Oblates of Saint Joseph being year-long celebration

LAFLIN — St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and stepfather of Jesus Christ, means a lot to many people all over the world. The Oblates of St. Joseph is doing all it can do to keep St. Joseph in the forefront.

St. Joseph Day, also as known as the Feast of St. Joseph, is celebrated each year on March 19 by Catholics all over the world. A second day, called the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, has been designated to honor St. Joseph over the Labor Day weekend.

Locally, the Oblates of St. Joseph held Mass at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. March 19 to accommodate all who wished to honor the saint. The 250-seat chapel was filled to capacity for both Masses.

Scranton Diocese Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty served as the celebrant, along with 10 area priests who participated in the Mass from the diocese and the Oblates of St. Joseph and members of the Pittston Knights of Columbus.

“The Mass was fabulous,” Fr. Joseph Sibilano, O.S.J. pastor said. “Did you see how many people were here at 11:00? The more we spread the word and work and honor St. Joseph, the better.”

On March 19, the Oblates started “The Year of St. Joseph” which will conclude one year from that date in 2020.

“We will have a Mass every Wednesday for an entire year at 11 a.m., Novena to St. Joseph, from 6 to 7 p.m., we will have a Holy Hour and at 7 p.m. we will have Mass with devotion to St. Joseph,” Fr. Sibilano said.

Retired Wyoming Area teacher Dr. Alyce Zura has been a volunteer administrative assistant at the Oblates for the last five years and looks forward to the year of devotion to St. Joseph.

“I find being here (Oblates) is very enriching and I love the proximity to the chapel,” Zura said of the chapel across the hall from her office. “It gives me the opportunity to go to the chapel and talk to God. It’s a very calming and relaxing environment.”

St. Joseph Oblates was built in 1965.

“Don’t forget St. Joseph has been here since 1965 and the immigrants that came from Europe had great faith in St. Joseph. He’s just a patron saint that has helped so many people,” Zura added. “St. Joseph helps many, many people in all stages of their lives.”

Michael Liberski, of Exeter, took time out of his day to attend St. Joseph’s Mass.

“St. Joseph is a very strong family man and the patron saint of the family, patron saint of the fathers, patron saint of workers,” Liberski said. “He represents the Holy Family to me and that’s important.”

“I’ve been coming every year to honor St. Joseph,” Antoinette Varvaglione, of Yatesville, said. “It’s our religious heritage.”

Dr. Alyce Zura, Duryea, the Oblates of St. Joseph’s secretary, participated in an annual Mass honoring St. Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary, Tuesday at the Oblates Chapel.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_StJoes1.jpgDr. Alyce Zura, Duryea, the Oblates of St. Joseph’s secretary, participated in an annual Mass honoring St. Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary, Tuesday at the Oblates Chapel. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Scranton Diocese Auxilary Bishop John Dougherty was the celebrant for the second year in row at the Oblates honoring St. Joseph.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_StJoes2.jpgScranton Diocese Auxilary Bishop John Dougherty was the celebrant for the second year in row at the Oblates honoring St. Joseph. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Sr. Marie Estelle Gavel, IHM, receives Holy Communion from Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty during Mass.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_StJoes3.jpgSr. Marie Estelle Gavel, IHM, receives Holy Communion from Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty during Mass. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Fr. Joseph Sibilan, OSJ, distributes religious medals and prayer cards to St. Joseph to the congregation and to Camille Stanis, of Hughestown.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_StJoes4.jpgFr. Joseph Sibilan, OSJ, distributes religious medals and prayer cards to St. Joseph to the congregation and to Camille Stanis, of Hughestown. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

The Oblates of St. Joseph choir was in full voice during the Mass honoring St. Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary. The Oblates will have a one-year celebration to St. Joseph that began on March 19.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_stJoes5.jpgThe Oblates of St. Joseph choir was in full voice during the Mass honoring St. Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary. The Oblates will have a one-year celebration to St. Joseph that began on March 19. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch