Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter!  

Communicating important events and available resources

from the Office for Parish Life

Pope Leo XIV @ Six Months

Saturday, November 8th marked the close of the first six months of Pope Leo XIV’s time as pope.  

National Catholic Register reflects on the calm and unity-centered beginning of his pontificate in the article below. 

Vatican News offers a sneak peek at "Leo from Chicago," an upcoming documentary to be released on Vatican Media’s channels.  It presents an intimate look at the early life of Pope Leo XIV in the United States.

Click the video above to watch! 

November Dedicated to Prayer for the Dead

In the month of November, the Catholic Church focuses on prayer for the faithful departed.  Praying for the dead is the most tender and loving of the spiritual works of mercy. Saint John Paul II said, "Praying for the souls in purgatory is the highest act of supernatural charity.” Join the Church this November in praying for our beloved dead.  

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

November Gatherings for Catechetical Leaders

For Meeting Link and More Information Contact:

 Marianne Guarnieri at

(570) 207-2213 x 1100

or mguarnieri@dioceseofscranton.org

Annual Diocesan Women's Retreat Kicks Off 

Early Registration with Discount through December 5th

This year's retreat features Keynote Speaker Annette Bergeon, CEO of Endow Ministries.  Endow is an apostolate built on the belief that the deepest transformation of heart and mind a woman can experience is through intimate relationships in a small group format.

Endow creates opportunities for women to learn, build deep friendships, and deepen their relationship in Christ as they unpack their rich Catholic heritage together. Small group communities create the most lasting impact in human development, we've seen since the early church.

Take advantage of the early bird discount and ask other women in ministry at your parish to join you for this uplifting weekend to be inspired and learn more! 

Discipleship According to Jesus

“It is not enough to sit and listen, to ponder and pray, to watch and assist, to be loved and to love.  We also, if we are his disciples, must go forth and proclaim …”

Continue reading the article from Most Rev. Earl Boyea, Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan by clicking the link below. 

Respect Life Monthly Prayer Guide

"Jesus is the Divine Physician who modeled how to care for the sick during his time on earth.

Healthcare professionals share in Christ’s healing mission and are entrusted with the care and protection of human life in its most vulnerable circumstances. Their goal must always be the service and safeguarding of human life ..."

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.

Marriage: A Perpetual Advent

"The wedding day came and went and it was more wonderful than I could have imagined, partially because the months of “Advent” before our wedding day prepared a place in our hearts to receive each other, and most of all to receive the sacramental coming of Jesus into our relationship. Yes, Advents are very important and not just in December."

Click the link below to read the full article from "For You Marriage" by Anthony and Sara.

Highlight the Gift of Adoption This Month

Resources are available to assist you in supporting and praying for all whose lives are touched by adoption.  

Click the links below for more from the USCCB. 

Genesis Mission Information Session 

December 4 | 2 PM

Become more confident and effective in talking about your faith.

 It’s the person in front of you that God wants you to evangelize. The Genesis Mission teaches evangelization in a relational, conversational way. We learn to listen first and then speak into what's been shared.

The training is action oriented, so by the end of the 7 weeks, it’s no longer an idea or a concept, you’re experiencing it and you're hearing from others in your small group who are doing it too!

Mini-Retreat Resource for Music Ministers

Feast of St. Cecilia - November 22

Encourage and Inspire your parish choir to pause and reflect on the gifts they have received and how they share them with others. 

The National Association of Pastoral Ministers offers a free prayer resource designed for both individual and group use—share it with your parish choir, cantors, or other music ministers and encourage your music ministers today.

Genesis Mission Testimonial 

Embrace the call to live as a disciple and grow together with your parish community.  

For More Information Contact:

Regina Wright

(570) 207-2213 x 1135 

rwright@dioceseofscranton.org

Each parish that includes Hispanic ministry will participate in a Hispanic Ministry Convocation on November 15, 2025 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. This event is part of the development of a Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Scranton.

In his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis reminds us that the Church is called to go forth as a missionary community, “to reach all the peripheries in need of the light of the Gospel.” This call inspires and guides our efforts as we seek to strengthen and unify our pastoral outreach among the Hispanic faithful in our Diocese.

At a time when our nation continues to face pressing questions of social justice and when our Hispanic Catholic communities continue to grow in both numbers and vitality, this work takes on an even deeper significance. Please join us in praying for the work of evangelization among all people.

Cada parroquia que incluye el ministerio hispano participará en una Convocatoria del Ministerio Hispano el 15 de noviembre de 2025 en el Centro Pastoral Diocesano. Este evento forma parte del desarrollo de un Plan Pastoral para el Ministerio Hispano en la Diócesis de Scranton.

En su exhortación apostólica Evangelii Gaudium, el papa Francisco nos recuerda que la Iglesia está llamada a salir como comunidad misionera, «para llegar a todas las periferias que necesitan la luz del Evangelio». Esta llamada inspira y guía nuestros esfuerzos por fortalecer y unificar nuestra labor pastoral entre los fieles hispanos de nuestra diócesis.

En un momento en que nuestra nación sigue enfrentándose a cuestiones apremiantes de justicia social y en que nuestras comunidades católicas hispanas siguen creciendo tanto en número como en vitalidad, esta labor adquiere un significado aún más profundo. Únase a nosotros en la oración por la labor de evangelización entre todos los pueblos.

Meet Our Newly Ordained Priests 

at Theology on Tap

This month features a Q&A Session with Fr. Tom Dzwonczyk and Fr. Andrew McCarroll 

Invite a coworker, bring a friend or just show up and meet some new people.  You'll learn more about our faith in a relaxing environment! 

Still Time to Join Us!

There's still time to join our young adults attending

“The Well” Conference in Philadelphia from 1-9 PM

this Saturday, November 15.

 Click the link below or scan the QR code for more information.  

Reach out to Bridget Guarnieri for carpool info. at familylife@dioceseofscranton.org

Pope Leo's November Prayer Intention

Pope Leo XIV has released his prayer intention for the month of November, inviting the faithful to pray for 'the prevention of suicide' and for those living in darkness and despair.

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