St. John the Baptist Church
Office: St. John’s Rectory
126 Nesbitt St., Larksville, PA 18651
Pastor: Rev. Gerald J. Gurka, M.Div.. M.Th., M.A.
Parish Helper: Msgr. Donald A. McAndrews, D. Hum.
Permanent Deacon: Deacon Frank H. Hine
Parish Mission Statement
Our faith community of St. John the Baptist, founded on the
word of God; welcomes all with charity and love….both the
strong of Spirit and those who search. As part of the Universal
Church, we acknowledge that God has uniquely blessed
everyone with abundant gifts. We celebrate the differences
that make all of us equal in the eyes of the Lord….using our
blessings to provide all who join us in Eucharist with a heartfelt sense of family and communion. For the Lord has brought
you to our door….you are a stranger here but once.
Rectory Office:
Fax:
Email:
Website:
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May 7, 2017
4th Sunday of Easter
A Prayerful Welcome to All
Worshipping With Us.
This weekend we celebrate
1st Communion of our younger
Parish Family Members and Vocations!
May we continue to hear God’s
call to love & serve!
Thanks for being here.
570-779-9620
570-779-7652
[email protected]
www.stjohnslarksville.org
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
Current Office Business Hours:
No Office Hours on Mondays
Tues, Wed, Thurs, & Fri: 9:00AM-11:30AM/12:30PM-2PM
All Other Times by Appointment
~New Parishioners: WELCOME to our parish family!
Please call the rectory office at your earliest convenience.
~Established Parishioners:
Please let us know of any change of address or telephone
number so that we may keep our records current. Families
moving from the parish are asked to notify the rectory office.
Home and Hospital Visitations: Are done on a regular
basis as well as the 1st Friday of the month. If someone is
homebound or hospitalized, please call the rectory office.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays--3:00 to 3:45 PM
Sacrament of Baptism: Parents must be registered in the
Parish. Please call the office at least 4 months before your child
is due. Instruction is required and normally held on the 1st
Monday of each month. It is best to attend this class before the
child’s birth. Baptism is normally celebrated in our Parish at the
9 AM Mass on the 1st Sunday of the month. Exceptions are
made for unusual circumstances, with the pastor’s approval.
Sacrament of Holy Orders: Is God calling you? Please see Fr.
Jerry or Deacon Frank.
Sacrament of Marriage: Diocesan regulations require those
couples planning marriage to contact the pastor at least twelve
months prior to the desired date of the marriage and other
wedding arrangements.
R.C.I.A. (The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults):
For those in need of baptism or completion of sacramental
preparation. Please contact rectory.
GOSPEL GLIMPSES
May 7, 2017
Jn 10:1-10
Bo knows
You’re reading today’s gospel and find yet another
shepherd reference. Does something inside you yell,
hey, I live in a CITY! Who am I Little Bo Peep? Well
consider this image. Your family is headed out to dinner. Opening the door you swoop a protective arm
around stragglers, herding them outside. In the car
you steer them to the best grazing. Once inside a
warm, dry shelter you soothe the little lambs until
they are peaceful and ready to eat. You keep a wary
eye on your flock while everyone is fed and then
gather them back to the car and home.
Feeling a little sheepish? Probably. We all have a
touch of Little Bo Peep, whatever life we lead. We
shepherd those God has entrusted to our care, seeing their daily needs are met. And just as our “little
lambs” learn to trust and follow an earthly shepherd,
we must in turn trust and follow our heavenly Good
Shepherd. It’s like being Bo Peep and the sheep at the
same time. A humbling thought for all of us. Who
knows what other lessons we can learn from all this
pastoral imagery? Bo knows. And God does too.
©Copyright C L Enterprises
May 7, 2017
4th Sunday of Easter
Come Worship the Lord
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
5/08
5/09
5/10
5/11
5/12
5/13
5/14
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
4:00 PM
7:00 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
George & Lillian Goode
Gina Atchue
No Mass
Peter Mayerski
Mary Woods
Leo & Sophie Niezgoda
Mother’s Day
Mass
Intentions
Julie Morris
Father
Family
Jim Mellon
Tom & Ann Niezgoda
Solving Life's Problems
There was once a man who spent days putting together a jigsaw puzzle that contained 5,000 pieces. After working on the
puzzle every night for two months, he finally got the entire puzzle together, except for one piece. It turned out that the box
containing the puzzle had only 4,999 pieces. There was one crucial piece missing! And because it was missing, his puzzle was
never complete.
Have you ever felt as though there was one crucial piece that is missing from your life? Have you ever felt as though the
problems of this life are too much to bear? Have you ever felt lost and didn't know which way to turn? If so, Jesus invites you
this day to join His flock and to follow Him. He tells us today that He is the answer, He is the solution, and He is the missing
piece that will make your life complete.
Today’s Readings: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Peter 2:20b-25; John 10:1-10
Prayerful Congratulations to the members of our 1st Eucharist Class:
Parker Cardillo ~ Payton Cardillo ~ Zachary Chervenitski ~ Lilyrose Ebert
Alexander Ferik ~ Nicholas Innamorati ~ Richard Kane ~ Kiana Marie Mahle
Alan Martin, Jr. ~ Abby Radginski ~ Kyra Suda
Prayerful Gratitude to their dedicated, inspiring Catechists: Mary & Marty Gabel;
Program Co-Ordinator: Judi Howe assisted by Toni Shrawder; Music Director: Jill Antall
Sanctuary Candle burns this week
in memory of Mrs. Cassie Chernoski,
offered by Granddaughter, Bernita.
Zoie Aibhlinn Yedloski
was welcomed into our faith through the
Sacrament of Baptism last weekend. Prayerful
Baptismal Congrats to her parents, godparents,
family and friends.
2nd Banns of Marriage are announced between
Rachael Sromovski of our parish family and
Christopher Patricio of St. Ignatius, Kingston.
Please Note: The Rectory Office will be closed on
Thursday, May 11th. In case of emergency, please leave
your name & phone # with our Answering Service.
The Trinity Dome at America’s Catholic Church
The Bishops of the United States have approved a special
one-time 2nd collection to take place in parishes across
the nation on Mother’s Day 2017 to support the mosaic
ornamentation of the Trinity Dome, the crowning jewel of
the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Prayerful Congrats to William Berlew, Andrew
Novrocki, Kyle Toporcer and their families, who received the Bishop’s Youth Award at St. Peter’s Cathedral this week. We’re humbly proud of you!
2017 World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Today the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. Will you make a special effort to ask the Lord for
more vocations to the priesthood and religious life?
 Pray for the priests who have ministered to you
throughout your life, both living and dead.
 Keep our parish priests in your prayers throughout the
week.
 Encourage your children, grandchildren, or other young
people to consider a vocation as a priest or religious
brother or sister.
 Pray a rosary for more young men and women in our
diocese to respond to God’s call.
Join an “Invisible Monastery”
Pledge to pray for vocations at the international website,
invisiblemonastery.com. It was inspired by a call from the
Vatican urging Catholics to “organize an ‘invisible monastery’ in which many persons, day and night, are committed to continuous prayer for priestly vocations.”
May 7, 2017
4th Sunday of Easter
May - the month of Mary
 May is the month of our Blessed Mother. Begin new or practice old traditions of honoring Mary. Crown an
indoor/outdoor statue of Mary with flowers or herbs, place candles or flowers at a picture of her. Read and
pray over scriptural accounts of Mary’s Annunciation, Visitation and role in Jesus’ Passion. May, the beauty of
nature, the beauty of Mary.
 Please return your Mother’s Day Mass Intention envelopes by Thursday so they may be placed on
the altar. These intentions will be prayed for at Sunday’s Mother’s Day Masses, as well as designated Masses throughout the
month of May.
 There will be a special blessing of Mothers during all Masses next weekend.
 Next weekend - Mother’s Day weekend, we will once again support the efforts for the Pro-Life Center in defending human
life by participating in their Annual Carnation Drive. All proceeds will aid mothers and babies. If you wish to leave a memorial to your Mother, vases will be placed near the Blessed Mother statue.
 Next Sunday, after the 9AM Mass, we will have May Crowning. Children from our parish family are welcome to take
part in this beautiful tradition of honoring our Blessed Mother. Please see Faith Formation News below.
Faith Formation News
 Classes will not be held today, May 7th, due to 1st Commun-
ion.
 Next Sunday, May 14th, the Faith Formation Classes will be
held in conjunction with the 9AM Mass and the May Crowning ceremony. All students are required to attend this
Mass.
 The May Queen, members of her court, members of the 1st
Communion Class and anyone interested in participating in
the May Crowning must attend practice on Thursday, May
11th from 6 to 7:30PM in the church. May Crowning will take
place at the conclusion of the 9AM Mass on Sunday, May
14th. Those participating should gather in the church hall by
8:30AM.
New Ministry Schedule: we will begin working on the new
schedule for June/July. If there is a particular weekend, you do
not wish to be scheduled, please contact the rectory office by
May 8th.
Meeting for Pastoral Council Members on Thursday,
May 18th at 6:30PM in our Church Hall with Mary Anne
Malone, our Diocesan Facilitator.
Easter Flowers available to take home
Some of the beautiful plants that adorned our Sanctuary - are
now available - in the church hall. Look for your “adopt-aflower” card! Deepest Prayerful Gratitude to all who
“blossomed!”
Flea Market “Treasures” may be brought to our church hall
weekdays from 8AM to 12Noon or before and after the weekend Masses beginning Monday, May 15th. Look for items
around your home that are no longer used or wanted, but still
serviceable. Please remember, we are unable to accept clothing,
encyclopedias, stuffed animals, or TVs.
Thank you for silencing your cell phones & pagers
and refraining from texting while in church.
Prayer Shawl Meeting and Work Session will be held on Wednesday, May 17th
at 6PM in the church hall. All are invited
and welcome to join our ministry. If someone you know, needs a prayer shawl please contact the
rectory. If you aren’t able to attend a meeting, but want
to donate a lap robe, shawl or afghan, please contact the
rectory office. Thanks!
Pierogies
Pierogie making for our Bazaar begins Monday, May 15th
and continues each Monday (except Memorial Day, May
29th and July 3rd) thru July 31st. Please mark your calendars and plan to join the fun of our Pierogie Pinching Parties from 8AM onward. No experience necessary! Pierogie Prep starts at 7:30AM each Sunday before a Pierogie Monday. Volunteers for Sunday & Monday are most
welcome & appreciated!
Please Note: Revised Monthly Calendar with the addition: Bazaar Meeting on Wednesday, May 24th after the
7PM Ascension Vigil Mass in the Church Hall.
Capital Campaign Payments are due. Please place
payment in an envelope marked “Capital Campaign” and
drop in the collection basket or send to the rectory.
Thank you!
Catholic Home Missions Appeal
Thank you for your generous support of last week’s
Catholic Home Missions Appeal. Your contributions of
$307.50 will help strengthen the Church at home and
ensure that the Gospel is spread across the United States.
Commitment of Treasure
April 30, 2017
Adult Envelopes Issued 749 Adult Envelopes Used 270
Budget
Collection
Weekly
$5,650
$4,691.50
Fiscal Year-to-Date
$248,600
$225,789.96
Diocesan and Community News
Tune in to JMJ Radio 750AM/98.9FM for the latest in Catholic Radio. You will be glad you did!
All are welcome to attend the World Day of Prayer for Vocations Diocesan Celebration on Sunday, May 7th at 5:30PM
at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will be
the principal celebrant and homilist. The Diocese and Vocation Directors of Religious Communities will display materials at a
light reception following the Liturgy. Another part of the special celebration will be the launch of #partnerwithfrancis, the
diocesan-wide survey to gather the voices of the young church (ages 16-35) in preparation for Pope Francis’ 2018 Synod on
Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. Bishop Bambera will participate in the first listening session, which will take
place after the reception. To register for the listening session and/or for more information, please call 570-780-2996.
Rosary Rally: Saturday, May 13th at 12Noon at Our Lady of Fatima Grotto, North Street, Wilkes-Barre. It is sponsored by
America Needs Fatima, and the local Lay Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Following the Rosary, Mr. Walter Camier
will speak of the Fatima message. All are invited. For information, please contact Nancy at 570-239-3363.
Devotions of Our Lady of Fatima will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church, Harveys Lake, beginning May 13th at 7PM
for monthly devotions to Our Lady of Fatima on the 100th Anniversary of Apparitions. Devotions are held the 13th of each
month from May through October. Refreshments will be served following the service.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Scranton will hold a Formation Day on Saturday, May 20th at the
Holy Family Spiritual Renewal Center in Nanticoke. Registration and breakfast from 8 to 9AM. Main program from 9AM to
5PM. The theme for the day is: "Pentecost and Beyond: The Flow of the River of the Holy Spirit." Guest presenter for the day
is Father Timothy Cremeens Ph.D., pastor of Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Orthodox) in Wilkes Barre. From his unique perspective as a charismatic Orthodox priest with a Ph.D. in Church History, Fr. Timothy will trace the movement of the Holy
Spirit since Pentecost, analyzing the response of the Church to the Spirit’s past interventions in order to prepare us to be vigilant in responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the future. Registration fee is $25 per person, which includes three meals.
Deadline for registration is May 15th. For more information and registration details, contact Bob Valiante at 570-344-2214 or
email: [email protected].
Catholic Choral Society Spring Concerts: Friday, May 19th at 7:30PM at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave.,
Scranton and Sunday, May 21st at 7PM at St. Ignatius Church, 339 North Maple St., Kingston. On Friday evening, the Choral
Society will host the Endless Mountains Barbershop Chorus directed by Marty Wise as guest performers. On Sunday evening,
the Choral Society will host as guest performers the Good Shepherd Academy Senior Choir directed by Mr. Thomas J.
Hanlon. The group, is composed of 50 members from Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties.
Director of the Catholic Choral Society is Ann Manganello and the accompanist is Jean Shields. Tickets are available from society members or by calling 570-587-2753; tickets are also available at the door. $10 Adults, $8 Seniors and Students, Free for
children under 12.
All Saints Parish Bingo & Basket Raffle will be held at Holy Child Faith Formation Center, 119 Willow St., Plymouth on
Sunday, May 21st. Doors open at 12Noon. $5 Admission. Regular and special games available for purchase. Refreshments also
available to purchase.
Bus Pilgrimage: A bus pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA will be held on Saturday, June 3rd. Cost of the trip is $45 which includes the bus, a hot luncheon served at the Shrine, and driver gratuity. Breakfast items will be served on the bus. If anyone is interested, please call Theresa Lisiewski at 570-822-0831.
Camp Veritas 2017: a one-week play-and-pray sleep away summer camp for teens going into 7th to 12th grades. It will be
held at 3 USA locations in 2017: July 16-22 at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY, July 23-29 at Summit Lake Camp in
Emmitsburg, MD & August 13-19 at Camp Lakota in Wurtsboro, NY. Enrollment price for each week is $450 per camper. No
additional charge for the dance and basketball program options (at Mount Saint Mary College only). Volunteers (must be over
18 years old) are needed and free! More details can be found at www.campveritas.com.
LifeLine — “In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, also called confession, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant
forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him.”
~ USCCB, “God’s Gift of Forgiveness: A Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation”
Let us Pray …For the times we have failed to treat others with love and respect:
May Christ renew our souls in the Sacrament of Reconciliation...