Category: News

 

Students from several Catholic Schools won awards at The University of Scranton’s Earth Day Essay Contest – with a theme inspired by the Pope’s call.

Three-hundred and fifty students in grades five to 12 participated in The University of Scranton Earth Day Essay Contest this year, which set a record for participation in the annual competition. Awards were announced at the University’s Evening of Environmental Science Event on campus in April.

This year’s essay theme was “Sustainable Living, Caring for Creation,” which was inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical letter “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home” and The University of Scranton’s commitment to join a coalition of colleges from around the world to develop, implement and evaluate initiatives around seven ecological goals over a seven-year period to meet the Pope’s call for integral ecology and to gain designation by the Vatican as a Laudato Si’ University.

The first-place winner of the fifth-grade essay contest was Collin Sickles, from St. Claire/St. Paul’s Elementary School. Aubrey Mace, from Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence Charter School and Sophia Norton, from St. Clair/St. Paul tied for second place. Isabella Muso and Taylor Ebersole from All Saints Academy won third place medals.

The sixth-grade student that took first place in the essay contest was Sean Kiernan, from Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence Charter School. The students who tied for second place were Ronan Keating and Katie Doherty, both from St. Claires/St. Paul’s Elementary School. Receiving a third-place awards were Nathan Dennis, from Fell Charter School and Griffin Maynor, from All Saints Academy.

All the seventh-grade essay contest winners were from St Claire/St. Paul’s Elementary School. The first-place winner of the seventh-grade essay contest was Preet Patel. The second-place winners were Madlyn McHale and Sage Michel. The third-place winners were Bennet Budow and Lily Reager. 

The eight-grade first-place winner was Sylvia Fahey, from Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence Charter School. In second place were Elizabeth Rich, from Holy Rosary School and Raeleigh Reiss, from Howard Gardner. The third-place winner was Jonathan Fitzmaurice, from Holy Rosary School.

The ninth-10^th grade essay contest winners were: Edie Hann, first place, Scranton Preparatory School; Anusha Thapa Magar, second place, Holy Cross High School; Anna Tringale, second-place, North Carolina; and Simon E. Madore, third place, Holy Cross High School.

The 11^th-12^th grade essay contest winners were all from Valley View High School. Coming in first place was Gabby Staback; in second place was Emma Miller and tied for third-place was Noah M. Nocek and Christian Sweeny.

University of Scranton students who work in the Jesuit school’s Office of Sustainability reviewed the essays submitted, in addition to organizing the award ceremony. University students Emily Burgers, an environmental science major from Wayne, New Jersey; Rebekah Thompson, an occupational therapy major from Bedminster, New Jersey; and Emma Warras, an environmental science major from Kinnelon, New Jersey; spoke at the award program. Mark Murphy, director of the Office of Sustainability at the University, has organized the Earth Day Essay Contest for a decade.

Information about next year’s essay contest will be posted to the University’s Sustainability webpage in January 2025.

 

 

Eleven area students from St. Patrick’s Parish in Milford, PA received the Sacrament of Confirmation in a combined service with candidates from St. Vincent de Paul Parish, St. Joseph’s Parish, St. Ann’s Parish and St. John Neumann Parish.

The service, held at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Milford, featured  the Presentation of Candidates by Rev. Joseph Manarchuck, homily by Bishop Joseph Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton, and Laying on of Hands and Anointing with the oil of Chrism by Bishop Bambera. The event was rich in pageantry and liturgical beauty, including the presence and participation of the Knights of Columbus. Concelebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in addition to Bishop Bambera, were: Rev. Ed Casey, Rev. Joseph Manarchuck and Rev. Sudhir Toppo.

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, candidates (or Confirmandi), are sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, reminded of their participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to become strong witnesses of Christ.

 

 

The more than 170 faith-filled prospective members of parishes throughout the Diocese of Scranton rose to full communion in the Catholic Church when they received their sacraments of initiation during Easter Vigil ceremonies March 30.

In so doing, they joined their fellow Catholics in consummate celebration of the Day of the Lord’s Resurrection, described by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, in his Easter homily as what “defines who we are as Christians.”

“With the entire Church of Scranton, we give thanks today for 177 catechumens and candidates who listened to the voice of the risen Lord speaking to their hearts and said ‘yes’ to God’s invitation to be baptized and received into full communion in the Catholic Church,” Bishop Bambera further expressed.

At Saint Luke Parish in Stroudsburg, McKenzie Torres was among four future parishioners who received sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil liturgy.

“Receiving my sacraments at the Easter Vigil was a feeling and experience I never could have imagined,” Torres shared after being confirmed and receiving her First Eucharist from Saint Luke pastor Father Michael Quinnan. “I felt the Holy Spirit so strongly that night and it was incredibly special to have my friends, family and parish members there to witness it.”

Now a fully initiated member of the Church, Torres added, “I have such an immense gratitude for this experience and cannot wait to continue learning and growing in my relationship with God. There is nothing quite like it, and I encourage everyone to do the same if they are considering it!”

Father Arbogaste Satoun presided over the conferring of sacraments bestowed on one catechumen and one candidate during the Easter Vigil Mass for the parishes of Our Lady of the Abingtons, Dalton; Saint Mary of the Lake, Lake Winola; and Saint Patrick, Nicholson.

Georgene DePrimo now enjoys full membership as a parishioner of Saint Mary of the Lake Church, after receiving her Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

“RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) has taught me so much about the Catholic faith,” she said, fully aware there is much more to learn as she continues to explore her new-found faith.

“After my induction into the Church, I was exhilarated and hopeful. It was such a happy experience,” DePrimo expressed.

Also extolling the merits of the RCIA process was the newest member of Saint Patrick Parish, Ashley Monetta, who, after receiving Confirmation and First Eucharist, remarked that the initiation experience was extremely helpful in understanding more fully what it means to be a Catholic.

“It was a wonderful feeling to finally, officially become a member (of the Church), and although I know there is still a lot to learn, I feel very solid and comfortable in my faith and where I am at this point in my journey,” she said.

 

At Saints Peter & Paul Parish in Towanda, Wendy Singer’s journey to full communion in the Church — marked by both doubt and grace — culminated with her reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation at the hands of her new pastor, Father Jose Kuriappilly.

“At a time when I was struggling with my own Christianity, I started taking care of a woman and her husband (who) were devout Catholics,” Singer began, stating the wife, Virginia, “was so graceful in teaching more about the Catholic faith, and actually taught me the ‘Hail Mary’ three weeks before her passing.”

During the same time, Singer’s son Christopher informed her he felt a strong calling to begin studies for the priesthood. “I gained enough knowledge through Christopher that I yearned for more,” she said.

Singer credits her sponsor, Jude, in sealing the decision to complete her conversion as he “brought me home to Saints Peter and Paul in Towanda.”

“Since (my) Confirmation, as I face my own every day struggles, I have the faith to work through them,” she remarked. “I lift them up to the Lord every day and I am blessed to see things more clearly.”

Jenna Roberts joined Singer in receiving Confirmation during the Easter Vigil rites at Saints Peter & Paul’s.

“For a while I felt like something in my life was missing. I thought about getting back into church but…I couldn’t make the move,” Roberts shared, adding there was a sense of unworthiness when she occasionally attended Mass.

“It wasn’t until I (talked to) Father Jose at a Saint Agnes School function, where he told me that he felt that God told him to come talk to me. That is when he told me about the class and how I was able to be confirmed,” she said.

 

 

On Sunday, April 14, a Blue Mass was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Peckville.

Members of the local police, fire, EMT, and 911 dispatch units and all first responders received a special blessing from Fr. Andrew Kurovsky through the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel.

The public safety workers were anointed and given a prayer card and medal of St. Michael the Archangel. A gathering was held after mass in Holy Family Hall where all shared gratitude to all those who serve and protect our communities every day.

We thank all public safety personnel for their service!

 

Living the scout oath

On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law to help other people at all times to keep myself physically strong mentally awake and morally straight.

“DUTY TO GOD”

Members of BSA Troop 132 ,Troop 1132 and Pack 126 participated in their annual Scout Sunday Service at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Moscow.  Father Thomas M. Muldowney and Deacon Frank Zeranski are pictured with the scouts that attended the mass.  

 

On Friday, March 15th at 7:00 PM,  6th & 7th grade students from the St Boniface & St Lawrence PREP program, presented a Living Stations of the Cross at St Lawrence Church in South Williamsport. They brought the Stations to life through costumed visual representations, music and meditations.  The Stations were well attended by families and other parishioners.  

PA Representative Joe Ciresi–a Democrat from Montgomery County (Representing Pottsgrove, Pottstown & Spring-Ford)–has introduced legislation (HB 2063) that would end the EITC & OSTC programs as we know them. Representative Ciresi’s bill can only be regarded as a significant attack on the freedom of parental choice in education in PA. 

WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO:

• Cut family income limits for students participating to 200% of the federal poverty level (This would cut the current family EITC & OSTC eligibility in half).

• Eliminate support level factors for families with students with a disability.

• Impose new reporting requirements on scholarship organizations to report data on every student given a scholarship, and for every applicant who was “denied.”

• Impose new reporting requirements on schools–affecting every nonpublic school in the state.

• Give the state carte blanche to impose new reporting requirements without legislative approval.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/x_ss0BJDJHacn7XTK_81-Q

 

 

 

 

The Advisory Board of St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen recently presented Dr. Dave Shemo, outgoing advisory board president, with a plaque of appreciation for his 15 years of service as President of the Advisory Board.

Dr. Shemo was also presented with a miniature statue of St. Vincent de Paul and a gift card to Freidman Hospitality restaurants.

Following his tenure as Advisory Board President, Dr. Shemo will remain a member of the Advisory Board.

For more information about the Kitchen, call (570) 829-7796 or visit www.facebook.com/stvincentkitchen

 

Knights of Lithuania Council 143, Pittston, PA celebrated the feast of St. Casimir with a Mass held on Sunday, March 3 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Pittston. Third and fourth degrees were also conferred at the Mass. A luncheon and Amber District meeting in the Monsignor Bendik Center followed the service.