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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Christ Is Our Firm Hope |
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Registration Continues for Catechist Convocation |
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CCHD Responds to Funding Questions |
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service |
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2009 Pennsylvania State Pastors Conference |
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Annual Request for Non-Roman Catholic Clergy
Addresses |
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Mark Your Calendar |
Christ Is Our Firm Hope |
Pope Benedict XVI, during his recent
visit to the Czech Republic, affirmed that
“history has demonstrated the absurdities to
which man descends when he excludes God from the
horizon of his choices and actions, and how hard
it is to build a society inspired by the values
of goodness, justice and fraternity, because the
human being is free and his freedom remains
fragile.”
“Man needs to be liberated from material
oppressions,” he added, “but more profoundly, he
must be saved from the evils that afflict the
spirit. And who can save him if not God, Who is
Love and has revealed His face as Almighty and
Merciful Father in Jesus Christ? Our firm hope
is therefore Christ.”
The Holy Father continued: “In present-day
society, many forms of poverty are born from
isolation, from being unloved, from the
rejection of God and from a deep-seated tragic
closure in man who believes himself to be
self-sufficient, or else merely an insignificant
and transient datum; in this world of ours which
is alienated 'when too much trust is placed in
merely human projects', only Christ can be our
certain hope. This is the message that we
Christians are called to spread every day,
through our witness.” |
Registration Continues for Catechist Convocation |
Registration is continuing for the 10th
annual Convocation for Catechists on Saturday,
Oct. 17 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Church and Holy Redeemer High School in
Wilkes-Barre.
The Convocation, sponsored by the Diocesan
Office for Parish Life, will offer a day of
adult formation for DREs and catechists. All
adults in the Diocese who are interested in
deepening their understanding of the Catholic
faith are also invited.
The day will begin at 9 a.m. with Mass at
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Former Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty will
be the principal celebrant.
Father Alfred McBride, O. Praem., will
offer the keynote address in the Holy Redeemer
High School auditorium at 11 a.m. His topic is
“Going Forward in Our Faith.”
Lunch and a wide variety of workshop
sessions will be offered in the afternoon. Those
who are interested may register online on the
Diocesan website: www.dioceseofscranton.org, or
by phone 570-207-2213, ext. 1105. |
CCHD Responds to Funding Questions |
Some questions have arisen recently
about a few of the groups that in the past have
received grants from the Catholic Campaign for
Human Development. Some of these questions have
been raised in a video that is circulating on
the Internet, which charges that several
CCHD-funded groups had taken actions in conflict
with Catholic teaching. This would be a
violation of CCHD guidelines.
As soon as a violation is confirmed, CCHD
has de-funded the group. These groups include
The Rebecca Project for Human Rights in
Washington, D.C.; and the Chinese Progressive
Association and Young Workers United, both based
in San Francisco. It should also be noted that
CCHD continues to refuse to fund ACORN at any
level. This will be the third CCHD collection in
which no funds have gone or will go to any
national or local ACORN structures.
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Subcommittee, CCHD national and local staff, and
local bishops continue to carefully examine and
monitor all applications, paying particular
attention to ensure compliance with Catholic
teaching and avoidance of partisan political
activity.
The CCHD collection in the Diocese of
Scranton will be taken up in January as
scheduled. |
Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service |
| Once again, the Christian Communities
Gathering of Northeastern Pennsylvania has
prepared a sample Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer
Service. To access the Prayer Service, please
visit the Ecumenism page on the Diocesan website
(www.dioceseofscranton.org). Copies of past
Prayer Services are also available. |
2009 Pennsylvania State Pastors Conference |
The 2009 Pennsylvania State Pastors’
Conference will be held Monday, Nov. 9, through
Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Four Points Sheraton,
Harrisburg. This year’s topic is “Living in Our
Particular Wilderness: Being Healthy Leaders for
Healthy Churches.”
Clergy, religious and interested lay
persons are welcome to attend. For more
information or to register, please visit the
"Events" page of the Pennsylvania Council of
Churches website, www.pachurches.org. Hotel
reservations must be made directly with the
hotel, separate from conference registration. |
Annual Request for Non-Roman Catholic Clergy
Addresses |
The Office of Ecumenism and Interfaith
Affairs is once again requesting an updated list
of all non-Roman Catholic clergy or other
persons involved in ecumenical/interfaith
relations and activities in local ministerial
groups.
Clergy of the Diocese of Scranton are
asked, each year, to help update their local
lists and to submit them to Father Philip A.
Altavilla, V.E., pro tem. Updated lists may be
mailed to Father Altavilla at: 301 South State
Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 or via e-mail
at: frfrosty@epix.net. All updated lists are
asked to be submitted by Dec. 1. |
Mark Your Calendar |
Day of Reflection: “The Priesthood of the
People of God,” Oct. 10 –– 9:30 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Guest
presenter: Monsignor David Tressler. This
Reflection Day will lead participants into an
understanding of the three offices of Jesus:
Priest, Prophet and King. An explanation of
these roles will be provided, along with
concrete examples of how baptized Christians are
set apart for mission and service in imitation
of Jesus. Day includes celebration of Mass and
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fee: $30,
includes lunch. To register, call 563-8500.
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
Training, Oct. 13, 20 & 27 –– 6:30 to 9 p.m.
at the Diocesan Center, Scranton. Instructor:
Deacon Gerald Carpenter. Fee: $30. To register,
call 207-2213, ext. 1107.
Support Group for Separated, Divorced &
Widowed Persons, Oct. 16 –– 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.
Retrouvaille Weekend, Oct. 16-18 –– at
Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Sponsored by the
Diocesan Office for Parish Life/Family Life,
Retrouvaille is a weekend program, with
additional follow-up sessions, 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. A registration
deposit is required, and a donation is
requested. For more information, call 587-0415.
Beginning Experience Weekend, Nov. 6-8 ––
at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton. Sponsored by
the Diocesan Office for Parish Life/Family Life,
Beginning Experience support groups for
divorced, separated or widowed offer an
opportunity for healing one’s loss in a caring
atmosphere. Cost: $150, includes non-refundable
deposit. For more information & registration,
call Mary at 629-0651 or Ann 587-2851.
“Rachel’s Vineyard”: Post-Abortion Healing
Retreat –– Nov. 6-8. Confidential weekend
retreat facilitates spiritual and emotional
healing for men and women struggling with the
pain of abortion. Exercises based on Scripture
are designed to help participants experience
God’s mercy and compassion, and to reconcile
with their church, themselves and their child.
The retreat concludes with a Memorial Service
and Mass of Resurrection. Participation is
strictly confidential; financial assistance is
available. For more information, including
registration, contact Denise Rowinski at
822-7118, ext. 307 or drowinski@csswb.org.
Day of Reflection: “The Eucharist: Heart and
Life of the Church,” Nov. 7 –– 9:30 a.m. to
2:30 p.m. at Fatima Renewal Center, Dalton.
Guest presenter: Father Philip Altavilla, V.E.
This Day of Reflection will explore how the
Eucharist renews and strengthens the faithful’s
incorporation with the Church and how, as the
Mystical Body of Christ, they share the fruits
of the Eucharist with one another. Day includes
celebration of Mass and the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. Fee: $30, includes lunch. To
register, call 563-8500.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Catholic Deaf
Association Interpreted Mass, Nov. 8 –– 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.
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