This Issue:

Bishop Participating in “Catholic Men’s Day”

Support for Vocations Golf Tournament

Convocation for Catechists Set for October 16

Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe

Pastoral Formation Institute Programs

Calling All Adult Faith Formation Coordinators

Natural Family Planning Instruction

Adult Faith Formation Resources Available Online

Mark Your Calendar

Bishop Participating in “Catholic Men’s Day”

     The Guardian of the Redeemer Catholic Men’s Fellowship in the Diocese of Scranton will hold a “Catholic Men’s Day” on Saturday, Oct. 2, at St. Joseph’s Oblates Seminary in Laflin. Doors open at 8 a.m. and priests will be available for the Sacrament of Penance.
     Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will serve as principal celebrant for the day’s opening Mass at 9 a.m. Following the liturgy, Catholic author, speaker and EWTN show host Mike Aquilina will speak on "The Mission of the Catholic Family." After some group discussion and lunch, the day will conclude by 1:30 p.m.
     A native of Pittston, where he was a member of St. Rocco Parish and a 1981 graduate of Seton Catholic High School, Mr. Aquilina is currently the executive vice-president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. The husband and father is also the author or editor of more than 20 books on Catholic history, doctrine and devotion.
     Along with Scott Hahn, Mr. Aquilina has co-hosted eight series airing on the Eternal Word Television Network. He previously served as editor of both New Covenant magazine and the Pittsburgh Catholic diocesan newspaper.
     Pre-registration by Sept. 29 is strongly encouraged and will cost $15 for men age 16 and over. To pre-register, contact Glenn Yanik at 362-0417 or gmyanik@epix.net.
Registration on the day of the event is $20. Clergy and seminarians can attend free of charge, but registration is required.
     More information about the Guardian of the Redeemer Catholic Men’s Fellowship is available at http://guardianoftheredeemer.wordpress.com, which includes a downloadable registration form for the upcoming Catholic Men’s Day.

Support for Vocations Golf Tournament

     A full field of golfers is ready to tee it up at the inaugural “Vocations Golf Classic” to benefit the St. John Vianney Vocations Endowment for Seminarians in the Diocese of Scranton.
     The golf tournament, the first major fundraiser for the Diocesan Vocations Foundation, will be held on Monday, Aug. 30, at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountaintop. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera has been named honorary chairman and will be present for the event.
     Although the playing spots are filled, people can still participate by helping to sponsor a golf foursome or as a Benefactor, $500; Flag Sponsor, $200; Hole Sponsor, $100; and Patron Listing, under $100. Donations can also be made directly to the endowment for seminarians.
     For information, contact Father Christopher T. Washington at the Diocesan Vocations Office at 207-2216, ext. 1013, or email: Rev-Christopher-Washington@dioceseofscranton.org.

Convocation for Catechists Set for October 16

     The Office for Parish Life and Evangelization will sponsor the annual Convocation for Catechists on Saturday, Oct. 16 with the theme, “Here I Am; Send Me.” The day will begin with Mass at 9 a.m. in St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wilkes-Barre. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will be the celebrant.
     The day will continue at Holy Redeemer High School. At 11 a.m. in the auditorium, Father Christopher T. Washington, Diocesan director of divine worship and of vocations, will deliver the keynote address entitled “Welcoming the New Roman Missal.” Lunch and a variety of workshops including a VIRTUS Training session are planned for the afternoon. The day will conclude at 3:30 p.m.
     This will be a day of Adult Faith Formation. All DREs, catechists, youth ministers and any adults in the Diocese who wish to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith are encouraged to attend. Registration will begin in September. For more information, call the Office for Parish Life at 207-2213, ext. 1105.

Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe

     The Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe will be taken up in the Diocese of Scranton on the weekend of Aug. 28-29. A portion of this collection will be sent in support of the following collections which annually were taken up in Lithuanian, Slovak, and Polish parishes:
     • The Lithuanian Catholic Religious Aid
     • The Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland
     • The Slovak Catholic Federation Appeal
     Because of the fall of communism and the entrance of many Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, many Catholics think that the needs of the region have been met. However, many parishes struggle in places where Catholics are in the minority, where the faithful lack proper places to worship and the ability to obtain pastoral care.
     “On behalf of the struggling parishes of the Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe, I ask for your support of this collection,” said Bishop Joseph C. Bambera. “Together we can help meet the essential pastoral needs of the region, such as seminary formation and parish maintenance.”
     By generously supporting the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, the Bishop noted, faithful in the Diocese of Scranton can “stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters across the globe in Central and Eastern Europe and parts of Asia that were once under Soviet control—where great needs remain.”

Pastoral Formation Institute Programs

Continuing Education
     The session entitled “The Caregiver: Love with a Mission,” originally scheduled for Aug. 10, has been rescheduled for Oct. 12, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Diocesan Center, Scranton. The presenter is Nancy Menapace, senior director of Visiting Nurses Association Hospice, who will assist caregivers with the adjustments and difficulties encountered in caring for another. These may include feelings of frustration, fatigue, and even loneliness. She will suggest ways in which the caregiver renews and revitalizes himself/herself so the responsibility of caring for another is rewarding and fulfilling.
Fee: $20 To register: call 570-207-2213, Ext. 1107.

     Father Cyril D. Edwards will conduct a session on “Dynamics of Youth Ministry” at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Mater Dolorosa Hall, Williamsport, on Sept. 16. The session will focus on creating a vision statement that will guide all future activities, selecting effective leadership personnel, and discussing the hurdles that often impede the creation of a successful youth program. A variety of practical projects will be shared for spiritual and service activities.
Fee: $20 per person or a flat fee of $50 for three or more persons from one parish. To register: call 570-207-2213, Ext. 1107.

     A four-evening session on “The Theology of the Body” will be given on Sept. 28, Oct. 12, 19 and 26 by Brendan Murphy. Pope John Paul’s “Theology of the Body” is a meditative reflection on what it means to be created male and female and how that relates to the gift of our sexuality. These sessions are of particular interest to teachers, catechists, youth ministers, married couples/parents, engaged couples or those interested in learning more about the gift the John Paul II has given the Church.
Fee: $25 which includes the book by Christiopher West, The Theology of the Body for Beginners. To register: call 570-207-2213, Ext. 1107.

Basic Skills for Catechists
     Recommended for those who are beginning their ministry as catechists and highly recommended for those who wish to strengthen their teachings skills, this course will include: using a teacher’s manual, lesson planning, classroom management, methods of prayer, among others. It will also explain ways in which the family unit can be incorporated into the religious education program.
     The course will explain the importance of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, The National Directory for Catechesis, and The Directives for Religious Education in Parishes and Schools in the Diocese of Scranton.
     The sessions will take place at three locations:
*Holy Rosary Church Hall, Duryea, – Aug. 23, 26, 30; Sept. 2 and 9 from 6-9 p.m. Instructor Mary Anne Malone.
*Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall, Montoursville – Sept. 11 and 25 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Instructor Deacon Joseph Roinick.
*St. Francis of Assisi Church, W. Hazleton – Sept. 13, 22, 27; Oct. 4 and 18 from 6-9 p.m. Instructor Mary Anne Malone.
Fee: $20 per person or a flat fee of $60 for three or more persons from one parish. To register: call 570-207-2213, Ext. 1107.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Training

Diocesan Center, Scranton
Oct. 5, 12, 19 Tuesdays 6:30-9 p.m. Deacon Gerard Carpenter

Good Shepherd Academy, Kingston
Oct. 4, 18, 25 Mondays 6:30-9 p.m. Deacon Thomas Cesarini

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Brodheadsville
Oct. 23 Saturday 9 a.m.4 p.m. Father Sean G. Carpenter

To register: call 570-207-2213, Ext. 1107.

Calling All Adult Faith Formation Coordinators

     Are you responsible for directing adult faith formation (AFF) in your parish or cluster? Do you have a desire to find ways in which you can increase the faith of the adult Catholics in your community? If so, please e-mail Brendan Murphy, Diocesan director of family life, marriage preparation, and adult faith formation at Brendan-Murphy@dioceseofscranton.org. This will put you on an electronic mailing list through which you will receive monthly e-mails containing suggestions on how to get AFF up and running in your parish/cluster, or how to improve existing programs. In addition, you will receive access to great resources, reviews of AFF materials, tips on how to incorporate technology into your apostolate, and other helpful suggestions geared towards evangelizing adult Catholics.

Natural Family Planning Instruction

     Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a non-contraceptive and morally sound form of family planning. Safe, effective, and completely natural, NFP can be used by all women, whether they have short/long/irregular cycles, are post-partum, or perimenopausal. Major scientific studies on the effectiveness of NFP done by such organizations as the University of Heidelberg, the British Medical Journal, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare have shown NFP to be over 99% effective in helping couples to postpone pregnancy. Unlike any other form of birth control, NFP can also help couples achieve pregnancy by giving them the tools necessary to identify the most fertile periods in a woman’s cycle.
     Monthly classes and one-on-one instruction are available through the Diocese for a minimal fee. For more information or to find a certified NFP instructor near you, please call 207-2213, ext. 1133 or e-mail Brendan-Murphy@dioceseofscranton.org. You can also explore the Natural Family Planning page at the diocesan website.

Adult Faith Formation Resources Available Online

     The August edition of the monthly adult faith formation (AFF) resource, Disciple, is now available on the AFF page at the diocesan website. This month’s issue features commentary on the Sunday Gospel readings, a look at how we live out the First Commandment, a listing of upcoming adult faith formation opportunities in the Diocese and reviews of the book Take Five: On the Job Meditations with St. Ignatius and the film Under the Same Moon.
     Also available on the Adult Faith Formation page is the next installment of AD: Anno Domini, which looks at the key events occurring in the life of the Church from A.D. 100-200.
     The August edition of the monthly family resource, Familia Fidelis, can be viewed on the Family Life page at the diocesan website. This month’s issue features a reflection for parents on the virtue of gratitude, an explanation for teens on free will and salvation, a review of An Illustrated Catechism for children, and a look at this month’s “Friend for Families,” St. Frances of Rome.

Mark Your Calendar

Support Group for Separated, Divorced & Widowed Persons, Aug. 20 –– 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.

Weekend Youth Retreat: “Up & Over,” Sept. 17-19 –– at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Weekend retreat for 7th & 8th grade students features fun activities and events, including outdoor obstacle course. Theme: “Teamwork and Recognizing God’s Gifts.” Retreat experience also includes Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, movie, free time, buffet-style meals and private rooms. Arrival time is Friday at 7 p.m.; departure, Sunday at 1 p.m. Cost: $110 includes $25 non-refundable deposit. Registration deadline: Sept. 8. For more information & registration, contact Fatima Center at 563-8500 or register online at: www.fatimarenewalcenter.org.

Retrouvaille Weekend, Sept. 24-26 –– at Fatima Renewal Center. Are you or a loved one currently going through a difficult time in your marriage? Retrouvaille is a weekend with additional follow-up sessions for stressed marriages led by a trained priest and married couples who have survived marital difficulties. It is not counseling or group therapy. A registration deposit is required and a donation will be requested; finances, however, should not prevent attendance. For more information, call 587-0415 or e-mail: Net530@comcast.net.