evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
September 2014
Volume VI  Number 9
diocese signWelcome
Welcome to the September edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Autumn is almost here and the change of seasons brings the usual busy events of September in our Diocesan Church. Just within the past week or two, Bishop Mark has celebrated several special Masses and hosted great events. We are also preparing for very special opportunities including our "Light is On" Reconciliation initiative and a retreat by internationally-recognized speaker and author Matthew Kelly. Read more about all of this in this edition of E-vangelist. May God bless you during these upcoming fall days and always.  

 

Ministry Quicklinks

  
  
the catholic register
  
Coming up in the September 22, 2014, edition of The Catholic Register
 
  • Bishop Mark authors a column highlighting some of the good news about Catholic schools in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
     
  • Reporter Bruce Tomaselli previews Bishop Mark's upcoming Mass honoring the Knights of Columbus in the Diocese.

 


 
proclaim!

 

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

 

  • September  21 --  Larry Harker, a member of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona, talks about the various ministries in which he is involved.  
  • September  28 -- Monsignor John Sasway, Pastor of Our Lady of the Alleghenies Parish in Lilly, reflects on his 50+ years in the Priesthood. 
     
  • October  5 -- In celebration of Respect Life Month, John and Ann Poole, members of Holy Name Parish in Ebensburg, talk about their pro-life efforts.

    

 

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.
 
 
The Light is On For YouThe Light is On  

The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will sponsor "The Light is On" Reconciliation initiative September 22-24. During those three days, most parishes will offer special times for Reconciliation.  All are welcome, but Bishop Mark is especially encouraging those who have been away from the Sacrament for a while to take this opportunity to return. A schedule of Reconciliation times at various parishes during the initiative is available on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. Reconciliation resources are also available on  the site. The Bishop invites everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to receive God's healing and forgiveness.

Wedding Anniversary Liturgies
Bishop Mark celebrated the first of two Wedding Anniversary Liturgies on September 14 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. The Mass recognized couples marking milestone anniversaries -- first, 25th 40th, 50th, 55th, and 60th+ -- this year. Bishop Mark will celebrate another Wedding Anniversary Liturgy on September 21 at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown. This year, two couples are marking 70 years -- Frank and Katherine Roscia of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Altoona and Joseph and Marie Dona of Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown. Congratulations to all. Read more about the Wedding Anniversary Liturgies in the September 22 edition of The Catholic Register. [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with James and Frances Logrando of Saint Mary Parish in Hollidaysburg. Jim and Fran are celebrating 40 years.]

Blue and White Mass 
Bishop Mark celebrated the annual Blue and White Mass on September 13 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. The Liturgy honors emergency response workers including firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel. The Mass has been a tradition in our Diocese since the 9/11 attacks. As part of the celebration , the Knights of Columbus Council 551 presented the Bishop with a check for $500, which the Bishop will use for vocations/seminary expenses. [Photo: The American flag hangs from Altoona fire trucks outside the Cathedral during the Blue and White Mass on September 13.]

Young Adults Social

Bishop Mark hosted a social for young adults on September 12 at the Calvin House in Duncansville. Men and woman, ages 21-39, from around the Diocese joined the Bishop for an evening of food, fellowship and prayer. Bishop Mark offered some remarks and fielded questions from his guests. Recognizing the unique circumstances of this time in their lives, this was the third annual gathering the Bishop has sponsored for young adults as a way of reaching out to them. Read more about the social in the September 22 edition of The Catholic Register.  [Photo: Bishop Mark enjoys fellowship with a group of young adults at the gathering.] 

Campus Minister Commissioning 

Bishop Mark commissioned Catholic campus ministers during a Mass on September 10 at Immaculate Conception Chapel on the campus of Saint Francis University in Loretto. Besides campus ministry at Saint Francis and Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, the Diocese sponsors campus ministry at Penn State University, Penn State Altoona, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Juniata College, and Lock Haven University. [Photo: Campus Ministers and others joined Bishop Mark after Mass and the commissioning.] 

Lector and Acolyte
Two men have taken another step forward in their formation for the Permanent Diaconate. Bishop Mark installed Kevin Nester in the ministry of Acolyte during a Mass on September 6 at Most Holy Trinity Parish in Huntingdon. Mr. Nester is in his third year of formation. He is a member of Most Holy Trinity Parish. His anticipated date of ordination will be in May of 2015. Also at that Mass, Bishop Mark installed Donald Gibboney in the ministry of Lector. Mr. Gibboney, also a member of Most Holy Trinity Parish, is in his second year of formation. He is expected to be ordained in 2016.  [Photo: (left to right: Deacon Gene Neral, Director of the Permanent Diaconate; Donald Gibboney; Kevin Nester; Bishop Mark; Deacon Michael Russo, Associate Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate; and Father David Arsenault, Pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish.]
Last Call for Matthew Kelly Tickets

There are only a few days left to purchase tickets 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." Tickets are almost sold out. Adult tickets are $39 each.  Student tickets are $15 each. To order tickets, visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. All tickets ordered in these last days must be picked up at the door the day of the event. 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]