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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Planning Begins for Bishop-elect Bambera’s
Installation |
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Catholic Social Services Diocesan Collection
March 13-14 |
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Regional Prayer-Reflection Training Sessions |
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Teaching Touching Safety Required in Religious
Education Programs |
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Termination of Flu Season Directives |
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Pastoral Formation Institute Offering Programs |
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Mark Your Calendar |
Planning Begins for Bishop-elect Bambera’s
Installation |
Planning is underway for the Ordination
and Installation of Bishop-elect Joseph C.
Bambera as the 10th Bishop of Scranton.
The ceremonies will consist of Evening
Prayer at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, and the
Ordination and Installation the following day,
Monday, April 26, at 2 p.m. Both services will
take place at St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Because of limited seating in the
Cathedral, attendance at these services will be
by invitation only. CTV: Catholic Television
will broadcast the ceremonies live, and the
local television stations have also expressed
interest in carrying the live broadcast on April
26.
More details about the ceremonies will be
announced as they are finalized. |
Catholic Social Services Diocesan Collection
March 13-14 |
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 13-14, 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 200 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 at St. Vincent de Paul and
St. Francis of Assisi Kitchens to over 700 men,
women and children everyday. C.S.S. offers four
food pantries and five clothing rooms.
Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, V.E., Diocesan
Secretary for Catholic Human Services, reports
that “The working poor are growing in number
throughout our region – more and more hard
working people are struggling to put food on
their table and keep a roof over their head.”
Bishop-elect Joseph C. Bambera 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 a
compassionate 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.’” |
Regional Prayer-Reflection Training Sessions |
As the implementation of Called to
Holiness and Mission continues, all members
of Implementation Teams will be attending
regional meetings this month to engage in
prayer, reflection and further training.
Representatives of The Reid Group, the
national consulting firm that is facilitating
the pastoral planning process, will facilitate
the meetings.
According to Monsignor Vincent J. Grimalia,
director of Called to Holiness and Mission,
the meetings are designed to provide team
members with the spiritual and practical
resources they can use to help them continue
with the implementation of the planning
directives for their clusters.
In addition, having people from different
clusters together should allow for sharing of
information and suggestions for making the
process successful.
“We appreciate the sacrifices our team
members are making to implement the directives
of Called to Holiness and Mission, and we
anticipate that they will find the upcoming
regional meetings beneficial,” Monsignor
Grimalia said. “It should be an enriching
experience for everyone.”
He emphasized that all team members are
encouraged to attend, whether the parishes in
their particular cluster are in linkage,
consolidation (past or future), or partnership.
“Even if your particular church building is
closed, you have a voice and a role in the
future of the consolidated parish – which is now
your parish,” Monsignor Grimalia added.
The meetings will help with the development of
both the Cluster Evaluation and Cluster Plan
that are to be submitted by each cluster in May.
The schedule for the Regional
Prayer-Reflection Training Sessions follows:
Northern Region:
Monday, March 15: 7- 9 p.m. at Divine Mercy
Parish Center, (formerly St. Joseph's), 312
Davis St., Minooka (Clusters 1-8)
Tuesday, March 16: 7- 9 p.m. at Sacred Heart of
Jesus Parish Center, 1101 Willow St., Peckville
(Clusters 9-14 and Western Cluster 12)
Southern Region:
Monday, March 15: 7- 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel Parish Center, 237 William St., Pittston
(Clusters 1-8)
Tuesday, March 16: 7- 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel Parish Center, 237 William St., Pittston
(Clusters 9-15)
Eastern Region:
Tuesday, March 16: 7- 9 p.m. at Holy Family
Academy, 1700 W. 22nd Street, Hazleton (Clusters
1-4)
Wednesday, March 17: 7- 9 p.m. at Monsignor
McHugh School, RR #1, Box 1780, Route 390,
Cresco (Clusters 5 thru 9)
Western Region:
Monday, March 15: 7- 9 p.m. at SS. Peter and
Paul Church Hall, 106 Third St., Towanda
(Clusters 1-6)
Wednesday, March 17: 7- 9 p.m. at Monsignor
Castellano Hall, (St. Joseph the Worker Parish)
635 Hepburn St., Williamsport (Clusters 7-11) |
Teaching Touching Safety Required in Religious
Education Programs |
The Catholic Church continues to refine
its programs to ensure safe environments for
children. An important part of this commitment
is the VIRTUS Teaching Touching Safety Program
for children.
The program has been used successfully in
Diocesan Catholic schools since 2005, and in the
fall of 2008 was introduced in parish Religious
Education (CCD) classes. It teaches the children
about safe and unsafe touches and safe and
unsafe adults in an age-appropriate manner. The
lessons are based on the Catechism of the
Catholic Church.
This program is required for the Diocese to
maintain compliance with the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection
of Children and Young People. The Diocese
must be able to verify that the program is being
taught in all parishes.
If pastors, directors of religious
education or catechists have any questions about
the program, or need assistance with
implementation, they may call Gail Fromm,
compliance officer, at 570-207-2214, or Mary
Anne Malone, religious education director, at
570-207-2213, ext. 1100. |
Termination of Flu Season Directives |
Cardinal Justin Rigali has informed
Bishop-elect Joseph C. Bambera that effective
Sunday, March 14, the exchange of the sign of
peace and the distribution of the Precious Blood
for the faithful will be reintroduced in the
manner indicated by established liturgical
norms.
According to Cardinal Rigali, “The
information available from the Center for
Disease Control confirms that the 2009 H1N1 Flu
has significantly dissipated throughout the
country and especially in our region.
Individuals must still be encouraged to use good
sense if they are ill and have flu-like symptoms
when they are in group settings.” |
Pastoral Formation Institute Offering Programs |
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
Training
Deacon Gerard Carpenter will serve as the
instructor for an Extraordinary Minister of Holy
Communion Training on March 9, 16, and 24. The
sessions will take place at the Diocesan Center,
Scranton, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Another training session will be conducted
by Deacon Thomas Cesarini on April 12, 19 and
26, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Holy Redeemer High
School, Wilkes-Barre.
Fee: $30 per person, materials included. To
register, call 207-2213, Ext. 1107.
One’s Giftedness in New Parish Structures
Mercy Sister Jane O’Donnell will conduct an
evening presentation, entitled “One’s Giftedness
in New Parish Structures,” on Tuesday, March 16,
from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist
Church Hall in Pittston.
Sister Jane’s presentation will focus on
the giftedness of individuals as they begin to
reorganize ministries within the new parish
structure or for those parishes who anticipate
the process of restructuring. Some of the
ministries may include religious education,
RCIA, and parish ministries such as societies,
youth programs, lectors and music ministers.
Sister will speak of transition as a time
of grief, loss and change, but also as a
valuable time for giftedness and connectedness,
and also as an opportunity for the building of
God’s Kingdom within parishes.
A pastoral/educator counselor at Mercy
Consultation Center, Dallas, Sister Jane directs
educational and retreat programs, support group
facilitations and transitional/grief workshops.
Registration fee for the program is $30 per
person or a flat fee of $50 for three of more
persons from one parish. For more information
and to register, call 207-2213, ext. 1107.
Dynamics of Youth Ministry
A two-part workshop on the “Dynamics of
Youth Ministry” will be offered on March 15 and
22 at the Diocesan Center in Scranton. Father
Cyril Edwards will serve as the instructor for
the workshop to be presented on the consecutive
Monday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m.
The course offering will present a
comprehensive approach to building a successful
youth ministry program in any parish, and will
prove helpful whether a parish is planning to
start a program or seeks to enhance an existing
one.
The first workshop session will focus on
the key concepts of creating a vision statement
that will guide all future activities. It will
also focus on selecting effective leadership
personnel. During the second session of the
course, a host of practical projects will be
presented that can work in any area of the
Diocese.
Course fee is $30 per person or a group fee
of $50 for three or more persons from one
parish. To register, call the Parish Life Office
in Scranton at 207-2213 ext. 1107. |
Mark Your Calendar |
Retrouvaille Weekend, March 12-14 –– at
Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Sponsored by the
Diocesan Office for Parish Life/Family Life,
Retrouvaille is a weekend program for couples in
a stressed marriage. Led by a trained priest and
married couples who have survived marital
difficulties, the weekend does not consist of
counseling or group therapy. Focus will be on
healthy communication, trust/forgiveness issues,
and issues connected with intimacy/rediscovering
romance. A registration deposit is required;
donation is also requested. For more
information, call Bob and Nettie at 587-0415.
All calls are confidential. Registration
deadline is March 8.
Support Group for Separated, Divorced &
Widowed Persons, March 19 –– 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 for Catechists: “Jesus as
Prophet, Priest and King –– Model for
Catechists,” March 20 –– 9:30 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Guest
presenter: Monsignor David Tressler. This
Reflection Day will lead catechists in an
understanding of how they, through faith and
Baptism, share in the Church’s mission of
service and how they are set apart as bearers of
the Word in their parish religious education
programs. Day includes celebration of Mass and
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $20
catechist discount per person, includes lunch.
To register, call Fatima Center 563-8500.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Interpreted Mass –– Palm Sunday
Liturgy & Dinner, March 28 –– at Our Lady of
Mount Carmel Church, William St., Pittston.
Begins with Confessions at 2 p.m., followed by
Solemn Liturgy of Palm Sunday, with blessing of
palms, procession and signing of the Lord’s
Passion, celebrated at 3 p.m. 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. 1101 or Leo C. Henry at
829-6410/tdd.
Day of Reflection: “Transformed by the Cross
–– Challenged by New Life,” April 10 –– 9:30
a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center,
Dalton. Guest presenter: Monsignor John Esseff.
This special Easter season Day of Reflection
will lead participants in prayer and study in
recognizing the connection between the Cross and
the glory of the Resurrection, and how through
the Cross of Jesus were are challenged to
embrace a deeper calling to the Christian life.
Day includes celebration of Mass and the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $30 per
person, includes lunch. To register, call Fatima
Renewal Center 563-8500.
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