KINGSTON – May 11, 2022 – For the first time since 2014, the acclaimed Bratislava Boys Choir from Bratislava, Slovakia will return to Northeastern Pennsylvania for concerts in Kingston and Scranton.

The first performance is scheduled for St. Ignatius Church, 339 N. Maple Ave., Kingston on Wednesday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. A second will be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton on Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. Both concerts are free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted.

While in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the boys – ranging in age from ten to eighteen – will experience local history and culture as they spend two nights with host families and enjoy visits to Steamtown and the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour.

Founded by Dr. Magdaléna Rovňáková in 1982, the Bratislava Boys Choir is part of a private music school enrolling about ninety students ages seven through twenty-eight. The choir’s repertoire features a wide variety of both sacred and secular works including Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, concert Masses, arrangements of folk songs, and works by contemporary composers. The widely traveled choir has collaborated with the Slovak Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony, and the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra in addition to recording seven compact discs. The boys have been featured in the soundtracks of several films.

The Bratislava Boys Choir’s visit to Northeastern Pennsylvania is presented by the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania in cooperation with World Artists Experiences and the Embassy of Slovakia.

For more information, contact Michael Stretanski at 570-817-3430, Raphael Micca at rdmicca@aol.com, or visit www.facebook.com/worldartistsNEPA.

 

 

The Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton will mark the conclusion of its 2022 Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign with a Virtual Celebration highlighting the mission of the Kitchen and those who make it possible.

The Kitchen serves a free, hot, nutritious meal to approximately 200 men, women and children each day at lunchtime and three evenings a week. This includes those who are offered weekly meals through the Mid Valley Outreach Program at parish locations and high-rise housing buildings in Carbondale and Olyphant. In addition, the Kitchen operates a Client-Choice Food Pantry and Free Clothing Store that serve hundreds of families and individuals each month.

The Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign is the primary source of financial support for these programs. For a donation of $100 or more, an individual, family, business, community organization or faith-based group can help to sponsor the day’s meal. In effect, each contributor becomes a “host” for a day.

Out of continuing concern for the health and safety of benefactors, the typical Appreciation Reception that concludes the campaign will again be marked with a Virtual Celebration consisting of a brief pre-recorded program.

According to Melissa Pavlowski, president of the Kitchen Advisory Board, and Maria McCool, a Board member who is chairing the Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign, this year the Virtual Celebration will honor Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi, who founded the Kitchen in 1978, and the management and employees of Toyota of Scranton for their continuing outstanding support.

The Virtual Celebration video will be presented on www.stfranciskitchen.org and www.facebook.com/stfranciskitchen. It will debut on Wednesday, April 27, at 6 p.m. and will remain online so it can be viewed any time after that.

The Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign still needs donations to meet its goal. Contributions can be made by calling the Kitchen at 570-342‑5556, or sending a check to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Avenue, Scranton PA 18509. Donations can also be made online at: www.stfranciskitchen.org.

Those who would like to sponsor the Virtual Reception are asked to call the Kitchen at 570-342‑5556.

SCRANTON – After six weeks of friendly competition, the Diocese of Scranton’s inaugural cooking fundraiser, Rectory, Set, Cook!, came to an end on Sunday, April 10, raising more than $170,000 for parishes in the Diocese of Scranton and anti-hunger initiatives sponsored by Catholic Social Services.

More than 2,700 donors voted for their favorite “pastor chef.” Thank you to everyone who participated!

 

Students in the Children’s Faith Formation program at St. Patrick’s Church in Milford recently followed, in image, word and song, the events of Jesus’ Passion and Death, also known as Via Crucis or  Via Dolorosa.

Each scene was narrated by Deacon Mike Calafiore, accompanied by Maggie Marley and Rich Gherardi of St. Patrick’s Music Ministry  in verses from the hymn, “Were You There?”

Poster images of each scene depicting the chief events of the day were exhibited by the students in the catechetical program, which is conducted at St. Patrick’s Hall for children, grades 1 through 8.

 

 

Children from St. Patrick’s Church in Milford and St. Joseph’s Church in Matamoras shared a truly memorable day as they celebrated their Catholic faith, and the Eucharist as the centerpiece of that faith, in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Holy Communion in May.

The Retreat, which featured videos, sacramental-based treasure hunt, interpretative dance, arts and crafts and prayer, was held at St. Patrick’s Hall in Milford, and featured the popular and dynamic retreat leader, Kristin Travis. Ms. Travis was assisted by catechists Anne French, Mary Caraballo and Linda Tomik, as well as teacher assistant Rachel Swinton and Jack Boyle, Director of Religious Education.

 

SCRANTON (March 11, 2022) – As Russia continues to widen its attacks on major cities across Ukraine, all people in northeastern and north central are invited to come together in prayer for our brothers and sisters who are suffering.

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will lead a special Holy Hour of Prayer for the People of Ukraine on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. The Holy Hour is open to any person looking for a way to lift his or her voice and heart to God during these difficult days.

Bishop Bambera has invited all parishes in the 11 counties of the Diocese of Scranton to hold a special Holy Hour of Prayer at the same time on Tuesday – or arrange a time of prayer next week that would be best for that specific community.

In his letter to clergy announcing the Holy Hour, Bishop Bambera stated, “Archbishop Borys Gudziak, leader of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, who shepherds ten Ukrainian Catholic parishes in the territory of the Diocese of Scranton, recently shared that there are three things U.S. Catholics can do to help Ukraine: ‘Pray, stay informed and talk about Ukraine, and provide help.’”

While in-person attendance is encouraged, the Holy Hour at the Cathedral of Saint Peter will be broadcast live on CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton and a livestream will be made available on the Diocese of Scranton website and social media platforms.

Bishop Bambera’s Letter to Clergy March 10, 2022

 

March 4, 2022

WASHINGTON – As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace offered the following statement:

“On February 24, the world watched in horror as Russia launched airstrikes and began shelling Ukraine. The death toll is already in the hundreds if not thousands and mounting. Over one million Ukrainians have already fled the fighting into neighboring European countries and millions more could become refugees.

“In this time of crisis, we echo the appeal by Pope Francis to those ‘with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war…who wants us to be brothers and not enemies.’ We join with the Holy Father in praying that ‘all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.’ We also join in solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches and the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the U.S. who are all united in prayer for their people and their homeland.

“In view of the developing humanitarian crisis, I urge the U.S. government to provide all possible assistance to the people of Ukraine and to work closely with faith-based partners who are already on the ground providing emergency aid. I encourage everyone to give generously to organizations such as Catholic Relief Services and USCCB’s Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe that are bringing tangible relief and the hope of Christ to those in need.

“Those suffering in Ukraine and in the surrounding region will remain close in our hearts through this conflict. During this penitential season of Lent, with Our Lady of Fatima as our guide, let us not grow weary in praying for peace, justice, and the salvation of the whole world.”

 

Archbishop Borys Gudziak, left, of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations, are seen at an episcopal ordination at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City March 1, 2022. Archbishop Caccia said protecting civilian populations, and humanitarian personnel in Ukraine must be a priority. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

March 4, 2022

Archbishop Borys Gudziak And Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez Invite All People Of Goodwill To Mass And Prayer For Peace In Ukraine And The Ukrainian People At The Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral Of The Immaculate Conception

The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia will hold a vigil for peace in Ukraine at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Most Reverend Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in the United States, will celebrate the Byzantine Rite Mass and offer a personal reflection, “The War in Ukraine in Light of the Gospel.” Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will also offer a reflection and lead the recitation of the Rosary.

Saturday, March 5, 2022
4:30 p.m.
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy Of Philadelphia
830 North Franklin Street
Philadelphia, Pa 19123

Archbishop Gudziak and Archbishop Pérez encourage all people of goodwill to show solidarity for the people of Ukraine and Ukrainians in the United States by joining in this prayerful initiative in-person or remotely.

The evening will be streamed live from the Philadelphia Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception page beginning at 4:30 p.m. (https://www.facebook.com/Philadelphia-Ukrainian-Catholic-Cathedral-of-the-Immaculate-Conception-139284692765626 ). A full schedule can be found below.

  • 4:30 p.m.—Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Ukrainian Catholic Rite celebrated in English with parts in Ukrainian
  • 6:00 p.m.—Resurrection Vespers for Sunday sung bi-lingually in English and Ukrainian
  • 7:00 p.m.—Reflection from Most Reverend Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in the United States, “The War in Ukraine in Light of the Gospel”
  • 7:30 p.m.—Opportunity for Personal Witness and Questions from Those Assembled
  • 8:15 p.m.—Reflection from Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia
  • 8:30 p.m.—Recitation of the Holy Rosary led by Archbishop Pérez in English
  • 9:00 p.m.—Concluding Prayer for Peace in Ukraine and Jesus’ Prayer

Confession and counseling will be available throughout the evening.

Editor’s Note: Recently, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church launched a virtual Ukrainian Catholic Crisis Media Center to centralize all the information about the Church initiatives facing the aggression against Ukraine.

Each day, the webpage is updated with a video message from Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who is currently in Ukraine.

For more information, please visit (https://uccmc.org/).

 

WASHINGTON – Since the collapse of communism in the early 1990s, the countries in Central and Eastern Europe have been endeavored to rebuild, but the severe consequences of the oppressive Soviet rule continue to challenge all aspects of life in the region. Each year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Collection for Central and Eastern Europe brings healing and opportunities for renewed life in Christ.

The annual collection supports youth ministry, seminaries, social services, pastoral centers, evangelization and catechesis, communications, and church construction and renovation in 28 countries. Most dioceses will take this collection in their parishes on Ash Wednesday, which this year is March 2. #iGiveCatholicTogether also accepts funds for the collection.

“The generation that has passed since the fall of the Iron Curtain has not yet undone the ruin perpetuated by decades of communist oppression,” said Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton of Steubenville, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. “When we give to the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, we are sharing faith and mercy with people whose parents and grandparents were imprisoned for practicing the faith or praying.”

In 2021, gifts to the collection provided more than $6.4 million through 348 grants. Among them:

  • In Poland, where more than 1 million people have fled the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Jesuits of Southern Poland and Ukraine Mission established DEON, UA, a Ukrainian language digital platform offering secular and Catholic news and discussion forums to help Ukrainian immigrants stay informed and build relationships.
  • In Croatia, where one-fifth of the population lives in poverty and communism destroyed the tradition of volunteer work, “72 Hours Without Compromise” brings older teens and young adults together for four days in which they pray, learn about Catholic social teaching, and put their faith into action through service to the poor.
  • In Belarus, the Tabita ministry organizes social and spiritual outreach to adults with disabilities, bringing them out of isolation to build friendships and receive help for their physical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs.
  • In many nations, including Hungary and Romania, the collection is helping dioceses implement the standards set forth by Pope Francis 2019 Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi addressing the crime and sin of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable persons by individuals serving in the Church. In some parts of this region, the creation and implementation of diocesan child and youth protection guidelines is the first systematic effort at child protection training by any major organization, secular or religious.
  • In Bosnia-Herzegovina, where ethnic and religious animosities still carry a threat of violence, the John Paul II Pastoral Youth Center in Sarajevo brings together teens and young adults of all backgrounds for sports activities designed to help them build friendships across ethnic lines.
  • The Roma people are perhaps the most marginalized ethnic group in Europe, with many living in communities that lack running water and electricity. In Slovakia, the Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Prešov is engaged in outreach among the Roma and produces documentaries to help other Slovaks understand and appreciate them.

“When we give to the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, we are responding to our Blessed Mother’s love for those suffering under communism, to the call of St. John Paul II to aid those recovering from Soviet oppression, and to Pope Francis’ pledge of solidarity with those on the margins,” Bishop Monforton said. “In addition to our prayers and the ongoing work that the Church does in this region, gifts to this collection help us grow closer to the people of Central and Eastern Europe as brothers and sisters in Christ.”

More information and diocesan resources to help support awareness of the collection may be found at: www.usccb.org/ccee.