|
|
|
|
|
| An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
April 2013 | Volume V Number 4 |
 Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!Welcome to the April edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. In this Easter season, we celebrate Christ's glorious resurrection. He, indeed, conquered sin and death. May we truly be "Easter People" during these 50 days, and may our song be "Alleluia!" As part of the Easter season, the sacrament of Confirmation is being celebrated in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak is in the process of confirming almost 1,100 candidates at 17 Masses throughout the Diocese. May God richly bless all those receiving the Holy Spirit, and may He bless us all during these marvelous Easter days. |
|
|
 Coming up in the April 22, 2013, edition of The Catholic Register
- Bruce Tomaselli reports on Mother Klara Szczesna, co-foundress of the Sister Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, being named "Venerable" in her Cause for Sainthood.
|
|
Bishop Mark Bartchak's upcoming Guests on Keeping the Faith, a weekly segment on Proclaim!:
-
April 21 --
Amy Hill, Communications Director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, and Monsignor Tim Stein, Editor of The Catholic Register, discuss the history of Catholic health care in Pennsylvania.
- April 28 --
Jean Johnstone, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, talks about "Chances for Charity" an important fundraiser for the agency.
-
May 5 --
Father Matthew Reese, Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Johnstown, and parishioner Bob Christian discuss the Adoration Chapel at their parish.
Proclaim! airs every Sunday at 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.
|
|
Watch "Answering the Call" every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on the Altoona Public Access Channel 14 in the Central Blair County area.
Watch "Faith Alive: The Teen Perspective" every Sunday at 9:30 p.m on the Altoona Public Access Channel 14 in the Central Blair County area.
|
|
|
|
 Bishop's Night for Vocations
The Serra Clubs of Altoona and Cambria County will sponsor the annual Bishop's Night for Vocations Dinner on May 15 at Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall in Loretto. Bishop Mark L. Barchak will host the event. A social hour will be held at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Winners of the essay, poetry and poster contests, sponsored by the Vocation Office of the Diocese, will be announced at this event. The theme for 2013 is "KEEPING OUR EYES FIXED ON CHRIST." This theme should be interpreted particularly on how one's faith guides him/her to follow Christ in choosing a vocation. The featured speaker will be Reverend Michael T. Kesicki, Rector of St. Mark Seminary in Erie. He also serves as Associate Vice-President for Mission and Ministry at Gannon University in Erie. Tickets for the event may be ordered from the Vocation office in Loretto at (814) 472-5441 or by calling (814) 255-3231. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by May 1. [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with contest winners at the 2012 Bishop's Night for Vocations.] |
 Bishop-Emeritus Receives Honor
Bishop-Emeritus Joseph V. Adamec was one of the recipients of the 2013 Remarkable Signs of Hope Award sponsored by the Altoona Area Christian Coalition. Bishop Joseph was recognized for his leadership efforts in forming the Coalition in response to a 2006 Altoona city ordinance targeting undocumented immigrants. Bishop Joseph spoke out against the proposal, which would punish companies that employ undocumented immigrants and landlords who rent to them. The Bishop feared the ordinance would leave many individuals and their children destitute, which would be contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. In response, Bishop Joseph reached out to leaders of other Christian faith traditions in the Altoona area to establish the AACC. The Coalition works toward a community that is "welcoming and hospitable, kind and compassionate; while being advocates for justice and mercy for everyone." Members of the AACC meet regularly and sponsor three signature events each year. [Photo: Bishop Joseph is joined by other award recipients Kathy Rutter, Elder at Ward Avenue Presbyterian Church in Altoona and Donald Witherspoon, President of the Blair County Chapter of the NAACP.] |
 Bishop to Ordain Permanent DeaconsBishop Mark L. Bartchak will ordain two men to the Permanent Diaconate on May 18 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Samuel Albarano, Jr., is a member of Our Lady of the Alleghenies Parish in Lilly; Gary Gill is a member of Prince of Peace Parish in Northern Cambria. Mr. Albarano is retired from Ralph J. Albarano and Sons; Mr. Gill is employed as a mechanic at Lyons Electric Motor Company in Ebensburg. Their ordination will be the culmination of five years of preparation to be a Permanent Deacon. |
 Faith Day 2013
The annual Diocesan Faith Day will be held on June 30 at DelGrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate Mass at 3:00 p.m. on the park stage. Parishes are invited to hold group picnics in the park pavillions before or after Mass or dinner tickets may be purchased through the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry later this spring. Admission to the park is free. The Diocese will also provide a voucher to purchase All Day Fun Passes for a reduced price of $10 at the park. The vouchers will be distributed to parishes at a later date. Vouchers will also be available in the Diocesan pavillion on the day of the event. Parish and school choirs are also invited to perform before and after Mass. Choirs may contact Mrs. Francine Swope at (814) 693-1401 or fswope@dioceseaj.org for more information. Mark your calendar and plan on joining us for a great Faith Day 2013. |
 Camps Timothy and Zacchaeus
The Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry is getting ready for another busy summer camp season. Camp Timothy, the camp for senior high students, will be held June 23-27 at Camp Sequanota in Somerset County. Click here for information and registration. Camp Zacchaeus, the camp for students entering grades 4-9, will be held July 21-26 (session 1) and July 28-August 2 (session 2). Click here for information and registration. Both camps feature spirituality, daily Mass, fun, and adventure. [Photo: Bishop Mark greets campers at Camp Zacchaeus in 2011.] |
 Catholic Charities Sponsors Major Fundraiser
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is sponsoring a 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 prizes valued at $50 or more. The non-cash prizes include gift cards and baskets from various area restaurants and businesses, and overnight stays at area hotels or inns. Organizers say the effort will raise $40,000 for Catholic Charities. Every dollar raised benefits the emergency financial assistance fund. Click here for more information and a current list of prizes. |
|
News and Notes
 Deacon Michael Russo, Associate Director of Diaconal Formation and Ministerial Coordinator of Lay Ecclesial Ministry, has written a new book, The Via Dolorosa: A Forensic and Spiritual Treatise on the Salvific Work of Jesus Christ. According to Deacon Russo, the book examines details and brings out the deeper meaning behind each portion of Jesus' journey to Golgotha. You can purchase the book on line at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or xulonpress.com, or you can contact Deacon Russo for more information at (814) 288-3036.
 Do you have questions about the annulment process? Very Rev. John Byrnes, JCL, Judicial Vicar of the Diocese, will explain the how and why of annulments at two informational sessions:
- May 6, 7:00 p.m. - Saint John Gualbert Activity Center, Adams Street, Johnstown
- May 13, 7:00 p.m. - Saint Rose of Lima School Cafeteria, 5519 6th Avenue, Altoona
The sessions are free, and no registration is required. For more information, contact the Diocesan Family Life Office (814) 886-5551 or familylife@dioceseaj.org.
 The Independent Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has moved. The new location and mailing address is: 3618 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1, Altoona, PA 16602. Other contact information remains the same.
|
|
 Year of Faith
PILGRIMAGE TO WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In celebration of the Year of Faith, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will lead a Diocesan pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on September 14, 2013. Bishop Mark would like to see representation from every parish in the Diocese on the trip. Pilgrims will arrive at the Shrine at about 11:00 a.m. The Bishop will welcome everyone and lead a mid-day prayer. Lunch and tours of the Shrine will follow. There will also be an opportunity for Reconciliation. Mass celebrated by the Bishop will be at 3:00 p.m. Pilgrims are expected to depart the Shrine at about 4:30 p.m. Registration will be on the parish level. Contact your parish for more information.
DAY OF REFLECTION -- The Diocesan Liturgy Commission will present a Day of Reflection focusing on the Eucharist at the invitation of any parish in the Diocese throughout the Year of Faith. Click here for more information.
|
|
|
|
 Regina Coeli
O Queen of heaven, rejoice! Alleluia.
For He whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia.
Has risen as He said, Alleluia.
Pray for us to God, Alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.
R. For the Lord has risen indeed. Alleluia.
O God, Who by the resurrection of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has given joy to the whole world, grant, we beseech You, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the same joys of eternal life. Through the same 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 |
|
|
|
|
