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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Bishops Renew Request for Information from
Catholic Institutions |
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OFFICIAL NOTICE: Deacon James M. Calderone |
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Evangelization Through Communication |
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ACTION ALERT: OPPOSE DESTRUCTIVE STEM CELL
RESEARCH |
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Ecumenical Dialogue Day Will Discuss St. Paul |
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Seminar To Address Feelings Connected to Parish
Changes |
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Sacred Heart Enthronement Guild Annual Mass,
Dinner |
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Mark Your Calendar |
Bishops Renew Request for Information from
Catholic Institutions |
Bishop Joseph F. Martino and Auxiliary
Bishop John M. Dougherty have reaffirmed their
conviction that a meeting with the four Catholic
institutions of higher learning in the Diocese
of Scranton will not take place until the
schools comply with the bishops’ request for
specific information on various issues.
The bishops repeated their position in a
letter mailed May 12 to Holy Cross Father Thomas
J. O’Hara, president of King’s College in
Wilkes-Barre; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister
Anne Munley, president of Marywood University in
Scranton; Michael A. MacDowell, president of
Misericordia University in Dallas; and Jesuit
Father Scott R. Pilarz, president of The
University of Scranton.
The letter cited the fact that
Misericordia’s Diversity Institute had hosted a
speaker, Keith Boykin, who advocates for
same-sex marriage and other practices that are
opposed to Catholic teaching on morality.
Misericordia subsequently was asked to provide
specific information on how the institution
teaches Catholic morality regarding sexuality
and homosexuality, including courses, content
and catalog numbers.
The university has thus far declined,
instead requesting a private meeting.
The bishops have also asked the four
institutions to provide information about their
student health services to have assurance that
no practice is occurring which would be in
violation of Catholic teaching.
That request was prompted by an article in
the student newspaper at St. Joseph’s University
in Philadelphia. The article described how the
university, in its words, finds the “middle
ground between Church doctrine and student
healthcare.”
In that article, St. Joseph’s director of
student health services said that the school’s
location offers enough convenience and
opportunity to encourage students to purchase
condoms. She described this as a “fortunate”
situation for the students. She also discussed
the use of oral contraceptives.
The Catholic Church teaches that artificial
contraception is not permissible.
The presidents of the four local Catholic
institutions responded by asking for a private
meeting with the bishops.
In the May 12 letter, Bishop Martino and
Bishop Dougherty state: “We repeat our
conviction that the meeting with us which you
and the other Presidents have requested in your
letter of April 16, 2009, should be preceded by
our receiving the aforementioned documentation.” |
OFFICIAL NOTICE: Deacon James M. Calderone |
This notice is addressed to the following
in the Diocese of Scranton:
The Lay Faithful
Diocesan and Religious Priests
Deacons
Religious Brothers
Major Superiors of Women Religious
Deacon James M. Calderone of the Diocese of
Scranton has issued an invitation and has made
known his intention to receive an ordination
from a minister who is not in communion with our
Holy Father.
Deacon Calderone, if he does this, will be
committing a schismatic act. For this he will
incur automatic excommunication and, if long
lasting contumacy, obstinacy or the seriousness
of the scandal warrant it, dismissal from the
clerical state.
Our Most Reverend Bishop directs that every
Catholic in the Diocese of Scranton avoid any
participation whatsoever in this offense against
religion and the unity of the Church.
Participation includes attending the schismatic
ritual act itself or any gathering attached
thereto.
Moreover, Pastors are to publish this
NOTICE in parish bulletins on the weekend of May
16 and 17, 2009. Major Superiors of Women
Religious are asked to ensure that this
episcopal directive be received by each Sister
in their Communities who is stationed in the
Diocese of Scranton.
James B. Earley
Chancellor
Diocese of Scranton
May 7, 2009 |
Evangelization Through Communication |
The Catholic Communication Campaign is
committed to funding programs that uplift the
Catholic community and that evangelize the
world. The collection for the Catholic
Communication Campaign will be taken up in the
Diocese of Scranton this weekend, May 16-17.
“In today’s hectic world, we all need to
hear the Good News. It is a powerful reminder of
God’s love for us. It enriches us and nourishes
our faith,” said Bishop Joseph F. Martino,
noting that campaign contributors “can truly
make a difference right here in our Diocese
through your donation.”
Half of all funds collected here are used
for local communications projects such as The
Catholic Light, Catholic Television (CTV),
and the diocesan website.
CTV is the only diocesan owned-and-operated
low-power TV broadcast station in the United
States. It reaches a potential audience of
235,000 households 24 hours a day via broadcast
and on the Comcast, Service Electric, Service
Electric Cablevision, Adams and Metrocast cable
companies. CTV broadcasts the daily Mass live
from St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton; the
monthly “Our Faith, Our Diocese” program; as
well as a variety of programs originating
locally, nationally and internationally,
including those produced by the CCC.
The Catholic Light brings news of
the Diocese and the Universal Church to more
than 44,000 households throughout the 11
counties of the Diocese. Like CTV, it provides
information and perspective about the faith that
cannot be found in the secular media.
The Diocesan website at
www.dioceseofscranton.org offers a wealth of
information that can be accessed at any time by
anyone with an Internet connection. The website
now includes video of the daily Mass, “Our
Faith, Our Diocese” and other programs.
The other half raised by the collection is
used nationally in traditional and new media.
The campaign enables the Church to minister and
evangelize through its local and national
communications efforts.
To learn more about how the Catholic
Communication Campaign is making a difference
and how you can help, please visit
www.CatholicCommunicationCampaign.org. |
ACTION ALERT: OPPOSE DESTRUCTIVE STEM CELL
RESEARCH |
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has launched a new
“Oppose Destructive Stem Cell Research”
campaign, equipping citizens to contact Congress
and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to
oppose embryonic stem cell research and support
ethical cures and treatments “we can all live
with.” The campaign is facilitated by the
USCCB’s partner organization, the National
Committee for a Human Life Amendment.
Following President Obama’s March 9
executive order, the NIH proposed guidelines for
federally funded research that will require
destroying live human embryos for their stem
cells. The draft guidelines are open for public
comment through May 26.
The campaign homepage,
www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign, summarizes
why the proposed guidelines are unacceptable,
provides links to USCCB resources (including the
bishops’ statement “On Embryonic Stem Cell
Research” and multi-media resources and ads),
and encourages web users to “Contact Congress &
NIH Now” through an e-mail interface. Several
resources are available in both English and
Spanish.
The campaign site explains that the NIH
guidelines “would—for the first time—use
taxpayer funds to encourage the killing of
embryonic human beings for their stem cells.” It
continues, “Embryonic stem cell research treats
innocent human beings as mere sources of body
parts, as commodities for our use.”
The webpage features a video of Cardinal
Justin Rigali, chairman of the bishops’
Committee on Pro-Life Activities, critiquing the
draft guidelines.
“The Catholic bishops of the United States
will be writing to Congress and the
Administration about the need to restore and
maintain barriers against the mistreatment of
human life in the name of science, and we urge
other concerned citizens to do the same,”
Cardinal Rigali said.
Catholics and other citizens are urged to
contact both NIH and Congress because members of
Congress and the Administration have expressed
interest in pursuing an even broader policy.
“They want to obtain stem cells by destroying
human embryos specially generated for research
through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or cloning
procedures – a ‘create to kill’ policy,” the
campaign page explains.
Those who want to call for stem cell
research and cures “we can all live with” may
speak out by visiting
www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign and clicking
on “Contact Congress & NIH Now.” |
Ecumenical Dialogue Day Will Discuss St. Paul |
Christian perspectives on the life and
ministry of the Apostle Paul will be the focus
of an Ecumenical Dialogue Day on Friday, June
19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fatima Renewal
Center, Dalton.
The Christian Communities Gathering of
Northeastern Pennsylvania is sponsoring the
program as the Year of Saint Paul comes to its
conclusion. Pope Benedict XVI had proclaimed
that from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009, the
Catholic Church would celebrate the Year of
Saint Paul, on the occasion of the bi-millennium
of the saint’s birth (between the years 7 and 10
A.D.).
Presenters for the Ecumenical Dialogue Day
are: Sister Marie Noël Keller, R.S.M., Th.D.,
director of the Institute of Sacred Scripture at
Misericordia University, Dallas; Father Daniel
C. Gunn, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre; and Father Michael
Dahulich, Ph.D., dean of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox
Theological Seminary, South Canaan.
All are welcome to attend the June 19
program. The $25 fee includes lunch.
Registration is due by June 1.
For more information, contact Father Philip
A. Altavilla, V.E., director of the Diocese of
Scranton’s Office of Ecumenism and Interfaith
Affairs at 570-587-5191 or e-mail:
frfrosty@epix.net.
The registration form can also be
downloaded and printed from the Diocesan website
at www.dioceseofscranton.org through the
“Ecumenism” link. The completed form and fee
must be mailed to Father Altavilla. |
Seminar To Address Feelings Connected to Parish
Changes |
The Diocesan Pastoral Formation
Institute will present a seminar to help
parishioners to cope with the emotional issues
that are typically occur with parish
reconfigurations. “New Life Beyond Change” will
be held on June 17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at
Wyoming Area Catholic School in Exeter.
As parishes consolidate and plan for new
beginnings, Mercy Sister Jane O’Donnell will
address those issues that are usually connected
with feelings of grief, loss and change. Some of
these issues include:
• What does parish mean to me?
• Why is it difficult to let go?
• How can I overcome resistance to change?
• Is grieving a natural part of the process? How
can I make it positive?
• How can I use my talents and gifts within this
new structure?
• How can I bring new life to our new parish?
• Why is prayer an important element in this
process?
This session is recommended for members of
parishes that will be restructuring and for
those who serve in the various apostolic
services in their parishes.
The individual fee is $15. A flat fee of
$50 per parish will cover any number of persons
from that parish to attend.
To register call 570-207-2213, Ext. 1107. |
Sacred Heart Enthronement Guild Annual Mass,
Dinner |
The Sacred Heart Enthronement Guild
announces its annual Eucharistic celebration in
honor of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Mass will be offered on the vigil of
the Sacred Heart solemnity on Thursday, June 18,
at 5 p.m. in the IHM Center at Marywood
University. Father Daniel Toomey, spiritual
moderator of the Enthronement Guild, will serve
as principal celebrant.
The liturgy will be followed by a dinner
reception in the IHM Center. Ernie Pappa,
president of the Enthronement Guild, will serve
as toastmaster, and music will be provided by
the newly formed Sacred Heart Ensemble.
Featured speaker for the dinner program
will be Father Christopher Sahd, who will also
concelebrate the Mass. Father Sahd, who has
served as secretary to both Bishop Joseph F.
Martino and Bishop Emeritus James C. Timlin, is
currently the Diocesan Director for the Office
of Worship and assistant director for vocations
in the Diocese. In his talk, Father Sahd will
share his insights about the truth and meaning
of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in our
lives.
The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart
Apostolate enables individuals and families to
consecrate their homes to the Sacred Heart of
Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Homes
that have been enthroned become an extension of
the liturgy, whereby members can follow up their
Eucharistic devotion in Church with further
prayerful devotion in their homes.
For further information on Sacred Heart
Enthronement or to make reservations for the
annual dinner, please call Immaculate Heart of
Mary Sister Celesta Sinisi at 330-0248. |
Mark Your Calendar |
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Interpreted Mass, June 14 –– at
St. Joseph’s Oblate Seminary, 1880 Highway 315,
Laflin. Bible study 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, June 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: “Our Journey to the
Eucharist,” July 18 –– 9:30 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Guest
presenter: Father James P. Dougher. Program
provides “rest and reflection” before the
Eucharistic Lord, and is highly recommended for
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and
those involved in the Sacramental preparation of
children. Day includes celebration of Mass and
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $30,
includes lunch. To register, call 563-8500.
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