The Diocesan
Celebration for World Day of Prayer for Vocations was held Sunday, May 1 at the
church of St. Matthew, East Stroudsburg. Bishop Joseph C. Bambera was the
celebrant and homilist. Priests, sisters, young adults, youth groups, and the
faithful from all over the Diocese of Scranton were in attendance.
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An overflowing crowd at the World Day of Prayer for Vocations Celebration
at St. Matthew Parish, East Stroudsburg |
Countless Wonders, a
student music group from Marywood University, held a concert prior to the Mass
at 6:15p.m. Sister Mindy Welding, Director of the Office for Vocations,
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, welcomed everyone and
introduced the band. Energetic and uplifting contemporary Christian songs were
sung with everyone in the congregation participating.
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| Sister Mindy Welding, IHM welcoming everyone to the celebration |
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| Countless Wonders energizing the crowd |
Concelebrants included Father Don Williams, Diocesan Director of Vocations
and Seminarians, Father Rick Malloy, S.J., University Chaplain, University
of Scranton, and priests from the Monroe Region. A combined choir of almost 50 voices from parishes all over the region enhanced the liturgy. Some selections included Send Down the Fire, With One Voice, The Summons,
and God’s Holy Gifts. The choir was
under the direction of Ann Mullen, Director of Music at St. Matthew Parish.
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| Monroe Region Choir |
Students from the Confirmation
class were the Ministers of Hospitality in addition to the Knights of Columbus.
Sister Shirlee Tremont, Vocation Director, MPF, and Dori Hurley, Youth Minister
at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville, served as lectors. The altar
servers were from different parishes in the region and the Notre Dame School
system.
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| Sister Shirlee Tremont, MPF |
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Dori Hurley
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Family from the Notre Dame School system brought forth the gifts of bread
and wine to Bishop Bambera |
Bishop Bambera
encouraged those in attendance to stay open. “You don’t need to use anyone else’s map to heaven, because God has already placed within your soul all the directions you’ll ever need,” he said during his homily. “Jesus is calling all of us to be his disciples and to build his Church. Open the locked doors of your heart. Say ‘yes’ to Jesus, and become the person that God has created you to be!”
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| "What about you? What are you going to do?" |
Father Jerry Shantillo,
Pastor at St. Matthew Parish and an Assistant Vocation Director, offered words
of thanks right before the conclusion of Mass. He invited everyone to attend
the reception, which included a wide variety of desserts and food in the school building.
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| Father Jerry Shantillo offering remarks at the end of the Mass. |
Vocation Directors and representatives from the following congregations in addition to the Diocesan Vocation Office were present and had materials available at the reception: Little Sisters of the Poor, Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart, Religious Teachers Filippini, Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of St. Joseph, and Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
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| Little Sisters of the Poor at the reception following the Mass |
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| Religious Teachers Filippini at the reception following the Mass |
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| Students checking out the congregations at the reception |
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| Sister Mindy Welding, IHM at the reception following the Mass |
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| A packed reception! |
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| Diocesan Vocation Office materials at the reception following the Mass |
The celebration was memorable and enjoyed by those who attended. To read Bishop Bambera’s
full homily, click here. For more information about vocation initiatives and programs in the Diocese of Scranton, please call 570-207-1452.
