The St. Thomas More Society Scranton, Pennsylvania

2301 N. Washington Avenue

Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509

Mr. Eric L. Bergman, Executive Director

10 February 2005

Dear Friends and Members of the St. Thomas More Society,

Yesterday we entered into the season of Lent. Kristina, the children, and I received the imposition of ashes during the noon Mass at St. Clare's. Our Lenten devotions, however, do not end there. Msgr. Feldcamp has informed me of several opportunities to aid our devotion during this time of increased penitence and fasting. The first occurs each Friday in Lent at 7PM at St. Clare Church when we will have occasion to pray the Stations of the Cross. Society members are invited and encouraged to observe this custom with the parishioners of St. Clare. The second is the Holy Week schedule, of which I will make you aware as we draw closer to Palm Sunday. Remember, also, that Mass is celebrated at 8AM daily at St. Clare and at 4PM on Saturdays and 9AM and 11AM on Sundays.

Third, I asked whether we as a Society Scranton, Pennsylvania might schedule a devotional practice unique to those coming from the Anglican tradition. I suggested we pray together the Litany, found beginning on page 187 of The Book of Divine Worship. The Litany is especially appropriate for penitential seasons, and you will remember it as the devotion that in the Episcopal Church we observed before the beginning of each Lenten service. Msgr. Feldcamp agreed that we may meet each Wednesday at 7PM in the church, beginning February 16 th , to say Evening Prayer, followed by the Litany. I hope as many as are able will come to pray communally for the welfare of our Church, our community, and our nation, as well as to offer up supplications for the increase of our particular mission.

Fourth, Ed Facciani has agreed, beginning March 1 st , to lead the Society's Bible Study each Tuesday from 7:30PM to 9PM in the basement of St. Clare. Ed insists that he will be strictly punctual in beginning and ending the study on time, and he invites anyone interested in a fuller understanding of God's Word to pray over the Scriptures with him. Call him at 563-2399 to sign up or to learn more details about this ministry.

On a different note, next week I will travel to Arlington , Texas to meet with Catholics involved in the establishment of other Anglican Use Parishes. This promises to allow me to make some helpful connections as we move forward towards our goal of founding an Anglican Use Parish here in Scranton . I will depart February 16 th and will return late in the evening of February 18 th . Please keep me in your prayers, that I may be granted safe passage to and from Texas, and that the Society may greatly benefit by my presence with those who can help us as we undertake our conversion, if only because they have already been down this road.

It has also been brought to my attention that Bishop Martino will visit St. Clare Church on March 13 th in observance of the parish's 50 th anniversary celebrations. Several people have suggested that we be present then as a Society of the parish, first to demonstrate our gratitude to the people of St. Clare, and second, to tell Bishop Martino how much we appreciate his generosity to us. If you are interested in representing the Society that day, please call me at the number listed above that we may plan a small presentation. Finally, our next scheduled catechism class will be on February 20 th . Please take note that we will not have class on March 6 th .

With heartfelt joy for your friendship and offering up prayers for your health, I am,

Yours in Christ,

Eric L. Bergman