Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter!  

Communicating important events and available resources

from the Office for Parish Life

Catechetical Expert Stella Marie Jeffrey, Ph.D.

is Featured Speaker at 

Catechetical Formation and Fellowship Day

Directors of Religious Education, Youth Ministers and Pastors are invited to a day of formation and fellowship at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 330 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton.

Attend Either:

Sunday October 5th | 2-6 PM

or 

Monday October 6th | 5-8 PM

Both Sessions will feature dinner and (2) dynamic talks from

Dr. Stella Jeffrey

Virtual Meetings for

Parish Catechetical Leaders

Join parish catechetical leaders from around the diocese for an inspirational virtual gathering, with updates and networking.  

For the Meeting Link and More Information Contact:

 Marianne Guarnieri at

(570) 207-2213 x 1100

or mguarnieri@dioceseofscranton.org

The Pedagogy of Jesus, Some Examples

"As catechists, we owe it to those being catechized to be the best communicators of the content of the faith as possible.  But to whom are we to look for the best example of how to achieve this end? ..."

Click the link below to read the full article by Kurt Lichtfuss. 

October is Respect Life Month

In October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. This Jubilee Year “offers us the opportunity to appreciate anew, and with immense gratitude, the gift of the new life that we have received in Baptism, a life capable of transfiguring death’s drama” (Pope Francis).

We are called to be signs of hope to all people, especially those whose goodness, value, and dignity are undermined. As members of the Body of Christ, we carry this hope with us as we continue Jesus’ mission on earth. Pope Leo XIV encourages us, “How important it is that each and every baptized person feel himself or herself called by God to be a sign of hope in the world today.”

Bishop Bambera Joins Hundreds of Diocesan Catholics

for the Annual Pennsylvania March for Life

More than 5,000 pro-life advocates from across the Commonwealth gathered at the State Capitol on Monday, Sept. 22nd, for the fifth annual Pennsylvania March for Life.  Among them were hundreds of faithful people from the Diocese of Scranton who were united in their prayerful witness to the sanctity of human life. Many traveled by bus from parishes in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Poconos, and the Northern Tier. 

Bishop Bambera was one of several Pennsylvania Bishops who joined the crowds in Harrisburg.

Bishop Bambera Celebrates Respect Life Mass

Bishop Bambera will celebrate Respect Life Sunday Mass on Oct. 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. All are welcome.

Faithful from across the Diocese of Scranton are invited to focus on God’s precious gift of human life and our responsibility to care for, protect and defend the lives of our brothers and sisters.

For those unable to attend in-person, the Mass will be broadcast live on CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton and the Diocese of Scranton’s YouTube Channel. The Mass will also be livestream on the Diocese of Scranton website with links provided on the Diocese of Scranton social media platforms.

Witness to Life:

Loving Parents After Miscarriage/Stillbirth

Many parents who experience the death of a child before birth suffer in silence, lacking the support and recognition they need from both society and their faith community.  

As Catholics and people of life, we are called to acknowledge their grief, offer compassion and provide spiritual and emotional resources to help them heal.

Click below for resources:

Faith and Family Night with the Penguins 

Friday, November 14 | 7:05 PM

On Friday, November 14th,  come out with the Diocese of Scranton to cheer on the Penguins as they take on the Islanders, and enjoy an evening filled with music, dance, and family fun!

Gates Open at 6:00pm, Puck drops at 7:05pm.

"Fall is often a season of change.  The leaves on the trees change color before falling to make room for new growth.  The weather cools from the heat of the summer. Children begin school in new classrooms with new teachers.

But as you go into this next season, you must be intentional about drawing your congregation back in, or you could accidentally turn the Summer Slump into a permanent one ... "

Genesis Mission

Forming missionary disciples to build up the Church in Pennsylvania.

Learn how to help others to know Jesus and experience the 

life-giving freedom that comes from knowing you are loved.

This seven week course is experiential in nature and focuses on practical skills such as listening and learning to rely on the Holy Spirit.

For More Information Contact:

Regina Wright

(570) 207-2213 x 1135 

rwright@dioceseofscranton.org

"New Year’s resolutions are famously made on January 1, and infamously broken by the end of that month. But for so many stewards, the real time of renewal and recommitment comes as we turn the calendar page into September, and the resolutions have a longer and greater impact ..."

October Mass Counts

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 helps guide the Vision 2030 Pastoral Planning Process.

For more information contact

Dominick Costantino, Director of Parish Renewal

570-207-2213

Hispanic Heritage Celebration 

The annual Hispanic Heritage Mass held September 13^th at the Cathedral of Saint Peter was a wonderful multi-cultural celebration and a vibrant platform for community connection.  

 Hundreds gathered for the liturgy to celebrate Our Catholic faith, filling the Cathedral.  Hispanic communities throughout the diocese were also represented in the celebration that followed, where the festive atmosphere and traditional cuisine provided a space for Hispanic Catholics to honor their unique cultural heritage.  

Celebración de la Herencia Hispana 

La Misa Anual de la Herencia Hispana, celebrada el 13 de Septiembre en la Catedral de San Pedro, fue una maravillosa celebración cultural y una vibrante plataforma para la conexión comunitaria.

Cientos de personas se reunieron para la liturgia, llenando la Catedral, para celebrar nuestra fe catolica. Las comunidades hispanas de toda la diócesis también estuvieron representadas en la celebración posterior, donde el ambiente festivo y la gastronomía tradicional brindaron un espacio para que los católicos hispanos honraran su singular herencia cultural.

Fr. Fidel Ticona Honored with Peace & Justice Award:

Local Hero Recognized for Two Decades of Service 

This past weekend, the Peace and Justice Center of Wilkes-Barre hosted its annual awards event in Dallas, PA, honoring individuals and organizations who have made meaningful contributions toward peace, justice, and conflict resolution in our local communities.

Among the recipients was Fr. Fidel Ticona, assistant pastor of

St. Nicholas–St. Mary Parish in Wilkes-Barre, who received this year’s Susan Merrill Kozel Award. This distinguished honor is presented to individuals whose life and work exemplify the values of justice, compassion, and peace.

Fr. Fidel was initially invited to serve a two-year mission ministering to the Hispanic community at Holy Rosary Church in Wilkes-Barre. However, what began as a short-term mission turned into a 20-year commitment to serving the spiritual and pastoral needs of our local community.

Throughout his ministry, Fr. Fidel has worked tirelessly with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds, offering spiritual guidance, support, and care. His work continues to be a vital part of the Hispanic Ministry within the Diocese of Scranton.

We proudly recognize and thank Fr. Fidel for his unwavering dedication, compassionate leadership, and lasting contributions to both the parish and the broader community. His efforts embody the true spirit of peace and justice

El Padre Fidel Ticona Honrado con el Premio de Paz y Justicia:

Héroe Local Reconocido por Dos Décadas de Servicio

El pasado fin de semana, el Centro de Paz y Justicia de Wilkes-Barre celebró su evento anual de premiación en Dallas, PA, reconociendo a personas y organizaciones que han hecho contribuciones significativas a la paz, la justicia y la resolución de conflictos en nuestras comunidades locales.

Entre los premiados se encontraba el P. Fidel Ticona, de la Parroquia St. Nicholas–St. Mary en Wilkes-Barre, quien recibió el Premio Susan Merrill Kozel de este año. Este prestigioso reconocimiento se otorga a personas cuya vida y labor reflejan los valores de la justicia, la compasión y la paz.

El Padre Ticona aceptó inicialmente una misión de dos años para servir a la comunidad hispana en la Iglesia Holy Rosary de Wilkes-Barre. Sin embargo, lo que comenzó como una misión temporal se convirtió en un compromiso de 20 años al servicio espiritual y pastoral de nuestra comunidad local.

A lo largo de su ministerio, el Padre Ticona ha trabajado incansablemente con personas de diversos orígenes culturales, étnicos y sociales, ofreciendo orientación espiritual, apoyo y cuidado pastoral. Su labor sigue siendo una parte fundamental del Ministerio Hispano dentro de la Diócesis de Scranton.

Reconocemos y agradecemos con orgullo al P. Fidel Ticona por su dedicación inquebrantable, liderazgo compasivo y las valiosas contribuciones que ha hecho tanto a nuestra parroquia como a la comunidad en general. Su labor encarna el verdadero espíritu de la paz y la justicia.

Bishop Bambera will offer a Mass of the Holy Spirit to invoke God's blessing on members of the legal profession this Friday, October 3rd.  

Since 1971, the Red Mass has been an annual tradition attended by leading members of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government on the federal, state and local levels.  The Bar Association of all eleven counties in the Diocese of Scranton are invited to this annual celebration.

Sunday, October 19th is

World Mission Sunday: 

Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples

Diocesan Youth Rally Huge Success

“The “Anchored in Hope” 2025 Diocesan Youth Rally welcomed over 200 youth from more than 20 different parishes in the Diocese of Scranton.

Keynote speaker Dan Harms inspired our youth with a message of hope and purpose, while the Scally Brothers led praise and worship. As students participated in breakout sessions, small groups, and the sacraments, the day overflowed with faithful energy and fun!

We cannot wait to welcome our youth again next year for the

4^th Annual Youth Rally on November 7, 2026!

SAVE THE DATE!

Join Young Adults from Around the Diocese

 Thursday October 9th for Theology on Tap

Young adults at all levels of faith continue to find a dynamic platform for socializing and building community while exploring theological concepts in a relaxed, contemporary setting.

Jessica Freyne's upcoming talk on 'Incarnational Ministry' promises to challenge participants to reimagine holiness as a lived experience rather than an abstract concept.

RSVP by clicking the link below and get a sneak peek of our upcoming Theology on Tap events!

Pope Leo XIV urges all Catholics to pray a daily rosary for peace during the month of October.  Our collective prayer is a means of fostering a compassionate and hopeful response to the world's ongoing challenges.  To learn more, click the link below. 

Women's "Masterpiece of Creation" Series

Continues in Pocono Pines

Invite a Friend and Join the Women's Ministry team

next week for Session 5:

"Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary "

Monday, October 6th  | 7 PM

The session features guest speaker Alicia Hernon, Co-founder of the Messy Family Project, and wife and mother to 10 children in Steubenville, OH.

Mother Teresa said, “I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash him and tend to him.” She is also the one who said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”

These two concepts are tied deeply together. The practice of finding God in others can not only make you a saint but make others saintly as well.

Click the video above for a sneak peek at next week's session!

Coming November 1st

for the Hispanic Community

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal will hold a

 Gifts and Charisms of the Holy Spirit Workshop 

Queen of the Apostles Parish, Avoca

Cost $20/person 

See flyer for more details and to register. 

La Renovación Carismática Católica celebrará un

Taller sobre los dones y carismas del Espíritu Santo 

Parroquia Reina de los Apóstoles, Avoca

Precio: 20 $ por persona 

Consulte el folleto para obtener más detalles e inscribirse. 

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