Current Events and News
From the Diocese
Bishop Suspends All Public Masses
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak announced the suspension of the celebration of all public Masses and all other liturgical celebrations in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown effective March 17, 2020, and continuing until further notice. Throughout this time, the dispensed...
Liturgical Directives
The following directives were communicated to the clergy of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown on March 17, 2020. The directives remain in effect until further notice. If questions arise concerning the impact of these directives, please contact your pastor for further...
Holy Week Directives
With public Masses and other liturgical gatherings suspended at least through Holy Week and Easter, Bishop Mark is inviting the faithful to watch the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown weekly television Mass on Passion (Palm) Sunday and Easter Sunday at 11:00 a.m. on WATM...
Television/Streaming Masses
During this time of no public Masses, the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is committed to continuing the weekly Proclaim! Television Ministry and Mass. Proclaim!Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on WATM ABC 23 Mass with Bishop MarkSundays at 11:00 a.m. on WATM ABC23Sundays at...
Spirituality
PRAYER RECITED BY POPE FRANCISFOR THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLDO Mary,you always shine on our pathas a sign of salvation and of hope.We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.You, Salvation of the...
Support Your Parish
Although public Masses are suspended until further notice, our Church is alive and still fulfilling its mission. Your parish will continue to bring you the light of Christ, but it needs your support. To assist parishes that do not currently offer...
Wine and Food Pairing
Much sweeter than the chocolate cake truffles and Moscato d’Asti at the recent Catholic Charities Wine and Food Pairing was a true story highlighting how the delightful evening helps our neighbors in need. At the conclusion of gathering at the Blairmont Club in...
Communal Penance Services
The season of Lent is a time to seek God’s healing and forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many parishes are sponsoring Communal Penance Services in the coming weeks. The following parishes submitted schedules to the Office of Communications. Please...
Stations of the Cross
Most parishes invite the faithful to pray the Stations of the Cross during Lent. All parishes were invited to submit their schedule to the Office of Communications. The following is the schedule from the parishes that responded. BEDFORD COUNTY Saint John the...
Lenten Spiritual Opportunities
Various parishes in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown are sponsoring spiritual enrichment opportunities during the Lenten season. Novena to Saint Anthony of PaduaSaint Francis of Assisi Parish in JohnstownTuesdays in LentNovena prayed after 6:30 p.m. Mass Holy...
Saint of the Day
St. Berthold: Saint of the Day for Sunday, March 29, 2020
Considered by some historians to be the founder of the Carmelite Order. He was born in Limoges, France, and proved a brilliant student at the University of Paris. Ordained a priest, Berthold joined his brother, Aymeric, the Latin patriarch of Antioch, in Turkey, on...
St. Venturino of Bergamo: Saint of the Day for Saturday, March 28, 2020
Dominican preacher and missionary crusader. A native of Bergamo, Italy, he joined the Dominicans in 1319 and soon distinguished himself as a brilliant preacher, attracting huge crowds throughout northern Italy. Pleased with his ability to reach large numbers of...
St. Rupert: Saint of the Day for Friday, March 27, 2020
Bishop and missionary, also listed as Robert of Hrodbert. A member of a noble Frankish family, he was appointed bishop of Worms, Germany, and then ... Excellent content provided by https://www.catholic.org/.
St. Margaret Clitherow: Saint of the Day for Thursday, March 26, 2020
St. Margaret Clitherow was born in Middleton, England, in 1555, of protestant parents. Possessed of good looks and full of wit and merriment, she was ... Excellent content provided by https://www.catholic.org/.
St. Dismas: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, March 25, 2020
All that is known of Dismas is that he is the Good Thief crucified with Christ on Calvary. The other thief is known as Gestas. A completely ... Excellent content provided by https://www.catholic.org/.
St. Aldemar: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Abbot and miracle worker, called "the Wise." Born in Capua, Italy, he became a monk in Monte Cassino and was called to the attention of a ... Excellent content provided by https://www.catholic.org/.
St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo: Saint of the Day for Monday, March 23, 2020
Bishop and defender of the rights of the native Indians in Peru, Born in Mayorga, Spain, he studied law and became a lawyer and then professor at ... Excellent content provided by https://www.catholic.org/.
St. Lea: Saint of the Day for Sunday, March 22, 2020
A letter which St. Jerome wrote to St. Marcella provides the only information we have about St. Lea, a devout fourth century widow. Upon the death of ... Excellent content provided by https://www.catholic.org/.
St. Enda: Saint of the Day for Saturday, March 21, 2020
Legend has him an Irishman noted for his military feats who was convinced by his sister St. Fanchea to renounce his warring activities and marry. ... Excellent content provided by https://www.catholic.org/.
Bl. John of Parma: Saint of the Day for Friday, March 20, 2020
John Buralli, the seventh minister general of the Franciscans, was born at Parma in the year 1209, and he was already teaching logic there when at ... Excellent content provided by https://www.catholic.org/.
Daily Reading
Daily Readings for Sunday, March 29, 2020
Daily Reading for Sunday March 29, 2020 Reading 1, Ezekiel 37:12-14Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8Gospel, John 11:1-45Reading 2, Romans 8:8-11 Reading 1, Ezekiel 37:12-14 12 So, prophesy. Say to them, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I am now going to...
Daily Readings for Saturday, March 28, 2020
Daily Reading for Saturday March 28, 2020 Reading 1, Jeremiah 11:18-20Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 7:2-3, 9-10, 11-12Gospel, John 7:40-53 Reading 1, Jeremiah 11:18-20 18 Yahweh informed me and I knew it; you then revealed their scheming to me. 19 I for my part was like...
Daily Readings for Friday, March 27, 2020
Daily Reading for Friday March 27, 2020 Reading 1, Wisdom 2:1, 12-22Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 34:17-18, 19-20, 21, 23Gospel, John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Reading 1, Wisdom 2:1, 12-22 1 And this is the false argument they use, 'Our life is short and dreary, there is no...
Daily Readings for Thursday, March 26, 2020
Daily Reading for Thursday March 26, 2020 Reading 1, Exodus 32:7-14Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 106:19-20, 21-22, 23Gospel, John 5:31-47 Reading 1, Exodus 32:7-14 7 Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Go down at once, for your people whom you brought here from Egypt have become...
Daily Readings for Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Daily Reading for Wednesday March 25, 2020 Reading 1, Isaiah 7:10-14Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 11Gospel, Luke 1:26-38Reading 2, Hebrews 10:4-10 Reading 1, Isaiah 7:10-14 10 Yahweh spoke to Ahaz again and said: 11 Ask Yahweh your God for a sign, either...
Daily Readings for Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Daily Reading for Tuesday March 24, 2020 Reading 1, Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9Gospel, John 5:1-3, 5-16 Reading 1, Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 1 He brought me back to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream flowed eastwards from under the...
Daily Readings for Monday, March 23, 2020
Daily Reading for Monday March 23, 2020 Reading 1, Isaiah 65:17-21Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-13Gospel, John 4:43-54 Reading 1, Isaiah 65:17-21 17 For look, I am going to create new heavens and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered and will...
Daily Readings for Sunday, March 22, 2020
Daily Reading for Sunday March 22, 2020 Reading 1, First Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6Gospel, John 9:1-41Reading 2, Ephesians 5:8-14 Reading 1, First Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 1 Yahweh said to Samuel, 'How much longer do you mean to...
Daily Readings for Saturday, March 21, 2020
Daily Reading for Saturday March 21, 2020 Reading 1, Hosea 6:1-6Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21Gospel, Luke 18:9-14 Reading 1, Hosea 6:1-6 1 Come, let us return to Yahweh. He has rent us and he will heal us; he has struck us and he will bind up our...
Daily Readings for Friday, March 20, 2020
Daily Reading for Friday March 20, 2020 Reading 1, Hosea 14:2-10Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 81:6-8, 8-9, 10-11, 14, 17Gospel, Mark 12:28-34 Reading 1, Hosea 14:2-10 2 Israel, come back to Yahweh your God your guilt was the cause of your downfall. 3 Provide yourself...