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THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

To so many who made Holy Week and Easter the joyous celebration we experienced,

thank you very much for your time and concern, your dedication and devotion.

The Senior and Junior Choirs, Instrumentalists, Organist and Director of the Music Ministry,

Readers and Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Ushers;

those who cleaned our churches, the young and the old –

the staff of our Parish and of Holy Rosary School…so many did so much!

A special thanks also to the women and men who decorated the altar and church – very well done!

Our churches were filled for all of the Masses and services – for this we thank all of you.

Gratitude also for your beautiful greeting cards and gifts, food and sweets of all sorts,

your kind words of encouragement, your compliments…all deeply appreciated!

Thanks also to Monsignor David Bohr for his service,

that allows our parish to embrace as many people as possible…God bless him in his priestly ministry.

To all who in any way made these days holy and special…

thank you very much from Father John and Deacon André!!!

Easter Sunday

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD PARISH Rev. John V. Polednak, V.E., Pastor Deacon André Kabacinski, Parish Deacon

Rev. Joseph G. Elston, In Residence

127 Stephenson Street, Duryea, PA, 18642 Tel: 570-457-3502 Fax: 570-451-3341 E-mail: rectory@nativityduryea.org Web: www.nativityduryea.org

Masses: Daily, M-F – 7:00 am ● Saturday (Vigil)- 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm ● Sunday- 7:30 am, 9:00 am and 11:15am

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

For your reflection…

Living without

Fear He placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever.”

(Luke 22:61)

When has your faith in the Living Christ helped you to

overcome fear?

What can you do this Easter season to help someone feel

less afraid?

LITURGICAL CALENDAR AND INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 4-10, 2016

Mo

n

4 7:00am Eugene Russavage (by Marty and Lois Hanczyc)

Tu

e

5 7:00am Robert T. Salitis (by Joe and Ceil Ignatovich)

We

d

6 7:00am Jean Vilchock (by Mike and Michael Wasko)

Th

u

7 7:00am James Kroptavich (by Bernard Gorcenski)

Fri

8 7:00am Francis Zujkowski (by Richard and Dolores Klink)

Sa

t 9 4:00pm 5:30pm

Rosemary Kaspriski (by Husband, Children and Grandchildren) For the Intentions of Our Parishioners

Sun

day

10

7:30am

9:00am 11:15am

Dec’d members of the Polukord/Negvesky and Gregorczyk Families (by Len and Helen Gregorczyk Negvesky) Constantine and Tessie Lenartowicz (by Family) Jess L. and Beatrice Rutkoski (by Family)

VOTIVE CANDLE OFFERINGS

Sacred Heart of Jesus Alfred Henry (by Mercedes Butrymowicz)

Blessed Virgin Mary Mary Matt (by Husband, Edward)

St. Joseph John Freas (by Wife, Diane)

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS for the Paschal Triduum and weekend of March 26-27, 2016 $1078.00 Holy Thursday; $923.99 Holy Land(Good Friday); $10,920.00 Special Easter Offerings

$4,142.95 Sunday Offertory; $1,579.96 Loose; $2,902.00 Secondary Envelopes. THANK YOU!

DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL - Ongoing thanks to all who have pledged/donated to this important request!

PARISH CAMPAIGN - EXTERIOR PROJECT--We thank those who have made a pledge to the project to replace the roof and repair the front façade. We have now reached 24% of our goal, with 8% of parishioners pledging, but we have a long way to go. This work is very necessary; and while not glamorous, it will ensure a safe building in which to grow our future. Specs have gone out to bidders; so please consider making a pledge today as we look forward to starting this work. Together, we can ensure a beautiful environment for worship and community.

LOAVES AND FISHES: April ~ Salad Dressing

Nativity of Our Lord Parish Bulletin April 4-10, 2016 2

Upcoming Activities/Events This Week:

Sunday First Communion Class Retreat ~ Noon-3:00 p.m. (Cathedral & Pastoral Center)

Tuesday- Finance Council – 6:30 in Convent Thursday Gift Certificates ~ 8:00-10:00 a.m. in

Church Hall

Th

an

k Y

ou

for

Yo

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Gen

erosi

ty!

What is Divine Mercy Sunday? Among all of the elements of devotion to The Divine Mercy requested by our Lord through St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, the Feast of Mercy holds first place. The Lord's will with regard to its establishment was already made known in His first revelation to the saint, as recorded in her Diary. In all, there were 14 revelations concerning the desired feast. This Sunday was officially called the Second Sunday of Easter after the liturgical reform of Vatican II. Now, by the Decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the name of this liturgical day has been changed to: "Second Sunday of Easter, or Divine Mercy Sunday." Saint Pope John Paul II made the surprise announcement of this change in his homily at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000. There, he declared: "It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church, will be called ‘Divine Mercy Sunday.' "

The Meaning of the Day Clearly, Divine Mercy Sunday is not a new feast established to celebrate St. Faustina's revelations. Indeed, it is not primarily about St. Faustina at all — nor is it altogether a new feast! As many commentators have pointed out, The Second Sunday of Easter was already a solemnity as the Octave Day of Easter; nevertheless, the title "Divine Mercy Sunday" does highlight and amplify the meaning of the day. In this way, it recovers an ancient liturgical tradition, reflected in a teaching attributed to St. Augustine about the Easter Octave, which he called "the days of mercy and pardon," and the Octave Day itself "the compendium of the days of mercy." Liturgically the Easter Octave has always been centered on the theme of Divine Mercy and forgiveness. Divine Mercy Sunday, therefore, point us to the merciful love of God that lies behind the whole Paschal Mystery — the whole mystery of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ — made present for us in the Eucharist. In this way, it also sums up the whole Easter Octave. As Pope John Paul II pointed out in his Regina Caeli address on Divine Mercy Sunday, 1995: "the whole octave of Easter is like a single day," and the Octave Sunday is meant to be the day of "thanksgiving for the goodness God has shown to man in the whole Easter mystery."

WITH PARISH SYMPATHY—Our prayers are requested for Joseph Grella whose Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, March 23. May our Lord embrace him in His eternal love and peace, and give His comfort and consolation to his family and friends. We offer our parish sympathy to them in their loss.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM We welcome to the Church Gabriel Devyne Cartagena, Lexas Marie Rollins and Emma Guitson who will be baptized today (Sunday). As they receive their new life in Christ in the Sacrament of Baptism, may the Lord Jesus fill their Christian lives with many graces and blessings. We give our parish congratulations and prayers best wishes to them, their parents and families on this happy occasion!

RELIGIOUS ED ~ The Pre-K has finished their Lenten Session. Classes for grades K-7 resume today (Sunday) at the usual time and will continue until Sunday, April 27, at which time they will have their closing Mass.

SACRAMENT NEWS First Communion—Today, the children in the First

Communion Class will be attending their class RETREAT at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Scranton. Parents are reminded to meet at St. Peter’s Cathedral at noon for Mass.

The Class will have PRACTICE next Sunday, April 10, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

HOLY ROSARY GIFT CERTIFICATES The gift certificates that support Holy Rosary School and our other Diocesan high schools may be purchased on Thursday from 8:00-10:00 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church Hall. What a nice way to do your spring shopping!

HOLY REDEEMER HIGH SCHOOL announces its SPRING PLAY, You Can’t Take It With You Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the McCarthy Auditorium. Tickets available at the door: Adults: $5, Senior Citizens: $4, Students: $3.

FROM OUR NEIGHBORS. . .

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY~EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY--St. Maria Goretti Church in Laflin, will host the Tenth Annual celebration of Divine Mercy for the greater Pittston Area and beyond on April 3rd. This year’s theme is “Mercy” based on the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy 2016, declared by Pope Francis. We are honored to have as this year’s principal celebrant and homilist, Father Pio Mandato, FMHJ. Itinerary is as follows: 1:00 PM-Sacrament of Reconciliation(several priests); 2:00 PM-Blessing of the Image of Divine Mercy, followed by Holy Mass; 3:00 PM-Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Divine Mercy Chaplet in song, Meditation on the Glorious Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary, Benediction and individual blessing with first class relics of St. Faustina. All are invited and most welcome to attend.

LITTLE ROCK SCRIPTURE STUDY: Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish Will Offer Women in the New Testament

This study has 8 sessions, incorporating an Introductory Session and 7 lessons. As in the past, we will skip the Introductory Session and begin with the First Lesson. We will meet on Tuesdays, April 5-12-19-26 and May 3-10-17 with both a morning (8:30-10:00 a.m.) and evening (7-8:30 p.m.) session. The Study Set includes the Study Guide by Catherine Upchurch and a commentary, Women in the New Testament, by Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan (Liturgical Press). This study of New Testament women engages with women across a variety of connections to Jesus and the apostles and studies them accordingly. Participants will encounter the strengths and needs of these women, but also how being a woman in the holy land during the time of Jesus and the apostles shaped many of the challenges they faced in responding to Jesus. Participants will enter into discussion and prayer about expectant faith, what it means to be touched by Jesus, and the meaning of discipleship through the lives of the women who lived in the first generation of Christianity. If interested, please call the parish office at 570-654-0263 or email olepittston@gmail.com.

PEDALS, PIPES, AND PIZZA ~ Are you uplifted by the sound of organ music you hear in church? Have you ever wondered how this instrument is played and what makes it work? The Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) is conducting its sixth annual "Pedals,Pipes, and Pizza" program for children and adults on Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Saint Nicholas Church, 226 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. Come and learn about the many different types of sounds the organ can make, and listen to some music! Those who play the piano are encouraged to bring some music to play on the organ. Pizza will be served at the end of the day's activities. The event is informal, free of charge, and open to all. Please register online at www.agopane.org.

3 Octave Day of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday

The “Regina Caeli” or “Queen of Heaven” is prayed in place of

the Angelus during Eastertide, morning (6am), noon, and evening

(6pm) This ancient idea of stopping to pray is why church bells ring

throughout the day, calling us to pray – often.

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.

Has risen, as he said, alleluia.

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Bulletin is printed in Loving Memory of John A., Theresa and

John Adamiak Jr.

and Roche Family

Alfred & Judith Akulonis, Sr. Frank and Helen Amantea Jean Marie Ambrosavage and

Mary Louise Bomber

John & Anna Barton

Family and

Brecelnik Family

Peter and Victoria Biga

Thomas and Stella Blasco Paul, Frank & Lena

and Gene Branas

Edward and Margaret

Brostoski Chilek and Hoover Families

Coyne and Wieczorek

Families

Irene DeAngelo

Rev. Andrew J. Marcinko

M/M Andrew Marcinko

Carmen and Idena DeBiasi

Deceased members of the

Louis and Dorothy Doxbeck

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

Leo Glodzik, Sr.

and Lea Glodzik

Gregorczyk and Negvesky

Families Martin K. Hastie, Jr.

Sharon Rava Imbrogno

Jasienski, Bozinko &

Lewandowski Families Judge and Antal Families Eleanor and Joe Kojtek Marie Kudey Kundrat and Simko Families

Eugene Madrak Lottie and George Matrone Victoria, Stella and

William Maziarz

Thomas J. and Cecelia A.

McAndrew Henry B. McHale John and Mary Mikovitch

John, Michaline and

Joseph Milus Moskaitis Family

Mary Ann Namatka

Peter & Elizabeth Namatka

William & Josephine Sowa

Sophia & Walter Nestorick

and Peter Pocholonis, Jr.

Bernard Olcheski,

Eileen Macuga and

William & Helen Dalton

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 T. Perrins, Sr.

Eugene P. Perrins

Michael Pope, Jr. Stanley & Stella Rava

and Family

Rincavage and Billick

Families Michael and Irene Rostkowski Jess L. & Beatrice Rutkoski

Victor L., Anna and

Victor J. Salidas

Edward and Dorothy

Piorkowski

John & Helen Polanchik and

John & Helen Martin

Thomas & Florence

Skowronski and

Wascavage Family

Joseph and Mary Solarchik Dolores Acquadro Stallo and

Matthew “Max” Stallo

Margaret Stanavage and

Son, Ronnie

Carl Joseph Tucker, Butler

and Long Families Walter Urban Ross A. and Anna Vender

Jacob J. Vitek

Pauline M. Vitek

Theresa M. Vitek

Earl & Marion Vrabel and

Michael Larronde

Grant Larronde

Mike Wasko

Vincent & Mary Waszczak

and Marion Waszczak Bryk Margaret Yauk

Emily Yerke

Amelia & Joseph Nycz

Zujkowski, Pribula and Klink

Families Helen and Adam Zuro

Anna and Joseph Nametka

Alice and John Puscavage

Kenneth Zura

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