Mass Schedule & Intentions: Nov 23-Dec 1, 2024

Sat,  Nov 23     4:00 PM     for Darlene Schirf by Sara Young

Sun, Nov 24     9:00 AM     for Walter J. Zapotoczny by  Wally & Melissa Zapotoczny

Mon, Nov 25     8:00 AM    for Alois Poppenwimer by Pete & Michele Stetter

Tue, Nov 26      6:00 PM    for Dolores Schirf by Susan Fees

Wed, Nov 27     7:30 AM NO Holy Hour

    6:00 PM    for Fr. David Roesch by the Rossi Family

Sat,  Nov 28     4:00 PM    for the People by the Pastor

Sun, Dec 01     9:00 AM    for Bunny Padula by Nancee & Carl Crider

Saturday, Nov 16 4:00 PM:

LECTORS:     

1st Reading: P. Wills

2nd Reading: T. Bucher

Introduction & Intercession: A. Bucher

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:

Host: T. Hoffer

Cup: T. Burr & Sr. Linda

ALTAR SERVERS:  T. Smith

HOSPITALITY: A. Bucher, J. Genesi, S. Genesi, N. Lovrich, Sr.

Sunday, Nov 17, 9:00 AM:

LECTORS:

1st Reading: S. Shaulis

2nd Reading: T. Colabove

Introduction & Intercession: L. Krug

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:

Host: Sr. Linda

Cup: C. Weyandt & J. Chestney

ALTAR SERVERS: E. Caldwell & S. Caldwell

HOSPITALITY: T. Carosielli, B. DelGrosso, E. Hunter, M. Kowalski

Saturday, Nov 23 4:00 PM:

LECTORS:     

1st Reading: Sr. Linda

2nd Reading: B. Pennington

Introduction & Intercession: T. Evanskey

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:

Host: J. Lovrich

Cup: M. Kissell & J. Shelow

ALTAR SERVERS: T. Smith

HOSPITALITY: A. Bucher, J. Genesi, S. Genesi, N. Lovrich, Sr.

Sunday, Nov 24, 9:00 AM:

LECTORS:

1st Reading: N. Lovrich

2nd Reading: B. Paranich

Introduction & Intercession: A. Amato

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:

Host: L. Krug

Cup: B. Shedlock & P. Krug

ALTAR SERVERS:  K. Shanafelt & C. Shedlock

HOSPITALITY: T. Carosielli, B. DelGrosso, E. Hunter, M. Kowalski

 

¨ KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MEETING – Monday, November 11, 7:00 p.m., in the Parish Meeting Room.

¨ PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, November 18, 6:30 p.m., in the Parish Meeting Room.

¨ Christmas Tea-Saturday, December 7, 1:00 p.m., Parish Hall.

¨ FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING – Wednesday, January 08, 2025, 6:30 p.m., in the Parish Meeting Room.

¨ Parish Association Christmas Dinner at Marzoni’s in Greenwood – Monday, January 13, 2025, 5:30 p.m.

¨ PARISH ASSOCIATION MEETING – Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m. after mass.

MESSAGE FROM BISHOP MARK regarding hurricane relief efforts in our diocese.

October 10, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In recent days, our brothers and sisters in the southeastern part of the United States have endured devastation from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. We here in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown stand in solidarity with those individuals and families. I invite the local faithful to join me in praying for them and asking the Lord to give them strength and healing in the challenging days ahead. In a special way, we also remember those who have lost their lives and those who mourn them.

As we see the suffering of the storm victims on the news, I think I speak for everyone in expressing a great desire to help in some way. Therefore, I am asking all parishes in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown to take a special collection to benefit hurricane victims. All contributions to this special collection would be tax deductible. Parishes should forward the proceeds to the diocese, and I will see that those monies are forwarded to agencies such as Catholic Charities USA, which will ensure that the funds are used to help the recovery efforts. At this time, there is no need for items such as food, clothing, or toiletries to be sent to the southern states.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us that what we do for the least among us, we do for Him. In that spirit, I ask that local parishioners please be generous in the upcoming special collections, and I encourage everyone keep all those affected by the hurricanes in their thoughts and prayers. May the Lord bless them and those on the front lines who are working hard to provide aid and comfort.   

Sincerely,

Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak

Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown

Please remember to bring your Special Collection Envelope this weekend for those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

 

 

RESPECT FOR LIFE: During the month of October, we are asking parishioners to collect money and NEW baby items to be given to ELM and Precious Life. Items needed include: diapers, sleepers, blankets, onesies, etc. Please place donated items in the baskets by the exits. If you have any questions, call Stella Genesi at 742-9127.

 

PRAYERS and BEST WISHES to the following young people of our parish who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday, April 2, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona: Zachary Gonzales, Jalynn Partner & Gracie Rice. Please pray for these young adults that they may continue to grow in their relationship with Jesus and become the persons God intends them to be.

On Sunday, April 7, at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, Nancy Bolinda will be coming into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Sincere congratulations and welcome to these newest members of our parish family. Please make sure you take time to congratulate them and show them our love and support as we journey together into the Kingdom of God.

WELCOME FATHER MICHAEL – Saint Joseph Parish Welcomes you, Father Michael. We look forward to having you Pastor our Parish for many years to come. Trust that we will be here to help and support you with whatever you need. We are very grateful to have a priest to celebrate the Mass with us each weekend. God’s hand of blessing be upon you.

Fr. Michael Pleva attended Gannon University and St. Mark Seminary in Erie, PA from 2013-2017. He attended St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe from 2017-2021 and was ordained a priest on May 29, 2021. He comes to us after serving in State College and Philipsburg. Fr. Michael is excited to walk with us on this journey towards eternal life. His goal is to serve well. He asks for many prayers as he begins his new assignments!

The Bishop is asking the faithful throughout the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown to join him in praying for peace in Ukraine as Russian forces invade the Eastern European country. 

The Bishop stands united in prayer with Ukrainian Catholics in that troubled part of the world and with the local Ukrainian Catholic population here in Central Pennsylvania. During this difficult time, he is inviting everyone to join him in praying the following ancient prayer.   

We fly to Your patronage, O Virgin Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our needs, but deliver us from all dangers, since you alone are pure and blessed.

O most glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ our God, accept our prayers and present them to Your Son and our God, that for the sake of You, He enlighten and save our souls.

“This prayer is a unique part of the spiritual heritage of the Catholic and Orthodox Christians of the Ukraine, dating back to the 10th or 11th century. It is quite similar to the Memorare prayer that most of us learned as children. As we watch the unfolding developments from Ukraine, it is often difficult to process our thoughts and feelings. That’s where a prayer like this can bring calm to our disturbed minds and hearts, and especially to our world.” 

Synod means “Journeying Together.” It involves listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other to discern the path we are called to walk together as Church.  Usually when we think of a Synod, we think of a Gathering of Cardinals, Bishops and the Pope, and it is occurring in Rome. Pope Francis has Called this  particular Synod for the People. You and I and the people who gather in the pews each week. Pope Francis want to hear from the whole church about what is  happening in local churches, what is happening here at St. Joseph Parish in Bellwood. Synodality is simply, a way of being Church. It is not a program. The basic  question of the Synod is this: What is the Holy Spirit saying to our Church today? Through listening and discernment, which is rooted in the Holy Spirit, the  entire people of God will be called to contribute to a process by which the Church deepens and embraces her understanding of the Church’s mission and looks to the future with hope. By entering into this process, every member of the diocese is invited to offer their thoughts on how to grow in holiness, to be intentional disciples, and being sent to witness to others about the beauty of our faith. our input will assist our Parish and diocese in moving forward with parish Spiritual  Growth. Through the Synod, everyone baptized Catholic is being invited to personal conversion and to be a Church on mission. “The Church does not have a  mission; the mission has a Church.” The primary function of the Church is to proclaim Jesus Christ and draw all people into an intimate relationship with him.

If  you would like to better understand the meaning of Synod and Synodality and how you can participate, please come to the “Understanding the Synod” meeting on Monday, February 28, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Saint Joseph Parish Social Hall. Snacks and good conversation will be provided.