evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
April 2015
Volume VII Number 4
Christ is Risen. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Welcome to the April edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. As this glorious Easter season continues, we see the signs of new life and renewal throughout the Diocese. We welcome those who were fully initiated into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Bishop Mark is celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation, and young boys and girls are receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus for the first time through the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Our prayerful best wishes to all of those receiving the sacraments of initiation. May these 50 days of Easter bring us all closer to the risen Lord. [Photo: Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona at Easter.] 

 

Ministry Quicklinks


 

www.usccb.org 
  
  
the catholic register
  
Coming up in the
April 20 , 2015, edition of The Catholic Register:

  • An Altoona parish announces plans to celebrate its 125th anniversary.
     
  • In his column "Another Perspective," Monsignor Tim Stein discusses how "we all shape each other."

 


 
proclaim!

 

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

 

April 26  -- First Holy Communion candidates Zachary Novak and Andrea Chislow of Saint Demetrius Parish in Gallitzin share their excitement about receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus for the first time. 


 

May 3 -- In honor of the Year of Consecrated Life, Sister Mary Joseph Calore, SSCJ, discusses her religious community and her vocation.

 

May 10  -- On this Mother's Day, Kelly Keagy of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Altoona talks about the joys of being a mother to two sons and expecting a daughter.


 

May 17 -- Sonny Consiglio, Executive Director of the Saint Vincent DePaul Society in Altoona-Johnstown talks about the agency's good work.

 

 

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.
 
 
Quad High Day

A group of students from each of the four Catholic high schools in the Diocese joined Bishop Mark for the annual Quad High Day on April 16. The Bishop fielded questions from the students on various topics including growing closer to God, suffering, social media, and same sex marriage. After the Q&A session, the Bishop celebrated Mass and ate lunch with the teens. Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy in Boalsburg was the host school this year. The event was held at the Suzanne Pohland Paterno Catholic Student Faith Center in State College.[Photo: Bishop Mark eats lunch with students at Quad High Day.]

Confirmation Season
Confirmation season is underway in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Bishop Mark is in the midst of confirming about 900 students during 15 Masses throughout this Easter season. For a schedule of Confirmation Masses, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.  
Bishop's Day for Vocations  
The annual Bishop's Day for Vocations is scheduled for May 3 at 2:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall in Loretto. Sponsored by the Serra Club and the Diocesan Vocations Office, the theme will be "The Year of Consecrated Life: How Can I Give My Life to God?" The event will include a social, dinner, and keynote address by Father Sean Sheridan, TOR, President of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. Father Sheridan is a native of Cresson. Bishop Mark will also recognize the student winners of the Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contests. For tickets, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Office at (814) 472-5441. The deadline for reservations is April 22. [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with contest winners at last year's event.]
Catholic Charities Logo
Catholic Charities Awards  

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is seeking nominees for the Monsignor William M. Griffin Award and Matthew 25 Youth Humanitarian Award. All are invited to nominate someone who cares for the poor and marginalized in our Diocese. For award criteria and nomination forms, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org. The nominations are due by April 24. The award winners will be recognized at a dinner on June 3 at the Blair County Convention Center.

Demetrius Gallitzin Mass In Honor of the Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin
In honor of the 175th anniversary of the passing of the Prince-Priest and Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin, all are invited to a Mass on May 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto. The Mass will include a healing service and Anointing of the Sick, with Father Bob Hilz, TOR, as celebrant.
 
Outdoor Masses
The Office of Vocations will once again sponsor outdoor Masses Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m. at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto beginning Memorial Day weekend and continuing through Labor Day weekend. Bring your own lawn chair. In the event of rain, Mass will be celebrated inside the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. The Mass intentions will be for an increase in vocations in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. [Photo: Father Matthew Reese, Director of Vocations, celebrates an outdoor Mass at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine last summer.]

Retreat Opportunity

Father Richard Tomkosky, Pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish and Retreat Center in New Baltimore, will sponsor an overnight weekend retreat at the parish retreat center from Friday evening May 29 until Sunday afternoon May 31. The topic: "the meaning of St. Louis Marie de Montfort's Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary and how Marian Devotion can deepen one's Catholic Faith." Meals and lodging are included. Space is limited. Reservations are required by May 22. Please call (814) 733-2210 for cost and more information. [Photo: The Chapel of the Saint John the Baptist Retreat Center in New Baltimore.]

Annual Catholic Appeal   Diocesan Coat of Arms

As of the Second Week of Easter, seven parishes have reached their goals.  They are: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint Aloysius, Saint John (Everett), Saint Joseph (Bellwood), and Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. More than 7,800 families and individuals have already contributed to the Appeal.  Among their gifts are several hundred Prayer Intentions which are being read individually before being placed at the foot of the altar in the Chapel at the Diocesan Administration Center. Your ACA gift allows people of all ages to "Discover and Rediscover what is Good, Beautiful and True with Jesus Christ and His Church" through 23 diocesan ministries.  You may place your gift in the offertory basket or donate online at www.dioceseaj.org. Thank you!

 
Regina Coeli

O Queen of heaven, rejoice! Alleluia.

For He whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia.

Has risen as He said. Alleluia.

Pray for us to God, Alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.

For the Lord has risen indeed. Alleluia.

O God, Who by the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has given joy to the whole world, grant, we beseech you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the same joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Photo: Saint Aloysius Parish in Cresson at Easter.]

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