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May 13, 2025 |
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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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"Peace be with you," these first words of Pope Leo XIV as he greeted the world, referred to our hope in the risen Christ, reminding us that Jesus used these same words to His disciples after the resurrection. Our new Pope expressed his hope that the peace of Christ might grow in our hearts and in our world and that we may look for ways to be a missionary church that builds bridges and encourages dialogue.
- Pope Leo XIV
5/8/25 Greeting |
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| Click Here to Read More From Marianne |
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COLLEGE OF CARDINALS CHOOSE
69-YEAR OLD CHICAGO NATIVE AS FIRST AMERICAN BORN SUCCESSOR TO ST. PETER |
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PREFECT OF THE DICASTERY FOR BISHOPS
AND PERUVIAN MISSIONARY,
ROBERT FRANCIS PREVOST IS OUR NEW POPE,
TAKING THE PAPAL NAME LEO XIV!!!
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| Statement from Bishop Bambera on the Election of the New Pope |
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Parish Catechetical Leaders
Gathering this Month |
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Join parish catechetical leaders from around the diocese this month for an inspirational virtual gathering, with updates and networking. Choose any of these meeting times:
May 19 | 6 PM
May 20 | 10 AM
May 21 | Noon
For More Information Contact:
Marianne Guarnieri
(570) 207-2213 x 1100 or mguarnieri@dioceseofscranton.org |
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Deadline Extended to May 16th
for Parish Faith Formation Grants! |
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The Scranton Diocese provides financial resources to parishes who are seeking to form missionary disciples through new and innovative evangelization efforts, through grants awarded from the Diocesan Annual Ministries Appeal.
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.
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The Hallow App Parish Partnership detailed under the Parish Renewal section below is eligible for a Faith Formation Grant. |
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| Criteria and Guidelines |
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Diocesan Pastoral Planning Team Engages with Annunciation Parish, Hazleton |
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The Diocesan Pastoral Planning Team team recently facilitated a parish consultation at Annunciation Parish in Hazleton, where a vibrant and thriving Hispanic Ministry was evident. The parish actively collaborates with neighboring Hispanic congregations, including Queen of Heaven and Holy Name of Jesus, fostering a strong sense of community and shared mission. |
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Hispanic Ministry Weekly Radio Program |
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Invite your Hispanic friends / parishioners to tune into our Weekly Radio Program on 102.3 FM Scranton/Wilkes Barre & 1200 AM Hazelton.
Highlights Include:
Saint of the Week
Catechesis
Testimonials
News
and Much More! |
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Did You Know?
Our Diocesan Hispanic Ministry has a Facebook Page |
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Covering all the latest news and happenings for the Hispanic Community in the Diocese of Scranton.
Like us today!
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| Click Here to Go to Our Facebook Page |
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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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June 13th!
Diocese of Scranton Night
at PNC Field!! |
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Have you heard? We are heading to PNC Field on June 13th to watch the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders take on the Syracuse Mets.
Discounted tickets are available at $14/ticket and the post game fireworks display is sure to make it a night to remember for the whole family! |
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| Download the Flyer |
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| Purchase Tickets Here |
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Register For
2025 Wedding Anniversary Mass
June 1 | 2:30 PM |
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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. The Mass will be followed by a light reception at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
To Register Go Online or Contact:
Bridget Guarnieri
(570) 207-2213 x 1133 or familylife@dioceseofscranton.org
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| Register Here |
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Pray with Your Spouse
in Four Simple Steps |
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Praying together as husband and wife leads to deepening intimacy as a couple. The Mass teaches us so much about how to pray together because it's the prayer between Christ and His Bride, the Church.
Learn more in this article from For Your Marriage ... |
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| Four Simple Steps to Prayer with Your Spouse |
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HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE HALLOW PARISH PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY? |
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Hallow, the world’s #1 Catholic prayer and meditation platform, is offering a transformative partnership opportunity for our diocese! Hallow hosts the largest online Catholic community in the world with over 23 million users.
Will your community be the next to connect and interact through the App?
Hallow curates the best content delivered by world-class names. Pastors can even customize their own content to appear along with Bishop Barron, Jonathan Roumie, Mark Wahlberg, Fr. Mike Schmitz, and Sr. Miriam, among many others.
Time is of the essence:
Our Hallow Discount Expires May 31st |
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To obtain a link and passcode for the Zoom recording with Hallow email or call:
Marianne Guarnieri, Director of Discipleship at mguarnieri@dioceseofscranton.org
(570) 207-2213 Ext. 1100
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| View Hallow Partnership Slide Deck |
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| View Diocesan Discounted Pricing |
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| View Sample Parish Mission Description |
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| Watch a Short Parish Testimony Video |
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Genesis Mission |
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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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| Perspective from a Local Director of Faith Formation |
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Does your parish have a Strategic Plan?
Does it include inviting people to a relationship with Jesus Christ?
The Office for Parish Life is working with SENT PARISH to help Catholic parishes develop and implement strategic evangelization plans that create thriving communities of disciples.
Churches fail to make disciples when one or more of the 7 Deadly Sins of Evangelization® are committed.
1. Lack of Clear Mission & Vision - Without a clear direction, efforts become aimless.
2. Unclear Path of Discipleship - Failing to communicate a clear path hinders growth.
3. Inconsistent Encounters - Regular, meaningful encounters with Christ are crucial.
4. Lack of Growth Opportunities - Without opportunities, members stagnate.
5. Failure to Invite to Serve - Not inviting parishioners to serve limits engagement.
6. Neglecting Evaluation - Regular evaluation is key to improving efforts.
7. Isolation in Evangelization - Collaboration and community are essential for success.
Through a structured, step-by-step approach, SENT PARISH will partner with you to overcome any of these common obstacles to evangelization and build a clear, actionable strategy that engages with your existing parishioners and those on the margins.
Come and see the process in action!
Friday May 30 | 6-8 PM
Saturday May 31 | 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
St. Joseph the Worker Parish
720 West Fourth St., Williamsport
For More Information Contact:
Regina Wright
Manager of Parish Renewal
(570) 207-2213 X 1135 or
rwright@dioceseofscranton.org
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| Register Here |
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Seminarian Jan Carlo Perez to be ordained a Transitional Deacon May 24th |
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Jan Carlo is originally from St. Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg and was drawn to the Catholic faith after being inspired by the stories of different saints. After his first year in college, he felt the Lord calling him to the priesthood. He transferred to the seminary in 2017.
"I want to be more like Jesus. He's the center of everything. He's the center of reality and I feel like Hew wants me to be more like him." Perez explained. "I want to be an example to people. I want to help people, I want to serve people. I want to be holy, and I want to help lead people into deeper union with Christ in the Eucharist especially."
Ordination as a transitional deacon takes place usually one year prior to priestly ordination. A deacon can be an ordinary minister of baptism, and will be able to preside at weddings, assist the priest at Mass, proclaim the Gospel and preach, as well as preside at wakes and funeral services.
Jan Carlo is bilingual, his family coming from Puerto Rico. Both our English and Hispanic communities will be blessed by this faithful young man.
Please join us in praying for Jan Carlo Perez.
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Spring Theology on Tap Series Concludes with Engaging Talk on Forgiveness |
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On Thursday, May 8th, Young Adults met for the monthly Theology on Tap Speaker Series at Sabatini's Bottleshop in Exeter, PA.
This month featured guest speaker, Mary Clare Hallman, who spoke to the group about Forgiveness and the gift it is to our lives. She offered practical advice and wisdom on how to be more forgiving, not only for our own sake, but for those around us.
Theology on Tap will break for he summer months and return this Fall. Stay tuned for our announcement of new dates! |
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National Catholic Youth Conference 2025 |
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The Diocese of Scranton will be running a pilgrimage to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) 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.
Parishes are requested to submit a list of the tentative number of students, chaperones and clergy (priests and/or deacons) who are attending the conference by June 15, 2025. Please notify us at youthmin@dioceseofscranton.org or hrapp@dioceseofscranton.org as to the number of attendees you are hoping to bring and the breakdown of how many youth, chaperones and clergy.
For More Information Click the Link Below or
Contact the Youth Ministry Office at
youthmin@dioceseofscranton.org
or (570) 207-2213 x 1155.
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| NCYC 2025 Info |
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Heaven & Earth Catholic Gift Shop Confirmation Gift Guide |
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Heaven & Earth Gift Shop in Scranton offers customers heartfelt Catholic Christian specialty gifts, beautiful jewelry, inspirational books and more!
You will always find something special when you shop with them!
Look to the brochure below for that truly special Confirmation gift!
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| View Confirmation Gifts Brochure Here |
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Eating Disorders & Our Catholic Faith
with Dr. Megan Heeder
Thursday, May 22 | 6:30 PM |
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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
Mary 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.
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XLT at Christ the King Parish
St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Archbald
May 28th | 6:30 PM |
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Join the Diocesan Vocations Office for: Eucharistic Adoration
Speaker
Live Music by Michael Corsini
& Social
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| Download Flyer Here |
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June 7, 2025 Pilgrimage
National Shrine of
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton |
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2025 Diocese of Scranton
Catholic Women's Conference
June 6 & 7 |
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Over the past several years, thousands of women from the Diocese of Scranton and neighboring dioceses have attended the annual Catholic Women's Conference, which holds appeal for women of all ages.
This year's conference takes place on Saturday, June 7th at Marywood University. The theme is "Heart to Heart Prayer." In addition to the conference, an evening of prayer, reflection and fellowship has been added on Friday, June 6th which includes overnight accommodations on the Marywood campus, all for a very reasonable fee. This added feature is appealing to women who travel a distance to attend.
The keynote speakers include Kara Kardell, founder of Draw Near Ministries, and Sister Maria Kateri of the Sisters of Life who will inspire with their stories and ministry experiences, and Sarah Hart will lead us into deeper prayer. We are especially excited to have such diverse presenters.
Register Now!
Early Bird Pricing:
Friday Evening Only $55
Saturday Full Day Conference $70
Friday & Saturday with Accommodations:
$140 Double Room
$165 Single Room
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| Read More Here |
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| Register Here |
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International Exhibition of
Eucharistic Miracles comes to
Saint Thomas More Church, Lake Ariel |
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A Vatican approved Exhibition of the Eucharistic Miracles from around the world will be on display at Saint Thomas More Church in Lake Ariel
Monday Evening June 16th
Friday Afternoon June 20th
Sunday Afternoon June 22nd
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| Download flyer for more details |
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June 23-25 FIAT DAYS
High School Summer Camp |
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Sophomores through graduating seniors may better discern where God is calling them by attending the Vocations Office Fiat Days.
Cost is $25
Register by June 16th
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| Download Flyer Here |
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June 23 - 25 QUO VADIS DAYS
High School Summer Camp |
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Sophomores through graduating seniors may better discern where God is calling them by attending the Vocations Office Quo Vadis Days.
Cost is $25
Register by June 16th
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| Download Flyer Here |
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Heavenly Father,
We entrust to your loving care
our holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.
Grant him the gifts he needs
to lead your Church with courage
and compassion.
May his pontificate be blessed
with abundant fruit for the building
up of your kingdom on earth.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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