This Issue:

Water Damage Causes Temporary Adjustments in Chancery Building

Some Wireless Microphone Systems Must be Scrapped

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference Aug. 6-8 in Scranton

Continuing Education Course for Caregivers

Resources for Adult Faith Formation

Pastoral Formation Institute Presents Basic Skills for Catechists

Mark Your Calendar

Water Damage Causes Temporary Adjustments in Chancery Building

     Water damage from a broken pipe has forced some of the offices in the Chancery Building to temporarily relocate to other spaces in the building.
     The leak occurred sometime in the early morning of Wednesday, July 7 in a vacant room on the upper floor. It caused water to be released in some of the offices in the front section of the building.
     Water service had to be shut off in the building, and the offices were closed for that day. Cleanup began immediately by Damage Control Inc. of Eynon.
     The Chancery re-opened the following day, but several offices had to move to other spaces in the building. They include the Called to Holiness and Mission pastoral planning office, the Tribunal, some of the Finance offices, The Catholic Light office, and the receptionist in the lobby.
     Those offices and all others in the building can be contacted at their usual phone numbers. All visitors to the building must enter through the side door off of Linden Street and are asked to report to the Parish Life Office on the first floor.
     Damage Control personnel are working to ensure that the walls, ceiling areas and carpets in the affected areas are thoroughly dried. This is expected to take a few more days and will probably be completed sometime next week.
     The Diocese is grateful for the cooperation and patience of staff and visitors during this period of temporary inconvenience.

Some Wireless Microphone Systems Must be Scrapped

     The Diocese has been informed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that some wireless microphone systems may no longer be used because of a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation. It is important that any parish, school or other entity that uses a wireless microphone system be aware of this situation.
     The Federal Communications Commission has promulgated a new regulation requiring users of wireless microphones operating in the 700 MHz band (frequencies between 698 and 807 MHz) to stop operating those wireless microphone systems no later than June 12, 2010. The manufacturers of those devices never adequately informed purchasers of these systems that they were required to obtain an FCC license to operate in the 700 MHz band. Until last year, wireless microphones were sharing the 700 MHz band with television broadcasters, and no harmful interference resulted from that sharing.
     However, as part of the transition to digital television, last year broadcasters vacated channels 52 through 69, and that spectrum was licensed to commercial and public safety users. Wireless microphone systems which continue to operate in that spectrum will cause harmful interference with public safety communications, such as police, ambulances and fire departments, as well as commercial wireless broadband systems.
     The largest manufacturers of wireless microphone systems, Shure, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, and AKG are offering rebates to purchasers of their wireless microphones which used the 700 MHz band. The FCC decided that although wireless microphone users in the 700 MHz band had been violating FCC rules for years, it would not penalize those users, since they were not made aware of the improper use of the spectrum by the sellers of the wireless microphone systems.

How You Can Tell If Your Wireless Microphone System Is Prohibited
     See: www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones, and click on the link "Manufacturers Equipment List." There you will see a list of manufacturers and models that can no longer be used.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference Aug. 6-8 in Scranton

     The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Scranton will host their 28th Annual Conference Aug. 6-8 at the University of Scranton.
     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; 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.

Continuing Education Course for 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.

Resources for Adult Faith Formation

New Free Monthly Church History Resource Available
     Many parishioners in the Diocese of Scranton have expressed a desire to learn more about Church history, but often report feeling overwhelmed by the subject. A free monthly resource is now available online for parish based religion formation or independent learning. A.D.: Anno Domini will examine the key dates, concepts, and figures of Church history in an approachable and user friendly format. The first installment, currently available on the Adult Faith Formation page of the diocesan website, looks at the period immediately following Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension into Heaven (A.D. 30-100). Subsequent issues will build off of this foundation, focusing on periods of 50-100 years, and all past issues will be archived online.

July Editions of Disciple and Familia Fidelis Available Online
     The July edition of the monthly adult faith formation (AFF) resource, Disciple, is now available on the AFF page at the diocesan website. This month’s issue features commentary on the Sunday Gospel readings, a look at how we live out the eighth commandment, a listing of upcoming adult faith formation opportunities in the Diocese and reviews of the book Drinking From the Hidden Fountain and the film The Reluctant Saint.
     The July edition of the monthly family resource, Familia Fidelis, is also available on the Family Life page at the diocesan website. This month’s issue features a reflection for parents on how Christ restored marriage to its original dignity, an explanation for teens on what it means to be created in the image and likeness of God, a review of the St. Joseph picture books for children, and a look at this month’s “Friend for Families,” Blessed Jacopone of Todi.

Pastoral Formation Institute Presents 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 Holy Rosary Church Hall, Duryea, on Aug. 23, 26, and 30 and Sept. 2 and 9 from 6 – 9 p.m. Mary Anne Malone is the instructor.
     Fee for the course is $25 per person; with a flat fee of $60 for three of more persons from one parish. To register, call 570-207-2213, Ext. 1107.

Mark Your Calendar

Support Group for Separated, Divorced & Widowed Persons, July 16 –– 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.

Day of Reflection: “Our Call to Holiness,” July 17 –– 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Guest presenter: Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, who will lead participants in a day of prayer and reflection on the Baptismal call to be Christ in the world. The day includes celebration of Mass and opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $30 per person, includes lunch. To register, call Fatima Renewal Center at 563-8500.

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 per person, includes lunch. To register, call Fatima Renewal Center at 563-8500.