Discover Partylite On Saturday, November 14th. from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Thompson UM Church.

Come see what’s new in home décor products and smell the home fragrance candles, which come in a variety of colors, scents and sizes.

For those who may prefer flameless candles are available, giving the atmosphere of a candle without the flame.

Bring a friend for an afternoon of fun. Light refreshments will be served.

All profits will go to the Church.

On the weekend of November 7-8, 2015, St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church, Jackson, PA, will mark its Diamond Anniversary. Founded in 1940, Fr. David Cramer, pastor, and the parishioners of St. Martin of Tours will celebrate their parish’s seventy-five years of service to the surrounding area.

This jubilee will begin with a candle-lit recitation of the rosary in the parish’s new Rosary Garden for Healing. This labyrinth of stepping stones, one for each bead of the Rosary, is situated in the front of the church. A statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, erected in 1946, is the focal point of the new garden. The Rosary Garden is open to the public daily. The prayerful may add a name of a loved one for whom the parish will pray during its weekly Novena to St. Peregrine. Following the candle-lit recitation on November 7, at 5 PM, will be light refreshments.

St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church

On Sunday, November 8, 2015, Bishop Joseph Bambara of the Diocese of Scranton will preside at the 11 AM Mass, marking the end of the year-long celebration of this milestone for the parish. Following the Mass, there will be a formal reception with a program and video highlighting the parish’s rich history in Susquehanna County.

With a growing number of Catholics in the Gibson, South Gibson, Gelatt, Jackson, and North Jackson in the late 1930s, Fr. James Walsh, pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Susquehanna, PA, saw the need for the creation of a new parish in a centralized location. Bishop William J. Hafey of the Diocese of Scranton granted permission. On April 26, 1940, the Felton property was purchased, and Fr. Patrick McCormick, assistant pastor at St. John’s, was named the first pastor of St. Martin of Tours, with St. Paul’s Church, Starrucca, PA, as a mission.

St. Martin of Tours has had twelve pastors over the years. In 1946, Fr. John Zahornacky became the second pastor until 1958, when Fr. Edward Sokolowsky became the “shepherd of the people.” In 1967, Fr. Ed was replaced by Fr. John Szumski, who served the parish until 1972. Fr. Louis Garbacik was pastor from 1972-1977; Fr. Edward Fundalewicz, from 1977-1980; Fr. Joseph Meighan, from 1980-1984; Fr. Frank Corcoran, from 1984-1987. Fr. Thomas Cappelloni (1987-2001) added two wings onto the main structure and a new steeple in honor the Golden Anniversary in 1990. In 2001, Fr. John O’Bell became the pastor until 2006, when Fr. Kenneth Seegar was named pastor. Beginning in 2009, St. Martin of Tours became linked with St. John’s, Susquehanna, PA and with St. Lawrence, Great Bend. Fr. David Cramer serves as the pastor of the three linked parishes. Each pastor has left his mark on St. Martin of Tours in building projects, capital improvements, and mostly the spiritual lives of the parishioners.

Despite the changes in the area’s demographics, St. Martin of Tours continues to flourish in the small hamlet of Jackson. In 2009, the original Felton farmhouse, which served as the parish rectory since 1940, became St. Joseph’s Convent—a home for the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth. The Christian Women’s Society continues to outreach to the needy within the parish and community, through projects such as its hospitality baskets. The Arts Council, founded in 2005, has produced 18 productions and has contributed over $15,000.00 to local charities through the talents of many community and parish members. In 2014, the parish converted St. Paul’s into a parish hall to house this theatrical troupe. Each Lenten Season since 1974, parishioners and community members continue to make pierogis. Last year, the parishioners made over 900 dozens. St. Martin of Tours has contributed over $5,000 to the linked parishes’ Indian Mission since 2011. Since 2013, families of the parish have sponsored a free Thanksgiving Dinner for the community. Like its patron saint, the parish of St. Martin of Tours gives its “cloak” to the needy.

There is no doubt that the parish has changed over the past seventy-five years, yet St. Martin of Tours Parish remains a beacon, with its tall steeple among the tree tops of the Endless Mountains. The parishioners are honored to celebrate, with their bishop and pastor, the sacrifices of their ancestors and a bright future for new generations.