“Be A Catholic Man Conference” to take place Oct. 7 in Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE – Catholic men from around the Diocese of Scranton are invited to the eighth annual “Be A Catholic Man Conference” on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Holy Redeemer High School.

The daylong conference will begin at 8 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.

All men are encouraged to join together in fortitude and strength in professing our Catholic Faith. As the world becomes increasingly hostile to Catholic teaching, Saint Polycarp reminds us to “Follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the Faith.” Furthermore, Saint Paul advises us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day, having done everything, to hold your ground.”

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate Mass at 1:45 p.m. before the conference officially closes. There will also be opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as Eucharistic Adoration/Benediction.
The conference will feature a dynamic line-up of speakers. They include Mark Houck, Fr. John Anthony Boughton, C.F.R., and Sam Blair.

Mark Houck is founder and president of The King’s Men, a non-profit men’s ministry that promotes authentic masculinity, fatherhood and beloved sonship. He is a former college football All-American, high school teacher, coach and counselor turned activist, radio host, evangelist and motivational pro-life speaker. In September 2022, Mark, his wife, Ryan-Marie, and seven young children made international news with an FBI invasion of their home. Mark was falsely charged with felony violations for defending his 12-year-old son from an aggressive abortion escort. Mark was acquitted on all charges.

Father John Anthony Boughton, C.F.R., of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal is currently stationed in the Bronx, serving as the Vicar General of the CFRs. Through a life of prayer, fraternity, apostolate, penance, and wholehearted living of the gospel, they work in service of the poor and evangelization, sharing the rich treasures of the Catholic faith by the prophetic witness of their lives. Father Boughton is a native of Dallas, Texas. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, he was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve, worked as a sales representative, and was vice president and director of operations for St. David’s Relief Foundation in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1992-95.

Sam Blair is a passionate cradle Catholic and a former Navy SEAL Officer with experience leading elite teams around the globe. He taught Leadership and Ethics at the United States Naval Academy and helped screen, select, and train over 90 new future SEAL Officers. Before transitioning from active duty, Sam was a SkillBridge Fellow at Squadra Ventures, a venture capital firm in Baltimore, Md. Sam is passionate about leveraging his unique skills sets and hard-earned leadership experiences to help corporate leaders, portfolio companies and corporations build robust cultures, clarity of purpose and a relentless focus on execution.

To attend the Catholic Men’s Conference, please register either online at www.BeACatholicMan.com, or by mail to: “Be a Catholic Man, Inc.”, P.O Box # 669, Wyalusing, Pa. 18853. Include your name, address, email & parish with your check payable to “Be a Catholic Man, Inc.” with “Men’s Conference” on the memo line.
Cost is $40 (Early Bird $30 until Sept. 8, 2023), Students $15, Priests/Deacons FREE.

For more information, contact Mike Kilmer at (570) 721-0872 or mkilmer@thekilmergroup.com.

SCRANTON – When Bobby Wolliver returned to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen on July 31, the first thing he noticed was how bright the inside of the facility looked.

“It is wonderful. It’s brighter,” he said. “I’m happy to be home and back here again.”

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, leads a short prayer service prior to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen reopening on Monday, July 31, 2023.

For ten weeks, the kitchen was closed for a “once-in-a-generation” renovation project. The nearly $2 million project involved replacing most kitchen equipment, expanding freezer space, creating handicap accessible bathrooms, creating a new front entrance along with painting and making the facility energy efficient.

“Every single ceiling has been replaced. Every light has been turned into an LED light, every wall has been painted,” Executive Director Rob Williams said. “It is exciting to look around the room and see our people where they are most comfortable.”

Albert Vosberg of West Scranton comes to Saint Francis Kitchen for a meal several times a week.

“I was blown away. It is amazing. It is like night and day. I just thank God that we have this place because without it a lot of people would go hungry,” he said. “It is not only the food, it is the comradery. Everybody that works here is like my family.”

Tania Durmiaki of Carbondale agreed.

“Some people live alone or they need to talk to people other than their family. It puts a smile on people’s faces,” she explained. “This is open to anyone.”

Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen serves 10 hot meals every week. They include a daily meal at 11 a.m. every day of the week (including weekends and holidays) and evening meals at 5 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Head chef Selena Hitchens stands in the newly renovated kitchen area.

Each meal includes a garden salad, fruit salad, protein, starch, vegetables, dessert and beverages.

The kitchen also provides hundreds of weekly meals that are distributed at parishes in Carbondale, Olyphant and Roaring Brook Township.

“It is a wonderful mission we have here,” volunteer Jane Roberts said.

Roberts, who was born and raised in Scranton, waited until the official grand reopening to see the completed renovation work.

“It is magnificent. It was needed. It is beyond what I expected. I love it,” she said.

Head chef Selena Hitchens was excited to get back into the kitchen and prepare the first meal for the community.

“It’s like feeling like a kid in a candy store, you know when you walk in and you see everything and your eyes just light up, that’s how it felt walking in here and seeing everything,” she said.

Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi founded Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen in 1978. In those 45 years, officials believe there has only been four missed meals.

None of those missed meals occurred during this latest renovation project.

Lackawanna College allowed the kitchen to utilize its facility to prepare meals in its commercial kitchen. Meals on Wheels of Northeastern Pennsylvania let the kitchen serve its weekday meals out of its facility in the 500-block of Wyoming Avenue.

“They did a lot for us to have the meals at the other location,” Durmiaki noted. “It was smaller but they did a lot.”

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, led a short prayer service before blessing the renovated facility ahead of its first meal.

“This is a great day for all of us. It is really beautiful and we’re very happy to be able to provide this to all of you,” Bishop Bambera said.

The bishop read a short Gospel passage and prayed for all those who helped make the renovations possible as well as all those who will benefit from the project.

“We ask you, Lord, to bless us and all who use this building. May all who come here know the presence of Christ, experience His compassion and grow in His love,” Bishop Bambera said.

Williams stressed that the mission of Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen continues to be providing a space for people to have a warm, nutritious meal, no matter their circumstances in life.

“By taking good care of them and loving them, we emphasize that our brothers and sisters in need have dignity and are deserving of a dignified meal,” Williams said.

With the renovation project now complete, Williams said Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen can now focus on possible future expansion.

“We have a really strong staff. We must discern God’s will for the future of this organization … I’m excited to see what God has in store for us,” he added.

SCRANTON – On Thursday, Aug. 2, 2023, members of the Knights of Columbus presented the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, with a charitable donation in the amount of $1,871.34 to support the good work of the Diocese of Scranton.

Members of the Knights of Columbus presented a check to the Diocese of Scranton on Aug. 2, 2023. Pictured at the check presentation are, from left: Charlie Vagnarelli, Past State Deputy; George Schneider, Jr., Former State Advocate; the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton; and Art Bobbouine, Community Director.

The donation came from money raised from the Knights of Columbus Labels Program.

During their meeting, Bishop Bambera expressed his gratitude to the Knights for the good works they are doing in many parish communities as well as for their active participation in many Pontifical Masses throughout the year.

The Knights encourage local families to participate in their Catholic School Student Grant Program. The Knights Educational Foundation offers up to fifty $1,000 grants to families who have Catholic School students enrolled in Grades 1-12 where the Knight of Columbus member’s child is enrolled.

Applications are traditionally accepted during the month of January each year. For more information on the Catholic School Student Grant Program, visit kofcpennsylania.org.

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for their continued generosity!

CARBONDALE – For the last several months, Father Seth Wasnock has used one phrase more than most others when talking about the two parishes he leads.

The saying, ‘Building Disciples, Sharing Love,’ has been gaining traction amongst his parishioners in Lackawanna County’s Up Valley.

Father Seth Wasnock, V.F., celebrates the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast Mass on July 18, 2023, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Carbondale.

During Lent, the pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish launched a new stewardship program focused on that theme. In just a short amount of time, the success has been noticeable!

“We would like to change the mentality that you just have to come to Mass on Sunday,” Father Seth said. “It is about having a relationship and encounter with Jesus Christ every day and how we go out and share that love and be the disciples that we are called to be through the gift of our Baptism.”

With the help of Our Sunday Visitor, a resource company that partners with parishes and dioceses, Father Seth spoke at Masses of the many ways people can use their time, talent and treasure to better both parishes. He also sent mailings to parishioners and posted videos on his parish website.

“We always have to look at the traditional three ‘t’s’ – time, talent and treasure – but also move into prayer, service and giving. How do we pray? How do we serve and how do we give?” he explained.

Parishioners have responded in all three ways!

“We had several new parishioners come forward to embark on new initiatives,” Father Seth said. “One was to reinvigorate our weekly Holy Hours. About 30 people have signed up to devote an hour of their time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is something that we had at Saint Rose and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in years past but COVID changed some of that.”

The stewardship program also led to the creation of a new Marian Society for the two parishes.

“The Marian Society is focusing on social, spiritual and service efforts. Members have come together from both parishes to host events,” he added. “We’re looking forward to the fall and maybe hosting a baby pantry, back to school Mass and grandparents day.”

More than 40 percent of parishioners (440 households total) also pledged to increase their charitable giving to their parish, pledging an additional $89,105 to Saint Rose of Lima and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parishes combined over the next calendar year. Parishioners of the two parishes donated $13,105 in one-time financial gifts as well.

“The stewardship effort is really just a way of re-engaging people,” Father Seth added.

In the months ahead, the Carbondale pastor plans to highlight different parish ministries in the joint bulletin, put together a ‘State of the Parish’ report and help his pastoral council become more of a “mission advancement team.”

“It is so important that we look at how we interact with one another and how we go out, as we are commissioned, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ,” Father Seth ended by saying.

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MOUNTAIN TOP – After publishing the financial report and parish life statistics for Saint Jude Parish in January and February respectively, Father Joseph Evanko, V.E., made a conscious effort to focus on stewardship efforts this past spring.

“It really allows us to continue to build upon the mission of what a parish is,” Father Evanko said. “It allows us to continue to create new ministries with how our pastoral plan guides us.”

Father Joseph Evanko, V.E., confirms a RCIA candidate during the Easter Vigil Mass in April at Saint Jude Parish in Mountain Top.

Using the theme, “United by the Eucharist,” Father Evanko invited his parishioners to recommit themselves to financially supporting his Mountain Top parish as well as dedicating their time and talents to the church by hosting a ministry fair.

“It was an awareness, first and foremost, as well as educational and formational in the sense of stewardship,” he explained. “We’re not just asking for money. We’re putting it in the context of what it means to be a disciple and a good steward of the gifts and resources God has given to us as a parish and as individuals.”

The ministry fair featured information and an invitation for parishioners to join Saint Jude’s more than 30 ministry programs, which include hospitality ministers, peer grief support group, rosary makers and children’s choir.

Nearly 40 percent of parishioners at Saint Jude Parish pledged to increase their weekly commitment to the church, which will allow Father Evanko and parish staff to be creative in developing new programs.

“Some of the money will be used to have our second ECHO apprentice from Notre Dame. We had such a great success with that program last year, so that helped us commit to a second ECHO apprentice and that whole program which has provided a lot of different ministries for us that we wouldn’t have otherwise,” Father Evanko explained.

Last year, the parish’s ECHO apprentice helped to create many young adult and young adult family programs.

“We will use some of this money to make sure that young adult/young adult family ministry continues to be developed and have further outreach,” Father Evanko added. “It gives us that ability to be creative with outreach of all different types.”

Saint Jude Parish also stresses inter-generational faith formation. The parish invested in ‘FORMED’ that brings Catholic video content to families and individuals.
“The increase in offertory is going to help us continue to pay for FORMED and then do spin-off faith formation. We’re trying to do that on an adult level, obviously at a religious education level, as well as men’s and women’s groups with more formation and offering spiritual retreats,” Father Evanko added.

As more people return to church after the COVID-19 pandemic, evangelization efforts are also top of mind.

“We’re talking about how to reach out to those people on the margins that have not come back from COVID, or are not coming to church, and how to evangelize them,” Father ended by saying.

HAZLETON — A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Father Thomas A. Cappelloni on Friday, Aug. 4, in the Church of Saint Gabriel at Annunciation Parish in Hazleton. Retired from active ministry for the past 11 years, Father Cappelloni died July 29 at his home in Hazleton.

Born in Scranton on Nov. 13, 1950, son of the late Frank and Ann Butler Cappelloni, Father Cappelloni was a graduate of South Scranton Central Catholic High School and began his preparatory studies for the priesthood at Saint Pius X Seminary, Dalton. He completed theological training and formation at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., where he earned a master’s degree in systematic theology.

Father Cappelloni was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Scranton on May 1, 1976, in the Cathedral of Saint Peter by the late Most Rev. J. Carroll McCormick, sixth Bishop of Scranton. Following ordination, he received his summer assignment as assistant pastor of Saint Basil Parish, Dushore, after which he was appointed assistant pastor of Saint Lucy Parish in West Scranton.

In August 1978, Father Cappelloni was named assistant pastor at Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Honesdale, where he served until being assigned in the same capacity at Saint Aloysius Parish, Wilkes-Barre, in June 1982.

During his first pastorate, beginning in 1987 at Saint Martin of Tours Parish in Jackson where he served for 14 years, Father Cappelloni spearheaded the expansion of the parish church, with the worship site doubling in size, and supervised the construction of a new catechetical center.

Shortly after being named pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Scranton, in July 2001, he was assigned as administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Hazleton, where he was named as pastor in July 2002.

While fulfilling his duties for nearly ten years at the Hazleton parish, Father Cappelloni was appointed director of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in nearby Harleigh. He retired from pastoral ministry in April 2012 due to reasons of health.

In addition to his parochial duties, Father Cappelloni served the Scranton Diocese as Dean of Susquehanna County from January 1992 to December 2000; as a catechist at Bishop Hannan High School, Scranton, and Honesdale Catholic School; and Advocate for the Diocesan Tribunal Office. He later served as chaplain of the Hazleton City Police Department.

Well known for his love of the culinary arts and cooking skills, Father Cappelloni was also an accomplished musician and organist. He will also be remembered for helping to establish a charitable trust fund for stray animals.

Surviving are an older brother, Francis (Frank) Cappelloni, and younger sister, Mary Ann Cappelloni Folk; numerous nieces and nephews, including Mara (Joseph) Cappelloni Lopez and their children, Alexa and Jackson; Corey Cappelloni and daughter, Emma; Brant (Nikki) Cappelloni and children, Gabriella, Christopher and Paul; Kristen (Patrick) Conaway and children, Reagan and Abigale; Lauren (Adam) Ercolini and daughter, Emilia; and Christopher Folk.

Interment was held in Nuremberg Cemetery in Schuylkill County.

HUNLOCK CREEK – As he celebrated a special Mass to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on July 22, 2023, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, offered prayers of both gratitude and hope.
“Gratitude for all that has been and hope for all that will be through the grace and the goodness of God,” Bishop Bambera said.

During his homily, the bishop stressed how members of the parish have been instrumental in treasuring life, feeding hungry families and bringing people to the Lord since the parish’s founding last century.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, celebrates Mass for the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Hunlock Creek on July 22, 2023. (Photo/Ed Koons)

“You have been the hands and the voice and the heart of Christ,” he said. “You’ve done the work of God and you continue to do it in simple, yet profound ways, and I say to you on behalf of the church and all who have received from your goodness and your generous spirits, thank you!”

Following Mass, parishioners gathered for food and fellowship in the parish’s picnic pavilion.

“Today was just a beautiful day. We knew the celebration was coming. We’ve spent many years in this parish. Our daughter was baptized here and married here and we’re so blessed that we now have a granddaughter. She is seven weeks old,” parishioner Kathleen Scavone said. “Today, her and her mom and dad actually brought up the gifts as being the youngest new parishioner – along with the oldest parish member – so that was really a nice blessing for our family.”

Paul Scavone said members of his family have been a part of the parish for at least 75 years.

“My mom and dad came to this parish as a young married couple. My brothers and sisters were baptized here … now it continues with our granddaughter being here. It’s nice to be a part of the tradition here.”

Kathleen Finarelli says it is a joy to attend Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and hopes many others will join them.

“It is a wonderful parish. The parishioners are so friendly. We wish to be able to do this again and keep it going for another 100 years,” she said.

As the parish family works to spread the Good News of Jesus, Katheryn Bobb was thankful that Bishop Bambera took time from his busy schedule to celebrate their important milestone.

“To have the Bishop come to our little church out in Hunlock Creek is absolutely amazing,” Bobb explained.

Rev. Brian Van Fossen, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, said Bishop Bambera’s visit and homily shows parishioners they are part of a larger Catholic community.

“We have this beautiful community and we welcome so many people for our festival and other opportunities to celebrate God’s love in the midst of God’s creation. As we do so with Bishop Bambera here, it just unites us to the larger diocesan community that we love to be a part of,” Father Van Fossen said.

The parish pastor said the centennial celebration would not be confined to just one day; it will be celebrated over the course of the entire year.

“We have two themes going on. Our first theme is a spiritual theme which is echoing Mary’s Magnificat for the last 100 years and the other one is ‘100 years and still going,’” Father Van Fossen added. “We are looking forward to echoing Mary’s Magnificat – her ‘yes,’ her fiat to God – but also to share that fiat with others!”

SCRANTON – Recent renovations to Saint Anthony’s Haven, Scranton’s only year-round emergency shelter for both men and women, will not only improve the comfort of guests but will allow the facility to continue serving people with disabilities.

The facility, at 409 Olive St., recently created a new handicap entrance/exit, renovated both the men’s and women’s restrooms and the common areas and installed new cabinets and flooring in the shelter’s kitchen area. In the next phase of the project, which will be partially supported by American Rescue Plan Act grant funding from Lackawanna County, the building’s roof will be replaced.

A $30,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation supported recent renovations at Saint Anthony’s Haven, Scranton’s only year-round emergency shelter for both men and women. Pictured at the check presentation are, from left: Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants & Scholarship Manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Frank Caputo, Grants & Communications Coordinator, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Sandra Snyder, Diocesan Director of Foundation Relations and Special Events; and Laura Ducceschi, President/CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation, Administrator of Robert H. Spitz Foundation.

The most recent work was completed with the help of the city of Scranton, local charitable foundations, including The Moses Taylor Foundation and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, and a national funder, The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

Harry Lyons, program supervisor of Saint Anthony’s Haven, said the new handicap entrance was a critical need after a sale of half the building that resulted in renovations by the new owner removed access to a previous point of entry.

“It was really important for us to establish this new handicap entrance so we can serve everybody. We have a number of people who use walkers and wheelchairs,” Lyons explained. “I recently got a call from the VA about a gentleman with no legs who uses a motorized wheelchair, so having this project finished will now ensure we have the ability to accommodate him.”

Saint Anthony’s Haven can safely accommodate 20 men and six women each night.

In addition to overnight shelter, the facility provides two meals per day, shower and laundry facilities and supportive services.

The number of individuals experiencing homelessness who rely on Saint Anthony’s Haven has returned to levels previously experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Saint Anthony’s Haven provided 4,371 individual nights of shelter to clients. In 2021, the number rose to 5,658, and in 2022 6,410 individual nights of shelter were provided.

“The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is focused on supporting programs that aim to break the cycle of poverty,” said Laura Ducceschi, president of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which administers the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. “Supporting the renovation work at Saint Anthony’s Haven will help to better serve those populations in need of the facility’s services, and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation is proud to be able to help the community in this way.”

Robert H. Spitz Foundation funding also was used to replace the Olive Street entrance roof and help remove nine deteriorated and dangerous balconies from Saint James Manor, the building that houses Saint Anthony’s Haven.

The mission of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, which operates Saint Anthony’s Haven, is to serve individuals and families in poverty and advocate for dignity and self-sufficiency.

“We don’t want anyone left out in the street or left out in the cold,” Lyons added.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the grant funding we have received for this project,” Lyons stated. “Without the support of the community we would not be able to continue serving our brothers and sisters in the way that we do.”

ACCRA, Ghana – The Catholic-Pentecostal International Dialogue held its third meeting of the seventh phase of dialogue in Millennium City (near Kasoa), Ghana, at the Pentecost Convention Centre of the Church of Pentecost between July 13-18, 2023.

Since its initiation in 1972, this was the first time that the dialogue took place in the Global South, allowing the participants to experience the vivacity of the local Christian Catholic and Pentecostal communities.

Members of the Catholic-Pentecostal International Dialogue met in Accra, Ghana, during the week of July 13-18, 2023. The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, serves as the Catholic co-chair of the Dialogue.

Participants in the Dialogue include Catholics appointed by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU), and Pentecostals appointed by some Classical Pentecostal churches affiliated with the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF).

The general theme of the current phase, which started in 2018, is “Lex orandi, lex credendi” (“the law of prayer is the law of faith”).

After reflecting on the general topic and discussing “Kerygma/Preaching and Christian Life” (2022), the third session was dedicated to “Worship/Prayer and Christian Life.”

The goal of the Dialogue is to promote mutual respect and understanding in matters of faith and practice. Genuine exchange and frank discussion concerning the positions and practices of the two traditions have been the guiding principles of this bilateral theological dialogue.

Meeting for the first time in Africa, the Dialogue benefitted from local contacts, exchanges and visits.

On Friday, July 14, the Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast, the Most Reverend Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle met, prayed and had a vibrant exchange with the participants.

On Sunday, July 16, the Dialogue attended a church service at the Pentecost International Worship Centre Atomic-Accra. The members of the Dialogue were hosted by local pastor, Rev. Anthony Mensah and welcomed by the General Secretary of the Church of Pentecost, Rev. Alexander Kumi-Larbi.

The participants had a deeply meaningful guided tour to Elmina Castle, July 17, with its testimony to the Atlantic slave trade, which provided an opportunity to learn about a very painful chapter of human history in which Christians were complicit.

Participants acknowledge with gratitude the cordial and fraternal assistance provided by many members of the Church of Pentecost, chaired by Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, which hosted us in Ghana.

During the third session, Catholics presented a paper entitled, “Catholic Worship, Prayers and Liturgy,” prepared by Rev. Dr. Paschal C. Mbagwu.

The Pentecostal paper, entitled, “Worship and Prayer: A Pentecostal Perspective,” was prepared by Rev. Prof. Jacqueline N. Grey.

Morning and evening prayers each day were led alternately by Catholics and Pentecostals.

Co-chairs of the Dialogue are the Most Reverend Joseph Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, and Rev. Prof. Cecil M. Robeck, Jr. Professor of Church History and Ecumenics, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California. They were assisted by Rev. David Wells, Chair of the PWF Christian Unity Commission, as well as by Rev. David Cole, Liaison to the Greater Christian Community for the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, and by Msgr. Juan Usma Gómez, DPCU, who served as co-secretaries.

According to Bishop Bambera, “Pope Francis’ message for the 50th anniversary of the Dialogue (Rome 2022), has resonated throughout this week: ‘One thing is certain. Unity is not chiefly the result of our activity, but a gift of the Holy Spirit. Yet, unity will not come about as a miracle at the very end. Rather, unity comes about in the journeying.’ The Dialogue’s meeting in Ghana, recognizing the global nature of the work of Christian unity and highlighting the depth of Christian faith of the African continent, has been a powerful reminder to us all of the challenges and blessings of the work before us. The path of unity, as Pope Francis reminds us, is not the path of proselytism or uniformity. It lies in journeying together. The path of unity most clearly emerges when each of us continues to grow in our mutual respect for one another, as is so evidenced in our Catholic-Pentecostal International Dialogue.”
Prof. Robeck noted, “By bringing the dialogue to Accra, Ghana this year, we have taken it to the global South, where the majority of Christians now live. This move enabled the delegates to participate in a vital Pentecostal worship service together among these growing churches. It also enabled us to hear something of the slave trade that ravaged the African continent. In the midst of all these things, the Church of Pentecost Convention Centre offered gracious hospitality on its beautiful campus in Millennium City. Rev. Opoku Onyinah, immediate past Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, continues to be an active member of our dialogue.”

The last meeting of the Dialogue was in July 2022 in Rome, for its 50th anniversary.

SCRANTON – Born and raised just one street over from the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Ann, Kathy Dennebaum feels a deep connection to the annual Solemn Novena. She makes it a priority to attend services each year.

“I’ve had three major intentions that I’ve brought to the Novena and all three of them came to fruition so I’m a firm believer,” she explained.

Crowds gather on the lawn of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Ann on July 26, 2023.

An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people attended Novena services each day this year.
“This has been a very sacred place since I was a little kid. My grandmother and grandfather had nine children that came here and were all members of this parish until they died,” Dennebaum added. “I just like to come and listen to the priests when they speak. A lot of times it’s very meaningful.”

The West Scranton native, who has been married to her husband Mark for 45 years, now bring their own grandson to experience the peace that comes from the prayerful place.

“I think it goes back to the fact that we grew up here and we’d like to have him be part of what we were part of when we were young,” Mark Dennebaum said.

This year marked the 99th year for the annual Novena that began July 17, 2023. The Novena concluded July 26, the Feast of Saint Ann.

“We never miss it, my whole family of eight sisters and brothers,” Patricia DeNapoli, a parishioner of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish in Dunmore, said. “No matter what I ask, somehow, someway, it gets answered. You have to believe. If you don’t have faith there is nothing else!”

Very Rev. Richard W. Burke, C.P., rector of Saint Ann’s Shrine Basilica, said the annual Novena remains popular because Saint Ann is such a powerful intercessor.

“Every week we get letters and calls and have conversations with people who had their prayers answered one way or another through the intercession of Saint Ann,” Father Richard said.

With the centennial anniversary of the Solemn Novena quickly approaching, Father Richard believes its importance and relevance is just as important as when it started in 1924.

“Just think about all the major issues that we have to pray about. We can influence them through the gift of our prayers that God gives to us, we can influence the events of the world,” Father Richard stated. “The end of the hostility in Ukraine is a prayer that is on everybody’s mind. When they send in their petitions to put at the Altar of Saint Ann, nine out of ten of them have peace in Ukraine on those petitions.”

Jacob and Matthew Metzger, twins who grew up in West Scranton, began attending the Novena at a young age.

“This is the holiest ground I could be on,” Matthew said. “It is the greatest time of the year. It brings us a lot of peace and a lot of happiness to come down here.”

At 20 years old, the twins, who are both pre-med students, now volunteer every year at the food stand at the Solemn Novena to Saint Ann.

“It is such an amazing place to be. Everyone is kind and loving and filled with the Holy Spirit,” Jacob said. “It’s a family environment here. We all love what we do. We all love helping the people and putting a smile on people’s faces every day.”

With the 2023 Novena just having wrapped-up, coordinators say they will not waste any time in getting ready for next year.

“We’re going to get a committee going in August to begin planning what is going to happen next year. We already have some suggestions,” Father Richard hinted. “It will be very special.”

SCRANTON – As he celebrated the closing Mass of the Solemn Novena to Saint Ann, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, told a personal story which he said emphasized the power and presence of God in his life.

It revolved around an encounter with a man experiencing homelessness on a cold winter night around Christmas. The man – who said he was hungry and needed shelter – approached the bishop as he tried to get inside the Cathedral rectory.

“As I was struggling with what appeared to me to be a set-up, some better angels spoke to my heart. What if he was telling me the truth? How could I turn someone away who was in such need? What would Jesus do?” Bishop Bambera told the crowd. “Maybe that was Jesus – testing me and my resolve to live as his disciple.”

After some internal struggle inside his mind, the bishop provided the man with some money to get something to eat and stay in a local hotel.

“I felt a little bit guilty for wondering about his honesty. But then I took some quiet consolation in trusting that, as best I could, I tried to be a witness to what I believe as a Christian,” Bishop Bambera explained. “Remember those words of Jesus? ‘When I was hungry, you gave me food. But when Lord? As often as you did it to the least of my brothers or sisters, you did it to me!’”

The bishop said every person gathered at the Closing Mass of the Novena has likely had a moment like the one he experienced at his backdoor last winter.

“For me, that exchange became an unexpected moment that was filled with the presence of God. God was teaching me a lesson about all that is possible when we set aside our selfish, self-centered, self-righteous ways, when we seek to forgive, and when we let Jesus guide us forward,” he said. “Every one of us has been and continues to be touched by the presence of God in our lives when we least expect that presence to grasp hold of our hands and hearts. And every one of us can recount a moment in our lives – perhaps even during this treasured Novena – in which we were blessed to encounter the presence of God.”

As he ended the Novena, Bishop Bambera urged the faithful to follow the path that the Lord desires.

“God continues to use unlikely individuals like (Saints) Ann and Joachim, like Joseph and Mary, like me and you, to accomplish his purpose in our world – to give hope – and to proclaim a message of life, salvation, mercy and peace,” he said.