Knowing the Catholic faith and Tradition is essential, if faith and tradition are to continue to be nourishing facets of our lives. Religious formation is valuable for youth of all ages, including those receiving the Sacraments of First Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Classes are conducted from September through May following the 9:30 AM Mass each Sunday. For more information, please contact Ashley Kenia, Director of Religious Education, at 570-780-6120.
Starting in seventh/eighth grade through college graduation, youth can start participating in our parish teen outreach program focusing on service hours and recreation. We aim to have an open environment for those looking to give back, earn service hours (if needed) and plan some fun recreational activities. This youth group meets one Sunday morning per month, then plans one faith, service or recreation event per month. To enroll into this program, please contact Julie Harvatine at jwharv03@gmail.com.
This process for entrance into and full communion with the Church is a journey that leads to transformation of mind and spirit. Guided by the Gospel and the example set by parishioners, newcomers find their place in the community of believers and discover a deeper relationship with Christ. Though it typically runs from September through April/May with reception of the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass, those thinking about becoming Catholic are always welcome, regardless of the time of the year. To learn more about this process, please contact Lucy Ziman at lziman1215@gmail.com or Greg Solfanelli at greg.solfanelli@gmail.com.
The Parish Pastoral Council is a community of representatives from ministries and members at large. The purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is to serve as an advisory body to the pastor and to provide direction for the parish as a whole in light of our mission statement.
Click here for the Diocese of Scranton: Servant Leadership Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines & Resources.
The Parish Finance Council is a group of parish members with skills to make recommendations regarding the finances of the parish as well as review budgets and financial statements.
This committee has a dedicated group of parishioners with knowledge and skill in property management, care and maintenance. The committee advises and assists the pastor in the maintenance, improvement and beautification of all parish properties.
The members of this ministry work to communicate God's Word using digital tools.
Stewardship and fellowship are two important means of ensuring that our parish remains vibrant. Through the sharing of our time, talents and resources, our parish continues to grow. Similarly, as we bond with our fellow parishioners, our parish family continues to thrive, which, in turn, helps to enhance our Catholic values. Stewardship and fellowship help us to achieve our parish mission goals of serving God and knowing one another.
The Disciples of Mary organization is an excellent opportunity to meet members of our parish family in an atmosphere of Christian fellowship and service. The society meets seven times a year during the months of March, April, May, June, September, October and November.
The Disciples of Mary work to promote devotion to the Blessed Mother through the recitation of the rosary at 7:40 AM on Thursday before Mass and prior to all meetings. The society honors the Blessed Virgin Mary by donating flowers for the altar during the months of May and October.
The Disciples of Mary care for the sanctuary, sacristy and liturgical vestments for our parish family.
The society supports our parish Prayer Shawl, Funeral Dinner and Sonshine Ministries. The society supports our parish family through fundraising activities, including semi-annual bake sales in May and November.
This ministry is available to provide spiritual assistance to the family of the deceased. Each year on All Souls Day or during the month of November a special liturgy is held remembering those from our faith community who died during the previous year. The families of the deceased are invited to participate in this special Mass.
The Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth is a Catholic Franciscan community of women religious who are apostolic contemplatives. The sisters maintain the Mother of God Convent in Tunkhannock Township. Our parishes provide financial support to the sisters for their needs.
This group of dedicated parishioners from the Altar & Rosary Society prepare a dinner for the family of a recently deceased member of our community.
Adult funeral servers assist the priest with the funeral ritual, help the priest with the book of prayers and the preparation of the gifts at funeral Masses.
Members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry gather weekly to knit and crochet while making shawls for those who are celebrating an occasion, such as a birthday, baptism or anniversary, or for those who are facing a crisis, illness or mourning a loved one.
Members of our parish visit the Wyoming County Correctional Facility on a monthly basis for a religious service.
The Pro-Life Ministry works to promote the sanctity of all human life, both born and unborn. Activities include the annual Mother’s Day carnation sale and the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
This ministry is an integral part of who we are and how we live as Catholics. It’s important for us to outwardly express the virtues of faith, hope and love within our local community.
The Lower Wyoming County Food Pantry serves individuals from our immediate area on a monthly basis. The Social Concerns Ministry collaborates with other organizations to fund and staff this valuable community resource. In addition to regular food distribution, special food certificates are distributed for Thanksgiving and Christmas for each family’s holiday preparation.
This ministry participates annually in the Adopt-A-Family Program. Donations are channeled to families from the Mill City/Lake Winola area who need help in providing for their family at Christmas time.
The ministry plays Santa to veterans living at Saint Francis Commons in Scranton. In this project involving multiple parish ministries, gift bags consisting of socks, personal care items and a shirt or jacket, are distributed. A wide array of movies, games and puzzles are also donated. They also receive Dunkin Donut gift cards. Saint Mary CCD students work to decorate the bags. The Saint Mary Altar & Rosary Society donates cookies, candy and cake to be enjoyed by all of our veterans that call Saint Francis Commons their home.
The “Sonshine” Ministry visits people from the parish and community sharing food, treats and a sharing of the Son’s message “to care for one another.”
These young people are present at our liturgies to assist the priest with the book of prayers and the preparation of the altar gifts. Any boy or girl (minimum requirement is third grade), who is interested in becoming an altar server, should contact the parish office.
Collection counters serve our parish by meeting in teams to count the offerings from weekends, special holidays and feast days.
Greeters welcome and assist parishioners, including those who enter through the ADA entrance to the church, and provide them with a parish bulletin.
Before weekend Masses and on Holy Days of Obligation, the ushers welcome the people entering the church and also distribute the weekly bulletin. At the offertory, ushers organize members of the congregation to present the offertory gifts of bread and wine to the celebrant. They also collect our offerings.
This group of men and women assist the priest in the distribution of the Eucharist to parishioners at Masses (if ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present), and to those confined in their homes, hospitals or nursing homes. They should demonstrate a special devotion to the Holy Eucharist and “receive sufficient spiritual, theological and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence.” (The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass, General Principles; USCCB)
The lector's role is to proclaim the "Word of God" as found in the Old and New Testament readings for our parish liturgies. Through prayer and reflection on these readings, they bring these readings to the gathered faith community, allowing them to become active listeners to the Good News. “[T]he table of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the treasures of the Bible are opened to them.” (The Lector at Mass, General Principles; USCCB)
Choir members, cantors and musicians share their talents not only to beautify the liturgy, but also to add reflective moments during the ceremonies and to enable the congregation to participate in the hymns and prayers of the liturgy. These sacred songs are meant to allow God to raise us and our souls up to Him and therefore should not detract from the Mass.
Saint Mary of the Lake has a very active adult choir, which participates in the liturgy for the 9:30 AM Mass on Sundays, as well as for major feasts and events throughout the year.
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