Pocono News Section

Father Bambera Gets New Expanded Role in Diocese

Father Bambera Gets New Expanded Role in Diocese - Monday, August 31, 2009 at 5:45PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Aug 31, 2009 @ 05:45pm EST
EYNON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- At Monday morning’s news conference it was announced that Father Joseph Bambera will help in the diocese as the search for a new bishop gets underway.

Father Bambera is currently the pastor here at St. Mary's in Eynon as well as St. Thomas in Archbald. His role is growing. He'll now oversea day to day operations of the diocese. People who know him say there's not a better man to do it.

In one of his first orders of business, Father Joseph Bambera consults with diocesan leaders in downtown Scranton.

At the very same time just a few miles away at his home parishes in Eynon and Archbald, parishioners reacted to his new role. Aldona Osieski from Peckville said, “I think he'll handle it very well. He's young and he's got experience and the people do like him."

As people filed into noon-time mass, there wasn't a negative word to be heard about father Bambera. Mary Lou Scoblick from Archbald said, “He's so dynamic and he's so wonderful."

Jack Conniff of Eynon added, “He's just charismatic. He's a people person."

Conniff has known father Bambera for years. He says there's no one more ready to lead the diocese through this time of transition. “I think they made an excellent choice, whoever made it, to make him a point-man. I think he's well qualified," added Conniff.

Well-qualified in the fact that father Bambera himself is helping his two churches consolidate. Many say that type of experience can help diocese-wide. Duane Sprovack from Peckville said, “He's dealing with the same kind of situation that Bishop Martino did and I think he can handle it."

As for whether this temporary role could turn into something more, some are already speculating, even hoping. Francis Kobrick of Eynon said, “I think one day, Monsignor will be a Bishop.”

Father Bambera says he looks forward to his new and challenging role. He will be working very closely with Cardinal Rigali in moving the Diocese of Scranton forward in the next few months.