As has been the custom for years, our parish's Human Needs Ministry is sponsoring a Christmas giving tree. Click above for more information.

Dear Friends, As we look forward to planning our holiday table and beginning to review the Christmas wish lists of our loved ones, we need to turn our attention to some of our neighbors who may not be in the position to plan and provide a holiday for their families because of their present circumstances. They are members of our immediate community....not folks states or a country away. Their children go to Mill City School. The parish family of St. Mary of the Lake adopted several families last year and we are honored to repeat this tradition. We are asking that you might consider shopping for a member of a family this year. You will be provided with their wish list and reimbursement for your purchases. We ask that the gifts be wrapped if possible, but that’s not necessary. The gifts need to be brought in to the church and we will deliver them to the school on December 11th. The second collection on November 25/26 is in support of this program. Please think about taking part in this holiday ministry. For more information, please call Marry Lou Franko (number in bulletin). Thank you for your consideration. God bless you!

Nativity BVM is sponsoring a monetary collection to benefit the Pennsylvanian's For Human Life Pro-Life Center in Wilkes-Barre. This organization helps mothers and babies with clothing and support after the baby is born. Baby bottles are available in church at all the doors. Any monetary donation will be very much appreciated. We ask that the bottles and donations be returned to the church by December 3rd. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Stone - Pro Life Committee – (number in bulletin)

"Know the Faith. Share the faith. The Catholic Faith is not about myths or legends, symbols or literary devices. It’s about an encounter so overwhelming that you want to tell the whole world. It is an encounter with Jesus Christ. Throughout history the call of Christ has sent people to the corners of the earth with a message of great joy, a message that has built civilizations, inspired cultures, and even sent some to prisons and to their graves. We have the same call - that’s the New Evangelization. This new documentary series from Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire, continues the story of CATHOLICISM and explores the Church’s mission and the challenges of contemporary culture. With the original CATHOLICISM series, Bishop Barron took us on a journey around the world deep into the Faith. Now, experience this Faith in action in CATHOLICISM: The New Evangelization." Spend Wednesday mornings with Bishop Barron as Catholicism: The New Evangelization is viewed and discussed. The series will run from November 15 through December 20 at 10:00 AM at Nativity's Father Nallin Hall. For more information, please contact Cindy (number in bulletin) All are welcome! Click above to view an introductory video.

Join your friends and neighbors in giving thanks for our blessings at the Lake Winola Area Thanksgiving Ecumenical Prayer Service on Wednesday, November 22, at 7:00 PM at Saint Mary of the Lake Church, 1872 Dalton Road, Lake Winola. Father Pat, Deacon Ray, Pastors Jim and Dorothy Rugg of the Mill City Assembly of God Church, and Pastor Nick Mc Michael of the Lake Winola and Falls United Methodist Churches will participate. All are welcome! A free-will offering will be taken in support of the Lower Wyoming County Food Pantry.

Nativity BVM will sponsor a Paint - A - Long on Saturday, December 9th, at 6:00 PM, at Father Nallin Hall. The $35.00 cost covers canvas, supplies, and instruction for 1-3 people per canvas. Hot chocolate, Christmas music, and instruction will be provided at this non-alcoholic event.Click above for more information.

Please consider making a gift to the Diocesan Annual Appeal. Your gifts support the following ministries: Catholic Social Services and Parish Social Justice Grants (Both of our parishes received these grants this year.); Catholic Education in Schools and Parishes; Clergy Formation, Education, and Support; Parish Life and Ministry Formation; Catholic Media and Communication. Here is the status of our parish participation as of October 30: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish: 49.8% of goal - 9.28% of families participating; Saint Mary of the Lake Parish: 42.4% of goal - 5.20% of families participating. Click to learn more.

As Catholics, we believe that when the priest consecrates the bread and wine during the Mass, they become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. In Eucharistic Adoration, the consecrated host is displayed on the altar in a vessel called the monstrance, and God is present to us in a special way. We are able to feel a closeness to God through our prayer and meditation. We are alone with God and can use our time together to develop our personal relationship with Him. Nativity BVM has initiated a regular period of Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Nativity BVM Church. Can you devote some time on Wednesdays to being alone with the Lord? Click above to learn more and to sign up for regular adoration. Remember, if our ultimate goal is to spend an eternity with God in heaven, shouldn’t we take advantage of the opportunity to spend some time with Him here on Earth?

Saddle up for a night of fun and fellowship at the Saint Mary of the Lake “Nite at the Races” Social on Saturday Evening, November 18, 2017, at Saint Mary of the Lake Parish Hall. Doors open at 5:00 PM with post time at 6:15 PM. Admission is $10.00 and includes Hot Dogs, Pulled Pork, Wimpies, Beverages, and Desserts all night long! You can name and sponsor a horse for $10.00 or sponsor a race for $25.00. Click above for the form to get tickets or sponsor a horse or race. The Parish Family of Saint Mary of the Lake is grateful to you for your participation in this important fundraiser that supports the activities of the parish. Plan to enjoy a wonderful nite of delicious food, plenty of fun, and maybe even some cash winnings!

The Saint Mary Adopt-a-Highway Ministry will meet on Saturday, November 18, at 8:00 AM at the Lake Winola Post Office. All supplies will be provided; we just need smiling faces. We should finish in an hour if we have enough volunteers. Call Bill of Janet Shaw (number in bulletin) to sign up. See you there!

SUPPORT OUR SCOUT TROOP: Boy Scout Troop 518, sponsored by Nativity BVM, is holding a Pancake Breakfast on next Sunday, November 5, from 7:30 - AM to 12:00 PM, in Father Nallin Hall, 99 East Tioga Street, in Tunkhannock. The cost is $5.00, and proceeds help support the programs of the Scout Troop. Enjoy a delicious breakfast while supporting our Parish Community. See you there!

What is a Digital Disciple? A disciple is one who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. We are disciples of Christ. Therefore, we have the opportunity to assist in spreading Christ’s teachings. What does it mean to be a “digital” disciple? As digital disciples, we are committed to using technology in all its forms to spread Christ’s teachings. As digital disciples, we believe that if we preach the gospel in the language of the day, it will be heard. How can you help? One of the greatest things about today’s technology is that you don’t have to be a computer expert to be a digital disciple. One of our greatest needs right now is correspondents. As a correspondent, all you have to do is take a picture of what is happening at a church event and send it to us. We will take it from there. Of course, if you have some technical expertise and would like to help out, we need you. Do you know how to use Facebook? Do have some website experience? We will be having a ministry meeting on Thursday, October 26, at 6:30 PM at Saint Mary Parish Hall. If you think you might be interested in being a part of a ministry that uses the language of the day to get closer to God, please join us. We would love to meet you and welcome you to our community of “digital disciples”.

The Respect Life Program, sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, started in 1972 and begins anew each October—the month set aside by the U.S. bishops as “Respect Life Month.” The program promotes respect for human life in light of our intrinsic dignity as having been created in God’s image and likeness and called to an eternal destiny with him. Let us recommit ourselves to supporting the dignity of every person, especially by cherishing God’s gift of life.

REVELATION: If you are interested in learning more about the last book of the Bible, Revelation, please come and join the Sunday evening Bible Study group. The group will begin on October 8th and meet in Father Nallin Hall at 7:00PM. All you need to bring is a Bible.

The theme for this year's Diocesan Annual Appeal is "Walk Together In The Light Of Christ". Click for a video introduction to this year's Appeal.

The Parish Family of Saint Mary of the Lake celebrated Faith and Fellowship at their Annual Parish Meeting and Breakfast. The breakfast is held each year near the Feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary. Click for a video.

Click here for the winners from the 2017 Saint Mary of the Lake "Baskets Galore" Basket Raffle at the Wyoming County Community Fair. Winners should call 570-836-3275 or 570-378-2181 to make arrangements to pick up your basket. A big THANK YOU to everyone who donated a basket, worked the booth, and patronized this annual fundraiser. See you at the 2018 Fair!

Hurricane Harvey is a catastrophic weather event that has caused enormous damage in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Twelve million people thus far have been affected. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has requested that each diocese participate in an emergency collection to assist the victims of Hurricane Harvey. This collection will occur in the Diocese of Scranton during the weekend of September 9 and 10. This emergency collection will be used both to support the humanitarian and recovery efforts of Catholic Charities USA, and to provide pastoral and rebuilding support to impacted dioceses through the USCCB. "This storm of historic proportions has caused great hardship for so many people," said Bishop Joseph C. Bambera. "I ask all of us to offer prayers and support as we accompany our sisters and brothers on their long and difficult road to recovery."

Thanks to all of our golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and Committee Members who made this year's Golf Tournament a great success! Click to view a video of the Tournament.

The St Mary Altar and Rosary Society has announced that their September meeting will feature a Holy Hour in the Church. This will be preceded by prayers in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima and in commemoration of the events of 9/11. The meeting will conclude with a cake for the birthday of Our Blessed Mother. Join us in devotion and service on Monday, September 11, at 6:45 PM.