Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter!  

Communicating important events and available resources

from the Office for Parish Life

Divine Mercy Sunday

April 12, 2026

Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated throughout the world on the Sunday following Easter.  This beautiful feast was officially established in 2000 by St. John Paul II during the canonization of the Polish nun St. Faustina Kowalska.

The origins of this feast are rooted in the messages entrusted to St. Faustina in the 1930s, in which Jesus revealed the depth of His boundless mercy for all people.  These revelations, recorded in her Diary, emphasize Christ's desire that the message of His love and compassion be shared across the globe.

Divine Mercy Sunday is a powerful reminder that no matter our brokenness, weakness, or sin, we are invited to encounter the healing mercy of Jesus.  He promised abundant graces to those who turn to Him with trust and celebrate this feast with devotion.

Divine Mercy:

Finding Hope After Abortion

Divine Mercy Sunday is a timely opportunity to share Jesus' message of mercy and healing with those who have participated in abortion.

Click the video link above to hear several women share their journey towards a path of hope through the help of the Project Rachel Ministry, as they found healing from the hidden wounds of suffering an abortion. 

To find non-judgmental and confidential help near you, visit the link below.

Theology on Tap Special Edition 

All are Welcome 

(there is no age limit for this special gathering)

Join us on Thursday, April 9th for a special edition: Trivia Night with Fr. Brian Van Fossen! This month, we're switching things up with a new location at Breaker Brewing Outpost in Archbald, PA, kicking off at 6:30 PM.

There will be no cash cover, all food and beverages are on your own. Trivia will be free to play and there is an 8 person team limit.

 Bring your friends and battle for 1^st and 2^nd place prizes! Breaker Brewing Outpost requests that teams make table reservations in advance using Open Table starting at 6pm or prior. And don’t forget to try Fr. Van Fossen’s beer (Rosa Citrica) while you are there!

Young Adult Prayer Picnic 

Sunday, April 26 

Join Us in Seoul, South Korea

World Youth Day 2027

World Youth Day is a life-changing gathering uniting more than a million young Catholics from around the globe on pilgrimage with  Pope Leo XIV.  

Start planning your trip today!

Priority registration deadline is June 30, 2026

Introducing Scranton Young Adult GroupMe

Join our GroupMe to stay up to date on different events in the diocese and make connections with other Young Adult Catholics in the area!  For ages 18-40. 

Wedding Anniversary Mass 2026

Every summer, the diocese holds a Wedding Anniversary Celebration for couples celebrating their 10^th, 25^th, 40^th, and 50^th years of marriage at Saint Peter’s Cathedral, where couples renew their wedding commitment.  This year’s Mass will be held on June 28, 2026, at 2:30 PM. Mark your calendar if you are celebrating your 10^th, 25^th, 40^th or 50^th Anniversary in 2026, or share this news with others who may be doing so

For more information, contact:

Bridget Maille, Program Coordinator, Family Life

570-207-2213 x 1133 or familylife@dioceseofscranton.org

Pre-Cana is a special opportunity for engaged couples to nurture their relationship, strengthen their faith, and prepare for a lifetime of love and commitment, together with other couples preparing for marriage. 

 Use the link below to explore the 2026 schedule and register for a Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation session.

Love is a Verb

"Have you ever watched closely the faces of a bride and groom on their wedding day? They are full of wonder and hope, envisioning a lifetime of joy and love ahead. Exactly as they should be! What about the faces of a husband and wife who celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary? ..."

Call for Nominations - Everyday Disciples

 Do you know someone who makes an impact in the life and ministry of the local Church?  Someone whose generosity, service, compassion. or steadfast faith inspires others? 

We invite you to nominate them to be featured in our Everyday Disciples column.  Help us celebrate the people who embody Christ's love in simple, powerful, and faithful ways each day.  

Submit your nomination today and share the story of an Everyday Disciple in our midst.

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!

The Good News Notes is published bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Included events have a broad appeal, promoting fellowship and community.  

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

Save the Date

HISPANIC HERITAGE EVENT 

September 19, 2026

Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse

April 9, 2026 | 12:10 PM

The Diocese of Scranton will offer its annual Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.  Held during Child Abuse Prevention Month, this liturgy is an opportunity to pray for healing, peace, and renewed hope for all who have been impacted by abuse.  

Come and be part of this gathering.  Registration is not required.

Hundreds of the Scranton Faithful Flock to Chrism Mass

on Tuesday of Holy Week

The Chrism Mass is among the principal manifestations of the fullness of the Bishop's Priesthood and is a sign of the close bond of the Priests with him. Priests from throughout the Diocese of Scranton gathered to concelebrate the Mass and renew their promises of priestly service.  

The high point of the ritual is the consecration of the Chrism, which is made by mixing the oil "with fragrances or other aromatic material", usually balsam. 

Before saying the Prayer of Consecration, Bishop Bambera breathed upon the opening of the vessel of the Chrism. Chrism is a sign of the Holy Spirit, and this action by the Bishop recalls the Spirit of God "moving over the face of the waters" at creation (Gen 1:12) and Jesus' resurrection appearance to the disciples in which "he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (Jn 20:22).

It is with the sacred Chrism consecrated by the Bishop that the newly baptized are anointed and those to be confirmed are signed. It is with the Oil of Catechumens that catechumens are prepared and disposed for Baptism, and it is with the Oil of the Sick that those who are ill are comforted in their infirmity.  (OBO #1)

Bishop's Youth Awards

The third of three celebrations of the Bishop's Youth Awards was held on March 22 at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton with Bishop Bambera presiding. This Mass honored young people from the Eastern and Western Regions of the Diocese of Scranton.  

Be sure to congratulate the 8th and 12th grade students who received the award from YOUR parish!

April Gatherings for Parish Catechetical Leaders

For Meeting Link and More Information Contact:

 Marianne Guarnieri at

(570) 207-2213 x 1100 or

mguarnieri@dioceseofscranton.org

Wednesdays in April

April 8 - 29

See flyer for more details

Join Providence Pregnancy Center for their Annual Spring Dinner

Friday, April 10, 2026 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM

St. Mary’s Center, 320 Mifflin Avenue, Scranton

The event is complimentary