SCRANTON – With deep joy and great anticipation, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, is inviting all faithful from the Diocese of Scranton to participate in a Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in celebration of the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope.

The 2025 Jubilee Year is a sacred time of renewal, reconciliation, and grace for the entire Church – a time to rediscover the hope that only Christ can give in a world marked by anxiety, division, uncertainty, and fear.

This Pilgrimage will be a visible sign that hope is alive in our hearts, in our families and in the Church of Scranton.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – affectionately known as “Mary’s House” to honor Our Blessed Mother – has been designated as a special place of pilgrimage during Jubilee Year 2025 by the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Pilgrimage will include a welcome by the Vice Rector of the National Shrine, the opportunity for tours, private prayer and Confessions, along with a Eucharistic Holy Hour with Rosary in the Upper Church and a Pontifical Mass celebrated by Bishop Bambera.

Bus transportation is being planned from various communities throughout the Diocese. The cost per participant is $80.

Registration is open now and will close on Aug. 18.

Parishes are being highly encouraged to work toward filling a bus of their own parishioners – but anyone can register for the pilgrimage by visiting dioceseofscranton.org.

Please save the date – and register early to save your spot – as the Diocese of Scranton “fans the flame of hope that has been given us” during this special Jubilee Year.

PECKVILLE – As the faithful of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish concluded noon Mass on Thursday, May 8, they knew that white smoke was pouring from the chimney atop the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

Just 24 hours later, they gathered once again overjoyed at the history-making selection of American Pope Leo XIV.

“I am shocked, but thrilled… I’m excited about the future of our church,” Father Andy Kurovsky, pastor, said. “Ever since I was a child, we were told there will never be an American pope, but nothing is impossible with God, and the Holy Spirit was at work!”

Before his parish’s Mass on Friday, parishioners also gathered for a special Holy Hour to pray for Pope Leo XIV.

Anthony Beard, who serves as a sacristan at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Peckville, prays intently during a special Holy Hour held in thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV on May 9, 2025. (Photo/Dan Piazza)

“I think (his election) is going to bring about a renewed enthusiasm, especially among many of our young people,” Father Kurovsky added. “Last night, I was doing some confirmation interviews with our eighth graders, and I talked a little about the pope and I could see that they’re excited about the fact that he’s from the United States.”

Patti Dennis of Montdale said she yelled and cried when Cardinal Robert Prevost walked out onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

“It was overwhelming. It gave me such a lift. I’ve been in such a ‘high’ since it happened. It’s just an overwhelming feeling,” Dennis explained.

While certainly proud that the new pope is American, parishioners admit they are simply excited to once again have a spiritual father.

“We’re all very excited about Pope Leo being our new pope and we’re so happy to celebrate that,” sacristan Anthony Beard stated. “I’m sure that Pope Leo will do everything that he can to keep us moving forward.”

“I think he’ll carry on the work of Pope Francis, and I think the church will welcome it,” parishioner Ray Colleran said.

After recognizing Pope Leo XIV has a connection to Pennsylvania – being an alumnus of Villanova University – parishioners like Colleran were excited.

“My wife and I have a Villanova connection. Our daughter went to Villanova so we’re all happy with that,” he added.

“I won’t hold it again him. I went to Penn State,” parishioner Janice Bauman joked.

Moving forward, many parishioners are hopeful that Pope Leo XIV will understand their needs, speak to their hearts and welcome them into the Church. In return, they promise to continue praying for him.

“I wish him the best,” parishioner Nadine Greco said. “I will pray every day for him.”

SCRANTON – The Cardinal-electors were most accommodating to a group from the Diocese of Scranton who just happened to be traveling in Rome and the Vatican when Pope Leo XIV was elected Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church on May 8.

Since the papal electors reached a two-thirds majority to elevate His Eminence, Robert Cardinal Prevost to the papacy- making him the first American pope – on that Thursday evening, members of the TravelWorld charter group can now exclaim: “We were in Rome when the Pope was elected!”

As the local vacationers were scheduled to return home on Friday, May 9, one more papal vote resulting in “black smoke” would probably have meant missing out on history.

When the College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as pope on May 8, a group of 48 tourists from northeastern Pennsylvania were in Rome as part of a trip organized by TravelWorld.

TravelWorld tourists Patrick and Diane Augello Collins of Pittston, where they are members of Saint Joseph Marello Parish, will forever treasure their serendipitous good fortune.

“Being in Saint Peter’s Square during the conclave was the most beautiful, amazing experience which we will never forget,” Diane said, as the couple also had the opportunity to visit Pope Francis’ tomb in the nearby Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

“Feeling the faith and excitement of the people from all over the world was simply wonderful,” she added. “We are so blessed and grateful to be a part of this historical moment. We never thought that our dream trip to Rome would be part of a global event!”

SCRANTON – Celebrating Mother’s Day this year was unlike any other for Ashley Reedy.

For the very first time, she was able to celebrate it with her son Paxton.

“It is the first Mother’s Day that I’m able to share it with him, and that is something that I prayed for so long to be able to celebrate,” the Saint Eulalia Parish parishioner said.

With the assistance of Saint Joseph’s Center, Reedy and her husband were able to adopt Paxton last year.

“Even though he wasn’t born from me, I’ve just been waiting for him for so long,” Reedy said.

A mother and daughter share a special moment during the Mother’s Day Adoption Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter on May 11, 2025. (Photo/Mike Melisky)

Reedy and many other mothers participated in the Diocese of Scranton’s annual Mother’s Day Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton on May 11, 2025. The liturgy prayerfully recognizes all mothers – but places a special emphasis on foster and adoptive mothers.

“There are families out there that are willing to, and want to, adopt a child because they’ve been praying for it and waiting for it for so long,” Reedy added.

The Mass was celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, who also served as homilist.

Beckie Samuel, a parishioner of Saint Patrick Parish in West Scranton, also went through the adoption process in 2022. Her son is turning three in August.

“Mother’s Day is very, very special to me,” Samuel explained. “Before him, we had tried for 11 years and had three losses, so this holiday is very sacred to me because it is one I never thought I would be able to celebrate.”

Samuel praised the work of Saint Joseph’s Center in helping to shepherd the adoption process locally.

“They made it very easy. They communicated with us non-stop. If I had any questions, they were there to respond. They were amazing,” she said.

During the Mass, many adoptive mothers said they prayed for the Saint Joseph’s Center staff, as well as their child’s birth mother, who gave them such an important gift.

“It was so nice to be recognized but more importantly to recognize all the people who helped us come together as a family,” Heather Thomas of Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg said.

For many in attendance, the Mass was deeply personal. At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Bambera blessed all the mothers present.

“We’re celebrating adoption and the fact that (my son) came from mommy’s heart and not my belly,” Thomas added.

SCRANTON – Catholic school students from across the Diocese of Scranton were honored for their innovation and imagination April 24 as the inaugural ‘Living the STREAM’ competition concluded.

The Diocese of Scranton Catholic School fundraising competition began during Catholic Schools Week in January. It brought together students in grades 6 through 8 daring them to “dream big,” using their STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) education to combat a “real-world challenge.”

The students could tackle any topic of interest to their team. They then created a video that was posted on a special website, and the public was able to support each team with donations. The final projects focused on varying issues that included everything from homelessness to food insecurity.

Troy Miller, left, and Mason Williams of Good Shepherd Academy in Kingston celebrate their LIVING THE STREAM project success April 24. (Photo/Eric Deabill)

Between sponsorships and donations, more than $55,000 was raised.

On the day the competition ended, more than 100 students and parents gathered in the Diocesan Pastoral Center to celebrate the fundraiser. Awards for the top fundraising teams, along with awards for the best overall project, innovation, and faith in action also were distributed.

One team taking home an award was “Team HandiMaps” from Good Shepherd Academy in Kingston.

Mason Williams, Caden Moreck, Nick Pokrifka, Troy Miller, and Daniel Saporito – eighth grade students – focused on creating a website that features maps of regional destinations accessible to disabled people.

Miller said the HandiMaps project was more fun than a traditional school assignment because they could be as creative as they wanted and pick the topic.

“Making the website and generating it was really exciting and fun to do with my classmates,” Miller said.

While all the students in their group brainstormed ideas to tackle, Miller gave credit to Mason Williams for developing the overall ‘Team HandiMaps’ idea.

“At home one night, I was thinking, what can we do to help people near us,” Williams explained.

After deciding on wanting to help individuals who rely on wheelchairs, the group then needed to research what businesses and locations in their community were handicap accessible and create an overall website and several interactive maps.

“We wanted to make it the best we could to help,” he added. “It could get bigger and bigger. We can make it throughout bigger areas and help people know the places they can go.”

Another team that took home an overall award and future innovators award was ‘Team F.Red’ from Saint Mary of Mount Carmel School in Dunmore.

Five seventh graders – Tim Polishan, Patrick Burke, Jaxon Urban, Michael Lalli, and Quinn Kelly – created a food redistribution app to cut down on food waste.

“We just brainstormed a lot and thought out all of our ideas,” Polishan said.

“The first idea we had was about food and how much food was wasted so we wanted to build on that idea,” Burke added.

Kelly said being recognized as a top team meant a lot to their group.

“We put in a lot of work for this, it took a lot of time,” he explained.

The students are hopeful the app they created could help connect local stores with food pantries to help provide the needy fresh produce.

“That would be pretty cool if it was turned into a real thing,” Lalli said.

“I’m hoping it becomes a real thing that people can use,” Urban added.

CARBONDALE – In the days following his death, parishes across the Diocese of Scranton honored the memory of Pope Francis by holding special Memorial Masses, highlighting the late pontiff’s love for Jesus and care for the vulnerable.

From Stroudsburg to Sayre, and Mansfield to Milford, the faithful came together to remember Pope Francis as a “pope of the people” – challenging the faithful to reach out to those on the margins: the poor, elderly, disabled, unborn, refugees, and prisoners.

After tolling their bells on April 21, the date of Pope Francis’ death, many parishes also hung purple or black bunting to signify a period of mourning.

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISH

On Monday, April 28, 2025, dozens of parishioners from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Carbondale gathered at Saint Rose of Lima Church for a Memorial Mass for Pope Francis.

“We lost a great man. We lost our leader and it’s heartbreaking,” parishioner Linda Melnick said. “I just hope that his legacy and his example spreads and everyone who was touched by him can continue to touch others.”

The Mass was celebrated by Father Seth Wasnock, pastor, who said Pope Francis served as a fitting example to all people.

“Pope Francis really gave us a living example of discipleship. We’re not perfect but we live our lives as authentically as possible in Christ, relying on Him for His strength and His help, and Pope Francis exemplified that each and every day of his life,” Father Wasnock said.

Parishioner Eileen Aguiar called the Memorial Mass “beautiful” and feels Pope Francis will be missed by many people.

“He was genuine. He was a pope of the people. He reached out to everyone. There were no exclusions. He was just a beautiful man,” Aguiar explained.

Following the Mass, Kathy Yaklic reflected on Pope Francis’ connection to young people.

“I had the opportunity of meeting him at a Mass in Washington, D.C., and I had my two granddaughters with me, and for them it was exciting because he related to them” Yaklic recalled. “As he passed to heaven, he left the Church in a better place for us.”

CHRIST THE KING PARISH

The following evening, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the faithful of Christ the King Parish had a similar opportunity to gather at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Archbald to remember Pope Francis.

“I think that he touched all people because he was a pope for everyone,” parishioner Mary Ann Chindemi said. “I think he tapped into the compassionate side of people with his mission to help the poor and indigent in today’s world.”

“I had the pleasure of seeing him twice when I was in Rome,” parishioner Sally Spudis added. “He was a pope of the people. He was just like one of us.”

The Mass was celebrated by Father Ryan Glenn, pastor, who emphasized Pope Francis’ ministry of mercy.

“He really embodied the shepherd with the smell of the sheep, and I think for many people he demonstrated that through his words and gestures,” Father Glenn said.

“For me as a priest, Pope Francis really challenged and inspired me to take seriously the Gospel imperative to go and find those who feel lost, who feel forsaken, and to bring them the joy of the Lord, the mercy that we experience in Jesus Christ.”

Father Michael Amo Gyau, assistant pastor, also emphasized the mercy shown by Pope Francis.

“As human beings, we have faults and make mistakes, but the duty to judge is not in our hands,” Father Michael said. “Pope Francis was a model for us in our modern world, that we should be agents of mercy to one another.”

At both Masses, parishioners expressed not only sadness – but shock – at Pope Francis’ death because he had briefly appeared in St. Peter’s Square only one day before his death.

“I was surprised because we saw him on Easter Sunday and then not to see him all of a sudden, it is a surprise, but he suffered so long,” parishioner Linda Bednorchik said.

Looking to the future, Sister Nancy Kamau from the Little Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi said we must continue to celebrate Pope Francis’ life.

“He has left us so much to live for and to think about, and we are so proud to be Catholics today because of our Holy Father,” Sister Nancy stated.

HAZLETON – Alberta Perez choked back tears while recalling her initial reaction to the death of Pope Francis.

“It was heartbreaking,” she said. “He was humble. He really cared. He really loved everyone.”

Perez was one of many Hispanic Catholics attending the 12:10 p.m. Mass at Annunciation Parish in Hazleton on April 21, with specific plans to pray for the late Holy Father on the day of his death.

“Our church is sad today. It’s a day that we’re never going to forget,” she added.

Fellow parishioner Martha Rojas said many Hispanics loved Pope Francis because the late Holy Father simply loved all people as human beings.

Hispanic parishioners reacted with sadness to the death of Pope Francis April 21 at Annunciation Parish in Hazleton. Many commented on the late Holy Father’s compassion and mourned him as a shepherd who walked with them. (Photo/Dan Piazza)

“He didn’t see color. He didn’t see race,” Rojas stated. “He loved everyone. It didn’t matter if you were rich or poor.”

As the pope of the peripheries, Pope Francis brought the heart, mind, and soul of the Catholic Church in Latin America from what he called the “ends of the earth” to the center of Christendom.

The late pope’s theology, governance of the church and pastoral practices were steeped in his experience as a pastor during a military dictatorship and subsequent financial crisis in Argentina, and later as a servant of the poorest people of Buenos Aires who were living in “villas miserias,” or shantytowns.

“He was a simple man, and he tried to live out the faith authentically and be a witness to the world of Christ’s love for all of us,” parishioner Nichole Tranguch added. “We are just thankful for him and his service to the church.”

Pope Francis’ Latin roots were especially important for parishioner Maria Malaga, who also came to the Hazleton area from Latin America.

“We lost such a wonderful person who did so much for the world,” Malaga said.

Over the last two decades, the city of Hazleton has experienced a significant demographic transformation, with its Latino population now comprising two-thirds of city residents. Their arrival has brought new cultural vibrancy to Hazleton and many residents are devout Catholics.

Father Kevin Miller, Pastor, Annunciation Parish, said the passing of Pope Francis has deeply affected many parishioners at his parish, who viewed the Pope as a spiritual leader who championed inclusivity, compassion, and social justice.

“He was someone who spoke to the heart of those who were disaffected, those who were pushed to the margins,” Father Miller explained. “We look forward to honoring his memory and carrying forward many of the traditions that he started and upheld.”

Looking to the future, many parishioners plan to keep praying for the soul of Pope Francis.

“We will be saying thank you to God for having him for as long as we did,” Rojas said.

VATICAN CITY – Monsignor Christopher Washington, a Wilkes-Barre native who was ordained for the Diocese of Scranton in 2006, served as a personal aide and translator for Pope Francis since 2021.

As such, the Scranton Diocesan priest accompanied the Holy Father during his brief meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on Easter Sunday, April 20 – the Pontiff’s final official private audience before he passed away hours later on Easter Monday morning.

Pope Francis meets briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and his translator, in the papal residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican April 20, 2025. The Vatican said the meeting was an opportunity to exchange best wishes for Easter. Pope Francis, formerly Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died April 21, 2025, at age 88. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Less than a week later, Monsignor Washington greeted U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump when they arrived at the Vatican for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Square April 26.

Fluent in the foreign languages of Italian, Spanish and French, Monsignor Washington has served as a member of the Diplomatic Corps of the Holy See for the past ten years.

Pope Francis elevated the Scranton Diocesan priest to the rank of Chaplain of His Holness (with the title of Monsignor) in 2019.

He previously was in the Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See) in Bolivia and Lithuania.

SCRANTON – More than 400 Catholic elementary school students in kindergarten through third grade recently participated in a Lenten retreat centered on themes of healing and gratitude.

Liz Devine, elementary school guidance counselor, hosted an interactive Lenten retreat at all five Catholic elementary schools in Lackawanna County: All Saints Academy in Scranton; La Salle Academy in Jessup; Our Lady of Peace School in Clarks Green; Saint Clare/Saint Paul School in Scranton; Saint Mary of Mount Carmel School in Dunmore.

The retreat centered around the bible passage of Jesus healing ten lepers on the way to Jerusalem and only one returning to give gratitude.

Students from La Salle Academy in Jessup pose for a photo after a recent Lenten retreat at their school.

“We reflected on Jesus’ healing power, how the lepers had faith and acted upon it to implore Jesus’ blessings, but how the human tendency is toward ingratitude,” Devine said. “We practiced how saying ‘thank you’ and expressing gratitude nourishes our relationship with God and others.”

The students in all five schools participated in small group activities that included writing ‘thank you’ notes to people in their lives and decorating a rock with a positive message to keep as a reminder that God’s blessings are abundant.

As part of the retreat, the students were also asked to donate an item for Saint Joseph’s Baby Pantry. A total of 521 items were collected.

“Items collected included diapers, wipes, bottles, wash cloths and towels and pacifiers,” Devine said. “It is important for students to see that their donations are needed to support families right here in our community.”

Through prayer, learning, and acts of service, each retreat showed the students that compassion and gratitude know no age limit – and that even the smallest hands can make a big difference.

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Both Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV on May 18, the vice president’s office said.

Pope Leo is the first U.S.-born pope.

The two officials, both Catholic, will be joined by their respective spouses, second lady Usha Vance and Jeanette Rubio, in the U.S. delegation to the Mass for the inauguration of the pope’s Petrine ministry in St. Peter’s Square.

Vance – the second Catholic to hold the vice presidency, preceded only by former President Joe Biden – was in Vatican City in April, where he met with Pope Francis on Easter, the final full day of the late pope’s life.

In February, Pope Francis released a letter to the U.S. bishops, Catholics and all people of goodwill, responding to “the major crisis that is taking place in the United States” created by President Donald Trump’s plans to target the country’s immigrants who lack legal authorization to live and work in the U.S. for mass deportation. Among those targeted are more than 10 million Christians, a majority of whom are Catholic.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance speak at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington Jan. 21, 2025. The two leaders, who are Catholic, will attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV on May 18, 2025, the vice president’s office said. (OSV News photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters)

In that letter, Pope Francis appeared to rebuke the vice president’s invocation of the Catholic theological concept of the “ordo amoris” (the order of love or charity) to justify Trump’s immigration policy actions. The future Pope Leo, then Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, appeared to concur with the pope in a February post on X, when he shared an opinion piece from the National Catholic Reporter titled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”

Vance recently acknowledged the potential for both conflict and common ground with Pope Leo, noting the Catholic Church is “about the saving of souls” and its teachings do not fit neatly with 2025 American politics.

“There are a lot of views the Catholic leadership holds that are, you know, you might consider on the right side of the spectrum. There are a lot of views they’re going to hold that might be more traditionally on the left side of the spectrum. And then there are a lot of views that don’t map easily onto politics at all,” he said in an interview May 9 with conservative talk host Hugh Hewitt.

“I’m sure he’s going to say a lot of things that I love. I’m sure he’ll say some things that I disagree with, but I’ll continue to pray for him and the church despite it all and through it all, and that’ll be the way that I handle it,” Vance said.

Trump, who attended Pope Francis’ funeral April 26 and caused some controversy in May with an AI-generated image of himself as pope posted to the White House’s X account, called the first American pope “a great honor for our country.” The president told Fox News host Sean Hannity recently that Pope Leo was a “surprise choice” and he would like to speak with the pope about immigration.

Trump, who has previously mused about the idea of seeking a third term despite Constitutional term limits, recently said he would not do so, setting the stage for both Vance and Rubio to be increasingly seen as potential contenders for the GOP nomination in 2028. Both Catholic leaders are friends, and Vance has downplayed discussion of any rivalry between them in recent comments.