Category: News

Holy Week Schedule

 

PALM SUNDAY: SUNDAY, APRIL 14

The solemn observances of Holy Week, which recall the passion and death of Jesus Christ, begin on Palm Sunday, April 14. The Masses on Palm Sunday will include the blessing and distribution of palm branches, which play a symbolic role on this day since they were first used to commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into the city of Jerusalem. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate a Pontifical Liturgy at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Scranton. Weather permitting, this Mass will begin in the Cathedral Prayer Garden with a blessing of palms and a Gospel reading, followed by a procession into the Cathedral.

Palm Sunday Masses at the Cathedral will also be celebrated at 4 p.m. on Saturday and 6:30 a.m., 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins at 6 p.m., followed by Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m. 

CHRISM MASS: TUESDAY, APRIL 16

Priests serving throughout the Diocese will gather at the Cathedral on Tuesday, April 16, at 4 p.m. for the Solemn Pontifical Chrism Mass, at which the Holy Oils used during the conferral of sacraments throughout the Church year will be blessed. Bishop Bambera will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus John M. Dougherty will concelebrate the Mass along with all priests from the Diocese.

During this Mass, priests and deacons, along with lay representatives from Diocesan parishes, acknowledge the Bishop’s role as the unifying symbol for Church governance and pastoral guidance. Priests will renew their ordination promises. After Mass, they will receive the Sacred Chrism, Oil of the Sick, and the Oil of Catechumens, which are used in the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, the Anointing of the Sick, and the Rites of the Catechumenate. The deacons of the Diocese will assist in the blessing of the holy oils.

HOLY THURSDAY: THURSDAY, APRIL 18

The three most sacred days of the Church’s liturgical year, known as the Sacred Paschal Triduum, begin on Holy Thursday, April 18, with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. During the Triduum (Latin for “three days”), the Church solemnly celebrates the greatest mysteries of our redemption, keeping by means of special celebrations the memorial of the Lord, crucified, buried and risen.

Holy Thursday marks the day on which Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist and the priestly Order and gave us the commandment concerning fraternal charity. At the Cathedral, Morning Prayer will be at 8 a.m. The Pontifical Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will begin at 5:30 p.m., with Bishop Bambera serving as the principal celebrant. During the Mass, there will be the rite of the Washing of Feet, which re-enacts Christ’s washing of the feet of his apostles at the Last Supper. Following this Mass there will be the transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose. Adoration will continue until 10 p.m., when Night Prayer will be celebrated.

GOOD FRIDAY: FRIDAY, APRIL 19

On Good Friday, April 19, and the following day (up to the Easter Vigil Mass), by a most ancient tradition, the Church does not celebrate the sacraments at all, except for Penance and Anointing of the Sick. At the Cathedral, Morning Prayer for Good Friday will be at 8 a.m. The Commemoration of the Passion and Death of the Lord celebrated by Bishop Bambera will begin at 12:10 p.m. This solemn liturgy consists of three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Adoration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. In addition, the Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 5 p.m. Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence.

HOLY SATURDAY: SATURDAY, APRIL 20

Holy Saturday, April 20, is the day that the Church waits at the Lord’s tomb in prayer, meditating on his passion and death and on his descent into hell, and awaiting his resurrection. Morning Prayer will be at 8 a.m. at the Cathedral, followed by a retreat for those preparing to be baptized and received into full communion with the Catholic Church. The blessing of Easter Baskets will take place at 1 p.m. in the Cathedral.

The Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter is the night of keeping vigil for the Lord (Exodus 12:42), in which following the Gospel admonition (Luke 12:35-37), the faithful, carrying lighted candles in their hands, should be like those looking for the Lord when he returns, so that at his coming he may find them awake and have them at his table. This night’s vigil is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities in the Church. Although celebrated entirely at night, this Mass of the Vigil is the first Mass of the Sunday of the Resurrection, and it is the center of the Sacred Paschal Triduum.

Bishop Bambera will be the principal celebrant and homilist of the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral, beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. This liturgy is arranged in four parts: 1) the Lucernarium (a service of light) and Easter Proclamation; 2) the Liturgy of the Word, in which the Church meditates on the wonders God has done for his people from the beginning, trusting in his word and promise; 3) the Liturgy of Baptism and Confirmation in which new members of the Church are reborn; and 4) the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which the Church is called to the table the Lord has prepared for his people, the memorial of his death and resurrection until he comes again.

On the Holy Night of Easter, 174 people who have participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) will become fully initiated Catholics by the celebration of their Baptism, Confirmation, and reception of the Eucharist for the first time. This will take place during Easter Vigil Masses celebrated in parishes throughout the Diocese. They join tens of thousands of other individuals throughout the world who will become members of the Church that night.

EASTER SUNDAY: SUNDAY, APRIL 21

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord is the most joyous day in the Church year. This joy overflows into the 50 days of the Easter season, which concludes on Pentecost Sunday. On Easter Day, April 21, Bishop Bambera will celebrate a Pontifical Mass at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral. Additional Masses during the day will be at 6:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Since Christ accomplished his work of human redemption and of the perfect glorification of God through his Paschal Mystery, in which by dying he has destroyed our death, and by rising restored our life, the Sacred Paschal Triduum shines forth as the high point of the entire liturgical year. Therefore the preeminence that Sunday has in the week, the Solemnity of Easter has in the entire year.

SCRANTON, PA (APRIL 11, 2019) – The Diocese of Scranton is warning its parishioners to be on alert, and not fall victim, to a new scam that has popped up.

On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, two employees from the Diocese of Scranton received text messages on their cell phones from someone claiming to be one of our priests and asking that the recipients buy gift cards for him.

While neither employee fell victim to the scam, a similar situation was also reported recently in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and some Diocesan parishioners reported getting text messages as well.

The Diocese of Scranton 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 instances reported this week, the person impersonating a priest asked each recipient to purchase $500 in gift cards for his niece as a birthday present because he was checking on a friend in the hospital.

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

For more information, contact:

Eric Deabill
Secretary for Communications
Diocese of Scranton
Office: (570) 591-5001
Cell: (570) 237-6508
EDeabill@dioceseofscranton.org

April 5, 2019

Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton has joined more than 140 religious individuals calling on U.S. leaders to uphold the principles of religious freedom.

The group of varying backgrounds has sent a letter to President Donald Trump, Vice President Pence, and congressional leadership from both political parties, outlining eight principles.

In the coming days, the letter asks the recipients to recognize that “individuals of all faiths and none have equal dignity, worth and rights to religious freedom.”

Following the March 15 attack on two mosques in New Zealand that killed fifty Muslims, another principle outlined in the letter emphasizes that “an attack on one religion should be treated as an attack on every faith.”

Bishop Bambera is currently the chairman of the Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Two other committee chairmen, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, and Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, also signed the letter. They respectively chair the committees for Religious Liberty and International Justice and Peace.

The letter ends by asking recipients to devote specific remarks to the principles of religious liberty in the days ahead, saying “we vow to work with you to ensure that individuals and communities are able to practice their faith without fear.”

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Note: The full letter with all of signatories can be found at: https://www.dioceseofscranton.org/news/religious-liberty-letter-april-4-2019/

March 25, 2019

SCRANTON, PA – As parishioners spend time in prayer for the season of Lent, the Diocese of Scranton announces today that it will host the incorrupt heart of Saint Jean Vianney at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton in April.

The major relic of Saint Jean Vianney’s incorrupt heart is currently in the midst of a nationwide tour, visiting cathedrals, churches and chapels throughout the United States through June 2019.

The Diocese of Scranton will host the relic on Saturday, April 13, 2019. The Shrine of Ars, France, made the relic available for its national tour.

The relic will be welcomed to the Cathedral of Saint Peter with the celebration of Morning Prayer at 8:30 a.m. It will remain on display for private prayer and veneration through 3:00 p.m. The Daily Mass will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. and the Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be offered from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will be the principal celebrant of the 12:10 p.m. Mass and Msgr. David Bohr will deliver the homily.

The Knights of Columbus is hosting the nationwide tour. Before stopping in Scranton, the relic will have already visited Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

Born in France in 1786, Jean Vianney suffered through the dark years of the French Revolution. He undertook a life of penance and prayer to draw people away from sin and closer to God. Known for his wise spiritual counsels, Father Vianney would hear confessions for up to eighteen hours a day. Jean Vianney died on August 4, 1859. Saint Jean Vianney was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 31, 1925.

As the patron of parish priests, the faithful are asked to pray for their most heartfelt needs and intentions, as well as for healing within the heart of the Church.

For more information about St. Jean Vianney and the relic tour, visit www.dioceseofscranton.org.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Eric Deabill
Secretary for Communications
Diocese of Scranton
(570) 591-5001
Cell: (570) 237-6508
EDeabill@dioceseofscranton.org

March 15, 2019

The horrific and senseless acts of violence in yet more places of worship, this time two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, remind us all of the need for prayer, acts of solidarity as members of one human family and education to overcome fear, prejudice and ignorance.

All people are created in the image and likeness of God. The rich variety and diversity of people is a gift to humanity. We must strive to learn more about different cultures, languages and religions. We must become good neighbors and overcome the fear of those who are different from us.

Today, the 11 counties of northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania are being enriched with new neighbors of other faiths: Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and others. People of good will need to learn from each other and become friends as well. There is never an excuse for ignorance, violence or hatred.

We extend our love and support to the Muslim community in New Zealand, and here at home, for the evil they have experienced. United in solidarity, we can and we must put aside any differences we have and stand together as one.

 

MARCH 13, 2019

Fidelity Bank recently made a gift of $120,000 to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation for tuition assistance for Catholic School families in the Diocese. This donation is part of the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.

Fidelity Bank has supported the Diocesan Catholic Schools need-based tuition assistance program through the State’s tax credit program since 2002.

“The Diocese is very grateful to Fidelity Bank for their continued generous support. This commitment makes a difference in the lives of so many families who choose to send their children to one of our Catholic schools,” said Jim Bebla, Diocesan Secretary for Development.

With branch offices located throughout Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, Fidelity Bank offers full service Trust & Investment Departments, a mortgage center and an array of personal and business banking products and services.

 

March 8, 2019

The Diocese of Scranton Announces Letter of Intent with Allied Services for
Sale of Little Flower Manor Campus and St. Luke’s Villa Campus

 

SCRANTON, PA – The Diocese of Scranton announced today that it has received a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) for the sale of its long-term healthcare facilities in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The Diocese has entered into a due diligence agreement with Allied Services Integrated Health System, a locally-based, regional not-for-profit health system with a 60-year tradition of providing quality health care and human services with compassion and empathy.

Assets included in the sale are:

• Little Flower Manor – a 133-bed skilled nursing facility with 71 private rooms
• St. Therese Residence – 60 units with access to the finest personal care services and amenities, as well as 15 units for patients requiring specialized memory impairment services
• St. Luke’s Villa – a 50-bed skilled nursing unit, a 48-unit personal care facility and 31 independent living apartments

Across the two campuses, services include 24-hour nursing care and rehabilitation for those recovering from an illness, injury or surgery, personal care assistance and independent living spaces. The Diocesan owned and operated facilities are non-profit, faith-based and mission-driven, and are the providers of choice in their service areas. Approximately 400 employees and volunteers care for the facilities’ 322 residents.

For several years, Diocesan leadership has been evaluating its long-term care facilities. Given continued shifts in the healthcare industry, the Diocese of Scranton faced a number of challenges including decreased reimbursement rates and heightened regulations.

“Healthcare – and long-term healthcare specifically – is increasingly becoming a sophisticated and complicated industry,” said the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton. “The Diocese of Scranton, like many other small, independent operators is not equipped to address evolving needs in this space. Our patients and residents deserve the highest quality of care, and the decision to sell these facilities was made with their best interests in mind.”

“This is a great day, for our community, for the Diocese of Scranton, for Allied Services Integrated Health System, and most importantly, for the patients and residents entrusted to us,” said William P. Conaboy, Esq., President & CEO of Allied Services Integrated Health System. “We are grateful for Bishop Bambera and to the Diocese leadership for choosing Allied Services to continue their mission. We stand ready to do what is best for our patients, residents and employees and to continue the work of the Diocese of Scranton in providing the very highest quality of care.”

The Diocese has been highly selective and considered a number of buyers. Allied Services has committed to utilizing its best efforts to retain current staff, whose dedication has helped maintain strong quality ratings and occupancy rates in recent years. Allied Services has also committed to preserving religious articles and artifacts.

The sale of these facilities will allow the Diocese of Scranton to continue its commitment to serving the people of this region through core services such as food pantries, community outreach and emergency shelter programs. While the Diocese originally chose to explore selling these two facilities because of the evolving healthcare landscape, it has determined that proceeds from this sale may assist with funding the recently announced Independent Survivors Compensation Program.

“Our goal is to find a buyer better equipped to address evolving needs in the healthcare space, so that we can provide financial compensation to survivors of child sexual abuse, and can continue to focus on serving the neediest in our midst through Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton and new and different ways of supporting our elderly population,” said Bishop Bambera.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all of those who worked so diligently to make this happen, while welcoming the 400 employees and volunteers from the Diocese to Allied Services,” said Dr. Douglas M. Boyle, DBA, CPA, Board Chair, Allied Services Foundation. “I also wish to reaffirm our enthusiasm and continued commitment to providing the highest level of quality care to all of our patients and residences.”

The due diligence process requires 90 days during which Allied Services will review the assets from a financial, operational and compliance standpoint. If Allied Services chooses to move forward with the sale, both parties will enter into an approval process before the sale is final.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Eric Deabill	James Brogna
Secretary for Communications	Vice President, Corporate Advancement & Communications
Diocese of Scranton	Allied Services Integrated Health System
EDeabill@dioceseofscranton.org	JBrogn@allied-services.org
(570) 207-2229	(570) 348-1347
Cell: (570) 237-6508	Cell: (570) 351-8763

 

DIOCESE OF SCRANTON

Founded in 1868, the Diocese of Scranton serves an 11-county region including Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming counties. The Catholic community of the Diocese of Scranton is called through Baptism to imitate the servant leadership of Jesus Christ. In union with our Holy Father, the Pope, we proclaim the Gospel faithfully, celebrate the sacraments joyfully, and boldly promote life, justice and peace in northeastern and northcentral Pennsylvania. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera serves as the tenth Bishop of Scranton, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, ordained and installed as bishop in 2010. The 118 parishes of the Diocese enjoy the membership of nearly 250,000 parishioners and more than 14,500 children from pre-school through high school attend our 20 schools.

ALLIED SERVICES INTEGRATED HEALTH SYSTEM

Allied Services Integrated Health System is the leading provider of health care and human services for people with disabilities, life-changing injuries and chronic illness in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. The organization was founded in 1958 in response to a community need for vocational services that honored the abilities and aspirations of individuals with disabilities. Today, Allied Services is a provider of diverse services that improve the quality of life for thousands of people. The not-for-profit organization touches the lives of 5,000 people every day. The continuum of care offered by Allied Services includes physical rehabilitation; skilled nursing; hospice and palliative care; home care; personal care; mental health services; vocational and developmental services; specialist education and pediatric services. Allied Services 3,500-plus employees and volunteers deliver care across a 23-county area, united by a common commitment to providing care with compassion and empathy that supports individuals in reaching their highest level of independence, potential and quality of life.