Diocese of Scranton. News Briefing Vol. 9 #3 2/28/ Subscribe to News Briefing. In This Issue

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1 Diocese of Scranton News Briefing Vol. 9 #3 2/28/2013 In This Issue Benedict XVI Leaves Papacy Project Life and Liberty Disabilities Awareness Mass Set for March 10 MISSION STATEMENT We, the Catholic community of the Diocese of Scranton, are 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 north central Pennsylvania. The Light Is On For You Alter Christus Vocation Discernment Weekend Diocesan Tribunal Available for Presentations Office for Parish Life CTV Now on Channel 97 in Hazleton Area Mark Your Calendar Real Estate Availability Subscribe to News Briefing Benedict XVI Leaves Papacy From humble servant to simple pilgrim CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) - Benedict XVI, who began his papacy describing himself as a "humble servant in the Lord's vineyard," described his retirement as a time of being a "simple pilgrim, who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth." The 85-year-old pope arrived in Castel Gandolfo today (February 28) about two-and-a-half hours before the end of his pontificate. He planned to spend about two months at the papal villa south of Rome before moving into a former monastery in the Vatican Gardens. The pope arrived in a helicopter from the Vatican and rode by car through the fields and formal gardens of the papal villa before reaching the residence. Hours before he arrived, townspeople, pilgrims and visitors began filling the main square outside the papal residence. As they waited for the pope, they prayed the rosary. As soon as he entered the residence, the pope went upstairs and, standing on the balcony overlooking the main square, he greeted the crowd: "Thank you. Thank you all. Dear friends, I am happy to be with

2 you, surrounded by the beauty of Creation and your well wishes, which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship and your affection. You know that this day is different for me than the preceding ones. I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church...I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this earth. But I would still - with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength - like to work for the common good and the good of the Church and of humanity. I feel very supported by your kindness. Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the Church and the world. Thank you. I now wholeheartedly impart my blessing. Blessed be God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!" Diocesan Website Features Resources on Papacy The Diocese of Scranton website features a special page on the papacy. It includes Benedict XVI's final remarks as pope, video of the special Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera in St. Peter's Cathedral today (February 28) in gratitude for the Holy Father's service, various statements, information on the theology of the papacy and a papal conclave, and prayers. Please visit the page at Papal Resources. Project Life and Liberty Postcard Campaign in Parishes This Weekend Faithful in the Diocese of Scranton will join with Catholics throughout the country in a major effort to send a clear message to their Congressional legislators: life must be protected at all stages, and freedom of religion must be respected. That message will be communicated through the national "Project Life and Liberty" postcard campaign, a collaborative effort of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities and the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, in partnership with the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA). Prompted by the Church's pro-life and religious freedom concerns, the upcoming campaign will call on Congress to prevent federal funding and promotion of abortion and protect rights of conscience in health care. Among the recent developments that have inspired this call to action are: * The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has demanded that almost every man and woman in America, as well as many religious institutions that help the needy, may not provide or purchase health coverage unless that coverage includes a wide array of sterilization and "contraceptive" methods, including drugs that can induce abortion. * After the Catholic Church's migration and refugee services office had provided excellent service to victims of human trafficking for five years, HHS took away its federal grant and gave it to less qualified secular agencies because the Catholic agency would not violate its moral principles on early human life. Longstanding federal laws known as "conscience clauses" should be preventing such abuses. But government officials have found ways to ignore these laws or exploit loopholes in them to suppress freedom of conscience in health care. As the new Congress commences, it is imperative that concerned citizens urge members of Congress to ensure that taxpayers are not

3 forced to subsidize abortion, and that Catholic and other individuals and institutions are not forced to violate their moral and religious beliefs when they provide or purchase health care. In the Diocese of Scranton, the "Project Life and Liberty" postcard campaign will take place this weekend, March 2-3. Parishioners will be asked to sign postcards that will be sent to our U.S. Senators and Representatives. Parishes havereceived a packet of program materials from the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, along withdetailed information and instructions from the Diocesan Office for Parish Life, including the names of the various U.S. legislators who represent the 11 counties of our Diocese. To send a message via , please visit Protect Rights of Conscience and Religious Liberty. "As Christians we have a duty to defend life and religious liberty," said the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton. "This campaign will remind our elected officials that we remain vigilant in our resolve to protect religious liberty in our country and to support the gift of human life. Our voices will have a long-term positive impact. I am grateful to our pastors and all the faithful for participating in this important effort." For questions regarding the campaign, please contact David Clarke, Director of Service and Social Concerns, at , ext Bishop Celebrating Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Mass The Diocese of Scranton will celebrate "Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month" with a special liturgy Sunday, March 10, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter, 315 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D.,J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will be the principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass. On that day, we will gather to pray with our sisters and brothers who have developmental or intellectual disabilities, recognizing the many wonderful gifts they have to share with our parish communities. Our friends will actively participate in the liturgy as greeters, readers, altar servers, gift and banner bearers. CTV: Catholic Television will broadcast the Mass live. For more information, please contact Sister Mary Beth Makuch, SS.C.M., at , ext or Sr-Mary-Bethmakuch@dioceseofscranton.org.

4 Alter Christus Vocation Discernment Weekend When: Friday to Sunday, March 1-3, 2013 Where: Fatima Center, Dalton Who: Young men ages What: A vocation is always born from a personal relationship with the Lord. This weekend allows men who are thinking about priesthood time away from everyday activities to listen more closely for God's presence and action in their lives. Participants will also have the opportunity to get to know seminarians and priests from the Diocese of Scranton and to hear about their vocation stories. Do you have a love for God and for the Church? Are you drawn to spend time in quiet prayer? Have you imagined yourself being a priest one day?

5 Has someone told you that you would make a good priest? For further information contact Father Jim Rafferty, Vocation Director, at or Rev-James-Rafferty@dioceseofscranton.org Diocesan Tribunal Available for Presentations Father Anthony Generose, Judicial Vicar, would like to offer parish clusters and Diocesan regions an opportunity to host a presentation on the process for declaring a marriage null, most commonly known as the annulment process. Father Generose will be available to present the topic on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, or Sunday afternoons during the month of April Pastors or Episcopal Vicars may arrange a date with Father Generose via at Rev-Anthony- Generose@dioceseofscranton.org. Office for Parish Life FOCCUS Training Training in the administration of the FOCCUS instrument will be offered at the OPL on Thursday, April 11, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This training is for beginners as well as those who have been using the survey but have not been trained to do so. Cost is $100 and includes materials and lunch. Priests, deacons and anyone involved in ministry to engaged couples are welcome. Please register at or call the OPL ( ). The Beginnings Institute - for Parish RCIA Teams in partnership with the North American Forum on the Catechumenate - July 18-20, 2013 The Beginnings Institute is an intensive three-day program that seeks to provide participants with the vision and dynamics of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For registration information, go to : Parish Pastoral Council Orientation Workshop Plan now to bring your Parish Pastoral Council for an opportunity to learn together about the purpose and function of the Council. Participants will practice tools and discuss approaches to helping your Council lead the parish in fulfilling its mission. The training is offered by Father Paul Mullen and members of his active Parish Pastoral Council. The host parish is St. Robert Bellarmine, Wilkes-Barre, and the program will take place at the St. Aloysius Church Hall, 143 West Division Street on Friday, April 5 (6:30-9:00 p.m.) and Saturday, April 6 (9:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. with lunch provided). The participants should plan to attend both parts. For questions and to register, contact Jennifer in the Office for Parish Life ( ). CTV Now on Channel 97 in Hazleton Area Service Electric Cablevision (Hazleton) has moved CTV: Catholic Television from channel 21 to channel 97, effective February 28.

6 Viewers in the Hazleton area can continue to watch programs from the Diocese, including the "Live Daily Mass" from St. Peter's Cathedral, Pontifical Masses celebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, the "Our Faith, Our Diocese" news program, and programs provided by EWTN, on channel 97 beginning on February 28. This change only affects customers of Service Electric Cablevision in the Hazleton area. All other viewers can continue to watch CTV on their regular channels. Mark Your Calendar Interpreted Mass for Catholic Deaf in the Diocese of Scranton, March at St. Joseph's Oblate Seminary, 1880 Highway 315, Laflin. Gathering begins with faith-sharing at 1 p.m., followed by Mass (signed and interpreted), celebrated at 2 p.m. in the seminary chapel. Refreshments will follow. For more information, contact Sister Mary Beth Makuch, SSCM, at ext Real Estate Availability The Property & Risk Management Division of the Diocese currently maintains a listing of real estate available for sale or use throughout the Diocese. If interested in learning about the available opportunities, please contact Ed Carlin, Property Assets Director, P&RM Division, at