evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
July 2014
Volume VI  Number  7
diocese signWelcome
Welcome to the July edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Summer is in full swing, and our Diocese is alive with many activities. Bishop Mark continues his recovery from shoulder surgery, and he appreciates the many prayers and good wishesfrom the faithful. His recovery has not prevented him from engaging in his usual activities. Just recently, he attended a Day of Discernment for young men considering a vocation to the Priesthood. He is also looking forward to his upcoming visits to Camp Zacchaeus. Enjoy these summer days, and join us in thanking and praising God for our many blessings!

 

Ministry Quicklinks

  
  
the catholic register
  
Coming up in the June 30, 2014, edition of The Catholic Register
 
  • Reporter Bruce Tomaselli introduces us to the Diocese's new Assistant Director of Education, Jo-Ann Semko.

 


 
proclaim!

 

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

 

  • July 20 --  Bishop-Elect Michael Rhyne of the Allegheny Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  
  • July 27 -- Tim and Kathy Balconi, new members of Saint Michael Parish in Hollidaysburg

    

 

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.
 
 
Wedding Anniversary Mass 2013Celebrating Marriage 

The Family Life Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is preparing for a series of events that celebrate marriage. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate the annual outdoor Mass honoring married couples on July 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Loretto. Bring a lawn chair. All married couples are invited to attend, and everyone is invited to show encouragement and support for married couples in the Diocese. The Bishop will also celebrate two Masses in September honoring married couples who are marking milestone anniversaries -- first, 25th, 40th, 50th, 55th, and 60th+ -- this year. The Altoona Mass will be celebrated on September 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament; the Johnstown Mass will be celebrated on September 21 at 2:00 p.m. at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral. A reception will follow both Masses. Couples must register through their parish before August 26.  [Photo: Bishop Mark greets Bill and Judy Hiergeist from Saint Matthew Parish in Tyrone at last year's Wedding Anniversary Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.]

Day of Discernment

The Diocesan Office of Vocations sponsored a Day of Discernment for young men considering a vocation to the Priesthood. It was held on July 13 at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak and Vocations DIrector Father Matthew Reese were on hand along with two of the three Diocesan seminarians. The day began with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a reflection from Bishop Mark. "I am pretty sure that most of you will be reassured to know that there are others like you who are trying to understand what God wants you to do with your life," the Bishop said. "It can be a scary thing if you have to figure that out alone, but you are not alone." Seminarian Jonathan Dickson also shared his personal vocation story with the group. The day concluded with Bishop Mark celebrating Mass at the Basilica. Any young man interested in learning more about a vocation to the Priesthood is invited to contact Father Reese at (814) 472-5441 or [email protected]. [Photo: Bishop Mark celebrates Mass at the conclusion of the Day of Discernment.]

  

Faith Day
The annual Diocesan Faith Day was held on June 29 at DelGrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton. Bishop-Emeritus Joseph V. Adamec celebrated Mass on the park stage with Bishop Mark L. Bartchak as homilist. Hundreds attended the Mass; a picnic supper followed. Various parish faith communities also sponsored their own individual parish picnic. [Bishop Joseph celebrates Mass at Faith Day; Bishop Mark concelebrates.]
Camp Timothy
Camp Timothy -- the summer camp for teens entering grades 10, 11, and 12 and those who just graduated from high school -- was held the week of June 22 at Camp Sequanota in Somerset County. The camp is a mix of faith and outdoor adventures. Among the spiritual highlights were daily Mass, large group evangelization, evening devotions, Eucharistic Adoration, and guided meditations. The adventures included hiking, swimming, fishing, caving, and challenge courses. This year's theme was "This I ask of you and only this: to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God." More than two dozen students participated. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak visited the camp on June 25. He celebrated Mass, ate lunch with the campers, and fielded questions.  [Photo: Bishop Mark joins campers, counselors, and adult staff during his visit to Camp Timothy.]  

College Mass 2011Mass for College Students

Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate the annual outdoor Mass for students entering or returning to college on August 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto. All college students and their families are welcome. The Bishop will offer a special blessing to the students as they prepare for the new academic year. A reception will follow. [Photo: Bishop Mark blesses college students at a past Mass.]

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].

Prayer for Vocations

Lord Jesus, I know that you love me and that you call me to follow you. Help me to listen to your call in all the ways you speak to me: through prayer and the Scriptures; through the Church; through the people who know me and love me; through the circumstances of my life; through my own hopes and desires. Guide me to search openly and carefully and to learn about life's choices, so that I may respond generously to your call and to know and embrace the vocation that will enable me to love wholeheartedly, and serve others with the gifts you have given to me. Help me to know and do your will. Thank you for your love for me and for all that the future holds for me. Lord Jesus, I put my trust in you. 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]