Support Services
Catholic Social Services of Scranton
Catholic Social Services is a non-profit community service organization operating on a non-sectarian basis. Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton is under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Scranton. Throughout the years, the entire organization has grown both in structure and availability of services and programs to continue to meet the changing needs in the community. For more information, please visit their website at www.cssdioceseofscranton.org
Scranton Mental Health Ministry ~ Spiritual Support
The Scranton Mental Health Ministry at the Cathedral of Saint Peter provides a safe, supportive space for individuals in our community who are experiencing mental illness. The parish communities of the Cathedral, Immaculate Conception and Mary, Mother of God are participating in this ministry. We offer a spiritual support group open to anyone experiencing mental illness. Our goal is to ensure that no one feels alone in his or her struggle. Sharing each other’s stories can be a liberating and welcome break in the silence that often surrounds mental illness. This is the place to speak out and be heard in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment, where isolation and stigma fade away as supportive community is created. The spiritual support group is not group therapy but a ministry in which members seek to support others during their time of need and to grow spiritually in their relationship with God. One does not need to be Catholic to participate but Catholic prayers and devotions will be used. The group will meet from 10am until 12 noon on the second and fourth Saturday of the month in Bishops Hall at the Cathedral Rectory (rear entrance and down the stairs). Refreshments provided. For more information, contact Deacon Ed Shoener (344-7231), Deacon Jan Mroz (342-4881) or Deacon Pat McDonald (961-5211).
Know a Marriage That Needs Help?
Throw them a lifeline and tell them about Retrouvaille, an international program that helps couples who are experiencing marital difficulties. This program is for all couples, at any stage of marriage that needs help to communicate with each other in a more attentive and loving manner. Please call 800-470-2230 for more information visit www.HelpOurMarriage.org
Family Support Services
Please visit the Diocesan Family Support and Enrichment Services web page by clicking here.
Bereavement Support Group Meeting
Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, hosts a small group support that gathers on the first Wednesday of each month at 10am and the third Sunday of every month at 2pm in the parish center/rectory. For more information, please call Nettie at 570-586-1741.
Mid Valley Food Pantry
The food pantry is located at St. Michael's Church (Queen of Angels Parish) 316 First Avenue in Jessup. It is open to families in need every Wednesday from 3pm-5pm. The pantry is run by volunteer parishioners of Queen of Angels and currently serves approximately 100 families every month. For more information, please call Queen of Angels Parish at 570-489-2252.
Soup Kitchen
Christ the King Parish, serving as a satellite soup kitchen, in conjunction with St. Francis of Assisi kitchen, will be serving a FREE hot lunch at St.Thomas Aquinas Church Basement, 411 Church St, Archbald, PA. The kitchen is open to anyone who would like a hot meal. For more information, call (570) 876-1701.
Counseling Services Available
Catholic Social Services of The Diocese of Scranton offers compassionate counseling in a safe, comfortable environment where your privacy is always respected. Counseling is about self-discovery and can be used for personal growth or when distressing conditions exist and you need a bit of extra support… help is available. Anyone who struggles with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions or a variety of emotional or psychological conditions is welcome. For more information or to make an appointment, call 570-207-2283.
Notice Regarding Reporting Sexual Abuse of a Minor
It is the policy of the Diocese of Scranton to report any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to law enforcement. If you are a victim of sexual abuse committed by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton, you are encouraged to immediately report the matter to law enforcement. If any priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Scranton has cause or reason to suspect that a minor has been subjected to any form of abuse, including child sexual abuse, the matter will be reported to law enforcement. It is also the policy of the Diocese to adhere to all civil and state regulations. To this end, the Diocese is equally committed to adhering to the norms of the Code of Canon Law and to upholding the tenets of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes supporting victims of sexual abuse in their pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being. As such, information regarding an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor should also be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Mary Beth Pacuska at 570-862-7551 or to Monsignor Thomas Muldowney, Vicar General at 570-207-2269.
Please visit the diocesan web page, Child Protection/Safe Environment, for more information at http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/about/compliance-office
In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law, reports of suspected child abuse should be made immediately by phone to the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline (ChildLine) at 1-800-932-0313 or electronically at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home