evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
May 2013
Volume V  Number  5
diocese signWelcome!
Welcome to the May edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. With the Easter Season now concluded, we return to Ordinary Time and anticipate the upcoming graduations and other spring celebrations. Best wishes to the Class of 2013. May the Lord bless you as you begin this new chapter of your life. We also look forward to the upcoming Prince Gallitzin Cross Award banquet when we recognize those among us carrying out the spirit of our beloved Prince-Priest Demetrius Gallitzin. The nation and our Diocese will also observe another Fortnight for Freedom this summer. You can read more about all of these events in this edition of E-vangelist.

 

Ministry Quicklinks

  
  
the catholic register
  
Coming up in the June 3, 2013, edition of The Catholic Register
 
  • Expanded coverage of the Ordination of two men to the Permanent Diaconate and the Bishop's Night for Vocations.
     
  • The tradition of publishing photos from First Holy Communion and Confirmation Masses continues.

 


 
proclaim!

 

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

  • May 26  --
    Representatives from the graduating classes of Bishop Carroll, Bishop Guilfoyle, and Bishop McCort Catholic High Schools join the Bishop to remember their years of Catholic education and look to the future. 
     
  • June 2 --
    Kelsey Ingold, a member of Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Cresson, recalls her time in Rome during the conclave and election of Pope Francis.
  • June 9 -- 
    Past participants in Diocesan summer camps Timothy and Zacchaeus talk about the fun experiences they had and look ahead to another exciting year.

 

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.

 

 
  
  
microwave dish 
 
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.
 
Albarano and Gill OrdinationBishop Ordains Two Men to Permanent Diaconate
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak ordained two men to the Permanent Diaconate on May 18 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona: Samuel Albarano, a member of Our Lady of the Alleghenies Parish in Lilly; and Gary Gill, a member of Prince of Peace Parish in Northern Cambria.
 
"Just as he himself has done, you also should do," the Bishop told Albarano and Gill in his homily. "Do God's will from the heart. And serve God's people in love and joy as you would the Lord himself. Sam and Gary, be patient, be selfless, and be generous. Allow Jesus Christ to be seen and heard in your life and ministry as deacons."
 
The ordination came after a five year formation process. Both men will be assigned to serve in their home parishes.
 
[Photo: (left to right) Deacon Michael Russo, Associate Director of Diaconal Formation; Deacon Gary Gill; Bishop Mark; Deacon Samuel Albarano; and Deacon Gene Neral, Director of the Permanent Diaconate.]
Bishop's Night for Vocations 2013Bishop's Night for Vocations
The annual Bishop's Night for Vocations was held on May 15 at Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall in Loretto. Sponsored by the Serra Clubs of Altoona and Cambria County, the event included dinner; a keynote speech by the Very Rev. Michael T. Kesicki, Rector of Saint Mark Seminary in Erie; and recognition of the winners of the poetry, poster, and essay contests sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Vocations. The theme was "Keeping Our Eyes Fixed on Christ." Joe Kadas of the Knights of Columbus presented Bishop Mark L. Bartchak with a check for $10,000 from the Vocation Endowment Education Committee. 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.]
Prince Gallitzin CrossBishop to Present Gallitzin Cross Awards
Eleven individuals will receive the 2013 Prince Gallitzin Cross Award from Bishop Mark L. Bartchak at a banquet on June 1 at 5:00 p.m. at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. The Gallitzin Cross is given annually to those exhibiting the "evangelizing spirit" of the Prince-Priest Demetrius Gallitzin. This year's recipients are as follows:
  • Mr. John Conte, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Altoona
  • Dr. Rodolfo Furigay, Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Windber
  • Mrs. Valerie Kahley, Saint Mark Parish, Altoona
  • Mr. Marty Klanchar, Good Shepherd Parish, State College
  • Sister Mary Lee Przybylski, CSSF, Saint Nicholas Parish, Nicktown
  • Rev. Paul Robine, Senior Priest of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
  • Mrs. Betty Schraff, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Altoona
  • Mr. Oscar Speicher, Saint John the Baptist Parish, New Baltimore
  • Sister Daniel Weinzierl, CSA, Saint Mary Parish, Nanty Glo
  • Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Mary Ann Zakrzwski, Saint Aloysius Parish, Cresson

Tickets to the banquet may be obtained from the Diocesan Administration Center by contacting Mrs. Jenny Guzic by phone at (814) 695-5579 or e-mail at jguzic@dioceseaj.org. Tickets are $30 per person. The reservation deadline is May 24.

 

Fortnight for Freedom 2013Fortnight for Freedom
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will once again sponsor a Fortnight for Freedom June 21-July 4. In the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will observe the Fortnight with Evening Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration on July 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. All are invited to attend. The Fortnight emphasizes prayer, study, and peaceful public action to highlight the importance of preserving our cherished religious freedom. Click here for more information.
Diocesan Coat of ArmsFaith 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. You can also purchase dinner tickets through your parish or by filling out and mailling the form available on our Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. 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 are available at parishes or on the Diocesan website.. Vouchers will also be available in the Diocesan pavillion on the day of the event. Parish and school choirs are 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.   
Camp Z 2011Camps 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.]
Chances for Charity logoCatholic 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.  

Year of FaithYear of Faith 

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.


   

Prayer for Discerning My Vocation

Lord Jesus, I know that you love me and that you call me to follow you.  Help me to listen to your call in all the ways you speak to me: through prayer and the Scriptures; through the Church; through the people who know me and love me; through the circumstances of my life; through my own hopes and desires. Guide me to search openly and carefully and to learn about life's choices so that I may respond generously to your call and to know and embrace the vocation that will enable me to love wholeheartedly and serve others with the gifts you have given to me. Help me to know and do your will. Thank you for your love for me and for all that the future holds for me. Lord Jesus, I put my trust in you. 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