evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
August 2013
Volume V  Number  8
diocese signWelcome!
Welcome to the August edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Summer is quickly coming to a close, and youth throughout the Diocese will soon be returning to the classroom. We wish all students, their families, faculty, and administration a blessed 2013-2014 academic year. As fall approaches, the Diocese is preparing for many events. Among them will be a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. We encourage the faithful to consider joining us for this Year of Faith celebration. Also, the Diocese is sponsoring a special Reconciliation initiative next month. "The Light Is On For You" will give Catholics in Altoona-Johnstown a unique opportunity to receive God's forgiveness -- especially those who may have been away from the Sacrament for a while. You can read more about these events and other happenings in this edition of E-vangelist.

 

Ministry Quicklinks

  
  
the catholic register
  
Coming up in the August 26, 2013, edition of The Catholic Register
 
  • Reporter Bruce Tomaselli concludes his special coverage of the recent Diocesan pilgrimage to Rome.
     
  • The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona is receiving a special honor by a local arts group.

 
proclaim!

 

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

  • August 25  --  Secretary for Communications Tony DeGol interviews Bishop Mark about the upcoming Diocesan pilgrimage to Washinton, D.C.
     
  • September 1 -- Bishop-Emeritus Joseph Adamec discusses the mystery novel he recently published and how it will benefit Catholic Charities.
     
  • September 8 -- Cindy Drenning of Saint Francis University previews an upcoming conference regarding changes in the healthcare system and the role of faith communities.   

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.
 

Year of FaithPilgrimage to Washington, D.C.

In celebration of the Year of Faith, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will lead a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on September 14, 2013. The Bishop will celebrate Mass at 3:00 p.m. Pilgrims are expected to arrive at the Shrine at about 11:00 a.m. The Bishop will greet the pilgrims and lead them in mid-day prayer. Before Mass, there will be time for lunch and tours of the Basilica. Also prior to Mass, Bishop Mark and other priests will hear Confessions. All who participate in the pilgrimage will be eligible for a Plenary Indulgence during this Year of Faith. If you are interested in joining in the piligrimage, you should register through your parish. If your parish is not sponsoring a bus, please check with neighboring parishes. For more information about the pilgrimage and the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.

ConfessionThe Light Is On For You
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will sponsor "The Light Is On For You" September 21-23, 2013. During those three days, God's mercy and forgiveness will be offered through the Sacrament of Reconciliation at special times in parishes throughout the Diocese. More information, including Reconciliation resources and a list of parish Confession times during those three days is available on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org and will be published in the September 9 edition of The Catholic Register.
  
College Mass 2013Mass for College Students
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak celebrated a Mass for students entering or returning to college on August 11 at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Loretto. The Bishop offered a special blessing to the students and presented them each with a single-decade Rosary. "You should learn as much as you can in your college studies, but don't forget to keep in mind that the things that you hope for are made known to us through the Gospel of Jesus Christ," Bishop Mark said in his homily. He reminded students to take care of themselves physically and spiritually. The Bishop's complete homily is available on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org, along with a slideshow from the Mass. [Photo: (left to right) twin brothers Phillip Glover and Andrew Glover, and sisters Marissa Stayer and Brooke Stayer were among hundreds of college students on hand at the outdoor Mass on August 11. The Glovers are entering their sophomore year at LaRoche College; Marissa Stayer is entering her senior year at Slippery Rock College; and Brooke Stayer is beginning graduate school at Columbia University.]
Mass for Married Couples 2013 Mass for Married Couples
The annual outdoor Mass for married couples was held on July 28 at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Loretto. Hundreds of couples attended the Liturgy on a beautiful summer evening. During the Mass, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak invited couples to renew their wedding vows. "Please know that now, more than ever in the circumstances of our time and culture, your witness of the true meaning and grace and beauty of marriage is needed so that others can know and experience the same truth that motivates you," the Bishop said in his homily. To view a slideshow from the Mass, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. [Photo: Bill and Eileen Bogel, members of Saint Michael Parish in Hollidaysburg, were among the couples attending the outdoor Mass on July 28.] 
Flight of the BeetleMystery Novel to Benefit Catholic Charities
Bishop-Emeritus Joseph V. Adamec has authored a mystery novel titled "Flight of the Beetle." It is based on one of the nine dinner mysteries he wrote and produced over the years. The book has 295 pages with a hard cover and is suitable reading for all ages. The plot revolves around a missing brooch, an heirloom of the Tahftnut family. Suspicions and accusations abound, until young Joey Cervik solves the mystery with a surprise ending. The Bishop is generously donating all proceeds from the sale of the books to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Each book is $24.75 plus $3.00 for postage. To order a copy, please contact the Altoona office of Catholic Charities at (814) 944-9388.
Our Lady of the Alleghenies ShrinePrayers for Vocations
A pre-dawn candlelight Rosary for vocations will be prayed on Saturday, September 7, at 5:30 a.m., at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto. Please bring your own lawn chair.  In case of rain, the Rosary will be prayed in the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. After the Rosary, free refreshments will be offered, and a free drawing will be held.  Mass will be celebrated at 8:00 a.m. in the Basilica.
 
An hour of Prayer for Priestly Vocations is offered at the Prince Gallitzin Chapel House, 357 St. Mary St. in Loretto, every Thursday, except on Holydays and Holyday Vigils, beginning with Mass at 6:00 p.m. and ending with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:00 p.m.  For more information, please call the Diocesan Vocation Office at (814) 472-5441.
Diocesan Coat of ArmsNews and Notes
  
MASS FOR YOUNG ADULTS -- Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate a Mass for Young Adults on August 25 at 5:00 p.m. at Saint Patrick Parish in Johnstown. All men and women ages 18-39 are invited. During this Year of Faith, Bishop Mark is hosting a several events to reach out to young adults. This Mass is the second in a series of such Liturgies. Following Mass, a light social will be held to give the young adults a chance to greet the Bishop and ask him questions.
  
CATHOLIC LIFE CONFERENCE -- The annual Catholic Life Conference Day of Prayer will be held on October 12 at Saint Francis University in Loretto. The theme is "Witnessing Jesus Christ Today and Tomorrow: Reflections on Pope Francis." For more information and a registration brochure, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.
  
MARRIAGE CARE is a new, free, Diocesan couple-to-couple ministry for couples (or individual spouses) in stressed marriages who don't know where to turn or what to do. Find hope, help, and healing as a MARRIAGE CARE couple walks with you, offering confidential guidance and faith-filled support through prayer (if you wish), discernment, resources and referrals you can trust. It is not counseling. (Professional counseling is available through Catholic Charities on a sliding-scale fee basis.) Contact MarriageCare@dioceseaj.org or call (814) 886-5551.

 

 

Prayer to Saint Michael

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in batttle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. 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