Category: Diocese of Scranton News

Update: The Rectory, Set, Cook! fundraiser is underway. To view all of the “pastor chef” videos and vote for your favorite – visit https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/PASTORCHEF

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SCRANTON – Did you know Bishop Bambera, a seafood fan, also makes a mean meatloaf? Or that Father Seth Wasnock puts cinnamon in his pasta sauce? Did you also know Father David Cappelloni makes his own pasta – and Italian doughnuts for dessert?

You can learn many more such tasty tidbits by supporting the Diocese of Scranton’s first-ever, all-virtual, cook-off-style fundraiser, which will be a friendly online showdown among more than 25 priests, most of whom know their way around a kitchen.

Rectory, Set, Cook! is scheduled for launch on Fat Tuesday (March 1), and we are inviting Catholics across the Diocese to help turn up the heat and get out the vote for their favorite videos, pastors and recipes.

Participating parish priests are starring in individual videos showcasing a favorite recipe or recipes and counting on their flocks and friends far and near to show their support by making monetary donations as small as $10. Each $10 donation will represent one vote for a pastor chef or team.

Participants can vote as many times as they would like and for as many priests as they would like. The website will be live for nearly six weeks, with winners – those who raise the most dollars – announced in mid-April. Printed cookbooks with all showcased recipes also will be available for purchase online.

Rectory, Set, Cook! will acquaint Catholics with some of the Diocese’s finest priests on a more personal level, but the best part is all voting dollars will support the anti-hunger efforts of Catholic Social Services – Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen as well as food pantries and programs across the CSS footprint – and the parishes that signed up a chef. Voting dollars will be shared 50-50 between Catholic Social Services and the participating parishes.

All sponsorship dollars will go directly to Catholic Social Services’ anti-hunger efforts. Presenting sponsor – The Executive Chef Sponsor – for this new Diocesan initiative is the Hawk Family Foundation. Other committed sponsors include McCarthy Tire and Automotive, Metz Culinary Management and Damage Control, Inc.

We are still seeking additional corporate and individual or family sponsors. For more information about sponsorships and the range of sponsorship benefits, please contact Rectory, Set, Cook! event director Sandra Snyder in the Diocesan Development Office at (570) 591-5004 or Sandra-Snyder@dioceseofscranton.org.

The event website will debut March 1, and will be linked through Diocesan social media and in the next edition of The Catholic Light. Sponsorship deadline is Feb. 23.

SCRANTON — Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant of the Mass of Thanksgiving and Sending Forth for Bishop-elect Jeffery J. Walsh on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 12:10 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter.

Dozens of the future bishop’s brother priests from the Diocese of Scranton concelebrated the joy-filled Eucharistic liturgy, which saw the venerable cathedral filled with family, friends, religious and lay faithful who were in attendance to offer prayerful best wishes for Bishop-elect Walsh prior to his embarking on a new chapter in his life of service to the People of God — as the new bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord, Mich.

The episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop Walsh as the sixth prelate to serve the faithful of Gaylord will take place on Friday, March 4, at 2 p.m. in the diocesan Cathedral of Saint Mary.

In welcoming the throng for the Mass of Sending Forth, Bishop Bambera began by stating the crowd was by far the largest gathering in Saint Peter’s Cathedral since the onset of the global pandemic nearly two years ago.

“We owe it all to the grace of God and to our dear brother, Father Jeff Walsh,” the Bishop remarked, leading to a rousing applause.

Noting that the special noontime gathering was being offered in thanksgiving for the blessing and gift of the Bishop-elect to his home diocese, Bishop Bambera said, “We give thanks for his ministry, that has obviously touched so many of us and in so many and different ways. And we send him forth with our love and most especially our prayers as he assumes a new role of service in the Church of Jesus Christ and in ministry to the faithful to the Diocese of Gaylord.”

Serving as homilist for the Mass, Bishop-elect Walsh quipped that he felt sorry for anyone who came to the Cathedral that day expecting a brief, midday Mass.

“I am so grateful for everyone who is here,” the future Gaylord Bishop expressed, stating he believed such a liturgical celebration on his behalf would never occur, as he expected to live out the rest of his priesthood serving the Scranton Diocese.

“Let me begin my offering my gratitude to everyone, especially Bishop Bambera and all in the Diocese of Scranton who invited me to come and celebrate this Mass,” Bishop-elect Walsh remarked. “This is a helpful way for me to have closure, to see so many familiar faces and to give thanks to God for the blessings I’ve had as a priest here over the last 27 years.”

The Bishop-elect graciously thanked the numerous faithful in attendance who traveled from within the diocese and beyond, indicating the many parishioners and laity he had come to know through his many parochial assignments.

In an emotional expression of gratitude to women and men religious he ministered with over the years, Bishop-elect Walsh said, “I thank especially my brother priests and deacons I have had the joy and privilege of serving with. I am most grateful for your witness.”

The future bishop stated, “I am filled with a heart of gratitude,” referring to the Gospel of Saint John proclaimed earlier that emphasizes the gift of Jesus’ love for all. “That has been such a comfort to me.”

He shared with the congregation how he was naturally overwhelmed with emotions upon first learning of the tremendous responsibility that comes with shepherding a diocese. “I was just praying and it came to me that God was saying, ‘I’m giving you this assignment out of love; receive it in love and exercise it in love.’”

“That brought me some peace and consolation that it’s all about love,” Bishop-elect Walsh shared. “Love casts out fear. I came to understand the true meaning of those words in Scripture.”

The Mass of Thanksgiving and Sending Forth concluded with closing remarks and a final farewell by Bishop Bambera.

“Father Jeff has always been willing to set out in faith into the unknown,” the Bishop said, adding that the 56-year-old priest’s latest and most challenging of journeys in well underway. “This is one more opportunity for him to do what he has done throughout his priestly ministry: to place his hand in the hand of God and to follow the Lord Jesus who calls him to serve His Church as a bishop.”

Bishop Bambera extolled the Bishop-elect’s unwavering willingness to always trust in God, as reflected in the motto he has chosen for his new episcopacy — “Divine Providence.”

“Father Jeff, we send you forth with great pride and we thank you not only for your faithful service to this local Church, but also for reminding all of us that whatever our state in life may be, by your example and your resolve, we know what we are called to do and be disciples of Jesus Christ.”

CARBONDALE – Having travelled all over the world to help the less fortunate on mission trips, Father Jeffrey J. Walsh is now preparing to travel to Michigan for what is arguably his biggest mission yet.

On Friday, March 4, 2022, Bishop-elect Walsh will be ordained and installed as the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord. The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit, will serve as the principal consecrator. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, and the Most Reverend Walter A. Hurley, Apostolic Administrator of Gaylord, will serve as co-consecrators.

The Episcopal Ordination and Installation will take place at 2 p.m. at Saint Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Gaylord.

Even though it has been nearly two months since the appointment was announced, Bishop-elect Walsh still feels a sense of amazement.

“I understand it as something that is necessary for my salvation, that God must see it as a way I need to follow in order to get to heaven but I also see it as a great challenge,” Bishop-elect Walsh said in a recent interview with The Catholic Light.

Ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Scranton in 1994, Bishop-elect has spent 27 years serving the faithful of northeastern Pennsylvania with a humble heart and deep devotion to God.

“I love northeast Pennsylvania. I grew up here. I know every nook and cranny and have been through every aspect of its natural beauty and all the other aspects of Church life,” he added. “I’ve loved every minute of it, even in the difficult times.”

HEARING GOD’S CALL

When he was a teenager, Bishop-elect Walsh freely admits he wanted to become a truck driver, not a diocesan priest. It wasn’t until attending a weekend retreat while attending The University of Scranton that he began delving deeper into his faith.

“I found myself at a place where I wanted to learn more and I saw my peers interacting with faith at a deeper level,” Bishop-elect Walsh said.

Walsh grew up in an Irish Catholic household in Scranton. The church played an important role in his life.

“I understood the proper place that the Church played in our lives, going to Mass every Sunday, going to CCD during the weekdays, serving as an altar boy and then just trying to be a good person, knowing that my parents and grandparents were good role models. They were involved in civic organizations, they worked hard. They had disciple in the home,” he said.

After graduating from college, Bishop-elect Walsh said three things came together in an unexpected way which led to him joining the seminary. He admits he wasn’t happy in the job that he had, a relationship he was in during college ended and the death of his grandmother showed him that a priest does a lot more than just celebrate Mass.

“When my grandmother died unexpectedly, a young priest came to visit her in the hospital and when I saw what he did there, that fleshed out for me what a priest does … he brings comfort and peace and prays with people and (he) brought us a great sense of relief during that very difficult time,” he explained. “As I started praying about it and thinking ‘What is God saying to me through these things,’ the option of entering into the seminary became one of those realities.”

SERVING AND INSPIRING YOUNG ADULTS

During his 27 years as a priest, Bishop-elect Walsh has held many administrative and pastoral responsibilities, but he says spending time with young adults has been among the most important.

“I looked at those experiences of being with young people as a way to, first of all, draw them into a faith that I saw myself lacking and then finding, and I wanted to be a part of them finding it too because I thought it was exciting to experience that,” he explained.

Bishop-elect Walsh has been involved with more than 20 mission trips – some as far away as Thailand – and has traveled to multiple World Youth Days.

“I draw energy and strength and joy and love from being around young people,” Bishop-elect Walsh explained, emphasizing the love that many young adults show for Mass, adoration, confession and faith sharing groups. “I hope until the day I die I enjoy the company of young people just because of the mutual benefit I think it has.”

USING HIS GIFTS TO BUILD GOD’S KINGDOM

When he is not fulfilling his priestly responsibilities, Bishop-elect Walsh can often be found outdoors. He has often used his love of nature to help whatever parish he has been assigned to.

“It started with running the Steamtown Marathon. I was at Saint Mary of the Lake in Lake Winola and we needed a new rug. I thought, myself I could get people to sponsor me by the mile. I would run the race and see what happens. We called it the ‘Run for the Rug,’” he explained.

That began multiple opportunities to tie together physical exercise and parish fundraising. He subsequently biked from Maryland to Tunkhannock to raise money for windows in a parish hall, and swam the four mile perimeter of Lake Winola to raise money for a new entranceway for his church.

During his most recent pastoral assignment, Bishop-elect Walsh raised $20,000 to renovate the steeple at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Carbondale by walking the route of the Steamtown Marathon.

“I’ve always loved exercise and I love being active and I thought if I can marry that with opportunities for fundraising for a parish, it’s been successful so I’m grateful for that,” Bishop-elect Walsh said.

SAM, A CONSTANT COMPANION

Nearly everywhere Father Walsh has gone for more than a decade, his beloved dog, Sam, has been by his side. Sam will, of course, move to Gaylord as part of the episcopal transition.

“I can read his mind. He can read my mind,” Bishop-elect Walsh admits.

Sam came into Father Walsh’s life on Sept. 11, 2010.

“I was looking for a dog and I found a rescue organization that was bringing puppies up from Tuscaloosa, Ala., from a kill shelter and it was a match made in heaven,” he added. “I named him Sam because it was the anniversary of 9/11 and I wanted to think of something patriotic to call him so I thought of Uncle Sam and that’s how he got the name Sam.”

With every assignment, Sam has been an ambassador for the church in his own rite. Immediately after learning of his episcopal appointment, when Bishop-elect Walsh couldn’t tell anyone, Sam also became his owner’s trusted confidant.

“Sam was my great comfort for those days when my mind was reeling over all the changes and responsibilities that were coming,” he said.

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

As he prepares to assume responsibility for the 21 most northern counties of Michigan’s lower peninsula, and the 44,000 Catholics in the Diocese of Gaylord, Bishop-elect feels confident in his abilities because of his priestly experiences in the Diocese of Scranton.

“They’ve given me a good, broad vision of Church and what typically happens in the life of a local church, at the parish level and diocesan level. I’ve been tremendously inspired and edified by so many in the Diocese of Scranton,” the future bishop said.

When asked about his vision for the future, he answers simply, that it is the “vision of the Gospel.”

“To be Church in a way that we see and read about in the Scriptures,” he explained. “To me, what I keep going back to in prayer, is a sense of the early Church and needing to be able to live the life of the Church with that original sense of excitement and challenge of the Gospel.”

While admitting there is sadness in saying goodbye, Bishop-elect Walsh gives gratitude to God for each person he has gotten to know, home he has gotten to visit and parish he has gotten to serve.

“I am very, very blessed,” he said.

 

SCRANTON – Both Jerome and Nancy Walsh had the same reaction when their son, Bishop-elect Jeffrey J. Walsh, broke the news over a tray of pizza that Pope Francis had appointed him to be the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord.

“I was shocked that night. We’re still in shock. I just can’t believe it’s real but it is. We’re sort of adjusting to it. The more it sinks in, the more it is real,” Jerome Walsh said.

“It is just overwhelming and very humbling,” Nancy Walsh added. “We’re very thankful.”

The road to the episcopacy emanates from the path to the priesthood. Since his appointment became public in late December, Bishop-elect Walsh has consistently cited his parents and grandparents as the most significant formators in his life.

“I never thought he’d become a bishop,” his mother said with a laugh and a smile. “I was very happy to be the mother of a priest.”

The closeness between Bishop-elect Walsh and his parents is easy to see as The Catholic Light recently joined them around the kitchen table inside Walsh’s childhood home in Scranton. It is a home filled with love, faith and plenty of family photographs.

Childhood memories flow as easy as water.

“Growing up, he was a very adventurous boy. He was a typical boy with sports. Whatever ‘ball’ was in season was in that corner. We’re only a block away from the park so he’d be bouncing the basketball all the way from the park. You’d know he was coming. He loved baseball. He was a very good pitcher for the little league. He was a racquetball player, baseball, football, whatever was in season,” his mother recalled.

With his maternal grandparents living only a block away, the church was a big part of this Irish Catholic family’s life. Growing up, Bishop-elect Walsh served as an altar server and always helped at the parish picnic.

“Jeff served up until the time he was a teenager at North Scranton. I think it was sixth grade and he served so many funerals. He’d be a little late for school, about a half hour, and Monsignor would always give him a little excuse. One day the teacher said, ‘I don’t know, isn’t there anybody else, he’s late so much because he’s serving so many funerals,’” his mother added. “Monsignor saw something in him and he told me later on, when Jeff did go into the seminary. He said, ‘I think he has a vocation.’”

Since becoming a priest 27 years ago, Bishop-elect Walsh’s parents have watched their son take on numerous responsibilities in the Diocese of Scranton. They believe God has given him the gifts and talents needed to succeed in any assignment he was given.

“I think he understands people more than a regular person. He can almost feel what they’re feeling. He’s very sincere. He’s always been like that. He’s interested in you and I think it really shows,” his father said.

“I was always amazed that no matter where he was assigned, he fit right in,” his mother added. “We’ve had a wonderful 27 years of his priesthood. We’ve been to every parish. We loved going to his Masses. We’ve met wonderful people, different parishioners from every parish, going to fundraisers and dinners. We have really had a wonderful 27 years.”

With their strong foundation of faith, Bishop-elect Walsh’s parents say it is an honor that their son is becoming a bishop.

“People say to me, he’s always smiling even though he doesn’t even know he’s smiling. That is the truth. He always has a little smile on his face when he’s saying Mass, even though he’s serious, there is a little smile there. He’s just happy doing what he is doing. Different people will say he’s really found his niche and I think he did,” Nancy explained.

During all of his priestly assignments, Bishop-elect has never been more than an hour away from his parents. On his days off, he could often be seen shoveling their driveway or mowing their grass. With his new appointment taking him more than 12 hours away from his childhood home, his parents are preparing to adjust.

“He will be missed here…we’re going to have to adjust,” his father said. “I think he’ll do a good job. He’s got the background now and hopefully, God willing, he’ll do a good job. It’s a big challenge for him. He’s very adventurous so I think he’ll be anxious to see what is out there!”

SCRANTON – As Bishop-elect Jeffrey J. Walsh prepares to leave the Diocese of Scranton to minister to the faithful in the Diocese of Gaylord, his brother priests, many who have served alongside him for 27 years are reflecting on his many gifts and talents.

“Father Walsh is truly a servant leader. He understands that to serve is to lead and to lead is to serve and he will do it well,” Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, pastor, Saint John Neumann Parish and Saint Paul of the Cross Parish, said.

“He’s a very gifted priest and there’s a quality of holiness that is really significant in his life and that permeates when he has conversations with people,” Father Thomas M. Muldowney, pastor, Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, said.

Monsignor William J. Feldcamp knew Jeffrey Walsh and his family long before he decided to become a priest. When Father Walsh was ordained in 1994, his first assignment was to serve along Monsignor Feldcamp as assistant pastor at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Carbondale.

Even as a young priest, Msgr. Feldcamp recognized the abilities of his young assistant.

“I would say the biggest thing that stood out was the fact that he was very energized by serving people. He loved to go visit the hospitals. He loved to go and do communion calls, to visit the sick. Anytime there was any kind of social need with the poor or needy, he was right on deck to help,” Msgr. Feldcamp recalled.

Feldcamp believes Bishop-elect Walsh can best be described as a “missionary disciple.”

“He always will put himself out to help other people, to help the church in whatever which way he can. He’ll reach out to go on trips with youth. He’ll help with formation of priests,” he said.

After two years in Carbondale, in 1996, Bishop-elect Walsh became assistant pastor at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton, where Monsignor Quinn served as rector.

“He was filled with energy and enthusiasm in a wonderful way. He gave such added life to everything at the Cathedral but what I loved most of all was that he was always genuinely prayerful, sincerely humble and really selfless in every way,” Msgr. Quinn explained.

Whether working with youth, running mission trips or assisting with the long-running fundraiser “Cathedral Capers,” Msgr. Quinn said Bishop-elect Walsh always put everything in a positive light.

“I’m still smiling about his recent letter in his own parish bulletin at Saint Rose where he said there are three things he was looking forward to as he heads out to Michigan,” Msgr. Quinn said. “One is meeting a moose, two is seeing the night lights at the Great Lakes and the third is driving a snowmobile. Who else could put it in that context? He’s smiling throughout it all and bravely, selflessly and courageously going forward as a leader needed in today’s church.”

Bishop-elect Walsh has also held a number of administrative positions, including Vicar for Clergy, where he often worked side-by-side with Father Muldowney, who previously served as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.

Father Muldowney said his long-time friend is authentic in the way he presents himself, celebrates Mass and has conversations.

“The Diocese of Gaylord is getting a fantastic bishop just because of his priestly zeal, holiness and authentic way of life,” Father Muldowney related. “I know the giftedness that he has and that’s a blessing he’s going to give to the faithful of the Diocese of Gaylord.”

When all three priests were asked to give Bishop-elect words of advice, each said almost the same exact thing.

“Be who you are. That’s the advice that I would give him,” Father Muldowney said. “Who he is, is why the Church called him to be a bishop.”

“Don’t change. Be you. Be the real person that everyone in this diocese has loved with every assignment he’s had. Be the humble, honest human, humorous soul that we all know him to be and he will be equally enlivened and at the service of the Church,” Msgr. Quinn said.

“My words of advice would be to be yourself,” Msgr. Feldcamp added. “Because you have all the qualities needed to be a successful bishop. You’re a blessing for the Church and I’m sure everybody in northeastern Pennsylvania is very proud of you. Our prayers go with you and don’t be a stranger. When you come back, let us see you and let us know how you’re doing!”

SCRANTON – The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, has announced that Mary Hallman has been named Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life. Hallman was selected from a number of highly qualified candidates following an extensive nationwide search process. She began her new position on Jan. 3, 2022.

Hallman joins the Diocese after most recently serving as Director of Evangelization in the Diocese of Syracuse for eight years. In that position, she worked closely with both clergy and lay leaders, forming relationships and building trust, in an effort to create vibrant parishes and form disciples of Jesus Christ. Through her experiences in that position, Hallman is keenly aware of the many obstacles that parishes face and has been successful in collaboratively implementing innovative solutions.

Prior to her work at the diocesan level, Hallman also served for five years in parish ministry as Director of Evangelization & Catechesis at Saint Charles/Saint Ann Parish in Syracuse. During that time, she assisted in implementing a parish strategy for conversion and discipleship that was inclusive of adults, children and youth.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Irvine, and a master’s degree in theology from Augustine Institute in Denver, Colo.

“Mary’s skills and qualifications will be a tremendous asset to the Office for Parish Life and all of our parishes, especially as we continue our long-range pastoral planning process in the Diocese of Scranton,” Bishop Bambera said. “She shares the Diocese of Scranton’s mission of calling all the baptized to imitate the servant leadership of Jesus and to enter into a personal relationship with Him.”

“In my short time in the Diocese of Scranton, I have come to know so many people who are committed to building a more vibrant Church that meets the needs of the poor and the disenfranchised. God is already at work,” Hallman said. “I believe God has provided us with everything we need; our challenge is to intentionally call forth the gifts and talents of the laity so each person recognizes their particular role in the missionary work of our parishes. The future depends on our willingness to surrender our lives to Christ and live distinctively, in a way that is attractive to those who are far from the Church. We are all called to grow as disciples.”

As Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life, Hallman is responsible for overseeing the Office for Parish Life and its team, as well as regularly interacting with Regional Episcopal Vicars, Deans, Pastors, Priests, Parish Life Coordinators and Deacons regarding diocesan initiatives and services related to parish vitality. She will also play a key role in the Vision 2030 Blueprint Process, which is the long-range pastoral planning process for the Diocese of Scranton.

While looking proactively at the realities of our local church in the present moment, Vision 2030 strives to meet the opportunities and challenges of the coming decade in order to create vibrant expressions of parish life rooted in the life of Jesus Christ.

“The collaborative style of Bishop Bambera and his leadership team is what brought me to the Diocese of Scranton. Like most dioceses, especially during COVID, we have challenges, but we are able to see them together and share our hopes and dreams. It’s an exciting time, with lots of opportunities! I’m hoping the experiences of my life – as a Catholic school student, a college student involved in campus ministry, a youth ministry coordinator, Director of Faith Formation for linked parishes, and diocesan Director of Evangelization – allow me to contribute from a variety of perspectives. With the great team in place in the Office for Parish Life, we look forward to supporting parishes through the Vision 2030 process and beyond,” Hallman added.

Hallman welcomes the opportunity to network and collaborate with clergy and parish staffs. She can be reached in the Office for Parish Life at (570) 207-2213.

SCRANTON – Community groups and organizations that assist individuals with special needs came together on Feb. 13 at the Cathedral of Saint Peter to celebrate a Mass for Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities Awareness.

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant and homilist.

The Order of Alhambra, which has a local caravan, Alhamar No. 4, had several members attend the Mass.

“We can’t forget people that are God’s special children. They may be overlooked but we always want to remember them in our hearts and this is a wonderful opportunity to do that,” Ada Magni, Deputy Supreme Director and Scribe of the Exchequer, said.

The Order of Alhambra is a social organization dedicated to providing assistance to the intellectually disabled. It provides activities and support for special needs children and adults. Each year, the order also provides scholarships to educate undergraduate students studying to become special education teachers.

“We try to always help group homes. We go visiting at the White Haven Center singing Christmas carols, the Saint Joseph House, the Alhambra House, we go there as well,” Magni added.

Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, President & CEO of Saint Joseph’s Center, represented her residents and staff at the special liturgy.

“I really appreciate this annual liturgy because it is affirming to the people that we support and it also helps to build community within the Church and the broader society to say that everyone is accepted, everybody is welcome,” Sister Maryalice explained.

The mission of Saint Joseph’s Center is to provide individuals and families who have special needs the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential to the fullest extent possible. The organization has residential, community and home-based services.

For the last two years, many of the residents at Saint Joseph’s Center have been limited in their interactions with the broader community for health and safety reasons during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because the Mass for Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities Awareness was broadcast on Catholic Television, many residents were still able to take part.

“Prayer still unites. It crosses all boundaries,” Sister Maryalice added.

During his homily, Bishop Bambera emphasized that all individuals have gifts to share with the church and society. He said individuals with special needs provide us all with priceless lessons on how to live as disciples of Jesus.

“You teach us that we are all a part of God’s plan and each of us is blessed by God for being just the way we are,” Bishop Bambera said.