Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter!  

Communicating important events and available resources

from the Office for Parish Life

Ascension Thursday 

May 14, 2026

The Ascension is observed as a Solemnity across the Christian world, taking place forty days after Easter Sunday. Early Church Fathers such as Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Augustine mention the celebration, while Saint Gregory of Nyssa is often credited with helping to spread its observance more widely.

In ascending to heaven, Christ’s visible, earthly presence comes to its fulfillment, giving way to a new mode of presence in and through the Church, His Body.

The Novena to the Holy Spirit begins today. In the days between the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost, the disciples gathered in steady, united prayer, joined by Mary, the mother of Jesus, and others (cf. Acts 1:14). Following their example, the Church dedicates the nine days leading up to Pentecost to praying for the Spirit’s coming. This tradition is the origin of the novena, one of the earliest expressions of intercessory prayer in Christian life.

Linked below from Ascension Press, are ideas to celebrate the Ascension as well as a Novena to the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost

Pentecost, the beginning and birthday of the Church, is an annual feast that closes out the Easter season 50 days after the resurrection is celebrated. The word Pentecost has its root in the Greek word that means five. (One can see where the word pentagon comes from.) It is also a word that was used in Judaism during the time of Jesus, as Pentecost was the word used for the harvest festival Shavuot.

The Christian celebration has its origins in the Acts of the Apostles, in Acts 2:1-12, where the early disciples experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus. Acts also states, “While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. ‘This,’ he said, ‘is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4-5).

This Third Person of the Holy Trinity is known by a variety of names in Christian theology; one name is Paraclete. The name Paraclete means educator, intercessor, teacher, helper and comforter. These names describe how the Holy Spirit is present in the Church and is present with God’s people. The Spirit is sent to remind us of all that Jesus said and taught. The Holy Spirit makes everything possible. These meanings highlight why meditating on the feast of Pentecost is an important thing to do. With the whole Church throughout the ages, we may rightfully pray, “Come, Holy Spirit. Come!”

(source:crosscatholic.org/blogs/2021/05/decoding-pentecost)

Call for Photos

Special Mary Edition

As we prepare our special May issue of the Good News Notes, we would be grateful for your help in showcasing the beauty of parish life across our diocese.  We are inviting submission of photos from your parish's May Crowning celebrations honoring our Blessed Mother.

If your parish is planning a May Crowning this year - or has celebrated one in recent years - we warmly encourage you to share photos that capture the reverence, joy and participation of your parishioners. 

Submission details: 

Send high-resolution photos (JPEG or PNG format)

Include the Parish Name and Location

Add a brief caption or description (optional but appreciated)

Submit by 12 Noon Monday, May 4, 2026

Photos should be emailed to Regina Wright at rwright@dioceseofscranton.org

Selected images will be featured in our May issue as a celebration of Our Lady throughout our parishes. Thank you for helping us share these meaningful moments with the wider diocesan community. 

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

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.

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. 

Theology on Tap

A strong turnout and plenty of energy made April’s Theology on Tap a memorable evening. The night, which showcased Fr. Van Fossen’s Rosa Citrica IPA, featured lively trivia, friendly competition, and lots of laughter. Teams brought their A-game, but more importantly, everyone enjoyed a great opportunity to connect, learn, and share the faith in a relaxed setting.

Join us for the last Theology on Tap of the season on May 14^th featuring Sr. Draru and Sr. Nancy of the African Sisters Education Collaborative. We will be returning to Sabatini’s Bottle Shop in Exeter, PA, starting at 7pm with a $5 Cash Cover at the door. 

Save the Date

HISPANIC HERITAGE EVENT 

September 19, 2026

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.

Learn, Pray, Do - Love is a Verb

Activities for Couples and Parents

A novena inspired by St. Gianna Beretta Molla starts this Sunday!

Thousands of Catholics across the country will unite in prayer for pregnant and parenting moms in need, for whom St. Gianna is a powerful intercessor.

We invite you to join in praying this special novena. By signing up, you'll get the prayers emailed to you each day.

Through the generosity of donors to the Catholic Ministries Appeal, the Diocese of Scranton is able to provide financial resources to parishes who are seeking to form missionary disciples of all ages, through new and innovative evangelization and catechesis efforts. 

To be considered for the grant, a parish must submit an initiative that demonstrates an effort to equip missionary disciples to live our faith fully, share faith freely with others, transform the world in Christ, call forth the baptized to assume positions of servant leadership and foster the spirit of co-responsibility, supporting each parish in its unique journey to becoming a fully participative community of living faith. 

Looking for New Ways to Share the Faith?

Learn from National Leaders

The Steubenville John Bosco Conference offers over 9 tracks and 70 workshops plus 4 keynotes and amazing worship to help us grow as catechists. 

See flyer for full details.

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

Wednesday Series Continues 

April 22 & April 29

See flyer for more details

Remember, Honor and/or Pray for a Loved One

Luminaries Sold in Advance for $5.00 & Displayed in the Church

Proceeds Benefit Local Cancer Outreach