HAZLETON – A native son of Holy Rosary Parish, who has served that community since his ordination to the permanent diaconate in 2015, is now taking on additional responsibilities.

Deacon Vincent Oberto has been appointed by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, to serve as Parish Life Coordinator (PLC) of both Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, and its linked parish of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton.

“I am humbly grateful,” Deacon Oberto said after his formal installation by Bishop Bambera on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.

The installation of Deacon Oberto took place during the 4 p.m. Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Parish and immediately repeated at the 5:15 p.m. Mass at Holy Rosary Parish.

“It really is a touching tribute to all of you, that from amongst you, came a man who chose to receive and listen to the call of the Church to serve as a deacon and now in this unique role to lead this parish community,” Bishop Bambera said at the conclusion of the Holy Rosary Parish Mass.

The Code of Canon Law recognizes that there exist parish situations in which the ministry of a permanent pastor may not be possible. Canon 517 states that, because of a lack of priests, a Diocesan bishop may entrust the pastoral care of a parish to a deacon or some other person who is not a priest. Recognizing that the administration of the Sacraments requires the ministry of an ordained priest, a Priest Moderator is assigned to work in cooperation with the Parish Life Coordinator.

During his homily, Bishop Bambera noted that while the Diocese of Scranton currently has roughly 90 active Diocesan priests, by 2030, it is expecting to have only about 60 priests. The Diocese of Scranton’s Vision 2030 Pastoral Planning Process is proactively working to ensure the pastoral needs of parish communities can be met.

“That is a big challenge for us to keep our parishes alive and vibrant. I want to thank you for your willingness to embrace this model that we’re beginning tonight with the Parish Life Coordinator in the person of Deacon Vince,” Bishop Bambera said.

The Bishop stressed the Parish Life Coordinator model of parish leadership is not a novelty for the Diocese of Scranton. Over the last decade, several parishes have utilized the model and been very successful.

“We are leading the way for the future in the Hazleton area,” Deacon Oberto told The Catholic Light in an interview about his new role.

“In the last two years, there have been six different priests, including Monsignor (Arthur) Kaschenbach who passed away, that the people have gone through in the two parishes, so we have to bring a calm to the storm,” Deacon Oberto said.

“Everything will be okay. It is a great opportunity … When the people start seeing how it operates and how we function, it will be okay.”

During his formal installation, Deacon Oberto promised to serve the people of both parishes to the best of his ability, serve the needs of both parish communities, and work with the people to share the faith and Good News of the Gospel.

As Parish Life Coordinator, Deacon Oberto will oversee the administrative and pastoral needs of both parishes. He will facilitate lifelong faith formation in collaboration with parish catechetical leaders, assist in planning and coordinating weekly liturgies in collaboration with an appointed Sacramental minister, oversee visitation of parishioners who are sick, and supervise parish staff, among many other responsibilities.

“The people have seen me in many of these roles already,” Deacon Oberto said.
The new ministry team for Holy Rosary and Holy Name of Jesus Parishes will include Father Connell A. McHugh, who will serve as Sacramental Minister, Father Michael J. Piccola, who will serve as Priest Moderator, and Father Sergio Leon Pamplona Henao, who will serve as Assistant Pastor.

As Sacramental Minister, Father McHugh will assist the parish communities by celebrating Mass, sacraments and providing other needed priestly ministry in collaboration with the Parish Life Coordinator.

As Priest Moderator, Father Piccola, who will continue to serve as Pastor of SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Hazleton, will supervise the pastoral care that is provided to both parishes in accordance with Canon Law.

As Assistant Pastor, Father Sergio will serve the Spanish-speaking community at Holy Name of Jesus Parish but also provide assistance in celebrating Masses in both communities.

Holy Rosary and Holy Name of Jesus Parishes were most recently served by Father J. Duane Gavitt, who retired because of health reasons on Jan. 27, 2024.

“There is more to a church than just a building, a priest, or a bishop. The church is the people of God,” Bishop Bambera said during his homily. “You know what gives me hope tonight. There is a filled church with people celebrating their faith, smiling, giving thanks and ready to continue to go forward.”

SCRANTON — The Diocese of Scranton has an uncanny way of looking out for its own.

That magnanimous spirit of care and concern has arguably never been more evident and on display than during the past month, when Diocesan parishes and Catholic schools answered the call to duty in coming to the aid of a native son.

Students at Good Shepherd Academy in Kingston proudly display a ceremonial check representing the $2,105 the school raised in support of Scranton police Detective Kyle Gilmartin and his family.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 11, Scranton police Detective Kyle Gilmartin was critically wounded by gunfire in an ambush-style attack carried out by a young assailant while Scranton law enforcement was summoned to the city’s west side.

Detective Gilmartin, 34, a native of the Pittston area and nine-year veteran of the Scranton police department, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a city hospital, where he began his recovery that many have termed “miraculous.”

The fact that Gilmartin was faithfully carrying out his duties came as no surprise to his former mathematics teacher at Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre, Maureen Janoski, who referred to the wounded officer as a “good and nice student,” always dutifully completing his course work.

“I remember him being a very kind individual,” Marcus Grudzinski, a classmate of Detective Gilmartin at Holy Redeemer where he currently teaches social studies, said of the Scranton police officer, who also attended the former Saint Mary of the Assumption Elementary School and Seton Catholic High School, both in Pittston. “He was always someone who would help if someone needed help with anything.”

The Wilkes-Barre Catholic high school quickly responded in kind by collecting donations for their alumnus from the Royal family and conducting a “dress down” day, whereby students offered $3 to attend classes in casual attire.

“The outpouring of generosity was tremendous,” Holy Redeemer Principal Cody Opalka related. “Normally, a dress down day might bring in a few hundred dollars. This collection brought in $3,500.”

“It just goes to show how much love and respect our school community has for those who wear a badge, but also to a family that suffered such a traumatic event,” Opalka added, noting that during the week of Jan. 15 the entire school donned blue as a sign of solidarity for Detective Gilmartin.

In Lackawanna County, Saint Clare/Saint Paul School sprang into action as students, faculty, administrators and families conducted a sale of “SPD STRONG” signs for public display, which thus far has raised nearly $650.

Kara Ware, principal of the two Catholic elementary schools in Scranton’s Green Ridge section, said, “Our commitment to supporting Detective Gilmartin and the Scranton Police Department with a demonstrative symbol like selling the yard signs made perfect sense as a means for both raising funds, and showing how much our school and neighborhood community cares about our local law enforcement.

“Over the years, the Scranton Police has demonstrated their commitment to a partnership with Saint Clare and Saint Paul schools. Those signs are a daily reminder of the commitment, sacrifice put forth each day by the men and women on the force.”

Rebecca Yeager, eighth grade student and Student Council president at Saint Paul’s, said that highlighting the police department in this time of need “shows our support for a man whose job it is to protect us.”

Eileen Rishcoff, principal of Wyoming Area Catholic School whose son, Tim, graduated high school with Gilmartin, along with Father Michael Drevitch, assistant pastor at the nearby parish of Corpus Christi in West Pittston, related how she reached out to the school community to show their support.

“When the donations started rolling in, we were overwhelmed with the amazing response of love and willingness to help that our school family offered,” she said.

“We were able to donate $1,000 to officer Kyle Gilmartin and his family. We weren’t looking for any recognition, but simply teaching our students to always do the right thing!”

Faithful who attended Masses at the Cathedral of Saint Peter during the Jan. 13-14 weekend contributed $2, 368 to a special collection that directly aided Detective Gilmartin and his family.

“We remain humbled by the generosity of our Cathedral family, especially in responding to the needs of a local hero and his family in a time of exceptional need,” Father Jeff Tudgay, Cathedral pastor, said. “Detective Gilmartin and his family continue to be in our prayers and his swift recovery entrusted to God.”

The weekend of Jan. 20-21 saw parishioners from Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas, and Our Lady of Victory Church, Harveys Lake, give $1,198 and $1,227, respectively, to special Mass collections resulting in checks (totaling nearly $2,500) Father Andrew Hvozdovic, the parishes’ pastor, personally presented to the Scranton Police Department.

“Once I learned of the unfortunate situation of Detective Gilmartin, I felt obligated to have my parishes do something to help,” Father Hvozdovic expressed. “My own father was a Wilkes-Barre city firefighter for 30 years and my nephew is currently serving in the Marine Corps, so I have first-hand experience of what it means to have a first responder in the family. Our prayers continue to be with the Gilmartin family.”

 

DALTON – A total of 62 women took a step back from the busyness of their lives recently to participate in the ‘Bold and Beloved Women’s Retreat’ sponsored by the Diocesan Office for Parish Life.

The Jan. 26-28 weekend event held at Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center gave each woman the opportunity to reflect, recharge, and find rest in our Lord.

Catholic women from all parts of the Diocese of Scranton came together Jan. 26-28 for the ‘Bold and Beloved Retreat’ at Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center in Dalton.

“It was everything I expected and more,” Anne Jenkins, parishioner of Saint Nicholas/Saint Mary Parish in Wilkes-Barre, said. “The ladies have been just so welcoming. I’m making all the connections I had hoped to make.”

The weekend featured four different talks and time for personal reflection, along with two Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

“There is something beautiful about women coming together. Our culture today seems to almost discourage it,” Grace Zelinka, parishioner of Saint Jude in Mountain Top, said. “While we’re all different ages and at different places in life, we all have our faith in common and have a lot of the same values.”

The age range of participants spanned from early 20s to a 92-year-old woman.

“It has been so edifying to see so many women having an experience of their faith with other women in our diocese,” Mary Hallman, Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life, explained.

Theresa Plishka of Forty Fort attended the retreat with her mother after deciding to give her the experience as a Christmas present.

“We have a big family and she has a lot of grandkids running around so I thought it would be nice for both of us to take some time away from the world, the headaches of all the things we have to do,” Plishka said. “I thought what a great way for both of us to grow in our relationship with each other and our relationship with God.”

Retreat organizers say they found many mother-daughter duos who signed up for the experience together.

“It has just been really moving to see how those relationships are being blessed by the Lord today,” Marianne Guarnieri, Diocesan Director for Discipleship, added.

The retreat was led by Kara Kardell and Fred Shellabarger, founders of Draw Near, a movement that draws people close to Christ and one another through prayer, music, and communal spiritual exercises. Many of the reflections and discussions revolved around the teachings of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

“Saint Therese is a personal favorite saint of mine and having a weekend dedicated to her teachings, I felt would definitely help me grow closer in my faith,” Hannah Halliday, parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Peckville, said. “I definitely feel that I’ve grown stronger in my faith just in the last couple of days that I’ve been here. I’ve learned so much that I’m going to take home and will encourage my fiancé to join me in strengthening our faith.”

“It was amazing to hear Kara’s testimony and her connections with God and her authenticity,” Kathleen Swann Fisher, parishioner of Saint John the Apostle Church in East Stroudsburg, added.

Funding from the Diocesan Annual Appeal helped to make the 2024 Bold & Beloved Retreat a reality. Generous gifts to the Appeal each year help to fund Parish Life initiatives throughout the Diocese of Scranton. The Diocesan Office for Parish Life provides leadership formation, spiritual renewal opportunities and many resources to all 110 parishes in our 11 counties. Working in collaboration with clergy and lay leadership, the Diocesan Office for Parish Life aims to help all people live out their faith fully, share it freely with others and transform the world in Christ.

WILKES-BARRE – Holy Redeemer High School honored the legacy of its late principal by dedicating a new learning center in her honor Jan. 28, 2024.

In front of dozens of family members, fellow educators and friends, the Doreen Dougherty Digital Learning Commons was blessed and put into use.

Family, friends and staff of Holy Redeemer gather on Jan. 28, 2024, for the dedication of the Doreen Dougherty Digital Learning Commons (Photo/Dan Piazza)

“The day my mother came into Holy Redeemer, she saw the library and immediately had a vision for what it could be,” daughter Shaina Aquilina said. “To see it really come to life today has been something that is truly special and unique.”

Dougherty died last August after an illness. She had been working on transforming the school’s library into an environment that better met student needs at the time of her passing since she became principal of the building in 2019.

“The library was previously just somewhere you would grab a book and go back to class and now it feels like more of a community atmosphere. Every table has room for more than one person,” son Devin Dougherty explained.

The new space is filled with desks, sofas, smart boards, and computers – an environment better suited to help students engage in the digital era.

“The Digital Learning Commons really became a space for the future and a space where students can have that college feel,” principal Cody Opalka stated.

Opalka said Dougherty talked often about space, so naming it after her will forever highlight the lasting impact on those around her.

“Doreen was such a servant leader. She would make time for you even if she had a million things going on,” Opalka added. “Her dedication and passion for education made her the perfect principal for Holy Redeemer.”

For Doreen’s family, the word many repeated at the dedication ceremony was “grateful.”

“I’m so grateful that they put in the time, effort and dedication that it took to make this space everything she wanted it to be and more,” Aquilina said.

“I just want to thank everyone. It has been amazing to see the impact and legacy she has left and will continue to leave on everyone,” Dougherty added.

WILLIAMSPORT – Amid many fun and engaging activities that take place during Catholic Schools Week – the importance of faith and religion never take a back seat.

Every Catholic school in the Diocese of Scranton held special Masses during Catholic Schools Week – and some like Saint John Neumann Regional Academy – also prayed the rosary when they came together on Jan. 31, 2024.

Students from Saint John Neumann Regional Academy in Williamsport gather for Mass at Saint Boniface Parish Jan. 31, 2024, in celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

“We had all three of our buildings here. We bring the whole Academy together to celebrate Mass, our identity, to live out our mission,” principal Alisia McNamee said.

The Mass, which was held at Saint Boniface Parish, featured older students sitting next to younger students – a hallmark of a ‘mentorship program’ that has positively impacted many kids.

“Since I came here, the seniors mentored me and since then I’ve been mentoring kids younger than me and it helped me to develop as a person,” senior Aidan Vogt explained.

The Catholic Schools Week Mass at Saint John Neumann Regional Academy was celebrated by Father Bert Kozen, V.F., Chaplain, and concelebrated by Father Glenn McCreary, V.E., Pastor, Saint Boniface and Saint Lawrence Parishes; Father Sean Carpenter, Pastor, Resurrection Parish; and Father Shawn Simchock, Administrator, Saint Ann Parish.

Senior Malachi Coleman says Saint John Neumann Regional Academy has taught him many Christian values – including how to be humble, help others, and have love and dignity for all people.

“They really do shape you well with Christian values, to help you go out into the world and be a shining light,” he said.

Elizabeth Weller, another senior at Saint John Neumann Jr./Sr. High School, agreed.

“I live out my faith just by being kind and lending a hand to others. If anyone is struggling, I always try to help them.”

DURYEA – Cans of chicken noodle, vegetable and tomato soup weren’t just flying off store shelves recently. They were rolling down ramps in a heated competition inside Holy Rosary School.

As part of Catholic Schools Week 2024, the Duryea school held its annual ‘Soup Can Derby’ to benefit the Pittston food pantry. Students were invited to bring in cans of soup on Jan. 29 – and test how fast they would go down a plywood platform in the school gym against other student’s cans.

Holy Rosary School in Duryea held a ‘Soup Can Derby’ on Jan. 29, 2024.

“It is truly exciting. We get to dress up and not only have fun with things like the soup can derby racing, but we also get to donate and give back to our community,” seventh grader Julianna Ciuccio said.

On only the first day, students collected 386 soup cans and had a goal of surpassing 450 cans by the end of the week.

“Throughout the year we do many service projects. We sent Christmas stockings to Janet Weis (Children’s Hospital) for kids that are stuck in the hospital during the holiday,” Debbie Brady, Holy Rosary’s 8th grade teacher, explained. “The students just made soup the other day and brought it up to Crossin Towers and Father Michael helped with that.”

Each year, Holy Rosary students enjoy challenging their friends in the ‘Soup Can Derby.’ They understand, however, that it benefits a very important cause.

“Jesus went out with His disciples and gave to those who needed it, so this is us going out, we’re doing what Jesus wants us to do and give to those in need,” seventh grader Haley Karboski explained.

As part of Catholic Schools Week, Holy Rosary students also got to participate in an Irish Step Dance class, talent show, and wacky activities. In addition to the soup cans, they also collected socks for those in need and sold candy to benefit the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters who have been so integral to the history of the school.

Jackie Keating, who is not only the 6th grade teacher at Holy Rosary, but a parent of three daughters at the school, said she is constantly amazed by how receptive students are to the Christian values they are being taught.

“I think the one thing that stands out to everyone is the foundation of Christ,” Keating explained. “My gets get to experience that and live that every single day and not just on Sunday at Mass!”

KINGSTON – Students at Good Shepherd Academy were jumping with joy and the gymnasium was filled with laughter Feb. 1, as a member of the Harlem Wizards entertained and educated the students during a Catholic Schools Week assembly.

“It was our first experience with the Harlem Wizards,” Jim Jones, principal, said. “They deliver an inspirational message, and they couple that message around athletics and basketball, and they interweave that message with our children. While they’re seeing something fun, they’re leaving with a message that they need to be good people, have upstanding values and need to treat others with respect.”

For an hour, the students were treated to comedic skits, ball-handling tricks and more.

“I always look forward to Catholic Schools Week as just a break from regular school,” eighth grader Chase Liska said. “You don’t have to worry so much about work and different projects.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Catholic Schools Week. In addition to the Harlem Wizards assembly, Good Shepherd also had a ‘Science in Motion’ presentation, talent show, spirit day and much more.

“It gives us a week to celebrate not only our academics, but we celebrate our teachers and our students, we celebrate our PTA, we celebrate our athletic associations, we celebrate everything that is good about Catholic education,” Jones said. “Everything at Good Shepherd, we begin in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These students are the future of our church. They’re the future of society.”

As she prepares to move onto high school next year, eighth grader Sienna Curry said she has been given both the academic and spiritual foundation to succeed.

“They definitely prepare us. We do a lot of service projects and work together,” she said. “This school is a family. It is a great community to be in.”

While Catholic Schools Week is always a fun experience, it is also a time to highlight why Catholic schools are great places of academic excellence and faith-filled mission.

“Here at Good Shepherd, we place our utmost trust in our delivery of the academics, the spiritual, emotional, social, and physical growth of children. We’re setting the stage for their futures,” Jones said.

DUNMORE – A central aspect of Catholic education is learning the importance of service to others. As part of Catholic Schools Week, every Catholic school participates in service activities to showcase how to make the world a better place.

At Saint Mary of Mount Carmel School, students wrote letters to their parish priests, collected personal care items for veterans at Gino Merli Veterans Center and held a cereal box domino event on Feb. 2, 2024.

A student works to create a ‘Cereal Box Domino’ on Feb. 2, 2024.

“We started our cereal box domino during COVID. We did it upstairs in the hallway and it became a thing. The kids really liked it,” Maryelizabeth Shattin, principal, said.

Students are invited to bring in a box of their favorite cereal and the eighth grade set up all of boxes in a path that would have them all fall in the pattern of dominoes.

“It is really a great way for us to help others. We turned it into a class competition as well. The class that collects the most, in ounces, gets a dress down day,” Shattin added.

The whole school looked on and cheered as the cereal boxes all started to topple on each other.

More than just providing a few exciting minutes, all the cereal boxes were then donated to a worthy community cause.

“They are going to a really good cause. They are going to Saint Ann’s food pantry,” eighth grader Keira Lalli explained. “We do a lot of service projects throughout the year, and we give to people in need, and it shows that we care for people.”

Shattin said events like the cereal box domino are an easy, fun way to instill Christian values of service and giving in the students – with the goal of making them good Christians.

“We listen to the Gospel and listen to the things Jesus did, helping those around him, and we want to instill that in our students,” she said. “We want them to walk in Jesus’ shoes.”

WILKES-BARRE – There is no question that the eighth graders at Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary School appreciate their teachers – but that didn’t mean they would show them any mercy on the volleyball court.

On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Wilkes-Barre school held its annual 8th grade vs. teachers volleyball game in the school gym as part of Catholic Schools Week 2024.

Eighth grade students play volleyball against their teachers at St. Nicholas-St. Mary School on Jan. 30, 2024.

Leading up to the game, eighth grader Megan Ohrin, predicted a fun time.

“We’re going to get some good competition going between us,” she said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be really funny.”

Patrice Perry, a third-grade teacher, said she loves Catholic Schools Week because there are different activities – like the volleyball game – that take place each day.

“The kids are thrilled to see their teachers out there – being one of the kids,” Perry explained.

The teachers – who wore black t-shirts with their name ‘Breakroom Bandits’ on the front – ended up taking home the win in the fiercely-fought competition in front of the whole school.

“We get so close with them,” eighth grader Lilah Hilal said of her teachers. “All the teachers have helped me so much.”

“We have great teachers,” Ohrin added. “Everyone knows everyone. Everyone is really close.”

Teachers are the backbone of Catholic Schools. While many think Catholic Schools Week is just for students, in reality, it also helps to honor teachers, administrators, staff and volunteers who help to create a family-like atmosphere in every building.

“We always call it our Saint Nick-Saint Mary family because that is what we are every day. Faculty, student, staff, everyone works together,” Perry explained.

HAZLETON – An estimated 1,500 people packed into the gymnasium at Holy Family Academy on Jan. 21, 2024, to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia.

The colorful celebration was filled with beautiful music and brought together several parishes in the greater Hazleton area that have Spanish Masses.

An estimated 1,500 people filled the gymnasium of Holy Family Academy to celebrate Mass in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia on Jan. 21, 2024.

“What we had today was a big celebration, three parishes together and everybody as Dominican, but we also got people from other communities who are not Dominican because they enjoy gathering together,” Father Neftali Feliz-Sena, Assistant Pastor, Annunciation Parish, said.

Our Lady of Altagracia is the patroness of the Dominican Republic.

“She is the Queen of the Universal Church and the Hispanic people in particular have a great love for their mother. You see how mothers are revered and honored in their culture and it falls into line very naturally that the mother of God, who is our mother, would be the mother of Dominicans and all of us,” Father Kevin Miller, Pastor, Annunciation Parish, explained.

The Mass was filled with young people, multi-generational families, and many others coming together to celebrate their culture and heritage.

“They never want to forget how important it is to keep their language and to be able to practice their faith with love and joy,” Father Miller added.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant and homilist for the special celebration. At the beginning of the liturgy, the crowds cheered and applauded as Bishop Bambera was presented with a handmade mitre for the Eucharistic celebration.

During his homily, the Bishop reminded the crowd that Mary was the first disciple of Jesus.

“Mary was not only a recipient of God’s mercy but also an instrument through which that same mercy poured into the lives of others,” Bishop Bambera said.

Jose Rafael Rodriguez, parishioner of Annunciation Parish, said he was amazed at the turnout for the celebration.

“The love for Altagracia is humongous,” he said. “We love her kindness and what she does for the Dominican people. She is our protector.”