The U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS) has proposed new changes to regulations meant to protect conscience rights in health care. Let HHS know that conscience matters to you!
Numerous federal laws protect the right of organizations and people working in health care to object, as a matter of conscience, to abortion, sterilization, assisted suicide, gender transition surgery, and other procedures. The enforcement of these laws is governed by HHS regulations, so it is very important for HHS to issue strong regulations and keep them that way.
HHS has proposed revisions to these regulations, known as the “Conscience Rule,” which implements over a dozen conscience statutes. Under the Trump administration, HHS issued a strong version of the Conscience Rule, but courts struck it down, leaving in place the previous, extremely weak version from the Obama administration. On January 5, 2023, HHS proposed a new version. The USCCB supports this new proposed rule as an improvement over the current situation in which the 2019 Rule is not in place, but also urges HHS to strengthen the proposed rule. Join the USCCB in encouraging HHS to strengthen the Conscience Rule.
To learn more, read USCCB’s published comments on the rule, Cardinal Dolan’s December 30 statement, and visit the USCCB’s “Do No Harm” webpage on these regulations at the links below.
Reverend Michael Edward Finn, died on the 18th day of February, 2023 at Commonwealth Regional Hospital, Scranton.
Reverend Michael Edward Finn, son of the late Patrick Joseph Finn and Sally A. McLane Finn, was born in Pittston on March 1, 1950. He was a graduate of Pittston High School, attended St. Mary’s College, Kentucky, and was a graduate of the University of Scranton. Father received his seminary education from Pope Saint Pius X Seminary, Dalton, Pennsylvania and Christ the King Seminary, Olean, New York. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton, on May 7, 1977 by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick, late Bishop of Scranton.
Father Finn received a summer appointment as assistant pastor pro tem at St. Ann Church, Shohola in May 1977 and in September of that year, was appointed assistant pastor at St. Matthew Church, East Stroudsburg. In September 1983, Father was appointed Assistant Pastor, Our Lady of the Snows, Clarks Summit.
Father received his first pastorate at Holy Child Church, Mansfield in July 1990. He was next appointed Pastor, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Moscow in July 1994 and served for thirteen years until his appointment as Pastor, St. Thomas More, Lake Ariel in July 2007. In July 2013, Father was appointed Pastor, St. Barbara Church, Exeter where he remained until his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus in May 2022.
Father also served the Diocese as Regional Coordinator of Religious Education (Monroe and Pike Counties); Deanery Coordinator for Pope Saint John Paul’s Visit in 1979; Dean of Tioga County and Dean of Dunmore deanery. Having a great love for the scriptures, Father was able to take a sabbatical and studied in the Holy Land, Father would often lead tours to the Holy Land which were well appreciated for their in-depth insights into both the Bible and the pilgrimage sites.
Father Finn is survived by siblings, Ann Teresa Engleman, Pittston; Edward Finn (Peg), Brigantine, NJ; W. Gordon Finn, Pittston; Kathleen Masulis, Pittston; and Patricia Medico (Charles), Laflin; sister-in-law of the heart, Cheryl Finn, Plains; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Father was preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Edward Masulis and George Engleman; and a nephew, Brian Engleman.
Viewing will take place Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 William Street, Pittston. A Vesper Service will be celebrated at 8:00 p.m.
A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Thursday, February 23 at 10:30 a.m. preceded by a viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Interment will be in St. John the Evangelist Cemetery, Pittston. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Center, 2010 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510. Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, Pittston, Pa. On-line condolences may be made by visiting Father Finn’s obituary at adoniziofuneralhome.com
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February 16, 2023
His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments effective February 16, 2023:
Reverend Binesh Joseph Kanjirakattu, from residence, Ascension Parish, Forest City, and Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, Pleasant Mount, to Assistant Pastor pro tem, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, and Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton.
Reverend Michael J. Piccola, to Administrator pro tem, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, and Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton. Father will remain Pastor, Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish, Hazleton.
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The women of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians of Lackawanna County celebrated Mass on Feb. 1 at Saint Patrick Parish in West Scranton for the Feast of Saint Brigid.
Father Richard E. Fox, pastor, celebrated Mass for the order, whose motto is, “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.”
Dorothea Crowley currently serves as the Lackawanna County Board president of the LAOH.
Pictured, front row, left to right: Nancy Earyes, Kristin Krowiak, Mary Kate Warner, Chris Lavelle, Elaine Bruno, Fran Kingsley, Nori Connor, Alice McDermott, Dorothea Crowley, Father Richard Fox, Maureen Wallace, Nancy McAndrew Yavoroski, Kate Schneider, Teresa Pelligrino, Karen Savage, and Doreen Gilbride.
Back row, left to right: Mary Kay Sears, Patty Jones, Mary Ann Abdo, Kathleen Connor, Mary Fran Smith, Tammy Jackson, Carolynn Wahl, Michele McDade, Mary Anne McAndrew, and Lori Wagner.
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OBITUARY REVEREND JOHN EDWARD MELNICK
Reverend John Edward Melnick, a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, retired in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, passed away on January 15, 2023 while awaiting a lung transplant.
Reverend Melnick, son of the late Edward Constant Melnick and Beverly Anne (Mackenzie) Melnick, was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada on February 28, 1960. Father received his seminary education at St. Augustine Seminary, Toronto, Ontario and was ordained to the priesthood for the Order of Saint Augustine, on June 14, 1986.
Father came to minister in the Diocese of Scranton in 1996 and was incardinated on January 2, 2001. He served as Pastor, St. Michael Church, Scranton, from June 1999 to July 2000. Father served as Assistant Pastor, St. Gabriel Parish, Hazleton from July 2000 to August 2002 when he was appointed Pastor, St. Ann, St. Anthony, St. Casimir, St. John Nepomucene, Freeland where he served from August 2002 to July 2009.
In July 2009, Father left the Diocese of Scranton and taught at Donnelly College while considering incardination into the Society of Saint Augustine, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas.
A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City, on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 10:00 a.m. CT (Central Time) at St. Mary-St. Anthony Church, Kansas City. Livestreaming of the Funeral Mass will be accessible 10:00 a.m. CT at https://www.facebook.com/.SkradskiFuneralHome/
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My Dear Friends,
In 1973, the United States Supreme Court issued its infamous Roe v. Wade decision, legalizing abortion throughout our land. For 50 years, committed Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, those of other faith traditions and some with no religious affiliation have labored, marched and prayed to overturn this decision in an effort to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us – unborn infants in the womb. On June 24, 2022, just seven months ago, these noble efforts of so many bore fruit as the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in its Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.
A pro-life sign is displayed Jan. 21, 2022, during the annual March for Life rally in Washington. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)
This year has given us all hope. Yet, brothers and sisters, for as encouraging as the past year has been, more than ever, we need to cling to this hope! For the task that we have engaged to build a culture of life in our land remains unfinished.
On Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, marchers from throughout our country will converge on our nation’s capital for the 50th annual March for Life. This year, however, rather than marching to the steps of the Supreme Court, where marchers have gone for decades to ask our highest Court’s Justices to overturn Roe v. Wade, participants will march to a new front in our battle for life: the steps of the United States Capitol.
The theme for this year’s march is Next Steps: Marching in a Post-Roe America. It reminds us of the shift and expansion of the focus of our cause that has occurred since the justices overturned Roe. It is not only incumbent upon us who treasure life to advocate for federal pro-life policies. Now, we must work for the establishment of life-saving protections for the unborn in our state legislatures as well. Given this new landscape in our work to preserve and cherish life, I was honored to join with so many of you from throughout our 11 counties in Harrisburg this past September – close to 6,000 pro-life Pennsylvanians in all – for the first state march since Roe was overturned.
Sadly, for all of the strides that have recently been achieved, the tension that is present in our land following the Supreme Court’s decision is palpable. As such, it is vital that we not only continue our advocacy efforts in Pennsylvania and throughout our country, but that we especially continue to support mothers in need as an integral component of our next steps in building a culture of respect for all of human life.
A young woman is seen with her child during the annual March for Life rally in Washington Jan. 24, 2020. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)
We need to acknowledge with humility that the Church not only advocates for life in the womb but also works tirelessly to support life in all its forms from conception to natural death. In addition to serving the countless numbers of suffering lives that make their way into our midst, the Church in the United States and right here in our own diocese has developed scores of ministries dedicated to helping mothers facing challenging pregnancies and those who may struggle to care for their children after they are born. Through pregnancy care centers and parish-based ministries such as Walking with Moms in Need – to Shepherds Maternity House in East Stroudsburg that provides a safe home and assistance for pregnant woman and mothers and their newborn babies – to ministries like Project Rachel that offer hope, healing and spiritual renewal to women and couples who suffer after participating in abortion, our Church continues to offer a way forward to those who seek to live the Gospel of Life.
Yet, my friends, remember always that we engage this noble cause not for political reasons but as people of faith. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who recently passed to his eternal reward, reminded all of us of what is foundational to the cause that we have engaged. “God’s love does not differentiate between the newly conceived infant still in his or her mother’s womb and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between them because he sees an impression of his own image and likeness (Gn 1:26) in each one. … Life is the first good received from God and is fundamental to all others; to guarantee the right to life for all and in an equal manner for all is the duty upon which the future of humanity depends.”
Simply put, if we desire to live our lives as Christians with authenticity, we have no choice but to proclaim the sanctity of life. We cannot merely speak of our respect for human life or self-righteously criticize those whose beliefs may be different from our own. We must enliven our words with action. Yet, in the midst of all that we are charged to do as disciples of Jesus, his way must always be our way. We must engage a different kind of war – a different kind of battle – than that which has been engaged by many in our land, sadly on both sides of this cause. Jesus never addressed violence with violence. Nor can we! Recall the words of a contemporary prophet of non-violence, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Brothers and sisters, ours is a noble cause rooted in faith and in the dignity of each human person – to bring to completion the unfinished work that has been engaged in our land for some 50 years so that the masterpiece of God’s creative work – the human person – will be respected and treasured from the moment of conception to its natural end. May we be guided by words of Pope Francis, as he challenges us to give witness to our faith, “Being Catholic entails a great responsibility … The Lord counts on you to spread the Gospel of Life.”
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Scranton
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Pennsylvanians for Human Life through The VOICE of JOHN invites you to join us in a celebration of Life. The event will honor the memory of Monsignor Arthur Kaschenbach, a priest who spoke with courage in defense of human life. Through his priesthood he was always faithful to the ministry of The VOICE of JOHN and PHL. The event will recall a day that will go down in infamy, the legalization of abortion in 1972. With prayer and music, we will celebrate the overturn of Roe, as we honor the lives of almost 65 million children who have died from abortion.
The event will take place on the 50th year anniversary of the Roe vs Wade decision, Sunday January 22nd at 2 PM, at St John Bosco Church, route 93 in Sugarloaf. We are pleased to announce the featured speaker for the event: Elizabeth Leon, writer, speaker, and musician from Ashburn, Virginia and the author of “Let Yourself Be Loved: Big Lessons from a Little Life”, the story which explores the heart of a mother carrying a baby to term with the certainty of death. John Paul Raphael lived only 28 hours and 10 minutes. She and her husband, Dr Ralph Leon, are the parents of ten children—5 of hers, 4 of his, and their son, John Paul Raphael. Elizabeth will share videos of her little boy and the holy mysteries of her son’s life.
The event is intended to inspire, educate and motivate us as we move forward in a “World Post Roe”, Dr Frank Polidora will preside as master of ceremonies. Music by Shannon Marsyada.
The event is free of charge, donations will be welcome. Light refreshments will be served. The event chairperson is Nancy Zola and will conclude with a pro-life rosary for anyone wishing to remain.
For more information, contact Maryann Lawhon at (570)-788-JOHN (5646), or Carol Matz at 570-956-0817/
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OBITUARY Monsignor Arthur James Kaschenbach
Monsignor Arthur J. Kaschenbach, Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary of the Mount, Mt. Pocono, died on the 3rd day of January, 2023.
Monsignor Kaschenbach, the only child of the late Arthur Henry Kaschenbach and Kathleen Marie (Phillips) Kaschenbach, was born in Wilkes Barre, on October 18, 1926. He received his early education at St. Mary’s Elementary and St. Mary’s High School in Wilkes Barre. Monsignor entered St. Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland and completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland. He received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in June of 1951. Monsignor Kaschenbach was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1951 by Most Reverend William Joseph Hafey, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton.
Monsignor Kaschenbach served as assistant pastor at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton from 1951 to 1968 when he was appointed administrator of St. Patrick, White Haven. In 1973, Monsignor was assigned his first pastorate at St. Ann, Tobyhanna where he served until 1977. Monsignor was assigned his second pastorate at St. Mary of the Mount, Mount Pocono in 1977 where he remained until his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus in 2006. Monsignor Kaschenbach resided in the Hazleton area for most of his retirement and was of great ministerial assistance to the parishes in this area. He was also a gracious host and cook in the rectories where he lived.
Monsignor Kaschenbach was named a prelate of honor by Pope Saint John Paul II on November 2, 1978 and given the title Monsignor.
In addition to his parochial duties, Monsignor also served as director of the League of the Sacred Heart from 1955 until 1991; Region V Chairman: “Follow Christ”; Office of Religious Education Regional Director; and Dean of Monroe County.
Father celebrated the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination in 2011 with a Pontifical Mass Celebrated by Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., bishop Emeritus of Scranton.
A viewing will take place Friday, January 6, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity Parish, 212 PA-390, Cresco, PA. A Vesper Service will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. A viewing will also take place at Most Holy Trinity Parish, Cresco, Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., prior to the funeral.
A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Parish, Cresco, Pa. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wilkes Barre.
All funeral arrangements are being handled by Bolock Funeral Home, Cresco, PA
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The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate several Masses for the Nativity of Our Lord at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.
The bishop, on behalf of the clergy and religious of the Diocese of Scranton, cordially invites the faithful to attend Christmas Masses in person this year, especially if they have been away for a while because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Diocese of Scranton created a brief “Come Home for Christmas” video to invite parishioners from all 11 counties across the Diocese to attend Mass in person. You can view the video on the Diocese of Scranton’s YouTube channel by clicking here.
At the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Bishop Bambera will serve as principal celebrant and homilist at the following Masses:
• 4 p.m. – Pontifical Vigil Mass of Christmas
• Midnight – Pontifical Mass of Christmas at Midnight
CTV: Catholic Television will provide a live broadcast of the 4 p.m. Vigil Mass on Catholic Television, with a livestream provided on the Diocese of Scranton website and all social media platforms. CTV will also provide a live broadcast of the 10 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day from the Cathedral.
A full listing of Christmas Mass times and Reconciliation schedules for every parish in the Diocese is also available on the main page of the Diocese of Scranton website at dioceseofscranton.org.
Bishop Bambera’s 2022 Christmas Message, “Embrace the Good News of Christmas,” which was published in the Dec. 15 edition of The Catholic Light, can also be found by clicking here.
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Members of the Holy Name Society and St. Anthony’s Playground Association will assemble Christmas gift bags with various items for the children of Friends of the Poor.
Gift bags will be distributed to children in their after-school programs. Members gathered on December 1st at the Parish Hall.
Pennsylvanians for Human Life through The VOICE of JOHN invites you to join us in a celebration of Life. The event will honor the memory of Monsignor Arthur Kaschenbach, a priest who spoke with courage in defense of human life. Through his priesthood he was always faithful to the ministry of The VOICE of JOHN and PHL. The event will recall a day that will go down in infamy, the legalization of abortion in 1972. With prayer and music, we will celebrate the overturn of Roe, as we honor the lives of almost 65 million children who have died from abortion. 
