evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
August 2014
Volume VI  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. Ready or not, summer is winding down, and it is back to school time. The 20 Catholic elementary schools and four Catholic high schools in the Diocese will be back in session soon. It is an exciting and busy time for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff. On behalf of Bishop Mark L. Bartchak, we extend best wishes to all for a blessed and wonderful academic year. Our Diocesan seminarians are also beginning a new academic year. As always, we ask that you keep them in your prayers. You can read about them in this edition of E-vangelist, as well as other happenings in our Diocesan Church.

 

Ministry Quicklinks

  
  
the catholic register
  
Coming up in the August 25, 2014, edition of The Catholic Register
 
  • Bruce Tomaselli reports on welcome news in the Cause for Canonization for the Prince-Priest and Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin.
     
  • In his column, "Another Perspective," Monsignor Timothy Stein discusses the seriousness of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 


 
proclaim!

 

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

 

  • August 24 --  New Assistant Director of Education Jo-Ann Semko shares her vision and goals for the position  
  • August 31 -- Bishop-Emeritus Joseph V. Adamec and Bishop Gregory Pile, the retiring Bishop of the Allegheny Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, discuss their friendship and ecumenical working relationship
     
  • September 7 -- Jonathan Nagy, newly-appointed Music Director at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto and Dean of Students/teacher at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, talks about his ministry in the Church

    

 

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.
 
 
Mass for College Students 

Bishop Mark L. Bartchak celebrated an outdoor Mass for students entering or returning to college and their families on August 10 at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto. The Bishop offered a special blessing to the students and presented them with a gift of Holy Water. During his homily, Bishop Mark reminded the students to remember who they are as Catholic young adults. He urged them to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. You can read more about the Mass in the August 25 edition of The Catholic Register. [Photo: Bishop Mark hands Holy Water to a student at the conclusion of the Mass for College students in Loretto celebrated earlier this month].

       
 
Seminarians Begin New Acdemic Year
The Diocesan seminarians are getting ready for a new academic year. Four seminarians make up the class of 2014-2015. Peter Crowe is a member of Our Lady of Victory Parish in State College. He is entering his second year of theology studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe. Jonathan Dickson is also entering second theology. He is studying at Saint Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore. Jonathan is a member of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Altoona. Michael Pleva, a member of Holy Rosary Parish in Altoona, is entering his second year of college at Saint Mark Seminary College and Pre-Theology Formation in Erie. Our newest seminarian is Austin Keith. He is entering his first year of pre-theology stuides at Saint Vincent Seminary. Austin is a member of Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown. The Diocesan Vocations Office sponsored a Day of Prayer for the seminarians on August 13. It was a chance for them to gather before leaving for the new academic year. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak was on hand, along with the Vocations Director, Father Matthew Reese. Father Jude Brady, OSB, Pastor of Saint Benedict Parish in Carrolltown, offered reflections for the seminarians. [Photos (left to right): Peter Crowe, Jonathan Dickson, Austin Keith, and Michael Pleva].

Our Lady of the Alleghenies ShrineRosary for Vocations
A pre-dawn Rosary for vocations will be prayed on September 6, at 6:00 a.m., at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto. Please bring your own lawn chair. In the event of rain, the Rosary will be prayed inside the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. All are invited to join in this prayer for more men and women to answer the call to a vocation in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

CCW Discernment Weekend

Women considering a vocation to religious life are invited to a special weekend gathering. The Carmelite Community of the Word will sponsor a religious vocation discernment weekend September 5 and 6 at the community's Incarnation Center in Gallitzin The Carmelite Sisters, pictured right, are a Diocesan order serving in various ways, including parish ministry, hospital ministry, education, evangelization, and more. The weekend will include presentations by the sisters, as well as morning and evening prayer, a holy hour, and more. For more information or to register, call Sister Margie McGuire at (814) 472-9457 or email her at margiemc12@gmail.com. You can visit the sisters' website at www.ccwsisters.org.

 

Wedding Anniv Mass Sept 18, 2011Wedding Anniversary Masses

Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate two Masses for 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 the Masses. Couples must register through their parish before August 26. [Photo: Bishop Mark greets Gene and Viola Bettwy, members of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona, at a previous Wedding Anniversary Liturgy.]

The Light is On For YouThe Light is On
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak and the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will once again sponsor "The Light is On" September 22-24, 2014. During those three days, parishes throughout the Diocese will offer special times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All are welcome to celebrate the Sacrament, especially those who have been away from Confession for a while. Parish Penance schedules and Reconciliation resources will soon be available on the Diocesan website.
Matthew Kelly Tickets Going Fast

More than 1,100 tickets have been purchased for an upcoming retreat by internationally-recognized speaker and author Matthew Kelly. The event will be held on September 27 at Saint Francis University in Loretto. The theme will be "Living Everyday with Passion and Purpose." Adult tickets are $39 each.  Student tickets are $15 each. 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 llamagna@dioceseaj.org.

Diocesan Coat of Arms Annual Catholic Appeal
In the span of four months, the Diocese has refunded $189,000 to 20 parishes that have exceeded their parish goals.  Many parishes use their 'over goal' funds to address necessary repairs such as repairing windows, applying fresh paint to doors, paving parking lots, and even entire renovations.  A parish-by-parish progress report is posted weekly on the "Diocesan Mailing" web page at www.dioceseaj.org. In addition to providing parish support, your ACA gift also helps the Church celebrate marriage, minister to college youth, and coordinate Catholic education. Please place your Annual Catholic Appeal gift in the offertory or donate online at the website mentioned above. Thank you.  
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
tdegol@dioceseaj.org