Where we Come Together as a Community at St. Martin of Tours' Church

Located in Jackson, PA, at the intersection of Routes 547 and 92, on the former Felton Farm, St. Martin of Tour's Church was erected in 1940. The late Very Reverend James Walsh, V.F., then pastor of St. John's Church and Dean of Susquehanna County, brought the dire conditions the faithful were enduring to the attention of the late William J, Hafey, Bishop of Scranton. Bishop Hafey acted promptly and purchased the Felton Farm in April 1940, and in June 1941, dedicated the new church.

St. Martin of Tours Church has had ten pastorates since its erection and has grown to home of nearly 200 families plus numerous seasonal visitors. The structures have been expanded and the community of the faithful has grown in their devotions and causes.

Where we Come Together as a Community at St. Paul's Church

Located in Starucca, PA, St. Paul's Church is located on Old Starucca Creek Rd in Starucca, PA. St. Paul's was erected in 1873 as a mission of St. John's Church in Susquehanna, PA. Through the efforts of the late Father John Henry Judge, the land for St. Paul's Church was acquired in April 1871 as a donation by Judge Elisha P. Strong for the purposes of building a Catholic Church. The funds for building the initial structure came from sacrificial donations made by the 125 families of the parish, as well as donations from non-members, including a substantial gift from Major Strong, himself a non-Catholic.

The priest most often assigned to say Mass at the mission church was the assistant priest from St. John's. As these were often young men with zealousness to bring God's word to St. Paul's, they greatly endeared themselves to the parishioners. From 1883 through 1939 when Fr. John Patrick Henry McCormick was assigned, there were 20 priests who brought blessings to the parishioners of St. Paul’s.

Shrine to the Blessed Mother at St. Martin of Tours' Church

“What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ.” -- Catechism of the Catholic Church (487)

Marian Devotion - Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a composite of veneration, invocation, and imitation. The well-known prayer composed in her honor is an example of such devotion: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen."

The first portions of the prayer, derived from Sacred Scripture and Tradition, are a series of venerations or praises, tenderly addressed to Mary. The closing portions are invocations confidently addressed to Mary’s intercession. Through thoughtful and deliberate recitation of this prayer, the faithful come to acknowledge Mary’s numerous virtues and to assimilate them in their lives. -- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Our shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Martin of Tours Church is prominently located on the front grounds.

Shrine to the Blessed Mother at St. Paul's Church

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy! Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears! Turn then most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

Our shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Paul’s Church is located on the tranquil north lawn.

Millennium

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. -- Psalm 118:22-24

Memorial to the Innocent Little Ones

The plaque dedicating the memorial is inscribed with the letters A.M.D.G. These letters stand for "Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam", the literal translation of which is, "For the Greater Glory of God".

The plaque then goes on with the dedication, "Sacred to the memory of the innocent victims of the silent holocaust, America's shame, abortion.

This memorial offers a quiet area for reflection and contemplation and is often visited by families and individuals.

Cemetery

The parish cemetery is located on the hill that rises behind St. Paul's Church in Starucca, PA. The land that Father Judge acquired for the parish in 1871 from Judge Elisha P. Strong for building a Catholic Church also included sufficient ground for a cemetery. In the early 1970's under the direction of Father Garbacik, the cemetery was expanded. Each year on Memorial Day, Mass is celebrated at St. Paul's immediately followed by a brief ceremony in memory of our loved ones buried in this cemetery and elsewhere.

Blessed are you our God, whose prophets promised the defeat of death, and whose mighty arm raised Jesus from the grave to be for us the resurrection and the life.

Blessed are you for the empty tomb of Christ, that makes the grave a sign of hope for us, promising resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies.

As we remember with affection those gone before us in death, let us celebrate our continuing communion with them, rejoicing in the living one who makes us one, Christ our risen Lord. Amen. -- Blessing for Graves

Rectory

Located across the street from St. Martin of Tours Church, the rectory is the former Felton farmhouse acquired on April 26, 1940. During the 1990's, the office wing was added to the west side (left) of the building, the front porch was enclosed and became the main entrance to the living quarters and the former front porch on the east side (right) of the building was enclosed to create a library. In 2002 the driveway was blacktopped.