evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
May 2011
Volume III  Number  5
Blessed MotherA Month of Grace
Welcome to the May edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. In the midst of this Easter season, we take time to honor Mary -- the perfect model of grace in our lives. It is a busy month for our Diocesan Church and our new Shepherd. The month started with a wonderful Mass of Welcoming for Bishop Mark Bartchak at Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown. The uplifting Confirmation and First Communion seasons continue, and the Diocesan Vocations Office and the Serra Clubs of Altoona and Cambria County recently sponsored another inspirational  "Bishop's Night for Vocations." We joyfully anticipate the Lord's glorious Ascension into Heaven and upcoming events in the Church of Altoona-Johnstown, including a Mass of Ordination and the Prince Gallitzin Cross award ceremony, both on June 4. May these splendor-filled days bring you closer to the Lord. [Photo: Flowers surround the statue of the Blessed Mother at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona.]  
In This Issue
Prince Gallitzin Cross Honorees
Bishop's Night for Vocations
Catholic Charities Dinner
Chances for Charity Winners
Confirmation Season
Ordination Preview
Faith Day Preview
School Choice Update
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
  

 

  
the catholic register
  
Coming up in the May 23 edition of The Catholic Register:
  • In his column, "Another Perspective," Monsignor Tim Stein explains how nurturing vocations is everybody's business.
     
  • Columnist Susan Stith examines the slow journey of grieving and how each of us grieves in our own way.

 


 
proclaim!

 

Bishop Mark Bartchak's upcoming Guests on Keeping the Faith, a weekly segment on Proclaim!: 

 

  • May 22 -- A graduating senior from each of the three independent Catholic high schools reflect on their 12 years of Catholic education and look to the future.
     
  • May 29 -- Amy Hill, Communications Director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, updates viewers on the status of School Choice legislation in Harrisburg and other legislative priorities.
     
  • June 5  -- Diocesan seminarian Vincent Watkins shares a little about himself and the journey of his vocation.  
      
  • June 12 -- On this Pentecost Sunday, Teen Talk co-hosts Samantha Slezak and Adam Wood interview Bishop Mark about the Holy Spirit.
      
  • June 19 -- On this Father's Day, Bishop Mark interviews Father Matthew Baum, Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Victory in State College, and his dad.
     
  • June 26 -- Educators Tim Gildea and Joe Maschue talk about why they devote so much time as volunteers to Camp Zacchaeus, the Diocesan summer youth camp.   

 

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.

 

 

   

radio maria

   

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.
  

 


WFBG logo

Listen to the live Mass every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. from the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on WFBG 1290 AM.  

 

 

ACA 2011 logo

 

Annual Catholic Appeal Update

 

Congratulations to Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Spring Mills for being the first parish to receive an 'over goal' refund in this year's campaign.  Please support your parish and our Diocesan ministries with an ACA gift.  Included among the dozens of ministries you will support, those that come to mind this month are Sacramental Preparation, Campus Ministry and Vocations to the Priesthood and Permanent Diaconate. Learn more about the Annual Catholic Appeal  or make your gift online at

www.ajdiocese.org. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prince Gallitzin CrossTen to Receive Prince Gallitzin Cross
Ten individuals will receive the Prince Gallitzin Cross at the annual Prince Gallitzin Cross award ceremony on June 4 at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. The award was initiated more than 20 years ago as a way of recognizing those among us who exhibit the "evangelizing spirit" of the Prince-Priest Demetrius Gallitzin. This year's honorees are:
 

  • Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
  • Mrs. Arlene Allison of Our Lady of Victory Parish, State College
  • Mrs. Mildred Bodenschatz of Holy Name Parish, Ebensburg
  • Mrs. Frances Findley of Resurrection Parish, Johnstown
  • Mr. John Frena of Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Altoona
  • Mr. David Greene of Saint Peter Parish, Somerset
  • Mrs. Mary Kowalski of Holy Rosary Parish, Altoona
  • Miss Dorothy Leipersock of Saint Joseph Parish, Williamsburg
  • Mrs. Ann Sutton of the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Loretto
  • Mrs. Anna Tiernan of Saint Mary Parish, Hollidaysburg 

Monsignor Tim Stein will have more on honorees in the May 23 edition of The Catholic Register. Tickets for the Prince Gallitzin Cross award ceremony are $30 per person. Reservations can be made by contacting Mrs. Donna Stoy at the Chancery at (814) 695-5579 or [email protected].

 

Bishop's Night for Vocations 2011Bishop's Night for Vocations

The annual Bishop's Night for Vocations was held on May 11 at Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall in Loretto. Sponsored by the Diocesan Vocations Office and the Serra Clubs of Altoona and Cambria County, and hosted by Bishop Mark Bartchak, this year's theme was "Becoming Who God Calls You to Be." Father Kim Schreck, a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, was the featured speaker. As always, winners of the essay, poetry and poster contests were recognized, and the chairman of the Knights of Columbus Vocation Education Endowment Committee presented a check for $10,000 to the Independent Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with winners of the essay contest.] 

 

Catholic Charities Dinner 2011

Catholic Charities 

Dinner 

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown held its annual recognition dinner on May 5 at the UVA Club in Altoona. Six people were honored with the annual Monsignor William M. Griffin Humanitarian Award.  The award recognizes individuals who embody the spirit reflected in the Gospel passage, "Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25: 40). The 2011 recipients were:

  • Alzine Hoffman of Saint John the Baptist Parish in New Baltimore
  • Dolores Kolesar of Saint Anne Parish in Davidsville
  • Stephanie Neighbors of Holy Name Parish in Ebensburg
  • Ronald and Cynthia Shorto of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Johnstown
  • Rev. Carl A. Spishak, Senior Priest in residence at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona  

Reporter Bruce Tomaselli will have more on the award winners and the recognition dinner in the May 23 edition of The Catholic Register. [Photo: Recipients of the Monsignor William M. Griffin Humanitarian Award seated left to right: Rev. Carl Spishak, Stephanie Neighbors, Cynthia Shorto, Ronald Shorto, Alzine Hoffman, and Dolores Kolesar. Standing left to right: Rev. Brian Saylor, Rev. James Crookston and Mary O'Leary Wiley, nominators of Father Spishak; Very Rev. Anthony Francis Spilka, OFM Conv., nominator of Neighbors and the Shortos; Jean Johnstone, Executive Director of Catholic Charities; C. David Kimmel, Catholic Charities Advisory Board Chairman; Linda Little, nominator of Hoffman; and Rev. Michael Lewandowski, OFM Conv., nominator of Kolesar.] 

 

 

Chances for Charity logoFundraiser Concludes
Catholic Charities wrapped up its region-wide fundraiser "Chances for Charity." The agency sold raffle tickets throughout March and April, with the top prize being $5,000 in cash. There were eight other cash prizes and 91 non-cash prizes. The winning tickets were drawn at the agency's annual recognition dinner on May 5.  A complete list of winners is available on the Diocesan website at www.ajdiocese.org.
  
Confirmation 2011Confirmation Season
Confirmation season in the Diocese continues. Bishop Mark Bartchak  is in the process of confirming about 1,100 students throughout this Easter Season. The Bishop is taking the time to meet with each class before each Mass. Confirmations continue through Pentecost Sunday. For a schedule of Confirmations, please go to the Diocesan website at www.ajdiocese.org. [Photo: Bishop Mark confirms a student at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on April 27.]

WarcholaOrdinations Scheduled in June

Bishop Mark Bartchak will ordain Deacon Brian Warchola to the Priesthood and Mr. Richard Golden to the Permanent Diaconate on June 4, at 10:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Deacon Warchola (pictured left)  graduated from  Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe on May 6 with a master of divinity degree.  A native of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in Central City, he has served assignments at Resurrection Parish in Johnstown, Saint Aloysius Parish in Cresson and Prince of Peace Parish in Northern Cambria. Mr. Golden is a member of Saint Bartholomew Parish in Wilmore. May God bless Deacon Warchola and Mr. Golden in their ministry.

 

Curve 2011 logoFaith Day 2011
Plans are well underway for the annual Faith Day at the Blair County Ballpark. It will be held on Sunday, July 10, 2011. Among the highlights of the day is Mass on the field with Bishop Mark Bartchak, at 3:00 p.m., which will fulfill your Sunday obligation. The Altoona Curve will play the Bowie Baysox at 6:00 p.m. The Bishop will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and Father Brian Saylor, Pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona, will sing the National Anthem. Various priests of the Diocese will also offer messages of welcome on the big screen throughout the game. There will also be activities for kids and the Parade of Parishes. Faith Day is a great parish outing to organize with your pastor and fellow parishioners. For ticket information, please contact the Altoona Curve at 877-99-CURVE or www.altoonacurve.com.
  
School Choice Update
Senate Bill 1 will help thousands of children attend the school of their choice with increased Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarships and vouchers for qualified families in certain areas. The Advocates for Catholic Education in Pennsylvania, or ACE-PA, is an extensive network of concerned parents, educators, alumni, parishioners and taxpayers who will speak with one loud voice in favor of school choice. Sign up at www.pacatholic.org/ace-pa and learn more about what you can do to help pass Senate Bill 1 and make a brighter future for the children of Pennsylvania. For more information about Senate Bill 1, you can also go to the Diocesan website at www.ajdiocese.org.
  

News and Notes

 

Bishop Bartchak CassockCongratulations to Bishop Mark Bartchak who recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of his ordination to the Priesthood. Bishop Mark was ordained a priest on May 15, 1981, by the late Bishop Michael J. Murphy at Saint Peter Cathedral in Erie. In 2000, he received papal honors from Pope John Paul II with the title of Chaplain to His Holiness. He was ordained Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown on April 19, 2011. May God continue to bless the Bishop in his ministry among us.

 

 

 

 

Bishop JosephCongratulations to Bishop Emeritus Joseph Adamec who will receive the 2011 Ecumenism Award from the Ecumenical Conference of Greater Altoona. Bishop Joseph will receive the award at he group's annual dinner on May 31 at the First United Methodist Church in Hollidaysburg. According to the Conference, the Bishop is being recognized for his work and support of the Altoona Area Christian Coalition and for maintaining a focus on Christian unity and ecumenism. 

 

 

 

Fr. Allen ZethCongratulations for Father Allen P. Zeth, Diocesan Director of Vocations, who is celebrating the silver jubilee of his ordination to the Priesthood. He was ordained on May 17, 1986. Father Zeth also serves as Director of Diocesan Shrines and is in residence at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Loretto.

 

  

 

All are most welcome to join us each Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. for the Outdoor Sunday Mass at the beautiful Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Loretto. The first Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, May 29, 2011, and continue through Labor Day weekend, September 4, 2011. Please bring a lawn chair. In the event of inclement weather, the Mass will be held in the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. The Prince Gallitzin Chapel House, adjacent to the Shrine, will also be open to the public on those same Sundays, beginning at 1:00 p.m. and closing at 6:00 p.m.

 

Upcoming Events 
 
     

May 25; 7:00 p.m.

Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School Graduation
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona

 

May 26; 6:00 p.m.

Bishop Carroll Catholic High School Graduation

Holy Name Parish, Ebensburg

 

May 27; 7:00 p.m.

Bishop McCort Catholic High School Graduation

Saint Benedict Parish, Johnstown

 

May 30

Memorial Day

Diocesan Offices Closed

 

June 2
Ascension
Diocesan Offices Closed

 

June 4; 10:00 a.m.

Ordination (Priesthood and Permanent Diaconate)
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

 

June 4; 5:00 p.m.
Prince Gallitzin Cross Award Ceremony
Mount Aloysius College, Cresson

 

June 11
Catholic Men's Conference
Saint Francis University, Loretto

 

June 12
Pentecost Sunday

 

 

Holy SpiritPrayer to the Holy Spirit   (Pentecost Sunday is June 12)
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 a 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
[email protected]