Category: News

As four counties within the Diocese of Scranton’s territory entered the “yellow phase” of Pennsylvania’s reopening plan on Friday, May 8, 2020, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera announced that public Masses would be allowed to gradually resume for parishes in those specific communities.

Public Masses will initially only be allowed to resume in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties, which were the first four counties to enter the “yellow phase.” Bishop Bambera directed that public Masses in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties could not begin until at least Monday, May 18, 2020, ensuring parishes have the proper time to develop plans to protect the safety and well-being of all parishioners.

“A slow, steady, gradual approach will best enable us to regather,” Bishop Bambera said, emphasizing “gradual” to ensure the health of all the faithful, clergy and the community. In addition to opening their doors for public Masses, parish churches in the four designated counties will also be allowed to offer sacramental confessions and the celebration of wedding and funeral liturgies, but only with strict adherence to current social distancing guidelines and the mandate that no more than 25 people gather in one place at one time.

Bishop Bambera also announced that during the “yellow phase,” much-anticipated First Holy Communion and Confirmation Mass celebrations will be able to take place, with individual parishes determining when and how these are to occur. Lauding the faithful of the Diocese for radiating the “Light of Jesus” and expressing his appreciation for their patience and understanding during these “challenging and unprecedented times , ” Bishop Bambera stressed the call for sacrifice continues. He stated the preparations and planning underway by pastors and parishes for such a transitioning are immense and timelines for the reopening of churches may vary between parishes.

“Jesus’ embrace of our lives and our world powerfully reminds us of why we are charged to take so much care in reopening our churches,” the Bishop said, as he looks forward to welcoming faithful back to the pews. “Our careful attention to keeping each other safe as we regather is the greatest affirmation that we can offer in support of human life and, ultimately, our faith as Christians.” Bishop Bambera cautioned the guidelines required to resume public Masses are fluid and changes should be expected. However, he was also emphatic that it is important that the process begins. The gradual resuming of daily Masses on May 18 in the Bradford County Parish of Saint Michael in Canton was announced by its pastor, Father Joseph Kutch. In addition to Saint Michael Church, the parish community also encompasses the worship sites of Saint Aloysius Church, Ralston, and Saint John Nepomucene Church in Troy. Father Kutch stated the schedule for weekend Masses throughout the parish will be scaled back, with a reservation system being implemented for all liturgies in accordance with the limit of 25 congregants in attendance.

“What I am most thrilled about is the opportunity to now baptize and confirm one of our catechumens and confirm our other two candidates in the RCIA program,” Father Kutch commented. “Of course, we were unable to do this at this year’s Easter Vigil.” Those sacraments are now scheduled to be conferred and celebrated in the parish on the Vigil of Pentecost Sunday on Saturday, May 30.

“This is particularly important to me and our parish,” Father continued, “because once our catechumen is baptized and confirmed and his fiancé is also confirmed, they plan on receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony on June 20 here at Saint Michael’s Church.” The rural pastor also said he is looking forward to the celebration of the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation for the parish children in the near future. Father Andrew Hvozdovic admitted he initially had mixed feelings about moving his parish, Church of the Epiphany in Sayre, Bradford County, from the socalled “red phase” to the “yellow phase.” “One on hand,” the Epiphany pastor said, “I thought, ‘this is great,’ then reality set in and I thought, ‘how do we make this happen?’”

Father Hvozdovic stated that once the guidance measures and materials for reopening the churches were issued by the Diocese and shared with the Parish Pastoral Council, members were “overwhelmed with initial wonder as to how we would safely be able to make this work.”

Not surprisingly, according to Father, reaction from parish faithful was quick and enthusiastic as parishioners devoutly looked forward to rushing back to church. “Well, not so fast,” he responded.

Blessed with a large worship site able to seat 500 people, Epiphany Church will utilize its capacity to abide by social-distancing requirements for the two dozen worshippers allowed in the church at any given time. Separate doors to enter and exit the church are also available.

The reopening process will begin with the parish’s celebration of daily Mass at 12:10 p.m.

“The opportunity to attend will be offered first to the family of the Mass’ intention and the family requesting the intention,” Father Hvozdovic said. “Then whatever space is available will be on a first-call order system,” to be operated by members of a newly formed Pandemic Coordinating Team.

According to the pastor, the first several weekend Masses to be offered at the reopened parish church will be dedicated to the celebrations of First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and RCIA sacraments.

With regard to First Communion and Confirmation, Father explained, Masses will be limited to just a few of those children receiving the sacrament and their family members. “This would probably take us into the middle of June,” he said.

The Sunday morning Mass at 9 a.m. will also continue to be livestreamed from Epiphany Church.

Father Bryan Wright, pastor of Holy Child Parish in Mansfield, which includes Saint Mary of Czestochowa Church in Blossburg, announced a preliminary schedule of Masses between the two worship sites has been tentatively set as the Tioga County faith community moves forward in its reopening phase.

Holy Child Church, Mansfield, will host a weekend vigil Mass on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday morning Mass at 11:15 a.m. Daily liturgies at the main worship site will now be celebrated on Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Saint Mary’s in Blossburg will be open for Sunday liturgy at 9 a.m., with weekday Masses scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at 12:10 p.m.

Attendance for Masses is by invitation only. The parish churches will be open for private prayer as follows: Holy Child – Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m. Saint Mary’s – Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. “We are very happy to be part of this moving-forward process,” Father Wright said.

“As far as we’re concerned, the congregations for the Masses will be sizable groups, especially given our staggered schedule of celebrations,” he continued. “Many people are excited, but some will be cautious and may not want to return immediately, and that’s understandable.” In Lycoming County, Father Brian Van Fossen, pastor of Saint Joseph the Worker Parish in Williamsport, is also moving forward with safety in mind. “We are approaching this time with tender care,” the Williamsport pastor said as his parish prepares to reopen its church doors.

“We are planning with the Parish Council and our staff in order to allow people time to spend in prayer as well as continue our ministries to those in need.” Father Van Fossen indicated the parish church will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offer Holy Hour from 4 to 5 p.m. Plans are also progressing to expand the Holy Mass celebration schedule in order to offer evening times for those wishing to attend – particularly those who serve at the nearby hospital. He also stated Saint Joseph the Worker will continue its online presence through YouTube and the virtual presentation of Eucharistic liturgies.

“We are very excited to welcome people back to the Sunday celebration in the church,” Father said, “but we are also approaching with caution, just in case we are reverted back to the ‘red zone.’” At this time, parishes in the seven other counties that make-up the Diocese of Scranton (Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties), which remain in the “red phase” of Pennsylvania’s reopening plan will not be able to resume public Masses at this time. Pastors in those communities have been encouraged to begin planning for their eventual transition to the “yellow phase.”

Mark DeCelles, 38, will begin the final step of his formation for the priesthood when he is ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera at a Mass on Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.

The Mass will be broadcast live on CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton.

Ordination as a transitional deacon generally occurs after a seminarian has completed at least three years of study in theology and takes place usually one year prior to priestly ordination. A deacon may serve as an ordinary minster of Baptism and is able to preside at weddings, assist the priest at Mass, proclaim the Gospel and preach, as well as preside at wakes and funeral services.

A member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Scranton’s Hill section, DeCelles is the son of Charles, Ph.D., and Mildred DeCelles, R.N., of Dunmore. The Scranton Diocesan seminarian is completing his theological studies and priestly formation at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Md. He is currently serving in his pastoral year at Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg. A pastoral year provides a year of practical ministry in a parish setting, allowing a seminarian experiences near the end of his priestly training in addition to his formal preparatory education.

“I am very grateful for all of the pastoral assignments I have received during the course of my formation,” DeCelles said, including his 2018 summer assignment at the parish communities of Blessed Sacrament and Holy Cross in the Mid Valley region of Lackawanna County. As for his pastoral year experience, the transitional deacon candidate referred to Saint Matthew Parish as “an amazingly complex and lively community, teeming with opportunities for evangelization, catechesis and community outreach.”

“It has been a profound privilege to witness the growth of young adult ministries, high school and college men discernment groups, the Hispanic community and this year’s catechumens and candidates for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA),” he said. Additionally, DeCelles was given the opportunity to teach an eighth grade theology class at nearby Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School in East Stroudsburg. The seminarian also reflected on his upcoming diaconate ordination during such challenging and unprecedented times.

“The world of COVID-19 is a world full of pain and uncertainty and despair, a world that needs Christ more than ever,” DeCelles said. “It is because of this that I am eager and excited for the day of my ordination. My desire to carry the light of Christ to the frontlines of our hungry, suffering world has only grown over the course of my almost three years of formation, and the pandemic has made this desire still more acute.” In light of the current health crisis, the seminarian expressed his gratitude for those putting their lives on the line for the health, safety and well-being of others.

“I am also most grateful today for the gift of the priesthood – for priests whose lives give testimony, in and out of season, to the love of God who loved us first, before we were ever able to muster some shred of love for others,” he said. “I am grateful for the priests who continue to say, ‘This is my body. This is my blood,’ to an empty church.” He concluded by saying this is the kind of priest he hopes to be when – by the Lord’s will and grace – he is ordained to the priesthood next year.

“I want everyone to know the God who continues to take the lead in loving me, so that when I just don’t feel like giving any more, I can turn to Him for the grace and strength to love those who might not be able, or willing, to love me back.”

MUNCY – Resourceful, caring and charitable individuals from Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Scranton have responded earnestly to a pressing need that only a global pandemic can create – personal safety masks. As the calendar turned to 2020, it was unthinkable that facial/surgical masks, once only associated with doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, would now be a required commodity for anyone wanting to venture outside their home to guard against an insidious, invisible enemy. When the coronavirus outbreak became a real concern in March, Lynn Pryor of Church of the Resurrection in Muncy, Lycoming County, began her mission to find some way to help others during the pandemic. Her quest ended when she read an article about a hospital reaching out to the community to help make essential, but extremely scarce, N95 masks for staff members.

“I explored websites and found patterns that met the CDC guidelines and starting making masks,” Pryor said. “I wrote to one woman to offer help with masks for nursing homes she was sewing for in Williamsport.” After creating about 15 masks to help the cause, Pryor said the woman urged her to continue her efforts and donate them to as many people in the area as possible. She immediately sought out a parish friend, Pat Merrifield, who is a nurse at the nearby Geisinger Infusion Clinic.

“(Pat) told me that the staff had masks, but many of the patients didn’t,” explained Pryor, “so I started to make them for the patients.” Thus her mask ministry was born. By early April, the Muncy mask maker contacted the Women’s Organization at Church of the Resurrection Parish looking for some much needed help. Several women responded, including experienced quilters Joann Ort and Teri Snyder. Others like Nan Rusczak and the parish pastor, Father Glenn McCreary, donated materials.

“At that point,” Pryor recalled, “we really got going and have made several hundred masks so far.” In addition to the Infusion Clinic, mask recipients have included family members, neighbors and friends, particularly older members of the Resurrection community.

“While making these masks I often think of the patients and the staff who will use them and of their love and courage,” Ort commented. “They are certainly in our hearts.” Merrifield is very thankful for all of the masks that were provided for home-infusion patients who would normally be receiving their vital medications in the hospital. “These patients accept the masks with so much gratitude,” she said.

“Some get quite emotional. Thanks to those at the Church of the Resurrection for these wonderful gifts of mercy!” The Muncy mask ministry is now preparing for the opening of Diocesan churches and the public celebration of Masses, when masks will be required for all faithful in attendance. “During this pandemic, I know many people wish to do something and would love to help from the safety of their own homes,” Pryor said.

“One of the most needed pieces of equipment is the face mask.” She has graciously offered to assist anyone in joining the effort, including, if possible, picking up finished masks and getting them to where they are most needed. Those interested may contact Lynn Pryor via email at: pry0rla@gmail.com. ‘The MassQueens’ As the spring season ushered in the harsh reality of COVID-19, the “MassQueens Community Assistance Mask Sewing Project” also began coming to life on the other side of the Diocese in its eastern-most region. Ann Mullen and Linda Ross learned valuable sewing skills around the same young age – Mullen from her mother, and Ross from taking sewing classes at North Scranton Junior High School. The longtime friends met years ago as parishioners of Saint Matthew Church in East Stroudsburg, where Ross is a choir member and cantor and Mullen serves as music director and organist/pianist, along with being a member of the music faculty at nearby Notre Dame High School. But it has been their love of sewing that launched their mask making apostolate. According to Mullen, it all began with a somewhat prophetic suggestion by another friend, who upon learning of a new virus on the horizon, sensed an urgent need for safety masks. “I really didn’t take her seriously until about a week after she said this,” Mullen recalled. “Then it became apparent that wearing masks would become a way of life, essential to health and safety.” Well known for her sewing abilities, Mullen received her first request from a friend whose daughter is on staff at a hospital in Allentown. Her department was suddenly in need of 50 masks due to the pandemic.

“No sooner had that request been fulfilled, then mask requests for essential workers and service personnel started pouring in,” Mullen said. “When I got a request for 300 masks from another friend at Lehigh Valley Hospital in East Stroudsburg, I knew I would need help.” Enter Linda Ross, who responded to her friend’s desperate plea with a resounding “Yes!”

“We both wanted to do whatever we could to help the community during a time of crisis,” said Ross, “and since we both sew, the mask making was the perfect fit for us.” Early on in the project, the duo began referring to their charitable enterprise as “The MassQueens” – giving a nod to their Catholic Church affiliation while describing their mask making commitment. While working from their homes, Mullen and Ross comprise the sewing portion of the operation; however, they have received much behind-the-scenes support from numerous friends from the Saint Matthew’s community as well as local Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters. With the creation and donation of more than 1,600 masks – and the number continually rising – the list of beneficiaries from the project is quite lengthy. Grateful recipients of the MassQueens’ handiwork include healthcare providers, emergency responders, police departments, cafeteria workers, homes for the elderly, local businesses and clergy.

“This is and has been such a fulfilling adventure for both of us,” Mullen offered. “We feel that we have been called to make use of our God-given talents to do something positive that will make a difference to those around us.” Despite having worked tirelessly for more than fifty straight days to fill mask requests, the MassQueens are prepared to continue their commitment to the community for as long as it is needed.

More than 600 parishioners and friends have made gifts to the Coronavirus Emergency Fund established by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera to help support public ministries, parishes and Catholic schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.  A total of $130,000 has been raised so far: $40,000 for parishes, $50,000 for kitchens, food pantries, shelters and relief assistance, $14,000 for Catholic Schools and $26,000 to be used where it is needed most.

“I am grateful for the generosity of our friends and neighbors,” Bishop Joseph C. Bambera said. “It is wonderful to see so many people embracing the example of Jesus to reach out to others, especially those most in need of our help at this time.” The Coronavirus Emergency Fund provides an opportunity to financially support a specific parish, a Diocesan Catholic school or one of the kitchens, food pantries, shelters or relief assistance programs provided by Catholic Social and Human Services in Carbondale, Hazleton, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

“Thank you to everyone who is responding to the significant need at this time as parishes strive to maintain their weekly offetory collections, Catholic school families struggle to pay tuition due to lost wages, and Catholic Social Services’ kitchens, food pantries and shelters experience a substantial increase in the number of people in need of help,” Jim Bebla, Diocesan Secretary for Development, said.

Parishes, schools and Catholic Social Services are also seeing additional expenses due to COVID-19 for items including cleaning supplies, masks, hand sanitizer and takeout food containers. For example, Catholic Social Services recently incurred a cost of more than $30,000 for equipment needed to properly sanitize and provide a safe environment for visitors, clients, guests and staff at all of its kitchens, food pantries and shelter across the Diocese of Scranton.

Interested donors are encouraged to make gifts to the Coronavirus Emergency Fund online at www. dioceseofscranton.org/emergencyfund.

If donors prefer, they can mail gifts to Coronavirus Emergency Fund, Diocese of Scranton, 300 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. Checks should be made to the Diocese of Scranton and list the gift designation – either the Catholic Human and Social Service program, parish or specific Catholic School they wish to support.

To donate to the Coronavirus Emergency Fund: www.dioceseofscranton.org/emergencyfund

Throughout this spring, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way Americans live.

Shelter in place, stay-athome and social distancing are all phrases that have served as a way of life for people during this time. People now wear masks and gloves to the supermarket, they disinfect, they sanitize, and they do their best to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

At Saint Francis Commons in Scranton, where 28 United States veterans currently reside, several precautionary steps have been taken to help ensure the safety of its residents.

“We’re deep-cleaning the facility twice a day,” Ryan Pollock, program supervisor at Saint Francis Commons, said. “We’re cleaning all hard surfaces with industrial antibacterial cleaners, which have been provided to us by our property management company. We do it morning and night on all hard surfaces, on all of the staff desks, and on any common traffic areas. That includes the kitchens, the door handles, elevators, handrails, tables, chairs, everything.”

Saint Francis Commons is a transitional housing facility for veterans which is operated by Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton. The facility opened in 2015 and has 30 beds.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all residents have also been provided with face masks, which they are asked to wear whenever they are in commonly shared areas of the facility. Each resident also has their temperature taken, using a forehead thermometer, by a staff member on every first and second shift. The results are then properly logged to help ensure that the health of all residents is properly monitored.

“Knock on wood, but we haven’t had anyone running a temperature in the last month,” Pollock said. “We had a veteran running a temperature about five weeks ago, and we did quarantine him, but it ended up being the result of another aliment. He got an antibiotic and it cleared up. Thankfully, it wasn’t COVID-19.”

Pollock said that Saint Francis Commons has also modified the way it accepts new residents. Though it will still allow new residents to come to the facility, they must first be tested for COVID-19 or be coming from another facility at which medical professionals have determined that they are non-symptomatic of COVID-19. “It’s a case-by-case basis,” Pollock added.

“We’re not taking people off the street right now unless they agree to be quarantined for 14 days. We do have residents that have compromised immune systems and respiratory systems and are on oxygen. We’re doing everything we can to protect them.” Pollock said that once it became clear that the COVID-19 pandemic was something that Daniel Grogan, AmeriCorps peer support specialist at Saint Francis Commons, left, and Ryan Pollock, program supervisor, Saint Francis Commons, right, have taken extra sanitary precautions to protect veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo/Alan K. Stout) would require heightened precautions, Saint Francis Commons acted quickly.

“It was March 13,” he explained. “We immediately said there were no more visitors. We stopped everyone from coming into the facility. Even the mailman and FedEx driver have not been inside. We meet them at the door. Normally, our residents can have visitors in the common areas, anytime from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., but those privileges were suspended on March 13. Generally, all of our residents are also eligible for up to three overnight passes per month, where they can go and stay with their children or family. Those services were also suspended on March 13, so nobody has been staying outside of the facility.”

Pollock said he is proud of how the Saint Francis Commons community has come together during the crisis. In addition to staff and cleaning professionals, residents have also assisted with keeping the facility safe.

“A lot of people have gone the extra mile,” he added. “The staff and the residents are really trying to keep the place sanitized.”

NANTICOKE – “Thanks so much for the pizza! We greatly appreciated it and it was so good!” “It’s so wonderful that Sandy and the youth ministry are doing so much good in these scary times. Love you!”

“Thank you Saint Faustina Youth Ministry. This was so appreciated. God bless you all!”

These are just a small sampling of the expressions of gratitude the Mini/Youth Ministry at Saint Faustina Kowalska Parish has received from first responders and essential workers in its hometown during the coronavirus crisis.

Since the global pandemic crept into our lives two months ago, the Catholic parish youth group well  known for its many activities in the community has embarked on a project called “Honoring Our Heroes.” The endeavor has trays of pizza or breakfast treats – depending on the time of day – surprisingly show up at the workplaces of those who valiantly continue to serve the  public in the face of the COVID-19 emergency.

“We are so blessed and we wanted to give back to our community,” Saint Faustina Mini/ Youth  Ministry Director Sandy Repak said. She explained how the youth group came up with the idea of selecting two groups of essential workers each week and treating them with the free meals.

Staff members at Birchwood Nursing Home and Guardian Elder Care were the first to be honored by the youth ministry’s surprise gesture, followed by the Nanticoke Public Works Department and Nanticoke Medic 5 Ambulance crews.

Repak makes all the deliveries personally, strictly adhering to the safety measures and guidelines put in place to combat the pandemic. The large group of young parishioners who comprise the Saint Faustina Youth Ministry design and create the personalized thank you certificates that accompany each delivery of food, which has been provided at a reduced cost by local eateries including Joe’s Pizza, Marty’s, and Baker Boys.

Included among those who have felt the love and gratitude the effort graciously offers are the Nanticoke police and fire departments and the city’s Code Enforcement Office. Most recently,  refuse-removal workers have been recognized and organizers of the project are now setting their eyes on local supermarkets and pharmacies.

According to Repak, youth group members are also preparing posters/cards offering gratitude and inspiration for frontline health care employees at three area hospitals. “ We will continue each week surprising groups of our essential workers,” she said.

“As we continue to pray for all of them to stay safe and healthy.”

“God is calling, even in the midst of a global pandemic.”

SCRANTON – On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2020, the Diocese of Scranton celebrated World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Following the call of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, Catholics were encouraged to intercede for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Father Don Williams, Diocesan Director of Vocations & Seminarians, celebrated the weekend Mass with Bishop Joseph C. Bambera at the Cathedral of Saint Peter. The annual celebration usually brings together hundreds of faithful, including many young people. This year, due to the coronavirus, the Mass was celebrated virtually and broadcast on CTV: Catholic Television. During his homily, Father Williams first spoke about the hope that he sees, even during all the pain and difficulty associated with social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If we reflect on a deeper level, I’m sure we could also acknowledge that something very wonderful is happening in the midst of this hardship and difficulty. Many of the young people that I have been connecting with over the past several weeks have come to say our families are spending more time together now than ever. We enjoy family meals, we’re playing board games, we’re watching movies, older siblings are helping their younger brothers and sisters with homework and they’re just hanging out,” Father Williams said. At this time, Father Williams said he has also seen many young people taking more time to reflect and be quiet.

“How many of you have had a deep hunger for the Eucharist, coming to appreciate this gift that perhaps at times we may have taken for granted? I’ve noticed many young adults thinking critically these days. They’re asking the bigger questions.

They’re making time to truly discern. We have many wonderful young people who connect each week through video conferencing groups, asking questions, praying, understanding the tools for spiritual discernment,” he added. Explaining that the Diocese of Scranton is blessed with many good men and women in formation with various religious communities, Father Williams said more are always needed to join in mission and ministry.

“God is calling, even in the midst of a global pandemic,” he said. Father Williams asked the people of the Diocese of Scranton to do four things: pray, affirm, encourage and invite. “If you have come across a young person, who you believe has the gifts to serve, affirm what you have seen. Call them by name,” Father Williams said, pointing to a recent study that shows 89-percent of individuals being ordained this year were personally invited by someone.

“Give God permission. Keep God at the center of your life. Give God permission to speak to your heart and enlighten your mind.” Other tenants of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations include praying for the priests who minister and praying a rosary for more young men and women to respond to God’s call.

“If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is simply this: how fragile life is, how important we are to each other, and how important it is to think beyond ourselves and to live generously, faithfully, selflessly so that we might make a difference for good in our Church and in our world.

SCRANTON – Bishop Joseph C. Bambera joined bishops throughout the United States in reconsecrating the United States to Mary as the nation continues to struggle in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bishops in Canada also used May 1 to rededicate their country to the Blessed Mother.

Bishop Bambera led a local prayer service at the Cathedral of Saint Peter. It was broadcast live on CTV: Catholic Television and livestreamed on Facebook, YouTube and the Diocese of Scranton website.

“During these days that continue to be painful for many of us, may we find hope in Mary’s example of loving, trustful discipleship and may we embrace Jesus’ invitation to rely upon her watchful and loving care for our Church and for our lives, especially during these days,” Bishop Bambera said.

The bishop noted Mary’s loving heart and her long journey of faith.

“From the moment that she was asked to accept the unbelievable, that she was to give birth to the Savior, through the power of the most high God, her entire life became a journey of trust in the midst of pain, suffering and struggle,” Bishop Bambera added.

Those tribulations make her example all the more important to us.

“Mary has stood before us, not as a pristine, porcelain figure who was shielded from this world. Quite the contrary, she is that simple soul who has known life as we experience it. A lonely figure at times who walked every path of life, of joy, but also of pain and suffering, to the point of letting go of her son on a Cross, allowing Him to be crucified, something that was so unfair and so undeserving,” the bishop said.

Bishop Bambera prayed for Mary’s intercession for the needs of our country, that every desire for good may be blessed and strengthened.

“Mary understands the brokenness of our world, because she experienced it, like you and I do. She understands the pain, the fear, the confusion, the doubt, the struggle, the grief, every one of those dimensions of life were woven into hers. Yet, throughout her entire journey in this world, she stands before us as a model of discipleship and faith, trusting that regardless of how her life unfolded, she believed fundamentally in the midst of everything that came her way, God’s promise to save his people would always come to pass. It is because of her role as such a trusting disciple and a mother that we turn to her today, at the very invitation of Jesus, as he prepared to lose his own life,” he added.

At exactly the same time as the service in Scranton was taking place, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led a similar event at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral which was livestreamed to the faithful.

Alternating between English and Spanish, Archbishop Gomez said: “In this difficult time we turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the church. She intercedes with her Son for all are affected in this way by the pandemic…We implore her maternal care for her children.”

Archbishop Gomez noted Mary’s history in the United States.

“The first missionaries came to this country under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Later, the bishops consecrated her as patroness of the United States of America,” he said. “The Virgin Mary has accompanied this great nation since our beginnings,” he added. “Now in this difficult hour, we renew our consecration to her.”

The United States has been hit harder than any other nation in deaths connected to COVID-19.

“Mary was the first person to consecrate herself to Jesus, the first to offer her whole heart to do his will, to set his beautiful plan of redemption,” Archbishop Gomez said. “We ask God to give us that same faith, that same courage … the strength to follow Jesus, to seek his holiness and his kingdom.”

At its conclusion, Archbishop Gomez said, “Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, is encouraging us to rediscover the beauty of praying the rosary at home in the month of May.” He noted “maybe we can dedicate ourselves to find time to come together as a family to pray the rosary in our homes.”

This reconsecration reaffirms the bishops’ previous consecrations of the United States to Mary. In 1792, the first bishop of the United States, Bishop John Carroll, consecrated the nation to Mary under the title Immaculate Conception, and in 1846, the bishops unanimously chose Mary under that title as the patroness of the nation. In 1959, Cardinal Patrick O’Boyle of Washington again consecrated the United States to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The consecration on May 1 follows a similar action of the bishops’ conference of Latin America and the Caribbean, who consecrated their nations to Our Lady of Guadalupe on Easter Sunday. Catholic News Service contributed to this report.

CRESCO, PA (May 6, 2020) – As a result of declining enrollment and other serious challenges, the Diocese of Scranton announced today that Monsignor McHugh School will close, effective at the end of the current academic year on June 30, 2020.

Students, families, administrators, educators and pastors from the Monroe County school community have all been notified of the closure.

“This is a very difficult decision to make at an especially difficult time,” Bishop Joseph C. Bambera said to families in a video message due to the fact that an in-person gathering with the school community could not be held because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “The Diocese of Scranton remains committed to the mission of Catholic education, creating tomorrow’s faith-filled leaders, but the declining enrollment at Monsignor McHugh School has left us with no other option.”

Over the last five years, Monsignor McHugh School, which currently serves grades Pre-K through eight, has seen its enrollment decrease by 56% despite school administrators’ efforts to implement new enrollment and academic initiatives. Currently, there are only 70 students registered for the 2020-2021 school year. In addition, the number of school-age children within a 15-mile radius of the school is predicted to decline by almost five-percent by 2024 according to MissionInsite, a demographic analytic firm.

2014-15 Enrollment        2019-20 Enrollment        Percent Change

Monsignor McHugh School                                          218                                         97                                           -56%

While the current coronavirus health crisis will certainly have a financial impact on the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System, Monsignor McHugh School was already facing severe financial challenges before the pandemic began. The school’s projected budget deficit for 2019-20 was a loss of almost $450,000.

“I truly wish we did not have to make this decision because we recognize how unique and important Monsignor McHugh is to its community,” Jason Morrison, Diocesan Secretary of Catholic Education/Chief Executive Officer, said. “Our most important responsibility remains providing for the educational and spiritual care of our students. We are committed to helping our students and families transition to another Catholic school that best suits their needs.”

The Diocese will offer the families of students currently enrolled at Monsignor McHugh School the opportunity to receive a continuation grant toward their tuition at another Catholic school next year. Any one of the Diocesan Schools is prepared to welcome the Monsignor McHugh families. The closest being Notre Dame Elementary School (Pre-K through Grade 6) and Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School (Grades 7-12), located approximately 15 miles away.

“Making the decision to close a school is the most difficult, heart-breaking decision, because we know how it impacts the lives of so many people,” Kristen Donohue, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, said. “This announcement is even more gut-wrenching and complicated during the COVID-19 pandemic, while our students and families, who are so committed to Catholic education, have been working so hard to continue distance learning.”

The Diocese of Scranton Catholic Schools Office will allow educators and administrators from Monsignor McHugh to apply for any open positions throughout the educational system for the 2020-21 academic year.

About the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System

Each year, the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System provides a well-rounded education to approximately 4,500 students throughout 20 Catholic schools. Educators offer an enriching STREAM curriculum that includes the arts, foreign languages, physical education and the latest computer technology to complement the core subjects of religion, math, language arts, social studies and science.

All of our Catholic schools are accredited by the Middle States Association, and all of our teachers are state-certified educators, who inspire their students and bring amazing experiences into their classrooms. The mission of the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System is to educate students and their families in the Catholic faith. We provide a Catholic education that is spiritually sound and academically excellent. We strive to prepare our students to be faith-filled leaders and life-long leaders dedicated to serving the church and society.