Dear Friends in Christ,

The very first spoken words recorded in Saint Luke’s gospel, as the evangelist chronicles the birth of Jesus, are words of hope shared with poor shepherds who represent the broken, suffering world Jesus was born to save. “Do not be afraid. … A savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord” (Luke 2:10,11).

This year, on Christmas Eve, that same message of hope will resound throughout our world. On that sacred night, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome to begin a Jubilee Year which the Church celebrates every twenty-five years in accordance with an ancient tradition. Rooted in Saint Paul’s words from his letter to the Romans, “Hope does not disappoint,” the Holy Father will invite the entire Church to begin a journey throughout the upcoming year during which we open our hearts to the life-giving message of Christmas and the presence of the living God in our midst.

The Nativity scene, as displayed in the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton on Christmas Eve in 2023. In his 2024 Christmas message, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera focuses on a message of hope, which is also the theme of upcoming Jubilee Year in 2025. (Photo/Mike Melisky)

Praying that “the light of Christian hope might illumine every man and woman, as a message of God’s love addressed to all,” and that “the Church might bear faithful witness to this message in every part of the world,” four days later, on the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome. On that day, by decree of the Holy Father, the Church of Scranton will join with bishops and faithful in every cathedral throughout the world to celebrate Mass and to mark the solemn opening of the great Jubilee Year.

Brothers and sisters, more than we realize, we need the hope promised through this Jubilee Year. We need to embrace like never before the life that has been won for us by Jesus and to allow its light to illumine our lives! And we need the assurance of knowing that we are forgiven and loved, that our lives matter, and that, like the shepherds of Bethlehem, we have nothing to fear.

Sadly, our world has become a frightening and disappointing place. Random acts of violence are all too common in our land. Wars are raging throughout our world in the Middle East, Ukraine, Africa and countless other places. Life is still sadly disregarded, especially in the unborn, the poor, disabled and elderly. And immigrants and refugees seeking a better life are forced to the margins of society by discrimination, bigotry and hatred.

Yet, for all of us who are humble enough to acknowledge the difficulties that we face and to look, to listen, and to open our hearts to the power and presence of God, the blessing of Christmas and the promise the great Jubilee Year are treasures steeped in hope for all believers. During the Jubilee Year, there will be countless opportunities both here in our Diocese, in Rome, and throughout our world, to grow in our faith and to celebrate our life as disciples of Jesus, reborn through Baptism and renewed in spirit through His redeeming grace.

In announcing the Jubilee Year some time ago, Pope Francis invited us all to “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.” He went on to share that “the forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire” in our lives, in our families and in our world.

May the power of hope fill our lives as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, and look forward with confidence and hope to the Jubilee Year of grace.

With gratitude for your presence within the Diocese of Scranton and with prayers for a blessed Christmas for you and your families, I am

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Scranton

SCRANTON – On Dec. 29, 2024, a special Mass will be held locally by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, to mark the opening of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.

The Mass, which will take place at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, 315 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, will serve as the official “local launch” of a year-long period of spiritual reflection, renewal and pilgrimage.

The theme of the Holy Year is “Pilgrims of Hope.” The papal bull that introduced the coming Jubilee Year is titled, ‘Spes Non Confundit,’ or “Hope does not disappoint,” drawn from Romans 5:5.

A Jubilee Year, also known as a “holy year,” is a special year in the life of the church currently celebrated every 25 years. The most recent ordinary jubilee was in 2000, with Pope Francis calling for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015-2016. Jubilee Years have been held on regular intervals in the Catholic church since 1300, but they trace their roots to the Jewish tradition of marking a jubilee year every 50 years.

Jubilee 2025 globally will open Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m., with the rite of the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican immediately before Pope Francis celebrates Midnight Mass. Holy Doors will also be opened at Rome’s three other major basilicas: St. John Lateran on Dec. 29; St. Mary Major on Jan. 1; and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls on Jan. 5.

A Holy Door will also be opened Dec. 26 at Rebibbia Prison, a Roman prison Pope Francis has visited twice before to celebrate Mass and wash inmates’ feet on Holy Thursday.

The doors represent the passage to salvation Jesus opened to humanity. 

SCRANTON – Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton invites viewers who cannot attend Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, 2024.

Catholic Television will broadcast the 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass of the Nativity of the Lord from the Cathedral of Saint Peter on Tuesday, Dec. 24, which will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton.

Catholic Television will also broadcast the 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christmas Day on Wednesday, Dec. 25, from the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.

Below are some of the other scheduled broadcasts upcoming on Catholic Television:

SCRANTON – In the days leading up to Christmas each year, you will always find Jessica Bruno of Simpson giving back to the community.

“I like to give back. I look forward to seeing the joy on people’s faces,” Bruno said.

As someone who has received help from community non-profit organizations herself, Bruno knows how much of a helping hand the Christmas Gifts for Kids program is to families that are struggling.

Volunteers sort thousands of toys, puzzles and games as part of the Christmas Gifts for Kids Program at The University of Scranton on Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo/Dan Piazza)

“There are a lot of people out there that can’t afford gifts, especially with today’s economy. This helps a lot of families,” she explained.

This year, 5,000 children in the greater Scranton area will receive gifts from the Christmas Gifts for Kids Program. The annual event is a cooperative effort between Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, Friends of the Poor, and the Catherine McAuley Center.

“It is a good feeling to be able to help the community for Christmas,” Joe Mahoney, Catholic Social Services Chief Executive Officer, stated. “We couldn’t do this without community support.”

In the months leading up to the toy distribution events, held this year on Dec. 15 & 16, at The University of Scranton, generous community members have been donating gifts for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens.

The toys, games, and books were all sorted and organized by a team of volunteers on Dec. 14. Many of the volunteers represented local parishes and church youth groups.

“This has been a spectacular experience. It is the first time I’m volunteering for something like this, and it really does get you in the spirit of Christmas,” Donna Zehner of Wilkes-Barre, a parishioner at Saint Maria Goretti Parish in Laflin, said.

Zehner was shocked by the number of gifts donated by the community.

“This is a wonderful, wonderful event,” she added.

This year, for the first time, one of the toy distribution dates fell on a weekend– which was done specifically to help working parents.

“We really wanted to accommodate working parents, and we wanted to make sure we’re not asking anyone to take off work, especially unpaid, to be able to come and get their toys,” Meghan Loftus, President and Chief Executive Officer of Friends of the Poor, explained.

What makes the Christmas Gifts for Kids Program so unique is that parents get to choose the toys that they think their children would like best. In all, Loftus said about 2,000 families pre-registered for the toy distribution this year.

“We try to hit that mark because that is roughly the poverty line in Scranton, it is about 15-percent of our population. That would attribute for most of the children living behind the poverty line,” Loftus explained.

For the families who benefit from the program, the Christmas Gifts for Kids initiative is nothing short of a lifeline. Many parents, especially single mothers and fathers working multiple jobs to make ends meet, would struggle to provide the kind of gifts their children dream of at Christmas.

For these families, the program is not just about the presents – it’s about the peace of mind that comes with knowing their children won’t be left out.

“Everyone is here to support the kids,” volunteer Elijah Lyons, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Dupont, said.

As the final toys were distributed, there is no doubt Christmas may not have been the same without the support of the community – and organizers hope the love and hope shared through this effort will continue to resonate in the community, long after the season of giving is over.

In addition to providing gifts to children and families in Scranton, Catholic Social Services also holds separate toy distributions, with the help of the community, in both Carbondale and Hazleton.

In Hazleton, a total of 580 children received presents, and in Carbondale, more than 300 children were served.

“Helping kids is magical,” Mahoney said.

SCRANTON – Dozens of students from area parishes learned the importance of giving back to their community this holiday season by participating in an annual event at Saint Francis Kitchen that helps spread the holiday spirit.

On Dec. 14, the teens came together to pack 200 shoeboxes filled with essential toiletries, offering help and support to our brothers and sisters who might be homeless or struggling financially.

Alec Weinberger, right, a student from Wyoming Seminary, helps to pack shoeboxes with toiletries on Dec. 14, 2024, at Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton.

“I love how God has given us the ability to love and just be able to come together and do something like this for those less fortunate,” Brooke Landis, a high school student who attends Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Brodheadsville, said.

The students filled each shoebox with items that many of us take for granted – shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, and other basic hygiene products.

“We all pass the boxes down and put one or two of each item in the box,” Demarco Ceccacci, a middle school student who attends Mass at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Moscow, explained.

The boxes, carefully packed by the students and then wrapped, will be distributed on Christmas Day at Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen. The kitchen serves hundreds of meals each week, and on Christmas, it’s particularly important to make sure everyone feels seen, valued, and loved.

“I hope they feel that people care about them and know that they’re not alone,” Alec Weinberger, a student from Wyoming Seminary, stated.

For many of the students involved, the project was a powerful reminder of the difference a small act of kindness can make. As they packed the boxes, they were reminded that the true meaning of the Christmas season lies not in the presents they receive, but in the love they give.

“The Kitchen really appreciates their motivation to come and help those who are less fortunate,” Paola Giangiacomo, Saint Francis Kitchen Board Member, said.

PITTSTON – Saint John the Evangelist Church opened its doors to the community on Dec. 15 to help people celebrate the Christmas season with music and song.

The parish held a free Christmas organ concert and sing-along just ten days before Christmas, featuring beautiful holiday music played on the church’s historic organ.

“This is a great time to just relax, take a breath, and prepare spiritually, sing some of those wonderful songs, hear some of the readings of Christmas, and take a break from the hustle of preparing and all of the things that we have to do to get ready for Christmas,” Father Joseph Elston, Pastor, said.

Michael Sowa, director of music at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Pittston, plays his church’s pipe organ during concert and sing-along on Dec. 15, 2024.

After a brief welcome by Father Elston, familiar songs like O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel, Silent Night, and Away in a Manger, rang out inside the church.

Sheryl Charbonneau, who narrated the story of ‘Silent Night,’ said the event brought back many childhood memories of songs she grew up singing.

“Thinking about all these beautiful songs, not knowing what they meant when I was little, but now knowing what the words mean, and having the congregation singing along, brings out so much more emotion, feeling, and meaning about what Christmas is all about,” Charbonneau said.

As she walked away from the event, Charbonneau felt much more in tune with the true meaning of the holiday.

“God sent us his only son here on earth as a human and taught us so much about what real love is,” she added.

The organ music was led by Michael Sowa, director of music at Saint John the Evangelist Parish.

“Singing Christmas carols is a centuries-old tradition, and we had a wonderful opportunity to have members of different faith communities come here to our church to continue this tradition, accompanied by our pipe organ,” Sowa said.

With many of the pews packed for the concert and sing-along, Sowa was pleased that so many took time out of their day to focus on the true meaning of the Christmas season.

“It is always a pleasure to play for a congregation that sings from the bottoms of their hearts. It is one of my greatest joys as an organist,” Sowa added. “Hearing everyone singing together in unison, it is a wonderful experience!”

WILKES-BARRE – The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated on Dec. 12, holds profound significance in the Catholic Church, especially within Hispanic communities, where it is marked by a deep sense of reverence, tradition, and cultural pride.

Parishes throughout the Diocese of Scranton once again celebrated this year with special Masses, vibrant processions, and joyful celebrations. The celebrations drew hundreds – and sometimes even more than a thousand – of the faithful together in a shared expression of faith.

Prior to an evening Mass to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Saint Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre, hundreds of parishioners processed throughout the streets of Wilkes-Barre to honor our Blessed Mother. (Photos/Mike Melisky)

“The day is so special because no matter where you are, or what you’re doing, we all come together for her,” Giselle Jimenez said.

Jimenez was among the standing-room only crowd of parishioners that filled Saint Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre as a special Mass was held Dec. 12 to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“She has always done so many miracles for us. Whenever we are in need, we pray to her. We just grew up with this custom,” Jimenez added.

Prior to the Mass, which was celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, hundreds of people participated in a beautiful procession throughout the streets of Wilkes-Barre. As they navigated downtown streets in the cold, parishioners carried a large statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe on a pedestal, throwing rose petals, while singing and dancing and publicly showing love and devotion to the Blessed Mother.

“I feel a lot of joy knowing that our community is so big, and we come out to these special events,” Azucena Aguilar, a parishioner of Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary Parish, said.

Saint Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre was filled to capacity with more than 800 people on Dec. 12, 2024, as the faithful gathered to celebrate Mass for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (Photos/Mike Melisky)

The origins of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe trace back to 1531, when the Virgin Mary appeared to a humble indigenous man, Juan Diego, on the hill of Tepeyac, near present-day Mexico City. She requested that a church be built in her honor, and Juan Diego brought proof of the apparition – his tilma, or cloak, bearing the miraculous image of the Virgin – which serves as a powerful symbol of faith and identity for many Catholics.

“We were taught from our ancestors about the miraculous apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe,” parishioner Nereida Cruz explained. “She brought a message of unity. She is a model of faith to us Catholics, in the path of following our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In the days leading up to Dec. 12, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Scranton hosted novenas, with families gathering for prayers, hymns, and reflections in the Blessed Mother’s honor. The parish also held traditional ‘mananitas,’ a serenade at dawn, on Dec. 12, from the Cathedral of Saint Peter to Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church on Prospect Avenue.

During a Mass celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral of Saint Peter on Dec. 8, 2024, a parishioner of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish crowns a statue of the Blessed Mother.

“It is very, very special to see everyone coming together,” Shareny Hernandez, a parishioner of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, said. “It’s really nice that the devotion keeps growing, not only in the Mexican culture, but in other cultures and places and surroundings.”

On Dec. 8, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish also held a special Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, which like the one in Wilkes-Barre, was celebrated by Bishop Bambera.

“I think it was fabulous,” parishioner Daisy Klem said.

Following the Mass, hundreds attended a large celebration with food and dancing at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

Cultural dancing and music were some of the highlights of a celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe following Mass on Dec. 8 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Scranton.

Rufino Cano, who sang in the choir at the Cathedral Mass, said the annual celebration is not merely a celebration of the past, but a living, evolving tradition that resonates deeply within the hearts of those who honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“It is very important to show our culture, our food, and our dances. It’s very important to show how the Hispanic community celebrates our Catholicism,” Cano stated.

SCRANTON – On Dec. 10, Peoples Security Bank and Trust made a $25,000 donation to support Holy Cross High School in Dunmore through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) in Pennsylvania.

Pictured above are, from left: Nancy Jeffers, Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer at Peoples Security Bank & Trust; and Kristen Donohue, Diocesan Secretary of Catholic Education/Superintendent.

To learn more about how businesses and individuals can participate in the EITC Program, contact the Diocesan Development Office at (570) 207-2250.

MANSFIELD – As the end of the year approaches, a new ministry group in north central Pennsylvania has a lot to celebrate.

On Dec. 12, as the Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Marian Ministries group was consecrated to Our Lady of Guadalupe’s patronage during a special Mass at Holy Child Church in Mansfield.

Members of the Marian Ministries group hold a social at Saint Mary Church in Blossburg on June 1, 2024, following First Saturday devotions. (Photo/Eric Deabill)

Over the last two years, Marian Ministries has been blossoming in Tioga, Lycoming and Bradford counties, uniting parishioners across multiple parishes with a shared mission: helping people grow closer to Jesus Christ through a deeper devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“We’re all hungry to share our faith with other people,” Marian Ministries member B.J. Butler said.

Marian Ministries sponsors retreats, brunches, book studies and other events, offering a space for reflection and dedication to Our Lady. Many members of Marian Ministries also participate in First Saturday devotions, which have become a profound moment of spiritual renewal, each month at Saint Mary Church in Blossburg.

Both women and men are invited to participate.

“It’s just beautiful to see how the people of these (area) parishes, which were once very separate, have come together and we’ve become friends. It has taken a long time,” Marian Ministries member Linda Sampson explained.

Contributions to the Catholic Ministries Appeal breathed life into the Marian Ministries group through funding from a Parish Faith Formation Grant. That money provided funding for many meaningful experiences to take place.

“It has meant everything. We could not have done what we’ve done without that,” Marian Ministries member Laurie Coffee stated.

Being a part of Marian Ministries has been a transformative experience for many participants.

“I now say a rosary every day, and my life – or my day – does not feel complete unless I’ve said my rosary to Mary,” Marian Ministries member Danette Kerestes explained.

Marian Ministries members believe that Mary, as the mother of Jesus, is a powerful model of faith, humility, and love. By looking to her example, they believe everyone can strengthen their own relationship with Christ and live out their Catholic faith more fully.

Between all the group’s events, Marian Ministries has invited their neighbors to walk in faith and reverence. The ministry group is already making a lasting impact on the lives of many, helping to rekindle a sense of spiritual purpose and unity in an increasingly fragmented world.

“There is a warmth and love that you can clearly feel, and it continues to grow, and it is such a blessing,” Father Bryan Wright, Pastor, Holy Child Parish, stated.

Marian Ministries is always looking to welcome new members.

In the coming year, they already have a pilgrimage planned to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Mass., scheduled for Sept. 23, 2025, and will also be partnering with women from Williamsport on a Lenten retreat that will take place March 29 at Saint Lawrence Church in South Williamsport.

For more information on these events, email marian-ministries@outlook.com; or call Linda Sampson at (570) 404-2180 or Laurie Coffee at (703) 470-2975. Marian Ministries also has a Facebook page, ‘Marian Ministries,’ that can be followed for the latest information.

STROUDSBURG — During his pontificate marked by an emphasis on inclusion and mutual respect, Pope Francis instructed his Catholic flock that the first step towards finding fraternity with people of other faiths is to “sit down together and listen to each other.” (Fratelli Tutti, 48)

In accord with the Holy Father’s vision, the Faithful Neighbors Ministry was born in May 2023 at Saint Luke Parish in downtown Stroudsburg, with the pastoral goal of forming meaningful relationships with fellow Christians, Jews, Muslims, Unitarian Universalists, Hindus, and Buddhists in the Pocono Mountains.

Rabbi Daniel Zucker of Temple Israel (at right) addresses the congregation at the recent Thanksgiving interfaith service hosted at Saint Luke Church in Stroudsburg. Pictured second and third from left are Father Michael Quinnan, pastor of Saint Luke Parish, and Deacon Luis Rivera, a former parishioner who now serves as a permanent deacon at Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg.

Led by the pastoral insight of Saint Luke’s spiritual shepherd, Father Michael Quinnan, the ministry soon partnered with the Pocono Interfaith Council. Professor Emeritus Anthony Stevens-Arroyo represents the parish in the organization that fosters ecumenical and interfaith dialogue.

In response to the call to unite Christians during troubled times around the globe, Father Quinnan announced the Church of Saint Luke will host an ecumenical prayer event on Sunday evening, Jan. 19, 2025, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

“In a time when faith is often overlooked and our Christian faith is often sidelined, ecumenical prayer is an opportunity for us to pull together and remember our shared belief in Christ,” Father Quinnan said. “This prayer is a graced opportunity for the Christian community to stand together in solidarity, remembering Christ our Savior.”

The Faithful Neighbors Ministry has established its foundation on the Dialogue in Truth and Charity, a 2014 instruction set forth by the Holy See.

The first dialogue — the dialogue of life — in which people strive to live in an open and neighborly spirit to share their joys and sorrows, as well community challenges, is reflected in the Faithful Neighbors Ministry name.

“We have sought to achieve this dialogue with in-person, six-on-six meetings with other faith communities,” Professor Stevens-Arroyo explained. “With these small groups we can sit down with congregation members to listen and engage in a friendly dialogue about what we already share in common and what we can learn from each other.”

The communal gatherings led to the “dialogue of action,” whereby faith communities work together to help others in need through collaborative ministries of social justice. The traditional Thanksgiving interfaith service and donations to church-run homeless shelters and food pantries have provided fitting examples.

The dialogue of theological exchange may be the most challenging, but can also be the most rewarding. This was evidenced in June 2023 when Bishop Joseph C. Bambera joined Father Quinnan and Professor Stevens-Arroyo in meeting with the leadership of the Islamic Hizmet Movement at the Chestnut Retreat Center in Saylorsburg.

“With the outbreak of war in the Holy Land (in October 2023) and the humanitarian suffering that accompanied the Israeli campaign in Gaza, we heeded the calls for peace by our Holy Father, Pope Francis,” Father Quinnan shared. “We reached out to both the Muslim and Jewish communities in our area to discuss the impact of the war on their families and their own lives.”

The final dialogue proposed by the Vatican — the dialogue of religious experience — opens the door for “persons, grounded in and convinced of their own religious traditions,” to share “their spiritual riches of prayer and worship.”

A fitting example of such opportunities was the National Day of Prayer gathering last May at the Monroe County Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg, where Father Quinnan gathered with representatives from various faiths, including Rabbi Daniel Zucker of Temple Israel, Hindu spiritual leader Sri Swami Swatmananda, and Imam Erol Dincer.

“Our hope is that the prayer in the Poconos for Christian unity and interfaith relations will find echo everywhere,” Father Quinnan remarked.