Pocono News Section

New Beginning for Catholics in Mid Valley

New Beginning for Catholics in Mid Valley - Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 10:30PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Sunday, Dec 13, 2009 @ 10:30pm EST
THROOP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Consolidation in the Diocese of Scranton has several Mid Valley church congregations worshiping as one.

Parishioners from 3 previously separate churches in Throop are now united. They celebrated together, Sunday morning, during an inaugural mass at Blessed Sacrament Parish.

Hardly a seat could be found for the mass. This crowded church once called Saint Anthony's merged members of that former parish with those from nearby St. Bridget and St. John the Baptist Churches.

The name Blessed Sacrament was chosen because of its symbolism and significance. "We have such a rich tradition of that understanding of what the blessed sacrament means to our catholic faith and how it truly guides us and nourishes us," said Blessed Sacrament Parish Administrator Fr. Jeff Walsh.

He'll lead this flock of faithful followers who had to establish a new identity. "Like all things, we have to treasure our past but we also have to look to the future and see the possibilities that are there," said Fr. Walsh.

It took nearly 2-years to get to this point of consolidation. "It was uncomfortable in the beginning and it was confusing and it was difficult," said parishioner Robert Fuhr of Throop.

But a committee made up of merging church members helped smooth the transition to deal with the difficulty of change. "It's going to work out. The people who were hard-headed and hard-hearted... they're coming around," said Fuhr.

It was tough for St. Bridget's former caretaker Ruth Miklus. Four weeks after locking the doors for good at St. Bridget's, she embraces a new beginning. "I'm happy with it now. I have to be. And if I wasn't, I'd be in tears again," Miklus said as she laughed.

Tears are replaced by songs of joy and praise -- and a prayer that this consolidated faith community will always work and worship together. "Just to help the parish grow and to become stronger and more vibrant in Throop," said the Parish's Director of Music Ministry Ned Dructor.