July 16, 2019

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as indicated:

 PASTORS/ASSISTANT PASTORS

Reverend Wilfredo Milan Mamani Cusicanqui to Assistant Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, effective June 24, 2019.  Father Cusicanqui will continue to serve as Assistant Pastor, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Hazleton.

Reverend Michael J. Kloton, to Pastor, Good Shepherd Parish, Drums, effective August 1, 2019.  Father Kloton will continue to serve as Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Freeland.

Reverend Connell A. McHugh, from Pastor, Good Shepherd Parish, Drums, to Pastor Emeritus, Good Shepherd Parish, Drums, effective August 1, 2019.

DEACONS

Deacon Vincent Oberto, to Deacon, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton, effective June 24, 2019.  Deacon Oberto will continue to serve as Deacon, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton.

Deacon James M. Rebarchick, to Deacon, Good Shepherd Parish, Drums, effective August 1, 2019.  Deacon Rebarchick will continue to serve as Deacon, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Freeland.

 PARISH LIFE COORDINATORS

Mrs. Mary Anne Malone, to Parish Life Coordinator, Saint Patrick Parish, White Haven.  As Parish Life Coordinator, Mrs. Malone will provide on-site pastoral care in the absence of a pastor.  Reverend Peter J. O’Rourke will serve as Sacramental Minister providing Mass and the other sacraments on a regular basis.  Reverend Michael J. Piccola, V.F., Dean of the Hazleton Deanery and Pastor of SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish, Hazleton, will serve as Priest Moderator.  Effective August 1, 2019.

 

The next 52nd Annual Eucharistic Congress will take place in Budapest, Hungary from September 13 – 20, 2020.

The Congress is a worldwide celebration that promotes education on and respect for the Eucharist. The one-week event held regularly since 1881 (every four years in recent times) celebrates the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist according to the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This will mark the second time that Hungary has hosted the International Eucharistic Congress, with the first one held in Budapest in 1938. Key venues of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/Nqc8AQqbhI4

Budapest was named the host city by Pope Francis in January 2016, at the end of the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress held in Cebu City, Philippines.

This past May, a choir of 500 children sang praise to God in Budapest, in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica. Members of the choir wore the motto of the International Eucharistic Congress on their T-shirts: “All my springs are in you”. That performance can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/EcsZUjZzvhg

 

July 3, 2019

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as indicated:

Reverend Brian J.W. Clarke, to Pastor, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton, effective June 24, 2019.  Father Clarke will continue to serve as Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton.

Reverend Peter J. O’Rourke, from Pastor, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton, to Pastor Emeritus, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton, effective June 24, 2019.

 

Bishop Joseph Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton will dedicate a new altar at Saint Mary of the Lake Church in Lake Winola on Sunday, July 7, at 9:00 AM.

Over the last year, The Parish Family of Saint Mary of the Lake has redecorated the interior of their church. This has included the custom fashioning of a new altar by a master woodworker, as well as repainting, carpeting, lighting, and furnishings. The first Mass in the redecorated church will be celebrated on July 7.

“At a time when many Catholic Churches are closing or consolidating, it is extremely unusual for a parish to dedicate a new altar”, said Reverend Patrick L. Albert, pastor. At this extremely visual rite, the new altar is initially bare, and Bishop Bambera will anoint the altar with Holy Oil, incense the altar, cover the altar, and light the altar. “It is a rite that most Catholics rarely see”, said Father Albert.

Catholics believe that the altar is a table for both a sacrifice and a banquet. At the altar, the priest perpetuates Christ’s sacrifice, and people give thanks to God and receive His Body and Blood.

Parishioners donated the new altar as well as other furnishings through memorializations. They raised the funds for other refurbishing through capital campaigns.

 

June 24, 2019

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as indicated:

Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Scranton, to Administrator, Pro Tem, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Jermyn, effective June 21, 2019.

Reverend Stephen A. Krawontka, from Senior Priest, Saint Jude Parish, Mountain Top, and Our Lady, Help of Christians Parish,  Dorrance, to Pastor,  Ascension Parish, Forest City, and Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, Pleasant Mount, effective July15, 2019.

Reverend Francis Landry, C.P. from Pastor, Saint Ann Basilica Parish, Scranton, to Leave of Absence for personal reasons, effective June 17, 2019.

Reverend Sibi Padinjaredath, C.P., from Assistant Pastor, Saint Ann Basilica Parish, Scranton, to Administrator, Pro Tem, Saint Ann Basilica Parish, Scranton, effective June 17, 2019.

Reverend Philbert Takyi-Nketiah, from Diocese of Sunyani, Ghana, West Africa, to Assistant Pastor, Saint Jude Parish, Mountain Top, effective July 15, 2019.

Reverend James T. Tracy, from Administrator, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Jermyn, to retirement, effective June 21, 2019.

 

 

Bishops gathered for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops General Meeting in Baltimore. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

The Diocese of Scranton is committed to protecting its young people and ensuring that the local Church of Scranton continues to address issues of child sexual abuse with vigilance and fidelity.

Bishop Joseph C. Bambera attended the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops General Meeting in Baltimore from June 11-13, 2019 and voted in favor of the four new policies/procedures that were proposed during the meeting.

During that meeting, the USCCB overwhelming voted to approve proposals to hold bishops accountable for instances of sexual abuse of children or vulnerable persons, sexual misconduct, or the intentional mishandling of such cases. The bishops also re-committed themselves to involving and utilizing lay professional experts, which is already the practice of the Diocese of Scranton.

The bishops approved four important measures during their assembly. They include:

  • Voting to implement the document “Vos Estis Lux Mundi” (“You are the light of the world”) which was issued by Pope Francis in May to help the Catholic Church safeguard its members from abuse and hold its leaders accountable.
  • Approving the document “Acknowledging Our Episcopal Commitments,” in which bishops affirmed the commitments they made at ordination, including the commitment to respond directly and appropriately to cases of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable persons.
  • Voting for a protocol regarding non-penal restrictions on bishops which outlines what canonical options are available to bishops when a retired bishop resigns or is removed “due to sexual misconduct with adults or grave negligence of office, or where subsequent to his resignation he was found to have so acted or failed to act.”
  • Establishing an independent third-party reporting system to accept abuse allegations confidentially, by phone or online. A more detailed proposal for the third-party reporting system, including financial and structural elements, is in the planning process. The reporting system would begin no later than May 31, 2020 but bishops are hoping it can be available sooner. It’s important to note that anyone who has suffered sexual abuse should not wait for the national reporting system to be in place. Survivors can contact local civil authorities to file a report as soon as possible and may also report to Church authorities by existing means, including contacting Victim Asisstance Coordinator, Mary Beth Pacuska at (570) 862-7551 or Vicar General Monsignor Thomas M. Muldowney at (570) 207-2269.

These efforts are the latest in a series of steps the Diocese of Scranton and the Church has taken to respond to the sin of sexual abuse.

 

 

The facility, which is operated by Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, serves an average of 300 meals per day.

By ALAN K. STOUT
Special to The Catholic Light

WILKES-BARRE — Every day, 365 days per year, the Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen provides hot meals to those in need. Guests are offered an assortment of quality meals ranging from baked chicken to meatloaf and pasta. The menu changes daily. The facility is not, as some call it, a “soup kitchen.” Yes, soup might be served as a compliment to the day’s meal, but clients at Saint Vincent de Paul are always offered much more, including fruits, salads, milk and desserts.

Mike Cianciotta, director at Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen, says the facility – which is operated by Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton – provides a basic human necessity to those that it serves.

“Basically, it’s about taking care of the essential need of people – food,” says Cianciotta, adding that, by saving people on the cost of food, they can better pay their other bills. “Especially for the elderly, if they’re on a set budget or pension,” he says. “Also, by coming here, they can get out of the house and have a bit more of a social life. We see how much they enjoy dining together.”

Cianciotta says the most common mistake that people make about the kitchen is the perception that most of its clients are homeless, which they are not. Some are retired and are on fixed incomes. Some may suffer from a mental or physical disability which prevents them from working. And many are actually the working poor.

“The idea that only homeless people need this place is a total misconception,” Cianciotta says. “There are people that can afford other things, such as their housing and heating, but they can’t afford food. This enables them not to have ‘luxuries,’ but a ‘necessity’ of life.

“We have families come in,” he adds. “When the children are off from school, it helps parents provide other things for their kids, because they can come here and eat.”

The Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen, which is located at 39 E. Jackson Street in Wilkes-Barre, marked its 35th anniversary last fall. It was founded in 1983 under the leadership of Monsignor Donald McAndrews, the former executive director of Catholic Social Services. It serves an average of 300 meals per day. Lunch is served seven days per week, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dinner is served Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m.

“The mission of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton is to serve individuals and families in poverty and hardship, as we are called by Christ to do, and to respond compassionately to their needs,” says Mary Theresa Malandro, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Social Services. “As a Catholic agency, we advocate for individual dignity and self-sufficiency and actively give of ourselves to replace despair with hope. One of the locations we have the honor of serving those in need is at Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen.”

In addition to the kitchen, the Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11 p.m. and every Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. And the Saint Vincent de Paul Common Thread Clothing Store is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11 a.m. All items are free. There are six full-time staff members and, on average, 10-12 volunteers on site every day.

“We could not survive without them,” says Cianciotta of the volunteers. “By volunteering, it saves us the expense of having to pay employees, which we could never afford. If you think about it, we’re a catering hall that’s open 365 days a year, and we’re not charging anyone. That’s basically what we are. And so if we had to hire a line of servers, and people to help with food prep, and people to wash dishes, and people to work in the food pantry and clothing store, it would be an astronomical amount of money. The volunteers are a vital part of the operation.”

The cost to operate the Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen is $498,000 per year. It receives support, funding and grants from agencies such as the United Way of Wyoming Valley, the Commission on Economic Opportunity and the Weinberg Food Bank. Supermarkets such as Sam’s Club, Schiel’s, Walmart and Wegmans also donate food, which helps supplement the menu.

“We have utilities, we have employees, we have insurance, we have maintenance – that’s where the main expenses are,” says Cianciotta. “By not having to use funds on the things that the stores supplement, it enables us take care of this building and keep the place going.”

Still, Cianciotta says that most funding for the kitchen comes from corporate donations and private individual donations. And since most protein items on the kitchen’s menu need to be purchased, such donations are critical. For $125, any person, family or business can sponsor that day’s meals.

Cianciotta says that, after nearly nine years of managing the kitchen, he’s come to realize just how important it is to the community and to those that visit. Whether it’s a typical summer day, or Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day, he knows people are thankful and appreciative.

“You get to know them and you get to talk to them,” he says. “They’re very grateful for us being here.”

For information about donation needs, call (570) 829-7796, extension 301.

 

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments as Deans of the Diocese of Scranton, for a Three (3) year term, effective June 1, 2019:

 Northern Pastoral Region:

Monsignor Neil J. Van Loon, V.F.           –           Scranton Deanery

Reverend David P. Cappelloni, V.F.       –           Dunmore Deanery

Reverend John M. Lapera, V.F.                –           Clarks Summit Deanery

Reverend Gerard M. McGlone, V.F.       –           Carbondale Deanery

 

Southern Pastoral Region:

Reverend Phillip J. Sladicka, V.F.           –           Pittston Deanery

Reverend Joseph Evanko, V.F.                 –           Wilkes-Barre Deanery

Reverend Joseph J. Pisaneschi, V.F.        –           Kingston Deanery

 

Eastern Pastoral Region:

Reverend Michael J. Piccola, V.F.            –           Hazleton Deanery

Reverend Joseph J. Manarchuck, V.F.    –           Honesdale Deanery

Reverend Michael F. Quinnan, V.F.        –           Stroudsburg Deanery

 

Western Pastoral Region:

Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, V.F.    –           Sayre Deanery

Reverend Bert S. Kozen, V.F.                    –         Williamsport Deanery

 

Pictured with Bishop Bambera at Candidacy in August 2018 L-R: Seminarians Shawn Simchock, Jonathan Kuhar and Kevin Miller.

Entering final year of formation for Priesthood

(MAY 23, 2019) – Jonathan P. Kuhar, Kevin M. Miller and Shawn M. Simchock will begin the final step of their formation for the priesthood when they are ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera at a Mass on Saturday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Jude Church, Mountain Top. All are welcome to participate in this celebration.

Ordination as a transitional deacon generally occurs after a seminarian has completed at least three years of study in theology and takes place usually one year prior to priestly ordination. A deacon will be an ordinary minister of Baptism, and will be able to preside at weddings, assist the priest at Mass, proclaim the Gospel and preach, as well as preside at wakes and funeral services.

Mr. Kuhar is from Saint Jude Parish in Mountain Top and is studying at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Miller is from Saint Nicholas Parish in Wilkes-Barre and Mr. Simchock is from Queen of Heaven Parish in Hazleton. Both Miller and Simchock study at Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts.

The three seminarians will also take part in a program with the young people of the Church in the Diocese of Scranton on Friday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Saint Faustina Parish, Nanticoke.

For more information contact:
Eric M. Deabill
Secretary for Communications, Diocese of Scranton
Cell: (570) 237-6508
Office: (570) 591-5001
EDeabill@dioceseofscranton.org

KINGSTON TOWNSHIP, PA — After more than a year of planning, ground has been broken and work is officially underway on a new Mausoleum at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kingston Township, Luzerne County.

Bishop Joseph C. Bambera visited the site and participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, May 21, 2019.

The beautiful new Mount Olivet Cemetery Mausoleum will offer space for people who wish to be entombed in an above-ground setting. The building of granite and marble will accommodate caskets and cremains, providing a final resting place in pleasant landscaped surroundings easily accessible to family and friends.

Taking part in the ceremonial groundbreaking on Tuesday, May 21 was Dominic Rinaldi, Director of Catholic Cemeteries, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera and John Gabriesheski, Superintendent of Mount Olivet Cemetery

 

The Mount Olivet Mausoleum will also feature companion crypts which accommodate placement of two caskets with one plaque for engraving of both names of the deceased interred therein.

Construction on the new Mausoleum is expected to cost roughly $350,000 and be completed by August.

One of life’s most difficult decisions should be made before the need arises – while those concerned are able to consult and discuss options together.

The Mausoleum at Mount Olivet may provide an appropriate, attractive and affordable memorial for your family’s needs in the following ways:

 

  • Mausoleum entombment eliminates many expenses associated with traditional in-ground burials
  • Options may be available to exchange existing plots for crypts
  • Individuals of all faiths are welcome to be interred at Diocesan cemeteries
  • Burial plots and cremation niches are also available

If you’d like more information on the new Mausoleum, you can contact the Mount Olivet Cemetery staff at (570) 696-3636 or visit www.dioceseofscranton.org.

If you’d like information regarding any other Diocesan cemetery, contact:

Calvary Cemetery, Route 309, Drums, (570) 788-2150

Cathedral Cemetery, 1708 Oram Street, Scranton, (570) 347-9251

Holy Cross Cemetery, Oak & Keyser Avenue, Old Forge, (570) 347-9251

Saint Catherine’s Cemetery, Route 435, Covington Township, (570) 842-8411

Resurrection Cemetery, 4323 Lycoming Mall Drive, Montoursville, (570) 347-9251