Category: Diocese of Scranton News

(OSV News) – Pope Leo XIV turned 70 on Sept. 14, and more than 2 million prayers and works from 72 countries around the world were offered for him for the occasion through an OSV News-organized initiative, making up one very special “spiritual birthday bouquet” of prayer, love and support.

The effort resulted in 1,005,687 rosaries, 6,520 remembrances at Mass, 2,485 Chaplets of Divine Mercy, 1,777 Eucharistic Holy Hours, 693 novenas, 644 recitations of the Divine Office, and 1,000,866 acts of mercy or other prayers for the pope, for a total of 2,018,672 offerings.

In addition, the “Pizza and Prayer” spiritual bouquet encouraged participants, when possible, to pray together and then raise a slice of pizza in his honor, one of the Chicago native’s favorite treats.

OSV News was joined in partnership by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; the Pontifical Mission Societies, USA; Relevant Radio; Hallow; the National Eucharistic Revival; the Daughters of St. Paul; Sing the Hours; Pray More Novenas; the Daily Nothings; and more to help spread the word.

The name of every person, group or family that participated in this spiritual bouquet was included on the card OSV News sent to the Vatican — making it a truly universal gift. The majority of the prayers were submitted from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

“In a world where so much is tearing us apart, it was gratifying to work on a project where people could come together, united in prayer for Pope Leo on this milestone birthday — his first as pope,” said Gretchen R. Crowe, editor-in-chief of OSV News. “We are honored to be able to present this to him.”

Organizations and influencers throughout the Catholic world participated, with New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan giving a video endorsement that went viral, encouraging participation.

Playing another key role was the USCCB, whose communications department informed and encouraged dioceses throughout the country to join in. Those dioceses, in return, encouraged the local faithful to participate. As a result, numerous dioceses, churches, schools and families pledged prayers, along with many religious sisters and brothers, priests and deacons. The Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida, added 1,000,000 works of mercy, a Jubilee Year initiative, into the bouquet.

Many groups posted videos or photos to social media of their efforts. Students from the Catholic campus ministry program at Indiana University in Bloomington shared a video greeting of more than 220 eating pizza in honor of the pope. Bishop William Byrne of Springfield, Massachusetts, prayed for Pope Leo and sent greetings from a local correctional facility, where two inmates had recently been confirmed — both with the patron “Leo.”

“I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to collect such a beautiful and large bouquet for the Holy Father’s birthday,” said Megan Marley, OSV News digital editor, whose idea first prompted the spiritual bouquet. “Thank you to everyone who helped surround him in prayer.”

HARRISBURG, Pa. (OSV News) – Bishop Timothy C. Senior of Harrisburg said he was “deeply saddened” by a shooting in rural Pennsylvania that claimed the lives of three police officers and injured two others.

York County law enforcement officials were attempting to serve an arrest warrant to a man at a farm in North Codorus Township Sept. 17 when the man opened fire before being shot by an officer, officials said.

“At this difficult time, I entrust all those impacted to the loving care of our Lord,” Bishop Senior said in a Sept. 18 statement. “We recognize and honor the bravery and selflessness of law enforcement officers, who daily put their lives on the line to protect others. Their courage reflects the highest ideals of service and sacrifice.”

“As a community, I call on all people of good will to join me in praying for healing for the two injured officers, and comfort for the families of the three officers killed,” he added. “May Christ, the Prince of Peace, bring comfort to those who suffer and guide our community to healing and unity.”

In a statement, the Northern York County Regional Police Department said, “We ask our community to keep these officers, their families, and their colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable grief.”

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro told reporters Sept. 17, “Our Commonwealth owes a debt of gratitude to our law enforcement officers and the three who sacrificed their lives today to keep us safe.”

Shapiro ordered U.S. and Pennsylvania flags “on all public buildings across the Commonwealth to be lowered to half staff in their memory,” he added.

The Diocese of Harrisburg said Bishop Senior was scheduled to celebrate a vigil for the fallen officers and the community Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at Holy Infant Church in Manchester.

Dear Friends,

“Life: Our Sign of Hope!”

For over five decades, the Catholic Church in the United States has dedicated the month of October as a special season to promote a culture of life throughout our land. This year’s theme is linked to the great Jubilee Year of Hope and emphasizes the belief that every human life is a precious gift from God, especially the most vulnerable. It encourages us to promote and defend life, recognizing it as a sign of God’s promise and love.

Despite the hope that was generated with the overturning of Roe v. Wade three years ago, the challenge to protect human life has not diminished. It has merely shifted from being a national issue to a state issue. Sadly, because our world is so often hostile to the truth of the Gospel of Life that we embrace, proclaiming the sanctity of human life can be challenging at best. In many arenas, defense of unborn lives, the lives of those who are disabled or dying, or the lives of any vulnerable human population is met with resistance. Proclaiming the Church’s teaching on topics like abortion, assisted suicide, and the death penalty can provoke challenging and emotional responses from those who disagree. And often, we may find ourselves afraid to speak up about these issues in our families, among our coworkers, or with students in our school community. We may fear disagreement, judgement, confrontation, or misunderstanding.

But as our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, encourages us, “How important it is that each and every baptized person feel himself or herself called by God to be a sign of hope in the world today.”

Brothers and sisters, we bring hope to our world whenever we lift our voices in opposition to threats to our belief in the dignity and value of the human person – from abortion to euthanasia to the death penalty, human trafficking, and unjust immigration laws. We bring hope to our world not merely through self-righteous criticisms of those whose beliefs may be different than our own – but through the respect and dignity that we afford to every person we encounter, regardless of their lifestyle, their country of origin or economic status.

In anticipation of our commemoration of this cherished month devoted to respect for human life, I invite you to join me in traveling to our state capital of Harrisburg on Monday, September 22, 2025, where we will join with thousands of faithful souls from around our Commonwealth for the annual Pennsylvania March for Life. On that day, the message of countless numbers of faithful disciples of Jesus and brothers and sisters from different faith traditions will once again proclaim the value of human life as the treasured gift of God that it is.

Shortly after his election, Pope Leo shared these words to diplomats from countries around the world: “It is the responsibility of world leaders to work to build harmonious and peaceful civil societies.” He continued, “No one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.”

Therein, we discover our responsibility as disciples of Jesus as well as our true and lasting hope!

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Scranton

SCRANTON – The Catholic Church recognizes the month of October as Respect Life Month and the first Sunday in October is designated as Respect Life Sunday.

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate Respect Life Sunday Mass on Oct. 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.

The Mass is open to the public. Faithful from across the Diocese of Scranton are invited to attend the Respect Life Sunday Mass and focus on God’s precious gift of human life and our responsibility to care for, protect and defend the lives of our brothers and sisters.

The theme for the 2025 Respect Life celebration is, “Life: Our Sign of Hope.” The theme reflects the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope. Through the gift of our Baptism, Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to be a member of His body thereby, demonstrating the invaluable dignity of the human person. This mystery invites us to be witnesses to the hope of the resurrection by promoting and defending the precious gift of life.

Catholics are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.

For those unable to attend in-person, the Mass will be broadcast live on CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton and the Diocese of Scranton’s YouTube Channel. The Mass will also be livestream on the Diocese of Scranton website with links provided on the Diocese of Scranton social media platforms.

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania March for Life is now just days away and several of the speakers who are expected to take the stage on Monday, Sept. 22 have been announced.

Among those expected to speak are the Most Reverend Nelson Perez, Archbishop of Philadelphia; Ryan Bomberger, founder, Radiance Foundation; Michael Geer, president, Pennsylvania Family Institute; Jennie Bradley Lichter, president, March for Life; Sarah Bowen, founding president, Pennsylvania Pregnancy Wellness Collaborative; Dr. Robby Waller, emergency medicine physician; along with numerous Pennsylvania lawmakers.

The events associated with the 2025 Pennsylvania March for Life will begin on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 12:15 p.m. as Saint Patrick Cathedral, 212 State Street, Harrisburg, will begin Eucharistic Adoration directly following their regular Mass. The Adoration will conclude with a Mass for Life on the day of the rally at 9:00 a.m., at which time a morning Mass for Life will be held.

At 10:00 a.m., pre-rally praise and worship will take place outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

The rally with speakers with all of the announced speakers will begin at 11:00 a.m., and the Pennsylvania March for Life itself will begin at noon.

Following the march, another Mass for Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Patrick Cathedral.

Individuals planning to travel to the Pennsylvania March for Life are also encouraged to advocate for the unborn with their individual legislators while in Harrisburg.

Interested individuals can contact their legislator prior to the March for Life and set up a time to meet with them before or after the rally or can stop by their member’s office and leave a message for them with their staff.

SILVER LAKE TOWNSHIP – On a picturesque September morning, with sun streaming through the historic stained-glass windows, Saint Augustine Church celebrated a momentous milestone: 200 years of Catholic faith and community.

The bicentennial Mass, held at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 14, 2025, drew a packed church filled with current parishioners and returning families who came from far and wide.

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as the principal celebrant and homilist for the special liturgy at the oldest Catholic church in the Diocese of Scranton.

“This is a big milestone in our history. It’s not a small thing,” said Father Thomas Augustine, Pastor of Saint Brigid Parish, of which Saint Augustine Church is a worship site. “It calls back the memories that were planted many years ago and now we can see the fruit of what was planted here.”

CELEBRATING MORE THAN A BUILDING

While the anniversary honored the physical structure built by Irish immigrants in the 1800s, the true celebration was much more about a celebration of faith that has withstood the test of time.

“Our biggest thing was to not just celebrate 200 years of a building, but to celebrate 200 years of faith,” parishioner Mary Homan said.

Homan represents the fifth generation of her family to worship at Saint Augustine Church.

“My grandchildren are the seventh generation of families who have been in this parish,” she added. “That is what the party is really about.”

Founded through the missionary efforts of Father Jeremiah Francis O’Flynn in the early 19th century, Saint Augustine Church began as a simple place of worship in what was then a rural frontier.

Despite hardships, including a devastating fire in the 1870s and even a temporary closure during diocesan consolidations, the church has endured.

“We’re the first to celebrate 200 years in our diocese,” Human said proudly. “What makes this so significant is the resilience of the people.”

Parishioner Cott Demaree, whose family has also worshipped at Saint Augustine Church for generations, also reflected on the church’s humble origins.

“To think what they went through 200 years ago. They didn’t have power tools. They didn’t have everything we’re used to now, but all these Irish people came together and made this magnificent building, and it was also a community, which still stands right now,” she said.

A COMMUNITY STILL ALIVE AND THRIVING

Despite its rural location in Susquehanna County, Saint Augustine Church remains a vibrant, active parish with weekly Sunday Mass, an Adoration Chapel open daily, and events that continue to draw large crowds.

“We have a big following,” Homan said. “In the summer, the church is packed.”
“This is more than a church, it’s “Christ’s community,” Demaree added. “It’s a community of love, sharing, and endearment.”

Patti Dudock, who moved into the area and now has found herself involved in many parish initiatives, said the Mass highlighted the church’s universality.

“To hear Father Augustine, who is not from our country, to bring his insight and faith, shows this is a universal church,” she said. “When the Bishop spoke, what a blessing! The homily was phenomenal. Then he brought up a young boy whose birthday it was – that is our future – to watch that, I got goosebumps. I just got absolute goosebumps.”

CELEBRATION TO REMEMBER

Following the anniversary Mass, the celebration moved outdoors, where guests enjoyed a catered buffet meal, live Irish music, dancing, and decades of memorabilia on display.

“It is better than Christmas,” Dudock said with a laugh. “This is where people were born and raised. This is where they made all their sacraments. It’s their hometown and they’ve come back.”

Even as the parish looked back on 200 years of history, parishioners of Saint Augustine Church remain focused on the future.

When asked what her favorite part of the day was, Demaree didn’t hesitate in her answer.

“I just think it’s all the love. People are just smiling. They’re thrilled to be here. It’s God’s graciousness in all its majesty,” she said.

LARKSVILLE – On Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, parishioners and friends of Saint John the Baptist Church in Larksville will gather in thanksgiving as the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate a special 4:00 p.m. Mass marking 125+ years since the founding of the parish.

All are welcome to attend.

The parish reached its 125th anniversary milestone last year, but did not wish to celebrate without its pastor, Rev. Gerald Gurka, who was recovering from an illness at the time.

The history of Saint John the Baptist Parish is one of faith, hope, hard work, and sacrifice.

It began in the late summer of 1898 when a group of Polish Roman Catholic men, most of whom were coal miners of very modest means, seized an opportunity to acquire a lot on the corner of Nesbitt and Third Streets in Larksville, then known as the East Plymouth section of Plymouth Township.

After they received permission from the Diocesan Bishop to begin building, they solicited the funds necessary to build the church.

The parish was organized in December 1898, and during the church construction, services were held at a building nearby.

The church was completed and dedicated with a Mass on Feb. 3, 1899.

Many pastors served the parish in its early years, and as more Polish immigrants settled in Larksville, the parish grew in size and vibrancy.

Rev. Paul A. Kopicki was named the ninth Pastor on Nov. 11, 1918. When the original church was destroyed by fire a year later on Dec. 18, 1919, Father Kopicki led the project to construct a new church. Though it was a huge sacrifice, each parish family contributed $75 to the construction of the new edifice.

It was completed in only seven months time, on the same site as the original church, and dedicated at the Christmas Midnight Mass on Dec. 25, 1920.

Throughout the early and middle part of the 20th century, the parish thrived under the leadership of Father Kopicki, who served as Pastor for 39 years until 1957. He was succeeded by Rev. John J. Piontek (1957-1965), and then by Rev. John J. Kowalkiewicz (1965-1971).

On Sept. 7, 1971, Monsignor John C. Masakowski became the twelfth Pastor of Saint John’s, serving for 29 years.

During his tenure, he completely renovated and refurbished all parish buildings and secured land across the street from the church to insure a permanent location for the annual Saint John’s Bazaar.

On Oct. 11, 2000, Rev. Gerald J. Gurka became the thirteenth Pastor of Saint John’s.

The hallmark of his pastorate has been an emphasis on the spiritual development of his parishioners while maintaining and improving the physical infrastructure.

Upon arriving at Saint John’s, Father Jerry reorganized all parish activities around a Vatican II focus of Word, Worship, Community, and Service. He has continued the annual Saint John’s Bazaar, a festival renowned in the Wyoming Valley, holding 21 festivals during his pastorate.

He has also brought his unique talent of writing and directing Nativity and Passion plays and has involved many parishioners in his productions over the years. His formal training in the culinary arts has made him a regular participant in the annual Rectory, Set, Cook! diocesan fundraiser for anti-hunger and anti-homelessness.

In 2004, he warmly welcomed parishioners from Saint Anthony’s in Larksville and SS Cyril and Methodius in Edwardsville when those parishes closed, and in 2022, welcomed parishioners from All Saints Parish into a linkage with Saint John’s.

He has led numerous physical renovations and improvements in his 25 years at Saint John’s.

The parishioners look forward to the anniversary celebration to remember the past sacrifices, with a hopeful look to the future to continue good works for the honor and glory of God.