St. Ann’s Novena begins in Scranton

These 10 days of special prayer, preaching and reflection follow the pattern established by the Blessed Mother and the apostles as they waited in prayer during the nine days between the Ascension of the Lord and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. “In like manner,” Father Richard Burke, C.P. said, “we experience nine days of special faith and devotion in preparation for the tenth day – July 26, the Feast of St. Ann.”

Father Michael Greene, C.P. and Father Lee Havey, C.P. will be the special preachers for this year’s Novena.

Father Greene was born in New York City. He professed his Passionist vows in 1978 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1982 following his graduation from St. John’s University with a Master of Divinity degree. Following his ordination, he served in parish ministry in Atlanta, and for many years has been a preacher in retreat centers in Shelter Island, N.Y., Jamaica, N.Y. and Riverdale, N.Y. He also spent several years in St. Ann’s Media ministry in Scranton.

Father Havey is from Waverly, where his mother continues to live. He was educated in the Waverly area and entered the Passionist pre-novitiate program in 1997. He professed his Passionist vows in 2000. He graduated from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained to the Passionist priesthood in 2004. Over the past six years, Father Havey has engaged in preaching in retreat center ministry and parochial ministry at the Passionist ministry center in Jamaica, N.Y. and most recently has been assigned to the Passionist Itinerant Preaching Ministry. He conducts parish missions, Eucharistic devotions and retreats while living in the Passionist Community at St. Ann’s Monastery.

This year’s preachers have chosen for their novena theme: “The Parables of Jesus: Guiding Lights for Our Lives.” These stories the Lord used to teach action principles for living will be examined in light of today’s life circumstances. The preachers will use stories such as the Good Samaritan, the Laborers in the Vineyard, the Mustard Seed and the Pearl of Great Price to encourage us in our faith choices and faith living.

The Rev. Lee Havey, C.P., homilist at Saturday’s novena, talked about appreciating the mysteries of faith.

“It seems to me that in the fast-paced, high-tech world in which we live, many people have begun to lose a sense of wonder and lose a sense of mystery,” the Rev. Havey said. “And yet, even as many people continue to lose their sense of mystery, God continues to face us with wonder after wonder.”

He recalled how the gospels say Christ urged his followers to be open and curious like children.

“The message is simply this: Don’t ever completely lose the wonder of life itself,” he said. “Surprise us, amaze us and astonish us in every part of your creation.”

Services
The novena runs from today until St. Ann’s Feast Day on July 26.

Daily at 7, 8 and 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., with novena services at 8 and 11:45 a.m. and 3:30, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Special Services
Wednesday, July 21: At 5 p.m., the Byzantine Sacred Liturgy with the Most Rev. William Skurla, bishop of the Passaic Byzantine Eparchy. Replaces the regular 5:30 p.m. Mass.

Saturday, July 24: Mass for children, with a special blessing of infants and children at 10 a.m.; Mass and novena service in Spanish at 1:30 p.m.; and candlelight rosary procession after the 7:30 p.m. Mass and novena.

Monday, July 26: Feast of St. Ann with novena solemn closing at 7:30 p.m., celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of Scranton.

Television
CTV will broadcast the novena from St. Ann’s Basilica in Scranton, PA July 17 to 27, 2010

Sat/Sun July 17 – 18 7:00 p.m.
Mon–Fri   July 19 – 23     3:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Sat/Sun   July 24 – 25     7:00 p.m.
Mon/Tue July 26 – 27    3:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

(1 hour each)