Governor Tom Wolf has signed a document proclaiming June 28, 2018, PASR Day in Pennsylvania.  PASR (Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees) is a Pennsylvania based association that represents former teachers, nurses, secretaries, aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, maintenance staff, and administrators.

Pictured (l-r) are local PASR members at the signing: Jean L. Young, Judith L. Schaffer, Governor Tom Wolf, PASR President Gary A. Parker, Robert G. McNamara.

PASR was established on December 28, 1937, and is a pioneer of nonprofit voluntary membership organizations nationally, having helped establish both the National Retired Teachers’ Association in 1947 and the American Association of Retired Persons in 1958.  PASR is celebrating its 80th Anniversary of service to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is comprised of approximately 66 chapters throughout Pennsylvania and the nation.

PASR members volunteer across the state working toward the well-being of children, the elderly, and those in need. PASR continually makes contributions to Pennsylvania’s communities, by donating to food banks, clothing banks, and libraries. PASR is dedicated to public education and to lifelong learning. PASR recognizes the outstanding achievements of public school educators and employees through educational grants and awards, as well as supporting students obtaining a higher education through scholarships.

A special healing ministry will be presented at Holy Name of Mary Church in Montrose for the Lenten retreat of the community on Sunday evening, March 18 to Wednesday, March 21 at 6:30 PM by Augustinian priest Father Albert MacPherson.  Father MacPherson has been traveling the globe for more than 30 years on a healing mission.  Thousands of people have been helped through his healing ministry-spiritually, psychologically, and physically.  Fr. Tobin, of Florida said that Father MacPherson had left his parish with “a very deep, tangible sense of loving presence and peace of God-something that is much needed in our secularized and materialistic society”.

On Sunday, Fr. MacPherson will lead the Exposition of the Blessed Eucharist, healing prayer, and the rosary, beginning at 6:30 PM.  On Monday, at 6:30 there will be mass and a penance service with the Sacrament of Reconciliation available to all.  Tuesday and Wednesday will include mass and healing services, beginning at 6:30 PM. 

There will be an opportunity to be anointed with blest oil and to pray for healing of body, mind, or spirit for yourself or for someone else.  All are welcome and are encouraged to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for healing of all sorts.  Come for all or some of the evenings.  It would be best if you could follow the progression from prayer and supplication on Sunday, to prayer and reconciliation on Monday, to prayer and healing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Religious books, rosaries and medals will be available for purchase during the course of the mission.

Father MacPherson began full-time healing ministry in 1983, after fourteen years of experience in spiritual renewal work including ten years of pastoral experience in parishes in Ontario, New York, and Florida.  Born in the coal mining town of New Waterford, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1941, into a family of thirteen children, Father joined the Order of Saint Augustine in 1962 and professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in 1966.  He was ordained to priesthood in 1974.  He did undergraduate studies at Saint Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia and Villanova University, Pennsylvania, and graduate theological studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.  Father is a member of the Association of Christian Therapists.

Following are February, 2018 sentences as handed down by Susquehanna County Court.

Miranda Kathryn Leo, 26, of Nicholson, PA to 2 months to 23 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, followed by 2 years probation, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, obtain and drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize any alcohol or controlled substances while on supervision, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 25 hours of community service, abide by a 10 pm curfew, no to associate with anyone on supervision for Contraband in Bridgewater Township on June 8, 2016.  Ms. Leo also received 1 months to 12 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility to run concurrent to the above sentence, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize any alcohol or controlled substances while on supervision for Possession of a Controlled Substance in Montrose Borough on March 16, 2016.

Kory Dean Sorensen, 31, of Springville, PA to 9 months to 23 ½ months  in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without a valid prescription, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcoholic beverages, perform 25 hours of community service, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings,  not to have contact with anyone on supervision, continue with drug and alcohol counseling for Fleeing or Eluding a Police Officer in Montrose Borough on August 27, 2017.  Mr. Sorensen also received 12 months probation to run consecutive to the above sentence, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without a valid prescription, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, perform 10 hours community service, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, not to have contact with the victim in this case, continue with drug and alcohol treatment for Criminal Attempt/Theft of a Motor Vehicle in Montrose Borough on August 23, 2017.

Dustin Edwards, 27, of Hop Bottom, PA to 24 months probation, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, continue with mental health counseling, not to utilize any alcohol or controlled substances without a valid prescription while on supervision, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, perform 25 hours of community service for Criminal Mischief in Springville Township on May 31, 2017.

Stephen Jones, 23, of Montrose, PA to 12 months probation, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, Pay $100 Act 198 fee, obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize any alcohol or controlled substances while on supervision, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours of community service for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Bridgewater Township on October 27, 2016.

Robert J Krupovich, 42, of Hop Bottom, PA to 3 days home confinement followed by 5 months probation, pay $1,000 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $75 Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, attend and complete alcohol highway safe driving school program, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, not to utilize alcohol or controlled substances without a valid prescription while on supervision, but subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10hours of community service for driving Under the Influence in Lenox Township on November 15, 2017.

John Frank Baker, 46, of New Milford, PA to 4 years probation, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, be subject to DNA testing requirements and pay $250 testing fee, pay restitution to the victim in this case, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, not to possess any firearms while on supervision for Theft by Unlawful Taking on May 7, 2014 in New Milford Township.

Patrica Susan Decoursey, 59, of Hawley, PA to 2 days to 6 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $75 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, complete the alcohol highway safe driving school program, obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation for Driving Under the Influence in Forest City Borough on February 4, 2017.

The following were accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program:

Christine Ann Kelly, Zachery Alexander Free Meade, Samantha Marie Hall, Jacob McDaniels, John Edward Clink, Jr, Eric John Bussart, Andrew K Slater, Nicholas Shires, Jennifer Lynn Sherman, Michael Gerard Lisowski, Karl D Shimer, Victor Howell, Richard Stanley Knick, Emily Sue Blachek.