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].

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 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.]