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| An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
May 2012 | Volume IV Number 5 |
 Come, Holy SpiritWelcome to the May edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. As the Easter season nears a close, we prepare to welcome the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This month of May is also a time to honor the Blessed Mother. These past weeks truly have been grace-filled as teens received the Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation and young people received our Lord for the first time in the Eucharist. High School seniors also eagerly await graduation in the coming days. May our risen and ascended Lord bless their future, and may God bless all of us in these pre-summer days. |
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 Coming up in the June 4, 2012, edition of The Catholic Register:
- We continue the tradition of publishing photos from First Holy Communion and Confirmation classes from parishes throughout the Diocese.
- Monsignor Tim Stein comments on issues of the day in his column, "Another Perspective."
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Bishop Mark Bartchak's upcoming Guests on Keeping the Faith, a weekly segment on Proclaim!:
- May 27 -- Rick and Evie Wess, members of Immaculate Conception Parish in New Germany, discuss their efforts to strengthen marriages in their faith community.
- June 3 -- A representative from the senior classes of Bishop Carroll, Bishop Guilfoyle, and Bishop McCort Catholic High Schools look back on their years of Catholic education and look to the future.
- June 10 -- On this Corpus Christi Sunday, "Teen Talk" co-hosts Abbi Slezak and Nick Spinelli discuss the significance of the Feast Day with Bishop Mark.
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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 Diocese to Observe "Fortnight for Religious Freedom"Bishop Mark L. Mark has announced that the Diocese will observe the upcoming "Fortnight for Religious Freedom" June 21-July 4, called for by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The national observance is in response to the federal mandate that virtually all employers provide health insurance that includes abortion-inducing drugs, contraception and sterilization, thus violating our principles and our religious freedom. Among other things, the Bishop will preside at and preach at four Holy Hours for Religious Freedom at various parishes around the Diocese during that 14 day period. Bishop Mark will publish a special message in The Catholic Register, and produce video messages for Proclaim! TV and the Diocesan website. More information will be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, the faithful are asked to continue their prayers for the preservation of religious freedom, and they are asked to urge their federal lawmakers to support religious freedom. |
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 Nine to Receive Prince Gallitzin Cross
Nine individuals have been selected as recipients of the 2012 Prince Gallitzin Cross Award sponsored by the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Founded in 1990, the Prince Gallitzin Cross Award is presented annually to those in the Diocese who exhibit the "evangelizing spirit" of the Prince-Priest Demetrius Gallitzin. This year's honorees are as follows:
- Mary Ann Benz - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Altoona
- Timothy Bettwy - Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
- Thomas Deskevich - Holy Name Parish, Ebensburg
- Daniel Heiser - Saint Joseph Parish, Renovo
- Margaret Klesch - Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Johnstown
- Dorothy Oberneder - Saint Mary (Immaculate Conception) Parish, Altoona
- Luke and Jill Rosenbaum - Holy Family Parish, Hooversville
- Sister Patti Rossi, CSJ - Our Lady of the Alleghenies Parish, Lilly; Associate Director, Diocesan Missions Office
"Your involvement in parish life and Diocesan activities has helped to proclaim the Gospel of Christ through your words and action," Bishop Mark L. Bartchak said in letters informing the winners. "Thank you for your dedicated service and for your willingness to accept this symbol of gratitude." Bishop Mark will present the Prince Gallitzin Cross to each of the honorees at a banquet on June 2, 2012, at 5:00 p.m., at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Mrs. Donna Stoy at the Diocesan Administration Center at (814) 695-5579 or dstoy@dioceseaj.org. Reservations must be made by May 25.
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 Catholic Charities Announces Griffin and Matthew 25 Awardees
Catholic Charities is honoring two individuals with the 2012 Monsignor William M. Griffin Humanitarian Award: Father Chuck Bridges, Parochial Vicar at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown and Operations Manager of the Diocesan TV Ministry Proclaim!; and Dorothy Baron of the Most Holy Trinity Saint Vincent de Paul Society in Huntingdon. Catherine Hull, a junior at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg will receive the Matthew 25 Youth Humanitarian Award. Catholic Charities will present the awards at the agency's annual recognition dinner on June 7 at the Calvin House in Duncansville. Tickets are $30 each. Reservations are due by June 1. Call Catholic Charities at (814) 944-9388 for tickets or more information. |
 Catholic Charities Holds Fundraiser
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is sponsoring the region-wide fundraiser "Chances for Charity." The agency is selling raffle tickets at $50 each. Participants will be eligible to win nine cash prizes - including the grand prize of $5,000 - and 41 other prices valued at $50 or more. Organizers say the effort will raise $40,000 for Catholic Charities, with every dollar going toward the agency's emergency financial assistance fund. "Chances for Charity is a great opportunity to win a nice amount of cash or a terrific prize," said C. David Kimmel, chair of the Catholic Charities board. "But more importantly, it's a good way to help Catholic Charities at a time when demand for its emergency services is huge. This is a win-win for everyone." Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket can contact any parish in the Diocese or call the Altoona office of Catholic Charities at (814) 944-9388. The drawing will be held at the Catholic Charities annual recognition dinner on June 7 at the Calvin House in Duncansville. Winners do not need to be present at the dinner. For a complete list of the non-cash prizes, please go to the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. |
 Diocesan Marriage Building InitiativeThe Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is in the midst of a nearly year-long Marriage Building Initiative. Various activities are being held on both the Diocesan and parish levels. The initiative is focusing on promoting and strengthening marriage, and offering support to couples who are hurting and individuals who are divorced or widowed. On July 29, at 7:00 p.m., Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate a special outdoor Mass for couples at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Loretto. The Catholic Register and Proclaim! TV will also have special features in the coming months. There is also a special section on the Diocesan website, www.dioceseaj.org, where you can watch a video that includes a special message from Bishop Mark. |
 Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School Names New Principal
The Board of Trustees of Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Altoona has announced that Joan Donnelly will be the school's new principal, effective next school year. Donnelly, who has served as Vice-Principal since 2009, succeeds Bernard Kubitza, who is retiring. "Joan Donnelly has played so many important roles at our school," said Doug Wolf, President of the Board of Trustees. "She is passionate about BG, and is extremely bright and articulate. Her Catholic faith is her compass and the founding principles of the school are in her blood...goodness, discipline and knowledge." Donnelly and her family are members of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona. |
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 Congratulations, Graduates!
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate separate Masses and commencement ceremonies for graduates at Bishop Carroll, Bishop Guilfoyle, and Bishop McCort Catholic High Schools. The following is the schedule of events:
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Graduation Mass -- May 29, 6:00 p.m., Holy Name Parish, Ebensburg
Commencement -- May 30, 7:00 p.m., Kennedy Center at Saint Francis University
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School
Graduation Mass -- May 27, 5:30 p.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Altoona
Commencement -- May 31, 7:30 p.m., Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
Bishop McCort Catholic High School
Graduation Mass -- June 1, 7:00 p.m., Saint Benedict Parish, Johnstown
Commencement -- June 2, 11:00 a.m., Penn Highlands Community College, Johnstown
Best wishes to the Class of 2012! |
 Bishop Joseph Marks Milestone
Congratulations to Bishop-Emeritus Joseph V. Adamec, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination. Bishop Joseph was ordained a Bishop on May 20, 1987, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. He served as Diocesan Bishop until 2011. Bishop Joseph remains active in our Diocesan Church in many ways, including his regular service to Saint Mary Parish in Hollidaysburg. May God continue to bless Bishop Joseph. |
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 Bishop's Night for Vocations
The annual Bishop's Night for Vocations, sponsored by the Serra Clubs of Altoona and Cambria County, was held on April 25 at Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall in Loretto. Father Joseph Freedy, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, was the keynote speaker. Father Freedy shared his personal vocation story, and said a book called "The Supper of the Lamb," by Dr. Scott Hahn, was instrumental in leading him to the Priesthood. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak recognized winners of the poster, poetry, and essay contests, sponored by the Diocesan Vocations Office. The Knights of Columbus Vocation Education Endowment Committee also presented a $10,000 check to the Bishop. The money will go toward a fund for seminarians established within the Independent Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with winners of the poster contest.] |
Annual Catholic Appeal
Support for the Annual Catholic Appeal continues to be strong. At least 20 parishes are over goal. ACA gifts support Diocesan seminarians, Catholic Charities counseling, youth ministry, ongoing clergy formation and many other ministries. Please help your parish reach its goal before Pentecost in late May. All 'over goal' contributions are returned to the parishes for local priorities. Checks can be made payable to Annual Catholic Appeal, PO Box 409, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, or make an online gift on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. Click on "Donate Today." |
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Upcoming Events
May 27
Pentecost Sunday
May 28
Memorial Day
Diocesan Offices Closed
June 2; 5:00 p.m.
Prince Gallitzin Cross Award Banquet
Mount Aloysius College, Cresson
June 7; 5:00 p.m.
Catholic Charities Recognition Dinner
Calvin House, Duncansville
June 21-July 4
Fortnight for Religious Freedom
June 24-28
Camp Timothy (summer camp for students entering 10th, 11th, and 12th grades)
Somerset County
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Prayer to the Holy Spirit
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 tdegol@dioceseaj.org |
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