Social Concerns/Pro-Life

Mass in Remembrance of Victims of Violent or Tragic Death 

The Diocese of Scranton is offering the annual Mass in remembrance of victims of violent or tragic death. This Mass is offered for family and friends of those who have died in tragedy, especially through murder, suicide, and accident. 

This special Mass is scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in Saint Peter’s Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton.  All persons who have lost a loved one through tragic and traumatic death are invited to this liturgy.  

We ask that the names of deceased loved ones are registered on registration forms which are available by clicking on the following link: Mass of Remembrance 2012 Registration Form

 If you have any other questions, please call the Office of Social Concerns at 570-207-2213, ext. 1130.   

Click Here for Social Concerns Update Spring 2012

 

 

 

   The Miracle Of Life from Catholic Media House

Diocese of Scranton Diocesan Advocacy Network

The bishops of the United States call upon the faithful to participate in the political and legislative process. In their document entitled, “Faithful Citizenship, A Call to Political Responsibility,” the bishops state, “Jesus called us to ‘Love one another.’ Our Lord’s example and words demand care for the ‘least of these’ from each of us. Yet they also require action on a broader scale. Faithful citizenship is about more than elections. It requires ongoing participation in the continuing political and legislative process.”

In response to this call, the Diocese of Scranton is initiating a Diocesan Advocacy Network. Catholics in the Diocese of Scranton are encouraged to participate in legislative efforts that address issues and concerns which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Human Life Issues, i.e., abortion, euthanasia, bioethics, marriage, contraception, death penalty, etc.;
• The dignity of the human person and the nature of the family, including basic human needs such as poverty, hunger, homelessness, housing, domestic violence, etc.;
• Education including school choice, budget, preschool concerns, athletics, etc.;
• Healthcare concerns, i.e., advance directives, long-term care, health care coverage, problems of the uninsured, development and distribution of pharmaceutical, etc.;
• Economic and social justice, i.e., racism, discrimination, immigration, workers rights, unemployment, farm problems, etc.;
• International concerns, i.e., human rights, foreign aid, world debt, environment, etc.;
• Issues that affect the functioning of the Catholic Church.

Members will be asked to contact a legislator and/or officeholder, write letters to the editor, encourage parishioners, friends, and others. Names and e-mail addresses will be kept confidential and will not be used for any other purpose.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Diocesan Advocacy Network, is asked to contact David Clarke, Director, Office of Social Concerns/Pro-Life, at 570/207-2213, ext. 1130 or e-mail, David-Clarke@dioceseofscranton.org.

Legislative Advocacy Workshops

Advocacy means supporting and defending a cause in which you believe. The Catholic Church has always supported and defended many causes, namely, the right to life. This fall, Legislative Advocacy Workshops will be offered throughout the Diocese. Sessions will include strategies for effective advocacy and ways of getting involved in efforts to support and defend causes that are important to the Catholic Church.

Those interested in scheduling a workshop in your region are encouraged to contact David Clarke, Director, Office of Social Concerns/Pro-Life, at 570/207-2213, ext. 1130 or, e-mail, David-Clarke@dioceseofscranton.org.

Parish Social Ministry

“The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.”

- U.S. Catholic Bishops, “Sharing Catholic Social Teaching, Challenges and Reflections”

In their document entitled, Communities of Salt and Light-Reflections on the Social Mission of the Church, the U.S. Bishops maintain that “our parish communities are measured by how they serve ‘the least of these’ in our parish and beyond its boundaries.” The Office of Social Concerns/Pro-Life encourages the faithful of the Diocese of Scranton to ask, “Are we measuring up?” We are eager to work with parishioners who are ready to respond to this question. Working together, we can make parish social outreach and advocacy an integral facet of parish life in the Diocese of Scranton. More Information

Speakers from Rachel’s Vineyard

Speakers are available from the Rachel’s Vineyard Ministry of the Diocese of Scranton, to speak briefly before or after mass about the upcoming retreat opportunity, OR to provide a longer presentation to your group or parish about Post-Abortion Syndrome and how men and women who grieve an abortion have been reconciled with their God, church and their child through Post-Abortion Healing Retreats.

Contact Denise Rowinski Mengak (822-7118 ext. 307), or the Office of Social Concerns (207-2213 ext. 1130) to schedule a presentation.

Parish Social Ministry Regional Workshops

Parish Social Ministry Regional Workshops provide participants opportunities to learn about the Church’s social teaching, how to carry out legislative advocacy, build leadership skills, and ways to develop strategies necessary to carry out the social mission of the Church.

Participants will deepen their understanding of the theological and spiritual foundations of the Catholic social mission. This program is designed to renew participants’ faith and to enliven within them a spirit of charity and Christian service.

The Parish Social Ministry Regional Workshops bring together formation on the Catholic social mission with capacity building for parish social ministry.

In his encyclical, God is Love, Pope Benedict XVI states, “[The Church] has to play her part through rational argument and she has to reawaken the spiritual energy without which justice, which always demands sacrifice, cannot prevail and prosper.” Consider joining in this effort to work for justice in our communities, nation, and world.

Those interested in scheduling a meeting to discuss plans to offer this program in their region may contact David Clarke, Director of Social Concerns/Pro-Life, at 570/207-2213, ext. 1130 or e-mail, David-Clarke@dioceseofscranton.org.

LINKS

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Office of Social Development and World Peace
32114 Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-3000
www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp

Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
32114 Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-3070
www.nccbussc.org/prolife

Catholic Campaign for Human Development
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
32114 Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-3212
www.nccbuscc.org/cchd

Pennsylvania Catholic Conference
238 North Street, Box 2835
Harrisburg, PA 17105
(717) 238-9613
www.pacatholic.org