Category: 2025 News

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – “Being ordained is not an ascent but a descent, whereby we make ourselves small, lower ourselves and divest ourselves,” Pope Francis said in a message to 23 men from eight countries, including three from the United States, who were ordained permanent deacons in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Feb. 23 ordination Mass at the Vatican was the culmination of a three-day Holy Year celebration that drew thousands of deacons, plus their wives and others, from more than 100 countries to Rome for communal prayer, discussion and celebration of the diaconate.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, celebrated the Mass with 2,500 deacons and delivered the homily prepared by Pope Francis. The pope was originally scheduled to preside over the Mass but remained hospitalized with pneumonia and was in “critical condition,” the Vatican said.

In his homily, the pope reflected on three essential dimensions of the diaconate: forgiveness, service and communion.

“Forgiveness means preparing a welcoming and safe future for us and our communities,” the pope wrote. “The deacon, invested in a ministry that leads him toward the world’s peripheries, must see — and teach others to see — in everyone, even those who cause suffering, a brother or sister wounded in spirit and in need of reconciliation, guidance and help.”

He asked that deacons make selfless service “an essential dimension of your very being” and encouraged them to serve with humility, quoting the Gospel of Luke: “Do good and lend, expecting nothing in return.”

“Your greatest liturgy will be charity, and your most humble service will be your greatest act of worship,” the pope wrote.

After the Gospel reading, the ordination rite began with each candidate stepping forward as his name was called, signifying his readiness to embrace a life of service. The men then lay prostrate on the floor of the basilica, symbolizing their total surrender to God as the congregation knelt and prayed the Litany of the Saints.

In the most ancient part of the sacrament of holy orders, the candidates knelt before the archbishop, who laid his hands on their heads and called the Holy Spirit upon them. Each newly ordained deacon was then vested with a stole and dalmatic, symbols of their ministry of service.

Among the newly ordained deacons was Bryan Inderhees from the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, who told Catholic News Service Feb. 21 that participating in the Jubilee of Deacons at the Vatican was a powerful reminder of the church’s global reach and the universality of the diaconate.

“Sometimes we can get stuck in our own view of the church in Columbus, the church in Ohio, the church in the United States,” he said, but the diaconate “is something that’s around the world, and this is a message from Christ as well that we need to be able to spread and share this joy for everyone.”

Inderhees said the expansive role of the diaconate in the United States, where some 40% of the world’s 50,000 permanent deacons minister, serves as a model for the wider church.

“Here’s a way that we’ve found that we can take advantage of men who have this calling,” he said. Through the diaconate “almost all of us who have already been married can support the clergy, support the church, support our priests, while still living both the sacred life and our lives as married men.”

His wife, Emelie, said that supporting her husband during his formation while raising their three children was a challenge, but ultimately one that enriched the spiritual life of her whole family.

“When he was called to formation, I think one of my biggest fears was growing apart,” she told CNS. “One of my biggest goals as he went through formation was how do we grow together, how do we grow stronger, because I didn’t want him to grow in his faith and for me to grow stagnant.”

She stressed that maintaining a balanced schedule and seeking guidance from a spiritual director helped their family stay grounded. “It’s about stopping and paying attention to the day-to-day schedule, so you can make time for the things that matter in family life,” she said.

Deacon Stephen Petrill, formation director for deacons in the Diocese of Columbus, emphasized the distinct role of the diaconate, describing it as “a vocation of service, not a stepping stone to priesthood.”

“Ministry is about serving others, not seeking status,” he said. “A deacon is called to seek the lowest place, to help without seeking recognition. We’re here to serve the church and the world, standing as a bridge between the laity and the clergy.”

Newly ordained Deacon Mike Owens of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, reflected on the deacon’s mission to serve both the church and society ahead of his ordination, emphasizing the role of deacons in bringing faith beyond the parish.

To be a deacon “is to really be the hands and feet of Christ out in the community,” he said. “I think that really lends itself to sending a message to the rest of the world of how we evangelize and get out of our parishes and into the communities.”

Although Pope Francis remained in the hospital, the Vatican released a message from him to accompany the Angelus prayer at midday. Greeting participants in the Jubilee of Deacons, the pope urged all deacons to dedicate themselves to proclaiming the Gospel and commit themselves to charity.

“Carry out your ministry in the church with words and actions, bringing God’s love and mercy to all,” he wrote. “Do not be afraid to take the risk of love!”

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – On his sixth full day in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, “the Holy Father’s clinical condition is improving slightly,” the Vatican said.

He continues to be without fever and “his hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable,” said an evening bulletin Feb. 20. “Hemodynamic parameters” refer to a series of tests measuring cardiac output and other indicators of whether a patient’s heart health is being impacted by a given therapy.

“He received the Eucharist this morning and afterward dedicated time to work,” the bulletin said. Previously, the Vatican said he was reading and working on texts. The suite of rooms reserved for the pope on the 10th floor of the Gemelli hospital includes an office for the pope’s secretaries and a chapel.

The morning bulletin Feb. 20 specified that the pope had gotten out of bed to eat breakfast.

Pope Francis, who celebrated his 88th birthday in December, has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14; he was diagnosed with double pneumonia.

While Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, did not confirm that Pope Francis had received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, it was presumed that he had since the church encourages those with a serious illness to receive it. It is not reserved to those in immediate danger of death.

Several times during Pope Francis’ stay, his medical team — made up of doctors from the Vatican and from the Gemelli staff — have adjusted his medications to fight his respiratory ailment more precisely.

Spanish Cardinal Juan José Omella Omella of Barcelona, who was at the Vatican to present a peace and dialogue initiative for young people around the Mediterranean Sea, was stopped by reporters Feb. 20 outside the Vatican press office and asked about the pope’s health.

With the medical bulletins the Vatican is putting out, he joked, everyone needs to start studying medicine. But “the first lesson, I’d say, is that the pope is doing well.”

The news that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the pope Feb. 19 and that the pope was getting out of bed and had breakfast Feb. 20 in an armchair are good signs, the cardinal said.

“I have not been to the Gemelli, but it seems that things are going much better,” Cardinal Omella said; “it’s hopeful news.”

A reporter asked the cardinal if he thought the pope would resign. Cardinal Omella said he had never asked the pope what he would or would not do.

“The pope knows what he has to do, I imagine, and since his head is fine, thanks be to God, he will decide,” he said.

But “I hope the pope will continue,” he said. “He has set the church on a good path,” especially by promoting the synodal style of all Catholics taking responsibility for the mission of the church and by focusing the Holy Year on hope.

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, France, who also was at the Vatican to talk about the Mediterranean initiative also was asked about Pope Francis’ ability to continue to lead the church and about the possibility of a papal resignation.

“I’m not worried about his lucidity,” the cardinal said, nor is he worried about the pope somehow lacking the freedom to decide whether it is best for the church that he remain or resign.

“He is a fighter,” Cardinal Aveline said, not in the sense of being a warrior, but in the sense of being “someone who prays a lot. And what comes in prayer, what has matured, then he applies it, whatever the obstacles, whatever the difficulties.”

In the Roman Missal, which contains the prayers used at Mass, there is a prayer that says, “Lord, give us a clear vision of what we have to do and the strength to accomplish it,” the French cardinal said. “For me, that prayer describes his personality.”

Retired Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi told the Italian radio station RTL that he could imagine Pope Francis resigning one day. “There is no question that if he were in a situation where his ability to have direct contact, as he loves to have, to be able to communicate in an immediate, incisive and decisive way was compromised, then I think he might decide to resign.”

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, president of the Italian bishops’ conference, told reporters the fact that the pope was out of bed, was reading and had a visit from the Italian prime minister “means that things are going in the right direction toward a full recovery that we hope comes soon.”

According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, when Pope Francis met Prime Minister Meloni at the hospital Feb. 19, he joked: “Some prayed the pope would be taken to Heaven, but the Lord of the harvest decided to leave me here a while.”

At the Vatican news conference the next day, both Cardinals Omella and Aveline said Catholics are called to pray for the pope and leave the future to him and to God.

SCRANTON – The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, has named eight churches in the diocese as pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Holy Year 2025.

The pilgrimage sites include: Cathedral of Saint Peter, Scranton; Saint Ann Basilica, Scranton; Saint Augustine Church, Brackney; Saint Boniface Church, Williamsport; Saint Gabriel Church, Hazleton; Saint John the Evangelist Church, Honesdale; Saint Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre; and Saint Matthew Church, East Stroudsburg.

The designation, aimed at deepening the spiritual experience of Catholics, is part of the broader, global observance of the Jubilee Year, which takes place every 25 years.

The pilgrimage sites will be places where the faithful are urged to visit, pray, and participate in liturgies and events throughout the Jubilee Year. Jubilee Year indulgences are also available for pilgrims who undertake a pious pilgrimage to any designated jubilee site.

In addition to designated jubilee pilgrimage sites in Rome and the Holy Land, Pope Francis announced that cathedrals in ecclesiastical areas would serve as local pilgrimage sites, along with any other sacred places chosen by the local bishop.

The Jubilee Year will conclude in the Diocese of Scranton and other local dioceses on the Feast of the Holy Family Dec. 28, and in Rome on Jan. 6, 2026.

 

For the third straight year, Bishop Bambera will visit each deanery in the Diocese of Scranton during Lent to hold a special Holy Hour for the faithful. 

The dates and locations for the Lenten Holy Hours are listed below:

SCRANTON – During Lent, many Catholics focus on the three hallmarks of the liturgical season: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

We set aside more time to pray. We abstain from meat on Fridays, give up something we enjoy and try to respond to the needs of others more generously.

Several deaneries around the Diocese of Scranton are once again partnering to help parishioners focus on what loving God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind looks like (Mt 22:37).

Churches within the Scranton, Pittston and Williamsport deaneries have all scheduled ‘Road to Resurrection’ events this Lent. The information on each is located below.

Prayer is not optional when it comes to living the Christian life, and there is no substitute for spending time with God.

Knowing this doesn’t make finding the time less of a struggle. We’re busy. But as St. Francis de Sales wrote, “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.”

If we want to embrace God’s will in our lives, we must learn how to see things (in addition to ourselves and other people) from his perspective.

Please mark your calendars now and plan to visit a local church near you this Lent as part of a ‘Road to Resurrection’ event, or – even better – make a comittment to attend every session in a particular area.

This Lent, challenge yourself to stop trying to “add God” to your life and start learning how to draw your life from God.

SCRANTON – With temperatures barely breaking 20-degrees and gusty winds making it feel much colder, more than 150 people braved the frigid conditions to show support – and pray – for Scranton’s immigrant and refugee communities Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.

Faith leaders from the Catholic Church, Temple Hesed, and the Islamic Center of Scranton were among those offering prayers on Courthouse Square for the continued dignity and respect for all people.

“In recent weeks, our community has been overshadowed by anxiety and fear, yet tonight we come together to re-affirm our commitment to compassion,” Alexandra Marroquin said in welcoming the crowd to the event. “Let us stand united, drawing strength from one another and the values we hold dear.”

The crowd sang the hymn, “All Are Welcome,” after an opening prayer and listening to excerpts of a statement from Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration.

The vigil was sponsored by several community organizations, including the Scranton Area Multifaith Ministerium; Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton; Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish; Saint Ann’s Passionist Monastery; Temple Hesed; Islamic Center of Scranton; Marywood University; and The University of Scranton.

Rev. Jonathan Kuhar, pastor, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, read Bishop Bambera’s recent statement on immigration, “Upholding the Dignity of All,” and offered a prayer that everyone may hear the cry of refugees, immigrants, the homeless and the lost.

“Grant us now the grace of hospitality, bless our eyes that we may see the needs of our brothers and sisters, and fill our hears with the wisdom we need to recognize the human dignity of all people, and bless our hands so that we may continue to have the honor of doing your work in this world,” Father Kuhar prayed.

Representatives of the Jewish community said the biblical directive of welcoming the stranger is mentioned 36 times in the Torah, more than any other commandment.

“We, like many of you here, believe that revelation is not something that happened ‘once upon a time’ and is something of the past,” Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz of Temple Hesed said. “It is continuing to unfold with all of us today. When we listen to Scripture, we listen to it not as someone listening to someone else’s words, but as someone who is being addressed by those words.”

After about 30 minutes, the group walked to Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church on Wyoming Avenue and continued the prayer service inside hearing the recent words of Pope Francis and three personal reflections from those who have migrated to the United States.

Ushu Mukelo came to the United States after spending 12 years in a refugee camp in Uganda. He said the bible demands us all to take action on this issue.

“We must respect the dignity of every human being,” Mukelo said.

SCRANTON – On Feb. 11, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, celebrated a special Mass in honor of the World Day of the Sick, an annual observance in the Catholic Church dedicated to offering prayers and support for those suffering from illness.

Held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, the Mass brought together parishioners and individuals seeking comfort in their time of need, all united in faith and hope.

The World Day of the Sick, established by Pope John Paul II in 1992, invites Catholics worldwide to pray for the sick and reflect on the role of suffering in the life of faith. The day also calls attention to the importance of healthcare workers who extend care and compassion to those who are ill.

In his message to the world’s sick, Pope Francis said “hope amid suffering” leads to God.

While the Holy Year 2025 refrain, “Hope does not disappoint,” can be difficult for those suffering from illness to embrace, the Holy Father said Christians are called to recognize God’s closeness even in moments of weakness or despair.

Sickness “becomes an occasion for a transformative encounter” when one is open to God, he wrote in his message for the 33rd World Day of the Sick.

“Suffering always brings with it a mysterious promise of salvation, for it makes us experience the closeness and reality of God’s consoling presence,” the pope wrote in his message.

SCRANTON – Despite a snowstorm into the early morning hours, the Diocese of Scranton still celebrated its annual Mass for Persons with Disabilities on Feb. 9 at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass, which is held in advance of National Disability Awareness Month in March.

“My brothers and sisters with disabilities, more than you realize, your unwavering trust in God and your example of acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude and selfless love provide us all with priceless lessons for how best to live as disciples of Jesus,” Bishop Bambera said during his homily. “Simply put, you teach us that like Isaiah, Paul and Peter, we are all a part of God’s plan. Each of us is treasured by God, for being just the way we are. And each of us is more than well equipped to give witness to God’s merciful presence among us and to bring hope and peace to our corner of God’s world.”

In a beautiful display of inclusivity, many individuals with special needs participated in the Mass, serving as greeters, lectors, altar servers and gift bearers.

The Mass for Persons with Disabilities has become a beloved tradition in the Diocese of Scranton, emphasizing that all people – including those with physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities – are deeply loved by God and called to contribute to building His Kingdom.

During this Jubilee Year, the Bishop also shared the words of Pope Francis, which he said could be especially directed to people affected by illness or disability.

“Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring… Even so, often we find people who are discouraged and pessimistic about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness … But God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope,” Bishop Bambera quoted.

Partners in the annual Mass for Persons with Disabilities include Saint Joseph’s Center in Scranton and the Order of the Alhambra.

As 2025 celebration came to an end, those in attendance were reminded we must celebrate the dignity of those with disabilities but also call on the wider community to recognize the immense value of every person, as we all work together to build up God’s Kingdom on earth.

SCRANTON – The Cathedral of Saint Peter hosted an Ecumenical Celebration of God’s Word on Jan. 22, 2025, as part of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

This year’s service was particularly significant, as it centered around the powerful theme: “Do You Believe?”, a question that invites all Christians to reflect on the shared foundations of faith and the call to unity in Christ.

“As we come together, we give thanks for what we share in common – a common Creed – a common profession of faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,” the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, said.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, celebrated worldwide from Jan. 18-25, serves as a time for Christians from various denominations to come together in prayer and dialogue, acknowledging the bonds that unite them in Christ and the work still needed to heal divisions.

“May what we do during this noon-time hour, be a sign to our world in some small way, of our desire to fulfill the great prayer of the Lord Jesus, that we would all be one,” Bishop Bambera added.

Bishop Bambera served as leader of prayer for the Ecumenical Prayer Service. As chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Ecumenism and Interreligious Affairs, Bishop Bambera has long been a leader in promoting dialogue and cooperation among Christian denominations.

The service, which included prayers, hymns, and scripture readings, was attended by more than 100 Christians from several denominations, all coming together to pray for greater understanding and collaboration.

Rev. Scott Sterowski, Diocesan Coordinator for Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, delivered the sermon at the prayer service.

He began by acknowledging this year, 2025, holds additional significance as it marks the 1700th anniversary of the historic Council of Nicaea, a pivotal event in the early Church that helped shape the foundation of Christian doctrine and unity.

Convened in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine, the Council sought to address theological disputes, particularly the nature of Christ’s divinity, and resulted in the Nicene Creed, a central declaration of Christian faith still recited in many Christian liturgies today.

The anniversary of the Council of Nicaea underscores the important work of ecumenism and the shared commitment of preserving the core truths of the Christian faith in a divided world.

“We celebrate this day of unity, of togetherness, as members of the Body of Christ, asking the question, ‘what is faith?’ Faith, of course, is a gift of the Spirit, poured forth into our hearts, a theological virtue. Before we can come to believe, we must receive this gift from God,” Father Sterowski stated.

Noting that “full unity” has not yet been achieved, Father Sterowski said it will happen “in God’s time.”

“That is the deepest desire of the heart of Christ, for His Body, the Church, that we dwell together as His people, as one,” he added.