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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News Briefing |
This Issue:
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Catholic Bishops Urge Congressional E-mail
Effort to Keep Pro-Life Abortion Laws |
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Catholic Social Services Diocesan Collection
March 21-22 |
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New Catholic Light Circulation Policy |
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Evening of Reflection for Religious Sisters |
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Men’s Holy Hour Rescheduled to March 28 |
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Mark Your Calendar |
Catholic Bishops Urge Congressional E-mail
Effort to Keep Pro-Life Abortion Laws |
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) – On the
heels of a national postcard campaign that saw
millions of pro-life Americans contact members
of Congress in opposition to the Freedom of
Choice Act (FOCA), the nation’s Catholic bishops
are now urging an e-mail campaign to ask elected
officials to oppose that bill and to keep
current pro-life laws on abortion in place.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
says it wants Congress “to maintain
widely-supported pro-life policies and to oppose
the federal funding and promotion of abortion.”
Deirdre McQuade, a pro-life spokeswoman for
the bishops, explained the goal of the new
supplemental email campaign.
“To guard against the erosion of current
pro-life measures, and to keep abortion from
becoming a federal entitlement, our voice is
needed now more than ever,” she told
LifeNews.com.
Ms. McQuade said that for the Fight FOCA
Postcard Campaign tens of millions of cards have
been distributed in parishes, schools,
non-Catholic churches, and civic organizations
across the country. More than 50,000 postcards
were sent to Congress from faithful in the
Diocese of Scranton.
“The e-mail campaign will give even more
citizens the chance to participate,” she noted.
The e-mails urge a constituent’s senators
and representative to “please oppose FOCA or any
similar measure” and “retain existing laws
against funding and promotion of abortion.”
They also state: “It is especially
important that Congress retain these laws in the
various appropriations bills, e.g., the Hyde
Amendment in the Labor/Health and Human Services
appropriations bill.”
All faithful are asked to contact their
U.S. senators and urge strong support for the
pro-life amendments. Contact information for any
senator and representative can be found at:
U.S. Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
U.S. House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/ |
Catholic Social Services Diocesan Collection
March 21-22 |
Faithful in the Diocese of Scranton
will have the opportunity to help their brothers
and sisters by supporting the annual collection
for Catholic Social Services.
During Masses the weekend of March 21-22, a
second collection will be taken in all churches.
Letters and pledge cards have been mailed to all
those who have contributed in the past.
C.S.S. employs more than 180 individuals
throughout the 11 counties of Northeastern and
Central Pennsylvania which comprise the Diocese
of Scranton.
The programs offered include adoption and
post-adoptive services, housing and shelter for
homeless men, women and children, including
pregnant women and entire families. Affordable
safe housing for the elderly is provided in five
locations.
Foster care, family enrichment as well as
immigration services, refugee and resettlement
services are some of the programs that make a
difference in people’s lives. Drug and alcohol
treatment and Big Brothers/Big Sisters are also
programs of C.S.S. Meals are served daily to 400
men, women, and children as well as emergency
food, clothing and shelter.
Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, Diocesan
Secretary for Catholic Human Services, has
reported a 52% increase in requests for food
assistance and a 67% increase in people seeking
help with their utilities.
“The working poor are growing in number
throughout our region,” he said. “More and more
hard working people are struggling to put food
on their table and keep a roof over their head.”
Bishop Joseph F. Martino has asked all
parishes to join together with Catholic Social
Services to meet the needs of the people of the
Diocese. “We know the needs of so many of our
brothers and sisters are greater than last year.
Let us pray that this year’s C.S.S. Collection
will provide sufficient funds to meet the needs
of those most vulnerable,” he said.
“A contribution to this collection will
enable C.S.S. to help those who can’t help
themselves,” added Monsignor Kelly. “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.’” |
New Catholic Light Circulation Policy |
The last three editions of The
Catholic Light have contained notices about
a new circulation policy. Except for a small
number of paid subscribers, the current
circulation is primarily based on parish quotas
and mailing lists that were developed many years
ago. In some cases, these lists are outdated or
may not always be in sync with the people who
are actively supporting their parishes and the
Diocese at-large. Therefore, the parish quotas
and mailing lists will no longer be used.
Instead, The Catholic Light will be
sent to all those who have made a gift or pledge
to the current Diocesan Annual Appeal or those
who have made a gift to last year’s Appeal.
People who are currently on a parish mailing
list but have not yet donated to the Appeal can
subscribe to the paper for the modest cost of
$10 per year.
This new system will be in effect with the
April 9, 2009 issue. The next edition of the
paper on March 19 will include an envelope so
that anyone who has not supported the Appeal can
ensure they will continue to receive the paper
by remitting $10 for a one-year subscription. |
Evening of Reflection for Religious Sisters |
An Evening of Reflection for all women
Religious serving in the Diocese of Scranton
will be held on Tuesday, March 24, at St. Maria
Goretti Church in Laflin.
Bishop Joseph F. Martino will serve as principal
celebrant and homilist for the day’s Eucharistic
liturgy.
The program opens with registration at 3:30
p.m., followed by the conference/reflection with
the theme, “Transformed by the Face of Jesus,”
to be presented by Christian Charity Sister Ann
Marie Paul.
A native of Reading, Sister Ann Marie
entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1999
and will profess her final vows as a member of
the religious community on Aug. 15. Having
taught theology at Catholic high schools in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, she recently served
as a theology instructor at Assumption College
for Sisters in Mendham, N.J. This past January
she began an Administrative Residency in health
care at Susquehanna Health in Williamsport.
Sister Ann Marie earned a master’s degree
in theology from Villanova University and a
master of healthcare administration from Seton
Hall University. An experienced retreat leader
and presenter, she has contributed to several
publications on Catholic religious life and
vocations and currently serves as coordinator of
the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Committee of the North American Eastern Province
of the Sisters of Christian Charity.
A Reconciliation Service will follow Sister
Ann Marie’s presentation at approximately 4:30
p.m., and several priests of the Diocese will be
available to hear confessions.
The Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. A
dinner will follow in the church hall to close
the program.
Invited guests are asked to respond by
contacting the Office for Consecrated Life at
207-2243; fax 207-2279. |
Men’s Holy Hour Rescheduled to March 28 |
The Catholic Men’s Holy Hour has been
rescheduled from March 14 to Saturday, March 28,
at St. Joseph’s Oblate Seminary on Rt. 315 in
Pittston.
Registration will be from 1:30 p.m. until 2
p.m. The Holy Hour will be held at 2 p.m.
Afterward, Bishop Joseph F. Martino will meet
with the men at 3 p.m. to discuss his vision for
this new men’s movement. All men are most
welcome.
The Guardian of the Redeemer Catholic Men’s
Fellowship, which is associated with the
National Catholic Men’s Fellowship, aims to
encourage groups of men to enhance their
discipleship and help each other to be good
Catholic fathers and husbands.
Men from every parish in the Diocese, as
well as members of Holy Name Societies, Knights
of Columbus and the Diocesan Council of Catholic
Men, are invited to participate, beginning with
attendance at the March 28 Holy Hour.
For more information, contact Glen Yanik,
coordinator of the Fellowship, at 570-362-0417
or gmyanik@epix.net; or Father Leo McKernan,
chaplain, at 570-825-6669 or
mckernan@stleosashley.com. |
Mark Your Calendar |
Support Group for Separated, Divorced &
Widowed Persons, March 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.
Day of Reflection: “Our Call to Holiness and
Service with St. Paul,” Sunday, March 22 ––
1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. John Church, East
Stroudsburg. Guest presenter: Father John C.
Lambert. This Reflection Day will help
participants to recognize and appreciate how all
are called through conversion to lead
faith-filled lives following the example of St.
Paul. Program includes celebration of Mass and
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $30,
includes light dinner. To register, call the
Diocesan Office for Parish Life at 207-2213 ext.
1107.
Day of Reflection: “Our Call to Holiness and
Service with St. Paul,” Saturday, April 4 ––
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center,
Dalton. Guest presenter: Monsignor John A.
Esseff. This Reflection Day will help
participants to recognize and appreciate how all
are called through conversion to lead
faith-filled lives following the example of St.
Paul. Program includes celebration of Mass and
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $30,
includes lunch. To register, call the Diocesan
Office for Parish Life at 207-2213 ext. 1107.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Palm Sunday Celebration, April 5
–– Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, William
Street, Pittston. Confession at 2 p.m., Solemn
Liturgy of Palm Sunday with the blessing of
palms, procession and signing of the Passion
beginning at 3:15 p.m. Dinner follows at the
Parish Center, adjacent to the church.
Reservations and tickets are required for the
dinner. For more information, call Sister Mary
Beth Makuch, SSCM, 207-2213 ext. 1107, or Leo C.
Henry, 829-6410 TDD.
Intermediate Sign Language, April 20, 27 &
May 4, 11 Mondays –– 6 to 8 p.m. at Holy
Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre. 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: $45. For more information and
registration, call 207-2213 ext. 1107.
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