Community Happenings

PARISH BOOKS AVAILABLE

Years ago, during the pastorate of the late Father John K. Manno, two books were written and published by one of our parishioners, DR. JOHN R. LEASE and illustrated by Robin Antolick Marchetti. It is based on Cecil, oneof the large camels that figure in the St. John Bosco Outdoor Nativity. One of the books, entitled: “CECIL” (1992) is a Christmas Story and the other one is entitled: “CECIL’S JOURNEY,” (1994) is an Easter Story. Both of the popular books are family friendly and wonderful books that teach a valuable lesson for your children and may be read to your grandchildren and great grandchildren. A limited number of these hardbound edition books, which are listed with the Library of Congress, are still available. The donation is only $20 ea. If you are interested in securing a copy for yourself or to give as a gift to your children or grandchildren, please contact the parish office at 570-788-1997, EXT. 3. A copy of each of the books is available to view at the parish office. The proceeds of this sale will be given to St. John Bosco Church for our parish youth ministry

KALEIDOSCOPE OF THE HEART

Copies of Fr. McHugh’s new poetry book, Kaleidoscope of the Heart, is on sale at our parish office; cost is $23. Fr. McHugh is Pastor Emeritus at Good Shepherd Church, Drums. He served many years at Saint John Bosco Parish in Conyngham. He has celebrated Mass here and conducted many Adult Scripture classes over the years for our parishioners. He is a well-versed scripture scholar, historian, sports enthusiast, sports card collector and also a very talented writer! To reserve your copy, simple contact our parish office at (570) 788-1997, ext. 3, or visit our office during the week. Congratulations on your new book, Fr. McHugh!

MISSIONARY IMAGE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE COMES TO THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON!

The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a 4’ x 6’ exact digital replica of the original Miraculous Image “painted” by Heaven on St. Juan Diego’s cloak in 1531. The Rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Msgr. Diego Monroy, blessed the Missionary Image for the purpose of promoting sanctity of the family, solidarity of the Church in America, a culture of life, and a civilization of love. We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to venerate the Mis-sionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in our Diocese. Please see the parish Bulletin Board for the Public Visitation Schedule and other details.

OBLATES OF ST. JOSEPH

The Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph, Route 315, Laflin, will celebrate the feast day of their Founder, St. Joseph Marello, on Thursday, May 30th, with Masses in their chapel at 8:00 am, 12 Noon & 7:00pm. A light reception will follow the evening Mass. A threeday preparation of Masses will precede the Feast Day from May 27-29 with Masses at 8:00 am and 12 Noon. St. Joseph Marello (1844-1895) founded the Oblate Order in 1878 in Asti, Italy & has been serving in the Diocese of Scranton since 1929. For more information, call (570) 654-7542.

Community Blood Drive - Holy Rosary Church Hall

Donate blood in memory of Abby (Piskel) Valentine. Abby’s wishes were to encourage others to donate blood and also join BeTheMatch. Please honor Abby’s wish. Thurs., May 30, 1:15 - 6:15 pm

CAPUCHIN SISTERS OF NAZARETH will have their Nazareth Group meetings on the following dates and invite all High School young women to consider coming!

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Come for a pack-filled day of faith, fun, and communizing. Nazareth Group is a girls’ youth group and is an excellent way to go deeper into your faith! Please contact the sisters to RSVP before each meeting. Mother of God Convent, Tunkhannock, 570.836.2737; Mother of the Eucharist Convent, Williamsport, 570.745.3334. See bulletin board for more information.

www.capuchinsisters.com

Hazleton Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra

Concert, Sunday, June 2, 2:00 PM, Saint John Bosco Church, Conyngham, featuring music from Broadway. No charge; free will offering accepted.

REFRESH YOUR FAITH

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

Women from around the Diocese of Scranton gather on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Marywood University for the Annual Refresh Your Faith Catholic Women’s Conference. The day includes Mass with Bishop Bambera, continental breakfast, Catholic Marketplace, 3 Keynote speakers, rosary, Eucharistic adoration, music and lunch. Register for only $55, students $20.

You’ll be inspired by this year’s speakers. Father Justin Cinnante, O.Carm. brings in the truth of the real presence in the Holy Eucharist and the miracles he has seen!! Jackie Francois Angel loves being part of the Body of Christ. She fell in love with God at a youth retreat, and now is a full-time traveling speaker, singer/songwriter, and worship leader. Father Giuseppe Maria Siniscalchi, CFR gave up a career in law to follow his vocation. He will shine great light on the importance of the Eucharist for our times, the link between the Eucharist and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the healing journey into God’s Merciful Love.

Just added: Special programming Friday night, June 7 – with accommodations at Marywood University.

Holy Rosary annual Golf Tournament, Sunday, June 9th at Sand Springs

All are welcome! Captain & Crew Scramble Format with a shotgun start at 1:30 P.M. The event is priced at$75.00 a player until June 5; thereafter the price is $80.00 a player, so if interested in an afternoon of fun and food, register early. Entry fee includes green fees, cart, Italian buffet, and prizes for Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive and Pot of Gold contest. For registration or more information please call Joe Guardiani at 570-460-2871.

SEMINARIAN SPEAKER

Our Knights of Columbus Council have invited one of our Diocesan Seminarians, JEREMY BARKET, a Second Year Theology Student to speak at their Tuesday, June 18, meeting at 7 pm at St. John Bosco Auditorium. He is a native of Dupont, PA and is assigned this summer to St. Catherine's Parish in Moscow, PA. All of our Knights, the members of their families and our Parish Vocation Team are invited to attend. One of the primary roles of the Knights of Columbus is to encourage and support Church vocations through prayer, Christian example and financial assistance.

VOCATIONS GOLF CLASSIC

Monday, July 8, 2024 Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club, Mountain Top, PA For information/registration visit: https://wwwdioceseofscranton.org/giving/14th-vocationsgolf-classic. Deadline is June 21 to be included for sponsorship in the program. The proceeds of this annual event support the education of our Diocesan seminarians and future priests.

2024 WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS ANNOUNCEMENT

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 2024 to a diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 23rd. The event includes a 2:30 PM mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter followed by a reception. The registration deadline for this event is May 26, 2024. To register, please go to https://www.dioceseofscranton.org or contact Bridget Guarnieri, or familylife@dioceseofscranton.org or (570-) 207-2213 x 1133.

SACRED HEART CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC

The next planning meeting of our parish family picnic will be held on Monday, June 24, at 6 pm at the Weston Athletic Association Grounds. The picnic is free but we are asking for $5 for a ticket so that we can tell the caterer the number of meals that are needed. You will receive the $5 back at the picnic or you can donate it to the Black Creek Food Pantry. Tickets for the picnic will be available beginning on the weekend of June 1-2 in the parish office or at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church vestibule. The picnic will be held on Sunday, July 28, at the Weston Athletic Association Grounds on Weston Road (across from the parish cemetery). All are invited. 11 am - Outdoor Sunday Mass Noon - Catered Dinner BBQ Chicken Breast, Leg and Thigh, Potato Salad, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Cole Slaw and a Corn Roast. Iced Tea, Soda, Lemonade, Water. Desserts: Fresh Fruit Cup, Ice Cream Bar and baked goods. (Parishioners are asked to make, donate and bring baked goods). Noon - 3 PM - Music throughout the afternoon Afternoon - Bingo games. Participants are invited to bring corn hole games, cards, horse shoes, etc. The playground will be available for little children.

QUO VADIS - SUMMER CAMP

High school men (those entering their Sophomore year in September through 2024 Graduating Seniors) are invited to join the Diocesan Vocations Office for the annual Quo Vadis Days, June 24-26th at Marywood University! Quo Vadis is a 3-day summer camp for high school men that is designed to teach them about vocations and enrich their faith through prayer, fellowship, speakers, and activities. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with other faithful young men in the Diocese through games, sports, music, and small group discussion. The event also includes a visit from Bishop Joseph Bambera and the seminarians of the Diocese of Scranton. Those interested in participating must have a recommendation from their pastor, youth minister, Director of Religious Education, Deacon, or other parish minister. For more information, please email info@dioceseofscranton.org or call (570) 207- 1452. The cost will be paid by our parish. Please contact Fr. Ric AT 570-788-1997, EXT 4 AND LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER, if you might be interested.

SAVE THE DATE - MEN’S MALVERN RETREAT

The L. J. Ferdinand Malvern Retreat Group will hold their annual retreat on July 12 - 14 at the Malvern Retreat House. The group has been hosting annual retreats continuously for over 80 years and many men from our parish have faithfully attended the retreats - some for over fifty years! New retreatants are welcome and are encouraged to join them. Contact captain John M. Nonnemacher for more details (570-788-1012).

DIOCESE OF SCRANTON

UP & OVER

Middle School Retreat

July 12-14

Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center, Dalton, PA

Arrival: 7 PM Friday, July 12

Departure: 11 AM Sunday, July 14

Registration Fee - $170

Includes 5 meals, lodging, retreat materials and t-shirt.

LOOKING TO THE SUMMER OF 2024

Although we are in the autumn season and have not celebrated Thanksgiving or Christmas, remote plans are slowly emerging to have an Old Fashioned Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Family Picnic in the summer at the Weston Athletic Field on Weston Road. The space has already been reserved: SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2024.

After Christmas we will form a family picnic committee to plan it. Perhaps the afternoon might include an outdoor mass, catered luncheon, dessert and ice cream, music, bingo games, outdoor games like corn hole, etc. For this to happen we will need volunteers to share ideas and plan it.

This would not be a fundraising event but a social gathering. Please keep it in the back of your mind, jot some ideas down as you think of them and when we call a meeting in early 2024 please volunteer and attend. For now simply mark this date on your 2024 calendar if you have one. Our 2024 Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Calendars will be blessed and distributed in late November.

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

The Diocese of Scranton has a limited number of individual passes to the Eucharistic Congress, July 17-21, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis - at a reduced price of $200 ($360 value).

· These passes are valid for the full 5-day event (or any part) and are priced at $200. (Regular 5-day passes are $360)

· Passes will ONLY be sold online and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

· Passes do NOT include travel, meals, or housing for the Congress. All arrangements for travel, meals, and housing must be made by the individual.

Individuals may register directly. REGISTER AT: https://ccrscranton.org/national-eucharistic-revival

PLEASE NOTE: ANY ACTIVE PARISHIONER FROM ST. JOHN BOSCO OR SACRED HEART CHURCHES WHO REGISTERS AND PARTICIPATES IN THIS EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS WILL RECEIVE $100 TOWARD YOUR REGISTRATIPON FEE FROM OUR PARISH FOR YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONGRESS AND TO REPRESENT OUR PARISH. CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE AT 570-788-1997, EXT 3 or 4.

SAINT JOHN BOSCO PARISH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC

Sunday, August 25, Sugarloaf Golf Course, Rock Glen Road 9 am - Shotgun start. 7:30 am Registration. Raffles, Prizes, Dinner, Snacks, etc. Mark your calendar and invite your relatives and friends. Golf Committee Planning Meeting: Wed., May 29, 6 PM, Classroom 1. Adult Volunteers needed.

SOMETHING NEW

Christmas Bus Trip and Dinner Show Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, Hampton, NJ Thursday, November 21, 2024

“A PLAYHOUSE CHRISTMAS” Christmas Musical

Bus Transportation, Matinee show, and Dinner all included. Only $125 per person.

A great gift for an upcoming birthday, wedding anniversary, Christmas, etc. Choice of a large variety of Entrees. Includes their famous unlimited amazing Dessert Buffet. For information/reservations contact: Marie at (570) 455-3874. Payment in full is due with reservation. Bus fills up fast. Checks payable to St. John Bosco Church.

NEW ROOTS - ROAD TO RECOVERY

Providing Peer-Based Recovery Support Services

100 South Wyoming Street, Hazleton

Contact: 570-455-7000, Open: 8 am until 6 pm daily.

http://www.newrootspa.org

Email: information@newrootspa.org

Assisting those with a substance use disorder

and their families.

Certified Recovery Specialist

HEARTWOOD CENTER: Willow Foundation

Providing services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and/or food insecurity.

Breakfast and Lunch served daily, computer lab, etc.

SLOVAK PUBLICATION

The Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union's publication ZORNICKA is available for anyone who desires a copy at the main entrance of St. John Bosco Church.

Adult Prayer Group

"One in Christ Prayer Group" Meets at 12:45 PM on every 2nd and 4th Monday of each month unless other-wise announced. We meet in the basement of Holy Annunciation Church (St. Gabriel's). Do come and join us sometime for Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet, praise, song, scripture sharing, intercessory prayer, and sharing of how the Lord is working in our lives. Any questions, please call George Gunzerath at 570-455-1951 or Arlene Stagg 570-788-3643.

TUESDAY NIGHT BINGO AT GOOD SHEPHERD

You are invited to attend our neighboring parish for bingo at Good Shepherd Church in Drums on Tuesday evenings. Lot of fun and good cash prizes. The kitchen opens at 5:00 PM with special soups, sandwiches, beverages, ethnic foods and a variety of other goodies. The Early Bird game begins at 6:00 PM.

EMMAUS MINISTRY

Christ Lutheran Church, Conyngham, sponsors the Emmaus Ministry. They provide transportation to church events, medical appointments, and Food Pantry. If you have a need for this service or would like to be a driver, please contact Br. Fred Jaxheimer, OEF, 570 956-5991, (cell phone), or the Christ Lutheran Church in Conyngham.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES - “TO GO DINNER” PROGRAM

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) 455-1521 for more information.