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 Friday, December 06, 2024

Reading 1, Isaiah 29:17-24 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14 1 [Of David] Yahweh is my light and my salvation, whom should I fear? Yahweh is the fortress of my life, whom should I dread?4 One thing I ask of Yahweh, one thing I seek: to dwell in Yahweh's house...

Daily Readings for Tuesday, December 03, 2024

Reading 1, Isaiah 11:1-10 1 A shoot will spring from the stock of Jesse, a new shoot will grow from his roots.2 On him will rest the spirit of Yahweh, the spirit of wisdom and insight, the spirit of counsel and power, the spirit of knowledge and fear of Yahweh:3 his...

Daily Readings for Monday, December 02, 2024

Reading 1, Isaiah 2:1-5 1 The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem.2 It will happen in the final days that the mountain of Yahweh's house will rise higher than the mountains and tower above the heights. Then all the nations will stream to it,3...

Daily Readings for Sunday, December 01, 2024

Reading 1, Jeremiah 33:14-16 14 "Look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall fulfil the promise of happiness I made to the House of Israel and the House of Judah:15 In those days and at that time, I shall make an upright Branch grow for David, who will do...

Daily Readings for Saturday, November 30, 2024

Reading 1, Romans 10:9-18 9 that if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved.10 It is by believing with the heart that you are justified, and by making the declaration...

Daily Readings for Friday, November 29, 2024

Reading 1, Revelation 20:1-4, 11-21:2 1 Then I saw an angel come down from heaven with the key of the Abyss in his hand and an enormous chain.2 He overpowered the dragon, that primeval serpent which is the devil and Satan, and chained him up for a thousand years.3 He...