Category: Diocese of Scranton News

SCRANTON – It has been nearly five centuries since God sent Mary as his messenger – appearing before Blessed Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian – but the importance of that apparition continues to inspire generations.

On Sunday, Dec. 11, hundreds of people filled the Cathedral of Saint Peter to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Cathedral celebration, organized by the parishes of Saint John Neumann and Saint Paul of the Cross in South Scranton, was moved downtown to draw even more people from across the city.

“It was an amazing event. We had a very big crowd come out,” Adriano Torres explained. “If we want to grow this community, it is so important to do events like this.”

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant for the Mass, which was followed by a festival across the street at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

“It is with the deepest gratitude that we thank the bishop for celebrating this Mass with us and for the people of the Cathedral who let us use their wonderful church, ” Rev. Jonathan Kuhar, pastor of the South Scranton parishes said.

The annual Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego on December 9, 10 and 12, 1531 in Tepeyac, near presentday Mexico City. The Blessed Mother’s appearance is believed to have resulted in millions of conversions to Catholicism.

Deysi Fuentes attended the Cathedral Mass and celebration with her family, including several children.

“We have to teach our youth our traditions. We guide them in faith towards God,” she explained. “It is a way to show our children where we come from and our traditions that enrich our countries.”

Fuentes pointed out that a milestone anniversary for Our Lady of Guadalupe is quickly approaching.

“We are nine years away from celebrating the 500th anniversary of the first time she appeared to Juan Diego,” Fuentes said.

While the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is especially important to Hispanics, Father Kuhar reminds everyone that she is the Patroness of the Americas, and we should all celebrate her.

“She is our patroness, all of us – North (America), South (America) and Central America – and it is a wonderful thing that we get to celebrate her all together in Scranton,” he said.

In addition to the Cathedral Mass in Scranton, Bishop Bambera also celebrated Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Monday, Dec. 12 at Saint Nicholas Parish in Wilkes-Barre. Prior to the Mass, the faithful spent two hours processing through the streets of the Diamond City with a statute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Parishes in East Stroudsburg, Meshoppen, Jermyn and Hazleton also held Feast Day celebrations.

“At a time when they needed a savior, Mary brought to them the Good News,” Father Kuhar added.

EAST STROUDSBURG – In what has become an important community tradition, the Guadalupana Torch arrived in the Poconos on Sunday, Dec. 4, just days before the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The torch, officially known as Carrera Antorcha Guadalupana, begins its journey each year in Mexico City, crosses the border into the United States and ends in New York City.

For the last several years, parishioners from Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg have welcomed the torch into the Diocese of Scranton as part of its long journey.

“It’s a special event. Everybody is included,” parishioner Karla Carrasco, said. Carrasco said the torch has special significance, connecting families who have relatives on both sides of the United StatesMexico border, that cannot be together for one reason or another.

“All of those people that touch it and bear it and all those families from Mexico who aren’t able to be with their families here in the United States, they are able to touch the torch and know that their loved ones touched it in Mexico,” she explained.

Stephanie Albuja came back from college just to see the Guadalupana Torch arrive locally this year. She participated in a procession with the torch through the streets that ended at Saint Matthew Parish.

“I think it’s very important to have events like this in public because it attracts other people that aren’t from the parish or are from other churches and they can all come and celebrate with us,” Albuja said.

Keyla Carrasco emphasized the torch procession is not just for the Hispanic community.

“It is incredible seeing everyone gathered together, different colors, different races,” she explained. “It is something that touches everybody when they see the replica of the Blessed Virgin Mary that accompanies the torch.”

Carrasco said she grows in her faith each year by participating in the torch procession.

“You see you’re not alone in your faith,” she explained.

Miguel Vaca, who came to the Poconos nearly 30 years ago, is happy to see more people getting involved in the procession each year.

“We have not only Mexican people, but we have people from Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and all those countries that speak Spanish,” Vaca said. “We get together and we experience the love that we give to the Virgin Mary and the love that the Virgin Mary gives to us.”

SCRANTON – It is easy to get caught up in the “external” at Christmas – making and buying gifts, writing Christmas cards and decorating – but if you are looking to be reminded what the season is all about then turn to the “O Antiphons.”

The “O Antiphons” are seven prayers that are recited on the days immediately before Christmas, beginning Dec. 17. The prayers – scriptural texts just a few lines long, begin with “O” and include the desire for Christ to come.

He is addressed by a different title on each of the seven days; O Wisdom, O Lord, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Rising Dawn, O King of Nations, O Emmanuel.

The Church has been singing the “O Antiphons” since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from Dec. 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment, not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well.

The Antiphons repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.

Recite the following “O Antiphons” in the coming days:

 

December 17

O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!

December 18

O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!

December 19

O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!

December 20

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!

December 21

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

December 22

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

December 23

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!

DICKSON CITY – More than 1,700 children in the greater-Scranton area will have gifts to open on Christmas morning because of a partnership between Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center.

The three non-profit agencies teamed up on Wednesday, Dec. 7 to distribute presents to 750 needy families at LCBC Church on the Scranton Carbondale Highway.

“I’m in awe. I’m thrilled that we can help that many families,” Joe Mahoney, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Social Services, said. “It really is a team effort. The three agencies came together and did this. A lot of hard work went into it and it is worth it.”

Beginning at 9 a.m., parents and caregivers were invited to shop for the toys that they will give their children on Christmas morning. From Cocomelon dolls, Paw Patrol gift sets to scooters and bikes, there were thousands of gifts set up in a large auditorium.

Meghan Loftus, President and CEO of Friends of the Poor, said the toy distribution means parents will have one less thing to worry about
as the holiday season approaches.

“Before I became a mom, I thought about the kids and how much better this made the day for them,” she explained. “Now what I focus on is the relief in the parents’ faces, just the stress in their eyes when they come in and the tension in their bodies and how happy they are when they’re walking out because it’s just one less thing they have to worry about.”

Staff members of the three non-profit agencies and volunteers from the community escorted each of the families through the auditorium to select gifts based on the age range of their children. They also provided stocking stuffers, books, games, puzzles and clothing.

Eleven students from Holy Cross High School in Dunmore volunteered to help families shop.

“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and give back to families, especially during the holiday season,” Avianna Voglino, 17, said. “I am so grateful to be a part of this today.”

The high school senior said each parent was very appreciative.

“Every person I have been with has said thank you for helping out,” she added. “I’ve donated to Toys for Tots in the past so it’s nice to know where everything is going and who it is going to.”

Katie Mellody, 18, said the service project fits into the theme of the academic year at Holy Cross.

“The theme for this year is ‘Is there room in your heart for God to write a story?’” Mellody explained. “I think everyone taking part in this feels that way, yes, there is.”

As she watched all the families and volunteers, Loftus was struckby how everyone came together no matter their values or faith.

“We do this work, as a Catholic-based institution, because we believe in it. We believe it is our obligation,” Loftus said. “This is us spreading God’s love to everybody in the community but we don’t think that anyone needs to be of our faith to be deserving of that love and of that help.”

This was the first year that Catherine McAuley Center participated in the Gifts for Kids Program with the other two agencies.

“When someone comes to one of our doors and they’re looking for help, we’re able to say, here are all of the gift giveaways that are available in our area and we’re all working together. We don’t have to refer somebody to a different agency. We can answer their questions right there and even get them registered for the event,” Krista Somers Murray, Executive Director, Catherine McAuley Center, said.

For those who were unable to attend the Dec. 7 toy distribution, the three agencies will hold one more gift-giving event on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Byron Center at The University of Scranton. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., more toys will be available for parents on a first come, first served basis.

While there is no preregistration, parents must qualify by having an income level below the federal poverty line. They must also bring identification, proof of Lackawanna County residency and something that has their child’s name on it (Social Security card, birth certificate or even a report card) to the event.

SCRANTON- Through the Diocese of Scranton’s listening efforts during the Synod on Synodality in 2022, one of the main themes that emerged from online surveys and in-person listening sessions was a broad demand for greater transparency from church leadership in all matters of importance. One of the areas frequently mentioned is parish financial matters.

Financial matters can be difficult for clergy to talk about, and in some cases, difficult for parishioners to understand. However, as the People of God, parishioners who donate money and service to their parish have the right and responsibility to understand how their money is used.

The bottom line is that in order to be good stewards, parishioners should have a basic understanding of parish financial operations.

On August 31, 2022, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera signed a decree instituting “Norms for Annual Parish Financial Reporting” which are to be considered law in the Diocese of Scranton. Each year beginning in 2023, on the second weekend in January, every parish in the Diocese will be required to publish a five-year financial trend analysis in its bulletin, which will include a narrative to help people understand the document.

While a pastor/parish life coordinator is primarily responsible for the day-to-day supervision of a parish’s financial and physical resources, they receive assistance from a Parish Finance Council. The Parish Finance Council is a consultative body of laypersons that advise a pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the parish. It is widely accepted that an active, well-informed Parish Finance Council strengthens accountability and assists the pastor with his responsibilities.

Parishes are much more expensive to maintain now than they were in the past. As the Diocese of Scranton continues in its Vision 2030 Pastoral Planning Process, striving to meet the opportunities and challenges of the coming decade, it is critical for parishioners to have an understanding of the financial position of their parish.

It is the hope that by having more financial transparency between a parish and its parishioners, there can be greater trust and cooperation to further the mission of the Church. Pastors and parish staff must be open, consultative and collegial in the conducting of affairs and parishioners must accept responsibility for their parish and contribute generously – both money and service – to its programs and projects.

Parishes around the Diocese of Scranton are spreading Christmas joy to nursing home residents and the homebound.

Mary, Mother of God Parish in North Scranton filled 65 bags with personal care items, puzzles and candy to be delivered to homebound parishioners. Each bag was also adorned with ornaments made by faith formation students.

Faith formation students at Saint Eulalia Parish in Roaring Brook Township have been busy making Christmas cards for the residents of nearby Saint Mary’s Villa in Elmhurst. In this photo, fifth grade students were showing off their creativity

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Even the most fervent believers go through moments of doubt and questioning about God, and it is a good thing, Pope Francis said, because it helps one see that God does not fit into the little box people make for him.

Doubt “helps us understand that God is always greater than we imagine him to be. His works are surprising compared to our calculations; his actions are different, always, they exceed our needs and expectations; and therefore, we must never stop seeking him,” the pope told people joining him for the Angelus prayer Dec. 11.

People face a constant “temptation: to make ourselves a God to our measure, a God to use,” the pope said. But “God is something else.”

Pope Francis spoke about the day’s Gospel reading about how John the Baptist, while in prison, sent followers to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah even though John had earlier baptized Jesus in the Jordan.

With an estimated 25,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the midday prayer, the pope said sometimes people find themselves in an “inner jail,” unable to recognize the Lord or even trying to hold him “captive” to preconceived ideas about who God must be.

“Dear brothers and sisters, one never knows everything about God, never!” he said. “Perhaps we have in mind a powerful God who does what he wants, instead of the God of humble meekness, the God of mercy and love, who always intervenes respecting our freedom and our choices.”

And, he said, it is a temptation to think one knows everything about other people, too, using one’s prejudices “to attach rigid labels to others, especially those we feel are different from us.”

Advent, he said, is a time to let go and allow oneself to be surprised by God.

Especially as families prepare a Nativity scene or one goes to look at one set up somewhere, he said, it is an occasion to think about who the Lord really is and how to imitate him in daily life.

“Advent is a time in which, instead of thinking about gifts for ourselves, we can give words and gestures of consolation to those who are wounded, as Jesus did with the blind, the deaf and the lame,” the pope said.

After reciting the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis blessed figurines of the baby Jesus that hundreds of children had brought to the square in preparation to place them in Nativity scenes at home or at school.

He asked children “to pray before the creche that the nativity of the Lord will bring a ray of peace to children all over the world, especially those forced to live the terrible and dark days of war, this war in Ukraine that destroys many lives, so many lives, and many children.”