11 Different Passionist Priests to Preach During Nine Days in Scranton
SCRANTON -- Every year on July 17, thousands of people appear, seemingly from nowhere, at St. Ann's in West Scranton: children, some just days-old infants, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and even a 97-year-old great-great-grandparent. July 17 will be all the more special this year for the thousands of faithful as it will be the beginning of the 75th anniversary Solemn Novena to St. Ann. The Passionist priests and brothers at St. Ann's are expecting the largest novena crowds ever because of the milestone anniversary and the 1997 designation by Pope John Paul II of the historic Scranton church as the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann. As befits an anniversary, Passionist Father Cassian Yuhaus, rector at St. Ann's, has announced that this year's novena will feature 11 different preachers from the order instead of the traditional two preachers. In addition, several visiting bishops and archbishops will celebrate Masses and lead other services throughout the nine days at St. Ann's. The Passionist preachers include the president of the largest seminary and theological school in the United States, the assistant to the provincial superior, two rectors of Passionist monasteries and renowned teachers, professors and missionaries. The preachers and their schedules follow.
Very Rev. Richard Burke, C.P. -- July 17 Passionist Father Burke is a canon lawyer and former rector at St. Ann's. He organized and directed the campaign to repair and revitalize the church in order that it be designated a basilica. He will be the keynote preacher the opening day of the novena.
Very Rev. Don Senior, C.P. -- July 18 Passionist Father Senior is a recognized bible scholar and has lectured extensively around the world. He is president of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, the largest such center in the U.S. He has written several books on Sacred Scriptures, concentrating on the life and words of Jesus with a particular emphasis on his suffering and death.
Very Rev. Francis Finnegan, C.P. -- July 19 Passionist Father Finnegan, a former pastor of St. Ann's parish, is rector and director of Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center in North Palm Beach, Fla.
Rev. Jerome Bracken, C.P. -- July 20 Passionist Father Bracken is a professor of theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. He has studied extensively at Trinity College in Hartford, Columbia University, The Catholic University of America and the University of Notre Dame. His speciality has always been theology and the deepening of the understanding of God's Divine Revelation.
Rev. Bertram Chin, C.P. -- July 21 Passionist Father Chin grew up with Passionist missionaries in Jamaica and joined the order in 1989. He is currently studying at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and brings to the novena a universal vision of the Church, having experienced poverty and life among the most poor.
Rev. Isaias (Ike) Powers, C.P. -- July 22 Passionist Father Powers once preached all nine days at a St. Ann's novena. Known for his ``rocking chair homilies,'' he has written 34 books on Catholic life and teaching. He is a member of the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida and will lead two parish retreats in Scranton later this year.
Rev. John Michael Lee, C.P. -- July 23 Passionist Father Lee has assisted at the novena for the past 10 years. He has earned six degrees in philosophy and theology, he helped establish a new Lay Leadership Program in Alberta, Canada, and he is a co-founder of the recently established Center for Creative Ministries in Toronto. He has extensive experience as a pastor, teacher and minister to youth and young adults.
Rev. Berard Tierney, C.P. -- July 24 A priest since 1948, Passionist Father Tierney is well-known in Scranton where he is loved for his attention and devotion to family life. He helped organize the first lay leaders to raise funds for the restoration of St. Ann's Church and has preached at countless novenas.
Rev. Richard Nalepa, C.P. -- July 24 Passionist Father Nalepa is in his second term of service as vice-rector at St. Ann's. He is well-known for his weekly television Mass, which is produced by St. Ann's Media and seen nationally. He has served as a pastor in New Jersey and is especially known for his service to the elderly and the infirmed.
Rev. Michael Salvagna, C.P. -- July 25 Passionist Father Salvagna, retreat director at St. Paul's in Pittsburgh, has led parish missions and retreats for 25 years. He has devoted several years to evangelization through radio and television and is a leader in the charismatic movement.
Rev. Cassian Yuhaus, C.P. -- July 26 Passionist Father Yuhaus, a priest for 48 years, is in his second year as rector at St. Ann's. He was founder and director of the International Institute for Religious, he has served as an associate director of research and president of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, and was co-founder and executive director of the Institute for World Concerns at Duquesne University. In 1992 he came to Scranton to establish the Ministry for Religious, Research and Consultancy at the invitation of the Passionist Sisters at St. Gabriel's Monastery in Clarks Summit.