News - Welcome!

The Nativity Parish Pastoral Council has developed a survey in order to learn what parishioners find life-giving about Nativity parish and where you think the parish should focus its energies. Your input is essential to help us plan for a vibrant, sustainable, and responsible parish. Click above to respond to the survey online. Please return your survey by Sunday, February 3, 2019. Thank you for taking the time to respond to this very important survey.

Save the Date! Saturday, February 9, is the Nativity Valentine's Day Dinner Dance in Father Nallin Hall. Music will be by "Pop Star Drive" (formerly "amRadio") Tickets are $35.00 per person and are on sale in the Parish Office. Click above for more information.

January 1, 2019, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be celebrated at Nativity on Monday, December 31, at 5:30 PM, and on Tuesday, January 1, at 11:00 AM. At Saint Mary, Masses will be celebrated on Monday, December 31, at 4:00 PM, and on Tuesday, January 1, at 9:00 AM.

The Parish Family of Saint Mary of the Lake cordially invites you to celebrate Christ’s Birth with us at a special Christmas Eve Mass. Join us for “Carols With the Choir”, beginning at 3:15 PM, by the Saint Mary of the Lake Adult Choir, under the direction of Dan Williams. Mass begins at 4:00 PM and will feature students in costume depicting the trip to Bethlehem, the Holy Family, and the gifts of The Three Kings. The Mass will also include a special Communion meditation by the choir, as well as a unique Christmas remembrance, courtesy of our parish family. We especially welcome anyone who is new or who is looking to connect with God. Click above if you’re new or want to know how we can help you on your journey of Faith. “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful”, to Saint Mary of the Lake!

Do you enjoy decorating for Christmas? Would you like to help decorate God's house? We will be decorating, setting up the Christmas trees and the crèche in Nativity BVM church on Friday, December 21st at 8:00AM. Anyone interested in volunteering their time can call the Parish Office at (570) 836-3275 or simply come to the church at 8:00AM on that Friday. Thanks for your assistance!

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.

Diane Stone from Nativity is conducting a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Church at the Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota (that’s the church that she described in her recent bulletin message about her mission experience there last summer). She’s selling Tiny Saints charms after the Masses at Nativity BVM Church this weekend (and next weekend if there are any still available). The charms are $5.00 each and are pictured on the enclosed flyer.

Paul Binner, a former Protestant and a convert to the Catholic faith, is conducting a forum that explores the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism and what those differences mean to us as Catholics. The session will be held in Fr. Nallin Hall (2nd floor) this Tuesday, December 4th, 6:30-8:30PM. Click above for more details. Paul is planning additional sessions on January 9th and January 17th – topics to be announced.

Nativity will sponsor "Paint Along With Us" on Saturday, December 15, at 6:00 PM, in Father Nallin Hall. Click above for more information.

Date: Friday, December 7th; Times: First Showing - 6:00PM, Second Showing - 6:30PM; Location: Nativity BVM Church. The First Communion CCD Class is pleased to invite all available to attend one of their performances of this year's Christmas Pageant. There will be two performances in the church on the Friday evening of Christmas in Our Hometown, December 7th. Come watch the story of a little star that finally learns how to twinkle!

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.

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.

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.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception occurs next Saturday, December 8th. Please note that the obligation to attend Mass is not lifted (as with other Holy Days) for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Thus, we are obliged fulfill this obligation by attending Mass for the Holy Day (either Friday vigil or Saturday), and we also must fulfill our Sunday Mass obligation (either Saturday vigil or Sunday). Holy Day Masses will be celebrated at Nativity BVM on December 8 at 7:00 AM, and at Saint Mary of the Lake on December 7 at 7:00 PM and December 8 at 8:00 AM

Deacon Ray is conducting a Divine Mercy prayer service on the first Sunday of the month at 3:00PM in St. Mary of the Lake Church. The next service will be this Sunday, December 2nd. All are welcome.

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!

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.

The annual St. Mary of the Lake Disciples of Mary and Nativity BVM Altar and Rosary Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday, December 4th, at Shadowbrook Country Club, beginning at 5:30PM. All are welcome to join in this night of fellowship, food and Christmas entertainment. Cost is $25.00 per person and anyone interested must have their registration in by November 25th. Please contact the Parish Office (570-836-3275), Sue Barziloski (570-836-1351) or Dee Pasko (570-378-2834) to reserve your seat. See you there!

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!

Mark your calendar now so that you can plan to bake for the Saint Mary of the Lake Disciples of Mary Fall Bake Sale, which will take place on the weekend of November 17-18. VOLUNTEER BAKERS ARE NEEDED! If you can help, please call Dee Pasko (570-378-2834).