This Issue:

Bishop To Celebrate Charismatic Conference Closing Mass

Course Designed to Assist Caregivers

Natural Family Planning Instruction

Theology of the Body

Basic Skills for Catechists

Dynamics of Youth Ministry

Mark Your Calendar

Bishop To Celebrate Charismatic Conference Closing Mass

     The 28th annual conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese, set for Aug. 6-8 at the University of Scranton, will be the first presided over by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera.
     The recently installed tenth bishop of Scranton will serve as principal celebrant for the Charismatic Conference’s closing Mass on Sunday, Aug. 8, at 1:30 p.m.
     The theme of this year’s conference is: “Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and All these Things will be Given to You.” (Matthew 6:33)
     The 2010 conference speakers include: Kathleen McCarthy, president of In His Sign Network, a radio and communications ministry comprised of lay Catholics; Dominican Father Urban Hudlin, a world-renowned preacher and former moderator of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Trinidad and Tobago; Monsignor Joseph Malagreca, pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he serves as coordinator of the Charismatic Renewal for Hispanic and Haitian prayer groups; and Father Richard MacAlear, a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and full-time teacher and minister of healing, who has been active in Catholic Charismatic Renewal since 1972 and entered into healing ministry in 1976.
     The CCR conference also offers a Children’s Track, for ages five through 11, and a Youth Track for ages 12 through 18, presented by a gifted team of youth ministers.
     For more information and registration, contact the Catholic Charismatic Renewal office in Scranton at 344-2214.

Course Designed to Assist Caregivers

     The Pastoral Formation Institute in the Diocese of Scranton is sponsoring a continuing education course designed for those who take on the awesome and sacred responsibility of caring for a loved one.
     The course, “The Caregiver: Love with a Mission,” will be offered on Tuesday, Aug. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Diocesan Center in Scranton.
     Presented by guest instructor Nancy Menapace, the course will address the adjustments and difficulties one encounters in caring for another, including feelings of frustration, fatigue and even loneliness.
     The presentation will also assist the caregiver in dealing with these experiences, and provide ways in which the caregiver can be renewed and revitalized in order for the responsibility of caring for another to become rewarding and fulfilling.
     Cost for the course is $20. To register, call the Diocesan Office for Parish Life at 207-2213 ext. 1107.

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.

Theology of the Body

     A four-evening session on “The Theology of the Body” will be given on Sept. 28, Oct. 12, 19 and 26 by Brendan Murphy, Office for Parish Life. 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 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 and 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 the following locations:

*Holy Rosary Church Hall, Duryea, on Aug. 23, 26, and 30 and Sept. 2 and 9 from 6 – 9 p.m. Instructor: Mary Anne Malone

*St. Francis of Assisi Church, West Hazleton on Sept. 13, 22, 27, Oct. 4, 18 from 6 – 9 p.m. Instructor: Mary Anne Malone

*Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall, Montoursville on Sept. 11, 25 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Instructor: Deacon Joseph Roinick

Fee: $25 per person; a flat fee of $60 for three or more persons from one parish. To register, call 207-2213, Ext. 1107.

Dynamics of Youth Ministry

     Father Cyril D. Edwards will conduct a session on “Dynamics of Youth Ministry” at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Mater Dolorosa Hall, Williamsport, on Thursday, 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: 207-2213, Ext. 1107.

Mark Your Calendar

Day of Reflection: “The Eucharist –– ‘Source and Summit’ of Our Christian Lives,” Aug. 7 –– 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Guest presenter: Father James P. Dougher, who, through prayer and reflection, will lead participants in an appreciation of the Eucharist as a source of all grace, nourishing spiritual growth in order to live more fully in faith, hope and love. The reflection is highly recommended for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion; teachers in parish religious education programs, especially those who prepare children for the sacraments; and all those desiring personal refreshment through prayer and reflection of the Eucharist. The day includes celebration of Mass and opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $30, includes lunch. To register, call Fatima Renewal Center at 563-8500.

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.