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July 8, 2025
Summer Edition |
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Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter! |
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Communicating important events and available resources from the Office for Parish Life |
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Join Bishop Bambera for a Jubilee Year Pilgrimage
Wednesday, October 1 |
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| Download Schedule Here |
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| Register Here |
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Save the Date! |
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Annual Diocesan
Women's Retreat
coming this January!
Inspired by the teaching of
St. Hildegard of Bingen
who famously said,
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
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Diocesan Directors of Religious
Education to Attend St. John Bosco Conference in Steubenville |
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This upcoming week seven Directors of Religious Education, along with Marianne Guarnieri, Diocesan Director of Discipleship, will be attending the St. John Bosco Conference at Franciscan University held in Steubenville, Ohio, July 14-17, 2025.
The Saint John Bosco Conference, an initiative of the Catechetical Institute, provides catechists, teachers, youth ministers and diocesan and parish leaders the opportunity to learn from catechetical experts how to echo the faith. It is a nationally recognized opportunity to be better formed for parish ministry.
We continually hear that Catholics want to know their faith better, so that they can form their children and share their faith with others. Over 150 dioceses partner with Franciscan’s Catechetical Institute to deliver formation, using their online platform, Franciscan at Home. These catechetical leaders from the Diocese of Scranton who attend the St. John Bosco Conference will be integral in developing a diocesan plan for catechetical formation, using the resources offered by the Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University.
Stay tuned for more information on this exciting initiative. |
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NFP Awareness Week
July 20-26, 2025 |
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“Pursue a lasting love … Marriage. Create hope for the future! Natural Family Planning, Supporting God’s gifts of love and life in marriage” is the theme of this year’s national Natural Family Planning Awareness Week (July 20–26, 2025).
Natural Family Planning is an umbrella term for certain natural methods used to achieve or postpone pregnancy. It is based on scientific research and day-to-day observations of the signs and symptoms of fertility that occurs as part of each menstrual cycle.
To link more visit the USCCB articles at one of the links below. |
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| Click Here to Learn How NFP Changed One Mother's Life! |
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| Click Here For More Information |
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2025 Pre Cana Schedule |
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Pre Cana classes are offered once per month in areas throughout the diocese and online.
Classes cover a wide range of topics, from the theological and spiritual aspects of the sacrament to practical considerations like finances, communication, and conflict resolution.
Couples not only gain a deeper understanding of their faith and the meaning of marriage but also develop the skills and resilience necessary to build a strong, lasting partnership. |
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| Find a Pre Cana Class |
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Finding Help When Your Marriage
Is In Trouble |
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The Catholic Church wants couples to have holy and happy marriages. Addressing problems as they arise helps spouses develop the skills and behaviors that lead to a happy marriage; it also leads them to a holy marriage, as they grow in virtues such as patience, perseverance, and forgiveness.
Learn more about which direction to go when facing marriage difficulties in this article from For Your Marriage.
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| Read "Finding Help When Your Marriage is in Trouble" |
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Just before he ascends to heaven, Jesus leaves his disciples with final directions: “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). What does it mean to be a disciple? What does a disciple look like, think like, act like? How can we know if we are making disciples?
This evening workshop with Fr. Jon Bielawski and Michele Thompson, Genesis Mission founders, will answer these questions and more. Join us for an evening of inspiration whether you are a new disciple, a disciple-in-progress, or someone who wants to be a disciple maker.
Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Diocesan Pastoral Center, 330 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton
Cost: $10, payable at the door
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“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”— 1 Pt 4:10
(Registration link: bit.ly/GENESISWORKSHOP)
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| Click Here to Register |
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We know we are supposed to share our faith, but how comfortable do we feel? What if we don’t use the right words, or say the right thing? Even the word “evangelization” makes most of us cringe!
This workshop with Fr. Jon Bielawski and Michele Thompson, Genesis Mission founders, will show you how to build a culture of encounter. Throughout the day, they will illustrate methods to introduce our faith into everyday conversations. You will be introduced to the Genesis Method, a practical way of helping others to encounter Christ, which respects the individual but offers the love and peace of Christ. A series of simple steps, which begin with listening and asking questions, will open the door to a heartfelt encounter that speaks into the specific circumstances of
the person you meet.
This workshop is perfect for parish staff, catechetical leaders, catechists, youth ministers, adult formation leaders, and disciples of all ages and stages!
Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Diocesan Pastoral Center, 330 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton
Cost: $30, payable at the door. Includes lunch and materials.
(Registration link: bit.ly/GENESISWORKSHOP)
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| Cick Here to Register |
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ICSC Annual Stewardship Conference September 21-24
Chicago, IL |
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The 63rd Annual Catholic Stewardship Conference is coming this September to Chicago, IL.
The conference gathers Catholic stewardship leaders and fund development professionals to learn, network, and share best practices in stewardship and philanthropy.
Attendees can expect insightful presentations, opportunities for prayer and reflection, and networking with peers and exhibitors.
The conference aims to inspire and equip participants with tools and strategies to advance stewardship within their respective dioceses, parishes, and schools.
For More Information Contact:
Dominick Costantino
Director of Parish Renewal
(570) 207-2213 or
dcostantino@dioceseofscranton.org |
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| Click Here to Learn More |
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The Solemn Novena to Saint Ann
Embraces the Hispanic Community |
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Recognizing the growing Hispanic Catholic presence in the diocese, Saint Ann's Basilica will offer a Spanish Mass each evening of the Novena from
July 17th to 25th.
This dedicated service provides a special opportunity for the Hispanic community to fully participate in this beloved tradition and celebrate their faith and devotion to Saint Ann. |
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La Solemne Novena a Santa Ana abraza a la comunidad hispana |
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Reconociendo la creciente presencia católica hispana en la diócesis, la Basílica de Santa Ana ofrecerá una Misa en español cada noche de la Novena del 17 al 25 de julio.
Este servicio dedicado ofrece una oportunidad especial para que la comunidad hispana participe plenamente en esta querida tradición y celebre su fe y devoción a Santa Ana.
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Mass of Remembrance for
Victims of Tragic or Violent Death
Thursday, July 24, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Cathedral of Saint Peter |
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Bishop Joseph Bambera will be offering his Annual Mass of Remembrance for victims of tragic or violent death. The Mass is offered for the families and friends of those who have died in tragic circumstances, especially those lost through
accident, suicide or murder.
If you've lost a loved one through tragic or traumatic circumstances, please consider attending this liturgy.
The name of your deceased loved one will be inscribed in the Book of Remembrance at the Cathedral of St. Peter.
The Mass will be televised on CTV: Catholic Television and also by livestream on the diocesan website, www.dioceseofscranton.org.
Visit the link below to register and provide your loved one's name.
Registrations must be completed by July 18, 2025. |
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| Click Here to Register for the Mass of Remembrance |
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National Catholic Youth Conference 2025 |
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The Diocese of Scranton is running a pilgrimage for high school age students to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis, Indiana from Wednesday, November 19th to Sunday, November 23rd, 2025.
NCYC is a 3-day conference for high school age students that involves prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service and empowerment. It gathers students from across America for a life changing encounter with Christ.
For the most updated information for NCYC, click the link below.
Information on this page includes cost of the trip, a recommended payment schedule, due dates, and and online sign up/payment portal.
The theme of this years conference is
I AM/YO SOY, which is the revelation of God's Name to Moses as found in the Book of Exodus.
Any questions concerning NCYC can be sent to youthmin@dioceseofscranton.org
or by calling the Youth Ministry Office at
(570) 207-2213 x 1155.
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| Click Here for More Information |
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Pilgrims to Make Traditional Trek to St. Ann's Basilica to Close Novena |
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For over 100 years, people have pilgrimaged on the last day of the St. Ann novena to the very first Mass (4:30 AM) on the Feast Day of St. Ann.
St. Ann is Jesus’ grandmother, the mother of our Blessed Mother. She is an extremely powerful intercessor, and many miracles have been attributed to her intercession through this devotion.
Join this pilgrimage walk to conclude the 2025 St. Ann’s Novena.
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| Download Flyer Here |
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