Bishop Announces Clergy Appointments

On July 1, Bishop Mark Bartchak announced a series of clergy appointments that take effect today -- July 20, 2011. The appointments are as follows:

REVEREND VALENTINE J. BRADLEY, appointed Parochial Administrator of Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Cresson, effective July 20, 2011.

REVEREND JAMES B. COVENEY, granted retirement at his request and given Senior Priest status, effective July 20, 2011.

REVEREND GEORGE M. GULASH, appointed Pastor of Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish in Windber, effective July 20, 2011.

REVEREND MATTHEW E. MISURDA, appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Portage, effective July 20, 2011.

REVEREND RONALD V. OSINSKI, appointed Pastor of Saint Mark Parish in Altoona, effective July 20, 2011.

REVEREND BRIAN L. WARCHOLA, appointed Parochial Vicar of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Bellefonte and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Penns Valley, as well as Sacramental Minister at the State Correctional Institution at Rockview, effective June 4, 2011.

DEACON RICHARD T. GOLDEN, appointed to diaconal service at Saint Bartholomew Parish in Wilmore and Most Holy Trinity Parish in South Fork, effective June 4, 2011.

First Camp Timothy a Success

The first-ever Camp Timothy was held the week of June 26 at Camp Sequanota in Somerset County. Open to students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year in high school, the camp is a spin-off of the popular Camp Zacchaeus, which is open each year to students entering grades 4-9. Bishop Mark Bartchak spent a day at Camp Timothy. He celebrated Mass with the students and enjoyed fellowship with them. Other highlights of the camp included daily prayer and meditation, rock climbing and white water rafting. The two annual sessions of Camp Zacchaeus will be held the weeks of July 24 and 31. [Photo: Campers take a break from hiking and rock climbing at Camp Timothy.]

Lawmakers to Resume School Choice Debate in Fall

State lawmakers recessed for the summer without passing school voucher legislation. According to Amy Hill, Communications Director for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, discussions were held between the Corbett Administration and legislative leaders during the last week of June. "All expressed their support and commitment to passing school choice, but they opted to postpone the vote on legislation until the fall so they could have more time to agree on the details," Hill said.  "The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference is disappointed that school vouchers didn't pass before June 30, but this is not a defeat," said Robert O'Hara, Jr., PCC Executive Director. "The EITC program was increased which shows that there is support for parental choice in education. Our efforts to expand that same choice to more parents with vouchers will continue over the summer." Supporters of school choice are urged to continue contacting their state senator and representative throughout the summer to voice their support for school choice.  For more information, please go to www.pacatholic.org.  

The Family Life Office will sponsor the annual Wedding Anniversary Liturgies on September 18, at 2:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona and on September 25, at 2:00 p.m., at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown. The Masses are open to couples celebrating their first, 25th, 40th, 50th, 55th or 60th+ anniversary this year. Bishop Mark Bartchak will be the celebrant and homilist for both Liturgies. Couples must register at their parish before August 22. 

The Catholic Life Conference Day of Reflection will be held on Saturday, September 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. The theme is "Disciples of Christ; People of the Eucharist." For more information, or to register, please contact Francine Swope at (814) 693-1401 or fswope@dioceseaj.org.