VBS SUMMER BIBLE CAMP FOR ST. JOSEPH AND SAINT MATTHEWS PARISHES AND FOR ANY CHILD INTERESTED IN ATTENDING is just a few weeks away. I want to encourage parents to encourage their children to attend. Those going into kindergarten and up to grade 5 are encouraged to attend. Our theme for this year is “TRUE NORTH,” Trusting God in a Wild World. The Music is fun and fantastic! The Bible Stories include: The Baptism of Jesus, The teaching of Jesus on Love, a Roman Officer who accepts Jesus as Lord, The death of Jesus on the Cross and why he died for us, The victory of Jesus over death and his coming back to life in the Resurrection, Jesús gives the Great Commission, and the Coming of the Holy Spirit. We have special Arts and Crafts, and the Parish Association is preparing a unique theme snack for each day. Each participant is asked to bring a light green T-Shirt on the First day. From the generous donations of both parishes, we are able to give each participant a backpack and their own water bottle. SIGN UP TODAY: VBS Registration

PARISH BIRTHDAY PARTY CELEBRATION FOR SUPER SENIORS 80, 90 AND 100, AND THIS YEAR ADDING SWINGING 70 YEAR OLDS, on Tuesday, June 24, with Mass and the Anointing of the Sick at 5:30 p.m. in the Church, followed by the party celebration in the Parish Social Hall.

MASS TO HONOR THREE OF OUR PARISH WORLD WAR II VETERANS – This Tuesday evening, May 20, the 6:30 p.m. Mass, celebrated by Father Michael, will be offered for three of our Parish  veterans: Walter Morasco, Lee Owen and Frank Pulcinello to honor them for their Service and the reception of their Victory medals and campaign medals while serving in World War II. Following Mass there will be a social time in the Social Hall to provide the opportunity for the veterans to share a time of conversation and celebration. Any one is welcome to join us for Mass and for fellowship.

Bishop Mark will preside at a Diocesan Mass celebrating the election of Holy Father on May 14, 2025, at Noon at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. All are welcome.

With great joy and thanks to God, I welcome the news of our new Pope Leo XIV. He is now the successor to Saint Peter who was chosen by Christ to be the first to lead the Church.

This announcement comes at a time when the Catholic Church is still observing the Jubilee Year begun by Pope Francis, who called us to be pilgrims of hope.

The pope is a successor to the apostle Peter who was chosen by Christ to be the first leader of the Catholic Church. Before being elected pope by the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV was chosen by Pope Francis to lead the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops.

They had known each other for a number of years because Pope Leo was appointed by Pope Francis as the Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, South America before he came to work in the Vatican.

This is something unique, since we now have two popes who spent much of their lives ministering to the poor in South America. It seems as though the Holy Spirit is directing all of us to turn our attention to places where the average people may be poor, but their most valuable possession is their Catholic faith.

Pope Francis invited all of us to recapture, or perhaps, for the first time in our lives, to experience the meaning of the theological virtue of hope.

It is the antidote for the cynical views which undermine society. Because these views detract from the God-given dignity that we all share.

All of us are made in the image and likeness of God.

I would expect that Pope Leo XIV will be directing our attention to these fundamental truths where we can be sure of who we are and what we are to do for the good of others.

That’s what it really means to be on a pilgrimage of hope and thanks be to God for giving us Pope Leo XIV to help lead us on the way.