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An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
May 2010
Volume II  Number  5
MaryHail, Mary! Full of Grace! 
 
Welcome to the May edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Throughout this month, we honor Mary, the Mother of God. May her perfect example guide our words and deeds now and always. As we praise the Blessed Mother, we also joyfully prepare for the Ordination of Deacon John Gibbons to the Priesthood and five men to the Permanent Diaconate. Please pray for these men who have answered the call to serve the Lord, His Church and His people. May many follow their lead. And as the glorious Easter Season draws to a close, we eagerly await the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. May the Spirit fill our lives and truly renew the face of the earth. 
 
In This Issue
Father Paul Turnbull Passes
Bishop Marks Milestone
Ordination Preview
Gallitzin Cross Honorees
Catholic Charities Dinner
Day of Prayer
Priest, Deacon Jubiliees
New Coordinator
Diocesan Spelling Bee
Magazine Spotlights Gallitzin
News and Notes
 
  
Ministry Quicklinks
 
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
 
Independent Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
 
 
Pennsylvania Catholic Conference
www.pacatholic.org
 
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
 
 
 
June guests on Bishop Joseph's Can We Talk? segment on Proclaim!:
 
proclaim!
 
June 6  -- On this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Teen Talk co-hosts Samantha Slezak and Adam Wood interview Bishop Joseph about the significance of this day. 
 
June 13 --  Our Year for Priests series concludes with Father Lubomir Strecok, Pastor of Queen of Archangels Parish in Claarence and Snow Shoe. 
 
June 20 -- Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator Francine Swope and Chuck Griswold of the Altoona Curve preview Faith Day at the Blair County Ballpark. 
 
June 27 -- Sister Mary Ann Dillon, RSM, President of Mount Aloysius College, reflects on her tenure as she prepares to retire from her position.
 
 
 
Proclaim! airs every Sunday at 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on WWCP TV FOX 8. The live Mass from Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown airs at 11:00 a.m. on WWCP and is rebroadcast at 9:00 p.m. on Atlantic Broadband Channel 9 in the Altoona area.
 
 
  
Coming up in the May 24 edition of The Catholic Register:

the catholic register
 

  • Reporter Bruce
    Tomaselli introduces
    us to a local woman who authored a book describing how her faith has helped her through family tragedies. 
 
  • Bishop Joseph talks about the unity of the Presbyterate in his "For the Good of the Household" column.
 
  • Msgr. Tim Stein shares his thoughts  on how life does not end, but changes.
 
  
Bishop's Random Comments
 
francine swope 
 
Don't miss Bishop Joseph's blog Random Comments on the Diocesan website at www.ajdiocese.org.
Bishop Joseph writes about a variety of issues and invites readers to e-mail him questions and comments.
 
 
 
 
 
Radio Maria

francine swope
Listen to Radio Maria on WHHN 88.1 FM or go to the Diocesan website at www.ajdiocese.org and click on the Radio Maria button on the right.
 
 
 
Fr. Paul TurnbullFather Paul Turnbull (1946-2010) 
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is mourning the death of the Very Reverend Paul E. Turnbull, VF, Pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Johnstown and Dean of the Johnstown Deanery. Father Turnbull's body was found in the OMOS Rectory on May 15. He died of natural causes.
 
Bishop Joseph expressed great sadness upon hearing the news of Father Turnbull's passing. "The Lord has taken to Himself a very good man and a dedicated priest," the Bishop said. "May the Lord have welcomed him home, embraced him in His love, and granted him eternal rest!" 
 
Father Turnbull, 63, was ordained in 1973 and served as a Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Altoona; Saint Patrick Parish in Johnstown; Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Philipsburg; and Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona. He served as Pastor of Saint Boniface Parish in St. Boniface and Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Altoona. He was also Parochial Administrator of Saint Michael Parish in Johnstown.
 
Father Turnbull is perhaps best remembered for his dedication to the Priesthood and passion for music. A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday May 19 at Our Mother of Sorrows with Bishop Joseph as Celebrant and priests of the Diocese as Concelebrants. Memorial donations may be made to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Organ Maintenance or Music Ministry. 
 
 
Prince Gallitzin Cross Bishop Joseph Marks Milestone
Bishop Joseph is celebrating his 23rd Anniversary as Bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. He was ordained and installed as the seventh Shepherd of Altoona-Johnstown on May 20, 1987, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. He is the longest-serving Bishop in Diocesan history. Congratulations, Bishop Joseph! May the Lord continue to bless you on your remarkable journey.
 
 
 
 
John GibbonsBishop to Ordain Priest; Five Permanent Deacons
Bishop Joseph will ordain Deacon John Gibbons (pictured left) to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood on Saturday, May 22 at 10:00 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Deacon Gibbons completed his studies at the Sacred Heart School of Theology. He has served at Our Lady of the Alleghenies Parish in Lilly and Saint Andrew Parish in Johnstown. The Bishop will also ordain five men to the Sacred Order of the Permanent Diaconate. They are: Mr. Charles Ahearn of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Duncansville; Mr. David Hornick of Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown; Mr. Thomas McFee of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Altoona; Mr. Michael Russo of Saint Michael Parish in St. Michael; and Mr. James Woomer of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona. For more information on Deacon Gibbons and the candidaes for the Permanent Diaconate, please go to the Diocesan website at www.ajdiocese.org.
  
 
Prince Gallitzin CrossDiocese Announces 2010 Prince Gallitzin Cross Honorees
Two priests, a sister, and eight lay people will be the recipients of the Prince Gallitzin Cross award this year. The annual ceremony will be held on June 5 at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. Bishop Joseph created the Prince Gallitzin Cross award as a way of recognizing those who exhibit the "evangelizing spirit" of the Prince-Priest Demetrius A. Gallitzin.
 
The 2010 awardees are:
 
Ms. Gaye Boyer of Saint Aloysius Parish, Cresson
Mrs. Marie Brown of Holy Rosary Parish, Altoona
Mrs. Lois Drahnak of Holy Name Parish, Ebensburg
Ms. Joan Noonan of Saint Joan of Arc Parish, Frugality
Mr. Douglas Puchko of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Johnstown
Mr. and Mrs. James and Mary Agnes Roccio of Saint Benedict Parish, Johnstown
Sister Nancy Spence, CCW, Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish, Renovo
Mrs. Susan Stith of the Family Life Office, Lilly
Rev. Alan Thomas, Pastor of Resurrection Parish, Johnstown
Rev. Msgr. Samuel Tomaselli, Senior Priest
 
For tickets to the Prince Gallitzin Cross dinner, please contact Mrs. Donna Stoy at the Chancery at (814) 695-5579. Read more about the awardees in the May 24 edition of The Catholic Register.
 
 
CC dinner 2010Catholic Charities Recognition Dinner
Catholic Charities hosted its Annual Recognition Dinner on April 29, at the UVA Club in Altoona. Executive Director Jean Johnstone thanked the staff and board members for their tireless work, and Board Chairman Rob Egan thanked the Diocese for its continued financial and spiritual support.
 
During the dinner, Catholic Charities honored the following recipients with the 2010 Msgr. William M. Griffin Humanitarian Award in recognition of their service to the community:  
  • Rev. David Arseneault, Pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Huntingdon 
  • Nancy Cook, Good Shepherd Parish in State College 
  • Medford Ostrum, Saint Mary Parish in Altoona 
  • Sister Benedict Joseph Watters, RSM, Mount Aloysius College  
The agency also honored the following students with the Matthew 25 Student Award and Scholarship in recognition of their exceptional service to school and community:
  • Lauren Bassara, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
  • Matthew Keefer, Hollidaysburg Catholic School
  • Samantha Podratsky, Saint Benedict Catholic School
  • Brianna Wendt, Bellefonte Area High School
[Photo: (front row, left to right) Father David Arseneault, Nancy Cook, Sister Benedict Joseph Watters, RSM, and Medford Ostrum; (back row, left to right) Rob Egan, Matthew Keefer, Samantha Podratsky and Jean Johnstone.] 
 
day of prayer servinskyDay of Prayer
The city of Altoona sponsored a prayer gathering in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer on May 6 at Heritage Plaza. Religious and community leaders led prayers for the city, its residents, its future and other intentions. Monsignor Michael E. Servinsky (left), Vicar General of the Diocese and Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Altoona, prayed for the wisdom of Altoona's leaders.  
 
 
coat of armsPriests, Deacons Mark Jubilees
Three priests of the Diocese are celebrating jubilees this year. Father Francis Balestino, a senior priest, is marking his golden jubilee; Father Walter Moll, Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Portage, and Monsignor Robert Saly, Pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Duncansville, are marking their silver jubilee. For the first time ever, the Diocese is celebrating the silver jubilees of permanent deacons: Deacons John Concannon of Saint John Gualbert Cathedral Parish in Johnstown, Gene Neral of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Altoona, and John Sroka of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Johnstown. Deacon Neral is also the Diocesan Director of Diaconal Formation; Deacon Concannon is the former Director.
 
 
Mike RussoNew Lay Ecclesial Ministry Coordinator Named
Mr. Michael Russo has been named the new Coordinator of Lay Ecclesial Ministry for the Diocese. He will succeed Mrs. Jean Schneiderbauer, who will retire on June 30. Russo, a member of Saint Michael Parish in St. Michael, will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on May 22.  He is also the Associate Director of Diaconal Formation and has assisted Deacon Gene Neral, Diocesan Director of Diaconal Formation, in implementing guidelines designed to help in the development and formation of deacons. Russo earned a Masters Degree in Sacred Scripture and Systematic Theology at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe. 
 
 
Prince Gallitzin CrossDiocesan Spelling Bee 
The annual Diocesan Spelling Bee was held on May 5 at Saint John the Evangelist School in Altoona. Students from fourth, fifth and sixth grades from all Diocesan schools competed. Tatiana Chichilla, a sixth grade student at Lock Haven Catholic School, won first place; Emily Tyger, a sixth grade student at Our Mother of Sorrows School in Johnstown, won second place; and Ashley Michelone, a sixth grade student at Saint John the Evangelist School in Altoona won third place. This is the third year in a row Tatiana won first place. She won $100 and her school will receive $1,000. The second and third place winners receive $50 and $25 respectively. Houghton-Mifflin sponsored the spelling bee. 
 
Prince Gallitzin CrossMagazine Spotlights Gallitzin
The legacy of the Servant of God Demetrius A. Gallitzin received national attention this month. The May edition of Columbia Magazine (Knights of Columbus) featured the Prince-Priest as the "Catholic Man of the Month." Gallizin was a Russian Prince who abandoned royalty for the priesthood. He established Catholicism here in the Allegheny Mountains with the creation of a church in what became known as Loretto. A Cause for Sainthood for Gallitzin continues.
 
 
 
 
 
News & Notes from Around the Household of God
  
The Diocesan Commission for Life and Justice will sponsor a series of events designed to recognize the various Life and Justice ministries throughout the Church of Altoona-Johnstown. The events are an opportunity to celebrate the work parish groups, organizations and youth are doing and to learn from their experiences. The gatherings will feature ministry sharing, lively music and light refreshments. The events will he held as follows:
 
   Altoona -- June 6; 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Saint Mary's Scout Camp
   Johnstown -- June 13; 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Resurrection Parish Picnic Grove
   State College -- June 27; 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Holmes Foster Park
 
For more information, please visit the Diocesan website at www.ajdiocese.org.
 
 
 
The Catholic Men's Fellowship Conference will be held on June 12 at Saint Francis University in Loretto. Bishop Joseph will celebrate Mass at 4:00 p.m. For more information, go to www.thecallpa.org.
 
 
 
Prince Gallitzin CrossThe Diocese is sponsoring Faith Day at the Blair County Ballpark on June 26. Highlights include Mass with Bishop Joseph at 4:30 p.m.; a Parade of Parishes to celebrate parish Faith Communities; games and activities for children; and the Altoona Curve vs. the Bowie Baysox at 7:00 p.m. The event makes a great parish outing and a great "thank you" for altar servers and liturgical ministers. For tickets, call the Altoona Curve at 1-877-99 CURVE or visit the Curve's website at www.altoonacurve.com.
   
 
 
Upcoming Events 
 
May 22; 10:00 a.m.
Ordination
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
 
May 23
Pentecost Sunday 
 
May 26; 7:00 p.m.
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School Graduation
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
 
May 27; 6:00 p.m.
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School Graduation
Holy Name Parish, Ebensburg
 
May 28; 7:00 p.m.
Bishop McCort Catholic High School Graduation
Saint Benedict Parish, Johnstown
 
June 5; 5:00 p.m.
Prince Gallitzin Cross Award Ceremony
Mount Aloysius College, Cresson
 
June 6; 2:00 p.m.
"Discover Life and Justice Ministry" Altoona Event
Saint Mary's Scout Camp
 
June 12
Men's Conference
Saint Francis Univeristy, Loretto
 
June 13; 2:00 p.m.
"Discover Life and Justice Ministery" Johnstown Event
Resurrection Picnic Grove
 
June 20
Father's Day
 
June 26
Faith Day Mass at 4:30 p.m.; Game at 7:00 p.m.
Blair County Ballpark
 
June 27; 2:00 p.m.
"Discover Life and Justice Ministry" State College Event
Holmes Foster Park
 
Holy SpiritPrayer to the Holy Spirit 
 
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who has instructed the hearts of your faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may have right judgment in all things and evermore rejoice in His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contact Information
E-vangelist is published by the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Office of Communications
Mr. Tony DeGol
Secretary for Communications
925 S. Logan Boulevard
Hollidaysburg, PA  16648
(814) 695-5579
tdegol@dioceseaj.org