Category: Diocese of Scranton News

SCRANTON – President Joe Biden visited the Cathedral of Saint Peter on Thursday afternoon to privately pay his respects to the family of Ellen Casey, the former first lady of Pennsylvania and mother of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who died last week at age 91.

The president arrived at the Cathedral at 1:08 p.m. and departed at 1:48 p.m.

Talking to reporters both before and after his flight, Biden said he wanted to attend Mrs. Casey’s funeral Friday but had previously been scheduled to be at a summit at Camp David and didn’t want other funeral attendees to have to go through Secret Service security.

“I just want to show my respect to the family,” Biden said after arriving at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Avoca.

Biden said Mrs. Casey loved with a fierceness and a tenderness that was “just incredible.”

“She played an enormous role, not just in my life but everyone’s (life). There is a quote my sister always uses about Michelangelo, ‘He saw the angel in the marble, and he carved till he set it free.’ That’s who she was. This was an incredible woman – decent, honorable. Her values were amazing and every time I’d go to Scranton over the years, I’d stop and see her. She was a friend,” Biden said.

President Biden emphasized he has known the Casey family for the majority of his life.

“We lived not far from one another. He was on Wyoming Avenue and I lived on North Washington Avenue. We went to the same parish, Saint Paul’s,” Biden added.

Air Force One departed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport at 2:30 p.m. en route to Hagerstown, Md., from where he will travel to Camp David.

The viewing for Mrs. Casey will last until 8 p.m. Thursday evening. Her funeral Mass will be held on Friday morning at 10 a.m. At the request of the Casey family, the funeral Mass will be livestream from the Cathedral of Saint Peter on the Diocese of Scranton’s YouTube Channel.

SCRANTON – Over the next two weeks, the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System will proudly welcome back thousands of students for the start of the 2023-24 school year.

Kristen Donohue, Diocesan Secretary of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Catholic Schools, said dedicated faculty and staff at all 19 Diocesan Catholic schools are excited about the upcoming year and the opportunity to help each student grow spiritually, academically, emotionally and socially.

“We are going to have a great year,” Donohue emphasized.

The long-time educator admits the “back to school” season comes with a variety of emotions.

“For some families, it is their first opportunity to enter our school system and it’s a very exciting time. For others, it might be their 12th grade year and it will be the last ‘first day’ that they will have in our school system,” Donohue said. “Regardless of where our students are starting their journey this year, it is a time of excitement.”

Throughout the summer, Catholic schools in the Diocese have fielded many calls from prospective families – and many have already surpassed enrollment numbers from last year.

“Our schools are very attractive to a lot of families for a variety of reasons. We are seeing an uptick in enrollment and are continuing to see interest throughout the month of August with school right around the corner,” Donohue added. “There are still open seats available in many of our schools. However, due to the increases in enrollment, there are classes that have been capped. If anyone is interested, it would be wise to reach out to the school principal right now to inquire.”

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR

Donohue expects the Diocese of Scranton’s Strategic Growth Planning Initiative for Catholic Schools to pick up steam as the new academic year begins.

Launched in April, the process aims to help the Catholic School System define priorities and develop a strong, financially sustainable vision for the future to ensure Catholic schools remain vibrant and viable.

All stakeholders will soon be invited to fill out surveys, allowing them to provide input into the process.

“We will be surveying our current families, faculty and staff, families who are in parish faith formation programs who may not have children attending our schools, and our priests to gain an idea of what we’re doing well and what areas we need to strengthen. We also want to hear any ideas or suggestions that any of those groups may have,” Donohue stressed.

As students return to the classroom, interactive STREAM lessons – focused on science, technology, religion, engineering, art and math – will continue to be a primary focus of educators.

“Our educators are very much looking forward to teaching lessons that promote thought-provoking, hands-on, and collaborative activities,” the superintendent said.

Educators will also continue to use assessment data to offer differentiated instruction and will focus on social emotional learning initiatives.

“We’ve partnered with Friendzy, which is a religious curriculum-based social emotional learning platform that will really supplement and expand the social emotional learning initiative,” Donohue said.

Below are some other highlights of what is new this coming year.

NEW STREAM LAB AT SAINT CLARE/SAINT PAUL SCHOOL

Students at Saint Clare/Saint Paul School in Scranton will begin the school year with a new space dedicated specifically for STREAM lessons. The school will open a new STREAM lab on the second floor of its main campus building.

“The STREAM lab will be utilized by teachers and their students on a weekly basis so all students have the opportunity to engage with the new equipment that has been carefully chosen and is relevant to subjects reaching across the entire curriculum,” principal Kara Kennedy Ware said. “Teachers may choose to team teach thematically, and our students will also be able to participate in our new after-school STREAM club. The broader goals for the new STREAM lab are to provide limitless opportunities for teaching, exploring, and learning in a beautiful engaging space, where imagination and innovation are cultivated and encouraged.”

The school’s STREAM facilitator, Katie Purcell, was instrumental in designing the space so that it would be conducive for student problem solving and collaboration. The new space has areas with names such as Collaboration Corner, Research Row, Workstation Nation and more.

“When designing the lab, I thought of the limitations within the classroom I had when implementing STREAM. I also spoke with faculty members and used the research from my STEM Education program to come up with the most important areas our students need to succeed,” Purcell said. “The Collaboration Corner is a space for students to work together to brainstorm ideas and voice their opinions for their projects. They can use what they have learned during their time together when researching in Research Row and share their ideas with one another. The students will then go to Workstation Nation or Creation Carpet to bring their ideas to life. Both stations require the students to use collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking when completing their projects and labs. This also brings the design process to life for the students.”

Both Ware and Purcell expect faculty and students will be excited to engage in more hands-on STREAM activities in the new lab space.

“As a teacher myself, I cannot wait to use this with my students. I feel that I have more opportunities now to engage in project-based learning and do different projects that I could not complete in my classroom. That is how I hope the rest of the faculty feels as well,” Purcell stated.

“In my opinion, some of the potential benefits for implementing STREAM, and creating a dedicated space are the unprecedented opportunities that are presented for students to sharpen their critical thinking skills, while engaging in a student-centered environment that encourages them to confidently take the lead in their learning,” Ware added.

NEW SCIENCE LABS AT HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL

It has been a busy summer at Holy Cross High School in Dunmore with five rooms, including two science labs, a science classroom, the school’s art room and computer lab, all being renovated in some way or receiving new equipment.

“For years we have wanted to upgrade our biology and science labs and the equipment in another science room,” principal Ben Tolerico said. “I think it was an opportunity to enhance the school itself.”

Tolerico credits his faculty for helping to design the new spaces.

“They did an incredible amount of leg work, going through catalogs to pick out everything they wanted,” he said. “It will be really great for the kids to have all of this brand new equipment … It shows the commitment the school has.”

While the renovation work is still being completed, it is expected to be finished by opening day.

Tolerico said the new spaces and equipment will help students planning to pursue a career in science or art with equipment that is comparable to what they will use in college.

“Our school community feels strongly about giving life to the arts,” the long-time educator explained. “Not everybody is going to be a doctor, lawyer or teacher, they have other passions. We must show our students in that niche that we support them.”

NEW CLASSROOM SPACE AT OUR LADY OF PEACE SCHOOL

The new school year will bring new classroom space to Our Lady of Peace School in Clarks Green.

Due to enrollment increases and the COVID-19 pandemic, two third grade classes had been learning in the school’s gymnasium for the last two years.

In February, construction crews began converting some cafeteria space into new classrooms that will be used for the first time on Aug. 28.

“The third teachers are very happy to have the brand new space. They were very patient and super professional about using the gym but they are glad to be in the new space,” principal Ann D’Arienzo said. “The rest of the school is very happy to have the gym back as well.”

In addition to the two new classrooms, an additional office space was also created and will likely be used as a resource and support room for small groups of students.
With 340 students already enrolled at Our Lady of Peace School this year, D’Arienzo is excited for classes to begin.

“There is a lot of momentum,” she explained.

A newly formed parent-teacher group, named the Falcon Family Alliance, has also been formed to bring student activities back to the gym. The group held its inaugural meeting several weeks ago.

“They will help us with activities and events – during school, after school and fundraising events – things of that nature,” D’Arienzo ended by saying.

“TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS”

Fifth grade students attending a Catholic School in Lackawanna County this coming year will participate in a new program entitled, ‘Too Good for Drugs.’

The Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System is partnering with the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office for the initiative.

“’Too Good for Drugs’ is an evidence-based educational program designed to teach children and empower them at a young age to develop self-esteem, help them stand up for themselves and make good choices when it comes to alcohol or drugs,” Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell explained.

Students at Saint Clare/Saint Paul School, All Saints Academy, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, La Salle Academy and Our Lady of Peace School will each have ten sessions throughout the course of the year.

“It is a highly success program. It has been implemented in several public schools over the years and we’re delighted that we’re expanding the program to all schools in Lackawanna County,” Powell added. “Education is the key. We, as children, did not have the same issues with social media and the amount of drugs available at a young age.”

Donohue says the ‘Too Good for Drugs’ program is much broader than the DARE Program that many parents will remember years ago.

“It is much more than just saying no to drugs. They look at the whole picture of how to make decisions and do so confidently,” Donohue said. “Students will talk about setting reachable goals, identifying and managing emotions as well as being able to resist the temptation of drugs and saying no.”

HONOLULU (OSV News) – “For us, it’s like a miracle,” Msgr. Terrence Watanabe, the Honolulu Diocese’s vicar of Maui and Lanai, said about Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in the town of Lahaina being seemingly untouched by the fierce Maui wildfires Aug. 8-9.

The blaze burned Lahaina to the ground in the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii’s history and the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

“When we saw the news and saw the church steeple rise above the town, it was a great sight to see,” the priest said in an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser daily newspaper Aug. 10.

There were conflicting news reports on the fate of the church – whose name translates as “Our Lady of Victory” – and its parish school, Sacred Hearts School, which had lost half of its roof to heavy winds Aug. 7. The parish’s priests, women religious and staff were safe and accounted for.

The Star-Advertiser had reported that the church had burned down, while another news source reported the church was still standing. The Star-Advertiser corrected its report Aug. 11 with a story that the church had indeed survived. Before that some photos and video footage posted on a parishioner’s Facebook page clearly showed the church was standing.

The church is a block or two from Front Street, the famous waterfront stretch of visitors’ shops and restaurants which the Lahaina fire reduced to a smoldering pile of ashes. Pictures showed charred trees across the street from the church.

Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva echoed the vicar in saying Maria Lanakila Church “was miraculously spared, as was the rectory.” He said the adjacent convent, school and hall were “burned, along with neighboring homes.”

In comments Aug. 14 to the Hawaii Catholic Herald, the diocesan newspaper, he also reported that the pastor, Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil, a priest of the Missionaries of Faith congregation, “was allowed to go in (to the church) with a police escort, and he reported that not even the flowers in the church were wilted or singed. There was only a covering of ash on the pews.”

“We thank God for this blessing! Of course the church cannot be used until the area around it is cleared and deemed suitable for passage,” Bishop Silva added.

Early Aug. 16 Maui County officials confirmed they have recovered the bodies of 106 people, but the death toll was expected to keep rising “as crews scour the ruins.” About 1,300 people remained missing. About 11,000 others evacuated.

U.S. census data from 2020 shows that Lahaina had a population of about 12,700 out of an overall population on Maui of about 165,000.

As many as 3,000 homes may have been destroyed. Other Maui communities affected by fires include Kihei and Kula, with more than 500 acres burned. According to research done by Moody’s Analytics, the economic cost to Maui from the wildfires could reach $7 billion.

The White House press secretary announced Aug. 16 that President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Maui Aug. 21 to meet with first responders and survivors, as well as federal, state and local officials. On Aug. 10 Biden issued a federal disaster declaration for Maui and the Big Island (Hawaii island), ordering “all available federal assets on the Islands to help with response.”

In the days since the fires, Msgr. Watanabe has been fielding hundreds of calls and emails “from all over the world.” The outpouring of concern is “overwhelming,” he told the Hawaii Catholic Herald. “It’s unbelievable.”

The church where Msgr. Watanabe is pastor, St. Anthony in Wailuku, held an ecumenical prayer service for victims the evening of Aug. 15, hosted by Bishop Silva.

“We should do what we do best — pray,” the monsignor said.

Prayer has been a watchword for Bishop Silva, too, as well as calling for the faithful to give “unwavering support” to the fire victims.

“As a community of faith, we are called to come together and provide unwavering support to those who are suffering,” he said in an Aug. 11 message to Hawaii Catholics,. “It is in times like these that our collective love, faith and compassion can make a tremendous difference.”

“This is an opportunity for us to show our solidarity as a Catholic faith community and lend a helping hand to those who have lost so much,” Bishop Silva said.

“Let us also remember the power of prayer,” he said. “In our collective prayers, we ask for strength, resilience, and healing for the fire victims and their families. May we find the grace to rebuild our families, their livelihoods, and the physical structures that were lost. Let our faith guide us as we navigate the challenges ahead, knowing that with the grace of God, all things are possible.” Bishop Silva said.

The diocese’s Hawai’i Catholic Community Foundation was established to support Hawaii’s parishes and schools. It has a dedicated webpage for donations to Maui wildfire relief efforts: https://tinyurl.com/MauiCatholic. Catholic Charities Hawai’i also is collecting donations for wildfire victims at catholiccharitieshawaii.org/maui-relief.

“Many people have been offering prayers, donations, and their own time to help with this crisis. The outpouring of love and care has also been remarkable!” Bishop Silva.

The bishop flew to Maui late Aug. 12, touring the Lahaina area Aug. 13 and celebrated Mass that Sunday for 200 people about nine miles away in Kapalua at Sacred Heart, the other church that belongs to Maria Lanakila Parish.

“To arrive in Kapalua, we had to drive on the upper road above Lahaina town. At several places along the road we saw spots that were destroyed by the fire, whether homes or businesses, it was hard to tell. We could also overlook Lahaina town, which was shockingly devastated,” he said.

Lahaina holds deep cultural significance for Hawaiians as the district “was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom.” The Lahaina Historic District, which encompassed downtown Lahaina, Front Street and its vicinity, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962.

While at the church in Kapalua, “I heard stories of people who lost one or more of their loved ones or neighbors, whose houses burned down, or who lost their livelihood,” Bishop Silva told the Hawaii Catholic Herald. “One of my friends, who often serves as my liturgical master of ceremonies when I am on Maui, told me that his uncle, uncle’s wife, their daughter and their grandson all were burned to death in their car, while they were trying to escape.

“My friend and his wife opened their home to other relatives who lost their home and suspects they will be living there for a couple of years.”

Bishop Silva also noted that because cell towers had burned down and the internet was down, most people “were not aware that Pope Francis had sent a letter expressing his concern, prayers, and support — even though I had published the letter on our diocesan media platforms. I read the letter to them, and they were very grateful.”

The pope’s prayers and support for the people of Maui were in an Aug. 10 telegram sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. On Aug. 13, after he led the recitation of the Angelus prayer, the pope again assured the people of Hawaii of his prayers.

Bishop Silva noted that Maria Lanakila’s pastor and the parish school’s principal “are looking into using some nearby hotel conference rooms to set up a temporary school,” because one of their priorities “is to get the children back to school, so that they can continue their learning, have the support of teachers and peers, and allow time for their parents to fill out insurance forms, FEMA applications, finding new employment, etc.”

The Maui blaze began the night of Aug. 8. The National Weather Service said strong winds from Hurricane Dora, passing hundreds of miles to the southwest of the Hawaiian Islands, were partly to blame for fueling the fires.

When the fire struck, Bishop Larry Silva was taking a few vacation days in California on his way back from World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal. His office quickly organized a Zoom virtual rosary to pray for the victims.

“What is needed is prayer for those who have lost their homes and businesses,” he said, introducing the virtual prayer session that was attended by about 300 people, “prayers for our firefighters and first responders and police, and all those you are trying to protect the community, prayer for our social service agencies, which are gearing up to help those who are most in need in this time of crisis and trial.”

“And so we pray to our Blessed Mother for victory over all these tragedies,” he said.