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| An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
July 2013 | Volume V Number 7 |
 Welcome!Welcome to the July edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. What a glorious summer for our local Church. A few weeks ago, we celebrated a successful Faith Day at DelGrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton. It was an amazing show of Catholic pride and unity. More recently, 124 pilgrims traveled to Rome for a spiritual re-awakening during this Year of Faith. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak, the spiritual leader for the Diocesan pilgrimage, had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis for the first time as his pilgrims watched. What a joyous day for our Diocese and its Shepherd. Our Diocesan summer camp for youngsters is in full swing, and many other plans are underway for late summer and early fall events. May the Lord continue to bless you in these summer days. |
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 Coming up in the July 29, 2013, edition of The Catholic Register
- Reporter Bruce Tomaselli offers in-depth coverageof the Diocesan pilgrimage to Rome.
- In his column, "Another Perspective," Monsignor Tim Stein discusses how Pope Francis is embracing the most basic papal mission.
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Bishop Mark Bartchak's upcoming Guests on Keeping the Faith, a weekly segment on Proclaim!:
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July 28 -- Tom Kristofco, President of Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Altoona, discusses the school's new iPad initiative.
- August 4 -- 2013 Prince Gallitzin Cross honorees John Conte of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Altoona, and Marty Klanchar of Penn State University Catholic Campus Ministry discuss their service to the Church.
- August 11 -- 2013 Matthew 25 Youth Humanitarian Award winners Nick Spinelli of Bishop McCort Cathlic High School, Johnstown, and Grace Walk of Saint Matthew School, Tyrone, talk about their outreach to others.
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.
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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.
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 Pilgrimage to Rome
A gathering to pray the Angelus with Pope Francis was the highlight of a Diocesan pilgrimage to Rome. One hundred twenty four pilgrims participated in the eight-day trip July 8-16. On July 14, the pilgrims from Altoona-Johnstown traveled to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, just outside of Rome. A crowd of about 20,000 people was on hand to see the Holy Father. An Italian TV station that serves the bishops of Italy invited Bishop Mark L. Bartchak to be interviewed. After the interview, papal officials gave the Bishop a front row seat for the mid-day prayer. After Pope Francis prayed the Angelus, blessed the crowd, and offered a few remarks, he greeted those assembled in the front row, including Bishop Mark. The Holy Father asked the Bishop his name, where he lived, and why he was there. When Bishop Mark responded that he was leading a Diocesan pilgrimage, the Pope responded, "Bravo!" It was the first time Bishop Mark met Pope Francis. He met Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict.
Other highlights of the Diocesan pilgrimage included Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark at various Basilicas, a day trip to Assisi, and tours of sites such as the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. |
 Bishop's Appointments
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak has appointed Father Matthew Reese as the new Director of Vocations for the Diocese. Father Reese, who is currently the Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Johnstown, will reside at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto. He succeeds Father Allen Zeth, who has been appointed Administrator of Saint Patrick Parish in Newry. The Bishop has also appointed Father John Slovikovski as the new Director of the Office of Ongoing Formation for the clergy, succeeding Monsignor Timothy Swope. Father Slovikovski will continue residing at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. The appointments are among several announced by the Bishop this month. The changes become effective on July 31. For the complete list of appointments, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. |
 Faith Day
The annual Diocesan Faith Day was held on June 30 at DelGrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton. The highlight of the day was Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark L. Bartchak on the park stage. About 900 individuals took advantage of discounted Ride and Slide passes, and DelGrosso's generously donated portion of the sales back to the Diocese to benefit the Angel Fund, which assists families who want to send their children to Diocesan summer camps. Various picnics were also held in the pavilions, either on a Diocesan or parish levels. Christian singer/songwriter Shawn Smith closed out Faith Day with a concert on the park stage. For a slideshow from Faith Day 2013, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. |
 Masses for Couples
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will once again celebrate an outdoor Mass for married couples on July 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Loretto. All are welcome. The Bishop will also celebrate the annual Masses for couples marking milestone anniversaries this year -- first, 25th, 40th, 50th, 55th, and 60th+. The Masses will be held at the following locations:
Sunday, August 18 - Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Bellefonte
Sunday, September 8 - Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
Sunday, September 15 - Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown
All Masses begin at 2:00 p.m. A light reception will follow. Couples must make reservations through their home parish. The deadline to register for the Bellefonte Mass is July 29; the deadline to register for the Altoona and Johnstown Masses is August 19. For more information, please contact the Family Life Office at (814) 886-5551. [Photo: Bishop Mark delivers his homily at last year's outdoor Mass for married couples at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Loretto.]
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 Summer Outdoor Masses
An Outdoor Mass is celebrated at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies, 357 St. Mary Street, Loretto, every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. until Labor Day weekend, September 1. Please bring your own lawn chair. In the case of inclement weather, the outdoor Mass is moved indoors at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. |
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Prayer for Vocations
Lord, of the harvest, your Word finds a home in our hearts, calls us into community and invites us to generous service of the human family. Bless with courage and spirit your priestly people, called to full participation in the one Body of Christ. May many choose to respond in public service to your call offered in Jesus' name. Amen.
--Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin (1928-1996) |
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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