Month: June 2020

 

MUNCY – It was Fall 2015 when the social justice reading group at the Church of the Resurrection decided to take an in-depth look at the recently released papal encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ treatise on the “care for our common home,” in which he implored the world’s inhabitants to make safeguarding planet Earth an “urgent priority.” The examination of the Holy Father’s historic document inspired a small team of parishioners to put the environmental encyclical into serious action and spread their message of care for creation to the parish at large. Creation-appreciation walks were organized, along with plant giveaways and disseminating educational messages. However, according to group spokesperson Irmgard Seidl-Adams, it was not until they acted upon a suggestion by their pastor, Father Glenn McCreary, to get their hands dirty and turn a field on the church property into a living, visible sign of their commitment that the project began to resonate with the greater parish community.

“After several planning meetings we decided to start planting a blueberry patch of fifteen bushes,” Seidl-Adams said.

“We prepared the ground (last) fall and we planted the bushes this spring.” Long-term plans also call for a small grove of native trees, any one of which parishioners can dedicate to the memory of a loved one, and a separate space for theme gardens. “These can be a meditative garden, a prayer labyrinth or a pollinator garden,” she explained. Thoughtful consideration has also been given to a garden plot, whose harvests will benefit area families in need.

“By now, our small group has grown to ten active members,” said Seidl-Adams, who indicated the project has been aided by two successful fundraisers, including the sale of nature greeting cards decorated with original depictions by local artists. Since 2017, the Muncy parish’s ecological endeavor has been supported by the Social Justice Trust Fund Grant Program of the Diocese of Scranton.

“(The grants) have provided training for the initial team members, seed money for our fundraisers and, now, the essentials for the blueberry patch,” she said. The fruits of the undertaking literally came to bear during the recent celebration of Laudato Si’ Week (May 16-24) – in commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the Pope’s landmark encyclical – when the blueberry patch and larger field at the Church of the Resurrection were blessed and dedicated by Father McCreary. Coming up with a name for the hallowed ground was easy: “Saint Francis Field” (of course) in tribute to the patron saint of ecology and the natural environment.

 

SCRANTON – When Mark DeCelles was ordained to the diaconate Saturday, May 23, 2020, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, the event looked different from ordinations in the past but that didn’t make it any less special or significant.

“This was certainly not what anyone expected,” DeCelles said. “We’re forced in this moment to recognize that we’re not in control, God is in control, so I’m just really leaning on the Lord.” With only 12 people in attendance at the Mass, all wore face coverings and remained socially distant from one another due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite uncertainty around the virus, DeCelles said he finds consolation in the Lord Jesus.

“I look up at the Cross and I see Jesus saying to me, ‘I’ve got this,’” DeCelles explained. “I don’t know what the next week or the next two weeks will look like, but Jesus is here and he’s with us.” DeCelles, 38, began the final step of his formation for the priesthood during his diaconate ordination. Ordination as a transitional deacon generally occurs after a seminarian has completed at least three years of study in theology and takes place usually one year prior to priestly ordination. The deacon’s mother, Mildred DeCelles, R.N., attended the Mass. His father watched the event on CTV: Catholic Television. The ordination was also livestreamed on the Diocese of Scranton’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“I was so grateful that my mom could be here and that my dad could be here in spirit. My thoughts are certainly with him. They’ve always been my inspiration. They’ve given me such a profound foundation in faith. I never grew out of that,” DeCelles said. “We, as a Church, we’re made for each other. We build each other up with our gifts. I really feel built up by my family and I hope that, I too, can build others up in my role as a deacon.” During his ordination to the diaconate, DeCelles promised obedience to the bishop and his successors and took on the vow of celibacy. Once ordained, he was vested with a stole and dalmatic. The vestments are worn by deacons during liturgies. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera then presented DeCelles with the Book of the Gospels so that he may proclaim the Good News and model his life after Christ. As he presented the Book of the Gospels, the bishop said to him, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” During his homily, Bishop Bambera reminded DeCelles that to be an authentic disciple of Jesus means being a servant to others. “If you want your ministry as a deacon to be fruitful Mark, you must root yourself in Jesus’ life and love. The disciplines of prayer, obedience and celibacy that you are called to embrace this day are meant to enable you to grow in the same spirit of service and mercy that so characterized Jesus’ ministry,” the bishop said.

As a deacon, DeCelles will proclaim the Gospel, preach homilies, serve at the altar of the Lord, distribute Holy Communion to the faithful, baptize, and preside at weddings and funerals and other prayer services. He is also called to be the living and working expression of charity of the Church.

“As Pope Francis has reminded us, you are to go to the margins of our world where you will find the poor and the broken. Be generous in your service Mark, imitating the Lord who washed the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper,” Bishop Bambera added. When asked if he is ready to accept these duties, DeCelles did not waiver, thanking those who have aided in his formation.

“I’ve had a number of opportunities and I know that I will have many more opportunities to serve the poor. We’re all in the position of being poor. We’re all in need of God’s grace. The Lord is going to put in front of me those that he wants me to serve. I will also have to search them out a little bit but the Bishop’s words ring true that I’m not going to have to search very far. The poor are always among us,” DeCelles said. A member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Scranton’s Hill Section, DeCelles has been serving in his pastoral year at Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg. He also had a 2018 summer assignment at the parish communities of Blessed Sacrament and Holy Cross in the Mid Valley region of Lackawanna County.

“I’m here as a minister but I’m also a son. I’m a son of this Church and I’m a son of these communities so I owe them a lot. I owe them so much,” DeCelles said after his ordination Mass.

 

SCRANTON – On Corpus Christi Sunday, the Diocese of Scranton celebrated not only Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist but also the gift and blessing of marital love.

Bishop Joseph C. Bambara served as principal celebrant and homilist for the 2020 Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.

Couples celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries of 25, 50, 60 or more years were invited to take part in the Mass from their homes because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“In so many respects, the link between what the Church celebrates on Corpus Christi Sunday and what we acknowledge in your lives as husbands and wives speaks profoundly to the power of authentic, Christ-like love as it has grown in your lives through the gift of the sacrament of marriage,” Bishop Bambera said. “In fact, in the Church’s ritual for marriage, the words of blessing bestowed on a newly married couple acknowledge the fact that the union of man and woman is so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and His Church.”

Considering the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wedding Anniversary Mass was a valuable opportunity for all married couples to pause and reflect upon the beauty of the vocation of marriage in their lives and in the life of our Church.

During his homily, the bishop also highlighted the words that Pope Francis asked married couples some time ago.

“He asked the couples assembled with him a question. ‘Are you prepared to seriously accept the responsibility that every marriage is meant to follow the path of love which Christ has with the Church?’ That is a pretty powerful question, isn’t it? Are you willing to love each other and the lives that God has entrusted to your care, as generously and completely as Jesus has loved us?” Bishop Bambera asked.

As a special tribute for the 2020 anniversary couples, they were invited to submit photos and share wisdom that they have learned or a blessing they have received through their marriage.

The full Wedding Anniversary Mass photo album is currently available to be viewed on the Diocese of Scranton website at: https://www.dioceseofscranton.org/parish-life/community/marriage/enrichment/wedding-anniversary-mass-june-14-2020/

SCRANTON – Dozens of young adults from the Diocese of Scranton came together earlier this month for a virtual retreat.

The Diocesan Office for Parish Life and Vocations Office held its popular “Bold Choices: Finding Your Passion and Living It Fully” retreat online from June 8-10, 2020.

The virtual retreat began with an opening session via video conferencing, readings and resources for participants to do at their own pace and a closing session via video conferencing.

As expected, the video conferencing sessions focused on the impact of the coronavirus on participants. Young adults took part in virtual icebreakers and discussed how COVID-19 has affected their lives in addition to the important decisions – or ‘bold choices’ – they may be facing.

This is the first time the Bold Choices retreat has ever been offered online.

“This is really an exciting adventure,” Sister Mindy Welding, I.H.M., Director of Vocations for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, said.

“This is a new moment for us. We’re only going to be limited by our ability to think outside the box,” Father Don Williams, Director of Vocations and Seminarians for the Diocese of Scranton, said as the virtual retreat began.

Participants were told that whenever you face important choices, no choice is ever a mistake. The young adults were encouraged to ask God for help in determining the right next step.

Participant Sam Matrisciano, parishioner at Saint Matthew Parish, East Stroudsburg, says the retreat was a great experience.

“I got to learn a lot about how others have discerned and gone through the troubles of being a young adult. I gained a new perspective on how I will make life decisions going forward,” Matrisciano said.

Alyssa Stencavage, a young adult from Saint Jude Parish, Mountain Top, agreed.

“I participated for the interaction and some peace and clarity. It’s nice to talk through challenges,” Stencavage said. “It felt good to have something going on to look forward to and it’s always good to share insights and have discussions with others.”

 

WILKES-BARRE, PA (June 12, 2020) – Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton announces today that the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge program will become an independent non-profit agency as of June 15, 2020.

The new agency will be known as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc. Many of the current Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge advisory board members have agreed to be part of a governing board for the new agency, which has already been approved to operate by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Other advisory board members in Luzerne, Monroe and Lycoming counties will continue to support the new agency as well by continuing to serve in their current roles.

Since 1974, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge has helped to create, foster and support one-to-one mentoring relationships between adult volunteers and children across northeastern and north central Pennsylvania. This transition will allow those meaningful matches to continue uninterrupted, providing a direct and lasting effect on the lives of local young people. As of June 15, 2020, Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton will no longer be affiliated with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in our region,” Jim Roberts, board chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania, said. “The families and mentors currently involved in this impactful and worthwhile program will see the same great services and attention that they normally would as this transition takes place. The current COVID-19 pandemic is reinforcing just how important these connections, and professionally facilitated mentoring, are for the young people in our community.”

“Over the last 46 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge has touched countless lives across our region. Because of the caring adults who have generously become mentors, statistics have shown the children they partner with are more confident of their performance in schoolwork and get along better with their families, while at the same time are less likely to skip school or begin other bad habits,” Mary Theresa Malandro, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Social Services, said. “The members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters advisory board are passionate about this program and will continue to advocate for this valuable service. My hope is that the community will continue to support them.”

In late 2019, advisory board members of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge approached Catholic Social Services leadership inquiring about transitioning into an independent agency so that it can focus exclusively on opportunities to grow the community-based mentoring program. After extensive discussion and planning, the decision to allow Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge to become an independent agency was approved by leadership of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton.

For the last several months, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc., have been working collaboratively to make this a seamless transition for families and mentors already involved in the program. Both agencies have been sharing policies and procedures to the greatest extent possible.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge currently can operate in Luzerne, Monroe, Wyoming, Carbon, Columbia and Lycoming counties. The agency serves children between the ages of seven and 17. There are currently 224 Big Brother Big Sister matches in the program but also more than 300 children on a waiting list locally.

The new, independent agency, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania, will continue to serve all of those counties. It will also expand into Lackawanna County to support youth in that important community. A vast majority of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge employees have also been offered employment with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc.

“We are pleased to announce that Michelle Hamilton has been selected to serve as the Executive Director of the new organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Roberts added. “With more than 25 years of experience leading youth development programs, including mentoring, juvenile justice, behavioral health and childcare, she is fully committed to this mission.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters relies on community, corporate and private donations to fulfill its mission and serve hundreds of children in northeastern and north central Pennsylvania. Donations for the program are still being accepted and will continue to help recruit, screen, train and match Big Brothers and Big Sisters with the children that are on the waiting list throughout this transition process.

For more information about the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program, call (570) 824-8756 or visit bbbsnepa.org.

 

(June 12, 2020) – In August 2019, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, announced an investigation of allegations  of personal misconduct on the part of Monsignor Walter Rossi, Rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Monsignor Rossi was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Scranton in 1987 and remains incardinated in the Diocese of Scranton at this time. Since 2005, he has served as Rector of the Basilica.

The  investigation of allegations of personal misconduct was led by outside counsel assisted by a retired  FBI agent with over thirty years of investigative experience. The investigation included interviews with numerous witnesses who have known Monsignor Rossi throughout his years in ministry. These witnesses included current and former Basilica employees, former CUA students, and current and former members of the clergy who were assigned to the Basilica or who worked with Monsignor Rossi.

Several witnesses were critical of Monsignor Rossi, including his managerial style at the Basilica, but none were aware of or could provide first-hand knowledge of sexual impropriety. By contrast, some  of the witnesses merely re-stated  unsupported and unsubstantiated  rumors that  previously appeared in certain publications.  The investigator attempted unsuccessfully to interview many additional witnesses and searched   diligently for witnesses who could possibly support the rumors against Monsignor Rossi, but found  none. The investigator also tried to locate the unnamed “sources” for the critical articles, but could not.

The purpose of the Diocese’s investigation was to seek out credible  evidence of sexual impropriety and, if found, to determine an appropriate response.  At the conclusion of its comprehensive investigation, the Diocese of Scranton found no such credible evidence.

 

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP WILTON D. GREGORY, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
REGARDING  FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION

In August, 2019, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, announced an investigation of allegations of personal misconduct and possible financial improprieties on the part of Monsignor Walter Rossi, Rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (“Basilica”).  The Diocese of Scranton will issue its findings on the investigation of allegations of personal misconduct. Archbishop Gregory oversaw, as the Chair of the Board of the Basilica, the financial investigation which found no improprieties and confirmed sound fiscal management of the Basilica.

The investigation of possible financial improprieties related to Basilica assets and resources was led by an independent accounting firm with significant experience in non-profit administration and audit.

During the course of investigation, numerous individuals were interviewed, including those responsible for fiscal administration at the Basilica.  Additionally, the accounting experts performed an in-depth review of expenditures, general ledgers, credit card statements, receipts, invoices, capital budgets, bank and investment account statements as well as certain investment account reconciliations and other financial worksheets.

The investigation of the finances of the Basilica found no unreasonable or inappropriate expenditures or significant issues in the financial administration of the Basilica. The investigations did assist in suggesting certain improvements in management and policy enhancements that will benefit the Basilica and will be implemented.