Category: 2025 News

 

SCRANTON – Just over a week ago, you likely received a letter from Bishop Bambera inviting you to join us once again by responding to Our Call to Serve.

This year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal takes its inspiration from the Jubilee Year of Hope and invites each one of us to join together in helping our sisters and brothers supported by the many Catholic ministries throughout northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.

Gifts to the Catholic Ministries Appeal provide financial support to six critical areas of our local Mission.

They help:
• Form our future priests and care for priests who have retired after decades of service to the Diocese of Scranton.
• Proclaim the good news through Catholic Media
• Support Catholic Education in our 19 Diocesan Elementary and High Schools
• Strengthen Parish Life
• Provide critical funding to Catholic Social Services to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless
• Fund Faith Formation and Social Justice Grants awarded to our parishes working to expand the current reach of the Appeal in their local communities.

Our celebration weekend for this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal is scheduled for the third weekend of September – Sept. 20/21 – though some parishes may move that to a weekend earlier or later, based on local needs.

We invite you to make your commitment to this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal earlier this year with the hope of ending the active solicitation phase by December 31, 2025.

We have so much to celebrate and to be hopeful for this year!

In late June, two men, Rev. Thomas Dzwonczyk and Rev. Andrew McCarroll were ordained to the priesthood and there are currently 13 seminarians in various stages of formation for the priesthood – the most at any point in recent years.

The Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System is actively implementing its Strategic Growth Plan and has seen its highest enrollment in many years!

Dozens of our parishes have put together impressive programs that have been funded by Faith Formation and Social Justice Grants over the past year – ministries at the local level inspired by the unique needs of each of our parishes!

There are also great challenges – we saw increases in the numbers of individuals and families served by Catholic Social Services in our kitchens, food pantries and clothing closets; however, because of you and your financial contributions we were able to respond to these increased needs and help those who need help the most!

None of this is possible without you!

By increasing your commitment and notifying us earlier of your pledge this fiscal year (the Diocese of Scranton and all our parishes operate on a July through June fiscal year), you can send your gifts in installments at any point before June 30, 2026 – what matters most is to make your commitment early to help your parish meet its goal quickly! This will also help us reduce costs on mailing and postage.

Pope Leo XIV recently shared an important reminder with young people who were gathered for the Holy Mass for the Jubilee of Youth in Rome on August 3.

His words seem fitting as we prayerfully consider what we can give to this worthy set of Catholic ministries in thanks for all that God has given to us.

Pope Leo remarked that “the fullness of our existence does not depend on what we store up or […] on what we possess. Rather, fullness has to do with what we joyfully welcome and share […] And in this way we will grow in an ever deeper understanding of what it means that hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Please give generously to this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal. You can mail your commitment to Catholic Ministries Appeal, 300 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503 or visit AnnualAppeal.org to make a gift through our secure online donation form.

You can also visit AnnualAppeal.org to follow progress for this year’s Appeal, and to view stories of impact throughout the year.

Thank you for responding to Our Call to Serve and for your participation in this critical call to stewardship. May God continue to bless you abundantly!

 

WEST PITTSTON – As the calendar hit mid-August, volunteers at Corpus Christi Parish were hard at work, assembling backpacks filled with essential school supplies for nearly 200 children in the local community.

With assistance from a $5,000 Social Justice Grant from the Catholic Ministries Appeal, the annual back-to-school drive is helping ease the burden for families while reminding them that the church is present and ready to help them.

“The parish is helping 175 families in the community with backpacks for their children to go back to school,” Beccie June, who works for the Robinson Counseling Center in Wilkes-Barre, explained. “They’re filled with everything a child could need – from notebooks, pencils, folders, extra paper, scissors, glue – and we also gather toiletries to go back to school with as well.”

Knowing only the gender and grade level of each student, volunteers tailor each backpack accordingly. While the younger students might receive crayons or safety scissors, older students are given binders and even calculators.

“Suppose you have a family with four children, at $25 a backpack, you’re talking about $100 for empty backpacks,” Mary Butera, a longtime member of the parish’s Social Concerns Committee, said. “Here you get binders, ink pens, markers, everything a student could need. We try to make sure they have whatever they might need.”

This project is just one example of how Corpus Christi Parish lives out its call to serve others.

Throughout the year, the parish is committed to a range of outreach efforts that address food insecurity, holiday assistance, and caring for the elderly and homebound.

Because of the Catholic Ministries Appeal, and donations from its parishioners, Corpus Christi Parish can turn compassion into concrete action.

“The Social Concerns Committee has a special place in my heart,” Butera added. “They help so many people – not just at back-to-school time, but all year long.”

In addition to the backpack drive, the parish hosts seasonal food and gift distributions for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, regularly serving more than 150 families throughout the year. Bags of groceries, holiday meals, and gift cards are regularly distributed to families who struggle with rising prices and food insecurity.

And every month, a dedicated team of volunteers gathers in the church hall kitchen to cook more than 90 quarts of soup from scratch – delivered with love to homebound parishioners and residents in nursing homes.

“When we started, the first time we were cooking for 28 (people),” said Cheryl Sempa Radkiewicz, who helped launch the soup ministry after retiring from teaching. “Now we’re up to 92.”

Volunteers like Carmen Altavilla and his wife, Debbie, are part of the team that makes it all happen.

“We have a group of 8-10 people that are here regularly and then another five or six people that fill in from time to time,” Altavilla stated. “It’s a great activity.”

Even kids get involved in all the efforts.

Krista Medico, who teaches eighth-grade Confirmation prep, makes sure her students understand the deeper meaning behind service projects like the backpack distribution efforts.

“I think it’s so important for our kids to be a part of this,” she said. “Knowing that a child is going to open each of these backpacks and smile, it makes a difference.”

Medico also emphasized the importance of the Catholic Ministries Appeal, which makes efforts like these possible.

“I think it’s important for our parishioners to know where their money is going and what a difference it is making,” Medico added.

For many of the volunteers, their efforts are simply about doing the work God asks of us.

“There are a lot of people that need this stuff. We fill that niche that is needed,” Altavilla ended by saying.

SCRANTON – On July 20, parishioners gathered in prayer at Divine Mercy Parish for a special Healing Mass – a liturgy that marked more than just the sacramental anointing of the sick.

It also highlighted a new and growing parish mission, one that seeks to minister to the mind and heart as well as the body.

With the help of a $5,000 Social Justice Grant from the Catholic Ministries Appeal, Divine Mercy Parish has launched a Mental Health Ministry program in its parish, with a full calendar of outreach, education, and healing events planned over the next year.

From grief support groups and suicide prevention efforts to caregiver outreach and addiction awareness, this ministry is answering a need that often goes unspoken but runs deep in every community.

“It has definitely grown organically here at the parish,” Rev. Paul McDonnell, O.S.J., pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, said. “It’s a great opportunity for people that are seeking any type of healing graces – physically, spiritually, emotional, psychologically – for them to be able to come to have that personal encounter with the Lord.”

Father McDonnell presided over the recent Healing Mass, which included the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Many of those in attendance came forward to be anointed, some for physical ailments, others carrying burdens that are harder to see.

“It was the most beautiful healing Mass I’ve ever been to,” parishioner Patty Grendel said. “From start to finish, everything was just so spiritual, so uplifting!”

Fellow parishioner Sharon Bender agreed.

“It was fabulous. I think it was wonderful, and I hope that the parish has more and more every year,” she said.

The idea for the Mental Health Ministry began to take shape several months ago, inspired in part by Deacon Marty Castaldi and modeled after similar initiatives in other diocesan parishes, including the Cathedral of Saint Peter.

“There is a lot of stigma with mental illness,” Deacon Castaldi explained. “We’d like to bring it to people’s attention through education and awareness.”

According to Deacon Castaldi, roughly one in five people experience some form of mental illness.

“It could be the person sitting right next to you that has emotional or psychological issues going on in their life and bringing it to our parish community is very important,” he added.

The committee behind the ministry has already hosted several events, including a “Blue Christmas” prayer service last winter for those dealing with grief or depression during the holidays. This year, they plan to expand their efforts dramatically.

The $5,000 Social Justice Grant, made possible through generous donations to the Catholic Ministries Appeal, is helping to bring that vision to life.

“Our Diocese has always been very supportive of any different type of ministry or different type of program on the parish level, and I think that really resonates with the people who are so generous with the Appeal each year,” Father McDonnell said.

“That money is going to go a long way. We have a very aggressive agenda this year and I think the money will be helpful to a lot of people,” Deacon Castaldi added.

And that is the heart of it.

Parish leaders know they will not be able to solve every problem – but can respond with compassion and the healing presence of Christ.

For longtime parishioner Mary Joan Gibbs, the Healing Mass held in July was deeply personal.

She came seeking prayer for leg pain but also carried the memory of losing her husband years ago while still raising young children.

“Christ took care of it,” Gibbs said.

Reflecting on the Mass itself, she added, “I loved it. It gives you peace and security.”

“This ministry is essential,” Deacon Castaldi emphasized. “When you have God in your life, you’re not facing it alone.”

For more information on upcoming events that the Divine Mercy Mental Health Ministry is planning, visit their parish website or call the parish office at (570) 344-1724.

 

SCRANTON – As the 2025-2026 school year begins in the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System, two Catholic school communities are welcoming new principals – both of whom bring deep roots and a strong commitment to Catholic education.

Jason Tribett has been named the new principal of Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary School in Wilkes-Barre, while Brenda Quatrinni has been appointed to lead Epiphany School in Sayre.

Both leaders are no strangers to the mission of Catholic education. Each has lived it both personally and professionally.

For Tribett, taking the helm of Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary School is a homecoming of sorts.

“My kids have gone to school at Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary School for the past six years, so when the opening happened there, I felt a connection to the school from being a parent,” he said. “I know the history through tradition and the quality of the staff, and I felt like it was a good fit to come back.”

Tribett previously served as principal of Holy Family Academy in Hazleton from 2018 to 2021, and has held other various roles in education, including assistant principal, dean of students, athletic director, and health and physical education teacher. Most recently, he worked in leadership at a cyber charter school.

“I got into education to help children, and I felt like my most rewarding years were when I was at Holy Family (Academy), when I was principal there, and I wanted to get back to that,” he added.

As the new school year begins, Tribett looks forward to engaging with the entire school community.

“I’m just looking forward to meeting everybody as the educational leader of the school, figuring out what is going well and what things we might be able to do better, and trying to help our students continue to be the best versions of themselves they can possibly be,” Tribett added.

A new chapter is also beginning this year at Epiphany School after the recent retirement of Sister Kathleen Kelly, I.H.M., who led the Bradford County Catholic school for 33 years.

For Quatrinni, the transition from second grade teacher came after a lot of prayer and reflection.

“I’ve been at Epiphany (School) for 26 years. This will be my 27th year. I started there in second grade and I’ve been second grade ever since,” she shared. “When this opportunity came up, I decided, let’s try it, maybe I need a new challenge, maybe this would be good for me to be in a leadership position.”

Stepping into the big shoes of Sister Kathleen, Quatrinni says the transition has been smooth thanks to her predecessor’s organization and kindness.

“She left me lots of notes,” Quatrinni joked. “It has been wonderful because I know all the people. I know all the families.”

Epiphany School is known for its close-knit, family-oriented atmosphere – something that Quatrinni treasures deeply. While she’ll miss daily interaction with students in the classroom, she’s excited about the new perspective her role will bring.

“I know I’m going to miss the kids, being in front of them in the classroom, but I’ll get to see all of them that I’ve taught along the way, so that will be neat to see them in a different light and to see the teachers in a different light,” she added.

As the new school year begins, The Catholic Light offers prayerful best wishes to Tribett, Quatrinni, and all Catholic school administrators and educators across the region. May this year be filled with growth, learning, and joy – as our 19 Catholic schools continue to prepare our students to be faith-filled leaders and life-long learners dedicated to serving the church and society.

SCRANTON – All parishes in the Diocese of Scranton have been asked to take up a special collection for humanitarian aid to Gaza in the coming weeks.

On Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, sent a message to all pastors asking for them to hold the collection in their parish on a weekend of their choosing before Sept. 14, 2025.

“I write to you today with deep pastoral concern for the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza – a tragedy that continues to unfold with heartbreaking suffering for countless innocent families and individuals,” the Bishop wrote.

“Pope Leo XIV, like Pope Francis before him, has expressed great concern for the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the civilian population is suffering from severe hunger and remains exposed to violence and death,” he continued.

In communion with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and other dioceses around the country, the Bishop said funds raised will be directed to two trusted Catholic organizations already on the ground: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA).

“Both organizations are already actively providing emergency food, medical and psychological care, hygiene supplies, and shelter to those most in need – including children, the elderly, and the wounded. These agencies have longstanding partnerships with the local Church in the region, enabling them to respond quickly and compassionately,” Bishop Bambera stated in his message.

As of late July, Catholic Relief Services and its partners have already reached 1.7 million people in Gaza under near-impossible circumstances.

Since 2023, among the aid CRS has provided:
• Clean water, latrines, and hygiene support to 500,268 people
• Shelter assistance to 341,790 people
• Psychosocial support to 10,399 children and teens, and to 1,333 caregivers

 

SCRANTON – The annual Mass in Italian will be celebrated on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter. All are welcome to attend.

The liturgy is celebrated in conjunction with La Festa Italiana, which occurs over the Labor Day weekend, Friday through Monday, Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, on Courthouse Square, one block away.

Reverend David P. Cappelloni, V.F., La Festa Chaplain and pastor of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Dunmore, will be the principal celebrant and homilist.

Concelebrants will include Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi, La Festa Chaplain Emeritus, and priests from the Diocese of Scranton. Deacons from the Diocese will also participate.

The Mass will be broadcast live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton and will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., and Friday, Sept. 5, at 10:30 a.m.

In addition to airing live on CTV, the Mass will be available on the Diocese of Scranton website, Diocese of Scranton YouTube channel and links will be provided on all social media platforms. It will also be available on demand after the live broadcast concludes.

This year’s Italian Mass is being offered in memory of all those members and friends of La Festa Italiana who passed away since the last Mass was celebrated, including: Catherine Alu, Samuel “Danny” Argo, Sarah Marie Barrese, George Bieber, Angela Costanzi, Ralph DelPrete, Craig Friedman, Ann Azzeroni Kania, Paul LaBelle, Ron Leas, Joanne Ligorio, James P. Minicozzi, Bonnie Rosati, Tony “Red” Summa and Guy Valvano, who led the ushers for decades at the Mass.

Music ministry for the Italian Mass will be provided by the choirs of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Dunmore, accompanied by a brass quartet, all directed by Joseph Moffitt. Dominick DeNaples, mandolin; Patrick Loungo, Nicholas Luongo, Eugene Mentz, organist, and Monica Spishock, timpani, will also accompany.

Ashley Yando-DeFlice is the cantor and the leader of prayer. The featured soloist will be T.J. Capobianco from the New York City Metropolitan Opera.

The lectors are Dr. Fred Gardaphe and Ann Genett. The Prayer of the Faithful will be led by Diane Alberigi, Atty. Frank T. Blasi and Joseph Guido.

The offertory gifts will be presented by Marlene Summa and family, the family of Guy Valvano, Robert W. Pettinato, the Honorable Robert Mazzoni and the Honorable Leonard Zito (Ret.).

Patrick Caramanno, Joshua Cillo, Carmen DiPietro Jr., Jonathan A. Eboli, Stephen A. Eboli, Richard Garofalo and Joseph Wentline are the ushers.

At the conclusion of Mass, members of The Italian Colony of Saint Lucy will process out with the statue of Saint Lucy onto the festival grounds to the Heritage Piazza on Spruce Street.

For news and updates, including the festival entertainment schedule, visit www.lafestaitaliana.org, Facebook: La Festa Italiana di Lackawanna County, Instagram: lafestascranton.

ARCHBALD – With prayers of thanksgiving and hearts full of gratitude, parishioners of Christ the King Parish gathered on Aug. 16, 2025, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the consecration and dedication of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, returned to his former parish to celebrate the special Mass, a homecoming that stirred memories and pride in the enduring legacy of the church community.

“For 150 years, this church building has been a house of prayer, a gathering spot for the community, and has served as a sign of deep faith here in the Mid Valley,” Rev. Ryan Glenn, pastor of Christ the King Parish, said. “We were thrilled and very blessed to have the Bishop come and preach and celebrate the Eucharist as we commemorated this milestone anniversary.”

The anniversary gave many in the community a chance to reflect on the last century and a half of sacramental life in the church, along with the steadfast faith of a community that has weathered hardships and embraced new beginnings.

Bishop Bambera, who served as pastor of the parish when the ceiling collapsed at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in 2009, reflected on his personal connection to the community in his homily – drawing a warm response from those who remembered those difficult days and the restoration that followed.

“It really was an extraordinary celebration of the Eucharist,” Father Glenn added.

Echoing what Bishop Bambera said in his homily, “This anniversary is about more than just a building. It is about the community of faith that gathers and then goes out on mission.”

That sense of shared mission was felt deeply by parishioners like Ellen Faliskie, whose family history is woven into the very fabric of the church.

“Our family has been very blessed with the graces of this church,” she said. “We’ve had lots of happy memories here … and I’m here in thanksgiving for all the blessings that this church has provided for me and my family.”

The Anniversary Mass drew longtime members and newer parishioners alike, all eager to celebrate a hopeful future.

“It was a beautiful celebration,” Brenda Sokoloski, who joined the parish about 25 years ago, said. “This parish is very welcoming. It’s very inclusive. There are so many opportunities to be involved.”

Chris Tomaszewski, who joined the parish with his wife 16 years ago, echoed that sentiment.

“We fell in love with this parish and fell in love with this church. Through the years, both my son and daughter have been baptized in this church, and we quickly became part of its community. It’s such a welcoming, loving community,” he said.

As the celebration concluded with a parish social in the church hall, there was a powerful sense that the spirit that built Saint Thomas Aquinas Church 150 years ago is still very much alive.

“We continue to strive to be faithful to our mission,” Father Glenn said. “This was a beautiful moment to pause and give thanks.”

WILLIAMSPORT – Fifty years ago, the people of Saint Boniface Parish faced unimaginable loss.

A catastrophic fire on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 1972, reduced their beloved church – a city landmark – to smoldering ruins.

The evening newspaper headlines stunned residents of Lycoming County and beyond with the headlines: ‘St. Boniface Church Destroyed by Fire’ and ‘Spectacular Early Morning Blaze Ruins City Landmark.’

But from that heartbreak rose a renewed spirit.

On Aug. 2 and 3, 2025, parishioners of Saint Boniface joyfully celebrated the 50th anniversary of the dedication of its new church building, which was formally dedicated on Aug. 3, 1975.

To mark the golden milestone, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, celebrated the Vigil Mass for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, joined by current pastor, Father Glenn McCreary, who also presided over Sunday morning’s anniversary liturgy.

“Quite immediately they began worshipping in the gymnasium (of Saint Boniface School),” Father McCreary said, noting the resiliency of parishioners right after the fire. “There was a sign up there that said: Saint Boniface Church is alive and active.”

FROM ASHES TO ACTION

The rebuilding process was not merely a construction project. It was an effort to shape the future direction of the faith community.

Then-pastor Monsignor Eugene J. Clark led with vision and collaboration, forming the first parish pastoral council in the diocese, which empowered parishioners to help plan and guide the new church’s development.

Parishioners traveled to other communities to explore church designs and formed committees focused on finance, construction, and even organ research.

“It really became a project that the parish itself owned,” Father McCreary added. “It wasn’t a matter of just calling somebody up and saying build us a church in this spot.”

Some precious relics of the past still remain: weathered statues of Saint Boniface and Saint Joseph, a refurbished image of the Good Shepherd, and even a chalice that survived the fire and was used for the 50th anniversary celebrations.

A CHURCH BUILT ON PEOPLE

For lifelong parishioners like Arnold Betts, who served the final Mass in the old church and the very first in the school gym, the memories remain vivid.

“I watched the steeple burn from my parent’s bedroom,” he recalled. “The parish got together and said, ‘we will rebuild,’ and this is the result of it.”

Steve Sholder, another lifelong member, echoed that sentiment.

“It was devastating. It was like losing an old friend, quite honestly,” Sholder said. “It was a great building, but Monsignor Clark said the church is not really a building. He said the church is the people and that’s the way he wanted us to continue.”

During his homily, Bishop Bambera reemphasized that message and challenged parishioners to continue living that identity.

“I’m very grateful to be a part of this 50th anniversary because I watched this church being built,” Rosemary Dincher, a Eucharistic Minister, who has been part of the parish since her marriage in 1950, said. “I always felt like I was part of this new church.”

A LIVING, GROWING COMMUNITY

While the parish is steeped in history, dating back to the 1830s and the first German Catholics to settle in Williamsport, it is also looking ahead. Saint Boniface Parish remains a vibrant center of faith and outreach in the city.

“When you come here, you feel like you are family. Everybody picks you up,” Tom Engel said.

Even newer parishioners, like Joyce Jones, feel the warmth of the invitation being extended to all.

“Saint Boniface has become an icon in this community,” Jones explained. “They’re accepting and I’m comfortable here.”

For many, the 50th anniversary celebration is not just about looking back. It’s a recommitment to the mission of the parish.

“We’re celebrating the continuation of God’s grace flowing through Saint Boniface and all the people that have come through here,” Engel said. “We continue God’s work.”

“We’re moving forward with God’s will,” Betts added. “It’s a wonderful parish.”

HONESDALE – Saint Mary Magdalen Church, a worship site of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale, welcomed a special visitor earlier this month.

On the evening of Aug. 7, a traveling icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus made a special stop at the Wayne County church for a reverent and prayerful Holy Hour.

The event, hosted by the local Knights of Columbus Council 363, centered on the love and mercy of Christ symbolized in the Sacred Heart.

“We were privileged enough to have the traveling icon of the Sacred Heart visit our area,” Donald Vivacqua, Grand Knight of the Honesdale Council, said. “Our District Deputy arranged it. They were looking for a place and we said, bring it here, so we had this wonderful event tonight.”

Vivacqua described the experience as humbling and deeply moving.

“It was a visual representation of how much Jesus loves us. (It’s) an image that I can use in my prayer when I think about the Sacred Heart,” he added.

The icon depicts the most famous image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, painted in 1767 by Pompeo Batoni and is now venerated in the Church of the Gesù in Rome.

The reproduction bears the blessing of Pope Francis, through the Papal Almoner, and is one of more than 300 icons traveling the world for veneration and use in prayer services.

For Vivacqua, the icon’s presence served as more than a religious symbol, he sees it as a teaching tool.

“The more exposure that we get and the more we talk about it – especially some of the prayers that we went through tonight – illustrated how people can view the Sacred Heart and how the Sacred Heart is for all of us,” he added. “Christ is just there for us to adore, and His heart loves us.”

Thomas Kurtek, District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus, was instrumental in bringing the icon to Honesdale.

“I just hope it will encourage devotion to the Catholic faith,” Kurtek stated. “It makes me feel there is hope in this world.”

Both Kurtek and Vivacqua expressed gratitude to Father William J.P. Langan, pastor, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, for hosting the event.

Following the event, families were encouraged to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their homes by placing an image of the Sacred Heart in a place of honor. This devotion was inspired by Jesus’ promise to St. Mary Margaret Alacoque to “bless every place in which an image of [his] Heart is exposed and honored.”