St. John Bosco Parish 

SSPTV'S MASS FOR INSPIRATION

In the Greater Hazleton Area we are blessed, through the generosity of the Lesante family, to have weekend mass televised for those who are, infirm, elderly, homebound, hospitalized, in an assisted living facility with or for some other serious reason, unable to attend mass in person. You can view it at home on The Service Electric Cable television station, SSP TV, channel 13 and 513 HD. The mass is broadcast on television on Saturdays at 4 and 6 PM and again on Sundays at 7 and 9 AM and 6 PM. You may also watch anywhere on any device 24/7 on SSP TV YouTube channel. Pass this on to friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others, who are unable to participate in person at mass. 

The Mass will be taped at St. John Bosco Church on Thursday, December 4, at 9 AM for the Second Sunday of Advent (December 6/7). Fr. Edward Michelini will be the Celebrant. It will be shown on Service Electric Cable TV on Channel 13 and 513 on Saturday, December 6 at 4 & 6 PM and Sunday, December 7, at 7 and 9 AM and at 6 PM. Sam -Son Productions is the producer. It may also be viewed on their web page. We are grateful to Sam Lesante and his family for providing this religious service to the Greater Hazleton viewing area.

THE WORD AMONG US

Saint John Bosco Parish maintains a monthly subscription of 75 copies of The Word Among Us, a Catholic magazine offering daily meditations based on the Mass readings, along with inspirational essays, stories of the saints, and more. Copies are available at the main entrance of the Church for anyone who would like one.If you prefer, you can also purchase your own subscription—available in standard print, large print, or as an online edition mailed directly to your home. For more information or to subscribe, visit their official website: wau.org

What Is a Eucharistic Holy Hour?

A Eucharistic Holy Hour is the practice of spending one hour in prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament, meditating especially on the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• The tradition dates back to the 17th century with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who received visions from Jesus asking her to spend an hour each Thursday meditating on His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38).

• Holy Hours may be observed individually or in community, and can be made in churches, chapels, or elsewhere.

• The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) provides resources and prayer formats for Holy Hours here: usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/eucharistic-devotion

Public Eucharistic Holy Hours at St. John Bosco Church

Held monthly in the church:

• First Fridays:
  ⏰ 8:30 – 9:30 AM (following the 8:00 AM Mass)

• First Saturdays:
  ⏰ 2:30 – 3:30 PM
  🙏 Confession available at 3:00 PM
  🕯 Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM

UPCOMING COLLECTIONS

Dec. 27/28: Winter Fuel Collection

Jan. 1: Solemnity of Mary - New Years Day and Initial Offering

2025 CHURCH CONTRIBUTIONS

If you wish to make up any church contributions for 2025, please submit them no later than January 4, 2026. Contributions received after this date will be applied to your 2026 contributions.

If you need a record of your 2025 contributions for Income Tax purposes or personal records, you are asked to complete the form that will be listed in the bulletin during January. You may drop it in the collection basket, bring it to the parish office, or mail it to the parish office. Records will be emailed toward the end of January. Please write your email address clearly on the form. If you prefer a printed copy, it will be available for pickup at the parish office.

INITIAL ENVELOPE

In your January envelope packet, you will find the Initial (First) Envelope. This envelope helps cover the cost of the envelopes and postage that are sent to you each month.

The total cost for each parishioner is $12.00 per year, which averages roughly $1.00 per month. If you are able to give a donation of $10 to help in defraying the cost of our necessary envelope program it would be deeply appreciat-ed. Thank you for your continued support!

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

The Christmas Collection is one of the most important offerings of the year. It helps us meet end-of-the-year expenses, diocesan assessments, and other large bills. Please consider making a generous offering this year. Whatever you can do will be deeply appreciated. As Scripture reminds us: “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

ANNUAL WINTER FUEL COLLECTION

With the onset of colder temperatures, the cost of heating our five parish buildings (electric, fuel oil, and natural gas) has dramatically increased. I am sure you have experienced this as well in your own homes. A Winter Fuel Envelope is included in your December packet for the weekend of December 27–28. Your generosity is truly appreciated.

ANNUAL INSURANCE COLLECTION

One of the necessary but most expensive items on our yearly budget is the Insurance on our Church Properties. The cost of self-Insurance at Sacred Heart properties (Church, Rectory, CYO, Cemetery and grounds) is a little over $10,000.00 and the cost of self-Insurance for Saint John Bosco properties (Church, Parish Center, Rectory, Rentals and grounds is over $20,000.00 per year. Whatever you can give toward this expense is appreciated. An envelope is in your set and may be deposited in the collection basket any weekend or taken or mailed to the Parish Office.

BEWARE OF SCAMS

It has been brought to my attention that some parishioners have recently received an email requesting gift cards, Visa cards, etc. for our parish. THIS IS A SCAM. Our parish and I will NEVER send you an email requesting money or gift cards. Do not fall for this scam. Look at the URL, phone number or email from which it was sent. It is not from our parish or from me. If you ever get one of these, please call the parish office and do not reply to that email or its bogus request.

FAITHFUL GIVING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Our Parish (both Churches) deliver the Word of God and Jesus in Holy Communion to the faithful of our area, parishioners and visitors alike. Your weekly offering allows us to do this and much more: maintain our beloved Churches and properties, offer assistance to those most vulnerable in our midst, conduct our outstanding religious education program for our youth and adults, and pay our dedicated staff and our daily operating expenses. We also realize the real financial sacrifice your donation represents.

Our Parish extends a special word of thanks to all those faithful parishioners and friends of our parish who continue to support us financially. It is through your generosity on a weekly basis and especially at Christmas and Easter as well as your participation in our annual fundraising events, such as the Grey Dog, Golf Classic, Spring Fling and Pasta Dinner, that we are able to spread the Gospel message to the faithful and to evangelize others. Thank You!

REMEMBER YOUR PARISH IN YOUR WILL AND ESTATE PLAN

A simple way to make a gift to Saint John Bosco Church or Sacred Heart of Jesus Church & Cemetery is through a bequest in your will. Such bequests help us continue our parish mission. Here is bequest wording you can use when writing a charitable bequest to one of our Churches or Parish Cemetery.

“I, (your name), of (city, state & zip code) give and bequeath to (Saint John Bosco Church), (Sacred Heart of Jesus Church) or (Sacred Heart-Saint Joseph Cemetery), (written amount, percentage of residuary estate, or descriptions of specific property) for its unrestricted use and purposes.”

KEEP YOUR PARISH RECORD UP-TO-DATE

You can help keep the Parish Records up-to-date by notifying us of any changes to your address, your phone number(s) and your email. Please notify the Parish Office at (570) 788-1997, ext. 3, or drop a note in the collection basket:

• If you have disconnected your landline and only use cell phones;

• If you still maintain your landline, but you primarily use a cell phone;

• If you have an email address; and

• If there are changes to either your mailing or physical address.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to update your information to keep your Parish Record current.

Parish Staff

Rev. Richard J. Polmounter, MS ............................ Pastor

Rev. Patrick D. McDowell .............. Pastor Emeritus (SH)

Rev. Christian Ekeh ................................. Associate Pastor

Deacon Maurice J. Cerasaro, Jr.

Reverend Steven J. Brosk, USAF, LT COL, RET

Reverend Edward L. Michelini

Maureen Ciavarella ........ Youth Faith Formation Director

Jennifer Gerhard, SJB .. Music Ministry, Adult & Youth Choir, Cantors Director

Robin Pottorff, SH ....................Organist & Choir Director

Melanie Pensock ........................................ Office Manager

Sarah Woolbert .......................................... Office Assistant

Beverly Cogan ........................................ Business Manager

Amy Herbener ............................................ Bulletin Editor

Philip & Marie Guza .............. Bereavement & Hospitality

Edward Slusarczyk .................... Liturgy Committee Chair

Pam Synoski ...................................... Parish Council Chair

Joseph Gallagher .......................... Finance Advisory Chair

Larry Huff & Marie Sauers ........................... Maintenance

William J. Pendziwiatr ................................ Grand Knight

James & Cecilia Zielinski ....... Parish DAA Ambassadors

Sacristan/Mass Coordinator ............... Veronica Martonik

Dan Davis ....................................................... Grave Digger

Ed Pane, OFM ............................. Third Order, Coordinator