Announcements

The VOICE of JOHN Pro-life Ministry is once again sponsoring our annual Christmas Card Event. This year's card is the second in the Lamb of God Series, prayerfully designed by artist Linda Ross from St Matthew's Church East Stroudsburg. We are asking for a donation of $20 for a pack of 15 keepsake cards. All proceeds will be used in educational efforts of the Ministry, being offered for grades K thru 12, and adult education programs, available throughout the Diocese of Scranton and Allentown.

The Cozy Christmas Market Committee will once again be collecting gently used Christmas and winter decor for our sale next year. We are expanding our collection to include gently used (not broken) toys, dolls, games, puzzles for kids. As you are making room for new items or downsizing, we will gratefully welcome your donations. Please call Cathy Penkala (570-436-5017) or Aniela Ross (570-582-5623) to arrange a drop-off date/time. Thank you in advance for your kindness and for helping families in need. Our proceeds this year helped the Valley Food Pantry, Hazleton Blind Association, as well as those in need in our Good Shepherd Church family.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES is in the preliminary planning stage of a “To Go Dinner” program, which will allow us to serve a hot meal in our community two days a week. We are looking for volunteers to pick up the prepared meals at St. Vincent Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre and deliver it the CSS Family Center, 106 S. Church St. Hazleton, PA 18201. Pick up time would be between noon and one. This would require use of a personal van or vehicle that could carry multiple chafing dishes. Please call the office at 570 455-4521 for more information.

Second Time Around: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group

A new support group is forming for grandparents raising grandchildren. This is a no judgment and confidential group for grandparents to get together to discuss and encourage one another about issues that arise with raising grandchildren. It is being held on the 4th Monday of every month at Pathway to Recovery (W.A.V.E.S. building), 223 W. Broad Street, Hazleton, from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. Zoom will be available for those who wish to join from home. Contact Jeanette at pathwaytorecovery2021@gmail.com or call (570) 436-7983. Babysitting will be available free of charge.

St. Joseph’s Pantry

St. Joseph’s Pantry, a program of the Hazleton office of Catholic Social Services, is in need of volunteers to help pack and distribute food to residents of our community and to help with walk-through as part of their client choice pantry. The pantry is open Monday and Friday from10:00 – 11:45 AM, and from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. On Tuesday, the pantry is open from 2:00 – 6:00 PM. All Covid-19 precautions are in place and strictly enforced. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please contact the office at (570) 455-1521. Thank you!

CTV: Catholic Television Broadcasting Daily Masses

Mass will be celebrated daily in the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton and made available on CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton. On weekdays, the Mass will be broadcast at 12:10 PM, 3:30 PM, and 7:00 PM. On weekends, the Saturday Vigil Mass will be broadcast at 4:00 PM and rebroadcast on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM. The Masses will also be streamed on the Diocese of Scranton website (www.dioceseofscranton.org), made available on the Diocesan social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), and will be accessible on the Diocese of Scranton YouTube channel.

Counseling Services

The Diocese of Scranton offers compassionate counseling in a safe, comfortable environment where your privacy is always respected. Counseling is about self-discovery and can be used for personal growth or when distressing conditions exist and you need a bit of extra support. Help is available. Anyone who struggles with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, or a variety of emotional or psychological conditions is welcome. Catholic Social Services accepts Medicaid plans and some insurance plans. Counseling is made affordable for everyone. For more information, or to make an appointment, call (570) 207-2283.

Regarding Unsolicited Religious Items

Have you received unsolicited religious items in the mail? If you do not wish to keep them, feel free to drop off NEW articles in the bin in the cry room. These items will be distributed to those we serve throughout the community.

Pregnancy and Maternal Health Program of Catholic Social Services - Needed Items

The Pregnancy and Maternal Health Program of Catholic Social Services is in need of new or gently-used baby clothing, particularly newborn clothing, as well as baby items such as diapers, wipes, bibs, and washcloths. All donations are greatly appreciated. If you are able to help in any way, please drop off your donations at our main office located at 200 West Chapel Street, Hazleton, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you have any questions, please call (570) 455-1521. Thank you!

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses and other loved ones. They have been featured by AARP, The Administration for Community Living, The National Legal Resource Center, and Forbes, as well as referenced by many governmental agencies and organizations across the Internet.

Caring.com works with a group of senior care advocates and based on their conversations with the caregiver community, more and more high school and college students are taking on the role of caregiver for aging loved ones. To help support these students, Caring.com has made available scholarships that can provide financial assistance. You can read more about their work here:

https://www.caring.com/caregivers/scholarships-for-student-caregivers

https://www.caring.com/caregivers/scholarships-for-student-caregivers#the-caring-com-scholarship

Valuable Resources for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens

Assisted Living Research Institute is a research organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults by compiling comprehensive research, the latest studies, and real-world insight from experts, caregivers, and seniors into easy-to-understand, actionable guides and resources. Their website discusses services available for seniors living in Pennsylvania, outlines helpful state programs for seniors, and allows seniors to find assisted living facilities in every city.

To learn more go their website: https://www.assistedliving.org.

To learn about specific programs in Pennsylvania: https://www.assistedliving.org/pennsylvania.

To learn about resources that can help seniors and their families understand all the programs that can help pay for senior care: https://www.aboutassistedliving.org/how-can-i-pay-for-assisted-living.

Attention: Amazon Shoppers

Amazon, the largest Internet retailer, offers a program that allows you to contribute to your favorite charity while you shop. Go to smile.amazon.com, sign in, and choose your charity. Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Education Fund is one. Any eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a .5% donation. This is a painless way to donate to a good cause.

Thank You

Thank you to all who already signed a petition to Pennsylvania legislators and governor to stop dismemberment abortions. Petitions are on the table in the vestibule for those who still wish to sign. Also, please call Representative Tarah Toohill at (570) 453-1344 and Senator John Yudichak at (570) 740-2434 and say, “I would like to ask (name) to support House Bill 1948, which bans dismemberment abortions.” Please call Governor Tom Wolfe at (717) 787-2500 and say, “Please sign House Bill 1948 into law.” This is a life-saving bill. Please act now.

Cell Phone Plan

Doug and Marie Potter told me about a cell phone plan called Charity Mobile. A percentage of your payment goes to a charity that you pick from a list of 2,000 charities, including some for pro-life. You can call 1-877-474-3662 or visit their website at www.charity-mobile.com. If you have any questions, you may call Doug at (570) 788-5835. This is an easy way to make a difference!

Heaven and Earth Gift Shop

Janine Evanish is pleased to announce the opening of the Heaven and Earth Gift Shop located in the former Guild Studios building at 400 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton. The Guild building has been extensively remodeled and offers a fine selection of greeting cards, books, jewelry, home décor, children’s and teens’ gifts, and classic Catholic merchandise. Plans are also being made to open an adjoining café in the near future. Hours are 10:30 AM-5:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday. If you have any questions, please call (570) 800-1877.

Drums Crochet or Knit for a Cause

The Drums Crochet or Knit for a Cause Group makes baby hats and blankets for newborn babies of the Pregnancy Resource Center of Greater Hazleton. The meetings are held monthly on the 1st Wednesday.

Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society

Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society has many available resources (books, newspapers, magazines, manuscripts, city records, church records, cemetery records and family histories) which can aid in your genealogical quest. They are located at 689 Main Road, Hanover Township, in the caretaker’s house inside the Hanover Green Cemetery. Their website is www.nepgs.com.

Catholic School Academic Angel

As families register their students for the upcoming school year, consider becoming an Academic Angel! Your contribution is an investment in a child’s future– the outcome speaks for itself. Our schools offer an instructional environment that challenges the mind while inspiring and strengthening the spirit. Please consider supporting our students for the 2017–18 school year. You can designate the gift as a memorial or as an honor for someone special and you can also select a particular school to receive your gift, or allow us to allocate it to the area with the greatest need. Contributions can be sent to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation, 300 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton PA 18503.

Catholic Karate and Scripture

Catholic Karate and Scripture is starting up 2 beginner classes and is accepting 5 new families at each of its locations at St. John Bosco and Most Precious Blood. Each class starts and ends with a blessing. Scripture and prayer are also part of the class. A 2-month course is $60 with $10 off for a 2nd family member. Contact Sensei Burns at (570) 578-3499 to reserve your spot.

St. Joseph’s Pantry

Catholic Social Services is in need of volunteers for the St. Joseph Pantry. It is a client-choice pantry and open four days a week - Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10:00 AM – Noon and 1:00 – 3:00 PM, and on Thursday from 2:00 – 6:00 PM. Volunteers would assist with filling orders and, if comfortable, interviewing. The pantry serves approximately 400 unduplicated families per month. Also, the agency is in need of volunteers to help with coordination of the Christmas Giving Distribution. For more information, please call (570) 455-1521.

Ladies of Charity

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton invites the ladies of the parish to join The Ladies of Charity as they serve those in need of material and spiritual assistance. Just one hour a month can make a big difference in the lives of so many and you will find great satisfaction in doing God’s Will. Our Ladies serve in their parishes and their communities and they choose their own works of charity. Please join with us and enjoy the fellowship and many spiritual blessings throughout the year. It would be our pleasure to welcome you. We are planning our Day of Enrollment in April with liturgy and a solemn investiture for new members. For further information, please call Evelyn at (570) 474-5192.

Haven for Women

If you or someone you know is pregnant and scared, there is help locally – the Haven for Women, 128 W. Green Street, Hazleton. Telephone (570) 459-5900 or visit www.onlineforlife.org. Online for Life is a non-profit outreach to help women in crisis pregnancies. Please give your baby life – your mother did.

Attention Veterans

If you would like to help in programs that benefit veterans and residents of Sugarloaf and Butler Valley, please consider joining American Legion Post 795. If interested, call (570) 788-5335.

SpiriTrust Hospice

SpiriTrust Hospice is looking for volunteers to join the Hospice Team. Volunteer to visit terminally ill clients in your community. A volunteer is a good neighbor who gives a helping hand, is a good listener, and reassures with kind words of encouragement. Volunteers also help with office work, bereavement calls and visits, and baking bread for bereaved families. Call Cathy Sweeney, Volunteer Coordinator, at (877) 438-3511 to learn more.