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| An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
March 2012 | Volume IV Number 3 |
 Lenten Journey ContinuesWelcome to the March edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. We are more than half-way through our Lenten journey. We pray that this has been a season of renewal in your faith. As you will see in this E-newsletter, many penance opportunities remain. The Bishop's schedule for Holy Week is also noted. Please take special note of the Chrism Mass on Monday of Holy Week. This is a special celebration for which our entire Diocesan Church gathers as one. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will bless the oils used at parishes in the coming year. Priests of the Diocese also renew their commitment to their vocation. All are invited to attend this unique and meaningful Liturgy. We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who will be fully initiated into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. We truly share their joy and anticipation. The Easter season is also Confirmation season in our Diocese. Please pray for the teens from throughout Altoona-Johnstown who will receive the Holy Spirit in the coming weeks. May God continue to bless our Lenen journey, and may we all experience the glory of Christ's Resurrection at Easter. |
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 Coming up in the March 26, 2012, edition of The Catholic Register: -
The Faithful will receive a detailed update on the financial situation of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
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In his column, "Another Perspective," Monsignor Tim Stein examines religious prejudice through the years.
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Bishop Mark Bartchak's upcoming Guests on Keeping the Faith, a weekly segment on Proclaim!:
- March 25 --Representatives from the 1901 Church, Inc., discuss plans to revitalize three former church buildings in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
- April 1 -- On this Palm Sunday, Monsignor Robert Mazur, Diocesan Director of Liturgy, previews the Masses and services of Holy Week.
- April 8 -- On this Easter Sunday, Bishop Mark kicks off the Confirmation season by interviewing two candidates for the Sacrament.
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.
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Listen to Radio Maria on WHHN 88.1 FM or go to the Diocesan website, www.dioceseaj.org, and click on the Radio Maria button on the right.
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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. |
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 Bishops Declare March 30 Day of Prayer, FastingBishop Mark L. Bartchak and his brother Bishops in Pennsylvania have declared March 30 a day of prayer and fasting for the preservation of religious liberty. The Bishops drafted a letter, which outlines their concerns with the government mandate that employers provide health insurance that includes contraception, abortion-inducing drugs, and sterilization.
"Some falsely suggest that the HHS mandate is about contraception," the Bishops' letter states. "This is primarily about religious liberty and our First Amendment rights to the free exercise of our religion. Make no mistake about it -- this government mandate is a step which will inevitably lead to other mandates that continue to strike at the heart of our Faith and the constitutional liberties we have been guaranteed. The mandate cannot stand -- it must not stand."
The letter continues, "Recognizing the efficacy of prayer and fasting as well as the challenges we face in overcoming the recent attack on our religious freedom, we, the Bishops of Pennsylvania, request all Catholics dedicate the regular Lenten Friday practice of prayer and abstinence as well as the additional practice of fasting on Friday, March 30, to the preservation of religious liberty."
Bishop Mark has asked the priests of the Diocese to read the full letter at Mass and/or include it in their weekly parish bulletins. The letter will also be published in the March 26 edition of The Catholic Register, and it is available on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.
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 Diocese to Sponsor Lenten Penance Services
The Diocese will sponsor three Penance services next month. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak and priests of the Diocese will be available to hear Confessions at the services. The season of Lent is a time of repentance, and all Catholics are urged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter. The following is the schedule of the three Diocesan Penance services:
- March 26; 6:30 p.m. -- Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown
- March 27; 7:00 p.m. -- Good Shepherd Parish, State College
- March 28; 6:30 p.m. -- Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
Various parishes will also sponsor Penance services throughout Lent and individual Confessions. |
Pontifical Schedule for Holy Week
The following is Bishop Mark L. Bartchak's schedule for Holy Week, April 1 - 8.
Passion (Palm) Sunday - April 1; 11:00 a.m.
Blessing of Palm and Pontifical Mass
Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown
(Mass broadcast live on WWCP TV FOX 8)
Chrism Mass - April 2; 11:00 a.m.
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
Holy Thursday - April 5; 6:00 p.m.
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown
Good Friday - April 6
Morning Prayer -- 9:00 a.m.
Celebration of the Lord's Passion -- 12:00 p.m.
Tenebrae Service - 7:30 p.m.
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
Holy Saturday - April 7
Office of Readings -- 9:00 a.m.
The Easter Vigil -- 8:30 p.m.
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
Easter Sunday - April 8; 11:00 a.m.
Mass of Our Lord's Resurrection
Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown
(Mass broadcast live on WWCP TV FOX 8) |
 Bishop Sponsors Annual Tri-High Day
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak continued the tradition of meeting with groups of students from Bishop Carroll, Bishop Guilfoyle, and Bishop McCort Catholic High Schools. Known as "Tri-High Day," the event gives students a chance to ask the Bishop a variety of questions. The Bishop also celebrates Mass for the students and has lunch with them. This year's gathering was held on March 9 at Bishop McCort Catholic High School. Reporter Bruce Tomaselli will have more on Tri-High Day in the March 26 edition of The Catholic Register. [Photo: Bishop Mark talks with students at Tri-High Day.] |
 Bishop-Emeritus Celebrates Mass at SJCA
The Board, Administration, faculty, and students of the new Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy in Boalsburg invited Bishop-Emeritus Joseph V. Adamec to the school for his first official visit and to celebrate Mass on March 19 -- the Feast of Saint Joseph. Bishop Joseph was Diocesan Bishop in the years leading up to the opening of the new high school. Students presented him with cards and a framed photograph of the school building. SJCA opened to freshmen and sophomore students in the fall. [Photo: SJCA Students and Principal/CEO Doug Bleggi present Bishop Joseph a photo of the school during his March 19 visit.] |
 Bishop's Night for Vocations
The annual Bishop's Night for Vocations is scheduled for April 25 at at Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall in Loretto. Sponsored by the Serra Clubs of Cambria County and Altoona and the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Vocations Office, the event features dinner, poetry, poster and essay contests for the youth of the Diocese, and a keynote address by Father Joseph Freedy, Director of Vocations in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. For ticket information, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Office at (814) 472-5441, Louise Fisher at (814) 255-3231, or Linda Turcovski at (814) 943-3148. [Photo: Bishop Mark L. Bartchak poses with winners of the essay contest at last year's Bishop's Night for Vocations.] |
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 Diocese Seeking Nominations for Prince Gallitzin Cross Award
The annual Prince Gallitzin Cross dinner will be held on June 2 at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. The awards recognize individuals who embody the evangelizing spirit of the Prince-Priest Demetrius Gallitzin. The Diocese is currently seeking nominations for the Prince Gallitzin Cross Award. For the award criteria and a nomination form, pleas visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. The nomination deadline is April 13. |
 Theology On Tap Opportunities
Several Theology on Tap opportunities are available throughout the region over the next month. 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 following is the schedule of topics and speakers: |
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Upcoming Events
March 25
Junior High Youth Day
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
March 31, April 1
Christian Initiation Retreat/Anointing
April 1
Passion (Palm) Sunday
April 2; 11:00 a.m.
Chrism Mass
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
April 5-9
Triduum/Easter Holiday
Diocesan Officies Closed
April 25
Bishop's Night for Vocations
Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall, Loretto
April 28; 5:00 p.m.
Neophyte Mass
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
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Prayer for Lent
O God, bless us during this season of spiritual renewal. Fill our minds and hearts with love, that we may be a sign of Jesus to all those living in our midst. 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 tdegol@dioceseaj.org |
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