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

An envelope is attached to today’s bulletin. Please bring it next week to put into the basket during the second collection for those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

 

Saturday, Oct 12, 4:00 PM:

LECTORS:    

1st Reading: B. Pennington

2nd Reading: Sr. Linda

Introduction & Intercession: A. Bucher

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:

Host: M. Kissell

Cup: T. Hoffer & J. Steinbauer

ALTAR SERVERS:  A. Bucher & T. Smith

HOSPITALITY: J. Genesi, S. Genesi, D. Kissell, B. Risbon

Sunday, Oct 13, 9:00 AM:

LECTORS: 1st Reading: D. Morrissey

2nd Reading: A. Bishop-Amato

Introduction & Intercession: B. Paranich

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:

Host: T. Belis

Cup:  P. Krug & B. Shedlock

ALTAR SERVERS:  C. Shedlock & E. Wolfe

HOSPITALITY: T. Carosielli, T. DelMastro, E. Hunter, W. Rossi

Saturday, Oct 19, 4:00 PM:

LECTORS:

1st Reading: T. Evanskey
2nd Reading: P. Wills
Introduction & Intercession: M. Riggle

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:

Host: J. Shelow
Cup: M. Kissell & J. Lovrich

ALTAR SERVERS: A. Bucher & T. Smith

HOSPITALITY: J. Genesi, S. Genesi, D. Kissell, B. Risbon

Sunday, Oct 20, 9:00 AM:

LECTORS:

1st Reading: Sr. Linda
2nd Reading: S. Shaulis
Introduction & Intercession: S. Caldwell

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:

Host: J. Chestney
Cup: W. Zapotoczny

ALTAR SERVERS: K. Shanafelt & C. Shedlock

HOSPITALITY: T. Carosielli, T. DelMastro, E. Hunter, W. Rossi

 

 

Mass Schedule & Intentions: Oct 12 – Oct 20, 2024

Sat,  Oct 12     4:00 PM     for Gerald & Dolores Schirf by Bert & Kevin Lear

Sun, Oct 13     9:00 AM     for Ralph & Mary LaMagna by Sr. Linda

Mon,  Oct 14   8:00 AM     for Michael James LaMagna, Jr. by Sr. Linda

Tue, Oct 15 6:00 PM for Kay Pfahler by Ed & Carol King

Wed, Oct 16 7:30 AM NO Holy Hour

Sat,  Oct 19 4:00 PM for the People by the Pastor

Sun, Oct 20 9:00 AM for Mary & Andrew Paranich by Barbara Paranich

SPONSOR/CANDIDATE/PARENT MEETING – A meeting will be held on Sunday afternoon, October 20, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. for the sponsors of our 11th grade candidates preparing for Confirmation from both Saint Joseph and Saint Matthew parishes. This meeting will be held in the Saint Joseph Parish Social Hall, and is for 11th Grade Candidates, their parents, and their Sponsors.
VIRTUS-PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN SESSION will be conducted on Sunday, October 27, for both the Grade and High school students during their regular time of Religious Education. Parents are reminded to sign the permission forms and return them to Sr. Linda by October 20, if you have not already done so. Since this is a shorter session, both the Grade and High School students will learn to pray the rosary after the session. If they have rosary beads, we ask them to bring them with them. Otherwise, we will provide them for them. 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MEETING – Monday, October 14, 7:00 p.m., Parish Meeting Room

PARISH ASSOCIATION MEETING – Tuesday, Oct. 22, 6:30pm. after mass.

Save the Date:

Blessing of the Pets – Saturday, October 5, 11:00 a.m.

Parish Thanksgiving Dinner – Sunday, November 3, 5:00 p.m.

Christmas Tea – Saturday, December 7, 1:00 p.m.

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

 

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.”