Category: 2024 News

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis’ trip to Asia and Oceania in September will be a trip of religious, economic and social contrasts.

Visiting four nations Sept. 2-13, the 87-year-old pope will be making the longest trip of his pontificate, both in terms of distance covered and days away from the Vatican.

The trip will include predominantly Muslim Indonesia and predominantly Christian Papua New Guinea, as well as Singapore, Asia’s economic powerhouse, and Timor-Leste, one of the world’s poorest nations.

Plans were being made for the trip in September 2020, but everything was halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pope Francis not only is four years older, but now regularly uses a cane, a walker or a wheelchair to get around.

The 45th trip of his pontificate is expected to focus heavily on interreligious dialogue, ethnic harmony, care for creation, concern for immigrants and gratitude for the work of missionaries and the church’s contribution to education and health care.

His visit will begin in Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim population of any country in the world; Catholics account for only about 3% of the population. Then he will move on to Papua New Guinea, where an estimated 98% of the population is Christian. Timor-Leste is the only nation on the itinerary where Catholics are the majority; the Vatican estimates 96% of the population belongs to the church. In Singapore, Buddhists make up the largest religious group — about 31% — followed by 20% of the population claiming no religious belief; Christians account for almost 19% of the population and Muslims about 15%.

While from a European or North American perspective all four countries could be considered part of the “periphery” of global Catholicism — those outlying areas Pope Francis prioritizes when accepting invitations — he will stick to the largest city in each nation, with one exception: He will spend about three hours Sept. 8 in Vanimo and Baro, towns on the northwesternmost shore of Papua New Guinea.

It’s personal, according to Father Giorgio Licini, a PIME missionary and general secretary of the Papua New Guinea bishops’ conference.

Writing in Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference, Father Licini said Pope Francis insisted on going to the outposts over the advice of the bishops’ conference and the government because he wanted to visit his friend, Father Martin Prado, a 35-year-old member of the Institute of the Incarnate Word from Argentina, and see the work he and the Incarnate Word sisters have been doing in the remote area.

But Indonesia is the first stop, and interreligious dialogue and “human fraternity” are expected to be the dominant topics.

Divine Word Father Markus Solo Kewuta, an Indonesian official at the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, said generally Christian-Muslim relations in his homeland are “very peaceful, very kind,” but they can vary in different parts of the country, a nation made up of more than 17,000 islands, about 6,000 of which are inhabited.

The country’s main Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, and the Indonesian government both promote official dialogue, peaceful coexistence and simple neighborliness, Father Solo said, but there is a worrying new trend of “ghetto building,” or of people looking to live in neighborhoods where only Muslims or Christians live, which decreases mutual knowledge, trust and cooperation.

The priest, who grew up on the predominantly Catholic island of Flores, told Catholic News Service it still is common for members of the Nahdlatul Ulama youth group to volunteer to stand guard outside their neighborhood Christian churches on Christmas Eve and during the Easter vigil to ensure the services take place in peace.

“Unfortunately, these good relations will be always disturbed by the radical or violent acts of people, and particularly also by the politicization of religion,” he said. “This really divides nations, societies and religions; friends become enemies. We have experienced this in the past several times.”

“We live in a plurality, and therefore we are condemned to dialogue with each other,” he said.

In Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, Pope Francis also is expected to talk about the religious obligation to care for creation. All three nations have seen accelerating deforestation as the global market seeks tropical wood, and all three struggle to regulate mining while relying on profits from mineral exports.

Pope Francis will not be the first pope to visit any of the countries on his itinerary. St. Paul VI visited Indonesia in 1970 and St. John Paul II went to the country in 1989; on the same trip, St. John Paul visited Timor-Leste, which celebrated its independence from Indonesia in 2002. The Polish pope visited Papua New Guinea in 1984 and again in 1995. In 1986, St. John Paul visited Singapore, though he stayed only five hours — enough time to celebrate a public Mass, meet government officials and speak to the nation’s priests.

Singapore is one of the world’s wealthiest countries, and Pope Francis’ 46-hour visit will include time with some of the island’s poorer residents — the elderly and sick people cared for at St. Theresa’s Home, a nursing home that can serve up to 200 patients.

A 2014 Pew Research Center report ranked Singapore as the most religiously diverse country in the world, but also found a significant percentage of the population claims no religious affiliation at all. Pope Francis’ final event in Singapore, before his 12-hour flight back to Rome, will be an interreligious meeting with young people, bringing the theme full circle.

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Jill Rauh, the executive director of a newly created secretariat at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, pledged to support the work of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the USCCB’s domestic anti-poverty initiative, after some expressed concern about the future of that project following some staff layoffs.

Rauh oversees the work of the new Secretariat of Justice and Peace, announced Aug. 6. The new office will serve four bishops’ committees to advance the social mission of the church through formation, policy analysis, advocacy and outreach.

In an interview, Rauh told OSV News that the secretariat will continue “advocating for just policies so that we can promote human dignity and flourishing.”

In late June, the USCCB laid off an unspecified number of employees as part of a reorganization of the Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development, a key department tasked with promoting awareness of and advocacy for Catholic social teaching in the U.S. and abroad. The conference did not specify the number of employees impacted, although some estimates were about a dozen people, who included employees working for CCHD, which was part of that department.

Founded in 1969 as the National Catholic Crusade Against Poverty, CCHD has been moved to the USCCB’s Office of National Collections, but the Secretariat of Justice and Peace will continue to collaborate with the anti-poverty initiative, Rauh said.

“One thing that I am happy to share is that the secretariat will continue to work with our colleagues in the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to support their essential work to address poverty,” she told OSV News. “We will collaborate with them. We will continue to receive instruction from the staff and committee of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. CCHD is an important way for Catholics to live out their faith and to engage in their communities.”

Before her new appointment, Rauh was director of education and outreach for the Department of Justice and Peace, from 2017 to 2024.

The Secretariat of Justice and Peace will serve the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, the Committee on International Justice and Peace, the Committee for Religious Liberty and the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.

At the U.S. bishops’ fall general assembly in 2023, the bishops voted to replace the USCCB’s current strategic planning cycle with a mission planning process intended to streamline, reduce spending and remove silos at the USCCB, although concerns were raised at the time about where new resources would come from.

Rauh said that “what we are doing moving forward is, instead of having a separate office, those staff who focus on education, formation, communication, of social mission, are infused into the other offices,” with their cooperation intended to evoke “the connections between our faith, the call of Scripture, our church’s social mission, and the action to advocate, to work to address poverty.”

“Sometimes there can be a misunderstanding that we’re either about the prayer or the action, but as people of faith, we’re about both of those,” she said of the secretariat’s aim. “We’re about a united approach, that the work that we do is striving to change those unjust structures to work for justice. It is grounded in our identity as Catholics and as people of faith who have encountered the living Christ who cares for and accompanies the poor” and to “make sure that we aren’t siloed in our approach.”

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Mary is not a “motionless wax statue,” but a disciple who wants to share the good news of Jesus with everyone and reaches out to help and comfort them, Pope Francis said.

Reciting the Angelus prayer with visitors in St. Peter’s Square Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption, the pope entrusted to Mary’s care the people around the world experiencing war.

“To Mary, queen of peace, whom we contemplate today in the glory of paradise, I would like once again to entrust the anxieties and sorrows of the people in so many parts of the world who suffer from social tensions and wars. I am thinking particularly of the tormented Ukraine, the Middle East, Palestine, Israel, Sudan and Myanmar.”

“May our heavenly mother obtain for all consolation and a future of serenity and concord,” the pope said.

As the pope was reciting the prayer, the Vatican press office issued a statement saying that Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, the pope’s envoy for peace in Ukraine, had a telephone conversation Aug. 14 with Li Hui, the Chinese government’s special representative for Eurasian affairs. The two had met in person in Beijing last September to discuss ways China could contribute to peace between Russia and Ukraine.

“During the phone call, great concern was expressed about the situation and the need to foster dialogue between the parties, with appropriate international guarantees for a just and lasting peace,” the Vatican statement said. The call took place as Ukraine said its troops were continuing the incursion into Russia, which began Aug. 6.

Writing Aug. 15 in Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference, Cardinal Zuppi said, “There are some signs of peace, solidarity and willingness to dialogue here and there.” He pointed to efforts to help children in Ukraine, to free the Hamas hostages in Gaza and the recent exchange of prisoners between the United States and Russia.

But there are also small signs of peace shared whenever one person helps another, he said. “These gestures admittedly are as small as seeds that put down roots that cannot be seen, but they grow.”

Pope Francis also told those gathered at the Vatican for the midday prayer that he continues “to follow with concern the very serious humanitarian situation in Gaza,” and he called again “for a cease-fire on all fronts, for the release of hostages and for aid to the exhausted population. I encourage everyone to make every effort to ensure that the conflict does not widen and to pursue the avenues of negotiation so that this tragedy ends soon! Let’s not forget: War is defeat.”

HARRISBURG – Thousands of pro-life advocates are expected in Harrisburg next month for the 2024 Pennsylvania March for Life.

The event will take place on Monday, Sept. 23 directly outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex.

The Diocese of Scranton is once again inviting all people of good will to participate in the Pennsylvania March for Life.

The Diocese will be sponsoring a bus that will have pick-up locations in Scranton (8:30 a.m.) and Wilkes-Barre (9:15 a.m.) on the morning of the rally. The bus is expected to arrive in Harrisburg around 11 a.m., which is when the March for Life Rally begins. The actual March itself kicks off around noon.

Following the March for Life, participants who travel to Harrisburg on the Diocesan bus will also be invited to celebrate Mass at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Harrisburg and the bus will depart for home at the conclusion of Mass.

The cost of the trip is $15/per adult/$10 per student. Space on the bus is limited. Those interested are encouraged to contact Shannon Kowalski at (570) 207-2238 or SKowalski@dioceseofscranton.org to reserve a spot.

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Pennsylvania State Legislature is now a critical battleground for protecting life.

By participating in the 2024 March for Life, you will be a voice for the voiceless – empowering women to choose life and defend the dignity of the unborn.

The Catholic Church teaches that all human life is sacred from conception to natural death, opposing direct abortion as an act of violence that takes the life of the unborn child.

SCRANTON – Faith is most powerful when it is shared.

That is why the Diocesan Office for Parish Life is working to equip parishioners with the skills and confidence to share the Good News of Jesus Christ more effectively.

Between Aug. 8-10, 2024, more than 80 people participated in Genesis Mission workshops aimed at helping participants confidently evangelize in their everyday lives.

“It was an honor that we were able to get this type of program in our Diocese,” Enrique Olmedo, a parishioner at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in South Scranton, said. “It was a very good opportunity that we got today.”

The workshops began on Aug. 8 at Saint Lawrence Parish in South Williamsport, followed by two more workshops Aug. 9 & 10 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Scranton.

“I think today’s workshop met a very important need in the life of our Diocese,” Father Cyril Edwards, Pastor of Mary, Mother of God Parish in North Scranton, stated. “I hope it will give them more confidence and knowledge in how to approach people who maybe used to go to church, or people who have never had a church, but are in need of a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Genesis Mission’s international co-founders, Father Jon Bielawski and Michele Thompson, traveled to northeastern Pennsylvania to lead each workshop.

“One of the key things that we teach is that evangelization is about listening to the other person,” Father Bielawski said. “You have two ears and one mouth. You should be doing twice as much listening, and you do the listening first, and then you speak into what the other person said.”

During the workshops, participants learned simple, relational and loving ways to share the Gospel message.

“Even for the most sensitive or shyest of people, the Lord will use them to engage with others if they’re willing,” Thompson added. “We take them through a journey. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit.”

Those attending the local workshops included pastors, parish staff members, catechetical leaders and even parishioners.

“Every baptized person is a unique individual that can use their own uniqueness to share the Lord. It’s not about smart answers or eloquence – it’s about having a conviction of who Jesus is and being authentic.”

Regina Wright, who recently joined the Diocesan Office for Parish Life team as Manager of Parish Renewal, thinks the Genesis program will be able to help many people. She called the program “transformational” after seeing it work in the Syracuse area.

“This gives you the confidence that you can talk to people and share Jesus with them” Wright explained.

With the introductory workshops completed, participants will now have the opportunity to continue the Genesis Mission journey through a six-week course of study that will further equip them for mission.

“I think it’s very important that people can share the richness of the Catholic faith with each other and also listen to others,” she added.

Evangelization efforts conducted by the Diocesan Office for Parish Life are made possible with assistance from the Diocesan Annual Appeal that is conducted each year. For more information on other parish renewal activities, call (570) 207-2213.

CARBONDALE – With the start of school just a few days away, Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton hosted a backpack and school supplies giveaway that benefited 102 children.

The event, held Aug. 9 in the basement of Saint Rose of Lima Church, was filled with excitement as families arrived to find an array of backpacks filled with essential supplies. From crayons and notebooks to pencils and folders, every item will help students start their academic year with confidence.

“We always try to look to see what we can do to help the community. We love this community and we’re invested in this community,” Jolette Lyons, Director of Relief Services for Catholic Social Services, said. “Every kid should be excited to go back to school and sometimes families struggle with getting supplies to go back.”

This is the first year that Catholic Social Services organized the back-to-school giveaway in Carbondale.

Staff members say it became a priority after listening to the parents that they serve in their local food pantry.

“One of the women that comes in has six children and she said she was going to have a really hard time getting school supplies this year and I think that is what really rushed us to do something this year,” Dominique Jordan, Catholic Social Services Carbondale Office Supervisor, explained.

Each backpack was tailored to the needs and grade level of the child. A total of 69 backpacks for young children, filled with a notebook, crayons, scissors, glue, ruler, pencils, and folder, were meticulously put together. More than 30 other backpacks, all for older students, contained three notebooks, three folders, pens, pencils, and highlighters.

The giveaway was made possible through the generous contributions of local churches and community members.

“Our Lady of the Rosary Parish did a collection for us through the month of July. Everyone who could brought in bookbags and all the supplies. They collected a good amount for us,” Jordan said.

“Lighthouse Christian Ministry and local families and volunteers also dropped items off. It has been great,” Lyons added.

The impact of the event extended far beyond just providing supplies. For many families, the giveaway offered a sense of relief and support as they prepare for the new school year. With the rising costs of education-related items, Catholic Social Services provided not only tangible help, but also a reminder of the strength and unity within the whole Carbondale community.

“Parents want their kids to be excited to go to school. They want to give their kids the best things, so if we can help them, we feel privileged to be able to do that,” Lyons said.

For more information on how to get involved with Catholic Social Services in Carbondale or to support future initiatives visit dioceseofscranton.org or contact their office at (570) 282-0460.

SCRANTON – In a significant step to provide lasting financial support for Diocesan ministries, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, has announced the inaugural officers of the newly established Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Scranton.

The executive committee appointments set the stage to help build endowment funds to secure long-term funding for Diocesan religious, educational, and charitable ministries.

The Catholic Foundation, announced publicly in March 2024, will work with donors to contribute cash donations, estate gifts, IRA contributions, and gifts to endowment funds that will provide long-term support for the work of the Catholic Church in our 11-county Diocese.

Bishop Bambera, who has been a driving force behind the Foundation’s creation, emphasized the importance of selecting the first Foundation officers.

“Appointing the first Foundation board members is more than just a formality; it is a pivotal moment for laying the groundwork for the Foundation’s success,” Bishop Bambera said. “The diverse backgrounds and collective expertise of all of these individuals will be instrumental in guiding our efforts and ensuring that we remain true to our mission of fostering faith and charity.”

The Foundation’s first executive officers serving on the Executive/Nominating Committee of the Catholic Foundation Board are:

• Chairperson: Christopher DiMattio, Senior Vice President, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, and a parishioner of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Moscow.
• Vice Chairperson: Richard Mutchler, President, BioSpectra, Inc., and a parishioner of Saint Luke Parish, Stroudsburg.
• Secretary: Bryan J. Frantz, DMD, MS, Owner, Perio Health & Dental Implants, and a parishioner of Cathedral of Saint Peter Parish, Scranton.
• Treasurer: Nancy J. Marr, Founder/President Emerita, Marr Development Companies, and a parishioner of Resurrection Parish, Muncy.

In addition to these key positions, James Bebla, executive director of the Catholic Foundation, has announced the formation of two committees to address specific areas of need and opportunity within the community.

• Development/Stewardship Committee: Chaired by Attorney Jonathan Spohrer, this committee is responsible for developing and recommending fundraising strategies and will assist in fundraising efforts for the initial major gifts campaign. The committee will also assist in developing gift and donor agreement templates and policies. Other committee members include: Marianne Chester, Paula Minichello, and Mark J. Sobeck.
• Finance/Investment Committee: Chaired by Ralph H. Meyer, this committee will review investment policies, guidelines and performance and oversee management of the investment portfolio, financial reports, and audits, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding investment, financial and distribution policies and guidelines. Other committee members include: Michael W. Cavage, John Graham, and Kathleen Lambert.

Those individuals appointed to the Foundation’s Executive Committee are looking forward to serving the community with integrity and purpose.

“God has provided so many gifts throughout our lives and this Foundation provides an opportunity to share those gifts so that Catholic programs in the Diocese of Scranton will continue for generations,” Chris DiMattio, chairperson, said.

“I am looking forward to serving, with the team Bishop Bambera has assembled, to build a system that can provide support to these critical areas of ministry to our Diocese through future generations,” Richard Mutchler, vice chairperson, added. “I am proud to be a part of the first generation of the Board of Directors and I look forward to promoting the excellent opportunities, available to every member of the Diocese, by responding to God’s call to tithe by supporting this critical mission.”

“The creation of the Catholic Foundation truly marks a transformational moment for the Diocese. The Foundation will ensure the future financial stability of educational, spiritual, and service ministries, thus fulfilling the mission of the Diocese,” Dr. Bryan Frantz added. “I am truly honored to serve as an officer on the Foundation Board. It’s a privilege to work with the Bishop and experience his leadership and vision. It’s also wonderful to work with fellow board members from across the Diocese. These are truly committed individuals who are dedicated to ensuring the success of this critical initiative.”

“Being asked to take a leadership role for the new Foundation resulted in an easy answer – of course! Being given the opportunity to use my past career and volunteer experience in a new role as board treasurer, in service to the Diocese and the Foundation’s mission, is humbling,” Nancy J. Marr stated. “I’m looking forward to being a part of the Foundation during its formative years, working with Bishop Bambera and the rest of the board. There is so much potential to make a difference!”

For more information on the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Scranton, visit catholicfoundationscranton.org, or contact James Bebla, Executive Director, at (570) 207-2212 or JBebla@catholicfoundationscranton.org.

SCRANTON – With international priests now making up a fifth of its active clergy, the Diocese of Scranton recently held a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering better integration and communication.

From July 15-17, 2024, international priests serving throughout the Diocese came together to participate in a specialized Acculturation and Accent workshop at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Scranton.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, welcomed nearly 20 international priests to the gathering – beginning with sincere gratitude for the sacrifice that each man is making – being so far away from home.

“I want to say thank you for your willingness to do that,” Bishop Bambera said. “We can’t do it without you, so thank you.”

The three-day workshop was led by Dr. Kevin Spence, who is associated with the Saint Meinrad Institute for Priests and Presbyterates. He held numerous hands-on sessions that included information on U.S. speech patterns, pronunciations, cultural differences and communication techniques.

“The workshop was very fruitful,” Father Neftali Feliz-Sena, Assistant Pastor at Annunciation Parish in Hazleton, said. “As international priests, we have our own culture and it is hard to deny what we are, but as we work in another culture, we need to have a better understanding of the other (American) culture.”

A native of Kerala, India, Father Jose Kuriappilly has been ministering in the Diocese of Scranton for five years. Currently serving as Pastor of Saints Peter & Paul Parish in Towanda and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Wyalusing, he said the workshop sessions helped him understand the American language on a deeper level, especially the pronunciation of some words.

“When I became a pastor, I talked to my people openly saying, ‘I am in a different world and everything is different for me – my language, culture, climate, food, everything is different – so you have to adjust with me and if you have any good opinions or corrections, please just come to me and correct me,’” Father Jose explained. “As I continue to practice, I grow in my language and the culture class
did help me a lot.”

Father Stephen Bosomafi, Pastor of Saint Thomas More Parish in Lake Ariel, found the discussion on differences in pastoral ministry in the United States fascinating.

“Some of the things were eye opening. There are things that sometimes we take for granted and now we are exposed and we know this is not what Americans expect from you,” Father Bosomafi explained. “The tendency is for anyone to say, ‘I want to do things my way,’ but you are here serving the needs of the people … you should meet them at a certain point.”

The three-day course also allowed the international priests to reflect on some of the biggest differences they have experienced between American culture and their homeland.

Expanding on the concept of freedom, Father Neftali said he is always shocked by how Americans leave Mass after the distribution of Holy Communion.

“We don’t do that in our culture. The Mass doesn’t end until the priest or deacon says, ‘The Mass is ended, go in peace,’” he said. “After communion, you might see half the church empty. That was shocking for me, seeing that reality.”

For Father Jose, socialization with parishioners – especially children – has caused him a little tension.

“Sometimes I notice, some kids after the Mass, they come and hug us, but I am afraid at times,” Father Jose explained, noting the importance of safe environment policies instituted in the United States. “You have to be careful.”

Feedback from the participating priests was overwhelmingly positive, many expressing appreciation for the program’s comprehensive approach.

The priests said the sessions show the Diocese of Scranton is committed to helping international priests fully engage with and serve their communities.

“I think that is something to be commended and we appreciate what the
Bishop is doing,” Father Stephen said.

“We appreciate the closeness, as well, from the priests of the Diocese and also from the Curia – the Bishop, Vicar General and Vicar for Clergy – they are so close and they show us respect and they are so grateful that we are here. That is very meaningful,” Father Neftali ended by saying.

SHAVERTOWN – In advance of the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which is held annually on July 30, Saint Therese Parish in Luzerne County raised awareness about the millions of victims of human trafficking around the world.

After each Mass on the weekend of July 27-28, the parish held a ‘Red Sand Project Ceremony.’

As parishioners exited the church in silence, they were invited to pour red sand into the cracks of a “sidewalk” setup on the church plaza. By doing so, they remembered those in our society who fall between the cracks.

The project was put together by the Social Concerns Committee of the parish.

Globally, one in three victims of human trafficking is a child, and the majority of those trafficked children are girls.

The reasons for child trafficking are numerous. Some of the most prominent are: poverty, armed conflicts, dysfunctional families, lack of parental care, and unaccompanied minors fleeing their homes.

HONESDALE – The Honesdale Knights of Columbus generously donated towards new flooring for the Saint John the Evangelist Parish Catholic Family Community Center.

Many events are held in this location including the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast, Honesdale Head Start, Saint Dominic’s Academy, Saint John the Evangelist’s Faith Formation Program, and the local boy scouts also will benefit from having this new flooring installed.

Members of the Honesdale Knights of Columbus Chapter recently participated in a check presentation to Father William Langan. Pictured, from left, are: David Swendsen, Louis Johannes, Joe Poltanis, Matt Smith, Don Vivacqua, Jennifer Suhosky, and Mike Jones.