The Knights of Columbus JFK Council #5517 of St. Michael’s Parish, Canton, Pa., conducted a maternity item drive during the month of December to benefit the Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center’s Canton branch. The item drive is part of a featured program of the Knights of Columbus called ASAP or Aid and Support After Pregnancy. Through the ASAP initiative the national Knights of Columbus have thus far donated more than 1,745 ultrasound machines nationwide valued at over $80 million dollars and last year exceeded $6 million dollars in donations going entirely to pregnancy centers and maternity homes.

The Knights of Columbus of St. Michael’s are pleased to present the maternity items donated by the parishioners and friends of the parish in support of the Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center’s efforts to serve women and babies, both born and unborn. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their life saving work to care for the most vulnerable. The Knights will continue to be there for mothers and their children and we continue to proclaim the dignity of every human life.

 

January 12, 2024

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed annually by the Catholic Church between January 18 and 25. In his message for this year’s observance, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs urges Christians throughout the United States to unite across denominational lines and pray for peace.

“Given the paralyzing nature of polarization and tragedy of war that have spread throughout our world today, the importance of living the love of Christ in our own circumstances cannot be overemphasized. May Christians throughout our country come together across denominational lines to pray for peace in our world and an end to the sad divisions that prevent us from fully loving each other as Christ loves us all.” 

Each year a different country and theme is highlighted during the week-long observance. For 2024, the Christians from Burkina Faso in West Africa developed the prayer materials and chose the theme from St. Luke’s Gospel, “You shall love the Lord your God…and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity started in 1908 when Father Paul Wattson, SA, the founder of the religious order, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, conceived of the idea of a Christian Unity Octave — an observation of eight days of prayer — for an end to divisions between Christians. Since the Second Vatican Council, it has been co-organized by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

More resources to pray and reflect during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity may be found here. 

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Eight hundred years ago as the Church celebrated the latter days of Advent and prepared to commemorate the birth of Jesus, a cherished tradition in our lives as Christians was born.  Traveling from Rome to Assisi after having just received approval from the Pope for his brotherhood, Saint Francis stopped along the way in the little Italian town of Greccio.   Having visited the Holy Land, the caves in Greccio reminded Francis of the countryside of Bethlehem.  So he asked a local man named John to help him celebrate with the faithful of the town the holy night of Christmas by replicating the original scene in Bethlehem. 

Saint Francis’ biographers described in detail what then took place in Greccio.  “On December 25th, friars came to Greccio from various parts, together with people from the farmsteads in the area, who brought flowers and torches to light up the holy night.  When Francis arrived, he found a manger full of hay, an ox and a donkey.  All those present experienced a new and indescribable joy in the presence of the Christmas scene.  The priest then solemnly celebrated the Eucharist over the manger, showing the bond between the Incarnation of the Son of God and the Eucharist.  At Greccio, there were no statues – just a manger, an ox and a donkey; the nativity scene was enacted and experienced by all who were present.”

That Christmas night, eight centuries ago, began the tradition of the Nativity scene that we maintain in our churches and in our homes.  For all its familiarity and the tendency that we may have to diminish its significance in the face of so many other competing symbols and traditions associated with Christmas, we would do well to pause at some point in this sacred season to reflect upon the message that lies at the heart of this treasured scene.  Like the faithful people of Greccio, Italy, look beyond the statues or figurines and imagine yourself in Bethlehem in a cave, with animals, straw, dirt and a promise provided by a newborn baby boy. 

In God’s plan to save his people, Jesus didn’t set himself apart from the ordinariness of human life.   No, Jesus immersed himself in the human condition of our world, for all its beauty and peace, its brokenness and pain, its sin and suffering.  And he did so for a reason:  In coming into our lives as a baby born in a manger – hardly a sign of power, self-sufficiency or pride – God lowered himself so that we could walk with him and he could stand beside us, not above or far from us, to lead us on the pathway to his promise of life and peace. 

All too often, however, we are quick to leave the cave of Bethlehem and travel other pathways to achieve meaning and purpose in our lives.  We set aside the message of salvation proclaimed throughout the ages by the life, love, mercy and forgiveness of Jesus.  We’re reluctant to heed his invitation to walk in his footsteps.  Then we wonder why our lives are so unsettled and peace in our hearts, our homes and our world appears to be so elusive.  We wonder why God can’t provide us with a way out of suffering and pain in Israel, Ukraine, far too many places throughout our world, at our borders, in our neighborhoods, in our families and in our hearts. 

Brothers and sisters, the good news and blessing of Christmas is that God has already provided us a way forward with hope if we are wise and humble enough to embrace the message of Bethlehem and the birth of his Son.

May we pray during these cherished days for peace in our troubled world, especially in the Holy Land where our Prince of Peace was born.  And may we open our hearts to the grace of God and the great mystery of salvation won for us through the simple story begun in a cave in Bethlehem that continues to be the world’s true and lasting reason for hope! 

With gratitude for the privilege of serving as your Bishop and with prayers for a holy and blessed Christmas for you, your family and all you hold dear, I am

​​​​Faithfully yours in Christ, 

 

 

On Monday, December 18, 2023, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued the Declaration, “Fiducia Supplicans” (“Supplicating Trust”) which was approved by Pope Francis.

In response to the Declaration’s release, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, issued the following statement:

“With the approval of Pope Francis, the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith issued the Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, on Monday, December 18, 2023. The Declaration clarifies that there are forms of blessings within the Church and recounted throughout the Sacred Scriptures, which are ‘poured out on others as a gesture of grace, protection, and goodness’ (18).

“The Diocese of Scranton is guided by the teachings of the Holy Father, and I invite all people of good will to join me in reading, praying, and reflecting upon the new Declaration, which carefully distinguishes between liturgical (sacramental) blessings and pastoral blessings, which may be spontaneous or personal.

“As evangelizers, we desire to bring the love and Good News of Jesus to every person, yet we know many people struggle to encounter God in their lives for one reason or another. Blessings, therefore, offer all people ‘an invitation to draw ever closer to the love of Christ.’ (44)

“The Declaration is very clear that the Church’s teaching on marriage has not changed – clearly upholding the sacrament of marriage as between a man and a woman – and is also specific regarding the possibility and context of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex.

“As the Declaration states, ‘this blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them. Nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding,’ adding, ‘such a blessing may instead find its place in other contexts, such as a visit to a shrine, a meeting with a priest, a prayer recited in a group, or during a pilgrimage’ (39-40).

“The pastoral sensitivity being shown by Pope Francis in this new Declaration is evident and most understandable as it states, ‘when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it. For those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection’ (25). To the contrary, the Declaration is intended ‘as a tribute to the faithful People of God, who worship the Lord with so many gestures of deep trust in his mercy and who, with this confidence, constantly come to seek a blessing from Mother Church.’

“May this Declaration enable all of us who seek to walk by faith to feel the closeness and compassion of God.”

 

 

 

 

Annual effort seeks to assist more than 24,000 elderly women and men religious in the United States

November 6, 2023

WASHINGTON – On the weekend of December 9-10, participating dioceses will take up the annual collection that benefits approximately 24,000 elderly religious sisters, brothers, and religious order priests across the United States. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), the collection provides qualified religious institutes with financial aid to address retirement necessities.

Traditionally, Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests have dedicated their lives to Church ministries such as parishes, schools and health-care institutions, usually with little to no compensation. Consequently, a significant number currently have insufficient retirement funds, combined with escalating health-care costs. Numerous religious communities in the United States are experiencing challenges with providing for their elderly members and are confronting a sizable disparity between available funds and the costs of care.

In 1988, the bishops of the United States established the Retirement Fund for Religious collection to address this serious retirement funding need among U.S. religious orders. In 2022, the NRRO’s annual collection raised $27.6 million.

“Addressing the needs of our aging religious demands substantial financial commitment. We are profoundly touched and blessed by the enduring generosity of the Catholic faithful. Their contributions to this fund are fundamental in aiding our elderly religious,” remarked Mr. John Knutsen, the NRRO’s director. “Through this national collection, we have the privilege to respond to the lifetime dedication of these individuals by ensuring their well-being in retirement,” he further commented.

Per the 2023 statistics collected by the NRRO, a mere 6% of religious communities that shared data with the NRRO reported having sufficient retirement funding. Since the fund’s inception, U.S. Catholics have graciously contributed more than $975 million, with almost $842 million has been distributed to support the day-to-day care of thousands of elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. From 2009 onwards, the annual expenses of supporting senior women and men religious surpassed $1 billion.

For more about the initiatives of the National Religious Retirement Office and opportunities to support retired sisters, brothers and religious order priests, please visit retiredreligious.org.

 

Friends of the Poor is proud to once again announce three community-based programs to help those in need this Thanksgiving: The Thanksgiving Dinner for Adults and Elderly, the Family-to-Family Thanksgiving Food Basket Program, and the Interfaith Prayer Service. In addition, we are thrilled that this year’s program incorporates several new collaborative partners.

The Thanksgiving Community Program has never been one to operate in a silo. From its humble beginnings feeding a few dozen community members, our Thanksgiving Community Program has relied on the generosity of area businesses, families, and other institutions to make the holiday special for those who often go without. The same is true today, 47 years later, as we prepare to again serve 3,500 cooked meals and provide 3,500 families with Thanksgiving groceries. Our regular partners have once again returned. As a sponsored work of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), the core of who we are flows from the values brought forth by the Sisters. In addition, we are sustained day in and out by the most giving community we could hope to be a part of: the Scranton Cultural Center, the Scranton Area Multifaith Ministerium, Gentex, Stirna’s, the Junior League of Scranton, Marywood University, University of Scranton, Lackawanna College, Chartwells, Hilton Scranton, Schiff’s Food Service, Schiff’s Marketplace, Scranton Housing Authority, City of Scranton, Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, Waste Management, and dozens more who come together to provide the ingredients and support needed to create this nutritious holiday meal. This year, we officially welcome the Catherine McAuley Center and Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank as official partners for our Thanksgiving Community Program, proving further that we are stronger together than we ever could be alone. The Catherine McAuley Center will offer the support of their staff to each event to help us accommodate the projected increase in need. The Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank has also stepped in to provide the turkeys for the Thanksgiving meal.

The holiday celebrations kick off on Friday, November 17th at 7PM with the Interfaith Prayer Service at Temple Hesed, 1 Knox Road, Scranton, at 7 p.m.  All are invited and welcome to attend and take part in a beautiful service celebrating gratitude as the cornerstone of each of our faith traditions and the true meaning of the holiday we celebrate.

Sunday, November 19th gives University of Scranton students a peek into the inner workings of our Family to Family program as we join the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice to provide Thanksgiving groceries to 200 families in the Hilltop and Valley View Housing Developments within the Scranton Housing Authority.

Our Thanksgiving Dinner for Adults and Elderly will be distributed for the fourth year in a row take-out style. On Tuesday, November 21st in front of the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18503, from 2:30-5:30PM, anyone in need of a cooked Thanksgiving meal can drive-through or walk-up for a meal. No pre-registration or proof of income is required. Note that the 400 & 500 of N. Washington Avenue and Vine Street closed for traffic control. We ask that no one begin lining up earlier than 2PM, as we will be delivering approximately 1,500 meals to pre-registered, low-income seniors with the continued help of our dedicated volunteer drivers from the Junior League of Scranton.

The Family-to-Family Thanksgiving Food Basket Program, directed by the Robeson family, will pick up where the dinner leaves off the very next morning on November 22nd. Beginning at 9AM, we will provide all grocery items needed to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal to families in need in front of the Scranton Cultural Center. We will be there until 5PM or our supplies run out. This event will also be a drive-through, but we will have a dedicated tent with supplies and volunteers for those that need to walk up. No pre-registration or proof of income is required. Understanding that transportation is a barrier, we ask that those with access to their own vehicles serve as proxies for those who cannot get to the event.

We’ve all seen an incredible increase in need in our area over the last several years. The number of families seeking assistance from Friends of the Poor every day is astonishing, and the holidays add to that number. While many families struggle to make ends meet each week, the holidays bring with them additional expenses many simply cannot afford. We are making every effort to extend as much as we can to meet this need, but we cannot do it without the help of the dozens of organizations already listed and every member of our community who wants to share the magic of the holidays with a neighbor in need.

A $60 donation sponsors the cost for the average size family we serve. We are prepared to serve 3,500 families, and we must raise at least $250,000 to cover Thanksgiving alone, including food and other supplies. Donations of any amount help us towards our goal, and can be mailed to Family to Family, PO Box 13, Scranton, PA 18503 or given online at friendsofthepoorscranton.com.

Additionally, if any additional businesses or community groups would like to participate in the cooked Thanksgiving dinner portion of our programming, we are in desperate need of supplies, including microwavable, sealable takeout containers, individually wrapped disposable utensils, plastic grocery bags, and more. Please contact us via email (friendsofthepoor@fotp-ihm.org) or phone (570-340-6086) if you can support the event in any way.

 

 

As part of its 39ᵗʰ annual prayer breakfast on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 9 AM at Fiorelli’s, Pennsylvanians For Human Life Scranton Chapter will feature the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Geri Featherby, and Peter DiMaio as its speakers. The focus of this year’s breakfast is “Educating Our Youth,” with students kindergarten through college admitted free of charge.

“We have taken a new direction with our breakfast this year. Our dynamic speakers will highlight what’s happening in the pro-life movement with emphasis on how things are affecting our youth. In fact, in order to attract more people, we have lowered the ticket price from $55 to $25 per adult, with students free. We are looking forward to seeing a sea of young people,” states Patrick Williams, President of Pennsylvanians For Human Life Scranton Chapter.

To reserve, simply go to https://prolifescranton.org/event/annual-prayer-breakfast/, call 570-343-5099, or email pahumanlife@yahoo.com.

October 10, 2023

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as follows: 

Reverend Michael S. Drevitch, from administrative leave to Parochial Vicar, Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston, and Saint Barbara Parish, Exeter, effective October 20, 2023.

Reverend John M. Lapera, to Pastor, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, effective January 24, 2024.  Father Lapera will remain Pastor, Church of Saint Gregory, Clarks Green.

Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, J.D., J.C.L., from Pastor, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, to Pastor Emeritus, Our Lady of the Snows Parish and Senior Priest, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, and Church of Saint Gregory, Clarks Green, effective January 24, 2024.

Reverend Kenneth M. Seegar, from leave of absence for reasons of health to Sacramental Minister, Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Pittston, effective October 1, 2023.


September 29, 2023

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as follows: 

Reverend Andrew Amankwaa, from Administrator pro tem, Saint Brigid Parish, Friendsville, effective October 20, 2023 and Administrator pro tem, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Susquehanna, effective October 24, 2023 to Administrator pro tem, Saint John Vianney Parish, Montdale, effective October 24, 2023.

Reverend Michael Amo Gyau, to Parochial Vicar, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Jermyn, effective October 24, 2023.  Father will remain Parochial Vicar, Christ the King Parish, Archbald.  

Reverend Thomas Augustine, from ministry, Diocese of Nellore, India, to Administrator pro tem, St. Brigid Parish, Friendsville, effective October 20, 2023. 

Reverend J. Duane Gavitt, from Chaplain, Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes Barre, effective September 29, 2023.  Father will remain Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, and Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton.

Reverend Ryan P. Glenn, to Pastor, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Jermyn, effective October 24, 2023.  Father will remain Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Archbald.

Reverend John C. Ruth, from Pastor, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Jermyn, to Pastor, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Susquehanna, effective October 24, 2023.

Reverend Philbert Takyi-Nketiah, to Chaplain, Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre, effective September 29, 2023.  Father will remain Parochial Vicar, St. Jude Parish, Mountain Top, and Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Dorrance.

Reverend Seth D. Wasnock, V.F.,  from Administrator pro tem, Saint John Vianney Parish, Scott Township, effective October 24, 2023.  Father will remain Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Carbondale.

DEACON

Deacon James L. DiSimoni, from Diaconal Ministry, Diocese of Erie, to Diaconal Ministry, Prince of Peace Parish, Old Forge, effective September 29, 2023.

 

 

Four local nonprofits are joining forces to provide gifts this holiday season. The Catherine McAuley Center, Catholic Social Services, Friends of the Poor and the Salvation Army are connecting community donors with families living at or below the poverty line to bring a little bit of joy under the tree this Christmas.

This collaborative effort expects to serve an estimated 1,500 families.

The first 25% of families to register on Tuesday, October 3 will be paired with donors in the community to receive gifts. The remaining families will register to “shop” (at no cost)  for donated toys for their children at a giveaway hosted at the University of Scranton in late December.
 To register to receive gifts, visit the Facebook pages of any of these non-profits at 9AM on October 3 for the online link to register. Registration will be first come, first serve.

Ways to support this project:

  • Purchase gifts for an assigned family by visiting: https://forms.gle/AsZpZ8C6NC6aWLcX8
  • Donate new, unwrapped gifts to any participating agency
  • Make a monetary donation to the Catherine McAuley Center or Friends of the Poor with a memo indicating “Christmas for Kids”
  • Volunteer at the Community Giveaway

As we continue to see the need in our community grow, it is important to make the largest impact, and by working together we believe we can best serve the kids of NEPA. More information can be found by visiting: https://www.catherinemcauleycenter.org/adopt