A year has passed since the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report was released that exposed the many cases of past sexual abuse in the Diocese of Scranton and the entire state of Pennsylvania. In an ongoing effort towards atonement and healing, all parishes are reminded to pray for victims of abuse during the month of August using the resources listed below, especially the sample intercessions for the Universal Prayer. Please note that there are options for individuals, families, small groups and parish-wide participation:
DIOCESAN RESOURCES
- Bishop’s Letter to the Faithful–bulletin insert for August 11, 2019
- Updated Sample Intercessions for Atonement and Healing
- Image of the Pieta
- Prayer Booklet for Atonement and Healing—for individuals or small groups
- Day of Atonement and Healing–family participation ideas for home and church
- Prayer Card for Victims of Abuse (English)
- Prayer Card for Victims of Abuse (Spanish)
- Rosary for Healing and Protection
- Stations of the Cross for Atonement and Healing
OTHER RESOURCES
- Atonement and Healing Resource from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)–includes a sample prayer service, a rosary for Healing and Protection of the Vulnerable among us, litany for healing, sample intercessions and songs
- Atonement and Healing Resource from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC)–includes suggested Mass preparations; Celebration of the Word during a period of Eucharistic Exposition; suggested Scripture readings, hymns and litanies; talking points and prayers
- The Wounded Body of Christ by Matthew W. Halbach, Ph.D. (Twenty-Third Publications)–for parish group discussions
- Healing Our Church by Jerome Herauf and Charles Paolino (RENEW International)–for parish group discussions
Bishop Bambera will offer a Mass for Atonement and Healing for Victims of Abuse on Monday, September 16, 2019 at 12:10PM at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.