Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter!  

Communicating important events and available resources

from the Office for Parish Life

Priest Convocation October 27 - 30

Our priests and bishop need our constant prayers. Without priests, there would be no Eucharist — and without the Eucharist, no priests. Without them, we would not have the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in our churches and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 

We need priests who are true shepherds, ready to lay down their lives for their flock. Therefore, let us pray for them unceasingly. As we observe this week of the priest convocation, we invite you to join us in offering special prayers for our priests.

National Vocation Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week is November 2-8, 2025.  Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about, educate on, and celebrate vocations in the Diocese of Scranton!  

See below for a list of resources:

For Discerners and those Curious about Vocations

For Catechists, Youth Ministers and Educators

For Priests and Parish Life Coordinators

For Parish Prayer & Vocation Ministry Teams

If a parish’s Vocation Ministry team does not yet have a Traveling Chalice program set up but is interested in connecting with parishes that have successfully implemented this program to learn how to begin, please email vocations@dioceseofscranton.org

Priest Q&A on Tap

Join the Young Adult Ministry on Thursday, November 13^th for another inspiring evening of Theology on Tap at Sabatini’s in Exeter.

The evening's featured speakers, newly ordained priests Fr. Tom Dzwonczyk and Fr. Andrew McCarroll will hold a Q&A Session on Faith and the Call to Priesthood.  

Invite a coworker, bring a friend or just show up and meet some new people.  You'll learn more about our faith in a relaxing environment! 

November 1st is All Saints Day, where we honor all saints and martyrs throughout Christian history; that is, all those that have attained heaven. Because All Saints Day falls on a Saturday this year, it is not an obligatory Holy Day. 

It is followed by All Souls Day on November 2nd, where we pray for the faithful departed; souls that are being washed clean by our prayers here on earth. 

Click the videos above from Catholic Online to learn more. 

Virtual Meetings for

Parish Catechetical Leaders

Join parish catechetical leaders from around the diocese for an inspirational virtual gathering, with updates and networking.  

For the Meeting Link and More Information Contact:

 Marianne Guarnieri at

(570) 207-2213 x 1100

or mguarnieri@dioceseofscranton.org

Early Registration Begins

November 5, 2025

2026 Pre Cana Schedule Released

In addition to the upcoming Pre-Cana sessions on November 1 and December 7, the Diocese of Scranton has released the 2026 Pre-Cana schedule for engaged couples.

Pre-Cana is a meaningful opportunity to strengthen your relationship, deepen your faith, and prepare for a lifelong commitment in the company of other couples preparing for marriage.

Click the link below to view the 2026 schedule and register you and your fiancé for a Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation session.

Learning Love: Theology of the Body and the Family (Part 2)

"Sex and sexuality are two extremely misunderstood topics in today’s society, and pervasive lies and confusion make coming to a proper understanding very difficult. In the Theology of the Body, however, Saint John Paul II proclaims the beauty of sexuality and sex, which he calls the “marital act” to signify its proper home. We too must proclaim this truth, starting in our own homes."

Click the link below to read more from Colleen Quigley in Part 2 of this 2-part article on Theology of the Body and the Family.

Faith and Family Night

with the Penguins 

November 14 | 7:05 PM

On Friday, November 14th,  come out with the Diocese of Scranton to cheer on the Penguins as they take on the Islanders, and enjoy an evening filled with music, dance, and family fun!

Gates Open at 6:00pm, Puck drops at 7:05pm.

Memorial of Saint Cecilia | November 22

Encourage and Inspire your parish choir to pause and reflect on the gifts they have received and how they share them with others. 

The National Association of Pastoral Ministers offers a free prayer resource designed for both individual and group use—share it with your parish choir, cantors, or other music ministers and encourage your music ministers today.

Genesis Mission

Practical Evangelizing:

Listening, to Deliver the Good News to People we Encounter

Learn how to help others to know Jesus and experience the 

life-giving freedom that comes from knowing you are loved.

This seven week course is experiential in nature and focuses on practical skills such as listening and learning to rely on the Holy Spirit.

For More Information Contact:

Regina Wright

(570) 207-2213 x 1135 

rwright@dioceseofscranton.org

Felix Martinez, Director of Hispanic Ministry was joined by Program Coordinator Ana Becerril last week for the 2025 National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM)  Annual Conference 2025, "Caminando con Alegría, Anclados en la Esperanza", a sacred gathering of diocesan directors and pastoral leaders in Hispanic/Latino Ministry from across the country.  

The conference, held in Newark, NJ, provided a space for professional and spiritual development through sessions, speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities. Themes revolved around topics like young adult ministry, family life, social justice, evangelization, and how to respond to the needs of their communities. 

Felix Martínez, director del Ministerio Hispano, se unió a la coordinadora del programa Ana Becerril la semana pasada para la Conferencia Anual 2025 de la Asociación Católica Nacional de Directores Diocesanos para el Ministerio Hispano (NCADDHM), «Caminando con Alegría, Anclados en la Esperanza», una reunión sagrada de directores diocesanos y líderes pastorales del Ministerio Hispano/Latino de todo el país.  

La conferencia, celebrada en Newark, Nueva Jersey, proporcionó un espacio para el desarrollo profesional y espiritual a través de sesiones, ponencias, talleres y oportunidades para establecer contactos. Los temas giraron en torno a cuestiones como el ministerio para jóvenes adultos, la vida familiar, la justicia social, la evangelización y cómo responder a las necesidades de sus comunidades. 

Each parish that includes Hispanic ministry will participate in a Hispanic Ministry Convocation on November 15, 2025 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. This event is part of the development of a Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Scranton.

In his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis reminds us that the Church is called to go forth as a missionary community, “to reach all the peripheries in need of the light of the Gospel.” This call inspires and guides our efforts as we seek to strengthen and unify our pastoral outreach among the Hispanic faithful in our Diocese.

At a time when our nation continues to face pressing questions of social justice and when our Hispanic Catholic communities continue to grow in both numbers and vitality, this work takes on an even deeper significance. Please join us in praying for the work of evangelization among all people.

Cada parroquia que incluye el ministerio hispano participará en una Convocatoria del Ministerio Hispano el 15 de noviembre de 2025 en el Centro Pastoral Diocesano. Este evento forma parte del desarrollo de un Plan Pastoral para el Ministerio Hispano en la Diócesis de Scranton.

En su exhortación apostólica Evangelii Gaudium, el papa Francisco nos recuerda que la Iglesia está llamada a salir como comunidad misionera, «para llegar a todas las periferias que necesitan la luz del Evangelio». Esta llamada inspira y guía nuestros esfuerzos por fortalecer y unificar nuestra labor pastoral entre los fieles hispanos de nuestra diócesis.

En un momento en que nuestra nación sigue enfrentándose a cuestiones apremiantes de justicia social y en que nuestras comunidades católicas hispanas siguen creciendo tanto en número como en vitalidad, esta labor adquiere un significado aún más profundo. Únase a nosotros en la oración por la labor de evangelización entre todos los pueblos.

Understand the Significance of Día de los Muertos

In Mexico and various parts of Latin America, a vibrant tradition observed on November 1st and 2nd is Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.  This observance blends traditions that honor and celebrate the lives of those who have passed away. Rather than mourning death, it is a joyful and reflective occasion that views it as a natural part of life’s cycle.

During this time, families gather to remember their deceased loved ones through prayer, music, and offerings. It is believed that the souls of the departed return to visit their families, and people welcome them with food, flowers—especially marigolds—candles, and photographs. Rooted in both pre-Hispanic beliefs about the afterlife and Christian teachings on remembrance and resurrection, the Day of the Dead stands as a vivid expression of Mexico’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

Click the video above from PBS Newshour to learn more. 

En México y en varias partes de América Latina, una tradición muy viva que se celebra los días 1 y 2 de noviembre es el Día de los Muertos.  Esta celebración combina tradiciones que honran y celebran la vida de los que ya no están con nosotros. En lugar de llorar la muerte, es una ocasión alegre y reflexiva que la considera como una parte natural del ciclo de la vida.

Durante este tiempo, las familias se reúnen para recordar a sus seres queridos fallecidos a través de la oración, la música y las ofrendas. Se cree que las almas de los difuntos regresan para visitar a sus familias, y la gente les da la bienvenida con comida, flores (especialmente caléndulas), velas y fotografías. Arraigado tanto en las creencias prehispánicas sobre el más allá como en las enseñanzas cristianas sobre el recuerdo y la resurrección, el Día de los Muertos es una vívida expresión del patrimonio cultural y espiritual de México.

Haga clic en el vídeo de PBS Newshour para obtener más información. 

Still Time to Register!

Please pray for the young Adults attending “The Well” Conference in Philadelphia on November 15^th.

Registration is still open for young adults to attend. Click the link below or scan the QR code for more information.  

If you want to carpool, reach out to Bridget Guarnieri at familylife@dioceseofscranton.org

Making History in Prayer after 500 Years

Marking a milestone in Catholic-Anglican relations and their shared dedication to Christian unity and environmental stewardship, Pope Leo XIV and Britain’s King Charles III made history as the first pope and British monarch to pray together at the Vatican in over 500 years.

Pope Leo to Declare the Newest Doctor of the Church

During the Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1st, Pope Leo XIV will declare Saint John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church.  

Pastor of Peckville Parish,

Fr. Andrew Kurovsky 

Featured in America Magazine Article

Coming November 1

for the Hispanic Community

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal will hold a Gifts and Charisms of the Holy Spirit Workshop at 

Queen of the Apostles Parish, Avoca

Cost $20/person 

See flyer for more details and to register. 

La Renovación Carismática Católica celebrará un

Taller sobre los dones y carismas del Espíritu Santo 

Parroquia Reina de los Apóstoles, Avoca

Precio: 20 $ por persona 

Consulte el folleto para obtener más detalles e inscribirse. 

 On Sunday, November 2^nd, the Diocese of Scranton will celebrate its 10^th Annual Leave a Mark Mass at 5pm at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Scranton, and you and your friends are all invited to attend.

Leave a Mark includes Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Bambera, to kick off National Vocation Awareness Week and a celebration afterward across the street at the Diocesan Pastoral Center with All Belgium Waffles and The Greek Shack Food Trucks waiting to serve you delicious waffles and gyros - on the house. The Sisters of Christian Charity and the IHM Sisters as well as priests from throughout the Diocese of Scranton will be present as well!

Not only is Leave a Mark an opportunity to worship the Lord and learn more about vocations, it’s also an incredible opportunity to meet other young adults in our area. Don’t miss out on this chance to find young adult community!

We’re still counting the days, so make sure to follow us on social media to keep up with our Countdown to Leave a Mark!

She Shall Be Called Woman Series

Invite a Friend and Join the Women's Ministry team

at Saint Maximillian Kolbe next week for Session 8:

Monday, November 3rd  | 7 PM

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