Category: 2024 News

My Dear Friends,

On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in its Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. This monumental ruling was due in no small part to the prayers and efforts of committed Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, those of other faith traditions, and some with no religious affiliation, who sought to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us – unborn infants in the womb.

While the overturning of Roe v. Wade has given us all hope by allowing for greater freedom at the state level to enact pro-life laws, many legislative battles continue to loom on the horizon. Of note, are concerns regarding the longstanding Hyde protections which limit government funding for abortion on annual appropriation bills. Throughout its history, the Hyde Amendment has saved over 2 million lives and is arguably the most impactful pro-life policy in our nation’s history.

Sadly, however, it can no longer be taken for granted. And on a more local level, the fight to protect human life is just as urgent as ever, given the increasing number of states that are intent upon passing pro-abortion legislation.

On Friday, January 19, 2024, marchers from throughout our country will converge on our nation’s capital for the 51st annual March for Life. The theme for this year’s march is “Pro Life: With Every Woman, For Every Child.” While advocating for the right to life of the unborn, this year’s march challenges the false narrative around abortion that suggests such a choice to be “empowering” for women. In selecting this year’s theme, march organizers have emphasized that “women deserve to know all of their options, such as the love, compassion and free resources that are available to them through the vast pro-life safety net.” The pro-life movement supports women “before, during and after pregnancy.”

In the Diocese of Scranton, we are blessed with numerous opportunities to support women throughout the course of their pregnancies and beyond, from facilities like Providence Pregnancy Center in Scranton – to parish-based ministries such as Walking with Moms in Need – to Shepherds Maternity House in East Stroudsburg that provides a safe home and assistance for pregnant woman and mothers and their newborn babies – to Saint Joseph’s Center – to ministries like Project Rachel that offer hope, healing and spiritual renewal to women and couples who suffer after participating in abortion. The need to ensure the ongoing presence of such ministries is vital.

Sadly, however, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, efforts to protect human life are being compromised more than we might realize. Plans are continuing to terminate Real Alternatives, a statewide contract maintained by federal and state funding, which has been in existence for over 27 years and has provided a critical lifeline to nearly 350,000 women who have suddenly found themselves in need when confronted with an unplanned pregnancy. The termination of this vital contract will almost certainly result in diminished funding for critical pregnancy and parenting support for mothers, including funding for Saint Joseph’s Center and most notably, Shepherd’s Maternity House in Stroudsburg, that receives over 80% of its annual funding through a grant from Real Alternatives.

Brothers and sisters, the work to preserve and protect human life did not come to an end with the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe. While the current landscape requires our attention to legislative efforts on both the federal and state levels, the most important work that it demands is the changing of minds and hearts – our own and those of others. That occurs through prayer and through our efforts to walk with women and their children – to assist them during unplanned or difficult pregnancies – to be available to them for support and care once their children have been born – to love and accept them in the midst of challenges – and to respectfully advocate for life at every opportunity.

Consider participating in this year’s March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Friday, January 19th … Join with me for a special Mass for Life in Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton on Sunday, January 21st at 5:00 p.m … Mark your calendars now and plan to travel to Harrisburg with me and thousands of others from across the Commonwealth for the 3rd annual Pennsylvania March for Life on September 23rd.

As faithful disciples of Jesus, we have been given a noble task to respect and reverence every human life as made in the image and likeness of our Creator. May we live our faith with authenticity and so help to create a culture of life that not only makes abortion unthinkable but treasures every life – from the unborn to mothers in need – to the elderly, the sick, the poor, the disabled, the prisoner, the immigrant and all whose lives are in jeopardy.

 

Faithfully yours in Christ,

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

WASHINGTON – In just over a week, on Jan. 19, thousands of pro-life advocates will take to the streets for the 2024 March for Life.

This year’s theme will be “Pro-Life: With Every Woman, For Every Child,” the group’s president has announced.

The March for Life first took place in Washington in 1974 in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide the previous year. Pro-life advocates have gathered in Washington to march each year since then to protest the ruling, with a smaller-in-scale event during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

After the high court reversed Roe in 2022, marchers still gathered to protest abortion. Each year, the group selects a theme that it says fits the cultural moment. Jeanne Mancini, March for Life president, said that following the court’s ruling in Dobbs, she wanted to highlight the work the pro-life movement does to support women facing difficult or unplanned pregnancies.

Mancini said the 2024 theme was selected due to what she called “the false narrative around abortion, whether it’s through mainstream media or the entertainment industry or academia, is that abortion is empowering and necessary.”

“We disagree,” she said. “Such fear-based messaging tries to convince women who are facing unexpected pregnancies that they’re alone, that they are incapable, that they are ill-equipped to handle motherhood. We who are here today know that is just not true.”

“We aren’t saying that it’s easy. But we are saying that it is right to choose life and we hold that choosing life is empowering, and that love saves lives,” Mancini continued.

This year’s March for Life will take place in both a presidential election year, and one that could bring additional ballot measures on abortion, possibly in states including Arizona and Florida.

The Sisters of Life and Knights of Columbus announced Dec. 21 that they will be teaming up for a second year to host Life Fest in conjunction with the National March for Life.

The event will be held Jan. 19 at the 10,000-seat D.C. Armory in southeast Washington prior to the march, which begins around 1 p.m. along Constitution Avenue.

According to organizers, Life Fest will feature “dynamic speakers and testimonies” and music by Sarah Kroger and Damascus Worship.

It will also include Mass celebrated by Knights of Columbus Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore; Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley of Boston; and Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota; as well as a Eucharistic healing procession.

Life Fest attendees also will have the opportunity to venerate first-class relics of the Ulma family, who were recently beatified in their native Poland.

“On March 24, 1944, Jozef and Wiktoria Ulma and their seven children, one of whom was still in the womb, were killed by Nazis in Markowa, Poland, for hiding members of two Jewish families,” Life Fest’s organizers noted in a Dec. 21 media release, noting that the “Ulma family bears special significance to the pro-life movement” and their “lives exemplify what it means to value the dignity of every human person.”

Doors will open for Life Fest at 6:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Worship begins at 7 a.m., with the event culminating in Mass at 9:15 a.m. More information about the event and registration is at www.lifefestrally.com.

LAFLIN – Each of us has a vocation to which God is calling us. When it comes to a young man considering the possibility of the priesthood, that discernment process most often takes place within a community.

As the Diocese of Scranton works to create a culture of vocations within its parishes, it has started the process of creating four parish vocation centers where men can regularly gather for fellowship and prayer.

“If most of our faith life is happening in parishes and local communities, then our vocation work should take place there as well,” Father Alex Roche, Diocesan Director of Vocations and Seminarians, said. “The vocation centers will be places where men can gather together for regular dinners, for Adoration and prayer, where they might be able to do a retreat, shadow a priest or even spend an extended amount of time in.”

After several years of discussion and planning, the first Diocesan vocation center began at Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg. The second was created at Saint Maria Goretti Parish in Laflin. The others will be located at Christ the King Parish in Archbald and Annunciation Parish in Hazleton.

“One of the criteria for establishing a vocation center is that there is already thriving youth ministry or college ministry so that there are already ways in which young people are engaging with their faith,” Father Alex explained.

The location of each vocation center is strategic. Each center is in a different geographic region of the Diocese of Scranton so that it can be close to a prospective candidate’s home.

“Five of our last six seminarians have come from some interaction with a vocation center,” Father Alex added.

VOCATION CENTERS ALREADY MAKING AN IMPACT

The Diocese of Scranton’s first vocation center at Saint Matthew Parish quietly began taking shape without much fanfare in July 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Father Don Williams, pastor, said the parish began by offering young people the opportunity to gather for Evening Prayer, dinner, and conversation.

“The concept was to establish a regular routine,” Father Don said. “That really took off with a few guys.”

Because Saint Matthew Parish has a large rectory, the parish had enough space to create four private rooms for men who are seriously interested in taking a closer look at the priesthood or making a retreat. The rectory also has its own chapel and exercise room.

“The idea was to help them get a closer look at our life as Diocesan priests. They live with us, pray with us, share meals with us and shadow us in ministries,” Father Don explained. “They really get a chance to look at what rectory life is like, what parish ministry life is like.”

Three young men who are now Diocesan seminarians got their first glance at the priesthood by spending time in the vocation center at Saint Matthew Parish.

“I often say to them that they got the chance, before seminary, to get a really close look at what this is all about,” Father Don added. “They could go in with eyes wide open and they had a really good sense because they got to see the joys, the struggles, the disappointments, they got to see the reality of our life.”

It is not just young men who are participating in discernment programs at Saint Matthew Parish. Religious Sisters have visited the parish to talk with young women. Those who are participating in the discernment groups have also taken trips to Marywood University.

“They’ve come together as a group of women to talk about discipleship, prayer, discernment and we help them have fun and community,” Father Don added.

CENTERS HELPING YOUNG ADULTS FOCUS ON GOD’S CALL

At the second Diocesan vocation center established at Saint Maria Goretti Parish in Laflin there is no private space for overnight accommodations, so the focus has been on discernment groups and prayer.

“Twice a month, we gather as a group, usually about a half dozen guys and we have dinner,” Father Alex said. “So far, in the last couple of years, most of our seminarians have come out of groups like this. We also have monthly Adoration and the opportunity to come and meet and talk with the Vocation Director.”

Father Ryan Glenn, who recently became pastor of Christ the King Parish in Archbald and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Jermyn, will oversee the vocation center in Lackawanna County.

“The drive of our vocation centers is, how are we as parishes purposely engaging people to ask the question, ‘Where are you calling me God? How are you calling me to serve?’” Father Ryan said. “We’re equipped to do that in a creative way responding to where young people are right now in 2024.”

The rectory at Christ the King Parish, which is already equipped with a chapel and private rooms, will be able to accommodate individuals looking for an overnight opportunity for prayer and discernment. It is already being used to meet with young men for spiritual direction.

Christ the King Parish has begun offering monthly Eucharistic Adoration, where people are specifically encouraged to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and Father Ryan is working to intentionally build-up his parish’s young adult ministry program. He is hoping to establish a monthly group of working young adults who want to gather for prayer, food and conversations regarding vocations.

Before taking on his first pastoral assignment in Lackawanna County, Father Ryan was Assistant Pastor at Saint Matthew Parish and helped with the formation of that vocation center. He was amazed by the response of people wanting to learn and discern more.

“It began as a pilot program,” he said. “We socialized. We would pray. We would meet, do intentional discernment with young adults who are really trying to respond to God’s call.”

Even though the vocation center at Annunciation Parish in Hazleton is still taking shape, Father Neftali Feliz-Sena, Assistant Pastor, says he is already accompanying one person who is seriously considering the priesthood.

“We have room available in our rectory. We are thinking there will be three rooms available. There are several priests living in the rectory, so if we have two or three candidates who want to reflect on vocations, we’ll still have enough room for them to stay a few days here,” Father Neftali said.

With Hazleton’s population being more than fifty-percent Hispanic, the vocation center in the Mountain City will be an ideal place for either English or Spanish-speaking discerners.

“We will be able to accommodate both. Our priests can speak both languages,” Father Neftali added. “We would like to have the first Hispanic vocation. Hazleton is big and having a place where people can come and interact with us will be a big benefit.”

If you are interested in learning more about any of the vocation centers in the Diocese of Scranton or participating in the regular discernment groups that have been established, you can contact any of the priests in your parish, or the Diocesan Vocations Office at (570) 207-1452.

 

 

SCRANTON – Since November, parishioners of Saint Ann Parish in West Scranton have been warming hearts and filling stomachs on the second Sunday of each month.

They will do it again this weekend – Sunday, January 14 – as the parish holds its third free, sit-down community meal in the lower level of Saints Peter and Paul Church, 1309 West Locust Street, Scranton.

“We felt there was a need for this meal in the west side,” Deacon Peter Lemoncelli said. “In west side, there is no other church or organization that offers this type of free meal so we always thought there would be a need.”

With the help of a Parish Social Justice Grant from the 2023 Diocesan Annual Appeal, the parish was able to begin the monthly meals and is now looking to spread the word.

More than just providing a meal to those in need, organizers have quickly realized that many in the community were looking for companionship.

“We wanted it to be a chance for the people of the community to come together and to be able to socialize, especially for those who have no one,” Deacon Lemoncelli explained. “We have found that beyond needing a meal, many guests really look forward to the conversation and interaction with other people.”

One man who has attended the meal in both November and December is over one hundred years old.

“The people have said that they just want a chance to get out of their home and talk to someone. They either have no family left or their families live out of town, so it has really been a great benefit beyond providing food.”

The parish has three teams of volunteers who rotate in either preparing or purchasing meals.

In November, volunteers from the Legion of Mary, Ladies of the Basilica, and Cookie Committee of the parish prepared the monthly meal which featured a choice of soups, stroganoff, and desserts.

In December, the parish’s Food Pantry Committee offered a ham dinner with mashed potatoes and desserts.

This coming weekend, for the January meal, the meal hosted by the Knights of Columbus will include pasta and meatballs, salad, and dessert.

The community meals take place from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month. Reservations are not required but are available by calling the parish rectory at (570) 342-5166.

Between 10-15 people attended the first community meal in November. That number was close to 25 in December and organizers are hoping it will continue to grow this month and throughout the new year, serving those in West Scranton in need of food or fellowship.

“We have started out slow so each of the different groups get an idea of what it is like to put on the dinner and prepare the food. Now, our next challenge is to increase the number of people who come to the dinner,” Deacon Lemoncelli added.

SCRANTON – Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton has begun the 46th annual Host-for-a-Day campaign to support its mission of providing a free daily meal and other services to needy men, women and children in the area.

For a donation of $100 or more, an individual, family, business, community organization or faith-based group can help to fund the day’s meal. Various other sponsorship levels are also available, starting at $500.

In effect, each contributor becomes a “host” for a day. Contributors may then select a date on which they, or someone they designate or memorialize, will be recognized as helping to provide that meal.

Financial contributions to the Kitchen also help to fund other programs such as a Client-Choice Food Pantry and Free Clothing Store, and weekly meals at parish locations and high-rise housing buildings in Carbondale and Olyphant, which has now expanded to Roaring Brook Township.

In October the Kitchen’s Free Mobile Clothing Trailer began visiting various locations to bring clothing items to those in need who might not be able to come to the Scranton campus.

And recently the Kitchen entered a “Code Blue” collaboration with the City of Scranton and Keystone Mission. When the temperature gets below 20 degrees, the Kitchen provides hot soup and a hot sandwich to homeless folks welcomed to shelter at Weston Field.

“We are constantly looking at ways we can be of service to those in need,” said Rob Williams, Kitchen executive director. “In fact we are now engaging in a visioning process to explore how we might be able to offer even more assistance. We are excited to see what the possibilities could be.”

Stephanie Grudis-Whisner, a member of the Kitchen’s Advisory Board, is chairing the 2024 Host-for-a-Day campaign and leading the effort with her fellow board members.

“It is inspiring to think about how many people are fed and have other needs met through the efforts of the staff and volunteers at the Kitchen,” she said. “And of course this is only possible because of the support we receive from so many individuals and organizations, particularly through the Host for a Day campaign.”

Recent contributors to the campaign are receiving an appeal directly from the Kitchen through the mail or will be contacted by members of the Kitchen’s Advisory Board.

Host for a Day gifts can also be made by calling the Kitchen at (570) 342 5556, or sending a check to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Avenue, Scranton PA 18509. Donations can also be made online at: www.stfranciskitchen.org or facebook.com/stfranciskitchen.

This year the celebration that concludes the campaign will be held at Fiorelli’s in Peckville on Wednesday, April 10, beginning at 6 p.m. Each contributor and a guest is invited to attend. RSVPs are required by March 30 to confirm attendance and an accurate meal count.

Those who would like to sponsor the reception are asked to call the Kitchen at (570) 342-5556.

 

DUNMORE – FNCB Bank, based locally since 1910, has allocated $85,000 through the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation. This donation aims to facilitate tuition assistance for students enrolled in pre-school, elementary, and high school programs throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

The Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation annually extends tuition awards to over 1,000 families, a substantial portion of which is funded by contributions from FNCB Bank.

“This donation underscores FNCB Bank’s commitment to supporting education and the local community,” Gerard Champi, FNCB Bank President & CEO, said. “Our contribution aligns with the Diocese of Scranton’s objectives, and we are pleased to assist in providing educational opportunities to many deserving students across northeastern Pennsylvania.”

Since participating in the EITC initiative in 2010, FNCB has contributed over $3,000,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations, underlining the bank’s sustained commitment to fostering educational opportunities in the region.

FNCB Bank’s commitment to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation is part of its broader Community Caring initiative that extends beyond financial contributions, encompassing volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.

SCRANTON – After growing up and attending school in his native Ireland, Sean Savage’s faith journey has brought him to Saint Jude Parish in Mountain Top.

Savage is one of three new ECHO Apprentices from The University of Notre Dame that began serving local parishes and colleges in the Diocese of Scranton this August. Through an ongoing partnership with Notre Dame that started in 2021, the Diocese of Scranton has been assisting in developing the next generation of young adult leaders in the Catholic Church.

“I did a study abroad year at The Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and ended up, through a turn of events, transferring there for my senior year,” he said. “One of my friends entered into the ECHO program at Notre Dame, which is the program I’m now a part of, and she told me about it because I was looking to study more theology and be involved in more theology in practice.”

While at Saint Jude Parish, Savage is being mentored by its pastor, Father Joseph Evanko, and learning more about how to run a parish as well as work with – and minister to – adults and families.

“I am really interested in how to minister to adults as I have spent a lot of my life in ministry to young people, from elementary school children to college students,” Savage added. “Being involved in ministry has given me the opportunity to develop gifts such as listening, leadership, public speaking, and teamwork.”

The two other ECHO Apprentices that began their work this fall are Courtney Schmidt of Lake Forest, Ill., and Katherine Santarpia of Staten Island, N.Y.

Schmidt, who graduated from the honors program at Creighton University in May, hopes to gain a deeper appreciation for how her Catholic faith has shaped her life, and share that love with others.

The psychology and classical languages major is now working with students at King’s College and being mentored by Father Brogan Ryan, C.S.C.

“I was really formed in a college campus ministry setting. It was something that was really impactful in my own faith life when I was an undergrad, so being able to turn around, and pull students into that and invite students into a deeper self-reflection and awareness of finding God’s presence in the everyday is going to be really impactful for me,” Schmidt said.

In her first few months on campus, Schmidt has found herself working with Sisters in Faith, the women’s group on campus, as well as handling retreat preparations, helping to coordinate liturgies, and assisting with monthly campus ministry programming.

“It has been a whirlwind of meeting students which has been so wonderful,” she added. “I’m the first female campus minister they’ve had in a couple years, so I’ve been able to connect with all the students that are used to only being with Father Brogan and Brother Jimmy.”

Each ECHO Apprentice has committed to two years of service. They will initially spend nine months in the Diocese of Scranton working directly in their parish/college placement. Next summer, the three will return to Notre Dame for more coursework, after which they will return for one more year at their assigned location.

Santarpia, who graduated Magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College with degrees in Spanish and political science, is working with the parish communities of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Kingston, and Holy Family, Luzerne, and is being mentored by Monsignor David Tressler.

“Everyone has been incredible, at the parishes and the Diocesan level. It has been meaningful to see how excited people are to have us here and how welcoming everyone has been,” Santarpia said.

While at Bryn Mawr College, Santarpia coordinated weekly Mass, Bible study and prayer meetings as part of the campus ministry program.

Santarpia also served as a student interfaith coordinator, helping to create spaces for student dialogue on faith and spirituality.

“I’m hoping to be responsive to where the need is,” she added, about her new responsibilities. “I’m trying to really connect with the people at the parishes, see what groups exist, see what communities are there, see where there is maybe a need or an interest for something more and hopefully fit into that working with who is there and what they have that thirst for.”

Shannon Kowalski, Director for Service and Mission in the Diocesan Office for Parish Life, helps to coordinate the Diocesan partnership with Notre Dame University.

“Working with the ECHO apprentices has been a rewarding experience all the way around. The academic and spiritual formation that the students receive so evidently trickles down to our parishes they are serving in – they are leading adult bible studies, forming retreats, and assisting with catechesis. It is also nice to watch the ways in which their witness as young adults interested in church ministry has helped build up young adult ministry in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.”

SCRANTON – On Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, seminarians from the Diocese of Scranton gathered with Bishop Bambera and other young men for Evening Prayer for the Feast of the Holy Innocents followed by a reception at the Cathedral Rectory.

The Project Andrew event gives priests from around the Diocese of Scranton the opportunity to invite individuals whom they might think have a priestly vocation – or have the qualities needed for a good priest – to have dinner with Bishop Bambera in a relaxed, “no pressure” atmosphere of discussion and dialogue about the life of a priest.

Please join us in praying for all of our priests, seminarians and those discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life.

 

 

 

SCRANTON – In the days leading up to Christmas, Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton helped brighten the holiday season for a total of 6,151 local children.

As part of the Gifts for Kids Program, the agency helped a total of 5,101 children in the greater Scranton area, 686 children in the Hazleton area and an additional 364 children in Carbondale.“

This is what we get into social work for,” Dominque Jordan, Catholic Social Services’ Carbondale Office supervisor, said at a toy distribution on Dec. 13. “It is great to see so much happiness.”

The basement of Saint Rose of Lima Parish looked like Santa’s workshop as thousands of toys were put out on display. Parents were able to select three gifts for each of their children.

“This is a big help,” Christina Staff of Carbondale said as she selected gifts for her four children, who range in age from seven months to ten years old. “With how the economy is going now-a-days, everything is so expensive. This is going to help us get our kids the toys they deserve to have for the year.”

On Dec. 16, staff and volunteers distributed gifts from the Catholic Social Services’ Family Center on South Church Street in Hazleton.

One mother, who benefited from the distribution, expressed her gratitude in a message to staff.

“I want to thank you for everything you have done … this has been one of the most difficult years economically, emotionally and even physically for me,” the woman stated. “I know that at some point we all need (help) and I want to thank you for this (toy distribution) and more. I bless your life, the life of your family, the life of the people that work at the center, and everyone who in one way or another is part of this spectacular project.”

On the week of Dec. 18-21, Catholic Social Services took part in three different toy distributions in Scranton along with three other community non-profits: Friends of the Poor, Catherine McAuley Center and the Salvation Army.

“It is really a great collaboration. It is really unique because it is four faith-based organizations in the area,” Meghan Loftus, President and CEO of Friends of the Poor, said. “The need is significantly greater than it has ever been.”

On Dec. 18 and 20, the four agencies distributed gifts to pre-registered families at the Byron Center at The University of Scranton. Registration took place in October and lasted only minutes.

“When we opened our registration this year for Gifts for Kids, it was completely filled, over 3,000 kids, in less than an hour,” Jolette Lyons, Catholic Social Services Director of Lackawanna County Offices, explained.

Because of the generosity of the community, the agencies were able to offer a general walk-up event on Dec. 21, which assisted nearly 2,400 children in a matter of hours.

“In the past, each of our agencies provided their own Christmas programming, but through conversations we determined if we could join together, we can serve more people by having less of an administrative burden,” Krista Murray, executive director of Catherine McAuley Center, added.

In the end, no matter its location – Scranton, Carbondale or Hazleton – the Christmas Gifts for Kids Program is about providing joy and love during the holiday season.

“It gives us a sense of satisfaction that our community comes together to help people who are less fortunate,” Trish Smith, a volunteer with Catholic Social Services, said. “It is all about sharing the love of Christ!”

SCRANTON – Hundreds of people filled the Cathedral of Saint Peter on Christmas Eve to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant and homilist for both the 4 p.m. and midnight Masses.

During his homily, Bishop Bambera acknowledged conflicts taking place in many parts of the world, including in the Holy Land and Ukraine.

“May the message of this day so permeate our hearts that peace will one day finally become a reality for all people,” Bishop Bambera said.

The bishop said that many people, unfortunately, look for God in the wrong place and self-righteously point fingers at others who are different than themselves.

“And then we wonder why our world is unsettled, our hearts uneasy, our families broken, and why countless numbers of souls are suffering in Israel, Ukraine, far too many places in our world, and in our own land,” Bishop Bambera continued.

Instead, the bishop said the “miracle of this day is that despite living in a world that’s been turned upside down, we are once again blessed with the opportunity to embrace the good news of Christmas – good news that proclaims God’s love and mercy to everyone who is humble and wise enough to know where to look to find it and how to keep it alive each day.”

Bishop Bambera began the Vigil Mass by blessing the large, beautiful creche which adorned the right-hand side of the Cathedral sanctuary during the Christmas season.

“God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation, you have made manifest your love. When our need for a savior was great, you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives, He brings joy and peace, justice, mercy and love. Lord, bless all who look upon this manger. May it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus and raise up our thoughts to Him, who is God with us, and savior of all,” the bishop said in his blessing.

As the Christmas season approached its conclusion, Bishop Bambera celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Jan. 7, 2024, in which he reminded the faithful that Jesus did not remain in a manger forever.

“He went forth to embrace the work given to him by His Father: A mission grounded in humble service; unconditional and sacrificial love; and unlimited forgiveness and compassion,” the bishop explained. “These are the real gifts of Christmas – gifts available to all who open their hearts to Jesus’ presence – from those who worship with reverence and devotion; to the suffering poor who are unable to find their way to a church; to refugees and immigrants seeking a better life; to modern day victims of terrorism and war in the Middle East, Ukraine and beyond; to the magi of our time: every soul who seeks meaning, purpose, and a way forward in life through an encounter with the living God – including me and you.”