evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
May 2014
Volume VI  Number  5
LilyChrist is Risen. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Welcome to the May edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. As we continue to celebrate this glorious Easter season, it is certainly a time of new life in our Church. We offer congratulations to all of the students receiving the gift of the Spirit in Confirmation and to the youngsters who have received the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time in the celebration of First Holy Communion. Graduation season is upon us. We extend best wishes to the Class of  2014. This is also the season when we recognize the selfless acts of others through the Prince Gallitzin Cross Award and humanitarian awards given by Catholic Charities. Indeed, this is a time of renewal. May the risen Christ be present on your journey!

 

Ministry Quicklinks

  
  
the catholic register
  
Coming up in the June 2, 2014, edition of The Catholic Register
 
  • Reporter Bruce Tomaselli has more from the annual Bishop's Night for Vocations held recently in Loretto.

 


 
proclaim!

 

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

 

  • May  25 -- Hayley Kelleher, a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Altoona, discuses how she is sharing her musical talents on a global scale. 
     
  • June 1 -- Sisters Ryszarda and Mary Joseph, SSCJ, share their unique bond to Saint John Paul II.
     
  • June 8 -- Newly ordained Deacon Michael Anna joins Bishop Mark to discuss his new ministry.
     
  • June 15 -- On this Father's Day, Saint Aloysius Parishioner Jim Bossler and two of his children talk about their special relationship.

 

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.

  

     
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.
 
 
Prince Gallitzin CrossEleven to Receive Gallitzin Cross

Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will present the 2014 Prince Gallitzin Cross to eleven individuals from throughout the Diocese. The award recognizes men and women who exhibit the "evangelizing spirit" of the Prince-Priest and Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin. The recipients are:

  • Callista Baer - Saint Mary Parish, Orbisonia
  • Dick and Marie Boland - Saint Monica Parish, Chest Springs
  • Barbara Ferazzi - Saint Francis Xavier Parish, Cresson
  • Michael and Debra Kelleher - Sacred Heart Parish, Altoona
  • Angela Lavelle - Saint Joseph Parish, Renovo
  • David Madden - Saint Mary Parish, Hollidaysburg
  • Margaret Moschella - Saint Mark Parish, Altoona
  • Mary Clare Piatak - Bishop McCort Catholic High School, Johnstown
  • Leo "Butch" Winkler - Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona

Bishop Mark will honor the recipients at a banquet on June 14 at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. For tickets, please call the Diocesan Administration Center at (814) 695-5579.  

 

Bishop's Night for Vocations 

The annual Bishop's Night for Vocations was held on May 7 at Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall in Loretto. Sponsored by the Diocesan Vocations Office and the Serra Clubs of Cambria County and Altoona, the event featured a keynote speech by the Very Rev. Mark Begly, Pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Johnstown and Dean of the Johnstown Deanery. Bishop Mark L Bartchak served as host. He recognized the student winners of the poster, poetry, and essay contests. The Knights of Columbus also presented a check for $10,000 for the Diocesan Seminary Endowment Fund. [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with some of the student winners at the Bishop's Night for Vocations.]

New Deacon Ordained
Bishop-Emeritus Joseph V. Adamec ordained Michael Anna to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate during a Mass on May 3 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Deacon Anna is a member of Saint Bernard Parish in Hastings and is now in Diaconal Service to that faith community.  [Photo: (left to right): Deacon Gene Neral, Director of the Permanent Diaconate; Deacon Anna; Bishop Joseph; and Deacon Michael Russo, Associate Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate.]        
Our Lady of the Alleghenies ShrineOutdoor Masses to Resume
Outdoor Masses will be celebrated again this summer at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto. The Masses are at 7:00 p.m. every Sunday beginning with Memorial Day weekend and ending on Labor Day weekend. Please bring your own lawn chair. In the event of inclement weather, the Mass will be celebrated inside the Baslica of Saint Michael the Archangel. The weekly outdoor Masses are sponsored by the Diocesan Vocations Office, and the intention is offered for an increase of priests in our Diocesan Church.

Catholic Charities Logo Catholic Charities Recognition Dinner

Catholic Charities will hold its annual recognition dinner on June 4 at the Blairmont Club in Hollidaysburg. The agency will honor six individuals with its Monsignor William M. Griffin Humanitarian Award: 

  • Dr. Rodolfo Furigay - St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Windber
  • Francis & Charleen Thompson - Holy Rosary Parish, Altoona
  • Rev. Msgr. Robert Saly - Pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Duncansville
  • Ronald & Mary Ann Weakland - Our Lady of Victory Parish, State College

Catholic Charities will also recognize six young people with its Matthew 25 Youth Humanitarian Award: 

  • Paul Enderle - Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Bedford
  • Thomas Feather - Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Windber
  • Rachel Kwisnek - Saint Nicholas Parish, Nicktown
  • Matthew Poorman - Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Loretto 
  • Teresa Smith - Most Holy Trinity Parish, Huntingdon
  • Aubrey Vena - Resurrection Parish, Johnstown

For more information about the dinner/tickets, please contact Catholic Charities at (814) 944-9388.

 

 Fortnight for Freedom   

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will once again sponsor a Fortnight for Freedom from June 21 to July 4. The theme for this year's Fortnight will focus on the freedom to serve the poor and vulnerable in accord with human dignity and the Church's teaching. In observance of the Fortnight for Freedom, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will preside at a Holy Hour on June 24 at 7:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. The Holy Hour will include Evening Prayer, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and a homily from the Bishop. All are invited to join Bishop Bartchak and others in prayer for the preservation of our religious liberty. For more information about Fortnight for Freedom 2014, please visit the special Fortnight section on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.

Prayers for Vocations 
An hour of prayers for vocations is held every Thursday evening at the Prince Gallitzin Chapel House, 357 St. Mary Street, Loretto. The Diocesan Director of Vocations, Father Matthew Reese (pictured right), celebrates Mass at 6:00 p.m. followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 7:00 p.m. All are invited.  
  
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].

Diocesan Coat of Arms Annual Catholic Appeal

Fifteen parishes have already exceeded their Annual Catholic Appeal goals based on amounts pledged by parishioners. The parishes include the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament;  Holy Rosary, Altoona; Immaculate Conception, New Germany; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Altoona; Our Lady of Victory, State College; St. Aloysius, Cresson; St. Catherine, Mount Union; St. Kateri, Spring Mills; St. John, Everett; St. Joseph, Bellwood; St. Michael, Hollidaysburg; St. Rose, Altoona; St. Peter, Somerset; St. Therese, Altoona and St. Thomas, Bedford.  A parish-by-parish summary report is posted weekly on the "Diocesan Mailing" web page at www.dioceseaj.org. Your contribution permits the Church to journey with God's people in all walks of life - especially our youth who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.  To support your parish and diocesan ministries, please place your Annual Catholic Appeal gift in the offertory or make your gift online at the website mentioned above. Thank you.

Demetrius Gallitzin  Chapel House Tours
Individuals or groups are invited to tour the Prince Gallitzin Chapel House in Loretto, home of the Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin. Tours will be offered by appointment only on the Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You may schedule an appointment by calling (814) 472-5441 or (814) 472-6279.
LilyRegina Coeli

O 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.  

 

 

 

 

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]