THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION,

also known as CANDLEMAS because of the use of candles to

represent the Light of Christ, occurs today, February 2. (our Vigil Mass on Saturday also observes this feast)

Forty Days after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was

brought to the Temple by Joseph and His mother Mary, and

was presented to the Lord, in order to fulfill Jewish Law. The

offering of two turtle-doves was made by the family, according

to Temple practice at the time. Then as now, as happens even

today when children or adults come to a church for a sacramental

moment like a Baptism, Communion, or Nuptial Mass, the

elders or “regular crowd” will comment on how beautiful the

bride might be, how handsome the boy looks in his First

Communion suit, or how angelic the newly Baptized baby looks

in their white gown, so too for Jesus.

In the Temple, two holy people, a righteous and devout man named Simeon, and an 84 year old prophetess named Anna, made

comments on the child being brought into the House of the Lord. But unlike most well-wishing or compliments given around

babies, the words of Simeon and Anna reveal several great truths about who Jesus is. Like Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary; like John

leaping in the womb; like the shepherds in adoration; like the Magi bearing their gifts, symbols of the calling Jesus would fulfill; and

even like the jealous actions of Herod in trying to snuff out the life of the newborn King, the words spoken by these two holy people

manifest the eternal truth about Jesus Christ, and His Mother. Simeon proclaimed the truth of Jesus Christ, as eventually would

Peter, Martha and Mary, the centurion at the foot of the cross, and others even until today. Anna told everyone she met the good

news, as eventually would Mary Magdalene, Paul and Barnabas, as Steven did with his very life, and others even until today.

This Feast is the end of the Christmas cycle, and marks a transition looking ahead to the Easter cycle. This week is a good

time to begin thinking of Lent, what we might give up or take on, habits we must break or habits we must form, in order to best

follow the examples of holiness above and proclaim the Truth of Jesus, bringing his light and love to all we meet.

BLESSED CANDLES FOR THE HOME Candles will be blessed at Masses this weekend. Blessed candles for the home will be available near the St. Joseph’s Altar. Blessed objects are not sold, however, a donation of $2.00 per boxed set is suggested to cover the cost of the candles.

ST. BLAISE – BLESSING OF THROATS The Feast of St. Blaise occurs on Monday, February 3. Throats will be blessed following our 7:00am Mass that day, as well as following Masses this weekend.

Questions for personal reflection based on this Sunday’s Readings…

The child’s father and mother

were amazed at what was said about him… –Luke 2:33

Whom do I ignore without even considering that they may be speaking the truth?

How can I be more open and attentive to other people’s

voices?

The Presentation of the Lord February 2, 2020

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD PARISH, DURYEA 127 Stephenson Street Tel: 570-457-3502 Fax: 570-451-3341 Office Hours: M-F, 8:30-4:30 unless otherwise noted in bulletin

E-mail: rectory@nativityduryea.org Web: www.nativityduryea.org / Nativity of Our Lord Duryea

Rev. John V. Polednak, V.E., Pastor Deacon André Kabacinski, Parish Deacon

Masses: Daily, M-F – 7:00 am ● Saturday (Vigil)- 4:00 pm ● Sunday- 8:00 am, 11:00 am and 7:00 pm

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

The World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Presentation. As the life of Jesus was offered to God, so to these women and men have dedicated their lives in His holy service. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, those who have boldly chosen to follow Christ by means of the practice of the evangelical councils – Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience - and be sure to thank them on their special day. We in Duryea have been touched over the years by the work and words of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters and Franciscan Friars Minor, the Oblates of St. Joseph, the Jesuits, the Congregation of the Holy Cross, the Passionists, and the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, just to name a few! May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God's gift of their vocation, and their orders renewed with the fervor and the charism not of the world today, but of their founders. Sisters, Brother, Fathers – WE THANK YOU!!!

WORLD DAY OF THE SICK The Diocese of Scranton will observe the World Day of Prayer for the Sick with holy Mass on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will preside at this Mass for the Sick at 12:10 p.m. During the Mass, there will be a celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for anyone acutely or chronically ill, anyone suffering a debilitating condition, anyone facing surgery, the elderly, and all who might be a candidate for this sacrament. CTV: Catholic Television will broadcast the Mass live. The World Day of the Sick offers us an opportunity to draw particularly close to people who are ill, and to those who care for them.

RETROUVAILLE RETURNING IN 2020 A Retrouvaille Weekend has been scheduled for May 29-31, to be held at St. Gabriel’s Retreat Center in Clarks Summit. If you or any other Retrouvaille couple you know would like to assist with the nuts and bolts of restarting the ministry, help is needed. To learn more about attending the weekend, or to learn more about helping to bring this weekend to life, please contact Phil and Sue Milazzo, philmilazzo@outlook.com, 631-338-5413 or Jen Housel, jhousel@dioceseofscranton.org,570-207-2213 x 1104.

THANK YOU FROM THE MEN’S SOCIETY Thank you to all those who helped make our recent Piggy Dinner such a huge success with 350 dinners served! Thanks also for the great support of today’s Pizza and Wing Sale. To the many parishioners and friends who have supported us in these two take-out events: please know that you are most appreciated! Thank You!!!

PICNIC 2020 MEETING A meeting to discuss plans for our upcoming picnic will be held on Tuesday, February 4th, at 6:30pm in the rectory meeting room. Stand chairs, volunteers, and anyone interested are invited to attend.

LITURGICAL CALENDAR, DEVOTIONS AND INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3-9, 2020

Mo

n

3 7:00am Martha Hastie (by Clara Zielinski)

Tu

e

4 7:00am Brian Wychoskie (by Mr. & Mrs. Allan Gima)

We

d

5 7:00am Mary Ann Ryczak (by Mr. & Mrs. Peter Ryczak)

Th

u

6 7:00am Marion Young (by Mr. & Mrs. Donald Barycki)

Fri

7 7:00am 9:00am

Robert Sepelyak (by the Orner Family) Antoinette Symosh (by David and Patricia Kwiatkowski)

Sa

t 8 4:00pm Edward Matt (by Mr. & Mrs. John Novak)

Sun

9

8:00am 11:00am 7:00pm

For the Intentions of Our Parishioners Edward Jones (by Wife, Joyce) Betsy Bauman (by Children and Family)

VOTIVE CANDLE OFFERINGS

Sacred Heart of Jesus Mary and Tom McAndrew (by Richard and Dolores Klink)

Blessed Virgin Mary Cpt. Francis A. Hantz, US Ret. (by Joan Felczuk)

St. Joseph Walter Zavrotny (by the Family)

~ FINANCES AND ONGOING STEWARDSHIP ~ for the weekend January 25-26, 2020 TOTAL $8,743.76

Sunday $4728.85 ($218 Online); Loose $693.91; Secondary $3321 ($277 Online);

Financial statements of 2019 contributions have been sent to ALL parishioners. Please contact the parish office with any questions or concerns.

DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL: Goal-$42,000.00; Current- $31,355.00 or 75%. TO GO: $10,645.00 Loaves and Fishes: February: Sugar and Sweeteners

2

-CCD (Gr. K-7), 9:45 am, HRS -Family Morning/MASS (Gr. 5), 9:45 am -Mash/Ball potatoes for pierogi, Noon, SHH -CCD (Gr. 8), 5:30 pm 20 Monday-OFFICE CLOSED -Make Pierogi, 9:00 am, SHH 21 Tuesday -Finance Council Meeting, 6:00 pm, HRCH 22 Wednesday -Take-Out Piggie Dinner, 4:00-6:00 pm, SHH -First Penance Formation, 6:00-7:00 pm 23 Thursday -Gift Certificates, 8:00-10:00, HRCH 26 Sunday –CCD Winter Break 26-31 Catholic Schools’ Week 29 Wednesday -First Penance Formation, 6:00-7:00 pm

FEBRUARY, 2020 2 Sunday -Pizza/Wing Pick-Up, 3:00-5:00 pm, SHH -CCD (gr. 8), 5:30 pm

Week of February 3-9, 2020 ~ Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

FEBRUARY 2020 2 Sunday -Pizza/Wing Pick-Up, 3:00-5:00 pm, SHH 4 Tuesday -Picnic Meeting, 6:30 Rectory Meeting Room 5 Wednesday -First Penance Formation, 6:00-7:00 pm 6 Thursday -Sauté Cabbage, 6:00 pm, SHH 8 Saturday – -FIRST PENANCE, 11:00am 9 Sunday 9:45 am, CCD, HRS 11 Tuesday -Pastoral Council, 6:30 pm 12 Wednesday -Choir Rehearsal, 6:30pm 15 Saturday -Mash/Ball potatoes for pierogi, 9:00 am, SHH 16 Sunday -Make pierogi, 9:00 am, SHH -CCD, 9:45 am, HRS -4th Grade Family Morning and Mass, 9:45 am -CCD (gr. 8), 5:15 pm

WITH PARISH SYMPATHY Our prayers are requested for Cecelia Koytek, whose Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, January 28. May the Risen Christ embrace her in His eternal love and peace, and give His comfort and consolation to her family and friends. Our parish sympathy is extended to them in their loss.

RELIGIOUS ED NEWS AND NOTES Classes resume for Grades K-7 at the usual time. There is no class for Gr. 8th this week.

CHILDREN’S MASS ATTENDANCE Parents and guardians, please be reminded that attending and participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is considered to be an integral part of the life every Christian – no matter how young. This includes the children in our Religious Education program and enrolled in our Catholic Schools. As we gather for this Eucharistic Banquet each week, look around and see who might be missing, and invite them to join you and your family next week – it may be just the welcome they need.

SACRAMENTAL FORMATION NEWS

FIRST PENANCE: Our final First Penance rehearsal and continued formation will be on Wednesday, February 5. This is for all who will be receiving First Holy Communion in May in preparation for their First Confession on Saturday, February 8, both those enrolled in CCD or in a Catholic School.

The GIFT CERTIFICATES that support Holy Rosary School and our other Diocesan schools will be available on Thursday from 8:00-10:00 am in the Church Hall. As always, the students are grateful for your cooperation. Please consider participating in this program to assist children and families of today in providing a Catholic education and meeting rising tuition costs.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY PROJECT: SOCK-IT-TO-ME-SUNDAYS in FEBRUARY

One of the most requested items in homeless shelters is socks. Responding to this need, the Women’s Society will be collecting “NEW” socks after all Masses in the month of February. Socks collected will be for men, women and children. You may bring them to all Masses during this month. Containers will be in the church vestibule.

BRING IN YOUR OLD BLESSED PALM Baskets for the collection of last year’s Blessed Palm will be found in the entrances of the church beginning on the weekend of February 8-9. It is the burning of old palm that gives us the blessed ashes used at the beginning of our Lenten fast and penance. Ash Wednesday falls on February 26 of this year.

FIRST FRIDAY of the month occurs this week. Home visits with Holy Communion will be made according to the usual schedule and telephone calls will be made to set up convenient times for the visit.

Do You Want To Know More About The Annulment Process? In the Diocese of Scranton, the annulment process is now more “user friendly” than you might expect, and there is no longer a processing fee. Please contact Father John or the Diocesan Tribunal Office at 570-207-2246 to begin a conversation. It is possible to get clear answers to these questions and to renew your connection with the Church.

HOLY REDEEMER HIGH SCHOOL

PLACEMENT/SCHOLARSHIP TEST RESULT NIGHT and interview scheduling for incoming freshmen will be held Monday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m. Call the Guidance Department (570) 829-2424 for information.

RESPECT LIFE BANQUET The Wyoming Valley Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life invites you to the 35th Annual Respect Life Banquet on Monday, February 17, promptly at 6:00 pm at The Woodlands, Route 315 in Wilkes-Barre. Featured speaker is Becky Biter of “Undefeated Courage.” For reservations, mail $35 to PHL, 31 Hanover St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (deadline for tickets if Feb. 12). No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, please contact the Pro-Life Center at 570-826-1819.

WHAT TO DO WITH THAT TATTERED SCAPULAR OR BROKEN ROSARY? Catholic tradition holds that when a material sacramental becomes so worn ouit that it can no longer be used as a sacramental, it should be disposed of in a becoming manner and not merely tossed into the trash. Catholic custom is to burn those things that can be burned – for example, Bibles, prayer books. For items that cannot be burned – a statue, for instance – they should be buried. If you need assistance in disposing of worn out sacramentals or religious objects, please call the rectory or place them in the small basket in the church vestibule.

Week of February 2, 2020

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This Bulletin is printed in Loving Memory of. . .

John A., Theresa and

John Adamiak Jr.

Alfred & Judith Akulonis, Sr. Frank and Helen Amantea Peter and Victoria Biga

Mary Soltysiak Thomas and Stella Blasco Edward and Margaret

Brostoski

Frank Callis

Zielinski and Callis Families

Alan J. Celusniak

John and Mary Celusniak Richard A. Champi, Sr.

Eugene and Maryann

Chromey

Louis Robert Cremard

Catherine and Louis Cremard

Irene DeAngelo

Rev. Andrew J. Marcinko

M/M Andrew Marcinko

Carmen and Idena DeBiasi

Deceased members of the

Louis and Dorothy Doxbeck

Family

Deceased members of the

Dolan and Roche 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

and

Anthony & Mary Naida

Margaret & Leo Glodzik, Sr.

and Lea Glodzik

Gregorczyk and Negvesky

Families

Capt. Francis A. Hantz

U.S.N. Ret.

Mary & Frank Hantz

Robert Hynoski

Martin K. Hastie, Jr. Jasienski, Bozinko &

Lewandowski Families Edward A. Jones Judge and Antal Families Gus and Vera Kulas

Kundrat and Simko Families

John & Helen Lukus

Tom & Mary McAndrew

Paczkowski Family

Eugene Madrak Lottie and George Matrone Victoria, Stella and William

Maziarz

Thomas J. and Cecelia A.

McAndrew

Henry B. McHale John and Mary Mikovitch

Gerald Mikovitch Moskaitis Family

Mary Ann Namatka

Peter & Elizabeth Namatka

William & Josephine Sowa

Sophia & Walter Nestorick

and Peter Pocholonis, Jr.

Deceased members of the

Stanley & Josephine

Nowakowski Family

Bernard Olcheski,

Eileen Macuga and

William & Helen Dalton

Agnes and Peter Olsheski

Olszewski, Grudzinski and

Madrak Families

Zigmont, Lottie &

David Olszewski and

Anna Skowronski

Frank & Florence Orlowski Bernard J. Ostrosky Teresa Ramiza Pace and

Michael T. Haluschak

Charles & Julia Pernot and

Martin & Anna Dunay

and Family

Ruth Pernot Samuel & Genevieve Perrins

Eugene P. Perrins

Edward and Dorothy

Piorkowski

Mrs. Helen Rava

Sharon Rava Imbrogno

Stanley & Stella Rava

and Family

Rincavage, Billick and

Galinas Families

Anthony and Helen Rincavage

and Anthony Singer Michael and Irene Rostkowski Jess L. & Beatrice Rutkoski

Victor L., Anna and

Victor J. Salidas

Thomas & Florence

Skowronski and

Wascavage Family

Joseph and Mary Solarchik Margaret Stanavage and

Son, Ronnie

Carl Joseph Tucker, Butler

and Long Families

Louis L. Vender

Mary T. Vender

Ross A., Anna and Raymond

Vender

Jacob J. Vitek

Pauline M. Vitek

Theresa M. Vitek

Earl & Marion Vrabel and

Michael Larronde

Grant Larronde

Michael and Jean Wasko Vincent & Mary Waszczak

Marion and Cathy Bryk

Margaret Yauk

and Romayne Solarchik

Zujkowski, Pribula, Klink

and Nasiatka Families Helen and Adam Zuro