Tamaqua news

Senior citizens

The Tamaqua Seniors met March 22 at the Tamaqua Community Center with 69 members in attendance. Vice President Nancy Gerber conducted the business meeting and offered her weekly report.

Rose Vallee provided the invocation, entitled "You're Always Here." Secretary Joan Anne Garber presented the minutes from the previous meeting. Betty Connely and Jane Springer are recuperating at their respective homes following recent hospitalization. Sympathy was extended to the families of Margaret Matsago and Irene Hoppes.

The March 29 meeting will include a celebration of February and March birthdays.

The group meets every Thursday, at 1 p.m. at the community center. The meeting is followed by social activities. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The center is handicap accessible

Rush taxes

Rush Township tax collector Dolores Walck has announced the 2012 tax bills have been mailed to township residents ages 18 and up. Anyone in that age group, who has not received a tax form, should contact Walck at (570) 668-5661.

Office hours for April will be Tuesdays, from 9-11 a.m., and Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. For May and June, the office will be open Tuesdays, from 9-10 a.m. and Wednesdays, from 6-7 p. m.

Additional hours will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, April 30.

Walck's office will be closed May 22-23, as well as June 12-13.

Student recognition

The Tamaqua Area Student Achievement Committee finalized plans for the 54th annual Tamaqua Student Achievement Dinner, to be held May 14 in the Tamaqua Area Elementary School.

Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Arrangements will be made for those who wish to attend the awards ceremony only.

Tickets will be available beginning April 30, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the high school.

St. Peter's Union

The Rev. Cheryl Moore will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. The service will include Holy Communion and the distribution of palms. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m. Confirmation class is 11:30 a.m.

Also on Sunday, Daisies, Brownies and Cub Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.

Activities for next week will include: Wednesday, youth group will meet at 7 p.m. to color eggs for the Easter egg hunt; Thursday, Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service with Holy Communion at 7:30 p.m.; Good Friday, service of word and reflection at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, SHARP Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m.

The choirs rehearse every Thursday. Next week's schedule will include junior choir at 7 p.m. and the senior choir rehearses at 7:30 p.m.

Calvary UM

The Rev. Edward Bean will officiate at this Sunday's 10:25 a.m. worship service in Calvary Evangelical United Methodist Church. The service will include the distribution of palms. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, a praise, worship and Bible study session will be held at 6:30 p.m. Rev. Bean will offer a message entitled "Who Is Missing."

SS. Peter and Paul

Due to Holy Week and Easter, there will not be a First Friday, Fatima Saturday or Rosary Sunday observance for April in SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Communion calls to parishioners in Coaldale and Hometown will be made March 29.

Anyone willing to help strip palms for Palm Sunday is asked to be at the church social hall by 9 a.m. on March 31.

The Holy Week schedule will include: Passion Sunday, regular Mass schedule; Wednesday, Mass and Holy Communion at 8 a.m., Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m.; Holy Thursday, Sacrament of Reconciliation from 4-4:30 p.m., Mass of the Lord's Supper 7 p.m., followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation; Good Friday, celebration of the Lord's Passion at 3 p.m., followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which will also be held from 7-7:30 p.m.; Saturday Easter Vigil, blessing of baskets at 1 p.m., liturgy at 8 p.m. followed by High Mass; Easter Sunday, Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

First Methodist

The Rev. James Cavallero will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service this Palm Sunday in First United Methodist Church. The service will include Holy Communion and the distribution of palms. Adult Sunday school will meet at 9:30 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class will meet at noon.

Activities for next week include: Tuesday, quilters meet at 9:30 a.m.; Wednesday, chancel choir rehearsal is at 7 p.m.; Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, there will be a Seder demonstration at the church at 3:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.