Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter!  

Communicating important events and available resources

from the Office for Parish Life

During Poverty Awareness Month, join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Catholic community in the United States in taking up Pope Leo's challenge to live in solidarity with the poor. 

Parishes Launch Hallow Initiative 

16 Parishes across the diocese are beginning an exciting new chapter in prayer with the launch of the Hallow initiative.  The effort kicked off with a training day led by Joshua Danis, Head of Parish and Diocesan Partnerships with Hallow, who guided parish leaders through the vision and practical implementation of the initiative. 

Save the Date!

Catholic Women's Conference

June 5 & 6, 2026

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

January Gatherings for Parish Catechetical Leaders

For Meeting Link and More Information Contact:

 Marianne Guarnieri at

(570) 207-2213 x 1100

or mguarnieri@dioceseofscranton.org

Hundreds of Young Catholics to be Celebrated

at 2026 Bishop Youth Award Masses

Over 550 young people from 88 parishes across the diocese will be joyfully celebrated as recipients of this year's Bishop's Youth Awards.  

The Bishop's Youth Award is an annual tradition in the Diocese of Scranton, recognizing and celebrating 8th and 12th-grade students who embody the spirit of the early Church through their service to their parishes, schools, and communities.  

Every parish was invited to nominate students for the award. Students from 88 of our 102 parishes in the Diocese received nominations.

Due to the extraordinary number of award recipients, the youth will be celebrated at 3 Masses by region.  Masses will be televised on CTV:  

March 1st 

March 15th 

March 22nd 

Please join us in congratulating and praying for these individuals as they continue to grow deeper in relationship with God and their communities.

Swing Dance Celebrates

National Marriage Week

In celebration of the vocation of marriage and National Marriage Week (Feb 7^th-14^th), the Diocese of Scranton is hosting a Swing Dance on Saturday, February 7^th at the Diocesan Pastoral Center Auditorium.

The dance features Swing Fever Dance Band from Limekiln, PA, a 17-piece traditional Big Band as well as swing dance instruction from local instructors, Philip Spinka and Jill Wetzel.

Join us from 4-5pm for dance instruction, and enjoy open dance from 5-8pm. 

Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door. Family and friends can enjoy the evening together by reserving a table of 8 in advance for $10. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy at the dance.

Questions?

Contact Bridget Maille

at (570) 207-2213 x1133

National Marriage Week 

February 7 - 14, 2026

National Marriage Week is a time to celebrate and support marriage and family, encouraging couples to strengthen their commitment through prayer, communication and acts of love while highlighting marriage's positive role in society.  

You can engage in National Marriage Week in a variety of ways:

- Through prayer, open communication and acts of service for your spouse

- Join local parish celebrations 

- Download materials for at-home retreats or date nights

- Offer prayers for married couples, those preparing for marriage and struggling families.

Resources for Parishes and Couples for National Marriage Week are linked below.

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.

Respect Life Monthly Prayer Guide

"More than three years after the hard-won reversal of
Roe v. Wade, the tragic effects of five decades of
nationwide abortion on demand largely remain ..."

USCCB Respect Life Store

Sale & Giveaway

Do you need materials for pro-life events?

Everything in the USCCB Respect Life Store 

is 50% off or FREE 

except for select items.

Some items won't be reprinted so get them now before they sell out!

Sale ends January 31!

It's a New Year!

To discuss a 2026 Stewardship Plan for your Parish

Contact:

Dominick Costantino 

Director of Parish Renewal

(570) 207-2213 x 1105

The Genesis Mission 

How To Evangelize in Ten Simple Steps

The Genesis Mission provides practical, simple and relational steps for encounter, built on a foundation of prayer and the Sacraments, to go deeper with others and in your personal discipleship.

The 7-week training offers a hands-on pathway to live this out, equipping participants to confidently share the saving message of Jesus.

To Learn More Contact:

Regina Wright

Manager of Parish Renewal

(570) 207-2213 X 1135 or

rwright@dioceseofscranton.org

En honor a Nuestra Señora de Altagracia, Reina de los Corazones Dominicanos

La Virgen de Altagracia es la querida Protectora y Reina del pueblo dominicano y, junto con Nuestra Señora de la Merced, es una de las dos principales devociones marianas de la nación.  Venerada desde al menos 1502 y llamada cariñosamente «Tatica, la de Higüey», recuerda a los fieles que a través de ella recibimos la mayor gracia en Jesucristo Nuestro Señor. Su santuario en Higüey ha sido durante mucho tiempo un lugar de peregrinación y la actual basílica, consagrada en 1971, sigue siendo el corazón espiritual de esta devoción.     

La imagen de Nuestra Señora de Altagracia es un pequeño óleo español de la Natividad, traído a la isla por los primeros colonos y rodeado de una apreciada tradición sobre su misterioso origen.  María aparece contemplando con ternura al Niño Jesús, vestida con colores que recuerdan a la bandera dominicana, simbolizando su profundo vínculo con la nación. La imagen ha sido coronada dos veces, la última por San Juan Pablo II en 1979, y sigue inspirando devoción entre los dominicanos de todo el mundo. 

Honoring Our Lady of Altagracia, Queen of Dominican Hearts

The Virgin of Altagracia is the beloved Protectress and Queen of the Dominican people and, alongside Our Lady of Mercy, is one of the nation’s two principal Marian devotions.  Venerated since at least 1502 and affectionately called “Tatica, the one from Higüey,” she reminds the faithful that through her we receive the greatest grace in Jesus Christ Our Lord.  Her shrine in Higüey has long been a place of pilgrimage and the current basilica, consecrated in 1971, remains the spiritual heart of this devotion. 

The image of Our Lady of Altagracia is a small Spanish oil painting of the Nativity, brought to the island by early settlers and surrounded by a cherished tradition of its mysterious origin.  Mary is shown tenderly gazing at the Christ Child, clothed in colors that echo the Dominican flag, symbolizing her deep bond with the nation.  The image has been crowned twice, most recently by St. John Paul II in 1979, and continues to inspire devotion among Dominicans worldwide. 

Ecumenical Worship Service 

for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years , in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity.  By annually observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Christians move toward the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper "that they all may be one."  (cf. John 17:21)

Saint Peter's Cathedral opens its doors on Thursday, January 22nd at 12:10 pm for an ecumenical worship service, reflecting the Church's ongoing commitment to unity among all followers of Christ.

 Christians of all Denominations are invited. 

Theology on Tap Returns February 12th

Join the Young Adult Community on Thursday, February 12^th as Theology on Tap returns with guest speaker, Megan Murphy!

 Megan, a Catholic speaker and NFP instructor, will be speaking on God’s Plan for Life & Love. 

Theology on Tap meets at Sabatini’s Bottleshop in Exeter, PA at 7pm with a $5 cash cover at the door. RSVPs are encouraged but not required.

Steubenville Summer Youth Conference

Registration Deadline This Week!

The Steubenville Summer Youth Conference is an opportunity to encounter Christ in a deeper way through session talks, prayer, the sacraments, Eucharistic Adoration and community.

The conference speakers this year will be Oscar Rivera Jr., Paul J. Kim, Jackie Francois Angel, and John Paul von Arx.

The cost for the trip is $395 per person, which includes conference fees, food, housing, transportation and a diocesan

t-shirt. Attendees must sign up through a Parish Group.

Questions? Feel free to contact the Youth Ministry office

at 570-207-2213 x 1155 or by emailing youthmin@dioceseofscranton.org.

Come, Holy Spirit!

Young Adult Bible Study @ Montage Mountain!

The Young Adult Community recently gathered for a unique and uplifting Bible study at Montage Mountain.  Embracing the beauty of God's creation, participants enjoyed a ski-in / ski-out setting that blended prayer, Scripture and fellowship in a memorable way.

After reflecting on the Word, the group took to the slopes, sharing laughter and camaraderie while enjoying a special day of faith, friendship and fun! 

Pray with the Pope 

An Invitation to pray with the Holy Father for the challenges facing humanity

Pope Leo XIV has released his prayer intention for January and invites people everywhere to unite with him each month through the NEW "Pray with the Pope" initiative.  

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

"In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples..." 

Click the link below to read more from the USCCB and access bulletin quotes and prayers of the faithful. 

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