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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The Word of God Moves Human History |
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Christmas at the Cathedral |
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Mark Your Calendar |
The Word of God Moves Human History |
Pope Benedict XVI, speaking on the
second Sunday of Advent, explained how the
Gospel of St. Luke focuses its attention on John
the Baptist, precursor to the Messiah, and very
precisely outlines the area and period in which
his preaching took place.
“The Evangelist wished to inform those
reading or listening that the Gospel is not a
legend but the account of a real story, that
Jesus of Nazareth was a real person Who lived in
that specific context,” the pope said. “The
second element worthy of mention is that,
following this detailed historical introduction,
the subject turns to the ‘word of God’ presented
as a power that descends from on high and
alights on John the Baptist.”
Benedict XVI then went on to highlight how
“the Word of God is the force that moves
history, inspires prophets, prepares the way for
the Messiah, convenes the Church. Jesus Himself
is the divine Word Who became flesh in the
virginal womb of Mary. God revealed Himself
fully in Him. He told us and gave us everything,
opening us to the treasures of His truth and
mercy.” |
Christmas at the Cathedral |
Christmas liturgies at St. Peter’s
Cathedral will begin on Christmas Eve with a
Solemn Pontifical Vigil Mass of Christmas at 4
p.m. celebrated by Bishop John M. Dougherty,
Former Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton.
The Midnight Mass of Christmas will be
celebrated by Monsignor David Bohr, pastor of
the Cathedral Parish.
On Christmas Day, a Christmas Mass at Dawn
will be celebrated at 6:30 a.m.
At 10 a.m., a Solemn Pontifical Christmas
Day Mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Justin
Rigali, Metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia
and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of
Scranton. This Mass will be broadcast live by
Catholic Television: CTV.
Christmas Mass will also be celebrated at
12:15 p.m. Please note: there will be no 5
p.m. Mass on Christmas Day.
At Holy Family Church, which is linked with
the Cathedral, there will be a 4 p.m. Vigil Mass
on Christmas Eve celebrated by Monsignor Bohr. A
Midnight Mass of Christmas will be celebrated at
10 p.m.
On Christmas Day, Holy Family parishioners
are invited to participate in the 10 a.m. Solemn
Pontifical Christmas Day Mass at the Cathedral
celebrated by Cardinal Rigali.
Christmas Programs on CTV
In addition to the live broadcast of the 10
a.m. Christmas Day Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral
celebrated by Cardinal Rigali, CTV will air a
number of special programs during the Christmas
season:
Cathedrals Across America: Solemn Mass Of Our
Lady Guadalupe – From San Fernando
Cathedral, Holy Mass for the Feast of Our Lady
of Guadalupe celebrated by the Archbishop Jose
H. Gomez of San Antonio. Dec. 12, live at noon;
6:30 p.m. encore
Music for Advent and Christmas – A
concert of Advent and Christmas music by St.
Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Dunmore. Dec. 15,
9 p.m.; Dec. 16, 10 a.m.
A Time To Remember – This Christmas
favorite tells the story of a young boy who
develops his gift of song, with the help of a
beloved priest. It’s a journey that requires
faith, perseverance and a Christmas miracle.
Dec. 19, 8 p.m.; Dec. 23, 9 a.m.; Dec. 27, 1:30
p.m.
Siempre Navidad – The San Juan Children’s
Choir celebrates Christmas with music from
around the world; a unique concert expressing
the joyful spirit of the holidays in Puerto
Rico. Dec. 22, 11 p.m.; Dec. 23, 4:30 p.m.; Dec
24, 1 a.m.
Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve With Pope
Benedict XVI – Solemnity of the Birth of Our
Lord: Mass with the Holy Father from St. Peter’s
Basilica in Rome. Dec. 24, 4 p.m.; Dec. 25, 8
a.m. and 4 p.m.
Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve from the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception – Live from
Washington, D.C. Dec. 24, 10:30 p.m.
Urbi Et Orbi: Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas
Message To The World – From St. Peter's
Square, Rome. Join the Holy Father for his
inspiring Christmas Day message to the world on
the celebration of Christ’s birth. Dec. 25, live
at 6 a.m.; encores at 11 p.m. and Dec. 26, 1:30
a.m. and 6 p.m.
Catholic University of America Christmas
Concert – The Catholic University of America
presents its annual Christmas concert from the
magnificent Basilica of the National Shrine of
the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Dec. 27, 10 p.m.
An Irish Christmas – a FOCUS Special.
Dec. 29, 9 a.m.
A Christmas Concert – a FOCUS Special.
Dec. 29, 8 p.m.
Vespers of Thanksgiving – The Holy Father
will preside at the first vespers of
thanksgiving at the year's end in St. Peter's
Basilica. Dec. 31, live at noon; encore at 5
p.m.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God –
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and 43rd World
Day of Peace. Holy Father to preside at Mass in
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. Jan. 1, live at 4
a.m.; encores noon and 6:30 p.m. |
Mark Your Calendar |
Support Group for Separated, Divorced and
Widowed Persons, Dec. 18 –– 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.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Interpreted Mass, Jan. 10 –– at
St. Joseph’s Oblate 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. 1013 –– voice/tdd.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, Feb.
12-14 –– in the Bethlehem area. Sponsored by
Worldwide Marriage Encounter, the weekend
program Friday evening through Sunday afternoon
is an enrichment experience that helps good
marriages grow stronger. For information and
registration, call 1-800-787-7679, or visit the
Web site: www.wwme-nepa.org. Pre-registration
required.
Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection: “Lent –– A
Time of Invitation and Response,” Feb. 17 ––
at Fatima Renewal Center, 1000 Seminary Road,
Dalton. Guest presenter: Father John Polednak,
V.E., Episcopal Vicar of the Southern Pastoral
Region, who will lead participants into the
Lenten season, defined as an invitation by the
Lord to draw closer to Him in a spirit of true
repentance, humbly acknowledging our sins and
opening our hearts to a deeper sense of true
conversion. Mass will be celebrated, with the
distribution of ashes; opportunity for the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $30 includes
lunch. To register, call Fatima Center at
563-8500.
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