Category: 2022 News

WILLIAMSPORT – For the last four years, the faithful from Saint Boniface Parish in Williamsport and Saint Lawrence Parish in South Williamsport have joined forces to serve their community in many ways.

Every Friday, parishioners from the linked parishes fill the kitchen at Sojourner Truth Ministries on High Street in Williamsport to prepare and serve food to those in need.

“It is such a gratifying experience to be here,” parishioner Barbara Coolidge said. “You learn a lot and you chat with people if they’re willing to have a conversation.”

Sojourner Truth Ministries serves lunch six days a week to people in the community who are hungry, food insecure, homeless or might simply be in need of fellowship. On average, the agency serves approximately 20,000 meals each year.

Saint Boniface and Saint Lawrence Parishes have roughly 35 people who regularly volunteer at the facility, dishing up hope to the community one plate at a time.

“Sometimes it’s the only meal that they have for the day, the homeless people who come and now we’re able to give them take-out food to take home with them so they have something for an evening meal if they want,” parishioner Susan Lingg explained.

This year, Saint Boniface and Saint Lawrence Parishes received a social justice grant from the Diocesan Annual Appeal to support their volunteer efforts.

That money, which is made possible by generous gifts to the 2022 Diocesan Annual Appeal, will have a direct impact in helping our brothers and sisters in need in the greater Williamsport area and beyond.

“This is the first time that we’ve applied and been awarded a grant so we were very excited to hear about it. It is going to mean a lot to us. We have a lot of ideas,” Lingg said.

Through social justice grants, parishes like Saint Boniface and Saint Lawrence are able to carry the Gospel message of service beyond church walls.

“It is good to have our name out there and to let people know that our churches are involved in mission throughout our community,” Lingg added.

For those who benefit from the meals at Sojourner Truth Ministries, they couldn’t be more appreciative of the volunteer efforts.

“There are people out there that care, care about giving to others,” Shawn Bower of Williamsport said.

“They’re (volunteers) here out of the kindness of their own heart, whether they’re preparing the food or helping to serve it,” Shawn Watkins of Williamsport added. “There’s nothing more important than the heart of a volunteer.”

Gifts of all sizes to the 2022 Diocesan Annual Appeal are welcomed and appreciated. If you wish to make a gift, kindly donate online at

AnnualAppeal.org, call the Diocesan Development Office at (570) 207-2250, or visit annualappealorg.

 

PARISHES RECEIVING A SOCIAL JUSTICE TRUST FUND GRANT IN 2022

All Saints Parish, Plymouth $4,600
Homelessness/Emergency Assistance/Pro-Life Ministries

Christ the King Parish, Archbald $5,000
Parish Food Pantry/Emergency Assistance/Grief Ministry

Church of the Resurrection, Muncy $3,000
Parish Food Pantry/Pro-Life Ministries/Care of the Earth

Church of Saint John the Apostle, East Stroudsburg $5,000
Hispanic and Cultural Diversity

Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston $5,000
Parish Food Pantry/Counseling Programs

Epiphany Parish, Sayre $5,000
Care for the Elderly

Gate of Heaven Parish, Dallas $4,145
Pro-Life Ministries

Holy Child Parish, Mansfield $3,140
Parish Health Ministry Programs

Mary, Mother of God Parish, Scranton $2,745
Social Justice Education/Pro-Life Ministries

Most Holy Trinity Parish, Susquehanna $4,800
Parish Food Pantry/Hispanic Outreach

Nativity of the BVM Parish, Tunkhannock $2,000
Hunger & Food Insecurity

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Wyalusing $5,000
Parish Food Pantry/Emergency Assistance

Our Lady of Victory Parish, Harveys Lake $3,500
Homelessness

Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Jermyn $3,000
Prison Ministry/Hispanic Ministry

Saint Ann Basilica Parish, Scranton $3,655
Parish Food Pantry/Care for the Elderly

Saint Ann Parish, Shohola $2,500
Care for the Elderly

St. Boniface/St. Lawrence Parishes, Williamsport $5,000
Hunger & Food Insecurity/Emergency Assistance/Grief Ministry

Saint Eulalia Parish, Roaring Brook Township $750
Youth Helping Youth Summer Food Program

Saint Joachim Church, Meshoppen $2,500
Hispanic Ministry Outreach

Saint John Bosco Parish, Conyngham $5,000
Pro-Life Ministries/Food Pantry/Emergency Assistance

Saint John Neumann Parish, Lords Valley $2,500
Care for the Elderly

Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Pittston $3,500

Grief Ministry/Social Justice Education

Saint Joseph Marello Parish, Pittston $3,500
Community Meals

Saint Joseph Parish, Matamoras $5,000
Emergency Assistance/Prison Ministry/Parish Nurse Ministry

Saint Mary of the Lake Parish, Lake Winola $3,000
Hunger & Food Insecurity

Saint Matthew Parish, East Stroudsburg $5,000
Hispanic Ministry/Homelessness

Saint Nicholas Parish, Wilkes-Barre $5,000
Social Concerns and Hunger Programs

Saint Patrick Parish, Milford $5,000
Emergency Assistance/Prison Ministry/Parish Nurse Ministry

Saint Paul Parish, Scranton $5,000
Parish Food Pantry

Saint Peter Parish, Wellsboro $3,000
Food Pantry/Prison Ministry

Saint Thomas More Parish, Lake Ariel $3,500
Care for the Elderly

Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, Milford $400
Grief Ministry

Donate Now at AnnualAppeal.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Pt 4:10)

In the coming days, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, a time when many of us will gather with family and friends to enjoy turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.

For many people, Thanksgiving Day is hectic – so hectic in fact – that they forget what is at the heart of day itself, offering our thanks to God for the many gifts that have been bestowed upon us.

The month of November, and especially the time around Thanksgiving, are the perfect opportunity to reflect on stewardship.

When we hear the word “stewardship,” many of us automatically think of money.

While that is partially correct, the true definition is about so much more.

Stewardship is rooted in scripture, recognizing we, as individuals, are not owners of our lives but rather are stewards or managers.

Stewardship, quite simply, is recognizing that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God and being grateful and generous with those gifts.

The life of a Christian steward models the life of Jesus. It is challenging and even difficult, in many respects, yet intense joy comes to those who take the risk to live as Christian stewards.

So what identifies a steward?

Safeguarding material and human resources and using them responsibly are one answer; so is generous giving of time, talent and treasure.

But being a Christian steward means more.

In “The Theology of Stewardship: A Summary of the United States Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship,” the bishops defined a Christian steward as someone who “receives God’s gifts gratefully, cultivates them responsibly, shares them lovingly in justice with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord.”

In short, we must all consider stewardship as a way of life.

We must be collaborators and cooperators in continuing the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, which is the Church’s essential mission. This mission – proclaiming, teaching, serving and sanctifying – is our task. It is the personal responsibility of each one of us as stewards of the Church.

All members of the Church have their own roles to play in carrying out this mission:

• Parents, who nurture their children in the light of faith;

• Parishioners, who work in concrete ways to make their parishes true communities of faith and vibrant sources of service to the larger community;

• All Catholics, who give generous support – time, money, prayers, and personal service according to their circumstances – to parish and diocesan programs.

In these final days of November, spend a few minutes each day thinking about all that God has given you and say “thank you.”

Together in our journey of faith, may God bless us and may we respond as faithful disciples – faithful stewards!

Through the intercession of “Virgen de Guadalupe,” plans for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December are proceeding in many different parishes.

Particularly in the areas of large Latino populations in the Diocese of Scranton, the annual observance commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to a Mexican Indian peasant — now venerated as Saint Juan Diego — in December 1531 in Tepeyac, near present-day Mexico City.

The Blessed Mother’s appearance is believed to have resulted in millions of conversions to Catholicism, and her message of hope continues to inspire those of Hispanic descent.

In 1946, Pope Pius XII declared Our Lady of Guadalupe as Patroness of the Americas.

The Our Lady of Guadalupe feast on Dec. 12 will culminate a host of celebrations being planned throughout the Diocese, especially in those parishes made up of significant Hispanic/Latino communities.

Everyone is welcome to join in the following celebrations:

East Stroudsburg
Saint Matthew Parish

December 1 to December 11
7:00 p.m. Rosary in the Church
(Except December 4 and 5)

December 4
Welcoming of Guadalupana Torch
12:30 p.m. Meeting location: Rite Aid Pharmacy parking lot

2:00 p.m. Solemn Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera

December 5
Departure of Guadalupana Torch
12:00 p.m. The Torch is taken to the town of Suffern, N.Y.
Free bus transportation will be provided for those who would like to join. You must reserve your space in advance. Call (570) 236-2012 or (917) 930-1390

December 11
7:30 p.m. Traditional Mañanitas and vigil in honor to Our Lady of Guadalupe

December 12
7:00 p.m. Mass in honor to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Hazleton
Annunciation Parish

December 2 to December 10
6:30 p.m. Novena
7:00 p.m. Mass

December 11
12:00 p.m. Mass

December 12
5:00 a.m. Mañanitas

Jermyn
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish

December 11
12:00 p.m. Mass; Reception After

Meshoppen
Saint Joachim Church

December 10
4:00 p.m. Mass at Saint Joachim
6:00 p.m. Reception in the Hall of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 99 E. Tioga Street, Tunkhannock

December 12
5:00 a.m. Traditional Mañanitas at Saint Joachim Church

Scranton

December 2 to December 10
6:30 p.m. Novena
Saint Paul of the Cross Church

December 11
Cathedral of Saint Peter
12:15 p.m. Solemn Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera. Reception after at Diocesan Pastoral Center across the street

December 12
3:00 a.m. Street procession begins at the Cathedral of St. Peter and will conclude at St. Paul of the Cross.
4:30 a.m. Mañanitas at St. Paul of the Cross Church
6:30 a.m. Morning Mass.
7:00 p.m. Mass at St. Paul of the Cross

Wilkes-Barre
Saint Nicholas Parish

December 11
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Vigil

December 12
5:00 a.m. Mañanitas

4:00 p.m. Street procession starting at 607 N. Franklin St. Wilkes Barre, (Fortoso Family)
Accompanied by Chinelos, Moras and Dance of the Tacuates.

6:00 p.m. Solemn Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera

7:00 p.m. Reception in the school cafeteria immediately after mass

 

 

 

AWALI, BAHRAIN – As a member of the Diplomatic Corps of the Holy See, Scranton diocesan priest Monsignor Christopher Washington was among the traveling entourage of His Holiness, Pope Francis, when the Holy Father made his recent Apostolic Journey to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

During the papal visit, the Pope met with the King of Bahrain, civil authorities, diplomats and principal leaders from the Islamic world and other Christian denominations. He also celebrated Mass and met with the vibrant Catholic community in the region.

Ordained for the Diocese of Scranton in 2006, Monsignor Washington, a Wilkes-Barre native, began his diplomatic service for the Vatican in 2015, having served as Deputy Head of Mission of the Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See) in Bolivia and Lithuania prior to his appointment to Rome. He has fulfilled the role as a personal aide and translator for Pope Francis since 2021.

KINGSTON – One minute, Mary Siejak is helping a group of students learn to say colors in Spanish. The next, the Good Shepherd Academy educator is across the room helping others cut-and-paste the words of the Hail Mary onto a piece of paper.

Siejak’s classroom is a constant source of activity and empowerment – and there is nothing that she would change.

On Nov. 15, 2022, Siejak’s hard work and dedication paid off as Wilkes University named her its ‘2022 Educator of the Year.’ The award celebrates excellence by a caring and ethical educator who has dedication to all students in his/her learning community.

“It was a complete surprise,” Siejak said upon learning she won the award.

After working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Siejak admitted she is honored by the designation.

“For someone to say, what you did and what you’re doing is really great and we’d like to celebrate you and the children and your school community, that really does mean a lot,” she explained.

For the last seven years, Siejak has been an Individualized Instruction teacher at Good Shepherd Academy. She excels at helping students with exceptionalities become the best person they can be and to exposing them to life outside a special education classroom.

“They are the reason why I get up in the morning. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where I would be. They have changed my life so much,” Siejak said. “Their journey may not be a typical one but they can still accomplish their goals, they can still be active, engaged participants, not only in a school community but society at large.”

Siejak is a product of the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System itself, having attended Pope John Paul II School in Nanticoke. She was also part of the first graduating class of Holy Redeemer High School. Siejak says she fell in love with special education after helping a friend’s daughter who was visually impaired.

“Mary is the best of the best. There are a lot of moving parts in the Individualized Instruction classroom,” Jim Jones, Good Shepherd Academy principal, said. “We are blessed with these children that God has entrusted to us. Their parents believe in us and we have an obligation to teach them in the Catholic faith.”

After observing Siejak in her classroom for only a few minutes, Jones says her love for her students becomes clear.

“She doesn’t stop from the minute she walks in until the minute she leaves,” Jones added. “She eats with her children. She doesn’t take any breaks.

She is in specials with them. Wherever they are, she is there and that is nice to know. It’s a comfort for families to know their children are not only safe but entrusted with teachers who love them.”

Jennie Kopka started last year as an aide in Siejak’s Individualized Instruction classroom.

“She is kind and gentle and safe. I think all the children feel safe with Ms. S. and know that she always has their best interests in mind,” Kopka said.

Directly outside the door of her Individualized Instruction classroom, Good Shepherd Academy has a bulletin board highlighting how Miss Siejak makes a difference every day. While describing her tremendous talent, strength and grace, the words of her extraordinary students speak the loudest.

“Miss S. is fun and takes us outside to get fresh air,” one student wrote.

“She’s beautiful, lovely, and very kind,” another said.

“Miss S. is awesome, what more could I say,” a third wrote.

As she celebrates receiving the ‘2022 Educator of the Year’ award from Wilkes University, Siejak says it is those words that truly matter.

“You can’t help but get emotional because they speak the truth, especially students of this population. They wear their heart on their sleeve, so to hear that, coming from them about me, tells me that I’m doing something right and I need to continue to do that for them because it makes them better people,” she said.

A Priesthood Perspective by Fr. Gregory Reichlen

When I was 17 years old, an Adoration Chapel dedicated to Saint John Neumann was founded in my home parish, Saint Brigid in Friendsville, Susquehanna County (at the time Saint Joseph and St. Augustine).

I was a senior in high school and I don’t recall ever having experienced Adoration before this moment in my life or even knowing what it was! My parents had signed up for a weekly Holy Hour in the chapel. My memory is a bit fuzzy, but I believe that one day my parents asked if I could substitute for their weekly hour.

Suddenly, I was praying in silence, for an entire hour, in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I didn’t know at the time anything about prayer or how to pray, and this was my first time in front of a monstrance, just Jesus and me. This moment and a few subsequent Holy Hours were the seeds of my vocation, simply being in the Presence of Jesus and learning that prayer is a conversation with God, and not just saying prayers. I blame it on my parents!

As our Lord nourished my vocation through college and in the seminary, Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist has always been at the center of my calling and formation.

Now having been ordained a priest for almost 15 years, I am just beginning to more fully grasp the gift of Christ who feeds us through this great mystery, and who speaks to us about His life and love.

In ministry, we priests are privileged to witness in people’s everyday lives the amazing connection between the celebration of the Sunday Mass, the preaching of God’s Word, the experience of an encounter with Christ, and the relationships that we nurture outside the walls of the church. We are the hands and feet of Christ!

All these things – Word, Real Presence, Encounter, and Relationship – are connected in the gift of the Eucharist, and Jesus’ great desire to revive and rebuild His Body, the Church, in this time and this generation.

Our generation is facing the greatest crisis that the Church has faced in hundreds of years. The sins and crimes of church leaders and shifting cultural winds have led us to a point where most people are not angry at the Church, but simply indifferent. Church doesn’t matter.

More than 90 percent of baptized Catholics under 50 years old do not participate whatsoever in the life of the Church. Ninety percent of congregations and other religious institutions, Catholic or otherwise, are dying a slow death.

It’s not just about lack of knowledge and belief in the Real Presence in the Eucharist and catechesis in general – it’s about reviving that connection for people between a welcoming experience, a moving encounter, and Christian relationships. It’s about forming disciples in this time and generation who are equipped and empowered to revive the Church. They give credible witness in their homes, schools, and the community that Christ is alive, forming relationships and inviting others!

At my current assignment, Saint John the Apostle Parish in East Stroudsburg, we are striving to do this. Our strategy of welcoming the unchurched and de-churched is focused on an irresistible experience of the weekend Mass for people of all ages.

Music inspires and uplifts people to come in the door and lift up their hearts in worship in the Sunday Mass. I work very hard to prepare my preaching series to nourish and challenge people to come back week to week.

Ministries, especially children’s ministries during Mass and hospitality ministers at the door, signal to people that they belong here! All along, we are striving to make a space for experience, relationship, and forming leaders.

Recently we held a Family Holy Hour after Mass where more than 200 people attended. Our adult Small Groups have brought over 135 people into deeper relationships in our parish, and it is inherently connected to the celebration of Sunday Mass because the same homily preached each week is the topic of the Small Groups.

Volunteers at our parish, nourished by the Eucharist, go out and serve the community in our Mission Partners program. An encounter with Christ is so fundamental to our faith that we founded an Adoration Chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph, to provide people the same opportunity that I had some 30 years ago to experience Christ’s calling in silent prayer.

In my home parish, Adoration has continued at Saint Brigid, a small country parish, to this very day! My parents still have their Holy Hour! Above all the Eucharist reminds me every day that Christ has not abandoned His Church. Wherever the Eucharist is celebrated and the Word of God is preached, Christ is Present and Alive!

Let us together lead a revival of our Church. May we have the courage to share in a hopeful and realistic vision for the future.

Father Reichlen was ordained to the Priesthood in June 2008. He has been Pastor of Saint John the Apostle Parish since 2015 and also currently serves as an Assistant Vocation Director

SCRANTON – Clutching a rosary that Father Patrick Peyton once used decades ago, Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., President, Holy Cross Family Ministries, led the faithful of Scranton in a special recitation of the rosary on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.

Father Peyton, a Candidate for Sainthood, is well known for his famous message, “The family that prays together stays together.” Best known as “The Rosary Priest,” Peyton traveled the world conducting hundreds of rosary rallies with more than 28 million people in attendance.

“Father Peyton is a pioneer of Catholic media in this country but also around the world,” Father Jenga said in an interview with The Catholic Light.

Peyton died in 1992. The Vatican declared him a “Servant of God” in 2001. That is the first title on the four-step path to canonization. In 2017, Pope Francis declared him “Venerable,” fulfills the second step.

Before he can get the title “Blessed,” a medical miracle attributed to Peyton’s intercession must be verified.

“We have one (miracle) which is being investigated by Rome, so that he can be able to be taken to the next stage and be ‘Blessed,’” Father Jenga stated.

A second miracle will be needed before Peyton can be declared a saint.

Father Jenga said reciting the rosary in Scranton is significant because Peyton had a special connection to the Electric City and the very Cathedral where the rosary took place.

In 1928, at the age of 19, Peyton served as a sexton at the Cathedral of Saint Peter after arriving from his native Ireland.

“Today is a powerful, emotional day in my life,” Father Jenga said. “It was in this very cathedral that an Irishman served as a janitor or a custodian and was able to rediscover his vocation to the priesthood.”

Father Jenga said after becoming a priest, Father Peyton committed years of his life going around the world encouraging people to pray in their homes.

“This is the place where it all started from,” Father Jenga said. “This very space, this man, who used to open the doors of this Cathedral … this man is on the road to sainthood now.”

Father Jeffrey D. Tudgay, Pastor of the Cathedral of Saint Peter, talked about Peyton during the 12:10 p.m. Mass right before the rosary.

“He worked in this very cathedral, and every time I talk about it in this cathedral, I get goosebumps,” Father Tudgay said.

Holy Cross Family Ministries continues Father Peyton’s ministry to this day, encouraging family prayer and the power of prayer in homes. The organization serves 18 counties and has 27 ministry offices around the world, including in Latin America, Africa, Europe and Canada.

Father Jenga says there is a growing devotion to Father Peyton’s legacy around the world, especially in countries like Uganda, Tanzania and the Philippines.

“The rest of the world is on fire for this man. We have institutions named after him and rallies and concerts being prepared in honor of this man,” Father Jenga related. “His message is still relevant.”

Father Jenga said he is thrilled people in Scranton stand behind Peyton’s Cause for Sainthood.

“It’s the gift that this cathedral is giving to the rest of the world because we need a saint for the families and we’ve never needed a saint for the families more than how it is right now,” Father Jenga stated.

CARBONDALE – What started as a dream only ten months ago is now becoming reality.

On Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, Rob Williams, executive director of Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen, took possession of a brand new trailer that will soon become the Saint Francis Free Mobile Clothing Store, providing free clothing to people across northeastern Pennsylvania.

“We’re going to try and serve as many people as we can,” Williams said.

The idea started when Teddy Michel, director of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, started discussing the work of Saint Francis Kitchen’s free clothing store with two of his volunteers.

“They were bragging about the quality of clothes and they said, ‘It’s a shame that we can’t get them out into the community,’” Michel said.

Michel initially joked that if he ever won the lottery – he would buy Saint Francis Kitchen a trailer – but it turns out he won’t need to strike it rich.

The idea was so good – the advisory board of Saint Francis Kitchen didn’t want to wait. They gave Williams permission to pursue the idea.

Williams quickly got in touch with ITI Cargo in Carbondale, which is a division of Novae LLC, which agreed to build the trailer at a deep discount.

“Their company has been amazing. They gave us a 50-percent discount. On the open market, this trailer would cost about $15,000 but they sold it to us for $7,500,” Williams explained.

Mari Lucas, general manager of ITI Cargo, said her employees were excited to help. Dozens of workers who helped build the trailer stood outside the facility as the trailer was officially handed over.

“Community service is something that the company really believes in,” she explained. “One of our employees, as we were working on it, said, let us give them a good start so our team has donated 32 bags of clothing as well.”

The Saint Francis Free Clothing Store already gives out more than 2,000 articles of clothing a month at its facility in downtown Scranton but the new mobile clothing store will let the agency help people in need by going right to their doorsteps.

Williams envisions parking the Saint Francis Free Mobile Clothing Store outside churches and high-rises when they are already providing meals in Olyphant and Carbondale.

“We are also going to be proactive about collaborating with other non-profits. If they’re gathering 100 people for a food distribution and they want to add clothing to that mix, we’ll give it to them,” Williams said. “Our goal is to collaborate with whoever wants to collaborate with us.”

The trailer is expected to hit the road for the first time in early 2023 after being retrofitted with cabinets and cubbies to hold all the clothing. The exterior of the trailer is also being decorated so that it will be recognizable to people in the community.

“This is a way for us to reach more people with the huge amount of donated clothing that we have,” Williams said.

WILKES-BARRE – On almost any day of the week around noontime, John Lind of Plains Township can be found sitting at a table with friends enjoying the Daily Meal at Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen.

“I come here every day,” Lind said.

With the cost of groceries, gas, heating oil and many other essentials continuing to skyrocket, the 78 year old says eating at the Kitchen is one way he is able to save money.

“I would say it’s a minimum of $10 a day this place saves me,” he admitted. “I put that right in the gas tank.”

In addition to enjoying the Daily meal, Lind also frequently takes home fresh fruits, vegetables, and desserts that are regularly made available to guests.

In the midst of decades-high inflation, Mike Cianciotta, Executive Director of Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen, says more people are turning to places like their facility on East Jackson Street for assistance.

“We have definitely seen an increase of new clients coming in,” Cianciotta said. “I hear them talking about the price of gas, their utilities going up and the general cost of living at this point.”

Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen serves a warm, nutritious meal to the community every day of the year, including weekends and holidays, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome, no questions are asked.

Every Thursday, the Kitchen also provides 14 meals to veterans living at Saint Hedwig’s Village in Kingston and 60-70 meals to the Women in Crisis program in Hazleton. The Kitchen also delivers 25 meals to Mother Teresa’s Haven, an emergency shelter for people in Wilkes-Barre, six nights a week.

In addition to the Kitchen, Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 until 11 a.m. In addition to receiving canned goods and meat products, visitors also receive fresh fruits and vegetables.

Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen accomplishes all of its work with just six full-time staff members – but relies on the kindness and generosity of volunteers, community groups and donors.

“Our staff is phenomenal. We all worked through COVID, through the whole pandemic, everyone came in and took care of the clients. We wouldn’t survive without the volunteers obviously,” Cianciotta said. “It costs us close to $500,000 a year to run this place. People don’t realize that, so monetary donations are very important.”

Ann Marie Harley, a parishioner at Saint Nicholas Parish in Wilkes-Barre, has been volunteering at the Kitchen for two years.

When asked to describe how important the Kitchen is to the community, she responded, “It is an answer for a lot of people just to have a warm meal every day.”

Harley not only knows most of the Kitchen guests by name, she knows their stories and favorite meals.

“I get upset when I have something going on and I can’t come because I feel like I’m letting them down,” she explained.