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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Nativity Scene and Tree: Symbols Of Christ’s
Nativity |
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Pilgrimage Planned for Our Lady of Lourdes
Anniversary |
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Official Notice On Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre
Foundation |
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General Intercessions |
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Mark Your Calendar |
Nativity Scene and Tree: Symbols Of Christ’s
Nativity |
The Holy Father, recently addressing a
delegation from the Italian region that supplied
this year’s Christmas tree for St. Peter's
Square, said that the Christmas tree “is an
important symbol of Christ’s Nativity because
with its evergreen leaves it recalls the life
that does not die.”
The tree and the nativity scene are
elements of that typical Christmas atmosphere
which is part of the spiritual heritage of our
communities; an atmosphere suffused with
religiosity and family intimacy which we must
conserve even in our modern societies where the
race to consumerism and the search for material
goods sometimes seem to prevail, he said.
“Christmas is a Christian feast,” added
Benedict XVI in conclusion, “and its symbols,
especially the nativity scene and the tree hung
with gifts, are important references to the
great mystery of the Incarnation and the Birth
of Jesus, which are constantly evoked by the
liturgy of Advent and Christmas.” |
Pilgrimage Planned for Our Lady of Lourdes
Anniversary |
One hundred fifty years ago this year,
the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St
Bernadette Soubirous near Lourdes in southern
France. To mark this special anniversary, the
Holy Father has granted a plenary indulgence to
any of the faithful who make a pilgrimage to a
church where an image of Our Lady of Lourdes is
venerated publicly. The days for receiving this
special fruit of the Church’s spiritual treasury
are from Feb. 2-11, 2008, the days leading up to
the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Feb. 11.
Bishop Martino will lead the faithful of
our Diocese in a local pilgrimage to Our Lady of
Lourdes Church in Montoursville on Sunday, Feb.
3, 2008, at 2 p.m. The pilgrimage will involve
recitation of the Rosary and the celebration of
Holy Mass. Since this particular apparition of
Our Lady has always been associated with
physical healings, the sick who are able to
attend are particularly encouraged, as well as
those who are praying for healing for the sick.
The traditional blessing of throats associated
with the Feb. 3 memorial of St Blase will also
be celebrated.
CTV: Catholic Television will tape the
celebration and broadcast it during the
succeeding week so that those who are unable to
attend will also be able to take part. |
Official Notice On Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre
Foundation |
The faithful of the Diocese of Scranton
are hereby informed regarding the entity called
Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc. with
headquarters in Shavertown, Pennsylvania. This
organization is a private non-profit corporation
under Pennsylvania law. Sacred Heart
Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc. is not an agent or
established entity of the Catholic Church or the
Diocese of Scranton. There is no connection
whatsoever with the Diocese or Sacred Heart of
Jesus Parish, Wilkes-Barre.
This notice is required so that the
faithful may understand the status of Sacred
Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc. as it
relates to the Diocese of Scranton. The
Foundation’s efforts are entirely independent
efforts by private individuals who are not
authorized by the Bishop or the Pastor to
undertake fund raising for Sacred Heart of Jesus
Church, Wilkes-Barre.
James B. Earley
Chancellor
Diocese of Scranton
December 26, 2007 |
General Intercessions |
| Men and women from every parish in the
Diocese of Scranton are serving in the U.S.
Armed Forces, many in dangerous parts of the
world such as Iraq. Pastors are therefore urged
to seek God’s protection for them through
praying for them during the general
intercessions offered at every Mass of
obligation. |
Mark Your Calendar |
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Interpreted Mass, Jan. 13 –– at
St. Joseph’s Oblate Seminary, 1880 Highway 315,
Laflin. Religious information 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.
Support Group for Separated, Divorced &
Widowed Persons, Jan. 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 held every third Friday offers
support to cope with sorrow, doubt, anxiety and
loneliness after losing a spouse. For more
information/registration, call 342-5166.
Retrouvaille Weekend, Feb. 8-10 –– at
Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Sponsored by the
Diocesan Office for Parish Life/Family Life, the
weekend program is designed for couples to
address marital difficulties. Retrouvaille helps
couples to communicate better, using a method
that can aid in building a loving and lasting
relationship. Call 655-1916 or 800-470-2230 for
confidential information/registration, or visit
the Diocesan website: www.dioceseofscranton.org/marriage
& family support/marriage enrichment.
Married/Engaged Couples Workshop: “Forever
Yes: Communicating for Lifelong Marriage,” Feb.
9 –– 9 a.m. to noon at Our Lady of Victory
Parish Center in Tannersville. Communication
skills workshop for all married and engaged
couples, sponsored by the Diocesan Office for
Parish Life, to help build marital commitment.
Registration fee: $35 per couple early
registration fee by Jan. 9: $30. For more
information/registration, call Parish Life
Office 207-2213 or visit the Diocesan website:
www.dioceseofscranton.org/Marriage Care.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, Feb.
15-17 –– at St. Francis Center, Bethlehem
(Allentown Diocese). Sponsored by Worldwide
Marriage Encounter, the program is an enrichment
experience that helps good marriages grow
stronger. For information & registration, call
1-800-787-7679, or visit the website:
www.wwme-nepa.org. Registration deadline: Feb.
2.
Ministry of Consolation Training, March 1-2
–– at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Sponsored
by the Diocesan Office for Parish Life, training
program of the National Catholic Ministry to the
Bereaved includes Order of Christian Funerals,
grief process, listening skills, grief support
groups, and development of parish programs.
Begins Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and concludes
Sunday at 4 p.m. Registration fee one-night
lodging, five weekend meals, manual and
additional materials: $225/person; $440/couple;
or $205/commuter. Registration deadline: Feb.
13. Early registration fee reduction available.
For more information and to register, call
207-2213 or e-mail Parish Life Office at:
mary-ann-paulukonis@dioceseofscranton.org.
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