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.
Subscribe
to News Briefing |
This Issue:
|
| Poverty
Doesn’t Take A Holiday |
| Spiritual
Pilgrimage with Pope Benedict XVI |
| Retirement
Fund for Religious |
| Facilities
Manager for the Diocese |
Poverty Doesn’t Take A Holiday |
As we prepare to
celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded that
poverty doesn’t take a holiday.
A new survey of
Catholic Charities agencies across the country
shows requests for help are growing much faster
than the money to provide assistance, putting
continued strain on social services during the
holiday season.
The Catholic
Charities USA survey this month drew from 88
Catholic Charities agencies across the United
States. By a 3-to-1 margin (76 percent), local
agencies believe that it will be harder to meet
the needs of those they serve this holiday
season because the need is greater.
“As we enter the
holiday season, our survey of Catholic Charities
agencies shows that poverty never takes a
holiday,” said Father Larry Snyder, president
of Catholic Charities USA. “Year after year,
we continue to see that requests for help are
growing much faster than the money to provide
assistance, putting continued strain on social
services.”
The survey also
highlights the fact that the increasing numbers
of working poor are going to Catholic Charities
agencies in search of assistance, with four out
of five (80 percent) Catholic Charities agencies
reporting more requests for help from this
group.
“The need for
services continues to far exceed the resources
of Catholic Charities and our local non-profit
partners,” said Ken F. Sawa, CEO and executive
vice president for Catholic Charities of the
Diocese of San Bernardino, CA. “As the cost of
living increases, particularly housing expenses,
poor and working poor families are increasingly
unable to fully provide for their basic
needs.”
Across the nation,
Catholic Charities agencies continue to see an
increase in low-income families and vulnerable
populations seeking just the basic needs –
financial assistance to pay utilities, housing,
food, and prescriptions.
“Catholic
Charities agencies across the country are
working hard to give hope this holiday season
and helping millions of people deal with every
day disasters such as hunger, homelessness, and
financial need,” Father Snyder said. “But
it’s a big challenge because the growing needs
of the people we serve are often not being
matched by a similar increase in donations and
other funding sources.” |
Spiritual Pilgrimage with Pope Benedict XVI |
Bishop Martino
is asking that all Catholics in the Diocese join
with the Knights of Columbus in a “spiritual
pilgrimage” with Pope Benedict XVI as he
travels to Turkey in late November. Knights,
their families, and all Catholics are being
asked to pray daily for the Pontiff during the
trip, which begins on Tuesday, Nov. 28 and
concludes on Friday, Dec. 1. Following is a
special prayer written by the Knights of
Columbus Supreme Chaplain, Bishop William E.
Lori of Bridgeport:
“Heavenly
Father, from whom every family in heaven and on
earth takes its name, we humbly ask that you
sustain, inspire, and protect your servant, Pope
Benedict XVI, as he goes on pilgrimage to Turkey
– a land to which St. Paul brought the Gospel
of your Son; a land where once the Mother of
your Son, the Seat of Wisdom, dwelt; a land
where faith in your Son’s true divinity was
definitively professed. Bless our Holy Father,
who comes as a messenger of truth and love to
all people of faith and good will dwelling in
this land so rich in history.
“In the power of
the Holy Spirit, may this visit of the Holy
Father bring about deeper ties of understanding,
cooperation, and peace among Roman Catholics,
the Orthodox, and those who profess Islam. May
the prayers and events of these historic days
greatly contribute both to greater accord among
those who worship you, the living and true God,
and also to peace in our world so often torn
apart by war and sectarian violence.
“We also ask, O
Heavenly Father, that you watch over and protect
Pope Benedict and entrust him to the loving care
of Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Fatima,
a title cherished both by Catholics and Muslims.
Through her prayers and maternal love, may Pope
Benedict be kept safe from all harm as he prays,
bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all
peoples to a dialogue of faith, reason, and
love. We make our prayer through Christ, our
Lord. Amen.” |
Retirement Fund for Religious |
The annual
collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious
will be taken up at Masses the weekend of Dec.
9-10.
This national
campaign supports the retirement needs of
sisters, brothers and religious order priests
who spent their lives in church ministries such
as education, health care and social services.
The collection also aids the pension plan for
retired Diocesan priests.
“Our Diocese has
been extremely well served by its priests and by
women and men religious. They continue to serve
us through their example of committed faith,
hope, and charity which they offer to all whom
they meet,” said Bishop Joseph F. Martino.
“I ask that again this year you please support
this campaign in your parish and know my
heartfelt gratitude for your doing so.”
Last year, the
Diocese of Scranton collected $248,259.66 during
this appeal, according to Monsignor William J.
Feldcamp, Episcopal Vicar for Consecrated Life
and coordinator of the local campaign.
“The people in
our Diocese have always been very generous in
helping our retired religious and priests face
the challenges of growing older,” he said. |
Facilities Manager for the Diocese |
Frank M.
Semanski has been appointed as facilities
manager for the Diocese. He assumed the position
on Nov. 20.
Mr. Semanski is
responsible for managing the overall plant
maintenance and operations at Diocesan
facilities. He will oversee the performance of
maintenance and custodial tasks, supervise any
new construction, coordinate renovations or
required repairs, implement a safety program and
develop a comprehensive facilities management
plan.
The facilities
manager will serve as the designated asbestos
coordinator and as liaison to the Diocesan
Building Commission.
Any questions or
issues in the areas cited above should be
directed to Mr. Semanski by calling 207-2232.
Mr. Semanski has
been involved in the facilities
management/maintenance field for the past 20
years. Most recently he was director of building
services for the Laurels Health and Rehab center
in Kingston.
He was field
service technician for Mericle Property
Management, Wilkes-Barre; building and grounds
superintendent for the Children’s Service
Center at Bridgeview (Wilkes-Barre); assistant
director of plant operations at Little Flower
Manor/St. Therese Residence, Wilkes-Barre; and
physical plant supervisor for the Guard
Insurance Group, Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Semanski is a
board member of the Luzerne County Municipal
Cooperation Commission, the Greater
Nanticoke/Lower Broadway Recreation Park
Steering Committee and the Susquehanna Warrior
Trail Council.
He and his wife
are members of St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish in
Nanticoke. Both are members of the parish
Finance Council. |
|
