Category: Diocese of Scranton News

SAYRE – As dioceses around the country begin a multi-year National Eucharistic Revival, parishioners of Epiphany Parish wasted no time in putting their faith on full display.

On Saturday, June 25, 2022, more than 100 people participated in a Eucharistic Procession that began inside the Bradford County church and went down Elmer Avenue to Howard Elmer Park where three altars were set up to honor the Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph and the Precious Blood of Jesus.

“When we first talked about doing this, we were all very excited that we were going to have the opportunity to present this to the community, to walk outdoors with our Lord in the monstrance and share that experience with people in the community,” parishioner Kate Gabb said.

“It is a wonderful thing, as far as letting the community see that Jesus is real. That is what we celebrate in Corpus Christi, His real presence in the Blessed Sacrament,” parishioner Patricia Reid added.

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton; Rev. Daniel A. Toomey, Pastor, Epiphany Parish; and Rev. Jose Joseph Kuriappilly, Assistant Pastor, Epiphany Parish, led the Eucharistic Procession.

“Eucharistic processions are such a blessing to the area, to the parish boundaries, to the community,” Father Toomey explained. “People that are not Catholic may not have an awareness of it but those who are Catholic know this is us reaching out to the community.”

On a warm, sunny afternoon, the procession did get numerous onlookers, especially since there was another large community event taking place in Sayre on the same day.

“I’m hoping we can do this every year,” Reid said.

The Catholic Community of the Epiphany in Sayre has a long tradition of celebrating the Real Presence of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. The parish just marked 30 years of Eucharistic Adoration at its perpetual adoration chapel. The chapel opened on Holy Saturday, April 18, 1992.

“We are so blessed to have this here. We have so many people from different walks of life that come and worship,” Gabb explained. “It is such a peaceful time, for one hour, to spend in the presence of the Lord. We encourage as many people as we can, all the time, to come and join us.”

“I feel like it’s the heartbeat of this parish, just having the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, we’ve been very blessed to have it for 30 years,” Reid explained.

During the procession, the faithful joined in singing Immaculate Mary, The Table of Plenty and Gift of Finest Wheat. As they returned to Epiphany Parish, the faithful sang Amazing Grace.

Upon returning to the church, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was offered.

Calling the Eucharistic Procession “beautiful,” Bishop Bambera said it served as a great witness to our world.

“We seek to rejuvenate the appreciation and the depth of the gift that we’ve been given of the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. We give thanks for that. What a powerful witness that is to our world, as simple as it may seem. Never underestimate the power of your lives coming to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and walking in a simple procession to remind our world of the heart of our belief as Catholic Christians, that we do not walk alone but Jesus walks with us, in one another and most especially in this great gift,” Bishop Bambera said.

SCRANTON – Following the 12:15 p.m. Mass June 19, several hundred people streamed out of the Cathedral of Saint Peter’s front doors and onto Wyoming Avenue behind a canopy carried over a monstrance bearing the body of Christ.

The procession made its way to the front steps of the Cathedral rectory, where there was a period of adoration and the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, held the monstrance aloft to bless the faithful.

The procession marked the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the feast of Corpus Christi, as well as the nationwide launch of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to revitalize Catholics’ understanding of and love for Jesus in the Eucharist.

“During this treasured time, we will contemplate and proclaim the doctrine of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, a belief that has sustained countless numbers of Catholic Christians throughout two millennia, yet a belief that, sadly, many have lost over the years,” Bishop Bambera said. “Our hope for these years of revival is that we are able to reclaim and fortify this sublime gift of God through the truth of our Church’s teaching, the beauty of our Catholic worship and the goodness of lives of service that flow from the life and presence of Jesus, given to us in the Eucharist.”

Through the Eucharist, the bishop reminded the faithful that we are bound together as brothers and sisters in Christ, we remember the promise of Christ’s second coming in glory and are sent forth on mission – to be the living presence of Jesus in our world today.

“While we find great consolation and peace in adoring Christ present in the Sacrament of His Body and Blood, our time with Christ is never meant to end in adoration. Such treasured moments are always given to us to fortify us to go forth on mission,” he explained.

Saint Paul also reminds us to never take the gift of the Eucharist for granted or never see it as a routine element of our worship.

“We who are privileged to receive Christ must become Christ and take Him into our world so desperately in need of God’s presence, God’s grace and God’s mercy,” Bishop Bambera ended his homily saying.

STROUDSBURG – Members of the Polish community celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) on June 19, 2022, at Saint Luke Parish.

After the celebration of Mass in Polish, the community honored the Blessed Sacrament with a Eucharistic Procession and Prayers of Thanksgiving. The people of the Polish community remembered their Catholic heritage in Poland and processed around the church building stopping at altar shrines to pray.

Before Mass, members of the congregation made four altars each honoring the Body of Christ. Each of these altars were beautifully decorated with many flowers, banners and pictures meant to honor Jesus Christ in this sacrament of the Eucharist.

Many ethnic groups from Poland came to the celebration with their respected attire from each region as Polish Highlanders or Cracovian. The Mass ended with all the faithful walking in procession to each of the altars, ringing bells and throwing flower petals as they solemnly moved along.

Father Sylwester Pierzak, a Polish priest from the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., presided at Mass and led the procession while carrying the monstrance that enshrined the Blessed Sacrament. He is one of a small team of Polish priests who come to serve the growing Polish population in the Poconos.

SCRANTON — It was a win for the ages…and the “pre-ages.”

Pro-life perseverance and patience paid off on June 24, 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that virtually erased and rendered mute the Court’s landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand in America.

Catholics throughout the Diocese of Scranton were quick to note the high court’s reversal on the abortion issue was the answer to a half-century of prayers, coming — “God-incidentally” — on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the birth date of the late Nellie Gray, foundress of the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., and the first to coin the term “pro-life.”

Maryann Lawhon, president of the Hazleton Area Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life (PHL), witnessed firsthand the horrors of legalized abortion in 1977 when, as a young nurse working in the obstetrics unity of a West Virginia hospital, she stumbled upon an abandoned newborn — completely unaware the Supreme Court’s Roe decision made the atrocity legal.

After being reprimanded for bringing the revelation to the staff’s attention, and against instruction to “do nothing,” she held the infant, baptized him and declared, “I name you John. I will tell the world what I saw here today. I will be your voice.”

“Promise kept,” Lawhon proudly noted, referring to her “Voice of John” respect life educational apostolate based in Hazleton. “My immediate reaction was of absolute joy, a victory for the child in the womb!”

Lawhon said she shed “tears of joy” during the “surreal moment,” recalling decades of pro-life marches, peaceful protests outside of abortion clinics, prayer chains and carnation sales in defense of the right to life.

“Justice for the 63 million children who have died,” she continued. “A victory for humanity!”

So, mission accomplished?

“No,” Lawhon explained. “God has a plan, so this is a time to listen to the fears and address the concerns of a society which has known a world where abortion has been both justified and normalized.”

Maria Lutz Barna chimed in, “My mother (Katherine Lutz), Mary Farley Pane and Loretta McNellis are dancing in heaven,” referring also to the two original founders of the Grassroots Hazleton Chapter.

“Today, the ‘voice of John’ has been heard,” Sugarloaf resident Caroline Cummins said in reaction to the monumental Supreme Court decision.

“No more Roe. God’s will was done on June 24, 2022. Praise the Sacred Heart of Jesus!” Jean Klingerman of Drums exclaimed.

Eternal gratitude punctuated the post-ruling comments of longtime pro-life activist Ada Magni.

“This law is now in the ash heap of history,” she said, while noting abortion continues to be legal in Pennsylvania through the first six months of pregnancy for any reason, except the sex of the baby. “Now that the power has been turned over to the states we must put pressure (on legislators) to pass the Life Amendment so we the people have a voice in protecting the unborn in our state. Pray we must to make abortion illegal in Pennsylvania.”

At 93, Betty Caffrey has served as president of the Wyoming Valley PHL Chapter for the past 47 years and spearheads the Human Life Resource Center in Wilkes-Barre.

“After almost 50 years of waiting to hear Roe was no more, I thanked God for the victory but I know that the battle has just begun,” Caffrey began in her response to experiencing history. “Those who oppose us will never mention the baby. We must as Catholic Christians become ‘warriors for life.’ We will all be held accountable to God for what we did not do. No excuses.”

She continued, “We will be held responsible for every life taken. Now is the time as Catholics of this diocese to become active in defending life. We need leadership in every pulpit and pew.”

“God will bless our efforts once again, and the killing of the unborn will cease only if we work to make the truth known. When the babies’ lives no longer matter, then who is next?” Caffrey concluded.

Her PHL Chapter vice president, Chris Calore, lauded the overturning of Roe v. Wade as a great victory for America and all unborn threatened with abortion.

“The good Lord answered the prayers and the good works of the many who have worked in defense of the most vulnerable,” Calore stated. “Thanks to Nellie Gray and to the countless souls whose efforts contributed to this blessed Supreme Court decision. It is a time to celebrate; however, our work for the pro-life cause is never over.”

One of the diocese’s most visible and vigilant stalwarts in the nearly half-century battle against abortion has been Helen Gohsler, who served as president of the Scranton Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life for nearly 40 years before stepping down from the high-profile post.

Reacting to the long-awaited Supreme Court decision nullifying Roe v. Wade, Gohsler added her voice to the joyful chorus of longtime colleagues and ardent pro-life patriots who have passionately dedicated much of their lives to protecting the sanctity of all human life, with special thanks for area clergy.

“I believe I speak for the Scranton Pennsylvanians for Human Life chapter when I say we are most grateful to those priests and pastors who, over the years, have responded to the cries of the unborn and have supported us in our prayers and efforts on their behalf,” she remarked.

Sarah McNellis has been active in the pro-life cause since its inception 49 years ago and founded the Saint Gabriel’s Pro-Life Movement in Hazleton in 1973.

“At the first March for Life in Washington organized by Nellie Gray, I marched with 20,000 other pro-lifers from the Wyoming Valley area,” McNellis explained.

As a registered nurse and the mother of five children, she recalled the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion in the United States on Jan. 22, 1973.

“We marched on January 22, 1974,” McNellis proudly stated. “From that moment on I joined the pro-life movement to reverse this awful (court) decision. That decision was reversed on June 24, 2022, on Nellie Gray’s birthday. How wonderful and appropriate!”

Having been involved in pro-life work for so many years, Hazleton PHL Chapter vice president Carol Matz was uncertain she would ever see Roe v. Wade overturned in her lifetime.

“When the landmark ruling was announced I was elated,” Matz said, “and to know that I and many others were part of this was quite humbling.

“So while we celebrate, we also are aware that the fight continues. We need to look to state legislation and push for more protection statewide for unborn children, while at the same time looking for more ways we can assist mothers in need so they do not feel alone, unloved or unsure of how they will be able to care for a baby.”

DUNMORE — Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant of a concelebrated Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial for Father Kenneth G. Kizis on July 1 at Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Dunmore.

Father Kizis, who was pastor emeritus of the former Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Olyphant, died June 28 at Allied Services Meade Street Skilled Nursing, Wilkes-Barre, at the age of 89.

Born in Pittston on May 19, 1933, son of the late George and Ann Machonis Kizis, Father Kizis received his early education at Saint Mary of the Assumption School, Pittston, and graduated from nearby Saint John High School.

Father Kizis attended Christ the King Seminary at Saint Bonaventure, N.Y., where he completed his preparatory studies for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Scranton on May 23, 1959, in the Cathedral of Saint Peter by the late Most Rev. Jerome D. Hannan, fifth Bishop of Scranton.

Following ordination, Father Kizis served as assistant pastor at the parishes of Saints Peter and Paul, Hazleton; Saint Joseph, Scranton; Saints Peter and Paul, Towanda; and Immaculate Conception, Scranton.

He received his first pastoral assignment on Sept. 2, 1980, at All Saints Parish in Dunmore, and was subsequently appointed pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Moscow, in 1985.

On June 20, 1991, Father Kizis assumed the pastorate of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Olyphant, where he remained until retirement from active ministry and his appointment as pastor emeritus of Saint Michael’s on April 23, 2003.

In addition to his parochial duties, Father Kizis was the chaplain at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Carbondale, and also served as diocesan director of Catholic Charities in Carbondale and moderator of the Carbondale Chapter of the Nurses Guild.

Father Kizis would serve as both vice president and principal of Dunmore Central Catholic High School, which later became Bishop O’Hara High School, and as chaplain for the Marywood Novitiate in Dunmore.

As homilist for the Mass of Christian Burial for his priest friend, Father Phil Sladicka began by noting the mortal remains of Father Kizis, placed before the altar, were central to the funeral celebration.

“As we celebrate this funeral liturgy, we remember with gratitude the life of Father Ken Kizis,” Father Sladicka remarked. “We thank God for the gifts of a priest who is also a loving son, brother, relative and friend to all of us who are here today.”

He continued, “I remember with gratitude our friendship. Retreats, monthly visits, conversations, and times we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” fondly recalling Father Kizis’ 60th anniversary of ordination three years before. “I thank God for (his) 89 years of life — a gift from God. I thank God today for (his) 63 years of priesthood, lived in fidelity to God’s people.”

The homilist later referred to the Gospel selected for the funeral Mass and Jesus’ words: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12:24)

“Father Kizis had a gospel vision of humility, love and service that helped him to live day by day, walking in the footsteps of Jesus, allowing the grain of wheat to fall to the ground and die,” Father Sladicka offered. “It helped him to stay on track and to move forward with an intentional attitude in his vocation.”

“My final thought is that Father Ken Kizis, present at the altar today, preaches a homily stronger than I could preach. With great devotion we bid (him) farewell,” Father Sladicka said in conclusion. “We ask the Good Shepherd in the words of Psalm 23 to lead Father Ken into green pastures and beside still waters, that with His rod and staff He will lead Father Ken over the waters of death and into the brightness of eternal life.”

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Kizis, and his wife, Elaine; and Leonard Kizis, and his wife, Agnes.

Interment was held at Saint Michael’s Byzantine Cemetery, Dunmore.

 

WILKES-BARRE – Saint Andre Bessette Parish proudly proclaimed itself as a community of hospitality, healing and holiness. As the faithful of the parish gathered to celebrate a closing Mass on Sunday, June 19, 2022, all three virtues were on full display.

As they walked through the front doors of their church one final time, a special slideshow greeted all parishioners. The presentation highlighted the history of Saint Andre Bessette Parish, featuring hundreds of pictures of people happily serving their community, building up the Kingdom of God and simply having fun.

Even though a closing Mass is bittersweet, the occasion did not stop a normal occurrence for the faithful. More than 200 people joined together reciting the Rosary together before the start of the closing Mass at 11 a.m.

“As with anything in life comes change and right now we’re experiencing that as a parish family and community. We are bidding farewell to our beloved parish of Saint Andre Bessette but look forward to the future with hope that we can all build roots in our new parish communities,” parishioner John Morris said.

Father Kenneth Seegar, who served as pastor for the community for more than a decade, celebrated the closing Mass. In January 2022, Father Seegar was transferred to a new parish assignment in Hazleton and Monsignor Jack Bendik was called out of retirement to serve as administrator pro tem.

During his homily, Father Seegar thanked all those who gave of their gifts and talents to build up the parish since its founding when several churches came together in 2011 and 2012.

“Today is not a day for us to mourn or weep, but rather, it is a day for us to be grateful,” Father Seegar explained.

Father Seegar encouraged the faithful to look to Scripture for guidance and direction as they embrace the future. He explained that in the early days of the Church, men and women from Jerusalem needed to separate and spread out to build up other faith communities. He said that is what God is now asking of the people in this Wilkes-Barre community.

“We have done a great many things here in the past 11 years. We have built up a community of faith, we have built up a family, supporting one another in times of sorrow, sharing with one another in times of joy,” he said. “Now, God is asking us to go to other places, among other people and bring with us the fire that burns here within us, so that we can build up other communities, we can strengthen other people.”

In recent years, the parish of Saint Andre Bessette suffered a diminishing number of faithful whose donations have helped to sustain the parish. Demographic changes, due to an aging population, also resulted in a continued decrease in Mass attendance and sacramental participation.

The parish also has significant unpaid financial obligations and faced infrastructure challenges, which include an aging asbestos roof and a structurally unsound retaining wall surrounding the church that would be expensive to replace.

In the spirit of the Vision 2030 pastoral planning process, conversation and consultation between the Diocese and parishioners began in March 2022. At the prompting of parish leaders, the possibility of closing Saint Andre Bessette was discussed and ultimately approved.

Following the closing Mass, Saint Andre Bessette Parish was suppressed by an extinctive union with Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Plains. That means that parishioners previously belonging to Saint Andre Bessette Parish will now belong to Saints Peter and Paul Parish and the geographic territory of Saints Peter and Paul Parish will reflect the change.

In addition, Saint Stanislaus Kostka Church, 668 North Main Street, which was the main worship site for the parish will be closed (defined in canon law as ‘relegated to profane but not sordid use’). Saints Peter and Paul Parish will determine the future of the property in consultation with the Diocese.
As he closed his homily, Father Seegar said each person must ask God to continue to give him or her strength.

“Each one of you is a credit to this parish. Each one of you helped to build this community. Now, each one of you is tasked with going out and doing that again – in new places and new beginnings – so the Word of God can continue to grow and thrive,” he said.

DUNMORE – From what college they want to attend or what job they are looking for, high school students face many questions about their future.

Each summer, the Diocesan Office of Vocations helps young men in high school explore vocational opportunities at Quo Vadis Days, a three-day camp that gives each person the opportunity to ask where God is calling them. In Latin, “Quo Vadis” means, “Where are you going?”

This year’s camp was held June 19-21 at Marywood University.

“I don’t want to leave. I’m enjoying it a lot,” Matthew Sanchez, 14, said on the final day of Quo Vadis Days this summer.

The Stroudsburg teenager, who is a parishioner of Saint Matthew Parish, said the camp helped him grow in confidence.

“Today I got the courage enough to read at the Mass so that helped me a lot. People said I did well,” he explained.

Throughout the three days, speakers visit to talk about the priesthood, religious life and marriage. Campers also participate in Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Mass, Adoration and more. The students also have plenty of free time to play pool, foosball, capture the flag, football and soccer.

“These are kids who want to learn about Jesus and want to figure out where God is calling them. For most people, that is not to the priesthood, but this is also a place where they can discern and talk about what it means to date as a Christian, what marriage looks like, how they should live their faith right now in high school,” Father Alex Roche, Diocesan Director of Vocations and Seminarians said.

Liam Barry, 16, who is going to be a sophomore, is interested in the priesthood.

“I do volunteering at my church and I like to serve people and I like to talk about my faith and spread it,” Barry explained.

The Sayre-native said he enjoyed getting to talk with many of the priests and seminarians from around the Diocese of Scranton and hear about all of the steps of becoming a priest.

“It’s a lot more complicated than I thought. I thought it was just like going to college and then you get ordained. That’s not how it goes at all,” he added.

After attending Quo Vadis Days for several years as a high school student, Dominic Tavani, 20, is now serving on the young adult team that helped plan all the activities.

He said the three-day retreat helps young people to see priests as real people.

“Priests are human beings too. They love to play games. They were playing Ultimate Frisbee with us. They love to be around us and want to help us,” he explained.

Seminarian Harrison Rapp, who participated in all of the activities along with the high school students, said Quo Vadis Days gives him a lot of hope for the future of the church.

“I think this is a great opportunity for the Lord to place seeds in their heart, even if they don’t realize it, I think they’ll leave here and recognize that was a good experience for me and hopefully it will be something they cherish as they go forward in their faith,” Rapp said.

All of the participants interviewed by The Catholic Light say they are walking away with new friendships from this year’s event. That is exactly what Father Alex Roche wanted to hear.

“I want those sorts of relationships to build up around the diocese because that is what is going to help the church to come alive for the next generation,” he said.