Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen, Alleluia!  We are now in the period known as the Great 50 Days extending from Easter Sunday to Pentecost.               During 40 of these days our Blessed Lord appeared to  and instructed the Apostles on the mysteries of the Faith as He did to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.  That Oral Tradition has been handed down to us by and through the Apostles long before there was the written and codified collection of the Sacred Scriptures which we know as the Bible.  The Oral Tradition has been collated by the Magisterium (Teaching Authority), of the Church in the Catechism.  Throughout the season of Lent and even before a number of adults have been meeting with your pastor almost weekly for catechesis (handing on of the Faith) in preparation for entrance into full communion with the Catholic Church.

        With great joy these seven adults were received into the Church and completed their Initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation and reception of Holy Communion.  With love and affection and pledge of our continuing support we welcome: Melanie and Travis, Morgan, Lydia, Rebecca, Corey and Erik into our family of Faith.  May God continue to shower His blessings upon them as they live the life of grace bestowed upon them.

       Also on Easter day we Baptized 5 youngsters into the Faith:  Jude, Wyatt, Jase, Patrick and Ella.  We welcome them as well with great joy and pray that they grow in wisdom and love in the knowledge of God’s plan for them.

       Today, Sunday, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday instituted by St.  John Paul II at the turn of the Millenium.  It is the occasion of a special grace and indulgence granted by God through the Church based on the revelations of our Lord to St. Faustina in the early nineteen hundreds.  Participation in this devotion brings with it a plenary indulgence if one has confessed within 8 days prior to or after the date received Holy Communion, renounced sin with the intention of not falling into it again, and prayer for the Holy Father, an Our Father, Hail Mar and the Creed.  The celebration of Divine Mercy will be held in St. John’s, beginning at 2;30 PM.

      The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Scranton has been established to assure the strength of our Catholic Schools and various other long term programs for the benefit of the faithful throughout the 11 counties of our diocese. To initiate this foundation a special auction will begin on-line Apri; 13th and concluding on May 1st. Austin Burke, a local artist from Archbald, has selected several parish churches throughout the diocese for original oil paintings.  We are privileged that ST. John’s is one of them.  We hope that parishioners will bid on our painting which will be on display in our church.  Simply go to the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Scranton for bidding and further information.

With Blessings,

Father Langan