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March 19, 2025 |
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Welcome to the Office for Parish Life Newsletter!
Communicating important events and available resources from the Office for Parish Life |
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“Sometimes I think that we should put a sign
on the door of parishes that says,
‘Free admission.’
Parishes should be close-knit communities,
without bureaucracy, people-centered — a place where
the gift of the sacraments can be found. They have to
become once again schools of service and generosity,
with their doors always open to those who are excluded".
(Pope Francis video message, February 2023) |
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Solemnity of St. Joseph,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
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Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
To you, God entrusted his only Son;
in you, Mary placed her trust;
with you, Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father and
guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and
courage, and defend us from every evil.
Amen. |
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"We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us
and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty
by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting
heart, and far-sighted vision." - Pope Francis |
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| Click Here to Read More from Mary |
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| Jubilee theme captured in the prayers, readings, and options of the Mass for the Holy Year. |
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| Jubilee Guidelines for Receiving an Indulgence |
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Monthly Prayer Intention of Pope Francis
Each month, the Holy Father asks for our prayers for a specific intention.
Let's join Catholics worldwide in prayer. |
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| March Prayer Intention of Pope Francis |
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Bishop Youth Awards Presented over the Next 3 Sundays |
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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.
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).
Be sure to congratulate the 8th and 12th-grade students who received the award from YOUR parish! |
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| Learn more about the Nomination Process |
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Parish Catechetical Leaders
Gather in April |
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Join us in April 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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Deadline Approaching for
Parish Faith Formation Grants! |
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The Scranton Diocese Parish Faith Formation Grant, funded by the Diocesan Annual Appeal, provides financial resources to parishes seeking to form missionary disciples through new and innovative evangelization efforts.
The grant aims to support parishes in their efforts to equip missionary disciples to live their faith fully, share it freely, transform the world in Christ, and foster a spirt of co-responsibility within the parish community. The grant support initiatives that focus on:
Family Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation
Youth Ministry
Child Faith Formation
Evangelization
May 9th Deadline to Apply! |
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| Criteria and Guidelines |
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Evening of Reflection
"Hope Does Not Disappoint"
Saturday, April 12, 2025
5 - 9 PM
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Join our Hispanic Ministry for an evening
of reflection and a pilgrimage to cross
the Holy Door at St. Peter's Cathedral
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| Register Here |
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2025 Wedding Anniversary Mass June 1 | 2:30 PM |
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His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and the Office for Parish Life wish to invite couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2025 to a Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 1st, 2025. The event includes a 2:30 PM mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter followed by a light reception.
Contact Bridget Guarnieri for more information (570) 207-2213 x 1133 or familylife@dioceseofscranton.org |
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| Register Here by May 11th |
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Engaged? Wanting a Successful Marriage? |
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In this article from the CatholicMatch Institute, learn about the 7 Signs of a Functional Relationship based on Dr. John Gottman’s findings through his research on successful, happy couples.
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| The 7 Signs of a Functional Relationship |
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GENESIS MISSION |
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The Genesis Mission is a spiritual and practical formation initiative, based on the ministry of Jesus Christ, where participants begin to grasp the power of the Gospel in their own lives while exploring their personal path to holiness and deeper discipleship. Through this experiential training, they learn how to seek out, initiate and respond to potentially life-changing conversations with others with increasing confidence. The six-week course offered by the Office for Parish Life is experiential in nature and focuses on practical, relational skills such as listening, asking questions and learning to rely on the Holy Spirit.
For More Information Contact:
Regina Wright
Manager of Parish Renewal
(570) 207-2213 X 1135 or
rwright@dioceseofscranton.org
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| Williamsport Parishioners Speak of the Impact |
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SENT PARISH |
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Does your parish have a Strategic Plan?
If so, 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.
Through a structured, step-by-step approach, Sent Parish will partner with you to overcome common obstacles to evangelization and build a clear, actionable strategy that engages both your existing parishioners and those on the margins.
For More Information Contact:
Regina Wright
Manager of Parish Renewal
(570) 207-2213 X 1135 or
rwright@dioceseofscranton.org |
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LEADERSHIP IMMERSIVE |
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Fr. Mark DeCelles, Director of Permanent Diaconate Program and Mary Clare Hallman, Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life were selected to join the Genesis Mission team from Plymouth, England, along with several priests and deacons who desire to grow more capable at leading mission-focused initiatives.
They joined Fr. John Riccardo, a priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit and founder of ACTS XXIX for a five-day immersive.
Click the short video below to learn more about ACTS XXIX.
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How Can Your Parish Move
From Here to There? |
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Are you looking to increase parish offertory in order to do more ministry and outreach?
Are you looking to engage more of your parishioners in the life and ministries of your parish?
The Parish Renewal Team is here to help!
- Offertory Renewal Programs
- Renewal Program (Time, Talent & Treasure)
- Parishioner Engagement | Ministry Fair (Time & Talent)
- State of the Parish | Impact Reports
- Stewardship Committee
& More!
For More Information Contact:
Dominick Costantino
Director of Parish Renewal
(570) 207-2213 or
dcostantino@dioceseofscranton.org |
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The Light is on for you! |
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Catholics throughout the diocese are provided a weekly opportunity to engage in prayer and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the Lenten season. |
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Draw Closer to Jesus this Lent |
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Bishop Bambera will preside over regional deanery Holy Hours this Lent.
Attending a Holy Hour during Lent can be a profound and transformative experience. It offers a sacred space to disconnect from the noise of daily life and simply be in the presence of Christ in quietude and stillness. |
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Theology on Tap |
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On Thursday, March 13th, nearly 30 young adults gathered at Sabatini’s Bottleshop in Exeter, PA to hear from Fr. Michael Boris on the effects of sin and the importance of the sacrament of confession. The topic led to a fruitful discussion with Q&A.
Theology on Tap will return on April 10th
mark your calendars! |
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44 Students to Attend Local
Leadership Retreat March 21-23 |
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The International Student Leadership Institute (ISLI) is a peer-facilitated, faith-based leadership retreat designed to help young people enhance and expand their leadership aptitude.
Please join us in prayer for this weekend's retreatants, praying that the students will encounter the Lord in new and profound ways. |
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St. John Vianney
Parish Mission
Features Joel Stepanek |
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March 23 | March 24
6:30 PM
St. John Vianney Parish
704 Montdale Rd
Scott Township |
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Register Today
Williamsport Deanery
Women's Retreat
March 29 | 10 - 3 PM |
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Keynote Speaker Jessica Ryan
Exploring Virtue through Marian Saints
Our Lady of Sorrows
Who is Mary?
How does the Church describe her?
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| Click Here to Register |
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Journey into the Desert |
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Three-Part Lenten Series
with Dr. Matthew Breuninger
March 31 | April 1 | April 2
7 PM
St. Anthony Church, Dunmore |
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XLT Eucharistic Adoration Returns Thursday April 3rd |
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Join us April 3rd @ XLT for:
- Holy Hour for Vocations
- Live Praise & Worship Music
- Reconciliation
- Speaker
- Social |
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Adult Mental Health
First Aid Training |
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Saturday, April 5
9:00am--4:00pm
Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills needed to provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
This training is a combination of in-person instruction by a certified MHFA instructor and 2 hours online preliminary work. The in-person day includes a light breakfast and lunch. Although training and materials ordinarily cost over $100, this course is free for participants because expenses are covered by a grant from the Social Justice Trust Fund of the Diocese of Scranton.
For more information, email mhmclarkssummit@gmail.com
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Join Catholics Around the Globe in Prayer for Pope Francis |
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The update from the Vatican regarding Pope Francis' health is encouraging, but also tempered with a note of caution.
He has been able to discontinue the use of mechanical ventilation to aid his nighttime breathing, which is a positive development, suggesting his condition is stabilizing. However, the Vatican's description of his state as 'stable within a complex situation' indicates that he is not yet out of the woods and still faces significant health challenges.
Please join the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and all the faithful in continued prayer for Pope Francis. |
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