Good News Notes | April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter!

Communicating important events and available resources from the Office for Parish Life

"Parishes must be in contact with homes, with people's lives, with the life of society. They have to be houses where the door is always open so as to go forth toward others. And it is important that this going-forth follows a clear proposal of faith. The doors must be opened so that Jesus can go out with all of the joy of His message.

Let us pray for our parishes, that they not be simple offices, but that, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen."

Pope Francis Video Message, September, 2017

"Hope is born of love and based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the cross: "For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life" (Rom 5:19). That life becomes manifest in our own life of faith, which begins with Baptism, develops in openness to God's grace and is enlivened by a hope constantly renewed and confirmed by the working of the Holy Spirit."

- Pope Francis, Spes Non Confundit

APRIL PRAYER INTENTION OF POPE FRANCIS:

FOR THE USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Each month, the Holy Father asks for our prayers for a specific intention. This month we pray for the use of new technologies, keeping in mind these words from the Pope:

"How I would like for us to look less at screens and look each other in the eyes more!"

Pope Francis challenges us to examine our relationship with technology critically. While smartphones and social media promise connection, they often create an illusion of intimacy that masks genuine human interaction.

Our aim at the Good News Notes is to seek genuine connection with our readers and we provide this by prioritizing meaningful content and fostering intentional engagement.

Thank you for subscribing to the Good News Notes!

"Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human

relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times."

Listen to Pope Francis' April Prayer Intention

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Hundreds of Young Catholics

Celebrated at 2025 Bishop Youth

Awards Masses

Over 500 young people from parishes across the diocese were joyfully celebrated as recipients of this year's Bishop's Youth Awards.

The Bishop's Youth Awards are 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 86 of our 106 parishes in the Diocese received nominations.

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

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Parish Catechetical Leaders

to Gather Next Week

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Join parish catechetical leaders from around the diocese next week for an inspirational virtual gathering, with updates and networking. Choose any of these meeting times:

April 21 | 6 PM

April 22 | 10 AM

April 23 | Noon

For More Information Contact:

Marianne Guarnieri

(570) 207-2213 x 1100 or mguarnieri@dioceseofscranton.org

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Grant Application

Information Session

Thursday, April 24 | Noon

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Each year a percentage of the Ministries Annual Appeal sponsors a Parish Faith Formation Grant opportunity.

This Grant allows for funding for new initiatives for Faith Formation Ministries. This would include faith formation initiatives from infancy to adulthood. It prioritizes community building events such as family catechesis and events that foster a sense of belonging to the Parish Family.

Any of the 106 parishes of the Diocese of Scranton is eligible to apply, with approval of their pastor.

For more information and suggestions on how to start this application process, please join us:

Thursday, April 24th at 12 noon

for a Zoom information session on this year’s Parish Faith Formation Grant Application Process.

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Join Zoom Meeting Here

Parish Consultation for Hispanic Ministry at St. Nicholas - St. Mary, Wilkes Barre

The Diocesan Pastoral Planning Team recently facilitated a parish consultation at St. Nicholas - St. Mary Parish to engage with the Hispanic community. The gathering reflected the parish's rich diversity, with various Hispanic nationalities represented. A strong sense of community and dedication to the church was evident throughout the discussions.

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Living Stations of the Cross

Re-enacts the Passion of Jesus

Good Friday | 1 PM

The Office of Hispanic Ministry and St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish invite Catholics across the Scranton Diocese to accompany Jesus through His passion and death on the cross in Living Stations of the Cross.

Click Here for More Information

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Hispanic Ministry Holds

Evening of Reflection

In preparation for Holy Week, the Office of Hispanic Ministry held an evening of reflection, “Hope Does Not Disappoint.”

The grace-filled evening included a pilgrimage to the Cathedral as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope.

2025 Pre Cana Schedule

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.

Find a Pre Cana Class

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Modern Obstacles to a Healthy Marriage

Whether you are engaged, newly married, or married for many years with children, obstacles arise in relationships. In this article from the CatholicMatch Institute, learn about "Three Modern Obstacles to a Healthy Marriage" and how our culture has misguided us in our perspective on marriage.

3 Modern Obstacles to a Healthy Marriage

2025 Wedding Anniversary Mass

June 1 | 2:30 PM

Couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2025 are invited to the Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Bambera on Sunday, June 1st, 2025, followed by a light reception.

To Register Go Online or Contact:

Bridget Guarnieri

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

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20 Stewardship Ideas for April

The International Catholic Stewardship Council offers 20 inspiring stewardship Ideas for April that invite us to view our lives as opportunities for sharing, caring and nurturing the gifts we've been entrusted with. These ideas encourage us to see beyond ourselves and recognize the interconnectedness of our community.

Each suggestion serves as a reminder that stewardship isn't just about managing resources, but about cultivating a heart of generosity, compassion and love.

Click Here to Print

Genesis Mission

Forming missionary disciples to build up the Church in Pennsylvania.

The Genesis Mission fosters a deeper sense of discipleship and a greater desire to connect and evangelize while confidently sharing the Gospel message. Genesis teaches a relational approach of encountering and connecting with others.

The 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 or rwright@dioceseofscranton.org

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Chrism Mass Tonight | 4 PM

The Chrism Mass reminds us of our unity through the Sacrament of baptism. It is also a key moment in which the unity of the bishop with his priests is renewed. During the liturgy, the entire assembly is called to renew its baptismal promises; deacons and priests also renew their vow of obedience to the local bishop and their commitment to serve God's people.

At the offertory, the three Holy Oils :

- Sacred Chrism

- Oil of Catechumens

- Oil of the Sick

and balsam fragrance are carried up to the sanctuary with gifts of bread and wine.

At the end of the Chrism Mass, the Holy Oils are brought back to parishes for use in the coming year.

Holy Thursday Devotion | Visit 7 Churches

Visiting 7 churches on Holy Thursday helps us to reflect on the seven final places Jesus went from his arrest on Holy Thursday to his death on Good Friday.

At each church, pilgrims kneel before the altar of repose, meditate on a scriptural excerpt, and offer prayers and adoration.

Here are the Scripture excerpts to reflect on at each church:

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Lk 22:39-46)
Jesus before Annas (Jn 18:19-22)
Jesus before Caiaphas (Mt 26:63-65)
Jesus before Pilate (Jn 18:35-37)
Jesus before Herod (Lk 23:8-9; 11)
Jesus before Pilate again (Mt 27:22-26)
Jesus's crucifixion and death (Mt 27:27-31)

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Divine Mercy Sunday

On May 5, 2000, five days after the canonization of St. Faustina, the Vatican decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would henceforth be known as Divine Mercy Sunday.

Jesus appeared to St. Faustina in a vision, with his right hand raised in a blessing and his left touching his garment above his heart. Red and white rays emanate from his heart, symbolizing the blood and water that was poured out for our salvation and our sanctification. The Lord requested that "Jesus, I trust in You" be inscribed under his image. Jesus asked that his image be painted and venerated throughout the world:

"I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish (Diary, no. 48) and "By means of this image I will grant many graces to souls" (Diary, no 742).

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy was also given to St. Faustina with this promise, "Encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you" (Diary, no. 1441). "Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. ... Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy." (Diary, no.687)

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

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Students Throughout the Diocese Participate in ISLI

From March 21st to 23rd, 45 high school students from throughout the Diocese of Scranton participated in the International Student Leadership Institute at Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center in Dalton. The weekend was a leadership retreat that focused on faith centered leadership and refining one's leadership skills in the context of community.

The retreat weekend included dynamic talks, small group discussion, Adoration, Confession and Holy Mass. Of the many opportunities that students had over the weekend, two of the highlights were the small groups and the evening of Confession and Eucharistic Adoration. As we learn from Scripture, “Iron sharpens iron.” (Proverbs 27:17) The weekend of small groups allowed the students to form new relationships and to push one another to greater personal growth spiritually and as leaders.

With respect to Adoration and Confession, many students spoke of this moment as the highlight of the retreat. We must always remember that we are men and women of faith, called to a life of intimacy and union with Jesus Christ. Participating in Confession and taking time to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament are ways in which we come to encounter the love and presence of Christ in our lives. Let us pray for our young people, that they may be men and women who are deeply committed to a life with Jesus Christ. May they also continue to discover the unique gifts that God has given them to glorify Him in the Church and in the world.

Get Up and Pray

For the last two years, the Vocations Office has sponsored a special event called Get Up & Pray to encourage you to pray for our priests, seminarians, and vocations at the Altar of Repose on Holy Thursday, commemorating the night Christ instituted the Priesthood and the Eucharist.

The title, Get Up & Pray, comes from Luke’s account of the Garden of Gethsemane - “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Luke 22:46).

We’re once again inviting you to Get Up & Pray this year! Assemble a group of friends, family, or fellow parishioners to visit the Altar of Repose in as many churches as you can, snap a photo of your group or the churches you visit, and share them with us on Instagram using the “Add Yours” sticker that can be found on our Instagram Story that night.

Click Here for More Info

Click Here for NEW Prayer for Vocations

Eating Disorders & Our Catholic Faith

with Dr. Megan Heeder

Thursday, May 22 | 6:30 PM

All are welcome to a mental health workshop offered by Dr. Megan Heeder of The University of Scranton focusing on eating disorders and Catholicism at

Divine Mercy Parish

May 22nd at 6:30 PM

Come learn about how wisdom from the Catholic tradition can help people understand eating disorders and offer practical tools to those who struggle with them as well as their friends and family.

Q&A to follow presentation.

June 7, 2025 Pilgrimage Announced

National Shrine of

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Women's Conference Announced

June 6 & 7, 2025

We are excited to announce the 6th Annual Catholic Women's Conference is coming to Marywood University this June 6th & 7th! The theme of this year’s conference is “Heart to Heart Prayer.”

The conference kicks off this year with a Special Friday Evening Option of dinner and a dynamic presentation from Keynote Speaker Kara Kardell, “When God Speaks to the Heart,” exploring prayer as a profound exchange of love, trust and grace; and explaining practical ways to deepen your prayer life.

The traditional full-day conference follows on Saturday, June 7th.