Author: Eric Deabill

 

SCRANTON – A Greek philosopher once said that change is the only constant in life. As local communities, schools and businesses are all forced to change, the Diocese of Scranton must adapt as well.

In 2019, well before the approaching COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocese of Scranton began a long-range pastoral planning process with clergy and parish leaders. The Vision 2030 Blueprint Process aims to look proactively at the realities of our local church in the present moment, while striving to meet the opportunities and challenges of the coming decade.

The goal of Vision 2030 is to create vibrant parish communities rooted in the life of Jesus Christ.

“As we strive to be a mission-driven church, we must all work together in a way that we best live out our baptismal calling in both a world – and local environment – that continues to change,” Bishop Joseph C. Bambera said. “Our Church faces significant challenges, among which are a fewer number of parishioners, financial sustainability questions, facility infrastructure needs and a diminishing number of ordained priests.”

A 12-page document entitled ‘Vision 2030’ was released in January in all parishes of the Diocese of Scranton. The document provides information on real and significant factors – known as priority drivers – which the Diocese of Scranton and its parishes must confront. The priority drivers will prompt the need for change in the coming years.

Among the most significant priority drivers is a declining number of parishioners supporting the mission of the Church. More than four decades ago, the Diocese of Scranton had well over 300,000 practicing Catholics. Due to numerous factors, including an aging population, young people leaving the area for employment and reaction to the sex abuse crisis in the church, Diocesan statistics show there are now only 224,075 registered in parishes.

Likewise, a diminishing number of clergy is another significant priority driver. In 2003, the Diocese of Scranton had 226 active priests. In 2021, that number had dropped below 100 priests. Because of retirements, the Diocese projects that there will only be 81 priests in 2025 and 62 priests by 2030 without a significant increase in vocations to the priesthood.

In recognition of all the Church of Scranton faces, the Diocese has been working with Pastors and Parish Pastoral and Finance Council members in several communities to establish new parish linkages to confront the changing times. There are various reasons why a linkage may be established – from the retirement of a pastor, to demographic, financial or infrastructure reasons, or even the overall needs of the diocese in regards to where clergy are most needed.

Announcements regarding new linkages planned for 2022 have been communicated to parish communities in the last several weeks. The announcement of a new linkage is just the very first step in a process that will involve the engagement of the laity. Whenever a linkage is established, there are many questions that will need to be examined and choices that will need to be made – and that is where the involvement of each church’s parishioners will be relied upon.

Among the parish modifications recently announced are:

• Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston, will enter into a linkage with Saint Barbara Parish, Exeter, in May 2022. This linkage will have a single pastor and will become effective upon the planned retirement of Father Michael E. Finn, Pastor of Saint Barbara Parish.

• Saint Mary of the Lake Parish, Lake Winola, will join the current linkage of Our Lady of the Abingtons Parish, Dalton, and Saint Patrick Parish, Nicholson, in August 2022. All three parishes will share one pastor.

• Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda, will enter into a linkage with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Wyalusing, in August 2022. This linkage will have a single pastor.

• Saint Joachim Church, which is currently a worship site of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Wyalusing, will become a worship site of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Tunkhannock, in August 2022.

• All Saints Parish, Plymouth, will enter into a linkage with Saint John the Baptist Parish, Larksville, in August 2022. This linkage will have a single pastor.

• The Pastoral and Finance Councils of Saint Andre Bessette Parish, Wilkes-Barre, have begun participation in a consultative process to determine the best path forward given changing demographics in its community which have resulted in decreased Mass attendance and Sacramental participation, as well as a large debt which has been transparently shared with the faithful each week in the parish bulletin.

Whenever the need for a new linkage occurs, the Diocese makes available professionals in pastoral formation, financial planning, engineering and communication to help the new linkage in any way that is necessary.

As the Diocese of Scranton continues to confront changing realities, the bishop told each of the parish communities that will be involved in a new linkage, “While I know change is never easy, be assured of my deep gratitude for all that you and your families have shared, and continue to share, in furthering the mission of the Church. As you know, our mission is to take Christ into the world. I am confident that by working together we can ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.’”

For more information on Vision 2030, visit dioceseofscranton.org.

 

SCRANTON – At the age of only 17, Deborah McDonald of Stroudsburg found herself in need of God’s love and assistance last September.

With her mother in the hospital, she turned to prayer and it opened her eyes to the beauty of the Catholic faith.

“Before that it was not something I thought about very often,” McDonald said.

McDonald is one of several dozen people who came to the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton to take part in the Rite of Election on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

The Rite of Election is a prayer service in which those who are enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) take an important step on their journey toward becoming full members of the Catholic Church. The individuals, who have never been baptized, publicly state their desire to receive the sacraments of initiation – baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation – at the Vigil Mass of Easter in April.

“I’m a little nervous, but mostly excited,” the teenage said.

With her Godmother, Pat Bauer of Saylorsburg, by her side, McDonald proudly expressed her intention to join the Catholic Church.

“Her mom is my best friend and when she went to the hospital, she almost died. When she came home with some hefty medical conditions, Deborah was there 24-7 to help with anything her mom needed,” Bauer explained. “I just kept saying to her, ‘pray, pray, pray.’ She was praying like crazy and I really think through that prayer for her mom, not even thinking about herself, is where the Holy Spirit grabbed her!”

In addition to the Rite of Election, the Call to Continuing Conversion was celebrated the same day. That involves candidates who have already been baptized and are preparing to receive the sacraments of confirmation and First Holy Communion in their parishes during the Easter Season.

In all, more than 100 people in the Diocese of Scranton are preparing to join the church this year.

Desiree Prell of Hawley will receive all three sacraments at her parish, Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Wayne County.

“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a while,” she explained. “I just felt like now is the time to do it.”

Having had her 10-year-old son baptized when he was born, Prell said she learned a lot from the RCIA classes.

“Every time we had class, there was always stuff that somebody brought that made you think,” she said. “Not only am I getting closer to what I didn’t understand before, but it’s also being a part of the community and we just want to help as much as we can.”

Leah Dunnells of Pike County will also receive her sacraments at the Hawley church. With all of the troubles in the world, from the pandemic to the conflict in Ukraine, she believes putting her trust in God is the only appropriate action.

“Where else do we need to go?” she questioned. “We need religion and hope He helps us and guides us in the direction we need to go.”

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, presided at the Rite of Election & Call to Continuing Conversion. During his homily, he thanked each person for saying “yes” to Jesus.

“My sisters and brothers, and especially you, our catechumens and candidates, today Jesus is calling you. He’s inviting you to walk a path with him that ultimately will lead you to a life of meaning, purpose and peace,” Bishop Bambera said. “He is saying, through his invitation, that your life – with all of its struggles and joys, with all of its blessings and challenges – has a unique place and role to play within his plan.”

While fully recognizing that some people are turning away from religion, Luis Martinez of East Stroudsburg said God is calling him to participate in the life of the Church. He will join Our Lady of Victory Parish in Tannersville at Easter.

“Everybody has their own journey. God is calling me and I’m here!” he said joyfully.

The same is true for Sokieu Brutico, who will join the Church of Saint Gregory.

“My parents raised me as Buddhist but we were never really strong into our religion and I always felt like a free spirit growing up,” she said.

After being in a serious relationship with a Catholic man, she realized the beauty of prayer and the Catholic faith. She knows this Easter will be special.

“Everyone in my family is making it a huge deal. I’m a very ‘backseat’ person where I don’t like the attention so I’m very nervous but it’s very exciting,” she added.

SCRANTON – The “Refresh Your Faith” Conference for Catholic Women is coming back this summer!

The conference, “Full of Grace,” is an opportunity for women to explore their faith and deepen their relationship with Mary, the Mother of God.

All women are invited to participate in this year’s conference on Saturday, June 11, beginning at 8 a.m. on the campus of Marywood University.

Keynote speaker, Colleen Carroll Campbell, an award-winning author, journalist, and former presidential speechwriter will share her spiritual journey with the Saints and her special devotion to Mary.

Another featured speaker is Debra Hadley, who will share how unfathomable tragedy struck her family not once, but twice. She will share her journey from the depths of despair to rediscovering her faith and restoring her will to live and to reach out to others.

Featured speaker Father Jeffrey Kirby will address our Catholic devotion to Mary, our Mother, as our powerful intercessor and as a model of discipleship.

Dunmore native Megan Murphy, a Catholic speaker, teacher, and evangelist will talk about the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, which all focus on Our Mother, Mary. As each prayer of the rosary is said, a candle will be lit. When the rosary is completed, the room will be aglow with an illuminated candlelit rosary.

Guiding the participants through the day will be Olyphant native, Natalie Gubala-Magdon, founder of the “15 Minute Rosary.”

Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, and worship artist Molly McManus will provide inspirational music throughout the day.
Participants can also enjoy a continental breakfast, lunch and shopping at the Catholic Vendor Marketplace.

Early-bird registrations are now available at $45 per person (the price increases to $50 after May 29). Student tickets are $20, and women religious are welcome free of charge.

Volunteers are always needed and those who sign up for four hours at the conference will receive a free ticket. For more information and to register, visit cwcnepa.com.

SCOTT TOWNSHIP – As parishioners of Saint John Vianney Parish entered the Season of Lent this year, they were invited to go deeper in their faith by attending a “40 Faith Filled Days Celebration.”

Dozens of families turned out on March 6 to witness the parish’s seventh and eighth grade students present the Stations of the Cross, present a food donation to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen as well as enjoy a family craft activity with an act of fasting, prayer, and giving for each day of Lent.

The “40 Faith Filled Days Celebration” is just one in a series of family-oriented events the parish has hosted since its faith formation program resumed in-person classes last year.

“It’s all about gathering God’s children together, in love and in faith and in trust,” Kristin Travis, Director of Faith Formation at Saint John Vianney Parish, explained. “It’s just so important to get our families involved in the faith journey of their children.”

Students who participated in the Stations of the Cross – which were presented as “Shadow Stations” behind a screen – say it was a moving experience.

“It’s important to show the real presentation of what happened to Jesus,” student Gianna Wech said.

Travis encouraged the crowd to reflect on the Stations of the Cross as they were presented.

“As we begin our solemn journey of Lent as a parish community, this is a time to reflect, reconcile and renew our spiritual lives and our relationship with Jesus,” she said.

In the weeks leading up to the event, the parish collected more than 600 food items to be donated to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton.
Rob Williams, Executive Director of Saint Francis Kitchen, attended the event to thank the faith formation students and parents for their efforts.

“The main reason that a food collection like the one here at Saint John Vianney means so much to Saint Francis Kitchen is that we’re engaging and involving young people in the mission of the church,” Williams said. “Secondarily, we certainly have a need of food – like the jelly, tuna and sauce they collected – so we definitely have people that are in need and can use these items.”

Williams spoke to the students about the mission of Saint Francis Kitchen and the agency’s goal to treat each person that walks through the doors with dignity and respect.

“It’s very moving for me to be here and to see these young people that are taking their faith seriously and that are acting on that faith,” Williams added.

SCRANTON – Christina Curran of the Mueller Family McDonalds presented a $10,000 check to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation on Feb. 28, 2022.

The donation was a result of the fifth annual Fry Fundraiser that kicked off National Catholic Schools Week January 31, 2022 and ended February 20, 2022. All sixteen Mueller Family McDonald’s participated by donating a portion of every large order of french fries sold during that period.

“We are so grateful to the Mueller family for their generosity and continued commitment to supporting families in need. The Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation helps students in our 19 schools experience a Catholic Education and achieve their God-given potential in an academically excellent, safe, and spiritual environment,” Jason Morrison, Diocesan Secretary of Catholic Education/Chief Executive Officer, said.

With restaurants located in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Shavertown, Mountain Top, Old Forge, Clarks Summit, Dickson City, Eynon, Carbondale, Tunkhannock, Honesdale, Allentown and Bethlehem, the Mueller Family McDonalds restaurants are deeply invested in their communities.

Pictured at the check presentation on Feb. 28, 2022, are, from left: Kristen Donohue, Superintendent of Catholic Schools; the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton; Christina Curran, Mueller Family McDonalds; and Jason Morrison, Diocesan Secretary of Catholic Education/Chief Executive Officer. (Photo/Dan Gallagher)

SCRANTON – On Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as celebrant and homilist for the 12:10 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.

As the Season of Lent began, the bishop reminded the faithful that our Lenten journey draws us to the very heart of what it means to be a Christian by entering this time for sacrifice and spiritual renewal.

Bishop Bambera invited those in attendance to reflect on Pope Francis’ Lenten message, which takes root from Saint Paul’s words in his letter to the Galatians: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all” (Galatians 6:9-10).

“In quoting Saint Paul, the Holy Father invites us to reflect upon the urgency of using the time that God has given to each of us to sow goodness in our lives and in our world with a view to a future harvest,” Bishop Bambera said.

The bishop also explained how Pope Francis asked the faithful to use Ash Wednesday as a time of prayer and fasting for our suffering brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

“May our prayers rise to the heavens as we implore our God to sustain these good and innocent people and bring an end to the senseless aggression that is being laid upon them. May we sacrifice for their sake and may we give from our bounty to generously support them in their fight against evil,” the Bishop explained.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Mayor Vitali Klitschko of Kyiv, Ukraine’s besieged capital, has invited Pope Francis and other religious leaders to come to the city and witness for peace.

“The Holy Father has received the letter from the mayor of the Ukrainian capital and is close to the suffering of the city, its people, those who had to flee from it and those who are called to administer it,” said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.

“He prays to the Lord that they will be protected from violence,” Bruni said March 15, adding that the pope repeats his call for an end to “the unacceptable armed aggression before it reduces cities to cemeteries.”

In a letter to the pope dated March 8, Klitschko said, “We believe that the world religious leaders’ presence in person in Kyiv is key for saving lives and paving the path to peace in our city, country and beyond.”

The mayor offered “help on whatever might be needed” to get the pope to Kyiv, and said, “if a journey to Kyiv is not possible, we kindly ask for a joint video conference to be recorded or broadcast live,” including with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“We appeal to you, as a spiritual leader, to show your compassion, to stand with the Ukrainian people by jointly spreading the call for peace,” the letter said.

Klitschko wrote to the pope three days after appealing in a video on Twitter for religious leaders to come to the beleaguered city.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (CNS) – As thousands of refugees from Ukraine continue to cross over the Hungarian border, Budapest’s Keleti train station has become a central hub on their paths to escape violence and search for some sense of normalcy amid the chaos.

For the past two weeks, religious and other charitable organizations such as Caritas Hungary, the Knights of Malta and the Red Cross have distributed food, clothing and other items to the continuous waves of refugees coming through the station, which is always crowded.

The hustle and bustle at the station was no different March 12, as the various charities distributed much-needed food and basic materials not only to refugees from Ukraine, but also to the city’s poor and homeless who arrived at the station seeking help.

“No one is denied help here,” said Mark, a volunteer working at the station for Caritas Hungary, who preferred to give only his first name.

A group of volunteers speedily handed out bags of food and other goods to those who approached. A young Roma girl standing near the table, however, had her eye on a small plush toy but remained silent. Noticing the girl, one volunteer smiled and handed her the toy along with some candy that she happily accepted.

Mark told Catholic News Service that the crisis was far from being a burden for Hungarians who stepped up to help those in need. Volunteers who offered to help, he said, “have to wait their turn because every job is taken until the end of March.”

BALTIMORE (CNS) – In response to more than 2 million refugees, primarily women and children, fleeing the conflict in Ukraine in recent weeks, the president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services said it is “alarming to see the scale of the suffering” in the region.

In a statement, Sean Callahan said CRS partners and staff inside Ukraine and in Moldova and Poland have “heard of children dragging bulky luggage, their faces wet from tears” and also have heard of “crowds huddling inside bus terminals for shelter, knee-deep in their belongings.”

“The weight of the trauma lives on the faces of young and old alike,” he added.

Callahan also noted that CRS, the U.S. bishops’ relief and development agency, has seen “tremendous acts of solidarity and generosity” from countries receiving refugees and from those donating to CRS and Caritas partners that are providing food, shelter, relief items, counseling and information services to displaced people in Ukraine and refugees in Moldova, Poland and Romania.

“With all of this in mind, we join the pope in calling for an immediate end to the fighting,” he said, adding that wars in Syria and elsewhere have demonstrated that “people will continue to suffer until there is peace.”

During this time of conflict in Ukraine, CRS has been supporting Caritas agencies in Eastern Europe who are helping Ukrainian refugees with the following:

• Field kitchens providing hot lunches and snacks.
• Reception services at Caritas offices, train stations and other locations for displaced people with clothing, information, referrals, food, water, hygiene items and counseling services.
• Transportation of displaced families to friends, families and local social services.
• Evacuation centers providing shelter, food and counseling services for displaced families.

CRS is assisting Caritas Moldova in providing food and relief items to refugees at government-run reception centers and plans to establish additional centers.

The Baltimore-based agency also is helping transport refugees from the Ukraine border and mobilizing hosts to provide homes for refugee families.

In Romania, Caritas agencies with CRS support have mobilized volunteers, equipped facilities and helped refugee centers, currently at capacity, in serving hundreds of refugee families crossing the borders.

Caritas Poland is similarly providing assistance to arriving Ukrainians at multiple border-crossing points and supporting the shipment of relief supplies into Ukraine.

CRS is assisting the agency to prepare a cash assistance program to reach an estimated 300,000 households. It also is providing shelter to refugee orphans in coordination with the Polish government.

GAYLORD, Mich. – Seventy-three days after Pope Francis appointed Father Jeffrey J. Walsh as the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord, the Scranton native was ordained and installed at a Mass at Saint Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral.

Hundreds of family, friends, clergy, religious and lay faithful attended the joyous Cathedral Mass.

“What was once a gift in Scranton is now a gift in Gaylord,” said the Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit, who served as principal ordaining bishop and celebrant. “He is a remarkably accomplished parish priest and he brings all of that to you.”

Drawing upon the parable of the owner and vineyard workers from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, which was proclaimed during the Ordination Mass, Archbishop Vigneron said Bishop Walsh is now being sent into a new vineyard – in the Diocese of Gaylord – which is near to Jesus’ heart.

“Bishop Walsh does not come to you as some sort of mere generic laborer. He is the man who he is with individual gifts and talents, with a history of discipleship, all of which receives a new quality, a new character, a new consecration, a new stamp today,” he said.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, and the Most Rev. Walter A. Hurley, Apostolic Administrator of Gaylord, were co-ordaining bishops.

Concelebrants were the many bishops and priests in attendance, including Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. Several of Bishop Walsh’s brother priests from the Diocese of Scranton also made the trip to Michigan for the Ordination Mass.

In his homily, Archbishop Vigneron encouraged everyone in the Cathedral to immerse themselves in the grace being poured forth by the Holy Spirit.

“We are here, in the Cathedral today, not as witnesses, not as spectators, but as participants in something that the Holy Spirit accomplishes beyond any human agency,” the Archbishop explained. “We want our hearts to be on fire with praise and thanksgiving.”

The Archbishop used the closing moments of his homily to speak to Bishop Walsh directly, saying he was chosen for episcopal office because he is a friend of Jesus – and urged him to “seize this grace, this hour.”

The homily followed the presentation of Bishop-elect Walsh and the reading of the apostolic letter from Pope Francis by Archbishop Pierre, calling the Bishop-elect to episcopal ministry.

The homily was followed by the Promise of the Elect in which the Bishop-elect declared his resolve to uphold the faith and to discharge his duties with fidelity, and the Litany of Supplication where the Bishop-elect laid face down in the Cathedral as names of saints were sung in prayer.

In the Laying on of Hands and the Prayer of Ordination, Archbishop Vigneron placed his hands on Bishop-elect Walsh without speaking and was followed by all of the other bishops present doing the same to signify the unity of the Apostolic College.

Archbishop Vigneron also anointed the head of Bishop Walsh, presented him with a Book of the Gospels, placed a ring on his right hand and presented him with a miter and crosier.

“Receive the Gospel, and preach the word of God with all patience and sound teaching,” the Archbishop said in presenting the Book of Gospels.

After the closing prayer, the newly ordained bishop walked through the aisles of the Gaylord Cathedral to offer blessings to all before delivering his first remarks as bishop.

Calling the Mass “uplifting,” he expressed gratitude to everyone for attending.

“The Church has what the world needs,” Bishop Walsh said. “Prayer and the Sacraments are what make our faith come alive and help us stay close to Christ and be the best that we can be.”

Bishop Walsh said he is eager to go around the Diocese of Gaylord with “missionary zeal,” saying he is looking forward to not only enjoying the beauty of his new diocese but also getting to know its people and pray with them.

“As we pray, we have the life of Christ grow in us and we realize that we can take a backseat and let his spirit work through us,” Bishop Walsh explained.

The new Bishop concluded his remarks with one of the petitions in the Liturgy of the Hours on the day of the Mass, “Teach us to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Church, that it may be more effective for ourselves and for the world as the Sacrament of Salvation.”

Pope Francis appointed Bishop Walsh to serve the Diocese of Gaylord Dec. 21, 2021, with the announcement coming from Archbishop Pierre.

Bishop Walsh, ordained a priest in 1994, was serving as pastor at Saint Rose of Lima Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, both in Carbondale, at the time of his appointment. The 56 year old is a native of Scranton and a graduate of Scranton Central High School. He graduated from the University of Scranton in 1987 and went on to complete his priestly studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., earning a Master of Divinity. Bishop Walsh also received a Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in 1999 and a Master of Social Work from Marywood University in 2010.

During his 27 years as a priest in the Diocese of Scranton, Bishop Walsh also served in various positions in the Diocese of Scranton from Assistant Pastor and Pastor, Sacramental Minister, Episcopal Vicar and Episcopal Vicar for Clergy. He also served in a variety of diocesan positions, including Director of Religious Formation in high schools, Chaplain to the Deaf Community, Diocesan Vocations Director and also Diocesan Deputy Secretary for Catholic Human Services.