As a kid, I had one big fear… it wasn’t a future career, the Mets losing the World Series, or even the monster underneath my bed… no, my big fear was being picked last. No kid wants to be picked last in gym class or on the playground. If this has ever happened to you, then you know how horrible it feels. You probably asked yourself: Why me? Why wasn’t I first? Don’t they know I play linebacker for the Lake-Lehman mini-football team? Well, luckily the kingdom of heaven isn’t a gym class or the playground. However, we as humans can often ...

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I’ve already written the check. Yes, I’ve already written my check to the Diocesan Annual Appeal. Why? To stop the flow of repeated letters inviting my donation? To help my parish communities reach their goal earlier? Well, in part, yes. But, it’s more about gratitude. I’m grateful for the education I was given in my seminary. I didn’t pay for that—you, the Church, did! And I thank you! I’m grateful that this Diocese continues to support seminarians—like Andrew—ensuring that we will have priests and Eucharist into our fu...

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Bring your pets for a blessing in honor of St. Francis of Assisi on Wednesday, October 4, at 5:30 p.m. Meet in front of the St. Francis statue & garden on Washington Blvd.

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This fall’s cemetery cleanup is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 4. In addition to leaves, limbs, and sticks, we will be removing anything that is broken, plants that are dead, and any other items that interfere with the maintenance of the cemetery. Just as a reminder, in the spring we asked that individuals do not place borders and/or stones or brick chips on the plots since they are a hazard to our grass-mowing employees & equipment. This is a violation of the posted cemetery regulations and will be removed.

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Cemetery

At the invitation of Pope Francis, parishes around the world have been invited to participate in a Taizé prayer vigil: "Together | Gathering of the People of God". This prayer vigil is to precede the work of the next assembly of bishops in the process of the ongoing Synod on Synodality. In our local area, this will take place at St. Boniface Church on Saturday, September 30 at 7 p.m.  For musicians who are interested in participating, there will be two rehearsals: Sunday, September 24, from 7–8:30 p.m. and on Saturday, September 30, from 5:...

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Memories of my childhood are often filled with experiences and lessons from my family’s business. My father was the owner of McCarroll Precast Inc. in Lehman, PA – as was his father before him. Our family business was nothing particularly impressive as compared to larger precast plants throughout the Northeast. I often wondered why our family business – being rather small and simple for most of its 54-year history – never expanded and diversified as compared to others in this region. When I asked my dad this very same question, he responded: “i...

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The Mass intentions calendar for St. Boniface & St. Lawrence will open on Monday, October 2 for intention requests from January 2024 through December 2024. Contact the parish office to schedule an intention. Our office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday–Friday, except Holy Days and holidays. Please note that 2023 St. Lawrence Masses are still available. Intentions may be requested by a single sponsor for one Sunday or one Saturday Mass and up to two daily Masses. Additional requests can be made after January 1, 2024. One request per person can also...

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Middle of September: our time to gear up our Christian formation programs. PREP for our school students. High school group for the older kids. Adult programs all over the schedule—Monday evenings with The Chosen, Sunday mornings, Wednesday afternoons, and evenings (Check the bulletin for details about each offering!). We’ve made a commitment to helping people of all ages to learn their faith and to grow in appreciation of the sacred scripture and our Catholic tradition. But, if all we did were learn, we’d fall drastically short. Think of the two disciples ...

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Do you want to deepen your faith? Do you want to learn more about what it means to be Catholic? There are several programs beginning in early October that will be led by several parishioners, Seminarian Andrew McCarroll, and/or Father McCreary, that will provide adults from both St. Lawrence and St. Boniface outlets to explore the sacraments, the Eucharist, the Mass, and more. You are encouraged to learn about these programs offered at various times and locations, which are designed to help you live out your faith in the modern world. Drop...

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Last Sunday we were reminded that we all have crosses to carry throughout our lifetime as we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. These crosses can present themselves in a variety of ways: grief, employment, burdensome tasks, economic pressures, and physical or mental illness. Often these crosses are personal issues – struggles that don’t really seem to stem from any particular person but ourselves. However, what if our cross is another person? All of us have encountered individuals whom we have found annoying, disagree with, or have caused us harm. These...

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If you work, live, or worship near St. Boniface Church, you’re used to our bells. They’re a prominent part of the landscape on Washington Boulevard. We hear them ringing the quarter hours for the best portion of each day. Lately, you might have noticed a difference. Too many peals, you may have thought, for the normal time-telling task. Perhaps something’s gone wrong with those familiar bells. But, no! We’ve reintroduced—and it’s largely our seminarian’s persistent follow-through that made this happen—the Angelus. Three set...

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THANK YOU... to everyone who contributed to the success of this year's carnival despite the weather challenges. Parishioners were instrumental in the carnival's success by working games, selling raffle tickets, preparing and serving food inside and out, donating baked goods, providing gift baskets, organizing (and shopping) the white elephant sale, supporting the kiddie rides, and so much more. A special thanks to all who helped set up for the carnival and will help tear it down. You were ALL seen and appreciated.

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Carnival

Our parishes are offering an opportunity for interested individuals to attend a silent retreat at Mt. Saviour Monastery in Pine City, New York, November 10–12, 2023. The retreat is sponsored by Calvary Hill Ministries and is offered to us at a reduced rate (at least $40 off the normal cost, depending on the number of registrants). During the retreat, there will be presentations on Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer. Also, group Centering Prayer sessions will be held for those interested. Slots are limited. Pre-registration is required and is expected to close on ...

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By now, most of us have seen the tweaks to the Mass schedule. A 5:45 p.m. Mass on Saturday evenings. No longer an 8 a.m. Mass on Wednesday mornings. I know those changes may make people unhappy or annoyed. But, know that they were made very carefully, with serious input from the Liturgy Committee and Parish Pastoral Council. Many factors had to be taken into consideration including the balance between our two parishes, the limits on how many Masses a priest can celebrate each day, pieces of my schedule beyond parish control (and beyond my control!), and the availabilit...

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The celebration of the sacred Triduum is most likely far from our thoughts and minds as we enjoy the end of our summer months. Yet, this Sunday we are reminded of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. We hear in the gospel (Matthew 16:21-27): “Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly… be killed and on the third day be raised.” We may feel perplexed as to why we are hearing such a message at this point in our year. After all, aren’t Lent and Easter over five months away? We hear this profound messag...

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Calling all students in grades 9-12!  Led by Seminarian Andrew McCarroll and a team of adult volunteers, we are offering Sunday morning “conversations” on topics of faith and life that are relevant to teens. The time of the program coincides with PREP classes for younger students to make it more convenient to attend. Come check out the monthly opportunities for social, service, and spiritual growth in connection with area Catholic churches. https://stbonifacecatholic.com/Faith-Formation/High-School-Ministry

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Youth Ministry

“Who do you say that I am?” – This is the question that Jesus presents to us in this Sunday’s gospel (Matthew 16:13-20). The disciples respond to this question with many popular opinions of that time. Some say that Jesus could be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. However, only Peter responds correctly: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Just over two weeks ago I returned from World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. It was an incredible opportunity that allowed for 1.5 million young Catholics fr...

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St. Boniface: Weekday Masses will be held on Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m. There will no longer be an 8 a.m. Wednesday Mass after September 2. St. Lawrence: The 5:30 p.m. Saturday Mass will now be held at 5:45 p.m. starting on September 9.

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Our adult series begins on Monday, September 11, with an episode of “The Chosen” from 7-8:30 p.m. in the St. Boniface rectory basement (RAC). “The Chosen” is an engaging presentation of the life of Jesus and the call of His “chosen” ones. Learn the backstories of the Apostles and others and how Jesus welcomes them to be His disciples as we reflect upon how we are being called to follow Christ. Refreshments and conversation follow the video presentation. The evening will be hosted by Jack Houston, Anne Hetzel, and Bob & Carol Purs...

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We had a beautiful day to picnic! Thank you for taking the time to come, for bringing a yummy dish to be added to the menu, and thank you to the St. Lawrence Parish Activity Committee for organizing this event and providing the meat, drinks, and extras. We’re hoping we had enough of the famous prizes to make sure everyone got something! With so much laughter and family good spirit, we did not want to see it end. Thank you to our Recruitment & Training Committee for the information table on the many ministry volunteer opportunities available in our parishes. W...

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Parish Picnic

Maybe you heard the voices of young people in Lisbon chanting “todos, todos, todos” to Pope Francis’ cry that all should be welcome in Christ’s Church. Certainly, you’ve joined in singing the refrain “All are welcome in this place,” and I’d like to think that at least some of us remember the call that this Diocese made over 30 years to become “The Welcoming Church.” Welcoming people takes any number of forms. When the church crowds, we move over so someone else can have a seat. When a visitor asks the way to the...

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Family Promise has an urgent need for clothes. The clothing closet provides clothing absolutely free and is visited by about 5,000 individuals each year. We are in desperate need of clothing for men, women, and children. Our children's closet is very empty. You can reach out to Bobbie Jo at Bobbie@lycofp.org or call the Family Promise office at 570-567-7103. If needed, arrangements can be made to pick up your gently used, wearable clothing. We are also accepting coats and blankets for our Fall Warming community event. 

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Children's Liturgy of the Word will begin again this fall beginning on September 17 & 24, and we are in need of volunteers. No experience is necessary. We need presenters and helpers for this very important ministry for our children. Children hear and learn about the readings from the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass in a way that they can understand. Children are engaged in activities they can share with their families after each program with take-home materials given to each child. Contact Barb Rizzo at 570-398-0602, text 570-971-2792, or email briz...

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CLOW

Have you ever listened carefully to the first words of the baptismal ceremony? The priest or deacon says to the parents and godparents: “The Church shares your happiness at the birth of your child….This community rejoices with you….We offer you our support in raising your child in the practice of the faith.” Have you looked around the room and wondered “Where is this ‘Church’ the priest is talking about? Where is this ‘rejoicing community’? Who is the ‘we’ who promises such support? Usually at a bap...

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Two weeks ago I talked about change. In particular, I talked about the changes our parishes face as we transition into being a one-priest linkage. Today I’m not offering answers or solutions. Today I want to make note of the areas that will (or will not) surface as places for change. Closing buildings. Two weeks ago you read my words on a weekend. By Monday it came back to me that some folks thought the changes involved included closing buildings. Not true! Closing one of our buildings won’t save a priest. Closing one of our buildings won’t balance the ...

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Plans are in the making for an exciting year for our teens led by Seminarian Andrew McCarroll and a wonderful team of young adults. We will be offering Sunday morning “conversations” on topics of faith and life that are relevant to our teens, along with monthly opportunities for social, service, and spiritual growth in connection with area Catholic churches. Please encourage your teen to give this group a try. Online registration and additional details will be available soon. Stay tuned! 

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Youth Ministry

Thank you to all of those who welcomed me back from my time in Ghana with Bishop Bambera and Seminarian Tom Dzwonczyk! Simply, it was a powerful experience that opened my eyes to the universality of our Church. However, as you read this I am once more on the other side of the globe – this time in Portugal for World Youth Day 2023. Throughout my time in Ghana, I saw a local Church that is new, energetic, and expanding. Some of the unforgettable highlights were participating in robust, elaborate, and culturally-rich liturgies; as well as an ordination for fourteen ne...

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You might have noticed as we read through St. Matthew’s gospel that this evangelist loved to collect and organize his material. Where John might have alternated miracles with teaching, while Mark might have pushed forward quickly with the story’s action, Matthew groups things—especially Jesus’ teaching—according to genre or theme. For example, just before Lent began, Matthew gave us a lengthy Sermon on the Mount—an ordered collection of teaching about forgiveness and anger, marriage and sex, prayer, and repentance. Right now at Sunday ...

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I know we’ve bounced the words “Eucharistic Revival” around. They’ve been part of our invitations to Lenten Holy Hours and Corpus Christi adoration. They’ve formed our decisions about adult faith formation themes. And they’ll shape some of our preaching, prayer, and bulletin-writing over the next year or so. But, why Eucharistic Revival? Why those words? Why now, why this particular moment in our Church’s history? Recently a national survey retrieved some distressing responses. Something like 2/3 of Americans who identify as C...

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Are you interested in a personal relationship with God? Have you been attending Mass but cannot fully participate in the sacraments? Are you searching for a faith community? Do you desire to learn more about the Catholic faith? OCIA is for YOU… OCIA stands for Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. For those seeking to be initiated into the Catholic church, OCIA is learning about and growing in the Catholic faith and deepening your relationship with Jesus Christ, leading to the reception of the sacraments of baptism (if necessary), Confirmation, and the Eucharis...

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RCIA

Most mornings I read the news from the New York Times on my phone. Many mornings I’ll take a stab at the games the NYT provides—the crossword, the sodoku, the spelling bee. That last game invites us to create words from a limited number of letters: the more letters, the more points. But, sometimes I put in a legitimate word and it gets rejected—either because it’s a foreign word, a proper name, or just one that the game designers don’t know. Two examples: “cenacle” and “novena.” Real words. Actual words that play into th...

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Something’s puzzled me over the past several months. The summer Mass schedule change. I wasn’t clear on why we have it. We’re not resort communities that fill with worshippers for summer getaways or winter ski trips. We’re not cancelling a Mass because few people attend in the summer; we’re just moving them closer together. Why, I ask? I’ve heard all sorts of answers—mostly about people other than the folks I’ve asked. Summer Mass schedule is for the priests, for the musicians, for families with children, for golfers, etc. So,...

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We’ve sometimes called this Sunday “Low Sunday.” After all, anything compared to Easter would seem to fall into a lesser place. The throngs of people, the triumphant music, the fresh flowers, the families gathered to feast: all that seems to be last week’s story. But, in terms of the dynamics of the Church’s liturgy, that almost completely wrong. Last Sunday began Easter, it certainly didn’t finish it! We have fifty days of Easter, Sundays and weekdays that unfold the unimaginable power of Christ’s resurrection. And the high point r...

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Easter cards are a funny thing. Most of them are about rabbits and eggs—often with all sorts of puns and jokes involved. A few, carefully placed in the part of the rack identified as “religious”, show a cross or a picture of Jesus. I can deal with all of those. But, I’m wary of the ones that wish us “Happy Easter, Happy Spring!” As if those two things are the same. They’re not. Spring comes as just one more season, repeating itself over and over. As soon as it arrives, it leads to another summer, another fall, another winter. But, E...

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At Mass sometimes the priest has the option of saying things “in these or similar words.” Many times, no such option is offered— “This is my Body” has to be “This is my Body,” after all. We don’t always think of these sorts of options for the lay faithful, do we? There’s no “in these or similar words” option for the Sanctus or the Lamb of God. Parents with babies to be baptized and couples coming to be married have to say “I do!” to the questions. But, there is one place where all of us— lay...

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A few years back, we received a new English translation of the Mass. We’ve grown used to “and with your spirit” rather than “and also with you.” So, of course, it’s time for the Church to launch a new English translation for another sacrament: Reconciliation. When you come to confession this Lent and beyond you may notice—and, admittedly, the change is so small you can miss this—two small changes in the priest’s words. Now we tell you that the Father has “poured out” the Spirit and that the Church promises th...

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Important notice for Weekday Masses: If there is a delay or cancellation of area schools, please follow this Mass schedule: St. Lawrence will follow the South Williamsport Area School District closure or delay announcements.  St. Boniface will follow the Williamsport Area School District closure or delay announcements.  St. Lawrence Masses: Monday & Tuesday 7 a.m. services will move to St. Boniface at 9 a.m. St. Boniface Masses:  Thursday & Friday 8 a.m. services will move to 9 a.m.  Divine Providence Hospi...

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Snow Emergency