As part of his recent appointments, Bishop Joseph announced changes that will affect the Faithful of Clinton County, both now and in the coming years. The Bishop appointed Father Joseph Orr as Pastor of Saint Agnes Parish in Lock Haven, Sacramental Minister of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lock Haven and Pastor of Lock Haven Catholic School. He succeeds Father Jozef Kovacik as Pastor of Saint Agnes and the school. The Bishop appointed Sister Nancy Spence, CCW, as Parochial Administrator of Immaculate Conception and directed the pastoral team of Lock Haven to begin working toward a merger of the two parishes over the next several years. Sister Nancy was previously Parochial Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish in Renovo. Father Richard Tomkosky, former Pastor of Immaculate Conception, served as Sacramental Minister of Saint Joseph. Bishop Joseph has appointed Father Charles Ugo as the new Administrator of Saint Joseph; Father Tomkosky as Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Everett; and Father Kovacik as Pastor of Saint Matthew Parish in Tyrone. [Photos: Saint Agnes Parish, top; Immaculate Conception Parish, bottom.]

 

Bishop Joseph has appointed Father Allen Zeth as the new Diocesan Director of Vocations and Director of Diocesan Shrines, effective today (July 21).  As part of his assignment, Father Zeth will reside at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Loretto. Since he will not serve as Pastor of a parish, Father Zeth will be able to focus more time on the position of Vocations Director. Some previous Vocations Directors also served as Pastors of a parish in addition to their duties as Vocations Director. The move reflects Bishop Joseph's desire to increase efforts to recruit men to the Priesthood. Most recently, Father Zeth served as Pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish in New Baltimore.  Read more about Father Zeth and his goals for his new position in the August 2 edition of The Catholic Register.
 

Bishop Joseph will celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto on July 25, at 7:00 p.m. During Mass, the Bishop will bless the Papal Emlems of the Basilica -- The Ombrellino (an umbrella used to protect the Pope from the elements), Tintinnabulum (a bell on a poll that signals the Pope's arrival), Coat of Arms and Papal Chair. Pope John Paul II designated Saint Michael the Archangel a Minor Basilica on September 9, 1996. Basilicas are considered the Pope's church. All are invited to attend the Mass.

 

Bishop Joseph will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, September 12, at 4:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. The Mass is in honor of Bishop Joseph's 50th anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood, 23rd anniversary as Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown and 75th birthday. Priests of the Diocese will concelebrate. All are invited to attend this special Mass as Bishop Joseph gives thanks and glory to God.

 

Resurrection Parish in the Cambria City section of Johnstown marked its first anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving on July 18. Bishop Joseph was the celebrant and homilist. Resurrection Parish was established last year as a result of the merger of the five ethnic parishes of Cambria City. In his homily, the Bishop said he still has a dream of a revitalized Cambria City, and Resurrection Parish is already playing a role in the rebirth. Pastoral Council President George Pisula thanked Bishop Joseph for his support before and after the merger. Parishioners were invited to wear ethnic clothing to the anniversary Mass (as seen in the photo above), and a reception was held following the Liturgy.