YOUTH FAITH FORMATION

Although all children in Kindergarten through Grade 8 are welcome and encouraged to attend our Faith Formation Program, their parents must be formally registered in St John Bosco Parish or submit a letter from their proper pastor formally giving his permission for them to attend here. The registration or letter must be submitted this summer before registration is completed. Registered parishioners must be receiving mail from our parish and are expected to be participating at mass and sacraments regularity. It is not sufficient to say that you were baptized or married here or belonged in the past. Call the office at 570-788-1997, ext 3 if you have any questions about your membership or to schedule an appointment to join or rejoin.

CATECHETICAL SUNDAY

Youth Faith Formation Classes for Grades Kindergarten through Grade 8, begin on Sunday, September 10 at 10 AM. Pre-registration is required. Forms are available at the Faith Formation Office or by calling the Youth Faith Formation Director, Maureen Ciavarella, at 570-788-1997, EXT 6. Due to safety concerns, no child will be admitted on that first day without advanced registration. Your cooperation and understanding is appreciated.

OUR FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM

St. John Bosco’s Faith Formation program may be in its summer hiatus, but faith formation is never “over!” FAITH FORMATION involves the entire family, not only our youngsters, so it can truly can be an ongoing practice all year long. Let us share a few ideas!

GO TO MASS! Whether in Conyngham, Sugarloaf, Weston, Florida, Alaska, camping or at the shore, attend Mass every Sunday as a family! Honoring the Sabbath is a great way to keep your family together whether summer, winter, spring, or fall! If you are out of our area simply GOOGLE: “MASS TIMES” and add the city or town where you are at or traveling through and it will tell you the Catholic Churches, Mass times and directions.

VISIT OUR WEB PAGE! Each weekend, resources and links are available for further faith formation, etc.

PARTICIPATE IN C.L.O.W.! Although formal faith formation classes are not held in the summer, we had a very successful Vacation Bible School and almost every Sunday during the 9 am Mass at St. John Bosco Parish we have CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD. We invite our youngsters, age 3 to Grade 5 to join us for a reflection and an activity on the Scripture readings according to their age.

PRAY & SHARE DAILY! Is the whole family at the breakfast table at the same time in the summer? Consider starting breakfast with a prayer or short Bible story. Do you go for a morning walk once or twice a week? Maybe you can pray a decade of the Rosary while you walk. Or walk to Mass! Do your kids enjoy some summer screen time? There are some great Bible story movies from Moses to Jonah to Jesus! However you do it, creating the habit and expectation of starting (or ending) the day drinking in God’s Word is what is important. End each day with a simple prayer and examination of conscience with an Act of Contrition.

REMINDER - PARISH MEMBERSHIP

Although all young people are invited to participate in the Faith Formation Classes held at St. John Bosco Parish (Grades Kindergarten through Grade 8), you are reminded that at least one parent MUST be registered in our parish or if registered in another local Catholic Church, must have the WRITTEN PERMISSION of their Pastor to attend classes here and to receive the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist or Confirmation.

Please click on each for more info:

2025-2026

Ascension Press Online Journey to Confirmation

Faith Formation Calendar

Faith Formation Family Handbook

Faith Formation Registration

Faith Formation Service Hours Log

Faith Formation Lesson Plans

Decision Point Program

SJB Calendar of Events

Faith Formation Corner 3/22/2026

• Quick reminder that unless you are staying for 11:30 mass, please park in the upper parking lot and walk down to the building to pick up your child. Parking in the middle of the lot, parking against the flow of traffic, or traveling in the opposite direction of traffic are not permitted. Parishioners arriving for the 11:30 mass must be able to park in the front. Thank you for your cooperation.

•  All students are expected to attend Stations of the Cross at least one time with their family during Lent. Stations of the Cross is held here at St. John Bosco on Fridays during Lent at 7:00 pm. Attending Stations of the Cross at any parish meets this expectation.

•  7th grade students who are interested in upcoming service opportunities should check with the Faith Formation Office. There are several opportunities available over the next several weeks that will help you to get a start on your hours needed for Confirmation next year! Level 7 students must have 10 hours completed by the end of the year.

BISHOP’S YOUTH MINISTRY AWARDS

We are proud to recognize six of our parish youth who have been selected to receive the Bishop’s Youth Award. This special honor is presented to outstanding 8th and 12th grade students from parishes throughout the Diocese of Scranton who are actively living their faith and striving to be true disciples of Christ. Recipients are nominated by their parish based on how they live out through four key pillars: Word, Worship, Community, and Service. The awards will be presented by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., Bishop of Scranton, on Sunday, March 22, 2026, during Mass at Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton.

Students receiving this award demonstrate a commitment to these pillars by:

 Word: Living and sharing the Gospel message and growing in their love for Scripture.

 Worship: Participating actively in the life of the Church, especially the Eucharist and other sacraments.

 Community: Building relationships within the parish and school that help bring others closer to Christ.

 Service: Living out the Corporal Works of Mercy by serving those in need.

These young people are examples of faith in action. Through their dedica-tion to the Church and their willingness to serve others, they remind us that the future of the Church is bright.

Please join us in congratulating and praying for these six young disciples as they continue to grow in faith and lead others to Christ. Those receiving the awards from our parish are:

Kendall Maylath (Grade 8) Morgan Drauschak (Grade 12)

David Drauschak (Grade 12) Sam Ferrone (Grade 12)

Austin Tomczak (Grade 12) Michael Zamonas (Grade 12)

Congratulations and prayerful best wishes to each of you. May you continue to grow in faith and participate actively in the life of the Church.

FIRST RECONCILIATION (FIRST PENANCE)

Congratulations to 25 children in our Parish Youth Faith Formation Program will receive their First Reconciliation (First Penance) on Tuesday, January 13:

Alana Broyan Christian Chiacchio Wesley Chura

Francesca Conahan Dalena Demshock Adeline Dennison

Giada Forty Gavin Genetti Gabriella Havrilla

Landon Horlacher Riley Horlacher Jacob Kelchner

Briella Leechak Brenna Mayernick Madelyn Maylath

Ethan McCormack Mira McGowan Lillian Moran

Dante Natt Lilah Panzarella Giana Platukis

Layla Reed Carter Rentschler Skye Rodriguez

Regan Vowler

We extend our heartfelt thanks to their parents, to Mrs. DeDe Maylath, the 2nd grade catechist, Althea Ulanoski, the classroom aide, and to Maureen Ciavarella, our Youth Faith Formation Coordinator for all of their assistance in preparing our children.

We are also grateful to our Pastor, Fr. Ric Polmounter, along with Fr. Steven J. Brosk and Fr. Shawn M. Simchock, who assisted with the confessions and offered our youngsters the great gift of God’s grace—His forgiveness of their sins—through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

A reception with light refreshments will follow in the parish auditorium, and we are thankful to all who assist with the social. God’s blessings upon everyone today and always.

We are also pleased to share that two of our adult candidates, James and Nicole Shaw, will receive their First Penance later this month and have been guided by our OCIA team.

2025-2026 SAINT JOHN BOSCO FAITH FORMATION IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

• All levels will meet weekly from 10:00 -11:10 AM. Parents should park in the upper parking lot unless attending the 11:30 AM mass.

• Families are invited to join the 9 AM Mass each Sunday, and children aged 3 to 5th grade can participate in the Children's Liturgy.

• Drop-off Procedures: Levels 3-8 students can be dropped off at the main school doors; younger students should be walked to class by a parent. Parents must wait outside and should not enter classrooms.

• Dismissal: Parents will wait outside for student pickup, starting with upper levels. Safety volunteers will assist with parking lot crossing.

• Regular attendance to classes and Mass is mandatory and expected, with communication required for absences or early dismissals.

• Support is available for families needing assistance with registration or other matters can contact the Faith Formation office.