evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
June 2011
Volume III  Number  6
Welcome!
Welcome to the June edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Congratulations to the newly-confirmed students in the Diocese. May the Holy Spirit be with them always. Congratulations, also, to the graduates. May God bless them on their journey. As we welcome summer, we anticipate many wonderful upcoming events, including the annual Faith Day at the Altoona Curve and the summer camps offered by our Office of Youth Ministry. God's blessings for a safe, enjoyable, and grace-filled season.   
In This Issue
Ordination
Prince Gallitzin Cross Award
Bishop Joseph Receives Award
Graduation 2011
School Choice Update
Faith Day Preview
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 June 20 edition of The Catholic Register:
  • In his column, "Another Perspective," Monsignor Tim Stein explains his role as a Catholic columnist.
     
  • Columnist Susan Stith looks at the importance of a dad in a child's life.

 


 
proclaim!

 

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

   

 

  • 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.
       
  • July 3 -- Father Carl Spishak, a senior priest of the Diocese, discusses his busy retirement schedule.
     
  • July 10 -- Monsignor Timothy Stein and Bruce Tomaselli of The Catholic Register join Bishop Mark as they observe 25 years with the newspaper.
     
  • July 17 -- Bishop Mark sits down for his monthly interview with "Teen Talk" co-hosts Samantha Slezak and Adam Wood.
     

 

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

 

At this time, $53,037 has been returned to eight parishes that have exceeded their ACA goals!  One gift to the ACA supports your parish and  Diocesan ministries such as Campus Ministry and our annual Faith Day.  Learn more about how ACA funds are used, then make your gift online at  

www.ajdiocese.org. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordination 2011Bishop Ordains Priest, Permanent Deacon
Bishop Mark Bartchak ordained Deacon Brian Warchola to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood and Mr. Richard Golden to the Sacred Order of the Permanent Diaconate on June 4 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Father Warchola is a native of Our Lady Queen of Archangels Parish in Central City. He graduated from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe in May with a master of divinity degree. He also received the Father Omer U. Kline Award in Homiletics. The award is given to a fourth-year student who demonstrates excellence in preaching. Father Warchola received a bachelor of arts degree in theology from Saint Vincent College in 2007 and an associate degree in specialized business from Cambria Rowe Business College in Johnstown in 2003. He is a 2000 graduate of Shade High School in Cairnbrook.  Deacon Golden is a member of Saint Bartholomew Parish in Wilmore, where he has served on the parish counicl and parish finance council. Mr. Golden is self-employed as the president and general manager of Allegheny Belting Company in Summerhill and the owner of a 300-acre farm. He and his wife, Jane, have five children and eleven grandchildren. [Photo: (left to right) Deacon Michael Russo, Associate Director of Diaconal Formation; Deacon Gene Neral, Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate; Deacon Richard Golden; Bishop Mark; Father Brian Warchola; Father Allen Zeth, Director of Vocations.]
Prince Gallitzin Cross 2011Prince Gallitzin Cross Award Banquet

The annual Prince Gallitzin Cross Award Ceremony was held on June 4 at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. Bishop Mark Bartchak presented the Cross to ten individuals, including Bishop-Emeritus Joseph Adamec. Among other things, Bishop Joseph led the Cause for Sainthood for Gallitzin, and he founded the Prince Gallitzin Cross Award in 1990. "I know, Bishop Joseph, that it was your vision to see one day that Father Demetrius Gallitzin would be officially recognized as one of the saints in Heaven," Bishop Mark said. "I want to take this opportunity to express my desire and intention to continue working toward that goal. Wouldn't it be exciting that one day the Prince Gallitzin Award might have to be renamed as the Saint Gallitzin Award." [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with the 2011 Prince Gallitzin Cross winners (first row, left to right): Arlene Allison, Our Lady of Victory Parish in State College; Frances Findley, Resurrection Parish in Johnstown; Dorothy Leipersock, Saint Joseph Parish in Williamsburg; Millie Bodenschatz, Holy Name Parish in Ebensburg; and David Greene, Saint Peter Parish in Somerset; (second row) Bishop Mark; Ann Sutton, Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Loretto; Anna Tiernan, Saint Mary Parish in Hollidaysburg; John Frena, Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona; Mary Kowalski, Holy Rosary Parish in Altoona; and Bishop-Emeritus Joseph Adamec.]

Adamec Ecumenism AwardBishop-Emeritus Receives Ecumenism Award
The Ecumenical Conference of Greater Altoona presented Bishop-Emeritus Joseph Adamec with its 2011 Ecumenism Award at a banquet on May 31. The group recognized Bishop Joseph for the two Ecumenical Services he sponsored each year with Lutheran Bishop Gregory Pile and the late Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko of the Orthodox tradition. The group also saluted the retired Bishop for his role in the creation of the Altoona Area Christian Coalition, an ecumenical group that works toward a community that is welcoming and hospitable, while seeking mercy and justice for all.  [Photo: Reverend Jennett Wertz, ECGA President; Reverend Peter Helmers, Award Presenter; and Bishop Joseph.]
Graduation 2011Congratulations, Graduates

Bishop Mark Bartchak celebrated graduation Masses for Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School on May 25 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School on May 26 at Holy Name Parish in Ebensburg, and Bishop McCort Catholic High School on May 27 at Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown. "Stay near to Christ as you go forward," the Bishop told the graduates. "Do not be afraid of the questions you have about life. Ask the Son of God to help you find the answers. If you do that in your daily prayer, and you follow the way that He leads you, you will find true happiness and fulfillment." BG graduated 73 students, Bishop Carroll had 54 seniors, and McCort Catholic handed out 97 diplomas. [Photo: Bishop Mark offers a diploma and a handshake to BG graduate Nicholas Beiswinger, a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Altoona.]

School Choice SignsSchool Choice Update

Parents and other supporters of non-public education are placing yard signs on their property supporting Senate Bill 1. If lawmakers approve SB 1, qualifying parents would receive money in the form vouchers to use to educate their child at the school that best fits the child's needs. SB 1 also increases the  Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarships.  Legislators may act on the measure before the end of the month. It is critical that all supporters of choice in education tell their state senator and state representative to vote in favor of Senate Bill 1.  For more information, please go to www.pacatholic.org.  

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.
  
News and Notes

 

If you are heading to college in the fall, or you are the parent or grandparent of a college-bound student, the Diocesan Office of Campus Ministry wants to hear from you. The office will provide colleges and universities around the country with the names of local Catholic students attending the college. The campus ministers at those schools can then reach out to those students and inform them about Mass schedules and faith enrichment opportunities on campus. Contact the Office of Campus Ministry at (814) 693-1401 or e-mail [email protected]. Let us know the name of the student and the college he or she will attend in the fall.

 

 

Mike RussoDeacon Michael Russo, Associate Director of Diaconal Formation for the Diocese, has been awarded a scholarship to attend the second annual institute on Theology and Disability at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg from July 18-22. A number of major writers and leaders in the arena of inclusive ministries, both national and international, will be present for the program, "Disability and Theology: The Call and Promise for Pastoral leadership and Theological Education." Presentations and discussion groups focus on theology, Biblical studies, pastoral care, ethics, religious education, congregational ministries and other pertinent issues.  

 

 

Nick WillFarewell to Nick Will, Music Director and organist at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Nick has accepted a similar position at parish in the Pittsburgh area.  Besides providing beautiful, worshipful music for the Cathedral parish and for Diocesan celebrations, Nick founded the Concerts Under the Dome series at the Cathedral and recently performed with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra at the Cathedral.

  

 

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 
 
     

Week of June 26 
Camp Timothy

 

July 4
Independence Day
Diocesan Offices Closed

 

July 10; 3:00 p.m.

Faith Day Mass
Blair County Ballpark

 

Week of July 24
Camp Zacchaeus (Session 1)

Week of July 31
Camp Zacchaeus (Session 2) 

 

Pope Benedict Anniversary Prayer CardPrayer for Priests

Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate the 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination on June 29, the Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul.  In honor of his anniversary, the Vatican Congregation for Clergy suggested Catholic clergy and faithful be invited to participate in Eucharistic Adoration with the intention of praying for the sanctification of the clergy and for the gift of new and holy priestly vocations.  This prayer card was designed to mark the Pope's anniversary.

          Lord Jesus we come into your Eucharistic presence to thank you for the life and priestly vocation of Pope Benedict XVI. Bless him and his ministry as your Vicar and the Successor of St. Peter. Sanctify all your priests and configure them to your Sacred and Priestly Heart. Give to your Church new and holy priests, who will imitate your divine love and shepherd your people with care. You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 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]