Diocese of Scranton News Briefing

Transcription

1 Diocese of Scranton News Briefing Vol. 9 #16 11/27/2013 In This Issue Invitation to Participate in Vatican Synod Survey on the Family Feast of the Immaculate Conception Collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious Communities 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. Office for Parish Life Theological Foundation Courses Memorial Mass for Father Comellas Guild Building for Sale Real Estate Availability Mark Your Calendar Follow the Diocese on Facebook Subscribe to News Briefing Invitation to Participate in Vatican Synod Survey on the Family Pope Francis has announced that a global meeting, or synod, of Catholic bishops will be held in Rome from October 5-19, The theme for this Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is: "Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization." In anticipation of the 2014 Synod, Pope Francis desires to know more about the state of marriage and the family in the Church. In order to ensure that input is received from as many members of the Church as possible,the Vatican asked national bishops' conferences from around the world to participate in a questionnaire, or survey. The survey contains 39 questions on 9 topic areas that touch on themes such as contraception, same-sex unions, cohabitation by un-wed couples, marriage and divorce, etc.the questions also look at how Catholic teaching on the value of the family has been received and understood, and explore the openness of married couples to life and the Sacraments of the Church. While the questionnaire is not a survey of public opinion, the data will help inform Pope Francis and the bishops of the challenges faced by today's families and enable them to discuss and develop appropriate pastoral solutions. In response to this invitation, it is Bishop Joseph C. Bambera's

2 desire and intention to ensure that the Diocese of Scranton participates in this extraordinary process. He asks us to prayerfully and purposefully consider the questions prepared by the Vatican. Theon-line survey can be completed by clicking here: Vatican Synod Survey Also, resource information, along with the Vatican'sPreparatory Document: Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization, can be found on a special page on the Diocesan website at: Surveys must be completed by Friday, December 13, 2013 so that the results can be compiled and returned to the Vatican by the end of the year. Feast of the Immaculate Conception The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 th is normally a Holy Day of Obligation. However, since December 8 th falls on a Sunday this year, there is no Mass obligation attached to the Holy Day. The weekly Sunday Mass obligation applies and may be fulfilled either on the Saturday vigil or Sunday. Reverend Thomas M. Muldowney, V.G. Vicar General of the Diocese Collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious Communities The annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken up at Masses the weekend of December 7-8. Each December, Catholics are asked to support the Retirement Fund for Religious collection, which was initiated by the United States bishops in 1988, to help address the unfunded retirement liability among U.S. religious communities. Proceeds from the collection support the retirement needs of sisters, brothers and religious order priests who spent their lives in church ministries such as education, health care and social services. The collection for the Religious Retirement Fund is distinct and separate from the monthly collection taken in parishes for the Care and Education of Priests of the Diocese of Scranton. "Presently, there are over 450 women religious from 14 different religious congregations serving within the Diocese of Scranton. There are 60 priests and 7 brothers from 4 congregations of religious men ministering among us. These women and men serve in our schools, colleges and universities, in our hospitals and nursing facilities, in our parishes and agencies that serve the poor and neediest in our midst. They teach. They heal. They advocate for justice. They do the work of the Gospel of Jesus," explained Bishop Joseph C. Bambera. "This annual collection offers vital financial assistance to help those who have faithfully and selflessly served our Diocese for generations. While many continue in active and volunteer ministry, others are now frail and need assistance. Yet they remain wholly committed to their vocations, accepting the limitations of aging with dignity and grace. This annual collection provides us an opportunity to 'Share in the Care' of the women and men who played such an important role in growing the Catholic faith here in our Diocese and across the country. Please join me in supporting the Retirement Fund for Religious and praying for God's continued blessing on our elderly sisters, brothers and religious order priests."

3 Sister Mary Beth Makuch, SS.C.M., Diocesan Delegate for Consecrated Life, noted that this collection offers a vital support for our retired women and men religious as they face the challenges of growing older. Last year, the faithful from parishes throughout the Diocese of Scranton contributed $120, to this collection. Religious communitiesthat have served our Diocese benefit from the funds received through this annual collection. "The people of the Diocese of Scranton continue to be consistently faithful in contributing to this national collection," Sister Mary Beth noted. "Our retired religious pray daily for the spiritual and temporal needs of their benefactors." Religious communities are financially autonomous and thus responsible for the care and support of their elder members. Traditionally, senior religious worked for small stipends, and any surplus income was often reinvested in community ministries. As a result, many religious communities now lack adequate savings for retirement and elder care. Annual distributions from the Retirement Fund for Religious offer religious communities supplemental retirement funding and help to furnish various necessities, such as prescription medications, nursing care and more. Office for Parish Life Advent Evenings of Reflection for Liturgical Ministers Spend an evening of prayer and faith-sharing with parishioners in your area who are interested and involved in leading meaningful liturgy. Please invite those you know who are parish liturgy planners, those who serve as music ministers, lectors, hospitality ministers, extraordinary ministers of communion, leaders for Liturgy of the Word with children - all who make the liturgy special for others are invited to enjoy this gathering made special just for you! Choose your best date/location:

4 Tuesday, December 10, 7-9 p.m. St. Matthew's Parish, Stroudsburg Wednesday, December 11, 7-9 p.m. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville Thursday, December 12, 7-9 p.m. St. Michael's Parish, Canton New Diocesan Ministry of Song for Persons with Disabilities in Group Homes Calling for young adults to visit the residences of people with disabilities. Singing is a fun and cognitively appropriate way to nurture and support their relationship with God. It is also an opportunity to develop friendships and community! Participants in this ministry will be asked to commit two time blocks per month - once for practice and faith sharing, and once for the actual visit to the group homes. Many group homes are excited to have us come. We need many singers and musicians! Contact Bernadette Rudolph at Bernadette- Rudolph@dioceseofscranton.org, Tommy McGrady at Tommy- McGrady@dioceseofscranton.org, or Sister Mary Beth Makuch at Sr-Mary-Beth- Makuch@dioceseofscranton.org or call Diocesan Congress Highlights on CTV, Website CTV: Catholic Television has produced a special one-hour program featuring highlights of the Year of Faith Diocesan Congress and the Age to Age: Generations of Faith concert prelude. The program will air on Tuesday, December 3, 8 p.m.; and Wednesday, December 4, 10 a.m. It can also be viewed on the Diocesan website. Click here: Year of Faith Diocesan Congress Special Theological Foundation Courses The Diocesan Office for Parish Life and the Catholic Schools Office offer the following Theological Foundation Courses for certification of Catholic school teachers and parish religious education catechists. These courses are also open to those who seek to enhance their understanding of the faith. The Spring 2014 course schedule is as follows: Introduction to Sacred Scripture (two locations) - Holy Cross High School, Dunmore; Jan. 15-March 19 (Wednesdays); 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Instructor: Ben Tolerico. St. John Neumann High School, Williamsport; Jan. 7-March 11 (Tuesdays); 3 to 6 p.m. Instructor: Father David Bechtel Fundamental Teachings of the Church - Notre Dame High School, East Stroudsburg; Feb. 25-April 29 (Tuesdays); 3 to 6 p.m. Instructor: Helen Findlay Introduction to the Spiritual/Moral Life (two locations) - Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre; Jan. 14-March 18

5 (Tuesdays); 3 to 6 p.m. Instructor: Father Joseph Elston. Epiphany School, Sayre; Feb. 24-April 28 (Mondays); 3 to 6 p.m. Instructor: Father Bryan Wright. Registration/certification fee for each course is $150 (audit: $65). To register, call the Catholic Schools Office at or sister-leonita-duhoski@dioceseofscranton.org. Memorial Mass for Father Comellas Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will celebrate a memorial Mass for Father Wilfredo Comellas on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Ann's Church in Tobyhanna. Father Comellas, who was ordained in the Diocese of Scranton and had several assignments here, died November 10 in Louisiana after an illness. He had been serving as a chaplain and teacher there, and his funeral Mass was celebrated there on November 14. For Sale: High Profile Commercial Building, Downtown Scranton The Diocese of Scranton is offering for sale The GUILD Building, located at 400 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA. The highly visible GUILD Building is located on one of the busiest routes in Downtown Scranton at the corner of Mulberry Street & Wyoming Avenue where the North Scranton Expressway enters the City. The GUILD Building is conveniently located just one block from the Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton City Hall and three blocks from the Federal and Lackawanna County Courthouses. The GUILD Building is a four-story facility zoned Downtown Commercial containing approximately 36,506 square feet of space. This well maintained building was home to a retail store encompassing the first floor, with the second and third floors being utilized as office space. The fourth floor, currently being used as an open storage area, has vast potential. The building is serviced by both a passenger elevator located at the front of the building as well as an over-sized freight elevator located at the rear. The rear elevator also services a first-floor service entrance, a second-floor level with the rear alley service entrance and a dock area. The building comes with an adjacent parking area with space for approximately 35 vehicles. Features of the Building include: Masonry foundation and exterior walls. HVAC System providing both heating and cooling. Dry sprinkler system throughout the entire building. Exterior renovations in 2006 which included: 1. Installation of a new rubber membrane roof. 2. All New exterior windows. 3. Masonry re-pointing and exterior painting.

6 Asking Price of Only: $ 1,900, (1.9 million) For Additional Information or to Schedule a Building Tour, contact The Property & Risk Management Department of the Diocese of Scranton at 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 Mark Your Calendar Annual Interpreted Advent Mass & Christmas Dinner for Catholic Deaf of the Diocese of Scranton, Dec at St. Joseph's Oblate Seminary, 1880 Highway 315, Laflin. Advent Mass (signed and interpreted) celebrated at 1 p.m.; Confessions before Mass. Annual Christmas dinner follows in the seminary banquet room. Advance reservations for dinner required; contact Timothy J. Wachs at Tjwtrek@aol.com. For more information, contact Sister Mary Beth Makuch, SSCM, at ( ext. 1101) or Sr-Mary-Beth- Makuch@dioceseofscranton.org. Cursillo is a worldwide movement that focuses on the teachings of Jesus. The goal of the Cursillo Movement is to make Christ the prime influence in society. Through retreats and catechetical programs, participants are offered an experience of living in Christian community. The Cursillo Movement in the Diocese of Scranton is sponsoring the following programs. All are welcome. School of Leaders Saturday, December 7, Queen of the Apostles, Avoca (9:30-11:30 a.m.) Saturday, January 4, St. Gabriel Passionist Retreat Center, Clarks Summit (9:30-11:30 a.m.) Cursillo Retreat Weekends (St. Gabriel Passionist Retreat Center) Men's Cursillo #56 - February 20-23, 2014 Women's Cursillo #64 - March 20-23, 2014 Women's Cursillo #65 - October 2-5, 2014 For further information, please visit the Cursillo website: Follow the Diocese on Facebook Following the Diocese on Facebook is as easy as 1-2-3:

7 1. Go to our page at: 2. Click on the "Like" button 3. Go to the adjacent Message bar and from the drop down menu, choose "Add to interest list." You will automatically get Facebook updates from the Diocese through your News Feed. You are also encouraged to visit the Facebook pages of other Diocesan departments. They are listed on our website at: Thank you for connecting with us! Forward This was sent to by Update Profile/ Address Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe Privacy Policy. Diocese of Scranton 300 Wyoming Ave Scranton PA 18501