“Dear young people, we didn’t come into this world to ‘vegetate’, to take it easy, to make our lives a comfortable sofa to fall asleep on,” said Pope Francis at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland this summer. “No, we came for another reason: to leave a mark. It is very sad to pass through life without leaving a mark.”

Last year, hundreds of young people and families gathered in the Cathedral of Saint Peter with Bishop Bambera for a new event to kick off National Vocation Awareness Week in the Diocese of Scranton. #Leaveamark16 brought together public and Catholic high school students, college chaplains and students, young adults, families, women and men religious, priests, and youth ministers from throughout the Diocese of Scranton.

Bishop Bambera is inviting the young church of the Diocese of Scranton to gather once again this year in the Cathedral on Sunday, November 5, for a special Mass at 5 p.m. followed by a reception in the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

“The energy and enthusiasm of all who attended last year was joy-filled and promising for the future of our Diocese,” said Father Don Williams, Diocesan Director of Vocations and Seminarians. “We wanted to kick off National Vocation Awareness Week with this event once again this year as we encourage the young church to live as intentional and missionary disciples in our world today.”

Students and young adults from throughout the Diocese are helping plan the event. Promotions, liturgy, and reception subcommittees are working hard to build upon last year’s event. Diana Franceschelli, a sophomore at the University of Scranton, enjoyed being involved last year and is excited about the event once again this year.

“Last year’s #Leaveamark16 was a great event because it gave us the opportunity to not only share our faith together, but also form new friendships,” she said. “We’re hoping to create the same, if not better kind of atmosphere for this year’s event. I highly encourage everyone to join us for an afternoon full of faith, love, laughter and friendship.”

For more information about this event, please contact the Diocesan Vocation Office at 570-207-1452 or visit www.facebook.com/scrantonvoc.