St. John Nepomucene

About the Parish Family

St. John Nepomucene is one of three worship sites that together form Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Scranton. The parish family is composed of Saint Aloysius Church in Ralston, Saint John Nepomucene Church in Troy, and Saint Michael the Archangel Church in Canton. All three share one pastor, one pastoral council, one bulletin, and one parish mission statement. Reverend Joseph P. Kutch, MA, currently serves as pastor of the combined parish.

• Saint Aloysius Church — Ralston (Sunday 8:00 AM Mass)
• Saint John Nepomucene Church — Troy (Sunday 11:15 AM Mass)
• Saint Michael the Archangel Church — Canton (Saturday 4:00 PM; Sunday 9:30 AM; weekday Masses)

Parish Mission Statement

The shared mission statement of the parish reads: 'As members of the parish community of Saint Michael, Saint John, and Saint Aloysius, we are rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ passed on to Our Holy Father and in communion with our Bishop. We joyfully proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and his real presence in the Eucharist. We serve the Lord through acts of faith, hope and charity by the graces given through the Sacraments. It is our intention to carry out this mission so that we may be the face of Jesus Christ in the world.'

History of St. John Nepomucene, Troy

The Catholic community in Troy acquired its church building about 1859 from the local Episcopalians, and the structure was blessed and dedicated under the patronage of St. John Nepomucene. Before that, Troy Catholics had been attended by mission priests from St. Andrew's in Blossburg and SS. Peter and Paul's in Towanda. The first resident pastor was Rev. C. Maugan in 1859, and by the time the Bradsby history of Bradford County was published in 1891, the parish had been served in succession by Rev. Florence McCarthy, Rev. John Loughlin, Rev. M. P. Stack, Rev. N. J. McManus, Rev. M. H. Dunn, Rev. John Bergan, Rev. P. J. Hurst, Rev. M. J. Hoban, and Rev. T. J. Comerford. Today the church functions as a mission worship site of Saint Michael Parish Canton.

• c. 1859 — Church purchased from the Episcopalians and dedicated
• 1859 — Rev. C. Maugan becomes first resident pastor
• Late 19th century — Succession of pastors through Rev. T. J. Comerford
• Present — Functions as a mission church within Saint Michael Parish Canton

St. John Nepomucene — the Patron Saint

St. John Nepomucene (also called John of Nepomuk) was a 14th-century Bohemian priest born around 1345 in Nepomuk and drowned in the Vltava (Moldau) River in 1393 on the order of King Wenceslaus IV. According to tradition, he was martyred for refusing to reveal the confession of the queen of Bohemia, and he is venerated as the first martyr of the Seal of Confession. He was canonized in 1729 and is patron of Bohemia, of confessors, and of those who suffer slander. His feast day is May 16.

• Born c. 1345 in Nepomuk, Bohemia
• Died March 20, 1393 in Prague
• Canonized 1729
• Feast day — May 16
• Patron of Bohemia, confessors, and those falsely accused

Sacraments

The parish celebrates the Sacraments of Baptism, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation, and arranges First Communion and Confirmation in keeping with diocesan norms. Parents are asked to call the parish office for baptismal preparation. Father Joe is glad to bring the Sacrament of the Sick to anyone who is homebound, hospitalized, or facing surgery.

• Baptism — by appointment; baptismal preparation required
• Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office; visits to the homebound and hospitalized available
• Reconciliation — Sundays 12:15–12:45 PM in Troy; Wednesdays 6:10–6:50 PM and Saturdays 3:15–3:45 PM in Canton

Parish Life, Fellowship, and Activities

Beyond the sacraments, the parish family offers a busy calendar of social and devotional activities for all ages. Highlights include Mardis Gras, Saint Patrick, and Saint Nicholas parties, Vacation Bible School, Basket Bingo, Christmas Bazaar, Chili Cook-off, and Apple & Cheese and Pumpkin Festival fruit pie sales. The Altar & Rosary Society hosts Harvest Dinners each October, and the Knights of Columbus hold breakfasts and dinners at various times through the year. Following the Sunday 9:30 AM Mass at St. Michael Church there is fellowship in the parish hall.

• Vacation Bible School
• Altar & Rosary Society Harvest Dinners (October)
• Knights of Columbus breakfasts and dinners
• Basket Bingo, Christmas Bazaar, Chili Cook-off
• Apple & Cheese and Pumpkin Festival Fruit Pie Sales
• Mardis Gras, Saint Patrick and Saint Nicholas parties

Contact and Office Information

The parish office is located at Saint Michael the Archangel Church, 106 N. Washington Street, Canton, PA 17724. Office hours are Mondays and Wednesdays 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM, and Thursdays 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The parish phone, email, and website serve all three worship sites, including St. John Nepomucene in Troy.

• Pastor — Reverend Joseph P. Kutch, MA
• Parish Office — 106 N. Washington Street, Canton, PA 17724
• Phone — (570) 673-5253
• Email — [email protected]
• Website — https://stmichaelscanton.com/
• Office Hours — Mon & Wed 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM; Thu 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Pastoral Council

The parish is served by a Pastoral Council that represents all three worship sites — Ralston, Canton, and Troy — and includes a youth representative. The current council listed in the parish bulletin includes David Beahm, David Brann, Leslie Debach, Will Hawrylo, Jean Herman, Ralph Lepper, Sherry Vargson, and Sarah Watson (youth representative).

• David Beahm
• David Brann
• Leslie Debach
• Will Hawrylo
• Jean Herman
• Ralph Lepper
• Sherry Vargson
• Sarah Watson — youth representative