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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Real Mission of the Church: To Speak of God |
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Pro-Life Monument To Be Dedicated at Cathedral |
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Thanksgiving Interfaith Prayer Service |
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Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8. |
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Plan Ahead for March for Life |
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Request for Names and Addresses of non-Roman
Catholic Clergy |
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Catholic Charities USA Warns About Fraudulent
Email |
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Mark Your Calendar |
Real Mission of the Church: To Speak of God |
The Church must find new ways to
integrate the faithful into community life, said
Pope Benedict XVI in a recent talk to bishops
from the Portuguese Episcopal Conference at the
conclusion of their ad limina visit.
We need to ensure, he said, “that the
Church marches to the rhythm of Vatican Council
II and that the functions of clergy and laity
remain clearly established,” at the same time
bearing in mind the fact that “we are all one
since we were baptized and integrated into the
family of the children of God, and we are all
responsible for the growth of the Church.”
The Holy Father pointed out that, despite
the fact that it is sometimes necessary to
discuss the attribution of responsibility, “such
questions must not distract us from the true
mission of the Church” which must “speak
principally not of herself but of God.”
“The evangelization of individuals and of
communities depends on ... the encounter with
Jesus Christ,” said Benedict XVI, recalling how
“Christian initiation normally takes place via
the Church.” |
Pro-Life Monument To Be Dedicated at Cathedral |
A new Pro-Life Monument being erected
by parishioners and friends of St. Peter’s
Cathedral will be dedicated by Bishop Joseph F.
Martino this Sunday, Nov. 18, in ceremonies
following the 12:15 p.m. Mass. Sisters of Life
Superior General, Mother Agnes Mary Donovan,
S.V., will offer a reflection in the Cathedral
prior to the blessing of the monument. The
public is welcome to attend.
The monument, to be placed in the green
space adjacent to the Cathedral, will consist of
a relief etching on granite depicting the
“Madonna della Strada,” (Madonna of the
Streets), which is the Blessed Mother carrying
the Infant Jesus.
The illustration on the monument is the
official logo of the Sisters of Life, of the
Archdiocese of New York. The order, both a
contemplative and active religious community of
women dedicated to the protection and
enhancement of every human life, was founded in
1991 by the late Archbishop of New York and
former Bishop of Scranton, John Cardinal
O’Connor. The mission of the order is to promote
a “culture of life” that fosters reverence and
gratitude for the unique and unrepeatable gift
of each human life made in the image and
likeness of God. |
Thanksgiving Interfaith Prayer Service |
The Office of Ecumenism and Interfaith
Affairs and the Christian Communities Gathering
of NE PA have prepared an Interfaith
Thanksgiving Prayer Service for local use.
To access the Prayer Service: visit the
diocesan website: www.dioceseofscranton.org.
From the menu choices, on the left-hand side of
the home page, click on Ecumenism. On that page,
click on “Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service
2007.” At the bottom of the introductory page
(with the group photo) click on: “Sample
Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service 2007.” |
Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8. |
| Though it falls on a Saturday this
year, the obligation to attend Mass is not
lifted (as with other Holy Days) for the Feast
of the Immaculate Conception. Thus, faithful
must attend Mass for the Holy Day (either Friday
vigil or Saturday) and again that weekend for
their Sunday obligation (either Saturday night
vigil or on Sunday). |
Plan Ahead for March for Life |
The annual March for Life in Washington,
D.C., will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008.
The following is a schedule of events to be held
in conjunction with the march. Parishioners,
particularly the youth and young adults, are
encouraged to participate in these events.
Vigil Mass – Basilica of the Immaculate
Conception
The Vigil for Life Mass will take place on
Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Basilica
of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception, Washington, D.C. Please note that
this Mass begins one hour earlier this year.
Seating for this liturgy is always at capacity
so please make arrangements to arrive as early
as possible.
Rally for Life and Youth Mass
The Rally for Life and Youth Mass will be held
on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 at the Verizon Center,
601 “F” Street NW, Washington, D.C. Doors open 7
a.m., Confessions begin 8 a.m., Rally for Life
starts 8:45 a.m., and the Youth Mass begins at
10 a.m. Be sure to get there early. Seating on a
first-come, first-served basis. Following the
Mass, 150,000 friends will join together on the
National Mall for the noon National Rally for
Life.
March for Life
Participants will walk to the U.S. Capitol and
visit legislators. Information regarding
transportation to the March for Life will be
available in December.
Contact the Office of Social Concerns/Pro-Life
for further information at 570-207-2213, ext.
1130. |
Request for Names and Addresses of non-Roman
Catholic Clergy |
Current names and addresses of local
non-Roman Catholic clergy and laity involved in
local ecumenical and interfaith work are to be
sent to the Office of Ecumenism and Interfaith
Affairs. Updated directories of local involved
persons may be sent through the regular mail or
may be e-mailed to: frfrosty@epix.net.
These directories assist in revising the
invitation list for the Ecumenical Celebration
of God’s Word and luncheon during the annual
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In 2008, the
100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer, the
Diocesan prayer service will be held on
Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in St.
Peter’s Cathedral. |
Catholic Charities USA Warns About Fraudulent
Email |
Catholic Charities USA has recently
learned of several types of fraudulent email
messages that have misappropriated the name of
Catholic Charities USA and its affiliates to
extract money or personal information from
unsuspecting recipients.
This kind of fraud is typically designed to
deceive recipients into revealing personal
information – such as home address, telephone
number, and credit card, social security, and
bank account numbers – to identity thieves.
Often the message claims that the recipient has
been chosen to receive a cash grant or donation.
Catholic Charities USA and its affiliated
entities do not and will not distribute
unsolicited email requesting this type of
information. Please be advised that Catholic
Charities USA is no way associated with or
responsible for these messages.
Example of Fraudulent E-Mail:
Dear Benefactor of 2007 Grant Award,
You are lucky to have been selected among
the 4 benefactors of $2.5 million dollars to be
awarded each by The Catholic Charities of the
Archdiocese in Rome. For further inquiry, in
order to claim your grant, contact the Cash
Grant Program Coordinator secretary.
Honorable Richard Bates
Secretary and Treasurer
Cash Grant Program Coordinator
Email: catholic_charitygrant1@hotmail.com |
Mark Your Calendar |
Natural Family Planning Course –– series of
classes begins on Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. at St.
Matthew Parish Center, East Stroudsburg. Course
instruction in the sympto-thermal method by an
NFP instructor approved by the Diocese of
Scranton. For more information/registration,
call 420-1319. Pre-registration required.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Interpreted Mass -- Advent Sunday
Liturgy & Christmas Dinner, Dec. 9 –– at St.
Joseph’s Oblate Seminary, 1880 Highway 315,
Laflin. Sacrament of Reconciliation offered at 2
p.m., followed by Advent Mass signed and
interpreted celebrated at 3 p.m. Annual
Christmas family-style dinner follows at 5 p.m.
at Convention Hall, Pittston Township. Advance
reservations required by Dec. 6. For more
information and reservations, contact Sister
Mary Beth Makuch, SSCM, at 207-2213, ext. 1013
–– voice/tdd.
Support Group for Separated, Divorced &
Widowed Persons, Dec. 21 –– 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 held every third Friday offers
support to cope with sorrow, doubt, anxiety and
loneliness after losing a spouse. For more
information/registration, call 342-5166.
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