MISSION STATEMENT
We the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Scranton,
in union with our Holy Father, the Pope, are called
through baptism to share in the mission which Jesus
Christ has entrusted to the One, Holy, Catholic and
Apostolic Church. Priests, deacons, religious and laity,
under the leadership of our Bishop, cooperate to
proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the teaching of
the Church, to celebrate the sacraments, especially the
Eucharist, for the salvation of all, and to witness by
grace to the Kingdom of God so as to promote a culture
of life, justice and peace.
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This Issue:
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Church's Mission: Proclaim The Merciful Love Of
God |
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Catholics Called To Strengthen The Church At
Home |
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Forming Youth Ministry Programs |
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Mark Your Calendar |
Church's Mission: Proclaim The Merciful Love Of
God |
Pope Benedict XVI, on the occasion of
last Sunday’s conclusion of the Octave of Easter
to Divine Mercy, used the story of the risen
Christ’s visit to His disciples to illustrate
the Church’s mission.
The visit by the Risen One, the pope
explained, “is not limited to the house, but it
goes beyond, so that all may receive the gift of
peace and life with the ‘creating Breath.’
“This is the mission of the Church
constantly assisted by the Paraclete: to bring
to all the good news, the joyous reality of
God's merciful Love, that you may ... believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and
that by believing you will receive life in his
name.
“In the light of these words, I encourage,
in particular, all the Shepherds to follow the
example of the holy Curate of Ars who, at his
time, knew how to transform the hearts and lives
of so many persons, because he made them
perceive the merciful love of the Lord. Today,
we also need a similar proclamation and a
similar testimonial of the truth of love. In
this way we make Him that our eyes have never
seen be evermore familiar and close, He whose
infinite mercy is an absolute certitude.” |
Catholics Called To Strengthen The Church At
Home |
The 2010 Catholic Home Missions Appeal
calls Catholics to “Strengthen the Church at
Home.” The appeal will be made in the Diocese of
Scranton the weekend of April 24-25.
The Catholic Home Missions Appeal funds a
wide range of essential pastoral activities in
mission dioceses across the United States, with
special emphasis on evangelization; religious
education; ministry training for priests,
deacons, religious sisters, and lay people;
youth ministry; and support for poor parishes.
Home mission dioceses often exist in rural
settings with struggling economies, long
distances between parishes, and a lack of
priests and lay people to sustain parishes. Over
the years, the Appeal has supported mission
dioceses in Alaska, Appalachia, the
Southwest—all across the United States—as well
as in Puerto Rico and U.S. territories in the
Pacific islands.
Bishop-elect Joseph C. Bambera is asking
parishioners to be generous to this year’s
Catholic Home Missions Appeal.
“As we continue to recover from the
economic downturn, it is important to remember
our Catholic brothers and sisters in the United
States whose dioceses are financially fragile
even in the best of times,” he said. “The Church
in the United States needs our support.
Together, we can strengthen the Church at home.” |
Forming Youth Ministry Programs |
| The Office for Parish Life is offering
assistance to parishes in forming youth ministry
programs. Father Cyril D. Edwards, pastor of
Holy Rosary, St. Joseph and St. Anthony Parish
in Scranton, conducts the presentations. The
program, “Dynamics in Youth Ministry,” offers
key concepts and practical steps in building a
successful program. Father’s presentation
focuses on the premise that faith in word and
action is necessary for the success of any youth
ministry program. Parishes interested in the
program may call Sister Leonita Duhoski, RSM, at
570-207-2213, Ext. 1107. |
Mark Your Calendar |
Retreat for the Deaf: “The Resurrection
Stories of Jesus and Our New Life in Christ,”
April 23 & 24 –– St. Joseph’s Oblates
Seminary, Highway 315, Pittston. Sponsored by
the Diocesan Office for Parish Life &
Evangelization/Ministry with the Deaf and the
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association. Retreat director: Father Joseph
Mulcrone, director of Ministry with the Deaf in
the Archdiocese of Chicago. The two-day retreat
will include talks, prayer, Sacrament of
Reconciliation and Sunday Vigil Mass. Meals will
be provided. For more information/registration,
contact Sister Mary Beth Makuch, SSCM, at
207-2213 ext. 1101.
Day of Reflection: “The Return of the
Prodigal Son –– A Parable of Homecoming,” May 15
–– 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Fatima Renewal
Center, Dalton. Guest presenter: Father Phillip
Altavilla, V.E., who, through the Gospel story
of the Prodigal Son, will address the themes of
homecoming, affirmation and reconciliation that
are found within the segments of this parable.
Day’s program is designed to lead those who have
experienced anger, jealousy, loneliness and
dejection into the love and compassion of God
the Father; includes celebration of Mass and the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $30 per
person, includes lunch. To register, call Fatima
Renewal Center 563-8500.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Interpreted Mass, May 16 –– at
St. Joseph’s Oblates Seminary, 1880 Highway 315,
Laflin. Bible study and Sacrament of
Reconciliation begin at 2 p.m., followed by Mass
signed and interpreted, celebrated at 3 p.m.
Refreshments follow. For more information,
contact Sister Mary Beth Makuch, SSCM, at
207-2213 ext. 1101.
Support Group for Separated, Divorced &
Widowed Persons, May 21 –– 7 to 9 p.m. at
St. Ann Basilica Parish Center, 1200 St. Ann
St., Scranton. Sponsored by the diocesan Office
for Parish Life, this “Beginning Experience”
monthly session offers support to cope with
sorrow, doubt, anxiety and loneliness after
losing a spouse. For more
information/registration, call 489-7769.
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