Following the feast day Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was carried through the streets of Carbondale’s Westside.
The parish holds this procession each year to bring Our Lady of Mount Carmel out for the entire community to see, especially for those living in nursing homes and those who are homebound.
The procession on Sunday marked the end of the parish’s weekend-long festivities leading up to the feast day procession.
On Sunday, July 10th, members of the Mary, Mother of God Parish Community in Scranton gathered on the Rectory lawn to celebrate “Glad to Be…MMOG”.
The Family Picnic was a time to enjoy some great food and fellowship, but at the same time it was a chance for parishioners to learn more about the various ministry opportunities that the parish offers.
July 6, 2022
His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as indicated:
Reverend Andrew Amankwaa, to Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, effective July 6, 2022. He will temporarily continue in Residence, Christ the King Parish, Archbald.
Reverend Sean G. Carpenter, from Pastor, Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Pocono Pines, to Pastor, Resurrection Parish, Muncy, effective August 16, 2022.
Monsignor Michael J. Delaney, from Pastor, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, to Administrative Leave of Absence, effective July 1, 2022.
Reverend John M. Lapera, to Administrator pro tem, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, effective July 1, 2022. He will continue to serve as Pastor, Saint Gregory Parish, Clarks Green.
The Feast of Corpus Christ Members of the Polish Community celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) on June 19th at St Luke’s Parish in Stroudsburg. After the celebration of the Mass in Polish, the community honored the Blessed Sacrament with a procession and prayers of thanksgiving.
In other countries like Poland, Austria, and Germany, this feast is celebrated on June 16th but in the United States, the date has been changed to the Sunday after Trinity Sunday. The people of the Polish community remembered their Catholic heritage in Poland and processed around the Church building stopping at altar shrines to pray.
Before Mass, members of the congregation made four altars each honoring the Body of Christ.
Each of these altars were beautifully decorated with many flowers, banners, and pictures meant to honor Jesus Christ in this sacrament of the Eucharist. Many ethnic groups from Poland came to the celebration with their respected attire from each region as Polish Highlanders or Cracovian.
The Mass ended with all congregants walking in procession to each of the altars, ringing bells and throwing flower petals as they solemnly moved along. Father Sylwester Pierzak, a Polish priest from the Diocese of Paterson, NJ, presided at Mass and led the procession while carrying the Monstrance which enshrined the Blessed Sacrament. He is one of a small team of Polish priests who come to serve the growing Polish population in the Poconos.
We are happy to have our parish home in St. Luke’s Church. The doors of the church are open to us by our pastor, Father Michael Quinnan, Deacon Phil Zimich and entire pastoral staff.
Marcin Bienias Student of Jan Paul II Polish School, Stroudsburg, PA
June 29, 2022
His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as indicated:
Monsignor Dale R. Rupert, from Pastor, Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton, to Senior Priest and Pastor Emeritus, Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton, and Diocesan Master of Ceremonies, effective July 26, 2022.
Reverend Jeffrey D. Tudgay, J.C.L., from Pastor, St. Eulalia Parish, Elmhurst, to Pastor, Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton, effective July 26, 2022. He will continue to serve as Judicial Vicar and Vicar for Canonical Affairs.
Reverend Shawn M. Simchock, to Parochial Vicar, Holy Family Parish, Luzerne, effective July 1, 2022. Father will continue to serve as Parochial Vicar, Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish, Kingston.
Reverend Sudhir Toppo, from Heralds of the Good News Mother Theresa Province, India, to Parochial Vicar, Saint John Bosco Parish, Conyngham, effective June 28, 2022.
Reverend Binesh Joseph Kanjirakattu, from Heralds of the Good News Mother Theresa Province, India, to Parochial Vicar, St. Boniface Parish, Williamsport and St. Lawrence Parish, South Williamsport, effective June 28, 2022.
Permanent Deacons:
Deacon Walter G. Janoski, to diaconal ministry, Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston, effective immediately. He will continue in diaconal ministry, St. Barbara Parish, Exeter.
Deacon James R. Meizanis, to diaconal ministry, St. Barbara Parish, Exeter, effective immediately. He will continue in diaconal ministry, Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston.
Deacon Frank H. Hine, to diaconal ministry, All Saints Parish, Plymouth, effective July 26, 2022. He will continue in diaconal ministry, St. John the Baptist Parish, Larksville.
Deacon Gerald P. Pernot, to diaconal ministry, Holy Family Parish, Luzerne, effective July 1, 2022. He will continue in diaconal ministry, St. Ignatius Parish, Kingston.
June 24, 2022
WASHINGTON – In response to the Supreme Court of the United States issuing its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following statement:
“This is a historic day in the life of our country, one that stirs our thoughts, emotions and prayers. For nearly fifty years, America has enforced an unjust law that has permitted some to decide whether others can live or die; this policy has resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of preborn children, generations that were denied the right to even be born.
“America was founded on the truth that all men and women are created equal, with God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This truth was grievously denied by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized and normalized the taking of innocent human life. We thank God today that the Court has now overturned this decision. We pray that our elected officials will now enact laws and policies that promote and protect the most vulnerable among us.
“Our first thoughts are with the little ones whose lives have been taken since 1973. We mourn their loss, and we entrust their souls to God, who loved them from before all ages and who will love them for all eternity. Our hearts are also with every woman and man who has suffered grievously from abortion; we pray for their healing, and we pledge our continued compassion and support. As a Church, we need to serve those who face difficult pregnancies and surround them with love.
“Today’s decision is also the fruit of the prayers, sacrifices, and advocacy of countless ordinary Americans from every walk of life. Over these long years, millions of our fellow citizens have worked together peacefully to educate and persuade their neighbors about the injustice of abortion, to offer care and counseling to women, and to work for alternatives to abortion, including adoption, foster care, and public policies that truly support families. We share their joy today and we are grateful to them. Their work for the cause of life reflects all that is good in our democracy, and the pro-life movement deserves to be numbered among the great movements for social change and civil rights in our nation’s history.
“Now is the time to begin the work of building a post-Roe America. It is a time for healing wounds and repairing social divisions; it is a time for reasoned reflection and civil dialogue, and for coming together to build a society and economy that supports marriages and families, and where every woman has the support and resources she needs to bring her child into this world in love.
“As religious leaders, we pledge ourselves to continue our service to God’s great plan of love for the human person, and to work with our fellow citizens to fulfill America’s promise to guarantee the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people.”
Statement of the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera,
Bishop of Scranton, on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
June 24, 2022
“One of the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church is that all human life is sacred – from the moment of conception until natural death – and it must be respected and protected. In its opinion for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, issued on Friday, June 24, 2022, I am thankful that the majority of Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court have recognized and upheld the sanctity of human life.
“For Catholics, respecting life, especially the unborn, is intrinsic to our identity as people of faith. While political and ideological divisions often drive us apart, we must remember that the Sacred Scriptures call us to be one, reverencing every life that comes into our world. It is critical to note, however, that valuing human life is not simply confined to life in the womb. We must never dismiss or ignore our responsibility to care for, protect and defend our brothers and sisters from other serious threats to human life, including poverty, racism and oppression.
“While already the largest private provider of social services in the United States, the Catholic Church must redouble its efforts and always stand ready to assist young women and couples who are facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies. Everyone in our Diocese and parishes should be familiar with ways to help mothers in difficult circumstances. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recently launched its “Walking with Moms in Need” initiative to continue building relationships with community resources and make sure people in all parish communities know where to refer a pregnant woman in need.
“Our diocese is blessed to have many parishes filled with faithful people who regularly donate diapers, clothing, money and other resources to help expectant mothers each year. On the diocesan level, Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton provides educational, emotional and material support to expectant parents and operates Shepherd’s Maternity House in East Stroudsburg which provides housing, care and assistance for pregnant women and their newborn babies. Along with so many other community agencies and programs, including, but not limited to, Saint Joseph’s Center, Rachel’s Vineyard and the Pennsylvanians for Human Life, any mother needing assistance can receive life-affirming support.
“As we strive to build a true culture of life in our nation, the Gospel of Matthew reminds us that our welcome into God’s eternity will be determined by our willingness to reverence, respect and serve the most vulnerable among us in whom Christ is present: ‘Whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me’” (Matthew 18:5).
June 14, 2022
His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as indicated:
Reverend Jacek J. Bialkowski, from Pastor, All Saints Parish, Plymouth, to Pastor, Saint Peter Parish, Wellsboro, and Saint Thomas Parish, Elkland, effective July 26, 2022
Reverend Stephen Kow Bosomafi, from Assistant Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Archbald, to Pastor, Saint Thomas More Parish, Lake Ariel, effective July 26, 2022.
Reverend Jose Joseph Kuriappilly, from Assistant Pastor, Epiphany Parish, Sayre, to Pastor, SS Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Wyalusing, effective July 26, 2022.
Reverend Glenn E. McCreary, V.E., from Pastor, Resurrection Parish, Muncy, to Pastor, Saint Boniface Parish, Williamsport, and Saint Lawrence Parish, South Williamsport, effective August 16, 2022. Father McCreary will continue to serve as Episcopal Vicar for the Western Pastoral Region of the Diocese of Scranton.
Monsignor David L. Tressler, to Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Luzerne, effective July 1, 2022. Monsignor will continue to serve as Pastor, Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish, Kingston.
Reverend Jarrod Waugh, C.S.C., from Administrator, Holy Family Parish, Luzerne, to ministry within the Congregation of Holy Cross, effective July 1, 2022.
Special Assignment:
Reverend Jonathan P. Kuhar, to Chaplain of Scouts in the Diocese of Scranton, for a period of five (5) years, effective June 6, 2022. Father will continue to serve as Assistant Pastor, Saint John Neumann Parish and Saint Paul of the Cross Parish, Scranton.
Franciscan Sisters Celebrate Jubilee
Jubilarian Served Scranton Diocese in Pastoral Care
Aston—On June 12 more than 150 members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia and their companions gathered in Our Lady of Angels Chapel in Aston, Pennsylvania, to give witness to the lives and service of the congregation’s 2020, 2021, and 2022 jubilarians. Celebrating 70 and 50 years of religious profession, the 39 jubilarians represent an accumulated 2,450 years of service in 18 states and 38 dioceses, including Ireland, Antigua, and Puerto Rico.
Golden jubilarian Sister Kathleen Francis McCarron, OSF, previously ministered in Scranton, Pennsylvania, at Our Lady of Peace Residence from 2017 to 2021.
Balmy weather was the order of the day at Lords Valley Country Club as St. Patrick’s Church in Milford hosted its First Annual Deacon Cliff Golf Outing, named in memory of Cliff Jorgenson, businessman, banking executive and Permanent Deacon at St. Patrick’s for several years. Mary Jorgenson, Deacon Cliff’s wife, was Honorary Chairperson of the event, with proceeds slated for refurbishment of children’s CCD classrooms at St. Patrick’s Hall.
Registration and continental breakfast were followed by golf on the beautiful course famous for its pristine links, gorgeous views and challenging play. A $10,000 Hole in One and other par 3 contests added to the excitement of the day.
The outing’s festivities were capped by an awards buffet at Jorgensons at the Dimmick, hosted by the Jorgenson family.
Major sponsors of the event included: DP Luhrs True Value Hardware, Phoenix Properties, LLC, Milford Hospitality Group, Econo-Pak, Belle Reve Senior Living, Brooklyn Boys Pork Store, Milford’s Daily Grind, Naked Bagel Co. and The Arlene Quirk Team.
The 2nd Annual Deacon Cliff Memorial Golf Outing is set for Monday, June 12th, 2023.
