VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Lent is a time to reconsider the path one is taking in life and to finally answer God’s invitation to return to him with one’s whole heart, Pope Francis said. “Lent is not just about the little sacrifices we make, but about discerning where our hearts are directed,” he said, …
Continue reading “For Lent, ask if one’s life is centered on God or oneself, pope says”
HOMILY Baptism of the Lord – January 10, 2021 As we bring the liturgical celebration of Christmas to a close today with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the heart of the message of the gospel emerges – much less through the image of the stable in Bethlehem – but far more through …
Bishop Bambera’s Reflection for Epiphany Sunday The Diocesan Office for Parish Life provides numerous resources and opportunities for parishioners to embrace the peace, hope, joy and love of this season even in the midst of the daily struggles of this pandemic. The OPL Team would like to wish faithful across the Diocese of …
You have saved us WILKES-BARRE – The generosity of a small parish in Luzerne County is making a difference on the other side of the world. Through donations, parishioners of Saint Andrew Parish in Wilkes-Barre have helped to feed families in Africa, care for children in an orphanage, start small businesses and even put …
Continue reading “Saint Andrew Parish changes lives in Nigeria”
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Father Patrick Peyton may have been a child of God, but he also was a force of nature. His relentless quest to encourage family prayer, which became the hallmark of his priestly ministry and led to the formation of Family Theater Productions, is highlighted in a new documentary of his life …
Continue reading “Priest with Scranton ties is focus of new documentary, “Pray””
HOMILY Day of Prayer and Gratitude for Priests – September 14, 2020 Evening Prayer – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Philippians 2:6-11 Brothers and sisters, thank you for joining with me on this day of prayer and gratitude for our priests. Your presence – even in a virtual way – speaks …
Continue reading “Day of Prayer and Gratitude for Priests September 14, 2020”
HOMILY 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time A – August 23, 2020 In the summer of 1993 – 27 years ago when I was a relatively young priest – I traveled to Denver, Colorado, with several hundred young people from throughout our diocese for World Youth Day with now Saint John Paul II. I will …
Continue reading “21st Sunday in Ordinary Time A – August 23, 2020”
SCRANTON – At a time when young adults are being encouraged to remain physically distant from one another due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they are still finding ways to come together spiritually. On Monday, July 27, the Diocese of Scranton Office for Parish Life launched The Together Project, an opportunity for high school …
Continue reading “The Together Project brings young adults together during pandemic”
HOMILY FOR CLOSING OF ST. ANN’S NOVENA 17th Sunday in Ordinary time July 26, 2020 I am grateful for the presence of Father Jim O’Shea, Provincial of the Passionist community, and so thankful to Father Richard Burke and the members of the Passionist community as well as to the friends and supporters of Saint …
Continue reading “Homily for Closing of St. Ann’s Novena July 26, 2020”
Safety measures to be emphasized during 96th annual spiritual pilgrimage SCRANTON – Even the Solemn Novena to Saint Ann cannot escape the unprecedented impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the rest of the world. This summer’s annual Saint Ann Novena – the 96th consecutive in its storied history – will still be offered, …
Continue reading “Saint Ann’s Solemn Novena will be held, with changes”