|
Deacon Sunday is October 11 |
|
On Deacon Sunday, we celebrate the men who have answered God's call to serve the Church. Their ministry takes many forms, from proclaiming the Gospel and assisting at the altar to celebrating baptisms, witnessing marriages, presiding at funerals and carrying out works of charity. At its heart is a willingness to give of themselves in service to others.
Deacon Jose Mendoza of Most Holy Trinity Parish, Cresco (pictured above) reflects on his vocation, saying, "I, as a deacon, have a mission to give witness by the way I conduct my own life, I give witness to all who I serve. As an ordained minister, I am to be a sign and instrument of Christ and as such, I am not here to be served, but to serve, and to give my life for the sake of many."
Deacon Sunday offers an opportunity to thank and affirm our deacons for their faithful, selfless service. May we encourage them in their vocation and remember them and their families in our prayers.
Parish Resources for Deacon Sunday can be found at the link below and include: Mass Announcements, General Intercessions, Bulletin Blurbs, Thank You Cards, Prayer Cards and much more!
|
| ✝️ Deacon Sunday 2026 | Everything You Need to Celebrate |
|
|
 |
|
One in every seven people in the world lives today with a mental disorder, often in silence and marked by stigma and loneliness. For this reason, Pope Leo XIV has dedicated his prayer intention for the month of October to mental health ministry. Through the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network with the Pray with the Pope campaign, the Holy Father invites the faithful and people of good will to pray that the Church may become an open house, able to accompany without judging and without casting aside those who face difficulties with their mental health.
Take a moment to pray with the Pope at the link below or access the suggestions for parish engagement in mental health Sunday.
|
| 🙏 Pray Now with Pope Leo |
| ⛪ Suggestions for Parish Engagement in Mental Health Sunday |
|
|
 |
|
World Mission Sunday is October 18 |
|
World Mission Sunday is the Catholic Church’s only collection mandated in canon law (Canon 791). The proceeds fund the missionary work of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies helping to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Funds raised in the US help more than 1,130 mission territories around the globe—reaching places where the Church barely exists yet, or where it is too young, poor, and persecuted to sustain itself.
The Pontifical Mission Societies provide financial support for 2 out of every 5 seminarians around the world. A full 41% of all Catholic seminarians study and work in mission dioceses. These seminarians live in mission dioceses and would not be able to study as they do now without this collection.
|
| 🌎 One Collection. A World of Mission. |
| 👀 Watch World Mission Sunday 100th Anniversary Video |
|
|
 |
|
October is Respect Life Month |
|
As we continue to observe Respect Life Month, we've linked below the USCCB Respect Life October Prayer Guide and invite you to pray for the protection of human life from conception to natural death by joining the Respect Life Month Novena from October 22-30.
|
| 🧭 Respect Life October Prayer Guide |
| 📿 Get Daily Novena Prayers In Your Inbox October 22-30 |
|
|
 |
| 📖 Read More of Adam's Story Here |
|
|
Who Inspires You? |
|
Every parish has someone who quietly lives their faith through service, kindness, and love for God and neighbor. Our Everyday Disciples column celebrates these ordinary people whose actions make an extraordinary difference.
Do you know someone whose compassion, generosity, leadership or simple acts of kindness inspire others? Someone who reflects Christ's love in daily life?
Nominate an Everyday Disciple today and help us share the stories of faithful men and women throughout the Diocese of Scranton who are making a difference, one act of love at a time. |
| 🙋 Nominate an Everyday Disciple |
|
|
 |
 |
|
OCIA participants and team members are especially invited to join the Office for Parish Life and Saint Jude Parish in Mountain Top for “Behold the King,” a powerful evening of worship with Sarah Kroger during the Easter season.
All are welcome!
Watch the Good News Notes for more details coming soon. |
| 🎶 Save the Date for Behold the King! |
|
|
 |
|
WHAT IS AN OCIA TEAM?
WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE & WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Explaind in the article linked below from the Association for Catechumenal Ministry. Visit their website for more OCIA support. |
| 📖 What is an OCIA Team and Why Does it Matter? |
| 🔗 Visit the Association for Catechumenal Ministry |
|
|
 |
 |
Have you Designated Someone For
Marriage Prep in Your Parish? |
|
The FOCCUS training can help form them to accompany couples through marriage preparation and to become certified FOCCUS facilitators.
This live virtual training equips participants to use the FOCCUS process to encourage meaningful conversation, deepen understanding and help couples build strong, faith-filled marriages.
Two October training dates are available at a special rate of $99 plus shipping.
Note: The times on the flyer are listed in Central Time. For our diocesan audience, please note that the sessions run:
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Eastern on October 17
and
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern on October 28
Watch the short video found at the link below to learn how FOCCUS works.
|
| ♾️ Learn How FOCCUS Works |
| 📋 Register for October 17 Training |
| 📋 Register for October 28 Training |
|
|
 |
|
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are excited to welcome the Diocese of Scranton on Friday, October 23, 2026, for a special Faith and Family Night experience. Gather your friends, family, and fellow community members for an evening packed with high-energy sports entertainment and heartwarming camaraderie.
This is more than just a game; it's a chance to connect, celebrate, and cheer on your Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins together! From the moment the gates open at 6:00 PM, you'll feel the electric atmosphere building. The puck drops at 7:00 PM, so make sure you're in your seats and ready to witness incredible plays, jaw-dropping saves, and the pure excitement of live hockey.
To make your experience even more enjoyable, there is a special food voucher offer available for our group. Add a $4.25 food voucher to your experience, which includes a hot dog, chips and a drink! It's the perfect way to fuel your cheering squad without missing a minute of the action.
|
| 🏒 Faith + Family + Hockey = A Great Night! |
| 🚨 Cheer on the Pens - Get Tickets! |
|
|
 |
|
A Woman Recounts Post Abortion Healing
through
Rachel's Vineyard, Project Rachel |
|
"I had an abortion when I was 15.
I had been raised in a secular home and truly believed all the lies, including "It's not really a life, it's just a clump of cells." My family's intense pressure convinced me abortion was my only way to avoid being disowned. Not only was I convinced it was the best and only course of action, I also honestly believed it was the right thing to do, the correct approach to my 'problem'..."
To continue reading the story submitted to the Catholic Diocese of Wichita's Project Rachel Ministry, click the link below.
|
| 📖 Continue Reading the Story Here |
|
|
 |
 |
|
Every Parish in the Diocese of Scranton will be tracking attendance at all Masses throughout the month of October. These numbers are submitted to the Office for Parish Life and are included in the 5 Year Trend Reports in February. Mass attendance is one key data point that help guide the Vision 2030 Pastoral Planning Process.
For more information, contact:
Dominick Costantino, Director of Parish Renewal
570-207-2213 |
|
|
 |
| 🍁 October: New Beginnings in Your Parish |
|
|
 |
| 🍂 Growing in Gratitude: An October Stewardship Prayer |
|
|
 |
|
Promote Your Event to Catholics throughout the Diocese! |
|
We'd love to help you get the word out about your event in the Office for Parish Life's Good News Notes Newsletter!
To submit your event for inclusion in the Good News Notes, click the link below and complete the form at least 2 weeks in advance of your event. Specific events can be promoted up to two months in advance of the event date or registration deadline. We do our best to include all submissions but can't guarantee inclusion and may edit for length.
Questions?
Contact Regina Wright at
(570) 207-2213 x 1135
or rwright@dioceseofscranton.org |
| 📢 Spread the Word - Submit Your Event! |
