The Novena of Divine Mercy is a 9-day prayer period, starting on Good Friday and ending on Divine Mercy Sunday. There are specific intentions prayed for each day, followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The Divine Mercy Novena will be held this year at St. Matthews in Tyrone.

The schedule is as follows:

Reciting of the Chaplet & Novena Prayer

Good Friday, April 18, 6:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday, April 19, 3:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 20, 3:00 p.m.

Monday, April 21, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22, 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 24, 6:00 p.m.

Friday, April 25, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 26, 3:00 p.m.

*Confessions 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27

Adoration 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Confessions 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Reciting of the Chaplet & Novena Prayer 3:00 p.m.

What is Divine Mercy and how did it come about?

There was a young Polish nun named Sister Faustina Kowalska and in 1931 she began to have mysterious illuminations from Jesus. She kept a diary and Jesus communicated with her about His Divine Mercy. He talked about a feast day, (Divine Mercy Sunday) an image, (The Divine Mercy image) and very special prayers (The Chaplet and The Novena.) Jesus also told Sister Faustina that He wanted people to know about the promises of the Divine Mercy Novena. Jesus promised a profound and immense grace to those who would celebrate this feast of Divine Mercy. This grace is the forgiveness of all sins and the removal of all punishment due to sin.

What do I have to do to get the special grace?

• Bring your Rosary and come to the Novena each day for 9 days.
• Say the special prayers and the chaplet.
• Sincerely repent of all your sins.
• Go to confession before Divine Mercy Sunday.
• Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday and receive Holy Communion.
• Place complete trust in Jesus.
• Be merciful to others, through our actions, words, and prayers.

“THE LIGHTS ARE ON FOR YOU” will be a special time set aside for our Junior High and High school Students on Sunday evening, April 6, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. this is their regularly scheduled Religious Education Time. Students should plan to arrive by 5:45 p.m. on this evening.

For other opportunities, follow the link below for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

Penance Services – DAJ Lent

LENTEN ADULT ENRICHMENT CLASSES ON: Jesus the way the Truth and the Life, beginning the Fridays of Lent and following the Stations of the Cross, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. In the Parish Social Hall. Classes will be held on the following dates: March 7, March 14, March 21, March 28, April 4, and ending on April 11. A sign-up sheet is in the Vestibule of the Church. Please sign your name and indicate if you would like to purchase a book at the cost of $15.00. 

UPCOMING DIOCESAN PRIEST PRESENTATIONS on the Eucharistic Revival. Three priests from our Northern Deanery will be presenters for the final Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Diocesan Workshops: Father Jozef Kovacik, whom all of you know, who is now Pastor at Good Shepherd Parish in State College, Fr. George Jakopac, from Our Lady of Victory Parish in State College and Father Brian Saylor, Pastor at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Bellefonte. The priests will share with us on the power of the Eucharist in their lives. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 29, from 9:00 until 11:30 a.m. at Saint Francis university and plan to attend. Registration forms are available online by going to the Diocesan Website. Hard copy registrations can be found at the entrances of the Church. Contact Sr. Linda for more information.

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!