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| An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
February 2014
| Volume VI Number 2 |
 Welcome
Welcome to the February edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. As the harsh winter continues, we look forward to better weather and the arrival of Lent, a season which gives us an opportunity to repent and draw closer to the Lord. Meanwhile, Diocesan offices are busy offering numerous programs and preparing for upcoming events. You can read more about them in this edition of E-vangelist.
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 Coming up in the February 24, 2014, edition of The Catholic Register - Reporter Bruce Tomaselli reports on the changes to the Diocese's Proclaim! TV Ministry.
- In his "Another Perspective" column, Monsignor Tim Stein invites you to "ask about L'Arche."
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Bishop Mark Bartchak's upcoming Guests on Keeping the Faith, a weekly segment on Proclaim!:
- February 23 -- Marjorie Plosky of Catholic Charities talks about the various services of the agency.
- March 2 -- Deacon Michael Russo of Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown previews a Lenten mission at the parish open to anyone in the Diocese.
Proclaim! airs every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on WWCP TV FOX 8 and is rebroadcast on the Altoona Public Access Channel (Channel 14 on Atlantic Broadband) at 9:30 p.m. 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.
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 Catholic School Collaboration
The pastors of Altoona Central Catholic School and Saint Rose of Lima School have announced a collaboration to better serve students and their families in the Altoona area. Altoona Central Catholic School currently operates two separate campuses. The elementary grades (pre-k through 4) are housed at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, 424 Wopsononock Avenue, Altoona; the middle school grades (5-8) are located at Saint Mary Parish, 1400 4th Avenue, Altoona. The aging school building at the Saint Mary site will soon be unable to serve the needs of ACCS students. As a result, the Saint Mary campus of ACCS will close at the end of this 2013-2014 academic year. The Saint Therese campus of ACCS will remain in operation.
In the spirit of Bishop Mark Bartchak's goal to keep Catholic education available, accessible, and affordable in the Diocese for years to come, the pastors of ACCS and Saint Rose of Lima School have developed a plan to meet the needs of families affected by this change. Effective with the 2014-2015 academic year, ACCS students entering grade 5 will be able to remain at the Saint Therese campus of ACCS. Students entering grades 6-8 will have the opportunity to attend class at Saint Rose of Lima School, 5519 Sixth Avenue. In order to accommodate the added number of students at Saint Rose of Lima School and the Saint Therese site of ACCS, portable classrooms will likely be utilized at both locations next year. Faculty will also be added at both locations to meet the needs of the increased enrollment. The pastors of both schools have also agreed on a uniform schedule of tuition that will accommodate families with children in both schools simultaneously.
"Our students deserve the most modern learning environment possible, and I know that the Saint Therese campus of ACCS and Saint Rose of Lima School will provide that," said Bishop Bartchak. "I am grateful to both pastors for their vision and leadership in finding a solution that ensures my commitment to available, accessible, and affordable Catholic education for families in Altoona-Johnstown."
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 Eucharistic Adoration for TeensBishop Mark Bartchak will preside at two Praise and Worship Eucharistic Adoration gatherings during the upcoming Lenten season. Sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, the first one will be held on March 15 at Saint Michael Parish in St. Michael; the second will be held on March 25 at at Our Lady of Victory Parish in State College. All high school students from around the Diocese are invited. For more information or to register, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.
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| Junior High Youth Day
The annual Junior High Youth Day will be held on March 23 at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg. Sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, the event is open to students in grades 6-8. The day will include keynote addresses by Bob Perron, the so-called "STOOGE 4 CHRIST," and Mass with Bishop Mark Bartchak. For more information or to register, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.
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Family Life Office Programs
The Family Life Office has announced new prorgrams. A special series for those who have experienced the heartbreak of divorce is scheduled to begin next month. It is a weekly workshop on discovering a renewed passion and purpose for life after the loss of a spouse through divorce. The 12 week series begins on March 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Family Life Office in Lilly. The cost is $24 (includes Personal Survival Guide). If you are interested in being a part of the series, you must register with the Family Life Office by February 26 at (814) 886-5551.
Meanwhile, a special opportunity for all men and women who have experienced the passing of a spouse. The Family Life Office will sponsor monthly teas on the second Wednesday of every month beginning on March 12 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Family Life Office in Lilly. The teas will include prayer and fellowship for widows and widowers. Reservations are required one week before each tea. Register by calling the office at (814) 886-5551 or e-mail at familylife@dioceseaj.org. |
AACC Event
An Altoona-based ecumenical group is getting ready for a special event. The Altoona Area Christian Coalition will sponsor "Voice of the Voiceless: Understanding and Caring for a Loved One who is Addicted." It will be held on March 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Second Avenue United Methodist Church in Altoona. All are invited. The Altoona Area Christian Coalition is an ecumenical group made up of several Christian faith traditions, including Roman Catholic. The coalition sponsors three annual events each year. Their goal is to work toward a community that is welcoming and hospitable, kind and compassionate while being advocates for justice and mercy for everyone. |
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 Prayers for Vocations
All are invited to the Prince Gallitzin Chapel House in Loretto every Thursday night for an hour of prayers for vocations. Father Matthew Reese, the Diocesan Director of Vocations, celebrates Mass at 6:00 p.m. followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 7:00 p.m. The Prince Gallitzin Chapel House is located at 357 St. Mary Street, next to the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine. |
 Diocese to Host Matthew Kelly
Internationally-acclaimed speaker and author Matthew Kelly is coming to the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown on September 27, 2014. Sponsored by the Parish Life Office of the Diocese, the event will be held at Saint Francis University in Loretto. The theme for the one-day retreat will be "Living your Catholic Faith Every Day with Purpose and Passion." For more information, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. |
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 Prayer for LentO God, bless us during this season of spiritual renewal. Fill our minds and hearts with love, that we may be a sign of Jesus to all those living in our midst.
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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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