The Diocese of Scranton would like to remind its parishioners to be on alert, and not fall victim, to ongoing scams that are once again popping up at various parishes throughout the region.

Between the months of June and July, individuals have reported getting text messages and/or emails from someone claiming to be their pastor asking for various things, most often gift cards.

The Diocese reminds everyone if you are ever concerned about a message that you receive, whether by text message or email, verify it before you take any action.

In the most recent instances, the bogus messages asked each recipient to purchase a gift card for a cancer victim on behalf of the pastor, but the scam can oftentimes take various forms. These requests are fake and should be considered a scam.

Additional reminders for the public to not fall victims to a scam include:

  • Don’t click on any links or open attachments in unsolicited texts or emails
  • Be extremely cautious when dealing with anyone you’ve only met by social media or text message if you don’t know who they are
  • Don’t be pressured to act immediately

 

Bishop Edward C. Malesic of Greensburg, Pa., is pictured in this undated photo. Pope Francis named him the new bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland July 16, 2020. (CNS photo/courtesy Diocese of Cleveland)

(July 16, 2020) – Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, Diocese of Scranton, is offering congratulations to the Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg, on his appointment as Bishop of Cleveland.

In a statement Thursday, Bishop Bambera said, “I send heartfelt congratulations to Bishop Edward C. Malesic on his appointment by Pope Francis as Bishop of Cleveland.

While serving alongside him here in Pennsylvania for the last five years, I have come to know Bishop Malesic as a man of deep faith, hope and love. During his time in the Diocese of Greensburg he has truly embodied the meaning of being a servant leader.

On behalf of the faithful in the Diocese of Scranton, I wish him congratulations and ask that all people join me in praying for Bishop Malesic as he begins his next phase of ministry.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCRANTON – With the end of August quickly approaching, the Diocese of Scranton Catholic Schools Office is diligently working on a plan to reopen its school buildings in a safe and prudent manner.

The Diocese says its goal is to reopen for in-person instruction this fall in a way that, above all else, prioritizes the best interest, safety and health of all students, faculty, staff and school families.

The Diocese has developed a Diocesan Health and Safety planning committee which is comprised of diocesan and local school administration and clergy along with medical professionals with expertise in pediatrics and quality assurance.

“The overarching goal of our Diocesan Health and Safety committee is to minimize the risk of the spread of coronavirus, while also promoting healthy habits for our students and school families,” Jason Morrison, Chief Executive Officer and Diocesan Secretary of Catholic Education, said.

At the same time, the reopening strategy will also include planning for the ever-changing dynamic of the virus. A subcommittee has been developed which is focused on enhancing distance learning should there be a statewide closure again. Additionally, the Diocese is looking into the logistics of a virtual offering if there is a desire or need for families to have this option.

“Understanding the fluid nature of this disease, we are charged with making decisions now based on the most recent scientific evidence available through our local, state and national agencies and associations,” Kristen Donohue, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, said. “Our commitment is to keep students, families and staff informed and assured that each decision will only be made with the best interest, health and safety of all.”

While COVID-19 has taken a lot away from people, and this year students will not be sharing items like normal, the Catholic School System says there is one thing it wants students to share – good health.

As a result, the Diocese will be producing a series of videos entitled, “Sharing Good Health,” which will help lay out the reopening plan.

The first video was released this week and featured five fundamentals that will be commonplace at all 19 Catholic Schools throughout the Diocese. They include daily temperature checks, promoting proper handwashing and good hygiene, physical distancing measures, wearing face masks and additional cleaning and disinfection.

“Classroom spacing is being developed to ensure physical distancing. That will also apply to hallways, cafeterias and even recess for our youngsters,” Donohue said in the video. “Access by visitors and volunteers will be limited and only considered when absolutely necessary.”

In an effort to promote good hygiene and a healthy environment, students will also be permitted to wear “summer uniforms” throughout the school year. Each school will provide further details of the summer uniform policy. The goal of that change is to make sure clothing items worn by students are properly washed and don’t become a carrier for any type of virus or disease.

During the first “Sharing Good Health” video, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera also thanked families for their commitment to Catholic education.

“This coming year will require the best of each one of us – and I know that by working together – we will be able to conquer any challenge that we face,” Bishop Bambera said.

To view the “Sharing Good Health” video, visit www.dioceseofscranton.org/Catholic-Schools.

 

SCRANTON (July 16, 2020) – On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf announced new mitigation efforts for COVID-19.

The order includes a limitation of no more than 25 people at indoor events and no more than 250 people at outdoor gatherings. In terms of indoor Mass capacity, Governor Wolf indicated that these limitations do not apply to religious institutions. As a result, there will be NO CHANGE to the current liturgical directives in the Diocese of Scranton.

The governor noted his changes are prompted by an unsettling climb in new coronavirus cases nationwide and concerns about a potential new surge in Pennsylvania cases.

“I cannot stress strongly enough the need for every parish to follow all safety protocols that have been put in place for the protection of our parishioners, clergy and community. Put simply, none of us can take these procedures for granted because this situation can change very quickly,” Bishop Joseph C. Bambera said.

While all liturgical directives can be found HERE. The most important liturgical directives include:

  • Everyone attending Mass is required to wear a mask except during Holy Communion
  • Pews are to be marked for social distancing and parishioners need to maintain six foot social distancing at all times while inside or outside a church
  • Properly sanitizing pews and other high-touch surfaces after each Mass
  • Encouraging anyone who is ill to stay home

“I emphasize this continued vigilance so that we hopefully will not have to suspend public Masses once again. Some parishes in California and Arizona are closing again due to spikes in COVID-19 infections. Additionally, several states that border Pennsylvania, including Ohio and West Virginia are experiencing spikes in the number of cases being reported,” Bishop Bambera added. “I also hope that prudence now will allow our Catholic Schools to safely resume in-person learning next month.”

 

July 14, 2020

WASHINGTON – During its 1,500-year history, the Hagia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom”) in Istanbul has been both a church and mosque. A museum for the last 84 years, it has served as a symbol of good will and coexistence between the Christian and Muslim communities. Last week, the President of Turkey announced his decision to overturn this policy and change its status. Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, have joined Pope Francis and other leaders in expressing their regret over the decision of Turkey’s president.

Archbishop Gomez and Bishop Bambera’s statement follows:

“We join Pope Francis and our Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters in expressing deep sadness over the decree by Turkey’s president to open Hagia Sophia as a mosque.

“Since its foundation as a Christian cathedral in 537, Hagia Sophia has been one of the world’s great artistic and spiritual treasures. For many years now, this beautiful and cherished site has served as a museum where people of all faiths can come to experience the sublime presence of God. It has also stood as a sign of good will and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims and an expression of humanity’s longings for unity and love.

“On behalf of our brother bishops in the United States, we urge President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to reverse this unnecessary and painful decision and restore Hagia Sophia as a place of prayer and reflection for all peoples.”

 

 

July 13, 2020

Statement of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace on the 75th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

August 6 and 9 mark the 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the first, and one hopes the last, times that atomic weapons are employed in war. Since Pope St. John Paul II’s visit to Japan in 1981, each year the Catholic Church in Japan has observed Ten Days of Prayer for Peace. In observation of this 75th anniversary, we invite Catholics in the United States, and all those of good will, to come together in solidarity in our personal prayers and Masses on Sunday, August 9.

The 21st century continues to witness geopolitical conflicts with state and non-state actors, increasingly sophisticated weapons, and the erosion of international arms control frameworks. The bishops of the United States steadfastly renew the urgent call to make progress on the disarmament of nuclear weapons. The Church in the U.S. proclaims her clarion call and humble prayer for peace in our world which is God’s gift through the salvific sacrifice of Christ Jesus.

“A world of peace, free from nuclear weapons, is the aspiration of millions of men and women everywhere,” Pope Francis said during his visit to Nagasaki last year. He continued, “Our response to the threat of nuclear weapons must be joint and concerted, inspired by the arduous yet constant effort to build mutual trust and thus surmount the current climate of distrust.”

Recently, we, the bishops of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace re-affirmed the Holy Father’s call to “renewed effort to bring about a world of peace and justice that is not based upon fear or the threat of nuclear annihilation but justice and human solidarity.” Fear, distrust, and conflict must be supplanted by our joint commitment, by faith and in prayer, that peace and justice reign now and forever.

Members of the Committee for International Justice and Peace:

Most Reverend David J. Malloy, Chairman, Bishop of Rockford

Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton

Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services

Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of Venice

Most Reverend Michael Mulvey, Bishop of Corpus Christi

Most Reverend William F. Murphy, Bishop Emeritus of Rockville Centre

Most Reverend Alberto Rojas, Coadjutor Bishop of San Bernardino

Most Reverend Abdallah Elias Zaidan, Bishop of Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon

Bishop Consultants to the Committee for International Justice and Peace:

Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City
Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport

The Committee on International Justice and Peace has produced resources for study, prayer, and action that the faithful may use in observing the August 6th and 9th anniversary, which may be found at: www.usccb.org/nuclear.

 

2020 Novena Theme: ‘By His Wounds, We Are Healed’

SCRANTON – The 96th annual Solemn Novena to Saint Ann at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Ann in West Scranton will begin on Friday, July 17, and continue with consecutive days of Eucharistic worship, devotional prayer and preaching, culminating with the celebration of the Solemnity Feast of Saint Ann on Sunday, July 26.

Very Rev. Passionist Father Richard Burke, rector of Saint Ann Passionist Monastery and director of the Saint Ann National Shrine Basilica, announces the guest preachers for this year’s Solemn Novena will include Passionist Fathers Mark Ward and David Colhour and Passionist Brother Andre Mathieu. Both Father Mark and Brother Andre currently are members of the Passionist religious community at Saint Ann’s.

According to Father Burke, the trio of Novena preachers have chosen “By His Wounds, We are Healed” as the overall theme for the annual ten-day devotion to Saint Ann – mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus.

“Their theme reflects the place of the Passion of Jesus in our spiritual lives and the continuing power of His Passion penetrating the circumstances of our lives, even today,” the Passionist superior said.

Father Burke also shared that the 2020 Saint Ann Novena celebrates the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Passionist religious congregation, whose charism is to foster perpetual remembrance of the Passion of Jesus among the Church’s faithful.

“The Passionists do so by teaching others to pray about Jesus’ Passion and see (it) as a forming foundation of life leading to new life,” he explained.

Father Mark Ward has embraced and shared in the Passionist ministries in the Diocese of Scranton since 2018. A native of Dunkirk, N.Y., Father Mark entered the Passionist seminary of Holy Family in West Hartford, Conn., in 1965. He was ordained a priest for the Congregation of the Passion in 1975 and prior to arriving in Scranton, served as rector of Saint Paul of the Cross Monastery in Pittsburgh.

A native of Hartford, Conn., Brother Andre Mathieu made his profession of religious vows in the Passionist order in 1962 and has ministered in various pastoral, formation and leadership positions in the Eastern Province of the Passionists throughout his religious life. For the past eight years, Brother Andre has belonged  to the Passionist community at Saint Ann Monastery, where he is the current Vicar (assistant superior).

Father David Colhour entered the Passionist congregation in 1988 and celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination as a Passionist priest last year. The Loveland, Colo., native son has ministered to the faithful at Passionist retreat centers in Detroit, Houston, Citrus Heights, Calif., and Bangalore, India, since 1994. Father David recently completed theological studies to assume his appointment as local superior of the Passionist community in Chicago, as well as to continue his leadership in the religious congregation.

Father Burke commented that this year’s Novena preachers will specifically encourage their congregation of listeners to be mindful of the continuing healing power of Christ’s Passion in their lives. He said they will explore the following spiritual themes through their daily homilies:

Discovery: How do we discover who God is and what our relationship with God is called to be • Grieving • Living in hope through the turbulence of life • Challenge: What is my mission in life and where do I go from here? • Pruning, to bring about greater fruitfulness in life • Healing life’s hurts • Awesomeness: Seeing life in a new way • Praying: What is it really? • Making Love Work: Discovering the genius of God’s love in the Wounds of Christ • We Live All Alone & Together: Community of faith.

In addition, the Divine Liturgy of the Byzantine Catholic Rite celebrated by Bishop Kurt R. Burnette of the Passaic Byzantine Eparchy will be offered on Tuesday, July 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the Basilica of Saint Ann. The Solemn Closing of the Novena will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. on Saint Ann’s feast day, July 26, with Bishop Joseph C. Bambera presiding.

Stating that the guest preachers will take their lead from the founder of the Passionist congregation – Saint Paul of the Cross – Father Burke noted that the general and daily themes for the Solemn Novena will strike a chord of relevance to the current COVID-19 global pandemic. “We have much to pray about these days,” he said.

Father reiterated that all recommended precautions for the coronavirus health crisis will be strictly followed, and that elderly devotees and those with underlying medical conditions are encouraged to remain at home and participate in the Solemn Novena via televised broadcasts.

The implemented changes in order to adhere to current restrictions and protocols for public gatherings include the required designation for seating to comply with social distancing guidelines, which will allow a maximum of 135 faithful in the Basilica church.

Hand-sanitizing stations are installed and congregants are requested to enter the Basilica through one front door and leave by way of an “exit only” door.

“Our goal is to pray fervently and pray safely throughout the ten days,” Father Richard said.

 

 

SCRANTON – In both a video message and a letter to the faithful at the beginning of July, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera stressed the importance of continuing safety protocols with the threat of COVID-19 still very present in our communities.

“With the virus surging in many parts of our country, we need to be more vigilant than ever in exercising precautionary measures to keep us all safe. While all parishes in the Diocese of Scranton are now able to hold in-person Masses, this is not the time for us to let down our guard. I want to thank you – our faithful people, as well as all of our pastors and parish life coordinators – for your continued patience in following all of the safety protocols in your parishes,” the bishop wrote.

The bishop said wearing masks at Mass and maintaining proper social distancing is really an act of charity towards neighbors.

“As a people of God, we always need to think about how our actions impact others. Maintaining proper social distancing and wearing face masks are vital in preventing the spread of this virus. They are also acts of charity, helping to safeguard our fellow parishioners, our community and ourselves. Right now, we do not have a vaccine for the coronavirus, but we do have something that is just as important: We have the ability to help keep each other safe,” he added.

The bishop also thanked people who have stepped-up and helped their parishes stay safe. He specifically highlighted those who volunteer to make sure people are properly welcomed and healthy and those who sanitize churches after each Mass.

The bishop also emphasized the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and while many have been able to participate in livestream Masses, there is no substitute for being in a church.

“While our capacity for attendance might be temporarily limited – the love of God knows no limits. If nothing else, this difficult time has helped to emphasize to us how important the communal celebration of the Eucharist is,” Bishop Bambera explained.

He added, “While the Sunday obligation to attend Mass remains suspended at this time – you and I know very well that nothing can replace coming together as a faith-filled community for the shared celebration of the Eucharist. These past months have reminded us that for as challenging and difficult as the journey may have been, Jesus alone is our light, our hope and our strength.”

Noting that many have been feeling burdened and stressed these last few months, faithful people always manage to find a hopeful way forward through the grace of God and Jesus’ abiding presence in our lives.

“As we continue to re-gather as a local church week-by-week, may the Good News of Jesus be the message that we spread far and wide. It alone has the power to provide hope and to impart lasting peace to those who open their lives and hearts to Jesus,” Bishop Bambera noted.

 

COVID-19 has contributed to the permanent closure of 130 Catholic schools across 23 states.  Additionally, internal surveys show ten percent of Catholic schools are now uncertain if they can open their doors this fall.   That means as many as 500 or more Catholic schools could be in jeopardy.

Please join the PA Catholic Conference and the USCCB in asking Congress to include additional relief for Catholic schools in the next emergency relief package.

Public schools are asking for $300 billion dollars, and it is important to make sure that hard-hit Catholic school families also receive emergency relief.  Please take a moment to contact your Members of Congress to ask for emergency aid to Catholic schools and hard-hit families in the next COVID-19 relief package.  We are asking Congress for direct funding to families for education expenses, including Catholic school tuition.

We encourage you to add your own personal story about your Catholic school experience in the message as well.

Catholic schools urgently need help in this time of uncertainty.  Please contact your members of Congress today!

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/aNjxo0jYCt2OuXxmZh2NVg

 

MUNCY (July 13, 2020) — After being in self-quarantine for more than a week, the COVID-19 test results for Father Glenn McCreary, pastor, Church of the Resurrection, have come back negative.

Father McCreary is now feeling better. Thank you to everyone who prayed for his recovery.

Despite the negative test results, the Lycoming County parish still plans to deep clean and sanitize its church on Wednesday. The health department recommends a two-day wait period after the cleaning.

As a result, the next mass at Church of the Resurrection will be on Friday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m. Weekend Masses will resume on Saturday, July 18, according to the schedule at the parish.

“I want to thank everyone for their prayers, calls, and messages of support over the last week,” Father Glenn said. “As health officials have stressed for the last several months, it is important for everyone to keep a watchful eye on their own health. While my test results may be negative, I continue to pray for all of those individuals and families impacted by his virus.”