Image from Conception Benedictine Abbey

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD PARISH Rev. John V. Polednak, V.E., Pastor Deacon André Kabacinski, Parish Deacon

Rev. Joseph G. Elston, In Residence

127 Stephenson Street, Duryea, PA, 18642 Tel: 570-457-3502 Fax: 570-451-3341 E-mail: rectory@nativityduryea.org Web: www.nativityduryea.org

Masses: Daily, M-F – 7:00 am ● Saturday (Vigil)- 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm ● Sunday- 7:30 am, 9:00 am and 11:15am

Confession: Daily, M-F~6:40-6:55 am ● Saturday- 3:15-3:45 pm, and anytime upon request.

S

olem

nity

of t

he E

pip

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of t

he L

ord

– J

an

. 3,

20

16

THANK YOU! Much thanks to all those who made our Christmas celebration spiritual and beautiful! We received many compliments on how nice our church looked. Setting up and taking down takes a lot of work and dedication - thanks to all who helped. The music program provided by both our Youth Choir and Senior Choir was sensational and enjoyed by all. The time and effort of all the readers, servers and extraordinary ministers who helped is greatly appreciated. May God bless all of you for your dedication to our parish!

Father Polednak, Deacon Kabacinski and Father Elston also thank all those who sent cards, gifts and blessings for the Christmas Season. They are greatly appreciated. May God bless you all, and grant you a Holy, Happy and Healthy New Year!

LITURGICAL CALENDAR AND INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 4-10, 2016

Mo

n

4 7:00am George Matrone (by Bill and Debbie Orner)

Tu

e

5 7:00am Felicia Sokolowsky (30-Day—by Family)

We

d

6 7:00am For the health of Gabriel Valentin (by Robin Hughes)

Th

u

7 7:00am Kevin J. Wolcott (by John and Jackie Durkin and Family)

Fri

8 7:00am Scott Verdine (by Terry and Diane Franklin)

Sa

t 9 4:00pm 5:30pm

Felicia Sokolowski (by Residents of Crossin Towers) Leo Facciponti (by Bill and Charlotte Balchune)

Sun

.

10 7:30am 9:00am

11:15am

For the Intentions of Our Parishioners Francis Lacey (by Gerry and Karen Lacey) Frances Singer (by Tom and Mary Ellen Singer)

VOTIVE CANDLE OFFERINGS

Sacred Heart of Jesus Joanne and Emery Marcin (by Gloria and Tara Cywinski)

Blessed Virgin Mary Francis Swenton (by Pat and Christa Murman)

Saint Joseph Edmund M. Gromelski (by Andy, Maureen, Rick, Peggy, Janie & Matt)

Thank you to all who have pledged/donated to this important request! Please refer to the insert for the latest report from the Diocese.

LOAVES AND FISHES PROGRAM: January – Baked Beans

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, DD, JCL, Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2016 to a Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 5. The event inlcudes a 2:30 p.m.

Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral followed by a reception. Requests for an invitation, with a mailing address, should be made through our rectory office before March 7.

KNOW A MARRIAGE THAT NEEDS HELP? Throw them a lifeline and tell them about Retrouvaille, an international program that helps couples who are experiencing marital difficulties. This program is for all couples, at any stage of marriage, that need help to communicate with each other in a more attentive and loving manner. The next program in the Scranton Diocese begins Feb. 26-28, 2016, at The Ramada Inn, Clarks Summit, PA. Please call 800-470-2230 for more information or to register, or visit the website at www.helpourmarriage.org.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS for the weekend of December 25-26-27, 2015 $4960.75 Sunday Offertory; $658.66 Loose; $2190.00 Secondary Envelopes;

$17,251.75 Christmas; $808.25 Christmas Loose Thank you very much for your kind and generous support of your Parish. Your sacrifice is always appreciated!

Nativity of Our Lord Parish Bulletin January 4-10, 2016 Christmas Season 2

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM—We welcome to the Church Nelle Sheila Palumbo who will be baptized today (Saturday) and Allie Margaret Beekman and Harper Morgan Hewitt who will be baptized Sunday. As

they receive their new life in Christ in the Sacrament of Baptism, may the Lord Jesus fill them with many graces and blessings all through their Christian life. We extend our parish best wishes and congratulations to them, their parents and families on this happy occasion!

CCD NEWS—Our students and teachers are still enjoying their Christmas vacation. There are NO CCD classes today. Classes will resume next Sunday, January 10.

HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL GIFT CERTIFICATES The gift certificates that support Holy Rosary School and our other Diocesan schools may be purchased according to the regular schedule on Thursday, January 7, from 8:00-10:00 a.m.

BLESSING OF HOMES Father John will begin the blessing of homes this week. Phone calls will be made before making the visit. Please note that home blessings are by

request only – don’t assume Father knows to come to your home. You can call the rectory to inform us of your request.

ITEMS FOR THE BEGINNING OF 2016

2016 PARISH CALENDARS—are still available in the church. Please take your calendar. Thank you very much to the Piontek Funeral Home for their donation of the calendars!

CHILDREN’S ENVELOPES FOR 2016—A few of the children’s boxed sets are still available for pick-up in the church lower vestibule. Reminder: If your child has recently or will soon turn 18 years of age, they should begin receiving adult envelopes in the mail for February or March. If you have any questions, please call the rectory office.

YEAR-END STATEMENTS will be available upon request within the next few weeks after all 2015 posting has been completed.

SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION BAPTISM is the first Sacrament of the Church. Arrangements should be made with Father John shortly after the birth of the child. Please call Helen at the Rectory.

MARRIAGE—Anyone who is contemplating marriage

within the next year should see Father John at least six (6) months prior. Please call Helen at the Rectory to make arrangements.

PASTA DINNER—Queen of the Apostles Parish in Avoca will be hosting a Pasta Dinner on Saturday, January 9, in their Parish Hall, 742 Spring Street in Avoca. Take-outs start at 4:00 p.m. with buffet dinner from 5:00-8:00 p.m. (seating is limited to 150). Menu includes salad, bread, pasta & meatballs, dessert, soda, coffee, tea, water, BYBW (bring your own bottle of wine). Tickets are $10/adult; $6/children 12 and under; under 3 are free. Tickets are available at the rectory (570-457-3412). To reserve a table of 8 or 10, or for any questions, please call Paul Franceschelli as soon as possible at 570-430-9015.

Christmastime – Blessing of Homes One popular religious tradition since the Middle Ages has been associated with the Feast of the Epiphany: the pastoral visitation and blessing of homes with holy water and incense. The ritual calls for the pastor or another member of the parish clergy, or even a parent, to mark with blessed chalk, the inside of the main door with the initials of the Magi and a code of the current year connected with crosses: 20+C+M+B+15. The Three Kings: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, are traditional names given, though not named in the bible specifically. In Polish, Caspar is spelled with a “K”, explaining the more common 20+K+M+B+15! As has been announced, Father Polednak continues this tradition still today in our Parish, one of the very few pastors in our Diocese to do so.

Christmas Season

3

APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY

Universal: INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE ~ That sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice.

Evangelization: CHRISTIAN UNITY ~ That by means of dialogue and fraternal charity and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Christians may overcome divisions.

This Bulletin is printed in Loving Memory of John A., Theresa and

John Adamiak Jr.

and Roche Family

Judith Akulonis Frank and Helen Amantea Jean Marie Ambrosavage and

Mary Louise Bomber

John & Anna Barton

Family and

Brecelnik Family

Peter and Victoria Biga

Thomas and Stella Blasco Paul, Frank & Lena

and Gene Branas

Edward and Margaret

Brostoski Chilek and Hoover Families

Coyne and Wieczorek

Families

Irene DeAngelo

Rev. Andrew J. Marcinko

M/M Andrew Marcinko

Carmen and Idena DeBiasi

Deceased members of the

Louis and Dorothy Doxbeck

Family

Chester Draus Dulny and Kapish Families Jack Fischer and

Zaladonis Family Helen S. Mattei Freas

John T. Freas

and Mary Matt

Fumanti and Rafferty

Families Dominick “Beaver” Gigliello

Leo Glodzik, Sr.

and Lea Glodzik

Gregorczyk and Negvesky

Families Martin K. Hastie, Jr.

Jasienski, Bozinko &

Lewandowski Families Judge and Antal Families Eleanor and Joe Kojtek Marie Kudey Kundrat and Simko Families Eugene Madrak

Lottie and George Matrone Victoria, Stella and

William Maziarz

Thomas J. and Cecelia A.

McAndrew Henry B. McHale John and Mary Mikovitch

John, Michaline and

Joseph Milus

Moskaitis Family

Mary Ann Namatka

Peter & Elizabeth Namatka

William & Josephine Sowa

Sophia & Walter Nestorick

and Peter Pocholonis, Jr.

Bernard Olcheski,

Eileen Macuga and

William & Helen Dalton

Zigmont, Lottie &

David Olszewski and

Anna Skowronski

Frank & Florence Orlowski

Bernard J. Ostrosky Our Deceased Priests Teresa Ramiza Pace and

Michael T. Haluschak

Charles & Julia Pernot and

Martin & Anna Dunay

and Family

Ruth Pernot Samuel T. Perrins, Sr.

Eugene P. Perrins

Michael Pope, Jr. Stanley & Stella Rava

and Family

Rincavage and Billick

Families Michael and Irene Rostkowski Jess L. & Beatrice Rutkoski

Victor L., Anna and

Victor J. Salidas

Edward and Dorothy

Piorkowski

John & Helen Polanchik and

John & Helen Martin

Thomas & Florence

Skowronski and

Wascavage Family

Joseph and Mary Solarchik Dolores Acquadro Stallo and

Matthew “Max” Stallo

Margaret Stanavage and

Son, Ronnie

Carl Joseph Tucker, Butler

and Long Families Walter Urban Ross A. and Anna Vender

Jacob J. Vitek

Pauline M. Vitek

Theresa M. Vitek

Earl & Marion Vrabel and

Michael Larronde

Grant Larronde

Mike Wasko

Vincent & Mary Waszczak

and Marion Waszczak Bryk Margaret Yauk

Emily Yerke

Amelia & Joseph Nycz

Zujkowski, Pribula and Klink

Families Helen and Adam Zuro

Anna and Joseph Nametka

Alice and John Puscavage

Kenneth Zura

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