evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
October 2011
Volume III  Number  10
diocese signWelcome!
Welcome to the October edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.  You can tell it is Fall -- the air is crisp, the leaves are falling, and there are many activities on the Diocesan calendar. As usual, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak is busy making his rounds to all of those events. Most recently, he blessed the new Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy in Boalsburg. Congratuations to the Board of Trustees, staff, faculty, students and parents! How wonderful to see Catholic education expanding in our Diocese. May the school's patron -- Saint Joseph -- continue to bless this fine institution. The Bishop also was the celebrant and homilist for the annual Marian Celebration in Johnstown, where he was inspired by and impressed with the spirit of the young people on hand to lead the Rosary. You can read more about these events and others in this edition of E-vangelist and the October 24 edition of The Catholic Register
In This Issue
SJCA Dedication
Bishop's School Tour
Marian Celebration
Roman Missal
Theology on Tap
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 October 24 edition of The Catholic Register:
  • In his "Another Perspective" column, Monsignor Tim Stein looks at how prayer unites us.
     

 
proclaim!

 

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

   

 

  • October 23 -- Tim Scarff and Kegan Solomon, parishioners at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Johnstown, discuss their trip to World Youth Day in Madrid.
  • October 30 -- In preparation for All Saints Day, "Teen Talk" co-hosts Samantha Slezak and Adam Wood interview Bishop Mark about the importance of Saints in our lives.   
  • November 6 --  Siblings Joe Martella, Jr., and Jackie Martella discuss their support of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program and Diocesan Second Century Fund. 
     
  • November 13  --  Johnstown resident Elaine Smith shares her personal story of how Catholic Charities helped her family.  

 

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.dioceseaj.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

 

ACA gifts provide partial funding for Lay Ecclesial Ministry classes, Christian Initiation Team Ministry training and Permanent Deacon formation classes currently in progress.  Each of these experiences allows participants to attain a deeper understanding of our faith so they are prepared to serve others through their ministries. $308,540 has already been refunded to 47 parishes that have exceeded their goals. To join your fellow Catholics in helping the Church spreading the Good News, please consider a gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal through our secure, convenient web page by clicking the "Donate" tab at www.dioceseaj.org. Thank you!
SJCA BlessingNew High School Dedication 
The newly-opened Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy near State College was officially dedicated during a Mass on October 17. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak celebrated the Liturgy and blessed the building. 
 
During his Homily, the Bishop asked all of the SJCA students to stand and be reocognized as pioneers. He mentioned that he read an article about an alumni reunion for a private academy in New England. He joked that while it may be premature to think about alumni reunions at SJCA, it is not too soon to look to the future.
 
"I look forward to the first graduation form Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy," the Bishop said. "Once that happens, it won't be long before our alumni start to return here to remember, to celebrate, and to support their alma mater and everything that it stands for." The Bishop's full homily is available on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. Click on Our Bishop and Homilies.
 
Sister Donna Marie Leiden, S.C., Diocesan Director of Education, saluted the Board of Trustees, staff and faculty for their hard work in opening a new school. She also lauded the students who chose to be the first class of SJCA.
 
Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy opened its doors on August 30 to 37 students. The enrollment has grown to 39.  [Photo: Bishop Mark blesses Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy on October 17. Assisting the Bishop is Deacon Jack Orlandi.]
 

Saint Matthew School VisitBishop Bartchak 

Continues Visits to Schools 

Bishop Mark L. Bartchak is contnuing his tour of Catholic schools in the Diocese. The Bishop visited Lock Haven Catholic School, Saint Matthew School in Tyrone, and Saint John the Evangelist School in Bellefonte in September. This week, he visited Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy in Boalsburg for the school's dedication. Visits to Saint Rose of Lima School in Altoona, Our Lady of Victory School in State College and Northern Cambria Catholic School are planned over the next several days. Bishop Mark plans to stop at each school before the end of the academic year. [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with the fourth grade class at Saint Matthew School in Tyrone during his visit on September 21.]

 

Marian Celebration 2011Marian Celebration

The annual Marian Celebration was held on October 16 at Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown. The celebration included the praying of the Rosary and Mass with Bishop Mark L. Bartchak as celebrant and homilist. The Bishop saluted the many young people who were on hand to lead the Rosary. He quoted Blessed John Paul II who said, "through the Rosary, the Christian people sit at the school of Mary and are led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of His love." Added the Bishop, "In our celebration today, we are reminded that through the Rosary we have the opportunity to sit at the school of Mary that leads us to contemplate the beauty of the face of Christ." To read Bishop Mark's entire homily, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. Click Our Bishop and Homilies.  [Photo: Bishop Mark greets some of the youngsters on hand for the Marian Celebration. ]

 

Roman MissalRoman Missal

The Third Edition Roman Missal will be fully implemented at all Masses beginning on the weekend of November 26-27 (the first Snday of Advent). The implementation will mean significant changes in the language of the Mass, both on the part of the celebrant and the Faithful. For more information on the new Roman Missal, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. Click on the Liturgy tab.

 

Theology on TapAltoonaTheology on Tap Series Underway
A monthly Altoona-based Theology on Tap series kicked off on October 10. Theology on Tap is a casual speaker/discussion series for young adults ages 18-39. The sessions are usually held at a restaurant or tavern as a way of reaching young adults at the places where they gather. The Altoona series is being held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. throughout the fall and winter at Joe's Bar, adjacent to Zach's Sports and Spirits, 5820 Sixth Avenue, Altoona. Complimentary appetizers are served. The next session is scheduled for November 14. Father Allen Zeth, Diocesan Director of Vocations, will present "Finding Your True Vocation." The talk will explore life options for young adults such as marriage, single life, the Priesthood or Religious life. 

 

School Choice SignsSchool Choice Update

Governor Tom Corbett announced his plan for education reform earlier this month in York. Among his proposals are Opportunity Scholarships -- or vouchers -- for low-income students living in the attendance zones of the lowest-performing five percent of schools in the state, and increased funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak praised the Governor's efforts. "The time for school choice in Pennsylvania is has come," the Bishop said in a statement. "Governor Corbett's goal of providing vouchers for low-income students in poor-performing schools and expanding tax credits for businesses that fund EITC scholarshiops is a step in the right direction. When it comes to education, children must be the number one priority. School choice guarantees that parents will be able to provide their child with the educational opportunities that best fit the child's needs." For more information on school choice, visit the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference website at www.pacatholic.org.

 

 

News and Notes

 

Two men were accepted as candidates for the Permanent Diaconate at a Rite of Candidacy held during a Mass at Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish in Bedford on October 15. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak was the celebrant and homilist. Accepted as candidates were Mr. Michael Anna of Saint Bernard Parish in Hastings and Mr. Jeffrey Wright of Saint Thomas Parish. Their tentative Ordination will be in 2014. 

 

 

Erik BjalmeMr. Erik Bjalme has been promoted to the position of Director of Development and Alumni Relations for Catholic Campus Ministry at Penn State's University Park campus.  Mr. Bjalme, who has been an employee of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown since January 2009,  will oversee all annual giving, development communications, donor and alumni relations, planned giving, and major gifts initiatives for Catholic Campus Ministry. Included among his responsibilities is the coordination of the campaign for the new Suzanne Pohland Paterno Catholic Student Faith Center, which is currently under construction and will open in 2012. Catholic Campus Ministry at Penn State is a shared ministry between the Diocese and the Benedictine community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe.

 

 

The Altoona Area Christian Coalition will sponsor a Festival of Hope service on November 20 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will preside. The service, which will include lessons and readings from community leaders and elected officials, will highlight thanksgiving and hope for the city of Altoona. All are invited to attend. The AACC is an ecumenical group that strives for a city that is welcoming and hospitable while ensuring justice and mercy for all.  

 

Upcoming Events 
 

October 23
SHYCON
Saint Francis University

 

October 23

World MIssion Sunday

 

November 1
All Saints
Diocesan Offices Closed

 

November 2
All Souls

 

November 11
Veterans' Day
Diocesan Offices Closed

 

November 19-20
Special Collection for Catholic Charities
All Masses

 

November 20; 3:00 p.m.

AACC
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona

 

 

Prayer for Peace 
 
Mary, Queen of Peace, save us all, who have so much trust in you, from wars, hatred, and oppression. Make us all learn to live in peace, and educate ourselves for peace, do what is demanded by justice and respect the rights of every person, so that peace may be firmly established. Amen.     

                                                                                                                   -- Pope John Paul II                                             

 
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]