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Bishop
Revises Deanery Structure and Functions
By Monsignor Vincent J. Grimalia, V.G.
In
his July 2004 Pastoral Letter, Bishop
Martino wrote: “… The spiritual and
pastoral renewal of the Diocese of Scranton
will mean that we need to look at every one
of our structures, i.e., our parishes,
schools, institutions, buildings and
programs. Are these entities the right ones
for the 21st century? Are these entities
currently prepared to announce the Good News
of Jesus Christ as Jesus intends them to
do?”
To
equip himself to answer these questions,
Bishop Martino reviewed recommendations
offered by the Code
of Canon Law and the Directory
of the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops. He
first turned his attention to the structures
of diocesan administration.
In
the spring of 2005, Bishop Martino began the
reorganization of diocesan government with
the restructuring of diocesan offices, the
establishment of three Vicariates (Pastoral
Regions), and the appointment of three
regional Episcopal Vicars. This phase of
diocesan reorganization now comes to
completion with the recent restructuring of
deaneries, the new list of functions and
responsibilities of deans, and the
Bishop’s appointment of deans for
three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2007.
This
reorganization provides structures and
personnel to review other aspects of
diocesan life and to provide answers to the
Bishop’s questions.
Bishop
Martino established three Vicariates or
Pastoral Regions and appointed regional
Episcopal Vicars to improve communication
between the local Catholic parishes and the
Diocese. It remains his hope, that through
the Vicariates and Deaneries and the work of
regional Episcopal Vicars and Deans, every
Catholic in the Diocese of Scranton will
develop a deeper awareness of being members
of the Diocese, and cultivate a willingness
to work together with other parishes within
an area, Deanery and Vicariate (Pastoral
region).
Communion
and Subsidiarity
The
Vicariates give structure for the
application of the principles of Communion
and subsidiarity.
The
principle of subsidiarity means that the
rights and responsibilities of the parish
are to be respected so that the parish is
able to accomplish its mission in the
context of its local culture, its needs,
challenges, resources and concerns.
At
the same time, awareness of the Church as
communion helps prevent or overcome an
attitude of narrow parochialism or
“congregationalism.” When parishes
respond to those questions raised by Bishop
Martino, they need to begin pastoral
planning from the perspective of the
universal Church, diocesan and parish
mission, not from a mentality of
maintenance.
The
newly appointed Deans can help the regional
Episcopal Vicars work with parishes to avoid
a sense of isolation or a tendency to become
too confined to their own boundaries.
Working together, Vicars and Deans can help
parishes cultivate an awareness of
communion, cooperation, collaboration and
the sharing of resources and activities.
In
doing this, they will be giving practical
application and concrete expression to
important aspects of Catholicity.
Illustrations from two documents can help
everyone understand the importance of
cultivating a “catholic” attitude and
living the spirituality of communion in our
personal lives and in our parish structures.
In
The
Priest, Pastor and Leader of the Parish
Community, the following direction is
given: “The parish priest is obliged to
collaborate with his Bishop and with the
other priests of the diocese so as to ensure
that the faithful who participate in the
parochial community become aware that they
are also members of the diocese and of the
universal Church. The increasing mobility of
contemporary society makes it all the more
necessary that the parish does not become
introspective.”
In
the National
Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and
Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States, we read: “Deacons and priests, as
ordained ministers, should develop a genuine
respect for each other, witnessing to the
communion and mission they share with one
another and with the diocesan bishop in
mutual service to the people of God.”
The
directory also gives another exhortation,
promoting cooperation, in these words:
“Under the diocesan bishop’s authority,
joint meetings and cooperative action
‘arranged between priests, deacons,
religious and laity in pastoral work [can]
avoid compartmentalization or the
development of isolated groups
and…guarantee coordinated unity for
different pastoral activities.”
The
Dean as Animator
The
role of the Dean is best described as an
animator of the deanery. An animator is one
who provides support, encouragement, spirit
and vision. An animator provides focus and
direction for a group.
A
key responsibility states that: “The Dean
will work with the regional Episcopal Vicar
to encourage priests and deacons to support
a unified, common approach to pastoral
planning and the implementation of Diocesan
policies and plans for both parishes and
schools.”
The
Dean will arrange events and activities to
give expression to this responsibility.
Examples would include arranging penance
services and ecumenical and inter-faith
activities. When appropriate or helpful, the
Dean will encourage parishes to work
together on evangelizing activities in the
deanery and shared pastoral programs for
faith formation for all age groups, marriage
preparation, vocation awareness, etc.
Appointment
and Functions of Deans
- Appointment of a Dean:
The
Dean will be appointed by the Bishop. He
will report directly to the regional
Episcopal Vicar and attend meetings called
by the regional Episcopal Vicar.
- General Functions:
A.
To promote and coordinate the common
pastoral activity of the parishes.
i.
The Dean is to facilitate within the
Deanery the scheduling of Sunday Masses, in
accordance with Church law.
ii.
The Dean is to encourage the priests
of the Deanery to cooperate in providing
pastoral coverage for other priests when
they are away from their parishes.
iii.
The Dean will work with the regional
Episcopal Vicar to encourage priests and
deacons to support a unified, common
approach to pastoral planning and the
implementation of Diocesan policies and
plans for both parishes and schools.
B.
To see that parochial discipline is
duly observed particularly with regards to
the Liturgy.
C.
To see to it that priests are living
lives in conformity with their state.
D.
To
take care that the priests and deacons of
his Deanery have ready access to spiritual
help and to be particularly concerned about
those priests or deacons who find themselves
in rather difficult circumstances or who are
beset with problems.
E.
To
encourage the priests and deacons of his
Deanery to attend theological lectures,
meetings or conferences and to work with the
Secretary for Clergy Formation to
provide information and resources for the
priests and deacons of his Deanery regarding
opportunities for continuing formation and
spiritual renewal.
F.
To
assist the priests and deacons of the
Deanery who are ill and to direct funerals
according to Diocesan Directives.
Upon
learning of the death of a priest, the Dean
is to notify the Episcopal Vicar for Priests
and the regional Episcopal Vicar. Upon
learning of the death of a deacon, he is to
notify the Director of the Permanent
Diaconate and the regional Episcopal Vicar.
He is normally the main celebrant at the
transferal ceremony for a priest and at the
evening Mass which follows. He is to see
that the personal possessions of the priest
are safeguarded and that any parish or
Diocesan property which was the
responsibility of the priest is maintained
securely.
G.
To
convene and preside at regularly scheduled
Deanery meetings twice a year or even more
often if necessary.
H.
To
serve as the official representative at
community, parish or Deanery events if directed
by the Diocesan Bishop or Episcopal Vicar.
I.
To
attend in-services and meetings established
for Deans by the regional Episcopal Vicar or
the Secretary for Clergy Formation.
J.
To
cooperate with the regional Episcopal Vicar
as required.
K.
To
cooperate with the Director of the Permanent
Diaconate in matters concerning Deacons.
DEANERIES and NEW DEANS
Effective January 1, 2007
WESTERN
PASTORAL REGION
Monsignor
Neil J. Van Loon, V.E., Episcopal Vicar
Lycoming
County;
Tioga
County;
Bradford
County;
Sullivan
County; Susquehanna
County west
of I-81 except
Great Bend; Meshoppen and Stowell in
Wyoming
County
Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna
Father
John J. Chmil
Epiphany,
Sayre
Holy
Name of Mary, Montrose
St. Ann,
Bentley Creek
St.
Basil the Great, Dushore
St.
Francis Xavier, Friendsville/St. Thomas
the Apostle, Little Meadows
St.
Joachim, Meshoppen
St. John, South Waverly/
St. Joseph
,
Athens
St. Joseph, St. Joseph
St.
Mary of the Assumption, Wyalusing
SS.
Peter and Paul, Towanda/St. Michael,
Canton/St. John Nepomucene, Troy/St.
Aloysius, Ralston
Lycoming/Tioga
Father
Charles J. Cummings
Annunciation,
Williamsport
Ascension,
Williamsport/Holy Rosary, Williamsport
Divine
Providence
Hospital,
Williamsport
Holy
Child, Mansfield
Mater
Dolorosa,
Williamsport
Our
Lady of Lourdes, Montoursville
Resurrection,
Muncy
St. Ann, Williamsport
St.
Boniface, Williamsport
St.
Lawrence,
South Williamsport
St.
Luke, Jersey Shore/Immaculate Conception,
Bastress
St.
Peter, Wellsboro/St. Mary, Blossburg/St.
Andrew, Blossburg/St. Joseph, Morris Run
St.
Thomas the Apostle, Elkland
NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION
Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, V.E., Episcopal Vicar
Lackawanna
County;Royal,
Forest
City, Great
Bend,
Jackson
and Susquehanna in
Susquehanna
County; and
Wyoming
County
except
Meshoppen and Stowell
SOUTHERN PASTORAL REGION
Rev. Michael F. Quinnan, V.E., Epsicopal
Vicar
Luzerne
County
north of I-80 except White Haven
Scranton
Monsignor
Michael J. Delaney
Holy
Name of Jesus, Scranton
Nativity
of Our Lord, Scranton
Sacred
Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Scranton/St. John
the Evangelist, Scranton
St. Ann,
Scranton
St.
Francis of
Assisi, Scranton
St. Joseph,
Minooka/Immaculate Conception, Taylor/St.
John the Baptist, Taylor
St.
Lawrence O’Toole, Old Forge/St. Stanislaus,
Old Forge
St.
Lucy, Scranton/SS. Peter and Paul, Scranton
St.
Mary, Old Forge
St.
Mary of the Assumption, Scranton
St.
Mary of Czestochowa,
Scranton
St.
Michael, Old Forge
St.
Michael, Scranton
St.
Patrick, Scranton/St. David, Scranton
Abington/Susquehanna (East)
Father
Robert J. Simon
Corpus Christi,
Montdale
Fatima
Renewal
Center, Dalton
Nativity
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Tunkhannock/St.
Mary of the Lake, Lake
Winola
Our
Lady of the Abingtons, Dalton
Our
Lady of the Snows, Clarks Summit
St.
Gregory, Clarks Green
St.
John the Evangelist, Susquehanna
St.
Lawrence, Great Bend
St.
Martin of
Tours, Jackson
St.
Patrick, Nicholson
Mid-Valley/Lackawanna
Monsignor
Joseph G. Quinn
Marian
Community
Hospital, Carbondale
Our
Lady of Mount Carmel, Carbondale
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Forest City/St. Joseph, Forest City/St.
Agnes, Forest City/St. James, Pleasant
Mount/St. Juliana,
Rock
Lake
Sacred
Heart of Jesus, Mayfield
Sacred
Heart of Jesus, Peckville
Sacred
Heart of Mary, Jermyn
St.
James, Jessup/St. Michael, Jessup
St.
Mary’s Assumption, Jessup
St.
Michael, Simpson/Holy Trinity, Simpson
St.
Patrick, Olyphant/Holy Ghost, Olyphant/St.
Michael, Olyphant
St.
Rose of
Lima
, Carbondale/St. Pius X, Royal
St.
Thomas Aquinas, Archbald/St. Mary, Eynon
Visitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Dickson
City
Dunmore
Father
John V. Polednak
Chancery,
Scranton
Holy
Family, Scranton
Holy
Family Residence, Scranton
Holy
Rosary, Scranton
Immaculate
Conception, Scranton/Christ the King,
Dunmore
Marywood
University, Scranton
Mercy
Hospital, Scranton
Our
Lady of Peace Residence, Scranton
St.
Anthony of Padua, Dunmore/St. Rocco,
Dunmore
St.
Bridget, Throop/St. Anthony, Throop/St. John
the Baptist, Throop
St.
Catherine of
Siena, Moscow
St.
Clare, Scranton
St.
Eulalia, Elmhurst
St. Joseph, Scranton/St. Anthony of
Padua, Scranton/St. Vincent de Paul,
Scranton
St. Joseph
’s Center, Scranton
St.
Mary of
Mount Carmel, Dunmore/All Saints, Dunmore/St. Casimir,
Dunmore
St.
Mary’s Villa, Elmhurst
St. Paul, Scranton
St.
Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton
Villa
St. Joseph,
Dunmore
Western
Luzerne
Father
John M. Lapera
All
Saints, Plymouth
College
Misericordia, Dallas
Corpus Christi,
Glen Lyon
Exaltation
of the Holy Cross, Hanover
Township
Gate
of Heaven, Dallas
Holy
Family, Luzerne
Holy
Family, Sugar Notch/St. Charles Borromeo,
Sugar Notch
Holy
Name-St. Mary, Swoyersville
Holy Trinity, Nanticoke/St. Stanislaus, Nanticoke/St. Mary of Czestochowa,
Nanticoke/Holy Child, Nanticoke
Holy
Trinity, Swoyersville
Mercy
Center, Dallas
Our
Lady of Mount Carmel,
Lake
Silkworth
Our
Lady of Victory, Harveys
Lake
St.
Frances X. Cabrini, Carverton
St.
Francis of
Assisi, Nanticoke/St. Joseph, Nanticoke
St.
Hedwig, Kingston
St.
Ignatius, Kingston
St.
John the Baptist, Larksville
St.
Martha, Fairmount Springs (
Stillwater)/St. Mary, Mocanaqua/Ascension, Mocanaqua
St.
Mary’s Annunciation, Kingston
St.
Therese, Shavertown
Northern Luzerne
Monsignor
John J. Bendik
Blessed
Sacrament, Hughestown
Holy
Rosary, Duryea/Sacred Heart, Duryea/St.
Joseph, Duryea
Immaculate
Conception,
West Pittston
/Holy Redeemer, Harding-Falls
Our
Lady of
Mount Carmel, Pittston
Our
Lady of Sorrows, West Wyoming/St. Joseph, Wyoming
Sacred
Heart of Jesus, Dupont
St.
Anthony of Padua, Exeter
St.
Cecilia, Exeter/St. John the Baptist, Exeter
St.
John the Evangelist, Pittston/St. John
the Baptist, Pittston/St. Casimir,
Pittston/St. Joseph, Pittston
St.
Maria Goretti, Laflin
St.
Mark, Inkerman
St.
Mary, Avoca
St.
Mary, Help of Christians, Pittston/St.
Mary’s Assumption, Pittston
St.
Rocco, Pittston
SS.
Peter and Paul, Avoca
Wilkes-Barre
Father
Michael F. Quinnan
Blessed
Sacrament, Wilkes-Barre/St. Francis,
Wilkes-Barre/St. John the Baptist,
Wilkes-Barre
Holy
Rosary, Wilkes-Barre
Holy
Saviour,
Wilkes-Barre
Holy
Trinity, Wilkes-Barre/St. Joseph, Wilkes-Barre
Township
Little
Flower Manor, Wilkes-Barre
Maternity
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Wilkes-Barre
Our
Lady Help of Christians, Dorrance
Sacred
Heart of Jesus-St. John, Wilkes-Barre
St.
Aloysius,
Wilkes-Barre
St.
Casimir, Wilkes-Barre
St.
Dominic, Wilkes-Barre
St.
Elizabeth, Bear Creek
St.
Jude, Mountaintop
St.
Leo, Ashley/Holy Rosary, Ashley
St.
Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Wilkes-Barre/St.
Joseph (Slovak),
Wilkes-Barre
St.
Nicholas, Wilkes-Barre
St.
Patrick, Wilkes-Barre/St. Boniface, Wilkes-Barre
St.
Stanislaus Kostka, Wilkes-Barre
St.
Therese, Wilkes-Barre
SS.
Peter and Paul, Plains/Sacred Heart,
Plains/St. Joseph,
Hudson
EASTERN PASTORAL REGION
Father
Jeffrey J. Walsh, V.E., Episcopal Vicar
Wayne
County; Pike County; Monroe County; Luzerne
County south of I-80 including White Haven
Monroe
Father
Thomas D. McLaughlin
Christ
the King, Blakeslee
Our
Lady of the
Lake, Pocono Pines
Our
Lady of Victory, Tannersville
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