Current Events and News

From the Diocese

Directives for the Distribution of Ashes

Faithful are invited to Ash Wednesday Masses at parishes throughout the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Click HERE for a schedule of Masses at parishes. This year, because of the pandemic, and as previously announced, Bishop Mark has directed that ashes are to...

Ash Wednesday Mass Times

Faithful are invited to Ash Wednesday Masses at parishes throughout the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. This year, because of the pandemic, and as previously announced, Bishop Mark has directed that ashes are to be sprinkled on the heads of those who approach. This is a...

Reconciliation Opportunities

Bishop Mark has asked pastors to make various opportunities for Confession available at their parishes throughout Lent. The Bishop has instructed the clergy to not sponsor the usual Communal Penance Services because of the continuing pandemic.The Diocese of...

Take-Out Fish Lunches/Dinners

Bishop Mark is permitting parishes to sponsor fish lunches/dinners this Lent, but only in the format of take-out service. There is to be no indoor dining, according to his directives, and anyone who assists in food preparation and serving must be screened by...

Catholic Schools Week Message from Bishop Mark

Will Hegemann loves school and attending Mass every week with his classmates. Even at his young age, the first grader at Saint Michael School in Loretto realizes how lucky he is to be in a learning environment in which Jesus Christ is the center of everything. Will is...

Bishop’s Directives for the Blessing of Throats

January 2021The current pandemic is a sufficient pastoral reason to avoid the blessing of individuals in the usual manner of touching the throat of each person with crossed candles while saying the words of the blessing. Among the challenges is the sanitizing of the...

Bishop’s Directives for Distribution of Ashes

January 2021During this time of Pandemic, the Holy See has modified the method of distributing ashes as contained in the following Note from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued January 12, 2021: NOTE ON ASH...

2021 Plans for RCIA, Confirmation, First Holy Communion

By Tony DeGolProclaim!There is an old saying in entertainment that no matter what happens, the show must go on. Here in the Catholic Church, the sacramental life of our faith communities must go on as well, even in the midst of a pandemic. As the Diocese of...

Bishop’s Directives for Parish Lenten Fish Dinners

January 2021Ash Wednesday, February 17, marks the beginning of the holy season of Lent. It is also the starting date for annual Fish Dinners in parishes throughout the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. In many of those places it is a regular fundraiser to support parish...

Bishop’s Directives for Distribution of Palms

January 2021Ample instructions for the Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem are found in the Roman Missal for the celebration of Palm Sunday. Three Forms are provided for this observance. Given the circumstances of the COVID pandemic, and in order to...

Saint of the Day

Daily Reading

Daily Readings for Monday, February 10, 2025

Reading 1, Genesis 1:1-19 1 In the beginning God created heaven and earth.2 Now the earth was a formless void, there was darkness over the deep, with a divine wind sweeping over the waters.3 God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.4 God saw that light was...

Daily Readings for Sunday, February 09, 2025

Reading 1, Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8 1 In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne; his train filled the sanctuary.2 Above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings: two to cover its face, two to cover its feet and two for flying;3 and...

Daily Readings for Friday, February 07, 2025

Reading 1, Hebrews 13:1-8 1 Continue to love each other like brothers,2 and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.3 Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them;...

Daily Readings for Tuesday, February 04, 2025

Reading 1, Hebrews 12:1-4 1 With so many witnesses in a great cloud all around us, we too, then, should throw off everything that weighs us down and the sin that clings so closely, and with perseverance keep running in the race which lies ahead of us.2 Let us keep our...

Daily Readings for Monday, February 03, 2025

Reading 1, Hebrews 11:32-40 32 What more shall I say? There is not time for me to give an account of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, or of David, Samuel and the prophets.33 These were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what was upright and earned the...

Daily Readings for Sunday, February 02, 2025

Reading 1, Malachi 3:1-4 1 'Look, I shall send my messenger to clear a way before me. And suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his Temple; yes, the angel of the covenant, for whom you long, is on his way, says Yahweh Sabaoth.2 Who will be able to resist the...

Daily Readings for Saturday, February 01, 2025

Reading 1, Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 1 Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of realities that are unseen.2 It is for their faith that our ancestors are acknowledged.8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a...