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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| Morning-After
Pill: Abortion Over The Counter |
| National
Churches Benefit From Collections |
| Diocese
To Observe Catechetical Sunday on September 17 |
| Annual
Catechists’ Convocation Being Planned |
Morning-After Pill: Abortion Over The Counter |
The Pro-Life
Secretariat at the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops has criticized the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for directing Barr
Pharmaceuticals to resubmit its application for
over-the-counter (OTC) marketing of the Plan B
morning-after pill. The FDA reportedly will soon
approve non-prescription sale of the drug to
women 18 years of age and older.
“The Bishops’
conference continues to oppose making Plan B
available without medical supervision, whether
to minors or adults,” said Deidre McQuade,
director of planning and information at the
Secretariat.
Plan B is a large
dose of a powerful hormonal drug that is
available only by prescription when used in
smaller doses for contraception. It may act on a
woman’s body in several ways.
“The
morning-after pill may prevent fertilization, or
it may interfere with the implantation of the
embryo in her mother’s womb,” Ms. McQuade
said. “Such interference is best understood
not as contraceptive but as a very early
abortifacient action.”
She added: “A
number of studies have shown that readier access
to emergency contraception does not lower
unintended pregnancies or abortions. Such access
may also lead to an increased risk of ectopic
pregnancy and of contracting a sexually
transmitted disease. Plan B fails the test of
addressing an urgent medical need – a new
human life is not a disease – and may expose
women to greater harm.”
For USCCB comments to the FDA and other
information on the morning-after pill, go to:
www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/contraception/morningafterpill.htm. |
National Churches Benefit From Collections |
The Collection
for the Church in Eastern Europe, which
traditionally has been scheduled for the first
Sunday of Lent, has been moved to the last
Sunday in August. This collection is taken in
territorial parishes.
The special
collections for the Church in Lithuania, Poland
and Slovakia will be taken up in the respective
national parishes on the same Sunday. These
particular collections will continue to be taken
only in the national churches.
The Collection
to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe
– whose theme is HOPE – tells a story of
strength, vitality, growth, and determination of
our Catholic family in the East. Proceeds from
this collection go directly to support
seminaries, social service programs, youth
ministry, pastoral centers, church restoration,
and the spreading of the Gospel message through
the mass media. Pastors are asked to forward
proceeds by Sept. 15 to the Finance Office.
The Lithuanian
Catholic Religious Aid is the only agency in
the West working exclusively on behalf of the
Catholic Church in Lithuania. The annual
collection has enabled the Church to carry out
its multi-faceted efforts to bring about the
spiritual, social and moral rebirth of the
Lithuanian nation after many years of atheistic
indoctrination. Please forward proceeds by Sept.
15 to Monsignor Peter P. Madus, V.F., St.
Joseph’s Rectory, 116 Theodore Street,
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18508.
The Catholic
League for Religious Assistance to Poland
has been helping the Church in Poland since
1943. Proceeds from this collection make
possible the canonical and formational education
of the Polish clergy to take over leadership
roles in diocese and seminaries. Proceeds from
the collection also allow the Catholic League to
assist churches, religious sisters and brothers
throughout Poland. Please forward proceeds by
Sept. 15 to Father Charles W. Rokosz, Holy
Rosary Rectory, 127 Stephenson Street, Duryea,
Pennsylvania 18642.
The Slovak
Catholic Federation Appeal greatly assists
the Church in Slovakia by sponsoring men in
priestly formation. The proceeds are used to
help maintain the Pontifical College and
Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome.
This is a graduate house of studies for priests
from Slovakia who are sent to advance their
theological studies. Please forward proceeds by
Sept. 15 to Ms. Dolores M. Evanko, National
Secretary-Treasurer, Slovak Catholic Federation,
173 Berner Avenue, Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201. |
Diocese To Observe Catechetical Sunday on
September 17 |
The theme for
the 2006 -2007 Catechetical Year, “Who do you
say that I am?” invites us to take a closer
look at our relationship with Jesus as we strive
daily to live as His followers.
On Sunday, Sept.
17, parishes are encouraged to celebrate the
work of catechesis by honoring their catechists
at special Masses, in commissioning services,
and blessings of parents and guardians, who are
the primary educators of their children in the
faith.
Catechetical
Sunday gives us a wonderful opportunity to
remind the parishioners that catechesis is the
responsibility of every member of the Church.
Celebrating the
Catechetical Year 2006-2007 includes a booklet
and CD-ROM with ideas for liturgy, prayer
services, prayer cards and posters. Materials
are available in both English and Spanish and
may be obtained either from the USCCB website at
www.usccb.org or from the Guild Studios,
570-342-8246. |
Annual Catechists’ Convocation Being Planned |
This year’s
Catechists’ Convocation will be held on
Saturday, Oct. 14, at St. Mary of the Immaculate
Conception Church and Bishop Hoban High School,
Wilkes-Barre.
The keynote
speaker will be Atty. Frances X. Hogan, a member
of the USCCB Pro-Life Committee, social activist
and catechist. Her topic is “God Is Love: An
Encyclical for Our Time.” Lunch and workshops
will follow.
Parishes are
invited to bring students preparing for the
Sacrament of Confirmation to a special session
on the “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: The
Heart of Confirmation Catechesis,” to be
presented by Scott M. Anthony. Scott is the
director for youth and young adult ministries at
St. Joseph Parish, York.
For additional
information, please contact the Office for
Parish Life. 207-2213, ext. 1105.
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