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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Training Scheduled for Pastoral Planning Process |
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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity |
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Campaign Is Invitation To Assist Those In Need |
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Pilgrimage Feb. 3 for Our Lady of Lourdes
Anniversary |
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Diocese to Celebrate World Day for Consecrated
Life |
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Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection |
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Rite of Election To Be Held Feb. 10 at Cathedral |
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Catholic Schools’ Nights At W-B/Scranton
Penguins |
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Maintenance Position at Fatima Center |
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Mark Your Calendar |
Training Scheduled for Pastoral Planning Process |
The recently announced project,
entitled Called to Holiness and Mission:
Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Scranton,
continues this month with training for the
various groups that will be responsible for
guiding the process.
Prayer, information and training for the
process are very important. On Dec. 3 there was
a required orientation meeting for all priests
and deacons. Because important information was
given, the gathering was videotaped and those
unable to be present will attend a meeting on
Jan. 17 or 19.
On Jan. 28, there will be a training
session for parish facilitators. On Jan. 29 and
30 there will be eight meetings throughout the
Diocese for the required training of Parish Core
Teams. The Diocesan Planning Commission will be
trained on Jan. 30.
The Reid Group, a company that has
extensive national experience in planning within
a wide variety of organizations at the diocesan,
parish and school levels, is facilitating the
process and will present the training. |
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity |
“Pray without ceasing” (1
Thessalonians 5:12a, 13b-18) is the theme
for this year’s celebration of the Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25.
The observance of the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity 2008 is a special one as it
marks the 100th anniversary of the inception of
a prayer octave (eight days) for the unity of
Christians. Father Paul Wattson, Episcopal
priest and co-founder of the Society of the
Atonement at Graymoor (Garrison, N.Y.),
introduced the Church Unity Octave from January
18-25, 1908.
Marking this centennial celebration, the
faithful of the Diocese of Scranton are invited
to St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, on Thursday,
Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. for An Ecumenical
Celebration of God’s Word. Please note the time
of this year’s prayer service. Bishop Joseph F.
Martino will preside.
The Rev. Robert L. Driesen, recently
installed bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
will deliver the message. Clergy and
representatives from various Christian
traditions and ecumenical agencies will be
present. The public is cordially invited to
attend. The service will be aired on CTV:
Catholic Television.
For information and resources for the 2008
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, visit the
Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute
at: www.geii.org. |
Campaign Is Invitation To Assist Those In Need |
Established by the Catholic Bishops of
the United States in 1970, the Catholic Campaign
for Human Development (CCHD) provides funds for
anti-poverty programs which enable poor and low
income people to attain a more sufficient
standard of life. The mission of CCHD is to take
on the causes of poverty by empowering people
and is rooted in the basic principles of
Catholic social teaching.
Each year, CCHD raises funds through a
collection in all Catholic parishes in the
United States. This year’s collection in the
Diocese of Scranton will be taken up the weekend
of Jan. 26-27.
In recent years, funds from CCHD have been
used particularly in our Diocese to bring
assistance and hope to immigrant families
seeking an opportunity to achieve a full life.
Funds are also used in the training of
immigration law counselors who assist eligible,
low-income immigrants with the naturalization
process. Other benefits include family
reunification, voting rights, employment,
ownership of property, and self-sufficiency.
“The Catholic Campaign for Human
Development is an invitation to Catholics to
live out their faith by using their resources
and gifts to assist our brothers and sisters in
need,” said Bishop Martino. “The goals of the
programs to be funded must address the areas of
catechesis, immigration, and higher education
while closely adhering to the mission of the
Diocese and the teachings of the Catholic
Church.”
For more information on the local campaign,
contact David Clarke, Diocesan director of
social concerns, in the Office for Parish Life
at 570-207-2213. |
Pilgrimage Feb. 3 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, Pope
Benedict XVI 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, the days leading up to the
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Feb. 11. This
feast is also the World Day of the Sick, as
proclaimed by Pope John Paul II.
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. The pilgrimage will involve recitation of the
Rosary beginning at 1:45 p.m. followed by
celebration of Holy Mass at 2 p.m.
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.
This pilgrimage is open to all. No
reservations are required. Our Lady of Lourdes
Church is located at Walnut and Mulberry Sts. in
Montoursville, Lycoming County.
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. |
Diocese to Celebrate World Day for Consecrated
Life |
The annual World Day for Consecrated
Life will be celebrated in the Diocese of
Scranton on Sunday, Feb. 3, with a 10 a.m.
Pontifical Mass in St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty will
serve as the principal celebrant and homilist.
The theme for this year’s celebration is:
“Blessed by God.”
All women and men Religious and members of
various forms of consecrated life have been
invited to this special event, during which
professed religious Sisters and priests who are
celebrating jubilee anniversaries will be
honored.
A reception following the Eucharistic
celebration will be held at nearby Holy Cross
High School.
The Scranton Diocese views the occasion as
an opportunity to educate Catholics about the
consecrated life, and to note the many
contributions to the Church by men and women
religious and members of secular institutes.
“The women and men who are living out their
vocations in the consecrated life are extremely
important to the Church and this Diocese,” said
Monsignor William J. Feldcamp, V.E., Episcopal
Vicar for Consecrated Life. “They deserve our
recognition, gratitude and prayers for their
continued faithful service.”
This year, 50 men and women Religious
serving in the Diocese are marking their
jubilees of ordination or profession of vows of
poverty, chastity and obedience. |
Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection |
The Diocesan Office for Parish Life is
offering an Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection to
begin the upcoming Lenten season.
The program, “Our Lenten Journey: From
Ashes to Glory,” will be presented on Ash
Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
at Fatima Renewal Center, 1000 Seminary Road,
Dalton, by Very Rev. Paul McDonnell, OSJ,
provincial superior of the Oblates of St. Joseph
and rector of St. Joseph’s Oblate Seminary in
Pittston.
This reflection day will explore the Lenten
themes of prayer, charity and sacrifice, which
identify followers of the suffering Jesus.
Father McDonnell will explain how these
practices, performed more fully during the
40-day Lenten journey, prepare faithful to share
in the Resurrection glory of authentic Christian
living.
The day will include celebration of Mass
and distribution of ashes. The Sacrament of
Reconciliation also will be available to
participants.
Program fee is $25 and includes lunch. To
register, call Fatima Renewal Center at
563-1131. |
Rite of Election To Be Held Feb. 10 at Cathedral |
The Rite of Election of Catechumens and
the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates
Preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or
Reception into Full Communion of the Catholic
Church will take place on Sunday, Feb. 10 at
3:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton.
Information regarding the Rite of Election
may be obtained by calling Nancy Valtos in the
Office for Parish Life at 570-207-2213, ext.
1019. |
Catholic Schools’ Nights At W-B/Scranton
Penguins |
The Diocese of Scranton’s Catholic
Schools are teaming up with the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team to
celebrate two Family Nights for upcoming Penguin
games at Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre. The
games are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb.
29, and Saturday, March 1.
Diocesan Catholic school students and their
families will be eligible for special group
rates whereby fans can save more than $20 on
ticket prices. Catholic school ticket-holders
will be entitled to free refreshments and a
complimentary Penguins baseball cap.
The Penguins organization is also asking
that anyone who purchases tickets through the
special offer to wear some article of green
clothing for the games they will be attending in
support of Catholic education.
For more information and to order tickets,
contact Chris Sipsky, of the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, at 570-970-3607
or e-mail: csipsky@wbspenguins.com. |
Maintenance Position at Fatima Center |
The Diocese of Scranton is seeking
qualified candidates for a Maintenance position
at the Fatima Center in Dalton. The position
requires a minimum of three years of proven
experience in general maintenance and
groundskeeping.
This is a full-time position which includes
benefits as outlined in the Diocesan Personnel
Handbook. Anyone interested in applying for this
position is asked to submit a letter of interest
with salary requirement and a complete resume
to: James Burke, Diocesan Director of Human
Resources, 300 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA.
18503 |
Mark Your Calendar |
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 12 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.
For more information/registration, call Parish
Life Office 207-2213 or visit the Diocesan
website: www.dioceseofscranton.org/Marriage
Care.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Interpreted Mass, Feb. 10 –– 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, Feb. 15 –– 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.
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.
Intermediate Sign Language, Feb. 19, 26,
March 4 & 11 Tuesdays –– 6 to 8 p.m. at the
Diocesan Center, Scranton. A continuation of
“Introduction to Sign Language,” this course
will present the language of the Deaf Culture on
a higher and broader level of learning.
Presenter: Sister Mary Beth Makuch, SSCM. Fee:
$30. For more information & registration, call
207-2213 ext. 1107.
Lenten Day of Reflection: “The Seven Last
Words of Jesus,” Feb. 23 –– 9:30 a.m. to
2:30 p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton.
Guest presenter: Father Charles P. Connor.
Spiritual program designed to enrich faithful on
their Lenten journey through a prayerful
explanation of Jesus’ last words before his
death on the Cross. Day includes celebration of
Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee:
$25, includes lunch. To register, call 563-8500
or e-mail: Fatima@dioceseofscranton.org.
Beginning Experience Weekend, Feb. 29-March 2
–– at Fatima Center, Dalton. Sponsored by the
Diocesan Office for Parish Life/Family Life,
Beginning Experience support groups for
divorced, separated or widowed offer an
opportunity for healing one’s loss in a caring
atmosphere. For more information & registration,
call Mary at 629-0651 or Ann at 587-2851.
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 for 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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