 |
|
March 5, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter!
Communicating important events and available resources from the Office for Parish Life |
|
|
|
"The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community." (Joy of the Gospel, 28) |
|
|
|
The Season of Lent Begins Today, Ash Wednesday |
|
|
 |
|
Heavenly Father, help us to begin the season of Lent with hearts open to the movements of your Holy Spirit, in this Holy Jubilee Year of Hope!
May each of us have a special encounter with Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior, as we pray, fast, and provide for those in need.
We ask to be drawn closer to you during this special Lenten journey as Pilgrims of Hope! |
|
|
| Click Here for Ash Wednesday Mass/Service Schedule |
|
|
|
"Pilgrims of Hope", the Jubilee Year
declared by Pope Francis for 2025 is underway! |
|
Text |
 |
|
“Often we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope.”
- Pope Francis |
|
|
 |
|
|
| Click Here to Read More from Harrison |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Click Here for Pilgrimage Sites Designated by Bishop Bambera |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pope Chooses Theme of Hope for Grandparents & the Elderly |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hundreds of Young Catholics to be Celebrated at 2025 Bishop's Youth Award Masses |
|
This year's Bishop's Youth Award Masses at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Scranton, will joyfully celebrate 515 young people from parishes across the diocese who embody Bishop Bambera's call to be servant leaders in the Church today!
Due to the extraordinary number of award recipients, the youth will be celebrated at 3 Masses by region. Each Mass begins at 2:30 pm and is televised on CTV:
March 23rd (Eastern & Western regions),
March 30th (Southern region) and
April 6th (Northern region).
Please join us in congratulating and praying for these individuals as they continue to grow deeper in relationship with God and their communities.
|
|
| Learn more about the Nomination Process |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Text |
|
Parish Catechetical Leaders Gathering |
|
|
Join us for inspirational virtual gatherings, updates and networking |
|
| Learn more |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Text |
 |
|
Parish Faith Formation Grant Application Process is open! |
|
The Parish Faith Formation Grant is a diocesan funded grant through the Ministries Appeal. The aim of this grant is to provide financial resources to the parishes of the Diocese of Scranton who are seeking to form Missionary Disciples through new and innovative evangelization efforts.
To be considered for this grant, a parish must submit an initiative that demonstrates an effort to equip missionary disciples to: (1) live our faith fully, (2) share our faith freely with others, (3) transform the world in Christ, (4) call forth the baptized to assume positions of servant leadership; and, (5) foster the spirit of co-responsibility, supporting each parish in its unique journey to becoming a fully participative community of living faith.” |
|
| Criteria and Guidelines |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Text |
|
Hispanic Ministry Weekly Radio Program |
|
|
Invite your Hispanic friends / parishioners to tune into our Weekly Radio Program on
102.3 FM Scranton/ Wilkes Barre
& 1300 AM Hazelton
Highlights Include:
Saint of the Week
Catechesis
Testimonials
News
and much more! |
|
|
|
|
|
Evening of Reflection
in Preparation for Holy Week
Saturday, April 12, 2025 |
|
Join our Hispanic Ministry for an evening
of reflection and a pilgrimage to cross
the Holy Door at St. Peter's Cathedral
|
|
| Learn more |
|
|
| Register Here |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Text |
|
Text |
 |
 |
|
2025 Pre Cana Schedule Announced |
|
|
Pre Cana 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.
Pre Cana classes are offered once per month in areas throughout the diocese and online. |
|
| Find a Pre Cana Class |
|
|
| A Wedding Planning Reality Check |
|
Text |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Text |
 |
|
|
|
|
Highlights from Recent Parish Stewardship Information Session |
|
"Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives." - USCCB
Pastors, parish staff and finance council members attended the recent information session to learn about how to increase offertory and engage parishioners in the life of the parish community. |
|
| View Presentation Here |
|
|
|
|
|
Text |
 |
|
|
|
Text |
 |
|
Rite of Election
Sunday, March 9 | 2:30 PM
Cathedral of St. Peter |
|
Catechumens from parishes across the Diocese will joyfully declare to Bishop Bambera their desire to join the Catholic Church in Scranton this year.
|
|
Text |
| Learn more |
|
|
|
|
Draw Closer to Jesus this Lent |
|
|
Attending a Holy Hour can be a deeply meaningful experience during the Lenten season. It provides an opportunity to slow down, set aside distractions, and focus solely on your relationship with Christ. Bishop Bambera will preside over 12 regional deanery Holy Hours this Lent. |
|
| Learn more |
|
|
|
|
The Light is on for you! |
|
Catholics throughout the diocese are provided a weekly opportunity to engage in prayer and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the Lenten season. |
|
Text |
| Learn more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Text |
|
Text |
|
Text |
|
Text |
 |
|
Lenten Book Study for Young Adults |
|
|
The Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Scranton is coordinating an online book study for the Lenten Season. Throughout Lent, young adults will be reading Wilderness Within: A Guided Lent Journal For Prayer and Mediation and will gather in online forums to have discussion and share reflections on weekly questions, videos, and prayers. |
|
| Learn more |
|
|
|
|
|
Text |
Theology on Tap is back for 2025! |
|
Last month, nearly 25 young adults from various corners of the Diocese heard insights from Fr. Jeff Tudgay about the Year of Jubilee 2025.
Theology on Tap is back with Fr. Michael Boris on March 13th at 7 pm at Sabatini's Bottle Shop in Exeter. |
|
Text |
| Learn More |
|
Text |
|
|
|
|
Deadline Approaching for March ISLI Retreat |
|
|
The Diocese of Scranton is excited to be hosting the International Student Leadership Institute (ISLI), a peer-facilitated, faith-based leadership retreat designed to help young people enhance and expand their leadership aptitude.
The retreat will be held March 21-23 at Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center in Dalton, PA. Cost for first time participants is $200, which includes meals, housing accommodations, and retreat materials.
Registrations accepted until March 10th.
We hope to see you there! |
|
| Click Here to Register |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Williamsport Deanery Women's Retreat
March 29 | 10 - 3 PM |
|
|
Keynote Speaker Jessica Ryan
Exploring Virtue through Marian Saints
Our Lady of Sorrows
Who is Mary?
How does the Church describe her?
|
|
| Click Here to Register |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Text |
|
Journey into the Desert |
|
Three-Part Lenten Series
with Dr. Matthew Breuninger
March 31 | April 1 | April 2
7 PM
St. Anthony Church, Dunmore |
|
| Learn more |
|
Text |
|
|
|
|
Join the Diocesan Vocations Office when XLT Eucharistic Adoration Returns Thursday April 3rd |
|
|
There will be no XLT gatherings in March.
Join us April 3rd @ XLT for:
- Holy Hour for Vocations
- Live Praise & Worship Music
- Reconciliation
- Speaker
- Social
|
|
Text |
| Learn More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join Catholics Around the Globe in Prayer for Pope Francis |
|
|
Along with the United States Catholic Bishops,
we invite you to join in praying and continuing in daily prayer for Pope Francis and all who are sick,
as a sign of the Church’s closeness and support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
