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:
|
| Apostolic
Tradition: Effective Presence of the Lord Jesus |
| “Theology
of the Body” at University of Scranton Lecture |
| Strategic
Planning Process Continues |
| Masses
for Those in Health Care, Legal Professions |
| Days
of Reflection and Ministry Courses |
Apostolic Tradition: Effective Presence of the
Lord Jesus |
Ecclesial
communion and the concept of tradition provided
the theme for Pope Benedict XVI's catechesis
during yesterday’s general audience, which was
held in St. Peter’s Square in the presence of
50,000 people.
“Ecclesial
communion – aroused and sustained by the Holy
Spirit, safeguarded and promoted by the
apostolic ministry – does not only extend to
the believers of a particular historical period,
but embraces all times and generations,” said
the Pope.
“Thanks to the
Paraclete," he continued, “the early
apostolic community was able to experience the
Risen Lord. Successive generations do the same,
as the faith is transmitted and lived through
faith, worship and the communion of the People
of God. ... This transmission of the
‘things’ of salvation is what constitutes
the apostolic tradition of the Church.” The
Holy Spirit “actualizes the salvific presence
of the Lord Jesus, through the ministry of the
apostles ... and through the entire life of the
people of the new covenant.”
This ongoing
actuality of the active presence of the Lord
Jesus in His people – worked by the Holy
Spirit and expressed in the Church through the
apostolic ministry and fraternal communion –
is the theological meaning of the term
Tradition. It is not just a material
transmission of what was originally given to the
Apostles, but the effective presence of the Lord
Jesus ... Who, in the Spirit, accompanies and
guides the community He gathered.”
“Tradition,”
Pope Benedict concluded, “is the communion of
the faithful around legitimate pastors over the
course of history, a community nourished by the
Holy Spirit. ... It is the organic continuity of
the Church, ... the permanent presence of the
Savior who comes out to meet, redeem and
sanctify us in the Spirit.” |
“Theology of the Body” at University of
Scranton Lecture |
The Diocesan
Office for Parish Life and The University of
Scranton’s Catholic Studies Program will host
a lecture entitled “Introduction to the
Theology of the Body” by author Christopher
West. The lecture, offered free of charge and
open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. tonight
(Thursday, April 27) in the McShane Executive
Center of Brennan Hall.
Mr. West is a
research fellow and faculty member of the
Theology of the Body Institute, West Chester. He
received his master’s degree from the John
Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and
Family, Washington, D.C., and earned his
bachelor’s degree form the University of
Maryland.
The author of Theology
of the Body Explained, Theology of the Body for
Beginners and Good News about Sex and
Marriage, Mr. West has lectured extensively
throughout the United States and internationally
on topics such as marriage, sexuality, family
life and Pope John Paul II’s theology of the
body.
For additional
information, contact Susan Mathews, Ph.D.,
director of the Catholic Studies Program and
professor of theology at The University of
Scranton, at 941-6131.
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Strategic Planning Process Continues |
The strategic
planning process for all secondary and
elementary schools continues to move forward.
Meitler
Consultants, Inc., a national consulting firm,
is directing the process in collaboration with
the Office for Catholic Schools and Diocesan
consultants.
For the past few
months, advisory boards in parishes and schools
have been assessing the various components of
the educational process in their respective
schools. Members of the consulting firm are
conducting site visits to glean further
information from school personnel.
The next step will
involve a review of the data collected to
identify current trends, their causes and
implications. This material will provide an
objective foundation for building a
Diocesan-wide plan. To assist in the development
of this plan, a Strategic Planning Task Force
has been formed composed of members from each
region of the Diocese. This task force will meet
every six weeks to review data, identify options
and eventually make proposals.
In addition, local
consultative groups have been identified at each
school. These groups will be convened at key
points during the process to ensure that each
school community has an opportunity to provide
suggestions and feedback as the plan is
developed.
(Information
regarding the strategic planning process and
periodic updates may be accessed on the Diocese
of Scranton website at www.dioceseofscranton.org.
Follow the Departments and Resources link to
Catholic Schools Update.) |
Masses for Those in Health Care, Legal
Professions |
At two Masses
this week, Bishop Joseph F. Martino will pray
with members of various professions to encourage
them to continue to promote a culture of life
and service in their work.
This Sunday, April
30, a liturgy for Catholics in the field of
health care will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St.
Peter’s Cathedral.
The Red Mass, an
annual liturgy for those in the legal
professions, will be celebrated on Wednesday,
May 3, at 12:10 p.m. at the Cathedral.
All faithful are
invited to participate in these liturgies. |
Days of Reflection and Ministry Courses |
Three Days of Reflection and a series of
courses will be conducted by the Diocese over
the next few months. The Days of Reflection are:
DR15 Reflection Day for Senior Citizens
June 27, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Msgr. David L. Tressler at Fatima Renewal Center
in Dalton. The day will highlight the gifts of
wisdom, stability and accomplishment that belong
to those advancing in age, but who are “young
at heart.” It will be a time of prayerful
gratitude to God for a life richly blessed and a
time for joyful relaxation with an indoor picnic
lunch! Fee: $15.00. Call 570-563-8500 or e-mail
St-PiusX-Seminary@diocese of scranton.org to
register.
DR16 Our Journey to the Eucharist
July 29, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Father Paul McDonnell, OSJ, at St. Joseph Oblate
Seminary, Pittston. This day will focus on
one’s personal response to the Lord’s
invitation to “come and rest a while” before
his Eucharistic Presence. It will provide quiet
time and reflection to move prayerfully into a
deeper relationship with the Lord.
Lunch/Refreshments. Fee: $25.00. Call Office for
Parish Life for registrations for this Day of
Reflection at 207-2213, Ext. 1107.
DR05 Mary, Model of Discipleship
August 12, 2006, 9:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m.
Father Louis A. Grippe at Fatima Renewal Center
in Dalton. This day will allow us to consider
the different aspects of Mary’s discipleship
that we ourselves are called to live as
followers of Jesus Christ. Lunch/Refreshments.
Fee: $25.00. Call 570-563-8500 or e-mail St-PiusX-Seminary@dioceseofscranton.org
to register.
The Pastoral Formation Institute is conducting
the following courses:
Level 1: Ministry Component
MS033 Lector Training
(A) Father Shane Kirby on Saturday, July 15,
9:00 a.m. – noon, Diocesan Center, Scranton
(B) Deacon Joseph Roinick on Saturday, June 3,
9:00 a.m. – noon, St. Basil Hall, Dushore
These sessions explore the theological source of
this ministry, offer suggestions in preparing
for the weekly Scripture readings in a
reflective manner, and provide training in
proclamation techniques. Those who train lectors
and especially those who serve in this ministry
are encouraged to attend. To register, call
570-207-2213 or e-mail sister-leonita-duhoski@dioceseofscranton.org.
Fee: $10.00; Group of eight: $50.00
Level III Courses
Level III courses are for Catholic school
teachers, catechists, parish coordinators, or
for those seeking personal enrichment. Call
Office for Parish Life at 570-207-2213 to
register.
201 Fundamental Teachings of the Church
July 31-August 4; August 7-August 11, 9:00
a.m.-noon at Diocesan Center, Scranton
Instructor: Brendan Murphy
301 Sacraments in General
July 31-August 4; August 7-August 11, 9:30
a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel CCD
Center, Pittston
Instructor: Father Gregory Finn, OSJ
401 Introduction to the Spiritual and Moral
Life
July 10-14; July 17-21, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.,
at Seton Catholic High School, Pittston
Instructor: Brendan Murphy
501 The Catholic Church through the Centuries
June 19-23; July 26-30, 9:00 a.m. – noon at
Wyoming Area Catholic School, Exeter
Instructor: Deacon Robert Roman
601 Catechetical Methodology
June 26-30; July3-7, 9:00 a.m. – noon at Notre
Dame Middle School, East Stroudsburg
Instructor: Sister Monica T. Sicilia, IHM
To register, call 570-207-2213, Ext. 1107. Fee:
$150.00 Audit: $60.00
107-0800N The Catechism of the Catholic
Church
On-line seminar through Catholic Distance
University. Completion of this seminar is the
equivalent to taking PFI courses 201 Fundamental
Teaching of the Church, and 301 Sacraments in
General. Fee: $399.00. To register go to
www.cdu.edu. As additional courses become
available through CDU, information will be
disseminated to parishes and schools.
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