Category: Diocese of Scranton News

 

SCRANTON (July 24, 2020) – During the COVID-19 pandemic, Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen has continued to provide a hot, nutritious meal to individuals and families in need seven days a week. The daily meals, served between 11 a.m. and noon, are distributed in take-out containers on the Vine Street side of the building.

Beginning Tuesday, July 28, 2020, Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen will resume its evening meals three nights a week. The evening meals will be served on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The evening meals will also be distributed in take-out containers on the Vine Street side of the building.

“Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen would not be able to serve so many of our brothers and sisters in need without the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers and the kindness and generosity of the community. Thank you to everyone who has supported our critically important mission in God’s vineyard,” Rob Williams, Executive Director, Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen and Food and Clothing Pantry, said.

The Saint Francis Food Pantry remains open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 2 p.m. Food bags are distributed at the door.

While the Saint Francis of Assisi Free Clothing Store remains closed at this time, needs of the community are still being met on an individual basis. At this time, the facility is not currently in a position to receive clothing donations.
Due to the ongoing health crisis, Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen is not currently accepting food or clothing donations from individuals at the door until further notice.

Financial contributions may be made by check or online at www.stfranciskitchen.org.

 

DURYEA (July 23, 2020) – The Diocese of Scranton has worked closely with the Duryea Police Department and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office regarding the theft of funds from Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea. On July 23, 2020, a criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause was filed against Denise Decker, a 20-year employee of the parish who served as parish secretary.

Decker is facing two felony theft counts, a felony forgery count and a misdemeanor count of tampering with records.

Through internal protocols and procedures established by the Diocese of Scranton Finance Office, the parish staff noticed unusual activity that indicated some money may have been stolen from Sunday collections. After a very brief internal investigation, the parish staff contacted the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office which launched a criminal investigation.

On Monday, September 23, 2019, the person in question was terminated from her position. The parish and Diocese will continue to work with police and in keeping with its zero tolerance policy towards financial malfeasance, the Diocese will aggressively seek full restitution of all unaccounted parish funds through the judicial process.

Nativity of Our Lord Parish and the Diocese of Scranton are fully committed to ensuring that the funds provided for use in parish operations and charitable ministries are protected. This is an obligation that we take very seriously.

The parish continues to utilize numerous safeguards including:

 Offertory collections are immediately secured following the completion of any collection. Sealed, tamper-proof bags are used by ushers.
 The parish uses rotating teams which are responsible for counting the offertory collection. This includes a minimum of three unrelated individuals and no parish employees. A member of the counting team completes the appropriate deposit slip and accompanies the offertory to the bank for depositing. A duplicate deposit slip is given to the parish secretary and that employee is responsible for properly recording all receipts in parish accounting records.
 A detailed list of annual contributions is sent to each contributing parishioner at the end of each calendar year.
Nativity of Our Lord Parish and the Diocese of Scranton are grateful to the Duryea Police Department and Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in investigating this matter. The filing of criminal charges is not evidence of guilt and a charged defendant is presumed innocent until a jury returns a unanimous finding that the Commonwealth has proven the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or until the defendant enters a guilty plea to the charges.

Due to the charges and ongoing investigation, any further questions should be directed to the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.

 

The Religious Education Awards celebrate the dynamic mission of gifted Catechists, Parish Catechetical Leaders, and Directors of Religious Education/Faith Formation. Each of these individuals demonstrate the importance of passing on the faith and their example inspires us into mission! There is such a great need for these generous men and women who devote themselves to handing on the truths of the Gospel.

Below is the list of Awards Recipients for this year:

 

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

 

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.”

 

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.