The Church in Pennsylvania

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will host a Permanent Diaconate Discernment Day on Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. The event is open to men between the ages of 30 and 55 who are considering a vocation to the permanent diaconate.

The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, formation sessions, and separate breakout sessions for participants and their wives. Attendees can participate in prayer and conversation with permanent deacons, their wives, the Diaconal Formation Team, and members of the Archdiocesan Clergy Office.

The School of Diaconal Formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary manages the training for candidates to serve the Church through the ministries of Word, Sacrament, and Charity. Men interested in attending can register at archphila.org/deacon or contact the Permanent Diaconate Office at 215-587-3883.

The Diocese of Scranton will host the sixth annual Hispanic Heritage Mass and Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Brodheadsville. The event brings together Hispanic Catholics from northeastern and north central Pennsylvania during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will serve as the principal celebrant for the noon Mass. Following the liturgy, a Marian procession will honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. International Catholic evangelist and speaker Salvador Gómez will attend to share a message of faith and hope with families and young people.

The celebration continues into the afternoon with a youth soccer tournament and fellowship involving food, music, cultural activities, and folkloric dance. This year's theme, "Unidos Somos Más" (United We Are More), highlights the diversity of the various countries and cultures represented within the diocesan Hispanic communities.

The Diocese of Scranton has launched its 2026-27 Catholic Ministries Appeal with a fundraising goal of $4.5 million. This marks the 40th annual appeal for the diocese.

The funds support various ministries across 11 counties, including Catholic schools, social services, media and communications, and parish life. The appeal also provides support for vocations and seminarians, which this year includes the reestablishment of Saint Pius X Seminary at the former Cathedral Convent in Scranton.

Parishes will hold Commitment Weekend to encourage donations. The diocese invites parishioners to visit AnnualAppeal.org to contribute or to learn more about the specific ministries the appeal funds.

The Diocese of Scranton presented Saint John Paul II Awards to three educators on Sept. 14, 2026, to recognize their 25 years of service in Catholic schools. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera and Kristen Donohue, the diocesan secretary for Catholic education and superintendent, presented the awards during the annual Diocesan Teachers’ Institute at Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre.

The honorees include Deborah Brady from Holy Rosary School in Duryea, Candice Lee from La Salle Academy in Jessup, and Jeanine Queralt from Our Lady of Peace School in Clarks Green. Assistant Superintendent Christopher Tigue introduced the awards, noting that these educators serve as witnesses to the faith by leading students to know and serve God.

The celebration began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Bambera and included a keynote address and various sessions for teachers. Brady, who teaches sixth through eighth grades, noted she has observed significant growth during her time at Holy Rosary School.

Queen of the Apostles Parish held its annual Blue Mass and 9/11 Memorial Service on Sept. 11, 2026, to honor victims and first responders of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The event in Avoca brought together parishioners, local police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, elected officials, and families for an evening of prayer and remembrance.

The procession through the streets included Boy Scouts from Troop 316 and Pack 316 carrying colors, alongside first responders in full dress. A bagpipe escort led the start of the Mass, which featured a framed photograph of the FDNY firefighters who died during the attacks displayed near the ambo.

Father Thomas Petro, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Parish, said the community has gathered for the past 25 years to pray for the victims and heroes of the attacks. He noted that the annual Mass serves as an act of gratitude and a spiritual responsibility.

La Salle Academy students in Jessup began their school year on September 10, 2026, by participating in both Roman Catholic and Byzantine Catholic liturgical traditions. The school identifies as a bi-ritual Catholic institution and believes it is the only elementary school in the United States with this distinction.

The students started their day at Saint Michael Church, the main worship site for Queen of Angels Parish, for a Roman Catholic Mass. Father Andrew Kurovsky, the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Peckville, celebrated the Mass, while Father Roman Vasylynka, the administrator of Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church, concelebrated.

Students then visited Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church located next to the academy. Father Vasylynka and parochial vicar Father Bert James Olechnowicz provided a special blessing and introduced the students to the Byzantine Catholic tradition. Principal Shaina Aquilina stated that the school's bi-ritual heritage enriches its Catholic identity.

Eighty-four young adults from across the Diocese of Scranton gathered at Lackawanna State Park on Sept. 4, 2026, for the second annual Young Adult Rosary Hike. Organized by the Diocesan Office for Parish Life, the event brought together participants from various communities, including Scranton, Conyngham, Drums, and Meshoppen.

The group walked a 2.7-mile route along the Turkey Hill Trail and portions of the Abington Trail, pausing to pray the Rosary during the hike. Bridget Maille, the program coordinator for family life in the Diocesan Office for Parish Life, said the event was designed to help young adults integrate their faith into regular activities and build community.

Organizers moved the event to Lackawanna State Park this year after holding the previous hike at Rickett’s Glen State Park. Maille noted that the change in location attracted a new group of participants and received a positive response.