Category: Diocese of Scranton News

The Diocesan Vocations Office is gearing up for their annual Quo Vadis Days at Marywood University in Scranton, which will be held June 19-21, 2022.

The camp is designed for Catholic men in high school to:
• Deepen their faith
• Learn more about all vocations
• Better discern God’s call in their lives.

It will once again feature dynamic talks, prayer, games, sports, activities and music. Participants will have the opportunity to meet Bishop Bambera, priests, college students and young adults serving on the leadership team, and seminarians of the Diocese of Scranton.

For more information and/or to register visit vocations.dioceseofscranton.org or call (570) 207-1452.

WILKES-BARRE – “Go to the poor: You will find God.”

Those words, written by Saint Vincent de Paul, a tireless servant of the poor and marginalized, come to life each day at the Wilkes-Barre kitchen that bears his name.

Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen, located at 39 East Jackson Street, serves hot, nutritious meals to anyone in the community every day of the week, including weekends and holidays. Besides providing nutrition, the daily meals also provide an opportunity for socialization for many in the community.

In 2021, Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen served 67,616 meals and assisted 4,051 households through the Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

Generous individuals, businesses and community groups help to keep the mission of Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen going each day. On May 2, the Kitchen launched its main fundraiser of the year, “Sponsor for a Day.”

For a donation of $125, people in the community can become a “Sponsor for a Day.” Monies raised from the fundraising campaign will continue to provide nourishing meals to everyone who needs one.

Andy Reno, a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen Advisory Board, is serving as chairperson for this year’s event. He recently sent a letter to past donors and community members looking for them to renew their commitment to the Kitchen. Reno is also now extending the invitation to new donors and people interested in helping those in need.

“Today more than ever, many folks in our community need clothing, shelter and most importantly, food. Food is often something we take for granted,” Reno wrote. “We grocery shop, plan meals or make reservations at a restaurant for dinner with family and friends. Unfortunately, many in our community do not have this luxury. They don’t know where or when they’ll have their next meal and sadly, so many of those who go hungry are children.”

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton operates Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen. For nearly 40 years, the kitchen has served countless meals to the community. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mission of the kitchen continued as meals were served daily in take-out containers until the kitchen’s dining room reopened to guests.

Anyone who donates to the Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen “Sponsor for a Day” fundraiser gets their name, or the name of a loved one, prominently displayed on the Sponsor board at the kitchen with recognition also provided on the Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen Facebook page as one of the providers of the meal on that day.

Individuals can select a date that is special to them or their loved one by including the request with the donation.

Anyone who would like to become a “Sponsor for a Day” can send a donation to Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen, P.O. Box 1088, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703. While the community is asked to consider becoming a “Sponsor for a Day,” any gift that you can make is always greatly appreciated and will help feed those in need.

Calling all Scouts!

Please mark your calendars for the return of the Diocese of Scranton’s annual Scout Mass on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.

All Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Venturing and Campfire Girls and their troops, packs and families from all Scout Councils across the 11 counties of the Diocese are invited to attend. Please wear your Class A dress uniform, no hats please.

Scouts receiving religious badges and their Scout Leaders will meet at the Diocesan Pastoral Center at 6:15 p.m. for the entrance procession. Other troop members and families should proceed directly to the Cathedral. To confirm your award or for any other questions, please email Amy Huntington, Diocesan Scouting Committee Chair, at dccs@dioceseofscranton.org.

SCRANTON – All women of the Diocese of Scranton are invited to experience this year’s Catholic Women’s Conference, “Full of Grace.” The focus of this year’s event is the special relationship all women have with Mary, the Mother of God. The event takes place Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Marywood University.

The day will begin with opening remarks at 8 a.m. followed by Mass with the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, at 8:30 a.m. After a short break, featured speaker Father Jeffrey Kirby with talk about Catholic devotion to Mary, our Mother, as our powerful intercessor and as a model of discipleship.

Without missing a beat, Keynote Speaker Colleen Carroll Campbell will take the stage and share her journey from successful author, journalist and former speechwriter to President George W. Bush to a frazzled, sleep deprived mother of twins who discovered God’s vision for her was quite different from her own visions of perfection. Her path of enlightenment and discovery will inspire women to trust in God’s perfect love for them.

When attendees break at noon for lunch, they will be entertained by a musical concert from Molly McManus while they dine. Listening to Ms. McManus sing, “Take my heart, have my soul…perfect love” you will know without a doubt that such a voice could only have come from God. The twenty-four-year-old worship artist from Steubenville, Ohio sings of her past, her sadness, shame, and her encounter with the Holy Spirit and now, experiencing His Perfect Love.

Following the lunch break, featured speaker Deb Hadley will share how the trajectory of her life changed when unimaginable tragedy struck her family, not once, but twice. The loss of two children in separate accidents only nine months apart sent her spiraling into despair. Her journey of faith and restoration led her on a new path as a bereavement manager; helping people who have lost a loved one rediscover joy in a world so defined by loss.

Dunmore native and acclaimed Catholic speaker, Megan Murphy, will also speak to those in attendance. Ms. Murphy had a father who struggled with addictions resulting in a turbulent childhood. Megan’s journey from a misspent youth to her ultimate conversion to the beauty and forgiveness of God’s love was aided by her special relationship with the Blessed Mother. Attendees will accompany Ms. Murphy on the scriptural journey with Mary to discover the profound depth of Our Lady’s role in each woman’s own personal search for joy. Meghan will then lead the audience in saying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

After a brief break, the day will conclude with Father Kirby leading Eucharistic Adoration, with musical accompaniment by Molly McManus. The conference concludes at 4 p.m. with the announcement of raffle winners and a musical finale.

Olyphant resident and radio personality Natalie Gubala-Magden will moderate the day and keep the program flowing. Participants will enjoy a continental breakfast, lunch and shopping at the Catholic Vendor Marketplace. Cost to attend the conference is $45 for in person ($50 after May 29). Student tickets are $20, and women religious are welcome free of charge. Volunteers are always needed and those who sign up for four hours at the conference will receive a free ticket.

For more information and to register, visit cwcnepa.com.

EAST STROUDSBURG – In a big parish, sometimes it is better to go small.

That is the lesson that the ministry team at the Church of Saint John is learning as they recently launched a pilot program known as “Small Groups.”

At the beginning of Lent, the parish began offering parishioners the opportunity to participate in small group discussions about their faith, spiritual growth and real life experiences.

“It is the power of sharing testimony and sharing your faith and making those connections matter,” Kathy Fisher, Small Groups Leader, said.

Fisher helps to coordinate a team of facilitators who run 11 different small group meetings each week. Participants range in age from people in their 20s to mid-80s.

“I believe that it has been inspiring, having other members of the group speak about their day to day struggles, faith sharing and how God plays a role in helping them through their struggles or questions,” Leslie Pettenati said.

Pettenati facilitates a small group of men and women that meets on Monday afternoon. Having moved to the Poconos only three years ago, she only knew one of the people who was initially in her group.

“So many people are hungry and thirsty to have connections and know more. The small groups are a safe space where everything you say is kept confidential and respected,” she added. “Everyone can speak freely and without judgment. It is a safe space to say, ‘I’m struggling with this or I have questions about that.’”

Reverend Gregory A. Reichlen, pastor, Church of Saint John, said the “Small Groups” initiative is part of the REBUILT network that consists of parishes all around the country that are striving to apply certain strategic priorities and ideas in their community.

“The small group becomes a school of discipleship, where people are learning from each other and their own life experiences and that is where the spiritual growth is happening. People who didn’t know each other previously are connecting, sharing, becoming vulnerable, opening up and trusting each other,” Father Reichlen said. “We have seen the immediate, very positive impact of all of this.”

As the parish was developing its “Small Groups” program, organizers said they would have been happy to have 50 people participate. Instead, more than 115 signed up.

“We were amazed,” Father Reichlen admitted.

“I was expecting a big response,” Fisher said. “Coming out of COVID, people need more opportunities to connect with each other than ever so I knew it was going to be big.”

Each week, the “Small Groups” conversation is rooted in the previous weekend homily given by Father Reichlen. Questions are even included in each weekend bulletin to get participants thinking ahead.

“We are all called to be life-long learners of the faith. It’s just a continual learning process and that is the beauty of it, learning from each other,” Pettenati said.

Participants in the “Small Groups” program recently came together for a Potluck dinner at the parish. They shared their thoughts on the program so far.

“It gives me so much hope about the Catholic Church,” Pettenati said following the first nine weeks of the program. “To me, it is inspiring. People take it very seriously when they’re in the group.”

Fisher said the power of the “Small Groups” was recently on display when a parishioner who is participating in a group suffered a medical emergency during a weekend Mass. While an EMT quickly attended to the man, all of the other individuals in the man’s group also quickly came to his aid.

“Every single group member was around him, supporting him,” Fisher said, noting the bond that quickly develops between people.

While the “Small Groups” will take a break during the summer, the initiative is expected to continue in September at the Church of Saint John.

SCRANTON – Rosey, who just turned 14 years old last month, can be described in many ways. The Jack Russell/Pug mix is both a confidant and family member to her human companion, Douglas Howe, but he describes her in one additional way.

“She has been my protector,” he said.

As a veteran, Howe does not use those words lightly.

“She has been around me from birth … I take her everywhere. I take her to the store, I take her to the hospital when I have my appointments. She gets more attention than I think I’ll ever get,” he joked.

When Howe moved into Saint Francis Commons, an affordable, transitional housing facility for veterans experiencing homelessness last August, he was initially concerned he wouldn’t be able to bring Rosey.

“It was a huge concern. We stick to each other like glue. I take care of her all the time and she takes care of me,” Howe said.

It turns out Howe’s fears would be unfounded.

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton operates Saint Francis Commons. In 2019, the agency launched its Curative Companions Program that allows veterans and other traumatized persons who are living in Catholic Social Services housing and shelters to have the opportunity to heal and thrive through the love of a therapeutic pet.

“We noticed almost immediately how much of an impact the animals made on the veterans, Ryan Pollock, Program Director of Saint Francis Commons, said. “We had veterans that would be coming out of their rooms to interact with the animals that didn’t typically interact with the other veterans.”

Scott Pence has been living at Saint Francis Commons for eight months. Four months ago, he got a newborn German shepherd named Sasha.

“She is my best friend. She’s a companion and she just means the world to me,” Pence said. “I’m with her 24 hours a day. We play together all the time and she’s just adorable.”

Pence believes Sasha has helped him ‘break the ice’ and get to know many of the other veterans staying at Saint Francis Commons.

“They all love her. She’s just a pup and easily excited,” he explained.

John Lipscomb, who cares for Angel, a two-year-old black lab, agrees.

“We have a couple other vets here who even will take her for walks because I can’t walk very far,” Lipscomb explained.

He says the love and companionship Angel provides him is extremely important since he recently left rehab.

“She’s the reason I want to keep living and want to do better … It gives me a purpose in life. I lost everything and she gives me good reason to get out of bed in the morning,” he added.

The Curative Companions Program is in need of financial assistance to stay in operation and provide services to even more veterans.
Pollock says several other veterans have asked about getting an animal.

“All of our veterans are low income and anybody that wants to have an emotional support dog, we don’t want finances to be a barrier,” he explained.
On average, it costs $2,000 annually for a pet between food, supplies, vet visits and other expenses.

The Curative Companions Program was made possible through the generosity of its initial funder The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, and then a later sustaining contribution by the PNC Foundation. Through its administration of the Spitz Foundation, the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which additionally has supported other Catholic Social Services programs, also has been an instrumental partner.

Dr. Paws of Scranton has also made substantial in-kind contributions and has provided some no-charge veterinary and follow-up care to some animals.

Anyone looking to support the Curative Companions Program can contact Ryan Pollock at (570) 209-9200, x2302. People will also be able to support the program on NEPA Gives Day, Friday June, 3, 2022, at nepagives.org.

PECKVILLE – The COVID-19 pandemic may have delayed the party but there was no way it was going to cancel the celebration.

On April 23, 2022, one year after it was originally scheduled to take place, hundreds of people gathered at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Peckville to celebrate the parish’s 75th anniversary.

The celebration began with a Jubilee Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, and continued well into the night with a dinner at Fiorelli Family Catering.

“What a great, great joy this is for me to join with all of you who are a part of this great community here at Sacred Heart in Peckville to celebrate 75 years of life, love, ministry and service, proclaiming the Gospel and the Good News of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Bambera said as he welcomed the faithful to Mass. “What a blessing this is for all of us.”

Father Andrew Kurovsky, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish since 2017, delivered the homily.

“For 75 years, you have touched the presence of Jesus Christ in our midst by the way that you have reached out to one another in your woundedness, in your hurt and in your pain,” Father Kurovsky said. “For 75 years, you have recognized the presence of a Resurrected Christ right here in our midst and that is what we celebrate today.”

The Mass took place on the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, which always includes the Gospel message of ‘Doubting Thomas,’ who had a hard time believing Jesus is alive after the Resurrection without touching his wounds.

Father Kurovsky used the popular refrain from Diana Ross’ song, “Reach Out And Touch” (Somebody’s Hand), to connect the Gospel message to the work being done by people in the parish on a daily basis.

“In the last 37 years, I’ve never experienced a community of faith, a group of people more filled with the Holy Spirit and your willingness to continue to build up God’s kingdom right here in our own little corner of the world,” Father added.

Sacred Heart of Jesus began as a mission church of Saint Mary Assumption Parish in Jessup. The original church, built on Main Street in Peckville in 1942, was served by Rev. William Boyd, who acted as administrator, and by the assistant pastors of Saint Mary’s until 1946.

With the appointment of Rev. Joseph Gilbride, Sacred Heart of Jesus became a parish in its own right on April 24, 1946.

Following the 75th Jubilee Mass, 341 people attended the reception at Fiorelli’s, in which Mark and Lisa DeLeo served as chairpersons.

“It was really a moving and wonderful experience,” Mark DeLeo said. “It was such a wonderful sense of fellowship. Our parish has grown tremendously since Father Andy is there.”

Like the Jubilee Mass, the reception was originally supposed to take place in 2021 – but was also delayed because of the pandemic. The DeLeos believe it actually made the event more meaningful.

“People were ready to get out, people were ready to see each other, to socialize,” Lisa DeLeo explained. “It was a long time coming but it was worth every extra hour and the extra year that we put into it.”

Organizers say tickets for the reception sold out after only two weekends of offering them after Masses.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, where the motto is ‘The Round Church…Where There’s Room for Everyone,’ has been growing in population over the last five years. The parish reports an increase of approximately 500 families.

The most recent parish census shows 1,380 registered households and more than 3,000 parishioners. The parish currently has more than 250 students in its faith formation program.

As he thanked everyone for the role they play in helping the parish grow, Father Kurovsky emphasized, “Good things happen in churches where the Holy Spirit is alive!”

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis offered his condolences for the death of the Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Scranton, who died on April 16 at the age of 89.

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera received a letter from Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre in which Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed the condolences of Pope Francis at the death of Bishop Dougherty. Bishop Bambera shared the text of the letter during his homily at Bishop Dougherty’s Mass of Christian Burial.

The letter read as follows:

“His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Bishop John Martin Dougherty, and he sends heartfelt condolences to you, to the late Bishop’s family, and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Scranton. Recalling Bishop Dougherty’s years of priestly and episcopal ministry, marked by his example of simplicity of life and tireless dedication to the pastoral care of the sick and dying, His Holiness joins those gathered for the Mass of Christian Burial in commending his soul to the compassionate love of our Heavenly Father and cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and consolation in the Lord.”

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State

SCRANTON — Everyone has a “Bishop Dougherty story.” Usually several.

But whether the remembrances tell of his keen administrative ability, his untiring efforts to be omnipresent for anyone in need of God’s mercy or his genuine piety while celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the stories always speak of the singular wit, wisdom and humility of one John Martin Dougherty.

Jane McLane is a longtime member of Saint Patrick Parish in Scranton’s West Side and recollected how a 53-year-old Monsignor John Dougherty — having just stepped away from his role as Chancellor of the Diocese yet continuing to shoulder enormous leadership responsibilities on the diocesan level — departed the Chancery Building in 1985 to face unprecedented challenges in his new assignment as pastor of Saint Patrick’s.

Saint Patrick’s had been linked with the parishes of Holy Cross, in the city’s Bellevue section, and Saint John the Baptist, on Main Avenue. Not only were there more than 3,000 faithful as registered parishioners, but the pastoral appointment also included the operation of a Catholic elementary school with nearly 700 students.

“During his ten years at Saint Patrick’s, he modeled pastoral organizational skills,” McLane noted, referring to Monsignor Dougherty’s tenure that came to a close with his episcopal elevation to serve as Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton in 1995.

“Thankfully, Bishop Dougherty had invaluable assistance from young priests who served him well over the years,” McLane continued. “He inspired them with his priestly conduct, his boundless charity and tireless efforts to be a presence in the lives of his parishioners,” attending school events, meetings of parish societies, and always at the bedsides of the sick and dying.

“We parishioners remember Bishop Dougherty as a talented administrator and a joyous, faith-filled priest,” she concluded.

Fellow Saint Patrick parishioner Jeanne Palumbo remarked that memories of the late bishop will remain forever in her heart, as she referred to him as a tremendously important and unforgettable part of her life.

“I had the pleasure and honor of knowing him as a very caring, kind, dignified, holy, honorable and compassionate priest and leader who captured the hearts of everyone,” Palumbo said of Bishop Dougherty, whom she credits — and is eternally grateful to — for involving her in church service as a Eucharistic minister and lector.

She continued, “He was also a dear friend, as well as a bishop, when I needed one,” remembering how he offered endless comfort and counsel as she grieved the passing of her mother.

“He was always caring, patient and asking if I was okay,” Palumbo said. “He was always there for me. Heaven has certainly opened its door to a great, holy, remarkable man.”

Palumbo’s dear friends — Louise Passarella and her husband of nearly 70 years, Gene (Dempsey) Passarella — fondly recalled how their onetime pastor uniquely touched their lives forever. Louise explained that she shared an enviable relationship with Bishop Dougherty since she is first cousins with Margaret “Peggy” Dougherty, whose husband Joe, the bishop’s late brother, owned the landmark Dougherty’s Restaurant in Scranton’s Pine Brook section.

“When my mom was very ill, I had to make an end-of-life decision concerning her, and I was very upset and called Bishop Dougherty,” Louise reflected. “We talked from early evening until almost midnight. He helped me through the most difficult decision I ever had to make.”

“The next day the Lord took it out of my hands as my mother passed. I am so grateful for that conversation with Bishop Dougherty.”

The Passarellas remembered how then-Monsignor Dougherty assured Gene, the founding bandleader of the area’s venerable Gene Dempsey Orchestra, that his musical group would always have the support of Saint Patrick’s as a permanent part of the parish’s annual summer picnic.

“Whenever the bishop saw us, he would greet us with, ‘Hi, cuz. How’s the band?’” the couple noted.

Ninety-three-old Jim Connor continues to serve as an altar server for funeral Masses at Saint Patrick’s, as he did during Bishop Dougherty’s pastorate there.

He and his wife Eleanor, a parish lector, fondly reminisced about the late auxiliary bishop and his lasting impression on them, noting that while visiting loved ones in the hospital it was not unusual to cross paths with their pastor — at four o’clock in the morning!

“He was a just a great guy, and not only our pastor but a close friend,” Jim shared. “Bishop Dougherty was a prime example of a Catholic priest.”

Peggy and Bill Cusick of Saint Patrick Parish were enthusiastic about sharing their most memorable Bishop Dougherty “stories” while he served as their shepherd at the Scranton parish.

“I remember Monsignor Dougherty coming to visit me during one of my extended hospital stays,” Peggy began, seemingly about to recount another of the countless classic examples of the priest’s compassion for the suffering.

The tale took an unexpected twist, however, and wound up being an example of his classic dry wit, as she added, “He said to me, ‘Don’t worry, Peggy, everything is under control at home. I just went by the house and Bill was hosing off all the dinner dishes in the front yard.’”

On a serious note, Peggy explained the reason why Bishop Dougherty was always the last person in line at the funeral home during a viewing. “He made sure that if anyone was behind him, he insisted they go ahead of him.”

Two years after Bishop Dougherty was required by canon law to submit his letter of resignation at the age of 75, Pope Benedict XVI released the Scranton Auxiliary from his official duties in 2009. Not surprising, however, the word “retirement” had only a nominal effect on the 77-year-old shepherd.

In addition to other such official/unofficial assignments he fulfilled as Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Bishop Dougherty served in residence for several years at Christ the King Parish in Archbald.

“I became a better Catholic because of Bishop Dougherty,” Christ the King parishioner Mary Lynn Krushinski said. “His solemn Masses, his stature was so noticeable, along with his deep voice that got your attention. He renewed my love for God by his example.”

Rockne O’Connor, a member of the Archbald parish who attends Holy Cross High School in Dunmore, prefaced his comments with the following quote from Saint John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, which he believes best sums up the bishop’s legacy: “The priest is not a priest for himself…he is for you. After God, the priest is everything.”

“Bishop Dougherty, by his selflessness and humility, is a true priest for all of us forever,” the young man stated.

Rockne’s father, Jay, was spiritually insightful and somewhat poetic in offering these thoughts on the revered clergyman of cherished memory: “His voice, as stern and as authoritative as I would imagine God’s would be; his eyes and heart as empathetic, kind and merciful as I know Mary’s are, he was and will forever be a giant of a man of God and an immaculate example of a true priest in his humble, selfless service to all.”