Sacraments

BAPTISM

Infant Baptisms are usually celebrated on Sundays after the last Mass by Fr. Ric or Deacon Maurice.  Both parents or legal guardians are required to participate in a Baptismal Preparation Parent Class prior to the Baptism.  The class may be held during the pregnancy or immediately after the birth of the child. By special arrangement, Baptisms may be celebrated within Mass or on another day.  Contact the Parish Office to schedule the class.  At least one parent must be a Catholic and a registered and participating parishioner. 

REMINDER REGARDING GODPARENTS FOR BAPTISM AND SPONSORS FOR CONFIRMATION:

The requirements to be a Godparent or sponsor are:

1. Age 16 or above. (May be dispensed, for a good reason, by the Pastor)

2. Sponsor/Godparent must be a fully initiated Catholic through the reception of the initiation Sacraments of: Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.

3. Godparent/Sponsor MUST be a registered and participating member of a Catholic Church.

4. If married, the sponsor or Godparent must be married according to the teaching of the Catholic Church. Those married civilly are not permitted unless their civil marriage was convalidated in the Church.

5. Only ONE sponsor is needed for Confirmation (Male or Female) and ONE Godparent for Baptism. If two Godparents are requested, one must be female and one male.

6. If a practicing and baptized non-Catholic is requested in addition to the Catholic Godparent for a Baptism they would serve as a CHRISTIAN WITNESS. However, a baptized Catholic who left the Roman Catholic Church and joined a non-Catholic Church would not be suitable to serve in this role.

7. Obviously, the person chosen must be a man or woman of prayer and Christian morals who seeks to grow in their faith and to give the child or young adult that they sponsor, a good example of what it means to be a Catholic Christian.

8. A sealed letter from your proper Pastor attesting to you fulfilling these requirements is required PRIOR to selecting a date for the Baptism.

RECONCILIATION

Confessions are heard every week at both of our Churches:

Saturdays, St. John Bosco Church, 3-3:30 PM

Sundays, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 8:15-8:45 am

Also, anytime by appointment and/or request. Simply call the office. We also have additional hours during the Advent and Lenten Season.

FIRST PENANCE – FIRST EUCHARIST

These Sacraments are usually received in the 2nd grade after 2 successful years of Faith Formation.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

We extend our prayerful congratulations to the 15 youngsters from our parish who have received Jesus for the very first time in Holy Communion on Saturday, May 3. We are grateful to their teachers, the Faith Formation aides, and their parents for their efforts to impart the Catholic faith to our youngsters through word and example during this past year.

Our Catechists and Aide were:

DeDe Maylath

Teachers Aide - Kendall Wozniak

CONFIRMATION-more info click here

This Sacrament is usually received in the spring of the 8th grade year.  Two years of successful Faith Formation is required. 

THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

Congratulations on your engagement. Before you set any dates for your wedding at St. John's Parish or a commitment with a venue for your reception you must contact the Pastor. Weddings are usually held on Saturdays at 1 pm. Weekday Weddings are also permitted. In addition to meeting with the Pastor for pre-marital preparation and planning for the actual Nuptial Mass or Wedding Ceremony, Saint John Bosco Parish requires that you participate in an in-person Diocesan Pre-Cana Session. The Pre-Cana schedule for 2025 has been released and is posted on the bulletin boards in both of our Churches. If you contact the Parish Office a schedule will be sent to you or you may simply go online at our Scranton Diocesan web site, Office of Parish Life. You are encouraged to participate in the Pre-Cana Conference. If you have any questions/concerns regarding our Church policies for Weddings, please contact the Pastor at 570-788-1997, EXT 4.

2026 PRE-CANA MARRAIGE PREPARATION SESSIONS SCHEDULED

All engaged couples who are planning to be married at St. John Bosco or Sacred Heart of Jesus Churches in 2026 or 2027 are required to participate in a Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation Session sponsored by the Office of Parish Life of the Diocese of Scranton. The schedules are posted on our parish bullettin boards and are also available by calling the parish office or by checking the Scranton Diocesan web site (https://www.dioceseofscranton.org/parish-life/community/). Any questions/concerns regarding registration, simply call our parish office at 570-788-1997,EXT 3.

CONVALIDATION OF A CIVIL MARRIAGE

Couples who have entered into a Civil Union may have their Marriage convalidated or blessed in the Catholic Church in a simple ceremony.  This would make their Civil Contract a Sacrament.  The couple would meet with the Pastor to complete the paperwork, to discuss their civil marriage, their status in the Church and the ceremony.  Normally, the couple would not be expected to participate in Pre Cana.  The couple would use their same civil license.  Contact the Pastor for further information.

ANNULMENTS

Individuals who have divorced are encouraged to seek a Declaration of Nullity.  This process seeks to determine if you have a valid case to declare that your marriage was not a Sacrament.  There are two types of basic annulments:  Formal Case for a Catholic who was married in a Catholic Ceremony and a Lack of Form declaration.  This is when a Catholic was married in a civil ceremony or in a religious ceremony without proper dispensations or in an outdoor ceremony.

PASTORAL VISITS TO HOMEBOUND

If a parishioner is infirm and homebound and desires a pastoral visit and Holy Communion occasionally throughout the year, please contact the parish office.    Confession and Anointing may also be administered at that time by a priest.  In addition, we have special ministers of Holy Communion who bring the Eucharist to the homebound, hospitalized and those in Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes on a regular basis.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Please contact the Parish Office if you are having serious surgery or if you are in need of this Sacrament of Healing.