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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STATEMENT REGARDING POSSIBLE STUDENT
DEMONSTRATION AT HOLY REDEEMER HIGH SCHOOL |
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Bishop To Celebrate with Youth on Palm Sunday |
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Catholic Social Services Annual Diocesan
Collection |
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Developmental Disabilities Awareness Sunday |
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Mark Your Calendar |
STATEMENT REGARDING POSSIBLE STUDENT
DEMONSTRATION AT HOLY REDEEMER HIGH SCHOOL |
February 28, 2008
Parents of Holy Redeemer High School are being
contacted by the school today regarding a
possible demonstration by students in support of
the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic
Teachers (SDACT). Parents are being notified by
phone calls and/or email, and the following
letter will be posted on the school’s online
service available to parents. The letter will
also be posted on the Diocese of Scranton
website (www.dioceseofscranton.org) and emailed
to media.
Dear Parents,
The freedom of students to express support for
their teachers is not prohibited by Holy
Redeemer High School.
Such freedom, however, must not be exercised
during school hours because it might endanger
student safety and will certainly disrupt the
required good order of the school.
The Catholic education of the students in a
safe, secure environment is of primary
importance to the Administration, Teachers and
Staff of Holy Redeemer High School.
Therefore, student support is to take place
before or after school hours or on the weekend.
Parents are hereby asked to advise students that
disciplinary action will follow if a student
leaves either class or the school building
during school hours without permission.
Sincerely,
Mr. James Redington
Principal
Mrs. Anita Sirak
Associate Principal |
Bishop To Celebrate with Youth on Palm Sunday |
Young people from every region of the
Diocese of Scranton are called to join Bishop
Joseph F. Martino in the local celebration of
World Youth Day at a solemn Pontifical Mass on
Palm Sunday, March 16, at 12:15 p.m. at St.
Peter’s Cathedral.
This year, the International World Youth
Day is being held in Sydney, Australia July
11-15. Local Palm Sunday celebrations are a time
of preparation and solidarity for youth around
the world as that event draws near. All youth
are called to respond to the theme: "You will
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you; and you will be my witnesses." (Acts
1:8).
This year, Bishop Martino is calling on the
youth of the Diocese to join him at the
Cathedral, the seat of the Diocese, on the first
day of Holy Week to remind them of their
responsibility to be active witnesses to their
faith and missionaries to others.
As a part of the Palm Sunday Celebration,
students in grades 8 and 12 from Catholic
schools and parishes who have received Bishop’s
Youth Awards for 2008 will lead the procession
from the Holy Cross High School (Scranton
campus), 330 Wyoming Avenue, to St. Peter’s
Cathedral before the 12:15 p. m. Mass. Young
people from parish youth groups and Catholic
schools of the Diocese are invited to join the
recipients for the blessing of the Palms and the
procession to the Cathedral.
The Bishop’s Youth Award is given to young
men and women who have distinguished themselves
in the practice of the Catholic faith in their
parish and school communities by serving as
lectors, altar servers, coordinators of
Eucharistic devotions, parish council members,
and performing other missionary and service work
Prior to Palm Sunday, the Bishop’s Youth Awards
will be announced in parishes and schools to
recognize the young recipients for their
devotion to the faith and witness to Jesus
Christ.
Every young person of the Diocese of
Scranton is called to participate in this solemn
pontifical celebration that marks the beginning
of Holy Week and commemorates World Youth Day
2008 on the local level. In this liturgy, Bishop
Martino and the youth of the Diocese will help
usher the faithful of the Diocese into the
sacred and solemn celebration of Holy Week.
For more information regarding this special
day, or if you wish for your youth group or
school group to participate in the procession,
please contact the Office for Parish Life at
570-207-2213. |
Catholic Social Services Annual Diocesan
Collection |
Faithful of the Diocese of Scranton
will have the opportunity to help their less
fortunate brothers and sisters through a second
collection for Catholic Social Services to be
taken at this weekend’s Masses on the fourth
Sunday of Lent, March 1-2. In addition, letters
and pledge cards have been mailed to those who
contributed to the campaign in the past.
Catholic Social Services, through 10
offices in the Diocese and various outreach
programs, provides adoption and post-adoptive
services, foster care, affordable safe housing
for the elderly, immigration services, housing
and shelter for homeless men, women and
children, refugee and resettlement services,
drug and alcohol treatment, marriage and family
counseling, counseling for families and
adolescents, meals for over 400 men, women and
children 365 days a year, clothing, and food and
shelter in emergencies.
Last Year Catholic Social Services served
more than 200,000 men, women, children and
families, including some of the most needy and
vulnerable in the 11 counties of Northeastern
Pennsylvania.
“What a blessing it is for us to have
dedicated and professional individuals
ministering to those in need,” said Bishop
Joseph F. Martino. “We pray that the diocesan
collection will meet projected needs this year.”
Blessed Mother Teresa always insisted she
saw the face of Jesus in all she met. As we
reflect on the responsibilities of our
relationship with God and His people, let us
also reflect on how we react to those who ask,
seek, and knock upon our doors. May we reach out
to those feeling helpless and alone – and
respond to our Human Family by, giving the hope
and help that we would want to receive.
“A contribution to this collection will
enable CSS to help those who can’t help
themselves,” said Monsignor Joseph Kelly,
Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Social Services.
“By offering your financial support you will
have extended your hand to help God’s children
and will have met the challenge of Jesus, who
told us: ‘Whatever you do to the least brother
and sister of mine you do to me’.” (Mt.
25-40) |
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Sunday |
“Developmental Disabilities Awareness
Sunday” will be observed in the Diocese of
Scranton this Sunday, March 2.
This is a time for everyone to gather
prayerfully with our brothers and sisters who
have intellectual and developmental
disabilities, and to recognize the gifts they
have to offer to the Church and to the
community.
On that day, Bishop Martino will be the
principal celebrant of a special Mass at 10 a.m.
in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton. Our friends
who have developmental disabilities will
actively participate in the Mass as lectors,
greeters, altar servers, and gift and banner
bearers. All are welcome to join in this
beautiful celebration.
Following the Mass, the Lackawanna ARC will
host a breakfast in the auditorium of Holy Cross
High School, across from the Cathedral.
For more information, contact Sister Mary
Beth Makuch, SSCM, in the Office for Parish
Life, at 570-207-2213. |
Mark Your Calendar |
Day of Reflection: “The Power of the Holy
Spirit in Our Lives,” March 8 –– 9:30 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton.
Guest presenter: Monsignor John A. Esseff.
Offered by the Diocesan Office for Parish Life,
this Day of Reflection is designed to help
faithful grow in appreciation for the
transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The day’s
program includes celebration of Mass and the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $25, includes
lunch. To register, call 563-8500 or e-mail:
Fatima@dioceseofscranton.org.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Interpreted Mass -- Palm Sunday
Liturgy & Dinner, March 16 –– at Our Lady of
Mount Carmel Church, William St., Pittston. Mass
celebrated at 3 p.m., with Blessing of Palms and
outdoor procession weather permitting. Passion
narrative and Mass readings will be signed;
voice-over interpreting provided. Annual Palm
Sunday Dinner follows in the adjacent Mount
Carmel Parish Center. Reservations required; for
more information, contact Sister Mary Beth
Makuch, SSCM, at 207-2213 ext. 1013 –– voice/tdd.
Natural Family Planning Course –– series of
classes begins on April 8 at 7 p.m. in
Swoyersville. Course instruction in the sympto-thermal
method by an NFP instructor approved by the
Diocese of Scranton. For more
information/registration, call Carol Niewinski
287-4670. Registration deadline: March 30.
Married/Engaged Couples Workshop: ‘‘Forever
Yes: Communicating for Lifelong Marriage,’’
April 19 –– 9 a.m. to 12 noon at St.
Nicholas Church Hall, Wilkes-Barre.
Communication skills workshop for all married
and engaged couples, sponsored by the Diocesan
Office for Parish Life, to help build marital
commitment. Registration fee required early bird
rate by March 19. For more
information/registration, call Parish Life
Office 207-2213 or visit the Diocesan Web site:
www.dioceseofscranton.org/Marriage Care.
Engaged Encounter Weekend, April 25-27 ––
at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Marriage
preparation weekend program sponsored by the
Diocesan Office for Parish Life/Family Life.
Begins Friday evening and concludes Sunday
afternoon. For more information, call Nancy &
Jim Wilson 344-8028 or Kelly & John Stagen
775-2802. To register, visit Diocesan Web site:
www.dioceseofscranton.org/Marriage Preparation.
Registration deadline: April 10.
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