Bishop Joseph has announced that our Diocesan Church is preparing to restore the practice of offering the Chalice of the Precious Blood of the Lord to the Faithful at Mass beginning with the Easter Vigil (April 3) and Easter Sunday (April 4). "Doing so will allow those joining the Church (catechumens and candidates), along with all the recipients of the Easter Sacraments (especially First Communion and Confirmation) to have the opportunity of receiving both the Consecrated Bread and the Consecrated Wine at Liturgy," the Bishop said. The following are the restored norms for the Diocesan Church of Altoona-Johnstown, starting at the Easter Vigil:

"I am grateful to our Pastors and Administrators for their cooperation with my previous directives for the flu season," Bishop Joseph said. "May the broken Body and poured-out Blood of the crucified and risen Christ continue to strengthen and nourish us on our pilgrimage into the Lord's Kingdom."

 

The Diocese will sponsor a Lenten Day of Reflection on February 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Saint Bernardine Monastery in Newry. Father Christopher Panagoplos, T.O.R., will be the facilitator. The cost is $10 per person. Contact Mrs. Francine Swope at (814) 693-1401 for more information or to register. The deadline to register is February 24.

 

Three Diocesan Communal Penance Services with Bishop Joseph are planned during this Lenten season:

 

Parishes will also host penance services and/or individual confessions leading up to Easter. Please check with your parish for the dates and times.

 

Bishop Joseph hosted an ecumenical service on February 14 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. The Reverend Leo Walsh gave the exhortation for the service. Rev. Walsh is the Associate Director at the Secretariat of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is the former Vicar General of the Diocese of Anchorage. Bishop Joseph, Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko of the Orthodox tradition and Bishop Gregory Pile of the Lutheran tradition sponsor two annual ecumenical services. Metropolitan Nicholas hosted the first service this year on January 31 at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown. [Photo: Jeanne Thompson (center) serves as an incense bearer during the ecumenical service.]

 

The Office of Youth Ministry will sponsor Junior High Youth Day on March 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg. The theme for the day is "What have you done for HIM lately?"  The event, which is open to students in grades 6-8, will feature uplifting keynotes from APeX Ministries, challenging games and Mass with Bishop Joseph. The cost is $20, which includes lunch and a T-shirt. For more information or to register, contact your parish Director of Religious Education, Youth Minister or Catholic Elementary School Principal. The deadline to register is February 26.