evangelist header 2011
An E-Newsletter from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
May 2015
Volume VII Number 5
Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit
Welcome to the May edition of E-vangelist, a monthly E-Newsletter from the Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. This glorious Easter season is coming to a close, and soon we will mark the Solemnity of Pentecost. The presence of the Spirit is felt here in Altoona-Johnstown as we celebrate the life of our Church. Congratulations to all those who received the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation during this Easter season and to those who received the Body and Blood of Jesus through their First Holy Communion. We also salute those who are being recognized for their selfless and outstanding service through awards such as the Prince Gallitzin Cross, the Monsignor William M. Griffin Humanitarian Award, and the Matthew 25 Youth Humanitarian Award. Finally, our congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2015 during this commencement season. May the gifts of the Spirit fill our lives, and may God continue to bless the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

 

Ministry Quicklinks


 

www.usccb.org 
  
  



the catholic register
  
Coming up in the
June 1 , 2015, edition of The Catholic Register:

  • Monsignor Tim Stein has coverage from the annual Prince Gallitzin Cross Awards Banquet.
     
  • Bruce Tomaselli reports on the Ordination of Deacon Kevin Nester.

 






 
proclaim!

 

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

 

May 24  -- Graduating seniors from Catholic high schools in the Diocese discuss their years of Catholic education and look to the future. 


 

May 31 -- Deacon John Concannon of Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown and Deacon Gene Neral of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Altoona mark the 30th anniversary of their ordination to the Permanent Diaconate.

 

June 7  -- In celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life, Sister Katherine O'Neil, I.H.M., of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Huntingdon, discusses her ministry and her religious community.


 

June 14 -- Sister Joachim Anne Ferenchak, O Carm, Administrator of Garvey Manor Nursing Home in Hollidaysburg, joins Bishop Mark to celebrate Garvey Manor's 50th anniversary.

 

 

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.
 
 
Prince Gallitzin Cross

Bishop Mark presented the Prince Gallitzin Cross to ten individuals at a banquet on May 16 at the Calvin House in Duncansville. The award recognizes those who exhibit the "evangelizing spirit" of the Prince-Priest and Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin. The 2015 honorees are:

  • Philip Arnone, Sr. -- Saint Patrick Parish, Johnstown
  • Thomas Baker -- Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Hollidaysburg
  • Donald and Judy Beeler -- Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Altoona
  • Sister Marietta Therese Hanley, SSCJ -- Saint Francis Xavier Parish, Cresson
  • Lawrence Harker -- Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Altoona
  • Raymond Seymour -- Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, Loretto
  • Edward and Carol Shields -- Saint Anne Parish, Davidsville
  • Kathleen Spargo -- Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Everett
[Photo: (seated left to right) Edward Shields, Carol Shields, Sister Marietta Therese, Kathleen Spargo, and Judy Beeler. (Standing left to right) Raymond Seymour, Lawrence Harker, Thomas Baker, Bishop Mark, Philip Arnone, Donald Beeler.]
Diaconate Ordination
Bishop Mark ordained Kevin Nester to the Sacred Order of the Permanent Diaconate on May 16 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Deacon Nester and his wife, Penny, are members of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Huntingdon, where he serves as co-chair of the social concerns committee and is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a lector.  He is also a second degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Bishop Mark appointed Deacon Nester to service at Most Holy Trinity. [Photo: (left to right) Deacon Michael Russo, Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate; Penny Nester; Deacon Kevin Nester; and Bishop Mark.]
Bishop's Day for Vocations  
The annual Bishop's Day for Vocations was held on May 3 at the Our Lady of Loretto Community Hall. Sponsored by the Serra Club of Cambria County and the Diocesan Office of Vocations, the theme was "The Year of Consecrated Life: How Can I Give My Life to God?" Father Sean Sheridan, TOR, President of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, and a native of Cresson, delivered the keynote address. Bishop Mark recognized the student winners of the poster, poetry, and essay contests. [Photo: Bishop Mark poses with some of the contest winners.]
Outdoor Masses
A summer tradition is returning to the Diocese. Father Matthew Reese, Diocesan Director of Vocations, pictured on the left, will celebrate Mass on Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto. Mass intentions are for an increase in vocations in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The first Mass will be celebrated on May 24. Liturgies will be celebrated every Sunday evening 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. 

Bishop Mark Receives Honorary Doctorate

Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe presented Bishop Mark with an honorary doctorate degree during the seminary's commencement on May 8. Bishop Mark serves on the Board of Regents at the seminary. After receiving the honorary doctorate, Bishop Mark delivered the commencement address, titled "The Role of the Laity in the New Evangelization." [Photo: (left to right) Bishop Donald Trautman, Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese of Erie and mentor to Bishop Mark; Archabbot Douglas Nowicki, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; and Bishop Mark.]

Catholic Charities Logo
Catholic Charities Dinner  

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will honor seven individuals at its annual recognition dinner on June 3 at the Blair County Convention Center. This year's honorees are:

 

   Monsignor William M. Griffin Humanitarian Award:

   Janet Criste - Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Johnstown
   David Greene - Saint Peter Parish, Somerset
   Nicholas and Mercedes Smith - Saint Benedict Parish, Johnstown

   Matthew 25 Youth Humanitarian Award:

   Olivia McCafferty - Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Philipsburg
   Nikolas Suchinos - Saint Francis Xavier Parish, Cresson
   Ashton Truby - Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona

For reservations to the June 3 dinner, please contact the Altoona office of Catholic Charities at (814) 944-9388.

Faith Day 2013 Faith Day
The annual Diocesan Faith Day will be held on June 28 at DelGrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton. A highlight of the day will be Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark at 3:00 p.m. on the park stage. A picnic supper will be served at 5:00 p.m. in Pavilion 2. For more information, including a picnic meal order form and Ride 'n Slide passes, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.

Fortnight for Freedom    

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will once again sponsor a Fortnight for Freedom June 21-July 4. The theme will be "Freedom to Bear Witness." In observance of the Fortnight, Bishop Mark will preside at a Holy Hour on June 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. All are invited to join the Bishop in prayer for the protection of our religious liberty. For more information about Fortnight for Freedom 2015, please visit the Diocesan website at www.dioceseaj.org.
Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who has instructed the hearts of your faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may have a right judgment in all things and evermore rejoice in his consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. 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