Category: 2025 News

(OSV News) – Dialogue, listening and the power of prayer are key to forging Christian unity, Catholic experts told OSV News.

Christians throughout the world will mark the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 18-25, with the theme for 2025 taken from John 11:17-27 — specifically Jesus, having declared he is the resurrection and the life, asking Martha, “Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:26).

The annual observance, formally instituted in 1968 by the Vatican and the World Council of Churches, traces its roots to the 18th century, with Pentecostal, Anglican and Catholic clergy all promoting prayers over the intervening decades to restore bonds among believers.

Among Catholics, Pope Leo XIII; Father Paul Wattson, who founded the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement; Dominican Father Yves Congar, a theologian; and Pope John XXIII were prominent advocates of ecumenism.?? The word is derived from the Greek word “oikoumene,” or “the whole inhabited world.”

In its Decree on Ecumenism (“Unitatis Redintegratio”), the Second Vatican Council declared “the restoration of unity among all Christians” was “one of (its) principal concerns.”

The council itself “really propelled us into this arena in a very, very important way,” while building on “the prayer of Jesus … offered at the Last Supper” for oneness among his believers (Jn 17:20-23), said Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, Pennsylvania, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

And just as Vatican II sought in many respects to rediscover the fundamentals of Christianity – what Father Congar called a “re-centering upon Christ in his Paschal Mystery” – the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, celebrated this year, provides an added impetus to the work of Christian unity, Bishop Bambera said.

The commemoration of the ecumenical council – the first of the Christian church, held in 325 in what is now Turkey – offers a chance “to simply go back to our roots, to a moment when we truly walked together,” he told OSV News.

At the same time, Bishop Bambera stressed that “one of the principles we ought never forget with the work of ecumenism … is that authentic ecumenical work never, ever diminishes the reality of who we are and what we believe to develop some false or trivial sense of unity with one another.

“That serves us no purpose,” said Bishop Bambera.

Part of ecumenism “is not to be afraid to say, ‘This is what I believe as a Catholic,'” said Msgr. Gregory Fairbanks, an ecumenical expert and dean of the diaconal formation school at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Ambler, Pennsylvania, part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Yet having done so, the next step is “to listen to what other Christians say and what they believe, and to not be threatened by it, but to enter into a respectful dialogue about it,” Msgr. Fairbanks said.

That process is known as “receptive ecumenism,” explained Bishop Bambera.

“It means I need to listen to what you have to share with me,” he said. “I need to be open to the good things that I can bring from your experience, rather than coming from the perspective that I need you to come to me.”

Along with becoming “a very important dimension” of current ecumenical work, that approach “reflects very, very clearly the notion of synodality that the Holy Father has been promoting,” said Bishop Bambera.

In fact, “with regard to the recent synod the Holy Father concluded, the work of Christian unity could not be more significant,” Bishop Bambera said. “At the heart of synodality, we have an invitation to dialogue, an invitation to listen with care — to respect the perspectives of one another, both within our own church, and certainly in our relationships with other Christian communities.”

Both Bishop Bambera and Msgr. Fairbanks said that even amid real theological differences among Christians – whose global denominations now total some 47,000, according to the Center for the Global Study of Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary – there are grounds for hope.

“From a perspective of theological ecumenism, we have miles to go,” said Bishop Bambera. “From the perspective of an ecumenism of life and love, we are further along than I think we might imagine.”

Currently, “it’s not like 50 or 100 years ago, where people didn’t even think other (Christians) were really valid Christians,” said Msgr. Fairbanks. “I think we’re past that. There is a sense the differences are there; they are real. They need to be overcome. … But we share our faith in Jesus Christ. We share the same Scriptures. We share the same belief in salvation.”

Moreover, said Msgr. Fairbanks, “The Nicene-Constantinople Creed is the creed that virtually every Christian can profess.”

Both he and Bishop Bambera urged the faithful not to underestimate the power of prayer in bringing about Christian unity.

“Believe and trust that in the Lord’s time and in the Lord’s will and way, we will walk together again,” said Bishop Bambera.

SCRANTON – As we witness the ongoing devastation caused by the wildfires that are ravaging parts of Los Angeles and surrounding areas, all parishes in the Diocese of Scranton are being asked to hold a special second collection to support our brothers and sisters who are in need of assistance.

Father Gerald W. Shantillo, Vicar General of the Diocese of Scranton, sent a message to all pastors on Jan. 14, asking them to take up the special collection. He noted that in the past, parishioners have been very generous with prayers, outreach, and donations in other disaster situations.

“The funds raised will be donated directly to Catholic Charities USA – the official domestic relief agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. As usual, 100-percent of funds raised will go directly to local agencies in the affected areas who are offering emergency and long-term relief to those who have been displaced, or are suffering as a result of the wildfires,” Father Shantillo wrote.

He continued, “As Catholics, we are called to show mercy and compassion in times of suffering. This is an opportunity for us to unite in prayer and action, offering not only our financial assistance, but also our thoughts and prayers for all those affected.”

SCRANTON – Faithful throughout the Diocese of Scranton will join with members of various Christian congregations of northeastern Pennsylvania for an Ecumenical Celebration of God’s Word on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at 12:10 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter.

All people of goodwill are invited to participate in the celebration highlighting the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which takes place from Jan. 18-25, 2025.

The observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity carries added significance this year, because 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in Turkey.

The council, which began meeting in May 325 AD, gave birth to the Nicene Creed, affirmed the full divinity of Christ, and set a formula for determining the date of Easter.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will serve as leader of prayer for the traditional ecumenical prayer service at the Cathedral of Saint Peter. Bishop Bambera is once again serving as Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

Homilist for this year’s prayer service is Father Scott P. Sterowski, Diocesan Coordinator for Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, who took over that role on Sept. 1, 2024. Father Sterowski also serves as Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Throop, and Holy Cross Parish, Olyphant.

The Ecumenical prayer service will be broadcast live at 12:10 p.m. on CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton. It will also be made available on the Diocese of Scranton website, YouTube channel, and across all diocesan social media platforms.

The theme of the 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is based on a text from the Gospel of John: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). The theme takes its cue from the dialogue between Jesus and Martha when Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany following the death of their brother Lazarus.

Using this year’s theme, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians.

Prayers and reflections for the week have been prepared by the brothers and sisters of the monastic community of Bose in northern Italy. Using information jointly prepared and published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches, additional information on this importance of this year is highlighted below.

THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

Convoked by the Emperor Constantine, the Council of Nicaea was attended, according to tradition, by 318 Fathers, mostly from the East. The Church, having just emerged from hiding and persecution, was beginning to experience how difficult it was to share the same faith in the different cultural and political contexts of the time.

Agreement on the text of the Creed was a matter of defining the essential common foundations on which to build local communities that recognized each other as sister churches, each respecting the diversity of the other.

Disagreements had arisen among Christians in the previous decades, which sometimes degenerated into serious conflicts. These disputes were on matters as diverse as: the nature of Christ in relation to the Father; the question of a single date to celebrate Easter and its relationship with the Jewish Passover; opposition to theological opinions considered heretical; and how to re-integrate believers who had abandoned the faith during the persecutions in earlier years.

FROM 325 to 2025

Although the Council of Nicaea decreed how the date of Easter should be calculated, subsequent divergences of interpretation led to the feast frequently being marked on different dates in the East and West. Though we are still awaiting the day when we will have a common celebration of Easter annually, by coincidence, in this anniversary year of 2025, the great Easter feast will be celebrated on the same date by the Eastern and Western churches.

The meaning of the saving events which all Christians will celebrate on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, has not changed with the passage of seventeen centuries.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an opportunity for Christians to explore afresh this living heritage and re-appropriate it in ways that are in keeping with contemporary cultures, which are even more diverse today than those of the Christian world at the time of the Council of Nicaea.

SCRANTON – After nearly two years of consultative work and thoughtful listening, the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System has released its Strategic Growth Plan entitled “Our Faith. Our Students. Our Future.”

On Jan. 8, 2025, all Catholic school families received a copy of the plan, which Diocesan leadership hopes will help to “strengthen and enrich the educational experience” of all Catholic school students.

The Strategic Growth Plan is broken down into seven key areas: Catholic Mission & Identity; Academic Excellence; Governance & Leadership; Enrollment Management; Development; Infrastructure; and Financial Stability. Each section contains high-level goals as well as action steps that can be taken to meet those goals.

“Our Catholic School System has much to celebrate, with enrollment this year reaching its highest level in seven years, which is a testament to the dedication of our educators, administrators, staff, and supportive community,” the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, and Kristen Donohue, Diocesan Secretary of Catholic Education/Superintendent, wrote in a joint letter to families. “With a clear vision and collective commitment, we know that we can build on our successes and strategically navigate the path forward to ensure our Catholic School System continues to thrive and serve future generations.”

The Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System launched its Strategic Growth Planning Process on March 31, 2023. Over the last 21 months, a comprehensive study of community and parish demographics, school finances, enrollment history and patterns, and facility assessments all took place.

Nearly 1,500 Catholic school parents, teachers, priests and even parish religious education families took part in surveys to share their thoughts on the strength and areas for growth within Catholic schools.

“We are filled with hope for what lies ahead,” Bishop Bambera and Donohue noted.

Some of the high-level goals included in the plan include increasing collaboration between Catholic schools and parishes to form disciples of Christ, establishing a Diocesan school board to support the mission and vision of the Bishop and the Catholic Schools Office, and developing a balanced operating budget to ensure long-term viability.

The Strategic Growth Plan now moves into the implementation phase. An Implementation Leadership Team will be established to provide oversight and direction to ensure that progress is made on the goals and action steps contained in the plan.

To read the “Our Faith. Our Students. Our Future.” Strategic Plan, visit dioceseofscranton.org.

CLARKS SUMMIT – The Clarks Summit Deanery Inter-parish Mental Health Ministry Team is inviting everyone in the entire diocese to participate in several upcoming events.

The first is a Sanctuary Course for Catholics, which is being offered via Zoom and at two Clarks Summit locations beginning this month.

The eight-week course is for anyone 18 years and older who wants to learn about the intersection of faith and mental health. It requires no previous training or expertise.

The small group course will explore the realities of mental health and illness and will spur faith-based conversations about these topics. The sessions will include short films, presentations, discussion and prayer.

The next courses will be:

-Wednesday mornings at the Church of Saint Gregory, Clarks Green, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. These sessions will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 22, and conclude on March 12.

– Thursday evenings at Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. These sessions will begin on Thursday, Jan. 23, and conclude on March 13.

-Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The two courses will run in tandem so that if an individual has an occasional conflict, they could attend the week’s other in-person session or participate via Zoom.

To register, visit catholicmhm.org/csdeanery-mhm by Jan. 20.

The second event is free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Saint Gregory Parish.

Youth Mental Health First Aid aims to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring adults how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.

The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.

Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

This training is a combination of in-person instruction by a certified YMHFA instructor and two hours online preliminary work. The in-person day includes a light breakfast and lunch.

Although training and materials ordinarily cost over $100, this course is free for participants; expenses are covered by a grant from the Social Justice Trust Fund of the Diocese of Scranton which is supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal.

People who are interested in participating are asked to register by Jan. 22. For more information, email mhmclarkssummit@gmail.com.

WILKES-BARRE – A crowd of hundreds gathered Jan. 12, 2025, to celebrate the final Mass at the historic Saint Mary’s Church of the Immaculate Conception on South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre.

The church, which was founded in 1845, closed its doors for the final time at the conclusion of Mass, marking the final day of the first Catholic Church in Wilkes-Barre.

“It is a sad day, a very sad day,” former parishioner Stacy Moore said.

Moore, who grew up in Wilkes-Barre, moved to Scranton in 1990, but decided to come back to attend the closing Mass.

“I was baptized here, was an altar server here, and was confirmed here,” he explained.

As he walked through the doors of St. Mary’s Church for the final time, Moore reflected on all the memories the church building held.

“I used to sit up on the balcony, the second pews on the balcony,” he explained.
Father Joseph Verespy, Pastor, Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary Parish, was the principal celebrant and homilist for the closing Mass.

The long-time priest noted that “there is a lot of history” within the four walls of the church that needs to be celebrated. He said that over the last few weeks many people have approached him to share that the downtown church is where they received their sacraments, were married, or even their grandparents were married.

“This Holy place holds so many memories of encountering the Holy, right here,” he said.

Father Verespy also pointed out that over the last 180 years, many things have changed.

“Things that we never imagined are part of everyday life,” he stated.

What hasn’t changed, Father Verespy noted, is that by virtue of our baptism, we are all called to be holy.

He also noted that a church is “more than bricks and mortar,” adding, “we will continue to be God’s people, church, whether it’s here, down the street, or in Kirby Park.”

Following the distribution of Holy Communion, the Closing Ritual had Father Verespy make several stops at significant points of the church to give thanks to God for all the blessings that have been found.

At the Baptismal Pool, Father Verespy paused to remember all the baptisms celebrated over the many years at Saint Mary’s Church.

“We thank you and we praise you for the life of faith given to all who have passed through the waters of new life at this pool,” he prayed.

At the ambo, the power of God’s Word proclaimed in Scripture was honored.

“We thank you and we praise you for your Holy Word proclaimed here in faith and preached here in sincerity. May that Word always echo in our hearts,” Father Verespy stated.

Before the statue of Saint Mary, parishioners thanked their ancestors and Mary, the Mother of God, by singing ‘Immaculate Mary.’

Finally, at the altar, Father Verespy remembered all of the times the community has worshipped faithfully and been nourished with the Eucharist.

“Send us forth, O Faithful God, to be salt and light, to be a temple being built of living stones, a dwelling place for you, and a place of welcome for all your people,” Father Verespy prayed.

Before exiting the church for the final time, each person was invited to come forward and bow before, genuflect, or kiss the altar. The opportunity brought many to tears, and parishioners consoled one another with hugs as they made their way out of the church building for the final time.

Once outside, the doors of the church were locked one final time, and Father Verespy, followed by hundreds of parishioners, carried the Eucharist down the street to Saint Nicholas Church. Saint Nicholas Church will serve as the sole worship site for Saint Nicholas – Saint Mary Parish moving forward.

As the procession reached Saint Nicholas Church, bells tolled, and a group of Aztec dancers greeted the procession. Once inside Saint Nicholas Church, Benediction was celebrated with the faithful, followed by a reception at Saint Nicholas – Saint Mary School.

After several years of consultation and discussion, looking at various factors from declining Mass attendance, financial realities, and the maintenance costs associated with keeping two worship sites open, parish leaders last year made the difficult decision to close Saint Mary’s Church.

Mary Elizabeth O’Connor, a former Saint Mary’s parishioner who now lives in Allentown, made the trip back to Wilkes-Barre for the closing Mass.

“It was the parish of my soul and my sacraments were all there,” she explained.

O’Connor remembered moving to the city in 1943, in the middle of World War II, and noted how important faith and having a spiritual life was at that time.

She also reflected on the important role the Sisters of Mercy played in her life and acknowledged the changing times that now have Saint Nicholas and Saint Mary churches working together.

“When I was at Saint Mary’s (school), if you looked out the window and checked the time on the clock at Saint Nick’s, we were told, that is not something you do in my class,” O’Connor remembered with a laugh.

As the celebration came to a close inside Saint Nicholas Church – three words from Father Verespy resulted in applause from parishioners – wrapping up the entire day on a forward-looking note.

“We are home,” he stated.

ROME – On Jan. 12, 2025, Diocese of Scranton seminarian Jacob P. Mutchler was one of 34 men who received the Ministry of Lector at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

His Excellency John J. Kennedy, Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, conferred the Ministry of Lector in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

Addressing the new lectors in his homily, Archbishop Kennedy encouraged them to proclaim the Word of God with faithfulness and joy. He went on to say, “by the faithfulness and commitment in your proclamation of the Word of God, the faithful will come to know how strongly you yourself believe in the word that you proclaim.”

As part of the rite, Archbishop Kennedy placed the Holy Scriptures in the hands of each candidate and said, “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.”

The seminarians, currently in their first year of theological formation for the priesthood, will have three additional years of theological, spiritual, and pastoral formation before being ordained to the priesthood in their home dioceses.

The Pontifical North American College serves as the American seminary in Rome.

Founded in 1859 by Blessed Pius IX, the College has formed over 5000 priests near the heart of the Church for service in dioceses around the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The College strengthens the bonds between Rome and local Churches worldwide, and it allows its students a first-hand encounter of the Church’s rich religious and cultural heritage.

SCRANTON – The Diocese of Scranton joined other dioceses worldwide in celebrating the opening of the 2025 Holy Year on Dec. 29, 2024.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, was the principal celebrant and homilist for a special Pontifical Mass to mark the Jubilee Year, which is themed “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Bishop Bambera began Mass at the back of the Cathedral, praying that God bless all who participate on the Holy Year pilgrim journey.

“May we enter into this year of grace filled with hope because of the love, mercy, and grace that God gives each of us,” Bishop Bambera said.

The prayer was followed by a Gospel reading from John 14, in which Jesus explained to His disciples His relationship to God the Father, and then a reading from the papal bull announcing the Jubilee Year.

A Jubilee – or 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.

During his homily, Bishop Bambera said that every person is invited to celebrate this Jubilee Year and experience Jesus’ healing touch and come to a renewed spirit of hope.

“This great Jubilee Year reminds us that for all that confronts us in life, it is our ability to hope that gives us the strength to persevere in the midst of trials,” he said. “Hope founded on faith and nurtured by charity, more than anything else, enables us to press forward in life.”

Since the opening Mass for the Jubilee Year was celebrated on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, which is celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas Day, Bishop Bambera also reminded the faithful that they can find hope by looking at – and learning from – the Holy Family.

“Like families of every time and place, Mary and Joseph experienced hardship and pain – from Jesus’ unexpected conception – to the burden of life lived in an impoverished land – to being forced to flee to Egypt to protect their newborn – to losing Jesus amid the crowds during their Passover visit,” Bishop Bambera explained. “They faced their fears, disappointments and uncertainty with a deep sense of trust in God and a selfless, sacrificial love that bound them together as a family and provided them with hope.”

Unlike the practice in the Year of Mercy, diocesan cathedrals around the world are not designating their own holy doors – but cathedrals like the one in Scranton will serve as places of pilgrimage for those who cannot travel to Rome.

WILLIAMSPORT – Saint Ann Parish has recently undergone a series of transformative renovations to enhance the functionality, accessibility, and beauty of its sacred spaces and campus.

The year-long effort included significant upgrades, from the sanctuary to the church’s exterior, demonstrating the parish community’s commitment to maintaining and improving their spiritual home.

These projects were carried out under the dedicated oversight of Father Shawn Simchock, Administrator Pro Tem, who began his leadership at Saint Ann Parish in September 2023.

One of the most noticeable updates is the repainting of the church sanctuary, restoring its vibrance and solemnity for worship. All exterior church doors were replaced, providing a renewed appearance and improved security for the building.

The long-overdue replacement of the handicap-accessible ramp has made the church more welcoming, addressing a critical need that had persisted for several years.

Outside, overgrown trees were removed, and the church’s façade received a fresh look through power washing, restoring its inviting appearance.

To improve safety and visibility, lighting around the parish campus was enhanced, creating a brighter and more secure environment for parishioners and visitors alike.

These projects were made possible through the overwhelming generosity of parishioners and friends, who contributed through various fundraising efforts.

Unique events like Rectory, Set, Cook! and the church’s involvement in Little League World Series concessions provided vital funding for the renovations.

In addition, private donations of materials and labor played a crucial role in bringing these projects to fruition.

The success of these efforts speaks to the dedication and faith of the Saint Ann Church community. Each dollar raised and every hour volunteered was an act of stewardship and love for the parish.

Under the leadership of Father Simchock, the parish’s renovation projects were executed with a clear vision and commitment to enhancing the church’s mission of service and worship. His oversight and coordination ensured the successful completion of each project, reflecting his dedication to the spiritual and physical well-being of the parish.

The renovations are not quite complete, with a few more projects planned for the spring to further enhance the main church’s aesthetic and functionality.

The leadership of Saint Ann Parish extends heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to these projects, whether through financial donations, time, or expertise. These improvements ensure that the church continues to serve as a welcoming place of worship and community for generations to come.

Through this collective effort, the Saint Ann Parish family has once again demonstrated the power of faith, fellowship, and shared purpose.

The result is not just a beautifully renovated church but a strengthened sense of unity and pride within the community.