Award Honors Diocese in 150th Anniversary Year

The Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry presented to the Diocese of Scranton.
The University of Scranton presented its annual Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry to the Diocese of Scranton at a ceremony on campus April 4. From left: Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., interim president of The University of Scranton; Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton; Rev. Patrick Rogers, S.J., executive director, The Jesuit Center; Rose Sebastianelli, Ph.D., professor of operations and information management; Rebekah Bernard, information and technology specialist, Office of Admissions; and Virginia Farrell ’20, a history major from Scranton.
The University of Scranton presented its annual Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry to the Diocese of Scranton at a ceremony on campus April 4. From left: Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., interim president of The University of Scranton; Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton; Rev. Patrick Rogers, S.J., executive director, The Jesuit Center; Rose Sebastianelli, Ph.D., professor of operations and information management; Rebekah Bernard, information and technology specialist, Office of Admissions; and Virginia Farrell ’20, a history major from Scranton.

Noting the interwoven paths of The University of Scranton and the Diocese of Scranton, Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, accepted the University’s Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry on behalf of the more than “250,000 Roman Catholics from 120 parishes in eleven counties of northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.”

The University honored the Diocese of Scranton, which is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding, with the Arrupe Award at a ceremony on campus April 4.

In his remarks, Bishop Bambera thanked students, faculty, staff and alumni for their continued service to the shared mission of the Diocese and the University.

“My gratitude, then, is for your commitment to live the gospel of Jesus.  . . .  My gratitude is for your generous embrace the mission of the Church in service of the neediest in our midst.  . . .  My gratitude is for your willingness to take the faith that was given to you and to pass it on to others who are searching for meaning, purpose and peace in their lives,” said Bishop Bambera.

The Arrupe Award is named in honor of the late Very Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the superior general of the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1983, and is intended to further his vision by recognizing men and women for outstanding contributions in a wide variety of Ignatian-inspired ministries.

“Father Arrupe challenged his Jesuit brothers, and their works, to be in solidarity with the poor and to make our world a better, more merciful place. The challenge for the people of God and the mission of this Diocese and this University is to carry on that legacy and continue to be agents of change in a world that needs to know and experience God’s merciful love,” said Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., interim president of The University of Scranton.

 “Today we celebrate the work of the Diocese of Scranton. And today we celebrate the faith-filled leadership of its shepherd, Bishop Bambera,” Father Keller said at the ceremony. “Bishop, your presence among us in this diocese is an inspiration to us and a gift that we cherish. Your support and friendship to this University and to the Society of Jesus is appreciated more than words can say. You honor us today by accepting this honor in the name of the Diocese.”

The University instituted the annual Arrupe Award in 1995.

“All that we celebrate this day is solely the result of God holding us tightly in the palm of his hands.Saint John Paul II was fond of saying, “In the designs of Providence, there are no mere coincidences.” Preparing these reflections have afforded me the opportunity to consider how the hand of God has brought us to this blessed moment in our lives and in the Church. From the passionate ministry of Pedro Arrupe – to the mission of this Catholic University – to the vision of a Diocese situated in the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania – to the challenge of our Pope, the mandate of the gospel of Jesus to love generously, not merely in words but tangibly in our selfless actions on behalf of others is resounding in our world like never before.May we not squander this opportunity, but together use it well to “set the world on fire” for Christ.”From remarks of Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, at the presentation of The University of Scranton’s Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry. April 4. 2018.

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