was $ 1,312.00.

OPERATION RICE BOWL

CALLED TO SHARE BREAD FOR LIFE—Holy Week, a sacred time in the liturgical year, invites us to journey with Christ through his Passion, Death and Resurrection. As we witness the Last Supper and Jesus' gift of the Eucharist, we are reminded of our call to be bread broken for others. Let us draw strength from the Bread of Life and dedicate ourselves to serving our sisters & brothers who bear heavy crosses, bringing hope and the joy of the resurrection to the world. Visit crsricebowl.org/holy-week to learn more.

The Rice Bowl Collection is the second collection on Holy Thursday. Envelopes can be put in the collection any time.

GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION

Pope Francis asks us to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Your support helps the Church to minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools, offer religious education, and undertake social and charitable works. This Collection also helps to preserve sacred shrines. It is vital that we support Christians living in the Holy Land, in order to maintain a Christian presence in the land made holy by the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. When you contribute to the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you become an instrument of peace and join with Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land. Our collection on Good Friday will be the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land. You can also place your envelopes in the collection at any time.

EASTER FOOD CARDS AND FOOD PANTRY

EASTER FOOD CARDS: We have a total of (18) families on our list. You may put your donation, (check or cash), in the collection basket in an envelope marked “attention: Kay Food Cards” or mail it to the rectory. $ 1,450.00 has been collected so far. All donations are needed and greatly appreciated. Donations are still needed to help reach our goal.

FOOD PANTRY: Thank you to everyone for their generous donations to the Food Pantry. Your contributions are greatly needed and appreciated!

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2025 to a Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 1st. The day includes a 2:30PM mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter followed by a light reception. The registration deadline is May 11th. To register, please contact Bridget Guarnieri (570-207-2213 x 1133) or familylife@dioceseofscranton.org

ST. BRIGID PARISH CAPITAL RENOVATION FUND

There are many areas of our churches, rectory and hall that need renovations and repairs. Many of these repairs will require a substantial outlay of funds which the parish does not have. In order to fund these repairs we have established a Capital Renovation Fund. This fund will be used for needed repairs and renovations and also be available for emergency repairs. It is our intention to develop and maintain a fund balance of $ 50,000.00 funded initially by this parish appeal. Once that goal is reached we hope to maintain a baseline $ 50,000.00 with ongoing collections under the title of Capital Renovation Fund Collection. In these times, we know that expenses for everyone are going up. We ask for your prayers for success. Thank you for your help making this Fund a reality.

A big thank you everyone who has already donated! We now have $ 52,925.00 collected! Every donation, no matter the size is a big help.

FISH FRY

Thank you to everyone who worked at the Fish Fry and everyone who attended. Your support was tremendous! Our profit was $ 3,000.00 which was donated to the Capital Campaign Fund!

RECTORY SET COOK 2025 IS IN THE BOOKS

Father Augustine finished in 8th place with $ 3,643.62 in donations from 58 donors. The overall donations totaled $ 227,001.67 from 1850 donors. A huge thank you to all of our 58 donors for your support of Father Augustine. He really appreciated your generosity!

COLLECTION FOR THE CARE & EDUCATION OF PRIESTS

Thank you for your generosity in last weeks collection for the Care & Education of Priests. Our collection total was $ 735.00. Your support is greatly appreciated.

PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS

Many Parish Lottery Calendars are available in the back of our Churches. They are $ 20.00 each and run from April 1st thru December 31st, 2025. Each family is asked to take at least (5) calendars to sell. There are both packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars. (Please do not break up the packages there are plenty of singles to choose from.) You are asked to sign the calendars out on the sheet provided. To date 713 Calendars have been returned. There are about 125 Calendars left in the back of the churches. Thanks to your help the number is going down! Drawings have begun! Please get your calendars sold and your returns in ASAP. Let’s make this important fund raiser a success again this year!!

SAVE THE DATE!

The Annual Spring Banquet will be held Wednesday, May 14th at 5:30PM at the Blue Dolphin Restaurant in Apalachin. Anyone in the Parish, men, women, or friends are welcome to attend. Deacon Paul will be the guest speaker this year. Please join us for a great meal and night out with friends. More details will follow in future bulletins.

ST. AUGUSTINE CEMETERY NEWS

The St. Augustine Cemetery Association meeting will be Tuesday April 29, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Church.

ST. JOHN’S CEMETERY NEWS

If you own plots in St. John Cemetery or know of anyone who does, please send your name, address, and phone number to Diane Mooney, 26 Jackson Street, Montrose, Pa. 18801.

ST. PATRICK’S CEMETERY CLEAN–UP TIME

With spring upon us and the grass beginning to grow, you are asked to please help get the cemetery cleaned up by removing old flower pots and decorations from your family graves. When you clean up, please take your debris with you. Do not throw it along the perimeter of the grounds for someone else to attend to.

HELPFUL FOR ALL CEMETERIES

Now is a good time for anyone who puts flower pots or decorations on any family graves in any cemetery to help do their part by cleaning up and removing all old flower pots and decorations from your family graves. When you clean up, please take your debris with you. Do not throw it along the perimeter of the cemetery for someone else to attend to. Cleaning up is very helpful to those who mow the cemeteries (their job is, after all, only to mow and weed eat) and your efforts help keep things looking nice for all visitors to enjoy.