evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
November 2014
Volume VI  Number 11
Happy Thanksgiving!  Cornucopia
Welcome to the November edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Thanksgiving is just days away. It is a time for all of us to count our many blessings and give praise and thanks to God. It is also a time when we remember those who are less fortunate than we are and reach out to our brothers and sisters in need. Thanksgiving Day is a Day of Prayer for the Harvest and Fruits of the Earth in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Please join in praying the following:   "O God, source of all good things, your gifts of love are countless and your goodness infinite. On this Thanksgiving Day we express our gratitude for your kindness and mercy. Open our hearts to have concern for every man, woman, and child, so that we may share the gifts of time and eternity with our sisters and brothers. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen."     Thanksgiving blessings to all!

 

Ministry Quicklinks

  
  
the catholic register
  
Coming up in the
December 1, 2014, edition of The Catholic Register:

Bruce Tomaselli reports on the latest steps for those wishing to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church at Easter.

The Director of  Bioethics and Public Policy at the National Catholic Bioethics Center addresses misconceptions about
end-of-life care.

 


 
proclaim!

 

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

 

  • November 23 --  As Thanksgiving nears, Tim Behe, a member of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Altoona, shares his special story of thankfulness. 
  • November 30 -- Very Rev. Anthony Francis Spilka, O.F.M. Conv., the Bishop's Vicar for Religious, begins the Year of Consecrated Life by discussing the role of Religious in our Diocese. 

    

 

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.
 
 
Catholic Charities Logo Catholic Charities Collection  

A special collection for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will be taken at all parishes on the weekend of November 22 and 23, the Solemnity of Christ the King. All money collected will benefit individuals and families struggling financially right here in the Diocese. The collection comes as we enter the cold winter months, during which time Catholic Charities assists many people with heating costs. You can donate through the collection envelope provided by your parish, online at www.catholiccharitiesaj.org, or by U.S. Mail to Catholic Charities, 1300 12th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601. 

New Novel to Benefit Catholic Charities

Bishop-Emeritus Joseph Adamec has written another mystery novel, and, once again, he is donating all of the money from the sale of the book to Catholic Charities. Heir Non-Apparent is the second mystery novel written by the Bishop-Emeritus. Like his first book, this new novel is based on one of the nine dinner mysteries written and produced by him. The book has 295 pages with a hard cover and is suitable reading for all ages. The plot revolves around the question: Who is to inherit Maple View Manor? Miss Sarah Grey disappeared several years ago, and her estate is about to be settled. More than one person hopes to be the beneficiary. Plots and schemes abound until young Joe Cervik discovers the solution to the dilemma. Reserve your copy or copies now in time for Christmas gift giving. More information and an order form are available on our Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. You can also call the Altoona office of Catholic Charities at (814) 944-9388.

Faith Formation for Special Needs Individuals
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is addressing the faith formation of children and others with special needs. The Diocese sponsored conferences aimed at building an effective faith formation program for children with ASD, IDD and other disabilities. Deacon Larry Sutton, a psychologist and author from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, was the keynote presenter. Dozens of individuals including parish directors of religious education and parents attended the workshops, which were held on November 7 and 8 at Our Lady of the Alleghenies parish in Lilly. As part of the conference, Bishop Mark celebrated a Mass for children with special needs, their family, and friends, also at Our Lady of the Alleghenies Parish. [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with Leah Leiden, who served as a reader at the Mass for individuals with special needs.]

Advent wreath Advent Resources
The Liturgical season of Advent begins on November 30. Advent is a time of preparation for the birth of Christ at Christmas.The season is most commonly symbolized by the Advent wreath containing three purple candles and one pink candle. A new candle is lit at Mass each Sunday. To learn more about the significance of Advent and for prayer resources, visit the special Advent section on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.  
Advent Advent Day of Reflection 
The Diocesan Office of Religious Education will sponsor an Advent Day of Reflection. It will be held on December 6 at Sacred Heart Formation Center in Altoona. Father Christopher Panagoplos, T.O.R., will be the facilitator. Registration is required by December 1. For more information and a registration form, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.

Year of Consecrated Life 

The Catholic Church will celebrate a Year of Consecrated Life beginning on November 30, 2014, and closing on February 2, 2016. For more information and prayer resources, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. To begin the Year of Consecrated life, the Very Rev. Anthony Francis Spilka, O.F.M. Conv., the Bishop's Vicar for Religious, will join Bishop Mark on the Bishop's "Keeping the Faith" segment of Proclaim! on November 30 at 10:30 a.m. on WWCP TV FOX 8. Various Religious who serve the Diocese will be profiled on Proclaim! throughout the observance of the Year of Consecrated Life.

Prayers for Vocations  

An hour of prayers for vocations in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is held every Thursday evening at the Prince Gallitzin Chapel House in Loretto. Father Matthew Reese, the Vocations Director, celebrates Mass at 6:00 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament follows the Mass and concludes with Benediction at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome. 

Theology on Tap Theology on Tap
A special Theology on Tap series focusing on Pope Francis is concluding. Theology on Tap is a casual speaker/discussion series for young adults ages 18-39. Sessions were held the first three Mondays of November. The final session is scheduled for November 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Zach's in Altoona. Father Brian Warchola, Parochial Vicar at Holy Name Parish in Ebensburg, will present "The Crime of Gossip: Why Pope Francis Says Gossip is a Killer." All young adults are welcome. Complimentary appetizers will be served.
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]