About Saint Joseph [Melkite] · Scranton, Pennsylvania
Saint Joseph Melkite Greek-Catholic Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is one of the three oldest parishes in the Melkite Eparchy of Newton. Founded by Lebanese immigrants in the late 1890s and celebrating 129 years in Scranton in 2026, the parish serves Byzantine-rite Catholics throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, especially the Lackawanna Valley, with parishioners and friends traveling from Albany to Philadelphia. As a parish of the Patriarchate of Antioch, it is fully Catholic but follows the Byzantine liturgical tradition rather than the Roman rite, making it a spiritual home for Eastern Christians in the heart of Pennsylvania's coal-region anthracite country. Today it continues to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a small but devoted community centered on the Sunday Divine Liturgy, the sacrament of Confession, and an annual Lebanese-American Food Festival.
- Established
- 1890s (centennial celebrated October 1997)
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Rt. Rev. Kenneth Sherman (Parish Liturgical Administrator, as of June 1, 2025)
- Diocese
- Melkite Eparchy of Newton (Greek-Melkite Catholic); geographically located within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
St. Joseph's is a small but deeply committed Byzantine-Catholic community where the same Lebanese-American families that founded the parish over a century ago still worship, prepare traditional foods, and serve together. Visitors experience the full beauty of the Melkite Divine Liturgy in a setting marked by a hand-designed iconostasis and an interior reshaped in the Byzantine tradition. With Saturday and Sunday services, regular Confession, an active youth and family presence, and the beloved annual Lebanese-American Food Festival that brings parishioners and neighbors together across generations, it offers an authentic Eastern Catholic home in the heart of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Mass times at Saint Joseph [Melkite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday — 3:45 p.m. (15 minutes before the Saturday Divine Liturgy)
- Sunday — 9:45 a.m. (15 minutes before the Sunday Divine Liturgy)
About the Parish
Saint Joseph Melkite Greek-Catholic Church is a Byzantine-rite Catholic parish of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton, located at 130 N. Saint Frances Cabrini Avenue in West Scranton, Pennsylvania. Founded by Lebanese immigrants in the late 1890s, it is one of the three oldest churches in the Eparchy and continues to serve the Lackawanna Valley and the wider Northeastern Pennsylvania region.
History of Saint Joseph
The parish traces its origins to the late 1890s, when Lebanese Christian families settling in northeastern Pennsylvania established a Byzantine-rite worshipping community in Scranton. It celebrated its Centennial in October 1997, and the parish still references the booklet 'The First 100 Years of St. Joseph Church' on its About page. Through more than 125 years of change, St. Joseph's has remained a small but resilient anchor of Melkite Catholic life in Lackawanna County.
- Founded by Lebanese immigrants in the late 1890s
- Centennial observed October 1997
- One of the three oldest parishes in the Eparchy of Newton
- Some current parishioners descend from the original founders
What is Melkite?
The Melkites are Byzantine-rite Catholics of Middle-Eastern origin, descendants of the early Christians of Antioch (Syria), where Christianity was established by St. Peter before he traveled on to Rome. The name 'Melkite' comes from the Aramaic word 'melek' meaning 'king' — referring to those in the Middle East who accepted the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.) and followed the Byzantine emperor. Today's Melkites are fully Catholic, in communion with Rome, but worship in the Byzantine tradition under the Patriarchate of Antioch.
- Eastern Catholic, in communion with Rome
- Byzantine liturgy, theology, and spirituality
- Originating in the Patriarchate of Antioch (Syria)
Clergy
The parish is currently led by Rt. Rev. Kenneth Sherman, who returned to Saint Joseph on June 1, 2025 as Parish Liturgical Administrator after earlier serving as pastor from approximately 1983 to 1988. He succeeded Rev. Christopher Manuele, who had been pastor since returning to Scranton in September 2015 and was reassigned by Bishop François Beyrouti to administer the Steubenville, Ohio Melkite Mission effective June 1, 2025. Bishop François Beyrouti himself — born in Hadeth-Beirut, Lebanon in 1971, educated at the Sheptytsky Institute and Saint Paul University in Ottawa, and a former pastor in Ottawa and Placentia, California — was consecrated on October 12, 2022 and installed as diocesan bishop on October 19, 2022.
- Rt. Rev. Kenneth Sherman — Parish Liturgical Administrator (as of June 1, 2025)
- Rev. Christopher Manuele — former pastor, reassigned to Steubenville, OH mission
- Rev. Fr. Michael A. — remembered deacon and priest (1952–2015)
- Bishop François Beyrouti — Bishop of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton
Sacraments
In addition to the regular celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the parish offers the Mystery of Holy Confession (Reconciliation) before each liturgy. Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to contact the parish office to arrange baptisms, weddings, marriage preparation, and other sacraments.
- Divine Liturgy
- Holy Confession (Reconciliation)
- Baptism, Marriage, other sacraments available by contacting the parish office
Lebanese-American Food Festival
The parish's signature community event is its annual Lebanese-American Food Festival, held in its 23rd year in 2024. Set in the parking lot across from the church on St. Francis Cabrini Avenue, the festival features homemade Lebanese dishes prepared by parishioners — kibbee, stuffed grape leaves, shish kebab, spinach and meat pies, tabouli, hummus, baklawa, shredded wheat, and farina — alongside classic Northeast Pennsylvania picnic fare such as sausage-and-pepper sandwiches, pizza frita, and potato pancakes. A basket raffle (59 baskets in 2024), instant bingo, a 50/50 drawing, and live ethnic music round out the weekend, which serves as both a fundraiser and an outreach event to the wider Scranton community.
- 23rd annual festival held in 2024
- Chairpersons: Alicia V. Patchoski, Katie Patchoski, Paul Patchoski (foods, logistics, prep); Kathie B. & Karen Kane (baked goods); Betsy Zaydon (baskets & ads); Paul Prezzia (sponsorships)
- Homemade Lebanese and NEPA picnic foods
- Cash and card accepted; cash preferred
- Festival held on a residential one-way street — drivers asked to go slowly
Parish Ministries & Youth
Although a small parish, Saint Joseph's runs an active intergenerational ministry in which youth, parents, and longtime parishioners prepare and serve food, host the festival, and support liturgical life. The parish participates in the Eparchy's NAMY (National Association of Melkite Youth) and MAYA (Melkite Altar Youth Association) programs, and supports the Bishop's Annual Pastoral Appeal.
- Youth volunteer ministry
- NAMY and MAYA youth associations
- Bishop's Annual Pastoral Appeal
Outreach & Giving
Beyond the Food Festival, the parish sustains itself through the Bishop's Annual Appeal, online giving via PayPal (link on the website), and sponsorships from local businesses, whose signs are displayed in the festival tent. Parishioners coordinate advertising placements in The Catholic Light and the Scranton Times, and the parish has been featured on WVIA with a recipe spot.
- Online giving via PayPal
- Bishop's Annual Appeal
- Local business sponsorships
Safe Environment
Saint Joseph's follows the Eparchy of Newton's Safe Environment policies. Anyone who wishes to report sexual abuse by clergy, parish personnel, or volunteers of the Eparchy may call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 1-800-479-5910. The Eparchy publishes a Guide for Pastoral Conduct with Minors and a Policy for Sexual Abuse, and requires an online course and compliance assessment for all who minister to youth.
- Victim Assistance Coordinator: 1-800-479-5910
- Eparch-wide safe-environment training required for youth ministers
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach Saint Joseph's by phone at 570-343-6092 (the office line is also the cell number) or by email at [email protected]. The mailing address is 130 North Saint Frances Cabrini Avenue, Scranton, PA 18504. For the most current photos, weather updates, and event coverage, the parish maintains an active Facebook page at facebook.com/melkitescranton.
- Address: 130 N. Saint Frances Cabrini Avenue, Scranton, PA 18504
- Phone: 570-343-6092
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/melkitescranton
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rt. Rev. Kenneth Shermanc. 1983–1988 (first tenure as pastor)
Instrumental in designing the current iconostasis and updating the church interior to Byzantine style. Returned to the parish as Parish Liturgical Administrator on June 1, 2025.
- Rev. Christopher ManueleSeptember 2015 – May 2025 (most recent pastorate; served parish over 15 years total)
Returned to Scranton in September 2015 as pastor. Former Latin and religious-studies teacher at Gregory the Great Academy, Elmhurst, PA. Reassigned by Bishop François to the Steubenville, Ohio Melkite Mission as of June 1, 2025.