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Our Mission
"To know, love and serve the Lord and one another in imitation of Mary"
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Welcome to our Catholic Community!
We warmly welcome ALL to join us in worship of our God. We would love to welcome you to our Catholic Community no matter where you are on your journey of faith. Please join us because ALL are welcome here!
Click here if you're new or to discover how we can help you on your journey of Faith. -
From The Deacon's Bench
My Brothers and Sisters,
One of the hardest lessons for me to learn is that being free doesn't necessarily make it a great bargain, or maybe I should take to heart the saying "You get what you pay for.” Five or maybe six years ago, a friend offered me a pair of cockatiels (birds) if I wanted them. Being cautious by nature, I asked him how much he wanted for them and he told me that I could have them for free - if I took both of them. That would have made most of us wary, but not me. After all, free is the best price. What could possibly go wrong?
Have you ever heard a cockatiel sing? Don't feel bad if you haven’t, because they sound more like they are screaming. Since we had three of them when my kids were young, you’d think I would’ve remembered. I did not. They drive Ginna and me crazy. The male learned a wolf whistle… not sure how. For the sake of our sanity and my marriage, we moved them into the back bedroom for the holiday season. Our son Jayme was very appreciative when he stayed in that room while visiting. My daughter is the only one who seems to enjoy their noise but she rescued two cats a few years ago and the carnage wouldn’t be pretty!
I’d plead innocence on some offers being too good to be true but I was reminded of the free hamsters I brought home, again when the kids were young. They were small and cute, so what could go wrong? Plenty! They ate our telephone line, the sleeves of my coat – I didn’t know to keep it out of their reach – and the female had a litter which she promptly ate. The male must’ve had a problem with that because he escaped the next day and then she escaped too. We never found them. Never saw a sign. I lie awake at night in fear that I will be her next victim!!!
The next time someone offers you something for nothing, stop to think before you say yes. Birds live a long time, much longer than my memory.
PS: You can have them for free. They make great stocking stuffers!!! Hamsters too, if you can find them!
May God Bless You,
Deacon Ray -
What's New?
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A reminder to all Saint Mary of the Lake parishioners. The Saint Mary of the Lake Choir will be implementing the new Mass Setting on the weekend of December 8, 9.Read More
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Nativity will sponsor "Paint Along With Us" on Saturday, December 15, at 6:00 PM, in Father Nallin Hall. Click above for more information.Read More
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Traditional Christmas wafers (Oplatek) are available at the doors to the church and also in the Parish Office. Donation is $2.00 per pack (6 wafers). The breaking of the Christmas wafer is a custom that began in Poland in the 10th century and is practiced by people of Polish ancestry around the world. It is considered the most ancient and beloved of Polish traditions. In Poland and some parts of Central Europe, these Christmas wafers are dyed and used as ornaments. They are also sent as small trinkets with greeting cards to loved ones who are away from home. The Christmas wafer symbolizes the unity of the family, which many consider to be the main pillar of society. According to beliefs, the bond of unity should exist between family members. The father is seen as the link in the unbroken chain of One Body, One Bread, One Christ, and One Church, while other family members join him in this eternal procession. The wafer also symbolizes forgiveness and reconciliation.Read More
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In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him. In this sacrament, he prepares us to receive him free from serious sin, with a lively faith, earnest hope, and sacrificial love in the Eucharist. Our deanery will be conducting a series of Advent Penance Services. All services begin at 6:00PM. December 09 - Nativity BVM; December 17 - Corpus Christi, Montdale; December 18 - Our Lady of the Abingtons; December 20 - Our Lady of the Snows.Read More
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Both of our parishes are in need of volunteers to help count the collection each week. At Nativity, the counting takes place on Sunday morning starting at about 9:00AM. St. Mary of the Lake counting takes place on Monday morning at about 9:00AM. If you can help out approximately once a month in either parish, please contact Dick Schwoebel at the Parish Office (570-836-3275) or at 570-677-7634. It doesn’t take long and we could really use your help.Read More
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The annual Nativity Giving Tree is set up in the church starting this weekend. All parishioners are invited to take a paper ornament from the tree and to purchase the requested gift for the recipient. Please place the gift (including the ornament) under the tree between now and Sunday, December 16th. Thank you for your generosity!Read More
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Have you considered serving your parish as a Eucharistic Minister? Deacon Ray is planning to conduct a training class for Eucharistic Ministers to serve at weekend Masses for the both of our parishes. Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity for service is asked to call the Parish Office at 570-836-3275.Read More
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This year’s CCD party at Saint Mary of the Lake is being sponsored by our Disciples of Mary and will be held on Sunday, December 16th, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. Instead of a Christmas Pageant, the children will be treated to a movie, crafts, music, snacks and lunch and a visit from Santa! The twist is that, during this party, we encourage parents to shop local for your last minute gifts while we watch the kids! Make plans now for a very merry time!Read More
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What's Happening?
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Tuesday, December 11, 8:00 AMSaint Mary of the Lake ChurchRead More
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Tuesday, December 11, 5:00 PMSaint Mary of the Lake ChurchRead More
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Wednesday, December 12, 7:00 AMNativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ChurchRead More
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Wednesday, December 12, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PMNativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ChurchRead More
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Thursday, December 13, 8:00 AMSaint Mary of the Lake ChurchRead More
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Thursday, December 13, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PMSt Mary of the Lake - Parish HallRead More
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2018-2019 CCD Registration Information
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2018 Diocesan Annual Appeal Video
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Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire
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Especially For Young Adult Catholics
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Catholic News Service
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Today's Readings
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Reading 1 Is 40:1-11Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13Gospel Mt 18:12-14
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Mass Schedule
- Saturday: 4:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN - St Mary 5:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN - Nativity
- Sunday: 7:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN - Nativity 9:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN - St Mary 9:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN - Nativity 11:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN - Nativity
- Monday: 7:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN - Nativity
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN - St Mary
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN - Nativity
- Thursday: 8:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN - St Mary
- Friday: 7:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN - Nativity 8:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN - St Mary - First Fridays
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Reconciliation
This Sacrament is celebrated on Saturdays...
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
4:15PM - 4:45PM
Saint Mary of the Lake
3:15PM - 3:45PMOr by special appointment by calling the Parish Office.
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Eucharistic Adoration
- Wednesday: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Nativity
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Watch Daily Mass
Can't make it to Daily Mass? Watch it here.
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Stream Catholic Television and Radio Live
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Our Faith ... Our Diocese For October
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Pray for the Sick
Please remember in your prayers the sick, the suffering, and the hospitalized from our Faith Community.
Please click here to email the parish office if someone is hospitalized, ill, or in need to prayers.
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