Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My sincere thanks to all who prayed for the 44 Jubilee pilgrims that we might have a safe and grace-filled pilgrimage. Indeed it was! The check-ins and flights went smoothly,no one got sick or injured, and above all it was indeed a time of joyful celebration of our Faith and a spiritual infusion of grace that will last all our lives Prayers were offered for all our parishioners and your intentions were brought to and placed on the altars where we offered the Holy Mass, St Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul’s Basilica, St Francis of Assisi, and Our Blessed Mother’s house in Loreto, And St. Mary Major (Our Lady of the Snows). Would that we could take you all.

You can imagine our thrill when at the Wednesday audience, in the midst of thousands and thousands of people, our Holy Father Pope Leo said; “Greetings to the pilgrims from Honesdale, Pennsylvania and to their family and friends back home.” Who would have thought? So you were there with us if not in body, certainly in spirit.

And now we have come to the end of the liturgical year of 2025 with our celebration of Christ the King of the Universe. Depending upon the personality and demeanor of the person, kingship may be seen in a positive or negative light. When one asserts his authority with severity and self-importance subjects may be moved to revolt which we as Americans know so well. But when a King readily lays down His life for His people then we know also so well Who this King is and happily we pledge our loyalty and fidelity to Him. Let us then renew our commitment to the King of kings, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and revel,not rebel, in the Kingdom to which we belong.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Today you will be commemorating the first church in Christendom, St John Lateran, also known as the Church of our Savior ,and St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. You see we have a particular connection to the ancient Basilica since we are under the same patronage of the Apostle, the beloved of our Lord. And while you are in Honesdale celebrating, we pilgrims will be in Rome at this holy site. Space and time may separate us but not spirit. The Holy Eucharist , which Itself transcends all time and space, unites us though we be continents away. How comforting. Be assured of our prayers.

I would like to offer my thanks to all for our most successful spaghetti dinner this past Saturday. The food was exceptionally good (thanks to the Nicolinis), the service (carried out by our youth group) was first rate, our Knights of Columbus kept everything in good order and moving forward, and those spectacular baskets and those who prepared, collected and donated them certainly deserve our praise. It did a father’s heart good to see, as the Scriptures say: “how beautiful to see all living as one.” People stayed to linger and enjoy each other’s company. It was less like fundraiser, important though that be, and more like a family gathering. Perhaps we can have more events like this in the future.

With Blessings,

Father Langan