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| An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
April 2014 | Volume VI Number 4 |
 Blessed Triduum and EasterWelcome to the April edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Our Lenten journey is coming to a close and soon we will observe the three most solemn days on the Liturgical calendar -- the Triduum. May we walk with Jesus to His Crucifixion and be renewed by His glorious resurrection at Easter. We welcome those who will be fully initiated into the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil, and we extend prayerful best wishes to the young men and women who will receive the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation during the Easter season. Happy Easter! |
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 Coming up in the April 21, 2014, edition of The Catholic Register - Reporter Bruce Tomaselli tells the story of the Very Rev. John Byrnes' connection to the soon-to-be-canonized Blessed John Paul II. Father Byrnes is the Pastor of Saint Aloysius Parish in Cresson and Judicial Vicar for the Diocese.
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Bishop Mark Bartchak's upcoming Guests on Keeping the Faith, a weekly segment on Proclaim!:
- April 20 -- On this Easter Sunday, Kevin and Jen Sheridan, members of Saint Clement Parish in Johnstown, share the incredible story of life involving their young son, Owen.
- April 27 -- Very Rev. John Byrnes, Pastor of Saint Aloysius Parish in Cresson and Judicial Vicar for the Diocese, shares his special connection to Blessed John Paul II on this day of Canonization.
- May 4 -- Father Boniface Hicks, OSB, of We Are One Body Radio (WAOB) talks about his ministry and its reach in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
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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 Bishop's Easter MessageIn his Easter 2014 message to the faithful, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak talks about a mix of the emotions of fear and joy. The following is an excerpt:
In the story of the Resurrection of Christ as told in Matthew's Gospel (Mt 28:1-10) it says that after the angel informed the faithful women who came to the tomb that Jesus had been raised from the dead, "they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples."
Some might think that's a curious combination of emotions: "fearful yet overjoyed." Yet, how many times have you and I had that feeling of confidence mixed with fear? How many times have we had a sense of security that comes from learning the truth, but we were not completely free of doubt?
In his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel (Nov. 24, 2013), Pope Francis acknowledges that these experiences and mixed feelings are very real and human. And Pope Francis observes that these experiences and feelings may result in attitudes of pessimism, fatalism, and mistrust: things look bad; it's not going to get better; there's no one to count on for help; so it's better to just stay home and do nothing.
That's where the story of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus is an important message for our world today. The faithful women (Matthew's Gospel identifies them as Mary Magdalene and the other Mary) were told to go and tell the disciples that Jesus had been raised from the dead. I don't know about you, but I am glad that they were not trapped by their mixed feelings! They ran to tell others the Good News of the Resurrection.
The Bishop's entire Easter message will be published in the April 21 edition of The Catholic Register. You can also read the message on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. |
 Pontifical Schedule for Triduum/Easter The following is the Pontifical Schedule for Triduum and Easter, with Bishop Mark L. Bartchak as celebrant/presider.
Holy Thursday - 6:00 p.m. - Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper - Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown
Good Friday - Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m.; Celebration of the Lord's Passion at Noon; Tenebrae Service at 7:30 p.m. - Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
Holy Saturday - Office of Readings at 9:00 a.m.; the Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m. - Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
Easter Sunday - 11:00 a.m. - Mass of Our Lord's Resurrection - Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown (Broadcast live on WWCP TV FOX 8; 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
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 Chrism Mass
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak celebrated the Chrism Mass on April 14 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. The Bishop blessed the oils that will be used at parishes throughout the Diocese over the coming year. Priests of the Diocese also renewed their commitment to Priestly Service. "Today, within this Chrism Mass, you and I have the opportunity to give to the people what the Lord Jesus has given to us: the commitment, the promise of the fulfillment of God's Kingdom as enumerated by the Prophet Isaiah," the Bishop told his priests in his homily. "It's a very good thing that you and I make the renewal of commitment of our priestly service in front of the people we are to serve. And today from the celebration of this Chrism Mass, you and I will send the people home with the oils that are to be blessed; oils that symbolize in their use, the fulfillment of the promises of favor and blessing and salvation and hope that come from Christ Jesus." You can read the Bishop's entire homily on our Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. |
 Assistant Director of Education to Leave Position
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak has announced that Sister Mark Plescher, C.S.A., Assistant Director of Education for the Diocese, is leaving the position effective June 30, 2014. Sister Mark has held the position since 1988. Throughout those 26 years, she was responsible for overseeing elementary education for all Diocesan schools, including curriculum, personnel, and government accountability. Prior to her appointment as Assistant Director of Education, Sister Mark served as Principal of the former Saint Mary School in Altoona for nine years. "Sister Mark has dedicated much of her life to the Catholic schools of our Diocese," said Bishop Mark. "Thanks to her tireless efforts, countless children received a complete education that combined faith, service, and academic excellence. I am especially grateful to her, and I wish her many blessings." |
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 Diaconate Ordination
The Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese, will ordain Mr. Michael Anna to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate on May 3 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Mr. Anna is a member of Saint Bernard Parish in Hastings and is employed as a Cardiac Catherization Lab Technician at Conemaugh Hospital in Johnstown. |
 Gallitzin Cross Nominations
Nominations are being accepted for the Prince Gallitzin Cross. The award is presented annually to individuals who exhibit the "evangelizing spirit" of the Prince-Priest and Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin. The deadline for nominations is April 21. For more information, award criteria, and a nomination form, visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will present the Gallitzin Cross to this year's honorees at a banquet on June 14.
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 Bishop's Night for Vocations
The annual Bishop's Night for Vocations will be held on May 7 at Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall in Loretto. Sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Vocations and the Serra Clubs of Cambria County and Altoona, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will serve as host. The Bishop will recognize the youth winners of the poster, poetry, and essay contests. The Very Rev. Mark Begly (pictured right), Pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Johnstown, will be the guest speaker. Tickets for the dinner are $30. You can send a check to Joyce Dailey, 500 Diamond Boulevard, Johnstown, PA 15905. Make checks payable to the Serra Club of Cambria County. The deadline for reservations is April 25. |
 Matthew Kelly to Visit Diocese
The Evangelization Ministry of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear dynamic Catholic speaker and author Matthew Kelly on September 27 at Saint Francis University. Kelly has an inspiring way of challenging us to be the best version of ourselves. Purchase a ticket as a gift for your child, grandchild, Confirmation candidate or others close to you. Adult tickets are $39 each. Student tickets are $15 each. Please order your tickets early. Matthew Kelly's events have been known to sell out quickly. We will process tickets in order of postmark date. To order tickets, visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. For more information, please contact Sister Linda LaMagna, CCW, at (814) 674-3712 or [email protected]. |
 Annual Catholic Appeal
The Annual Catholic Appeal is one way through which we can participate in the mission of Jesus Christ. Your contribution supports the teaching of the faith - especially of the elect who will join us in Full Communion at the Easter Vigil. To support the mission of Jesus Christ as carried out by the Diocese's Christian Initiation ministries and many others, please place your ACA gift in the offertory or give online through the Donate/Register button at www.dioceseaj.org. Thank you.
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 Regina CoeliO 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.
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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 [email protected] |
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