Saint Patrick's

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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 from 9:50 to 10:50 AM, prior to the 11 AM Mass each Sunday in the Saint Patrick Church hall. For more information, contact the parish office, as well as visiting our Facebook page.

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, Director of Religious Education, 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 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.  

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. 

Before Sunday Mass 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. 

This ministry supports our parishes in becoming thriving, vibrant communities of committed disciples of Christ, who know Him personally and are eager to share their faith with the wider community. Parish renewal will focus on three areas of renewal, in particular: Liturgy/worship, spiritual growth and evangelization/outreach.

Members of our parishes will be nourished by vibrant worship (centered on the Eucharist), will have a strong grasp of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and will discover and use their God-given gifts in the service of the parishes and the wider community.

The Parish Renewal Team sponsors both social and spiritual events. Some past events have included parish prayer services, Bible studies and movie nights.

This ministry visits the sick and shares the Catholic faith with other in our area.

This association of the faithful, originally founded by Servant of God Frank Duff, is established in the parish for prayer and service. The Legion of Mary leads the rosary before Masses and funerals. They hold weekly meetings and participate in Pastoral Outreach visits to the homebound. 

This council of the Knights of Columbus serve the Abingtons and surrounding communities and look to help the parishes in Clarks Summit, Clarks Green, Dalton, Newton Twp and Nicholson to be the best versions of themselves. The Knights of Columbus is a leading Catholic Men’s service and fraternal organization dedicated to promoting and conducting educational, charitable, religious and social welfare works, rendering mutual aid and assistance to sick and needy members and their families, and providing insurance products and annuities to benefit members, wives and children.

Abington Council #6611 of the Knights conducts a variety of activities throughout the year, including:

• Support for AV equipment at Our Lady of Peace School for Sunday AM faith formation program

• Support for the purchase of the new organ at the Church of Saint Gregory

• Financial assistance and participation at Saint Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen

• Support for parish activities, including a variety of pro-life activities

• Adopt-A-Highway participant in Waverly for over ten years

• Sponsorship of baptismal bibs for baptisms

• Support of Catholic radio – JMJ 750 AM

• Scholarships for local graduates of Catholic schools

• A Knight at the Races

• Support for the Tiny Tim Christmas gift program

• Flower and hoagie sales throughout the year

• Masses for the deceased on a regular basis. 

This ministry provides an opportunity to purchase donated clothing items at deeply discounted prices to all that may be in need. The Clothes Closet is open every Wednesday 5-7 PM throughout the summer.

This bi-monthly event is held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in the Saint Patrick Church hall. Doors open at 5 PM and games begin at 6 PM. Food items are also available.