THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON

Diocese Enters Season of Lent on Ash Wednesday

Dan — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:57:27 +0000

Bishop Bambera Celebrating 12:10 p.m. Mass February 22 at Cathedral

Lenten Services at Cathedral Include Sunday Evening Prayer Series

Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012, will mark the start of the solemn 40-day season of Lent. Parishes throughout the 11-county Diocese of Scranton will distribute ashes to remind individuals of their mortality and need for daily spiritual renewal.

At St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, the Mother Church of the Diocese, ashes will be distributed during the 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Masses. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will be the principal celebrant of the 12:10 p.m. Pontifical Mass.

On Fridays during Lent, the Stations of the Cross service commemorating the Passion and death of Jesus Christ will follow the 12:10 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral, beginning at 12:45 p.m.

During the Lenten season, the CTV: Catholic Television live broadcasts of the 12:10 p.m. weekday Masses from St. Peter’s Cathedral will be interpreted for the deaf and hard of hearing by Sister Mary Beth Makuch, SSCM, Diocesan Director of Ministry with the Deaf and Persons with Disabilities. The Masses are rebroadcast at 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on CTV.

Lent is a time of prayer, penance and sacrifice leading to the most sacred time of the Church year, Holy Week, when the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are commemorated. The solemn observance culminates in the greatest celebration of the Church, Easter Sunday, which will be observed on April 8.

Lent is a time for sacrifice and for spiritual renewal as we reflect upon our baptism and the call given to each of us to walk as disciples of the Lord. We are provided with three personal challenges associated with our individual observance of Lent:

· Almsgiving – generously giving to those in need

· Fasting – practicing self-discipline and self-denial

· Prayer – reading, hearing and reflecting on the Word of God

Lent is also a penitential season. It is a time to seek forgiveness, to look inward, and to admit our shortcomings and failures.

Ash Wednesday commemorates the ancient rite of placing the sign of the cross on the forehead with the reminder “Remember, you are dust, and unto dust you will return.” Lent’s invitation to repentance and conversion may also be found in the optional words of this rite: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” These ashes are gathered from the burned branches of palm carried the previous year in the Palm Sunday procession.

Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012, and Good Friday, April 6, 2012, are days of universal fast and abstinence in the Church. Catholics between 18 years old and the beginning of their 60th year must fast by consuming only one full meal and two partial meals on those sacred days. Catholics who have completed their 14th year must also abstain from eating any meat or meat products on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent.

This Lenten season, which once again reminds the faithful of their sinfulness while being mindful of the great mercy and love of God, St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish Community will celebrate the theme “Sow justice in the lives of those we serve” by offering a series of Sunday Evening Prayer services in addition to its regularly scheduled Masses and devotions.

Continuing the practice started in the Advent season, the Cathedral will offer Sung Evening Prayer with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 7 p.m. on the Sundays of Lent. The homilists for each service are February 26 – Father Brian J.W. Clarke, V.G.; March 4 – Father Thomas M. Muldowney, V.E.; March 11 – Father Brian J.T. Clarke; and March 25 – Father Philip A. Altavilla, V.G.

On the Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 18), traditionally called Laetare Sunday, a chamber ensemble from St. Peter’s Cathedral will offer “Taizé: Prayer, Meditation and Song.” Prayer in the spirit of the Taizé community is a meditative form of prayer. Gathered around the cross, the faithful sing uncomplicated, repetitive songs, pray with scripture readings, and meditate in silence, allowing the mystery of God to become tangible through the beauty of simplicity. The service will begin at 7 p.m.

On Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (April 1, 2012), the first day of Holy Week, the St. Peter’s Cathedral Choir will offer “Tenebrae: Song of the Shadows.” Tenebrae, the Latin word for “shadows,” is a prayer service that utilizes scripture and song to retell the story of Christ’s passion and death. The ceremony includes seven readings. After each reading, one of seven lit candles is extinguished. Those gathered leave in silence when the service concludes after the Gospel account of the crucifixion with the “hiding” of the seventh candle — symbolizing the burial of Christ in the tomb. Tenebrae will begin at 7 p.m.

2012 Regulations for Lent

Dan — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:45:18 +0000

All faithful of the Diocese of Scranton are reminded of Diocesan Statute No. 41, which addresses the penitential aspect of Lent:

“The season of Lent is penitential in nature and during Lent penance should be not only internal and individual, but also external and social (Sacrosanctum Concilium, No. 5, 109). Pastors are obliged to avoid scheduling activities in the parishes which in any way could possibly detract from the external and social penance required by Lent.”

Ash Wednesday, February 22, marks the beginning of Lent. The following fast and abstinence regulations are observed:

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, April 6, are days of fast and abstinence.
Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence.
All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all Fridays during Lent.
All Catholics over 18 years of age to the beginning of their 60th year are bound to the obligation of fasting. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal and two smaller meals unless dispensed or excused.

Lenten Reminders

Lent is a time for sacrifice and for spiritual renewal as we reflect upon our baptism and the call given to each of us to walk as disciples of the Lord.

We are provided with three personal challenges associated with our individual observance of Lent:

Almsgiving – generously giving to those in need
Fasting – practicing self-discipline and self-denial
Prayer – reading, hearing and reflecting on the Word of God

Lent is also a penitential season. It is a time to seek forgiveness, to look inward, and to admit our shortcomings and failures. It is a time to regroup and to prepare. How can you spend your time during Lent?

By “giving up” things you hunger after, such as sweets or alcohol; or activities you desire, such as vacations, concerts or movies.
By “doing” things to help others, such as offering an extra donation to the poor or helping those in need by providing food or clothing.
By “adding” to our normal routine, such as going to daily Mass, praying the Stations of the Cross and going to confession.

Reverend Brian J.W. Clarke, V.G.

Diocese of Scranton Statement On President’s Decision To Revisit U.S. Health and Human Service Administration’s Health Coverage Mandate February 10, 2012

Dan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:41:54 +0000

Upon learning of President Obama’s decision to revisit its U.S. Health and Human Service Administration’s (HHSA) final rule that forced all employers, including Catholic employers, to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, acknowledged the efforts of those who have worked to pursue a reversal of the Administration’s decision. Diocesan officials, in alliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will now carefully analyze the precise implications of the President’s announcement along with any amendment made to the HHSA’s final rule so that the unacceptable elements included in the original mandate are removed and religious liberty is fully restored. Bishop Bambera asked the faithful of the Diocese to continue to commit themselves to prayer and to engagement in all efforts that will allow human dignity to be upheld.

Bishop Bambera Issues Letter About Serious Threat to Religious Liberty
January 26, 2012

Dear Friends,

I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States and in the Diocese of Scranton. This matter strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.

In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. As a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.

Simply put, as Catholics, we cannot comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.

Therefore, I ask you to commit to two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I would recommend visiting the USCCB website at: www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, including how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Administration’s decision. As we move forward in our efforts to preserve religious liberty, all additional information about this issue will be brought to your attention via emails such as this, as well as postings on our diocesan website, publications in The Catholic Light and inserts in your parish bulletin.

Thank you for your support of religious liberty. Let us remain united in prayer and in our defense of human dignity.

Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Scranton

ACTION ALERT

Protect Religious Liberty and Freedom of Conscience for All

Urge Congress to Pass “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act”

Each of the links below provides information about this serious matter and how you can contact your U.S. Representative and Senators in support of legislation designed to protect religious liberty and freedom of conscience.

The Catholic Bishops of the United States remain fully committed to the defense of our religious liberty and continue to strongly protest the violation of our freedom of religion. In doing so, they have renewed their call on Congress to pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act while offering a renewed call to the Catholic faithful and to all fellow Americans to join together in this effort to protect religious liberty and conscience for all via legislative action:

www.usccb.org/conscience

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, the public affairs arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Dioceses of Pennsylvania, also urges us to support a legislative remedy:

http://www.pacatholic.org/religious-liberty/hhs-edict-will-force-catholics-to-violate-conscience

The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment is committed to full legal recognition of the right to life of the unborn child, and respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every member of the human race. The organization’s objectives include educating citizens, developing pro-life legislative networks, and offering programs in support of pro-life legislation. The Committee works closely with the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and has developed a unique Action Alert to support advocacy efforts:

http://nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=292

Bishop Bambera Issues Letter to Parishes:

Bulletin Insert For Parishes

Federal Mandate Poses Serious Threat to Religious Liberty

Dan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:47:03 +0000

Current Edition of The Catholic Light

Dan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:02:33 +0000

CLERGY APPOINTMENTS

Dan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:57:38 +0000

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera announces the following appointments, effective February 7, 2012, or as otherwise noted:

EPISCOPAL VICAR

Reverend Richard J. Polmounter, V.E., to Episcopal Vicar for the Northern Pastoral Region of the Diocese of Scranton. Father Polmounter will continue to serve as Pastor, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Tunkhannock, and Saint Mary of the Lake Parish, Lake Winola, effective February 1, 2012.

PASTOR

Reverend Gregory W. Kelly, from Parochial Vicar, St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Kingston, to Pastor, Saint Patrick’s Parish, Milford.

Reverend Edward L. Michelini, from Pastor, Our Lady of the Abingtons Parish, Dalton, and Saint Patrick’s Parish, Nicholson, to Pastor, SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda.

ADMINISTRATOR

Reverend Thomas J. Petro, J.C.L., from Administrator, SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda, to Administrator, Our Lady of the Abingtons Parish, Dalton, and Saint Patrick’s Parish, Nicholson. Father Petro will continue to serve as a Judge in the Diocesan Tribunal.

SENIOR PRIEST

Reverend Andrew Kurovsky, from Leave of Absence for reasons of health, to Senior Priest, Saint John Bosco Parish, Conyngham, effective January 25, 2012.

PAROCHIAL VICAR

Reverend Daniel J. Doherty, S.S., from ministry within the Society of Saint Sulpice to Parochial Vicar, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Tunkhannock, and Saint Mary of the Lake Parish, Lake Winola, effective February 1, 2012.

Bishop Bambera’s Schedule

Dan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:15:00 +0000

February 12 Consecrated Life Sunday Mass, Saint Peter’s Cathedral, 10:00 AM
50TH Anniversary Mass, Diocese of Allentown, Cathedral of Saint
Catharine of Siena, Allentown, 3:00 PM

February 13 Vespers, Saint Gregory’s Academy, Elmhurst, 6:00 PM

February 14-15 Mass & Visit with Seminarians, Saint Mark’s Seminary, Erie

February 17 Mass, Saint Mary’s Church, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Diocesan
Teachers’ Institute, Wilkes-Barre, 9:00 AM

February 18 Mass, Saint Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale, 4:00 PM

February 19 Mass & Dedication of Altar, Saint Ann’s Church, Williamsport, 3:00 PM

February 22 Ash Wednesday Mass, Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, 12:10 PM

Speakers Announced for Pontifical Healthcare Conference in Philadelphia

Dan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:47:51 +0000

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, under the sponsorship of the Pontifical Council for Healthcare Workers, is hosting a conference for healthcare workers and medical professionals on Saturday, Feb. 11, at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook.

Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, president of the Pontifical Council, will give the keynote address at 11 a.m., offering reflections on the message of Pope Benedict XVI for the 2012 World Day for the Sick. The Holy Father’s message is entitled, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17:19). Lunch will be available afterwards in the seminary cafeteria.

Dr. John Haas, director of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, will offer a lecture at 1:15 p.m. entitled “God Heals All Infirmities: The Power of the Sacraments in the Church’s Healing Ministry.”

Ron Rak, president and CEO of St. Peter Healthcare System, New Brunswick, N.J., will present a lecture at 2 p.m., addressing the topic of “Bearing Witness to God in a Healthcare Setting.”

Dr. Nayan Kothari, associate dean of education at Drexel University, will offer a lecture at 2:45 p.m. entitled “Thou Shall Not Kill: Perspective of a Jain Physician.”

The conference will conclude with Mass at 3:30 p.m. in the seminary chapel. Archbishop Zimowski will be the principal celebrant, and Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap. will deliver the homily.

Admittance to the conference is free of charge. To register, call Connie Scharff at 215-587-0504 or e-mail at cscharff@adphila.org. Lunch may be purchased at the seminary cafeteria the day of the conference for $5.

Diocese to Celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life

Dan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:19:13 +0000

The annual World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated in the Diocese of Scranton on Sunday, Feb. 12, with a 10 a.m. Pontifical Mass in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton.

Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will serve as principal celebrant and homilist for the Eucharistic liturgy. All women and men Religious and members of various forms of consecrated life have been invited to this special event.

This year, 63 professed religious sisters and priests who are celebrating jubilee anniversaries of ordination or profession of vows will be honored.

A reception following the Eucharistic celebration will be held across the street at the former Holy Cross High School (Scranton Campus).

The Diocese of Scranton views the occasion as an opportunity to educate Catholics about the consecrated life, and to note the many contributions to the Church by women and men religious and members of secular institutes.

“The many women and men religious who have served and continue to serve in the Diocese of Scranton witness to and proclaim the Kingdom of God through various works of mercy and ministries of presence to God’s People,” said SS. Cyril & Methodius Sister Mary Beth Makuch, Delegate for Consecrated Life. “We are pleased to recognize their many years of selfless service, and offer our gratitude and prayerful support to them.”

The 63 women and men Religious who are being honored in 2012 on the occasion of their jubilee anniversaries are listed as follows:

2012
Women Religious Jubilarians

75 Years

Sister Gillet Beach, I.H.M.

Sister Mary Ancilla Kasarda, R.S.M.

Sister Gerald Magill, R.S.M.

Sister Joanella Ryan, I.H.M.

Sister Virgilius Smith, I.H.M.

70 Years

Sister Miriam Rita Biter, R.S.M.

Sister Margaret Clarke, I.H.M.

Sister Marionette Coll, I.H.M.

Sister Lisbeth Hartnett, I.H.M.

Sister Laurentia Mayan, I.H.M.

Sister Daniela McCarthy, I.H.M.

Sister Mary Clarice Pennell, R.S.M.

65 Years

Sister St. Paul Cafferty, I.H.M.

Sister Eleanor Desaulniers, IHM

Sister M. Geraldine DiNicola, D.M.

Sister Alexius Fitzgerald, I.H.M.

Sister Fidelis Flannery, I.H.M.

Sister Ann Fulwiler, I.H.M.

Sister Helen Louise McHale, R.S.M.

Sister Nivette Mileniewicz, O.S.F.

Sister St. Gerard Myers, I.H.M.

Sister Kathryn Rolley, I.H.M.

Sister Mary Joachim Ryan, R.S.M.

Sister Celesta Sinisi, I.H.M.

Sister Mary Regina Vane, C.P.

60 Years

Sister Geraldine Dranginis, I.H.M.

Sister Michlyn Grella, I.H.M.

Sister Francis Xavier Grieb, I.H.M.

Sister Clare Marie Higgins, R.S.M.

Sister Joseph Kilkenny, l.s.p

Sister Mary Howard Krotzer, I.H.M.

Sister Maureen McCann, R.S.M.

Sister Kathleen O’Dea, I.H. M.

Sister Francis Borgia O’Donnell, I.H.M.

Sister Anne Paye, R.S.M.

Sister Mary Hugh Placilla, I.H.M.

Sister Jacquelin Servick, I.H.M.

Sister Gilmary Speirs, I.H.M.

Sister Jeanne Tubach, I.H.M.

Sister Mary Katrien Ward, R.S.M.

Sister Andrea Weidner, S.C.C.

Sister Catherine Mary Winters, R.S.M.

Sister St. Mel Wright, I.H.M.

50 Years

Sister Mary Pio Ferrario, I.H.M.

Sister Marie Estelle Gavel, I.H.M.

Sister Alice Gillooley, l.s.p.

Sister Linda Anne Greenberg, I.H.M.

Sister Regina Kiel, R.S.M.

Sister Marie Gertrude MacIntyre, l.s.p.

Sister Patricia Marie McCann, R.S.M.

Sister Marie Moore, I.H.M.

Sister Rose Marie Mozzachio, I.H.M.

Sister Ruth Neely, R.S.M.

Sister Janet Rossiter, I.H.M.

Sister Frances Russell, I.H.M.

Sister M. Teresa Monica Toussaint, O. Carm.

Sister Angelique Vannicola, I.H.M.

Sister Mary Luke Zaleski, I.H.M.

25 Years

Sister Joseph Mary Romano, l.s.p.

Sister Lilia Kagendo, LSOF

Men Religious

Rev. Malcolm Cornwell, C.P. 50 years professed

Rev. John J. Begley, S.J. 50 years ordained

Rev. Paul A. McDonnell, O.S.J. 25 years professed

Bishop Bambera Issues Letter About Serious Threat to Religious Liberty

Dan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:58:20 +0000

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your support of religious liberty. Let us remain united in prayer and in our defense of human dignity.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.

Bishop of Scranton