11+ hour, 36+ min ago (1036+ words) By NICOLE WINFIELD, ANDREW WILKS and SUZAN FRASER Associated Press Pope Leo XIV arrives with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Eastern Orthodox Christians, to celebrate a Mass at the Volkswagen Arena in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday. Without praying, he focuses on unifying Christians ISTANBUL, Turkey " Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul's iconic Blue Mosque on Saturday but didn't stop to pray, as he focused more on bolstering ties with Orthodox patriarchs and promoting courageous steps for Eastern and Western churches to be united. Leo took his shoes off and, in his white socks, toured the 17th-century mosque, looking up at its soaring tiled domes and the Arabic inscriptions on its columns as an imam pointed them out to him. The Vatican had said Leo would observe a "brief moment of silent prayer" in the mosque, but…...

1+ day, 7+ hour ago (688+ words) Keeping Christ in Christmas." The public is invited to join in singing traditional Christmas carols with musical accompaniment by candlelight at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Nativity Display on the Luzerne County Courthouse lawn. This 17th annual event precedes the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. inside the rotunda. For information contact Nancy 570-239-3363. Hear the Angels Sing," a living Nativity presented by Moving River Ministries at 453 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre, Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. both days, with live animals from Endless Dreams. Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Admission is free and free parking is available. Questions, contact Lisa at 570-817-9689 or [email'protected]/. Public Stitch-In with The Wyoming Valley Chapter of The Embroiderers" Guild of America 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 3, Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Arena Hub Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. You are invited to bring something to stitch along with us or…...

1+ day, 14+ hour ago (130+ words) The Christian Women of Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre, honored the Blessed Mother during their October meeting. Deacon William Behm, moderator, conducted a service and Carolyn Graziano, assisted by Mary Gallamo, crowned a statue of the Blessed Mother. A covered dish supper followed in the rectory. Shown from left are Mary Gallamo, Deacon Behm and Carolyn Graziano. Public Notices - Click to Learn More The Christian Women of Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre, honored the Blessed Mother during their October meeting. Deacon William Behm, moderator, conducted a service and Carolyn Graziano, assisted by Mary Gallamo, crowned a statue of the Blessed Mother. A covered dish supper followed in the rectory. Shown from left are Mary Gallamo, Deacon Behm and Carolyn Graziano....

2+ day, 17+ hour ago (841+ words) By Mary Therese Biebel [email'protected] Doug Chapman has the role of an Archangel narrator in "The Gift," to be presented by Harvest Church outdoors for five performances Dec. 12-14. Isaac Chapman stands on a windswept overlook, acting defiant in his role as Satan and establishing humanity"s need for a Savior as the theatrical event "The Gift" begins. Pastor Ray Petts practices driving a horse and chariot with Trip Brown along for the ride. Sarah Makarewicz of Trucksville has the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the dramatic presentation of "The Gift." It is a role she has portrayed many times before. Tim Conrad of Kingston, at right, has the role of the Angel Gabriel. Mark Malacavage is technical director of "The Gift." Luann Letoski is directing a cast of about 100 people in "The Gift." From the bleachers, which…...

3+ day, 8+ hour ago (272+ words) Cardinal Blase Cupich Chicago Tribune The Washington Monument stands majestically against the evening sky and is captured in the Reflecting pool, a view seen looking from the Lincoln Memorial. Two stories anchor our oldest holiday. Both took place in times of division and deprivation. And both offer a hopeful note about who we can be when we try. The peaks and valleys of American history are commonly defined by our wealth and our power. But as these stories remind us, the true character of America is found in our capacity as a pilgrim people to find reasons for hope and gratitude and share those blessings with others. So, what might those moments suggest for today's era of disunity and discord? In the face of all this, the overwhelming temptation can be to retreat to our separate corners, to give thanks…...

4+ day, 16+ hour ago (240+ words) The interior of St. Adalbert's Church features elaborate wooden altars, an imposing raised pulpit, and communion rail. Exterior of St. Adalbert's Church A wedding at St. Adalbert, Dec. 26, 1950 First Holy Communion at St. Adalbert's, 1962 A 137 year legacy will come to an end in January when the last Roman Catholic church in Newport Township closes its doors. St. Adalbert's Church, 31 South Market Glen Lyon, will hold its final Mass at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11. St. Adalbert's Church was a center of community life in Glen Lyon for decades, at one time sponsoring a Rosary Society, a junior and senior Holy Name Society, a Sacred Heart Society, a Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Children of Mary, multiple choirs, a Boy Scout troop, and a St. Ann's Confraternity. For many years, the parish also operated a school. Further consolidation took place in August…...

4+ day, 20+ hour ago (202+ words) Welsh Bethel Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre recently honored its veterans during a Veterans Day Service. Shown from left are honorees: Tom Mislevits (Army), Bill May (Navy), Charles Lott (Army), Frank Gromel (Army), Jack Morgan (Army), George Evans (Marines), Art Thomas (Army National Guard), Mary Lott (Army), Pastor Donald Hartshorne (Marines). Missing from photo are: Harry Davis (Air Force), Bill Loefflad (Navy), Don Maharty (Army), Phil Pascoe (Army National Guard) Ron Roberts (Army), and Todd VanWhy (Marines). The church's seven Gold Star boys who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom are Pvt. William Robbins, World War I; and Pvt. Charles Grosspietch, Pvt. William Perry, Jr., S.Sgt. Thomas D. Williams, Cpl. Kenneth Hobbs, Pfc. Robert Hummel, and Pvt. William L. Richards, all from World War II. Welsh Bethel Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre recently honored its veterans during a Veterans Day Service Shown from left…...

1+ week, 7+ hour ago (684+ words) Giselle Massi Tell Giselle "How do you manage your family gatherings, or do you feel like this too?" G: You are certainly not alone in how you tend to respond to the stress or pressures that can come with these events. So often bad outcomes are created because there is a heightened expectation, of wanting everything to be just so, to create extra special memories. Throw in the heated spices of political divisions or concerns about spreading the flu or worse, and it is no wonder many are reconsidering how much time they want to spend around the holiday dinner table. We know it doesn't have to be this way, and yet, year in and year out many of us end up less than satisfied, if not in real distress from relationship relations. This happens more often to those who tend…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (370+ words) Order of Alhambra, local caravan Alhamar No. 4 recently installed new officers for its fraternal 2025-2026 year, and is planning a "Peace in the Womb" session of Pro-Life Christmas Caroling at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 on the sidewalk of Planned Parenthood, 101 North Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with live music provided by The Sisterhood Music. The caravan, which holds several events throughout the year for intellectually disabled people, meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm in the Community Room of Christ the King Chapel on the campus of King"s College, Wilkes-Barre. Shown from left are, seated: Rachel Young; Sharon Yale, Grand Chamberlain; Marilyn Krall, Grand Scribe; Maureen Roughsedge, Master of the Oasis; Rev. James J. McGahagan, Chaplain of Alhamar Caravan No. 4; John Brzycki, Sentinel of the Tower. Standing: Francis Kennedy, Immediate Past Grand Commander & Immediate Past Supreme Director R2; Michael Young; Cathy Kennedy, Master…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (1043+ words) Wilkes-Barre Knights of Columbus Council 302 Annual Memorial Mass will be held on Nov. 23, at Our Lady of Hope Parish, at 40 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre at 10:30 a.m. The Annual Memorial Mass is held for all council members who have passed away of the past year. Lithuanian Women's Club of Wyoming Valley Christmas Party will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Cafe on Highway 315 in Plains Twp. Members should bring a small gift to exchange. New members are always welcome. For more information, call Betty at 570-868-3852. Public Stitch-In with The Wyoming Valley Chapter of The Embroiderers' Guild of America 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 3, Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Arena Hub Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. You are invited to bring something to stitch along with us or stop by and see what we are doing. Warrior Run Volunteer Fire Company, 316 Academy St., Warrior Run,…...