LISBON, Portugal (CNS) – Pope Francis asked the 1.5 million young people who attended World Youth Day to take “what God has sown into your hearts” back to their home countries and build a joyful church that is open to all.

Young pilgrims, including the 21 from the Diocese of Scranton who made the trip to Portugal, constantly reflected on the pope’s main point during the official welcome ceremony for World Youth Day Aug. 3: in the church there is room for “everyone, everyone, everyone.”

Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead the Way of the Cross during World Youth Day at Eduardo VII Park in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 4, 2023. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)

He asked the jubilant crowd of flag-waving young people to repeat the refrain with him in Lisbon’s Eduardo VII Park and shouts of “todos, todos, todos” – “everyone” in Spanish and Portuguese – spread throughout the crowd.

As he did often during the trip, the pope solicited engagement from the crowd, asking them to repeat after him or consider in silence a question he posed.

Yet was during his meeting Aug. 2 with Portuguese bishops, priests, religious and pastoral workers that the pope first issued his “todos” message.

“Please, let us not convert the church into a customs office” where only the “just,” “good,” and “properly married” can enter while leaving everyone else outside, he said. “No. The church is not that,” he said, rather it is a place for “righteous and sinners, good and bad, everyone, everyone, everyone.”

Asked during his inflight news conference Aug. 6 how the church can be for everyone when women and gay people are excluded from some sacraments, Pope Francis said that “the church is open to all, but then there is legislation that regulates life inside the church.”

“This does not mean that (the church) is closed. Each person encounters God by their own way, inside the church, and the church is mother and guides each one by their own path,” he responded.

At 86 years old, Pope Francis showed no sign of slowing down for the 42nd international trip of his pontificate, which he jokingly told journalists on the flight to Lisbon will “make me young again.”

The pope’s packed agenda had three to four official events per day, and he added private meetings with several groups and individuals at the Vatican nunciature in Lisbon where he was staying. Among them was a group of abuse survivors who met with the pope for over an hour Aug. 2, during which they “dialogued about this plague” of abuse, the pope said.

The pope celebrated Mass with 1.5 million young people sprawled across Lisbon’s riverside Tejo Park Aug. 6 and told them not to be afraid of pursuing their great dreams to change the world.

“Let’s all repeat this phrase in our hearts: ‘Don’t be afraid,’” Pope Francis told the crowd. “Jesus knows the hearts of each one of you, the successes and the failures, he knows your hearts. And today he tells you, here in Lisbon for this World Youth Day: ‘Don’t be afraid.’”

In addition to listening the testimonies of young people and fielding questions from some of them during public events, Pope Francis had a chance for more direct interactions with several young people during the trip. He heard the confessions of three pilgrims and ate lunch with a group of 10 young people Aug. 4.

The pope later shared that he spoke to one young man who had previously considered taking his own life and said youth suicide is a problem today, noting the challenge is especially prevalent in places where universities and the job market are very demanding.

After the closing Mass, the pope announced that Seoul, South Korea, would be the location for the next World Youth Day in 2027, drawing great applause from the South Korean delegations scattered throughout the crowd.

The previous morning, Pope Francis visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, where he again put aside his prepared remarks and spoke off the cuff, focusing on Mary and skipping over an expected prayer for peace in the world.

He later said that “I prayed to Our Lady, and I prayed for peace” before a statue of Our Lady of Fátima, but “I did not advertise.”

In the shrine’s Chapel of the Apparitions, marking the exact spot where the three Portuguese children claimed to see Mary in 1917, he said the open-air chapel “is like a beautiful image of the church, welcoming, without doors, so that all can enter.”

During the Aug. 6 press conference, Pope Francis also brushed off concerns about eyesight issues that arose after he joked that his glasses “aren’t working” at one of his events and continued to largely improvise his remarks for the rest of his trip. And he said his health and recovery from abdominal surgery in June is “going well.”

SCRANTON – August is “National Make a Will Month.”

“While many folks may not be thinking about their will in the middle of summer, it’s a good time to be reminded of the importance of preparing or updating a will to ensure one’s wishes are executed as they intend,” said Jim Bebla, Diocesan Secretary for Development.

Despite the importance of having a will, many Americans never get around to drafting it, citing that they simply didn’t have time or prefer not to think about it.

Another common misconception is that unless you are wealthy, you do not need a will.

An individual’s wealth and assets may determine how lengthy or in-depth a will or estate planning may be but it certainly does not dictate the need. Every family, regardless of their wealth, should have a will because of the peace of mind and ease that it can bring you.

“Getting a will prepared does not need to be a lengthy or costly project,” said Bebla.

Here are a few tips to get started:

• Make a list of all of your assets, including investments, properties, bank accounts and personal property such as art, jewelry and other valuables.

• Review all of your beneficiary designations of your life insurance, investment and retirement accounts.

• You may wish to consider including the Diocese, your parish or another charitable organization in your will and/or as a beneficiary of your accounts.

• If you already have a will in place, be sure to review it every couple of years, updating it with any new assets, and making any necessary change to your wishes.

• It is also helpful to review the executors that you put in place to execute your will, making sure that you still want the person you designated and that they are still willing to serve in this role.

• If you haven’t yet prepared a will, now is the time! Connect with a lawyer or consider using a free or cost-effective online tool.

For more information on preparing an estate plan or about including the Diocese or your parish in your will, please contact Jim Bebla at Jim-Bebla@dioceseofscranton.org or (570) 207-2250.

WILKES-BARRE – Catholic men from around the Diocese of Scranton are invited to the eighth annual “Be A Catholic Man Conference” on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Holy Redeemer High School.

The daylong conference will begin at 8 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.

All men are encouraged to join together in fortitude and strength in professing our Catholic Faith. As the world becomes increasingly hostile to Catholic teaching, Saint Polycarp reminds us to “Follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the Faith.” Furthermore, Saint Paul advises us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day, having done everything, to hold your ground.”

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate Mass at 1:45 p.m. before the conference officially closes. There will also be opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as Eucharistic Adoration/Benediction.
The conference will feature a dynamic line-up of speakers. They include Mark Houck, Fr. John Anthony Boughton, C.F.R., and Sam Blair.

Mark Houck

Mark Houck is founder and president of The King’s Men, a non-profit men’s ministry that promotes authentic masculinity, fatherhood and beloved sonship. He is a former college football All-American, high school teacher, coach and counselor turned activist, radio host, evangelist and motivational pro-life speaker. In September 2022, Mark, his wife, Ryan-Marie, and seven young children made international news with an FBI invasion of their home. Mark was falsely charged with felony violations for defending his 12-year-old son from an aggressive abortion escort. Mark was acquitted on all charges.

Fr. John Boughton, C.F.R.

Father John Anthony Boughton, C.F.R., of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal is currently stationed in the Bronx, serving as the Vicar General of the CFRs. Through a life of prayer, fraternity, apostolate, penance, and wholehearted living of the gospel, they work in service of the poor and evangelization, sharing the rich treasures of the Catholic faith by the prophetic witness of their lives. Father Boughton is a native of Dallas, Texas. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, he was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve, worked as a sales representative, and was vice president and director of operations for St. David’s Relief Foundation in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1992-95.

Sam Blair

Sam Blair is a passionate cradle Catholic and a former Navy SEAL Officer with experience leading elite teams around the globe. He taught Leadership and Ethics at the United States Naval Academy and helped screen, select, and train over 90 new future SEAL Officers. Before transitioning from active duty, Sam was a SkillBridge Fellow at Squadra Ventures, a venture capital firm in Baltimore, Md. Sam is passionate about leveraging his unique skills sets and hard-earned leadership experiences to help corporate leaders, portfolio companies and corporations build robust cultures, clarity of purpose and a relentless focus on execution.

To attend the Catholic Men’s Conference, please register either online at www.BeACatholicMan.com, or by mail to: “Be a Catholic Man, Inc.”, P.O Box # 669, Wyalusing, Pa. 18853. Include your name, address, email & parish with your check payable to “Be a Catholic Man, Inc.” with “Men’s Conference” on the memo line.
Cost is $40 (Early Bird $30 until Sept. 8, 2023), Students $15, Priests/Deacons FREE.

For more information, contact Mike Kilmer at (570) 721-0872 or mkilmer@thekilmergroup.com.

SCRANTON – When Bobby Wolliver returned to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen on July 31, the first thing he noticed was how bright the inside of the facility looked.

“It is wonderful. It’s brighter,” he said. “I’m happy to be home and back here again.”

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, leads a short prayer service prior to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen reopening on Monday, July 31, 2023.

For ten weeks, the kitchen was closed for a “once-in-a-generation” renovation project. The nearly $2 million project involved replacing most kitchen equipment, expanding freezer space, creating handicap accessible bathrooms, creating a new front entrance along with painting and making the facility energy efficient.

“Every single ceiling has been replaced. Every light has been turned into an LED light, every wall has been painted,” Executive Director Rob Williams said. “It is exciting to look around the room and see our people where they are most comfortable.”

Albert Vosberg of West Scranton comes to Saint Francis Kitchen for a meal several times a week.

“I was blown away. It is amazing. It is like night and day. I just thank God that we have this place because without it a lot of people would go hungry,” he said. “It is not only the food, it is the comradery. Everybody that works here is like my family.”

Tania Durmiaki of Carbondale agreed.

“Some people live alone or they need to talk to people other than their family. It puts a smile on people’s faces,” she explained. “This is open to anyone.”

Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen serves 10 hot meals every week. They include a daily meal at 11 a.m. every day of the week (including weekends and holidays) and evening meals at 5 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Head chef Selena Hitchens stands in the newly renovated kitchen area.

Each meal includes a garden salad, fruit salad, protein, starch, vegetables, dessert and beverages.

The kitchen also provides hundreds of weekly meals that are distributed at parishes in Carbondale, Olyphant and Roaring Brook Township.

“It is a wonderful mission we have here,” volunteer Jane Roberts said.

Roberts, who was born and raised in Scranton, waited until the official grand reopening to see the completed renovation work.

“It is magnificent. It was needed. It is beyond what I expected. I love it,” she said.

Head chef Selena Hitchens was excited to get back into the kitchen and prepare the first meal for the community.

“It’s like feeling like a kid in a candy store, you know when you walk in and you see everything and your eyes just light up, that’s how it felt walking in here and seeing everything,” she said.

Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi founded Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen in 1978. In those 45 years, officials believe there has only been four missed meals.

None of those missed meals occurred during this latest renovation project.

Lackawanna College allowed the kitchen to utilize its facility to prepare meals in its commercial kitchen. Meals on Wheels of Northeastern Pennsylvania let the kitchen serve its weekday meals out of its facility in the 500-block of Wyoming Avenue.

“They did a lot for us to have the meals at the other location,” Durmiaki noted. “It was smaller but they did a lot.”

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, led a short prayer service before blessing the renovated facility ahead of its first meal.

“This is a great day for all of us. It is really beautiful and we’re very happy to be able to provide this to all of you,” Bishop Bambera said.

The bishop read a short Gospel passage and prayed for all those who helped make the renovations possible as well as all those who will benefit from the project.

“We ask you, Lord, to bless us and all who use this building. May all who come here know the presence of Christ, experience His compassion and grow in His love,” Bishop Bambera said.

Williams stressed that the mission of Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen continues to be providing a space for people to have a warm, nutritious meal, no matter their circumstances in life.

“By taking good care of them and loving them, we emphasize that our brothers and sisters in need have dignity and are deserving of a dignified meal,” Williams said.

With the renovation project now complete, Williams said Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen can now focus on possible future expansion.

“We have a really strong staff. We must discern God’s will for the future of this organization … I’m excited to see what God has in store for us,” he added.

SCRANTON – On Thursday, Aug. 2, 2023, members of the Knights of Columbus presented the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, with a charitable donation in the amount of $1,871.34 to support the good work of the Diocese of Scranton.

Members of the Knights of Columbus presented a check to the Diocese of Scranton on Aug. 2, 2023. Pictured at the check presentation are, from left: Charlie Vagnarelli, Past State Deputy; George Schneider, Jr., Former State Advocate; the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton; and Art Bobbouine, Community Director.

The donation came from money raised from the Knights of Columbus Labels Program.

During their meeting, Bishop Bambera expressed his gratitude to the Knights for the good works they are doing in many parish communities as well as for their active participation in many Pontifical Masses throughout the year.

The Knights encourage local families to participate in their Catholic School Student Grant Program. The Knights Educational Foundation offers up to fifty $1,000 grants to families who have Catholic School students enrolled in Grades 1-12 where the Knight of Columbus member’s child is enrolled.

Applications are traditionally accepted during the month of January each year. For more information on the Catholic School Student Grant Program, visit kofcpennsylania.org.

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for their continued generosity!

CARBONDALE – For the last several months, Father Seth Wasnock has used one phrase more than most others when talking about the two parishes he leads.

The saying, ‘Building Disciples, Sharing Love,’ has been gaining traction amongst his parishioners in Lackawanna County’s Up Valley.

Father Seth Wasnock, V.F., celebrates the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast Mass on July 18, 2023, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Carbondale.

During Lent, the pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish launched a new stewardship program focused on that theme. In just a short amount of time, the success has been noticeable!

“We would like to change the mentality that you just have to come to Mass on Sunday,” Father Seth said. “It is about having a relationship and encounter with Jesus Christ every day and how we go out and share that love and be the disciples that we are called to be through the gift of our Baptism.”

With the help of Our Sunday Visitor, a resource company that partners with parishes and dioceses, Father Seth spoke at Masses of the many ways people can use their time, talent and treasure to better both parishes. He also sent mailings to parishioners and posted videos on his parish website.

“We always have to look at the traditional three ‘t’s’ – time, talent and treasure – but also move into prayer, service and giving. How do we pray? How do we serve and how do we give?” he explained.

Parishioners have responded in all three ways!

“We had several new parishioners come forward to embark on new initiatives,” Father Seth said. “One was to reinvigorate our weekly Holy Hours. About 30 people have signed up to devote an hour of their time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is something that we had at Saint Rose and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in years past but COVID changed some of that.”

The stewardship program also led to the creation of a new Marian Society for the two parishes.

“The Marian Society is focusing on social, spiritual and service efforts. Members have come together from both parishes to host events,” he added. “We’re looking forward to the fall and maybe hosting a baby pantry, back to school Mass and grandparents day.”

More than 40 percent of parishioners (440 households total) also pledged to increase their charitable giving to their parish, pledging an additional $89,105 to Saint Rose of Lima and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parishes combined over the next calendar year. Parishioners of the two parishes donated $13,105 in one-time financial gifts as well.

“The stewardship effort is really just a way of re-engaging people,” Father Seth added.

In the months ahead, the Carbondale pastor plans to highlight different parish ministries in the joint bulletin, put together a ‘State of the Parish’ report and help his pastoral council become more of a “mission advancement team.”

“It is so important that we look at how we interact with one another and how we go out, as we are commissioned, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ,” Father Seth ended by saying.

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MOUNTAIN TOP – After publishing the financial report and parish life statistics for Saint Jude Parish in January and February respectively, Father Joseph Evanko, V.E., made a conscious effort to focus on stewardship efforts this past spring.

“It really allows us to continue to build upon the mission of what a parish is,” Father Evanko said. “It allows us to continue to create new ministries with how our pastoral plan guides us.”

Father Joseph Evanko, V.E., confirms a RCIA candidate during the Easter Vigil Mass in April at Saint Jude Parish in Mountain Top.

Using the theme, “United by the Eucharist,” Father Evanko invited his parishioners to recommit themselves to financially supporting his Mountain Top parish as well as dedicating their time and talents to the church by hosting a ministry fair.

“It was an awareness, first and foremost, as well as educational and formational in the sense of stewardship,” he explained. “We’re not just asking for money. We’re putting it in the context of what it means to be a disciple and a good steward of the gifts and resources God has given to us as a parish and as individuals.”

The ministry fair featured information and an invitation for parishioners to join Saint Jude’s more than 30 ministry programs, which include hospitality ministers, peer grief support group, rosary makers and children’s choir.

Nearly 40 percent of parishioners at Saint Jude Parish pledged to increase their weekly commitment to the church, which will allow Father Evanko and parish staff to be creative in developing new programs.

“Some of the money will be used to have our second ECHO apprentice from Notre Dame. We had such a great success with that program last year, so that helped us commit to a second ECHO apprentice and that whole program which has provided a lot of different ministries for us that we wouldn’t have otherwise,” Father Evanko explained.

Last year, the parish’s ECHO apprentice helped to create many young adult and young adult family programs.

“We will use some of this money to make sure that young adult/young adult family ministry continues to be developed and have further outreach,” Father Evanko added. “It gives us that ability to be creative with outreach of all different types.”

Saint Jude Parish also stresses inter-generational faith formation. The parish invested in ‘FORMED’ that brings Catholic video content to families and individuals.
“The increase in offertory is going to help us continue to pay for FORMED and then do spin-off faith formation. We’re trying to do that on an adult level, obviously at a religious education level, as well as men’s and women’s groups with more formation and offering spiritual retreats,” Father Evanko added.

As more people return to church after the COVID-19 pandemic, evangelization efforts are also top of mind.

“We’re talking about how to reach out to those people on the margins that have not come back from COVID, or are not coming to church, and how to evangelize them,” Father ended by saying.

HAZLETON — A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Father Thomas A. Cappelloni on Friday, Aug. 4, in the Church of Saint Gabriel at Annunciation Parish in Hazleton. Retired from active ministry for the past 11 years, Father Cappelloni died July 29 at his home in Hazleton.

Born in Scranton on Nov. 13, 1950, son of the late Frank and Ann Butler Cappelloni, Father Cappelloni was a graduate of South Scranton Central Catholic High School and began his preparatory studies for the priesthood at Saint Pius X Seminary, Dalton. He completed theological training and formation at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., where he earned a master’s degree in systematic theology.

Father Cappelloni was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Scranton on May 1, 1976, in the Cathedral of Saint Peter by the late Most Rev. J. Carroll McCormick, sixth Bishop of Scranton. Following ordination, he received his summer assignment as assistant pastor of Saint Basil Parish, Dushore, after which he was appointed assistant pastor of Saint Lucy Parish in West Scranton.

In August 1978, Father Cappelloni was named assistant pastor at Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Honesdale, where he served until being assigned in the same capacity at Saint Aloysius Parish, Wilkes-Barre, in June 1982.

During his first pastorate, beginning in 1987 at Saint Martin of Tours Parish in Jackson where he served for 14 years, Father Cappelloni spearheaded the expansion of the parish church, with the worship site doubling in size, and supervised the construction of a new catechetical center.

Shortly after being named pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Scranton, in July 2001, he was assigned as administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Hazleton, where he was named as pastor in July 2002.

While fulfilling his duties for nearly ten years at the Hazleton parish, Father Cappelloni was appointed director of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in nearby Harleigh. He retired from pastoral ministry in April 2012 due to reasons of health.

In addition to his parochial duties, Father Cappelloni served the Scranton Diocese as Dean of Susquehanna County from January 1992 to December 2000; as a catechist at Bishop Hannan High School, Scranton, and Honesdale Catholic School; and Advocate for the Diocesan Tribunal Office. He later served as chaplain of the Hazleton City Police Department.

Well known for his love of the culinary arts and cooking skills, Father Cappelloni was also an accomplished musician and organist. He will also be remembered for helping to establish a charitable trust fund for stray animals.

Surviving are an older brother, Francis (Frank) Cappelloni, and younger sister, Mary Ann Cappelloni Folk; numerous nieces and nephews, including Mara (Joseph) Cappelloni Lopez and their children, Alexa and Jackson; Corey Cappelloni and daughter, Emma; Brant (Nikki) Cappelloni and children, Gabriella, Christopher and Paul; Kristen (Patrick) Conaway and children, Reagan and Abigale; Lauren (Adam) Ercolini and daughter, Emilia; and Christopher Folk.

Interment was held in Nuremberg Cemetery in Schuylkill County.

HUNLOCK CREEK – As he celebrated a special Mass to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on July 22, 2023, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, offered prayers of both gratitude and hope.
“Gratitude for all that has been and hope for all that will be through the grace and the goodness of God,” Bishop Bambera said.

During his homily, the bishop stressed how members of the parish have been instrumental in treasuring life, feeding hungry families and bringing people to the Lord since the parish’s founding last century.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, celebrates Mass for the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Hunlock Creek on July 22, 2023. (Photo/Ed Koons)

“You have been the hands and the voice and the heart of Christ,” he said. “You’ve done the work of God and you continue to do it in simple, yet profound ways, and I say to you on behalf of the church and all who have received from your goodness and your generous spirits, thank you!”

Following Mass, parishioners gathered for food and fellowship in the parish’s picnic pavilion.

“Today was just a beautiful day. We knew the celebration was coming. We’ve spent many years in this parish. Our daughter was baptized here and married here and we’re so blessed that we now have a granddaughter. She is seven weeks old,” parishioner Kathleen Scavone said. “Today, her and her mom and dad actually brought up the gifts as being the youngest new parishioner – along with the oldest parish member – so that was really a nice blessing for our family.”

Paul Scavone said members of his family have been a part of the parish for at least 75 years.

“My mom and dad came to this parish as a young married couple. My brothers and sisters were baptized here … now it continues with our granddaughter being here. It’s nice to be a part of the tradition here.”

Kathleen Finarelli says it is a joy to attend Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and hopes many others will join them.

“It is a wonderful parish. The parishioners are so friendly. We wish to be able to do this again and keep it going for another 100 years,” she said.

As the parish family works to spread the Good News of Jesus, Katheryn Bobb was thankful that Bishop Bambera took time from his busy schedule to celebrate their important milestone.

“To have the Bishop come to our little church out in Hunlock Creek is absolutely amazing,” Bobb explained.

Rev. Brian Van Fossen, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, said Bishop Bambera’s visit and homily shows parishioners they are part of a larger Catholic community.

“We have this beautiful community and we welcome so many people for our festival and other opportunities to celebrate God’s love in the midst of God’s creation. As we do so with Bishop Bambera here, it just unites us to the larger diocesan community that we love to be a part of,” Father Van Fossen said.

The parish pastor said the centennial celebration would not be confined to just one day; it will be celebrated over the course of the entire year.

“We have two themes going on. Our first theme is a spiritual theme which is echoing Mary’s Magnificat for the last 100 years and the other one is ‘100 years and still going,’” Father Van Fossen added. “We are looking forward to echoing Mary’s Magnificat – her ‘yes,’ her fiat to God – but also to share that fiat with others!”

SCRANTON – Recent renovations to Saint Anthony’s Haven, Scranton’s only year-round emergency shelter for both men and women, will not only improve the comfort of guests but will allow the facility to continue serving people with disabilities.

The facility, at 409 Olive St., recently created a new handicap entrance/exit, renovated both the men’s and women’s restrooms and the common areas and installed new cabinets and flooring in the shelter’s kitchen area. In the next phase of the project, which will be partially supported by American Rescue Plan Act grant funding from Lackawanna County, the building’s roof will be replaced.

A $30,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation supported recent renovations at Saint Anthony’s Haven, Scranton’s only year-round emergency shelter for both men and women. Pictured at the check presentation are, from left: Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants & Scholarship Manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Frank Caputo, Grants & Communications Coordinator, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Sandra Snyder, Diocesan Director of Foundation Relations and Special Events; and Laura Ducceschi, President/CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation, Administrator of Robert H. Spitz Foundation.

The most recent work was completed with the help of the city of Scranton, local charitable foundations, including The Moses Taylor Foundation and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, and a national funder, The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

Harry Lyons, program supervisor of Saint Anthony’s Haven, said the new handicap entrance was a critical need after a sale of half the building that resulted in renovations by the new owner removed access to a previous point of entry.

“It was really important for us to establish this new handicap entrance so we can serve everybody. We have a number of people who use walkers and wheelchairs,” Lyons explained. “I recently got a call from the VA about a gentleman with no legs who uses a motorized wheelchair, so having this project finished will now ensure we have the ability to accommodate him.”

Saint Anthony’s Haven can safely accommodate 20 men and six women each night.

In addition to overnight shelter, the facility provides two meals per day, shower and laundry facilities and supportive services.

The number of individuals experiencing homelessness who rely on Saint Anthony’s Haven has returned to levels previously experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Saint Anthony’s Haven provided 4,371 individual nights of shelter to clients. In 2021, the number rose to 5,658, and in 2022 6,410 individual nights of shelter were provided.

“The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is focused on supporting programs that aim to break the cycle of poverty,” said Laura Ducceschi, president of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which administers the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. “Supporting the renovation work at Saint Anthony’s Haven will help to better serve those populations in need of the facility’s services, and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation is proud to be able to help the community in this way.”

Robert H. Spitz Foundation funding also was used to replace the Olive Street entrance roof and help remove nine deteriorated and dangerous balconies from Saint James Manor, the building that houses Saint Anthony’s Haven.

The mission of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, which operates Saint Anthony’s Haven, is to serve individuals and families in poverty and advocate for dignity and self-sufficiency.

“We don’t want anyone left out in the street or left out in the cold,” Lyons added.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the grant funding we have received for this project,” Lyons stated. “Without the support of the community we would not be able to continue serving our brothers and sisters in the way that we do.”