Current Events and News

From the Diocese

Vaccine Q&A

From the United States Conference of Catholic BishopsJanuary 2021The development of vaccines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic has received much public attention and raised several ethical questions related to their development and use. This document is intended to...

Christmas TV Show

Proclaim! TV is celebrating the glory of Christmas with a television special, “Joy to the World: Christmas in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.”Hosted and produced by Tony DeGol, Diocesan Director of Communications, the two-hour show will highlight...

God Saves

Christmas just won’t be the same this year. How many of us have heard those words lately? As a result of an invisible virus, people will not be getting together with extended family and friends to celebrate Christmas. Who would have thought that shoppers would be more...

Diocese to Broadcast Christmas Masses and Christmas TV Special

As part of its continuing efforts to keep local Catholics connected during the coronavirus pandemic, the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is pleased to offer expanded television opportunities through its Proclaim! TV Ministry this Christmas.Bishop Mark Bartchak...

Parishes Announce Christmas Mass Schedule

By Justin KirklandProclaim!As Catholics, there is no better way to celebrate and experience God’s presence with us then in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Through the Mass, we are able to deepen our relationship with God, who came to us in the most unlikely way during...

Vaccine Clarification

By Tony DeGolProclaim!Bishop Mark Bartchak is joining other bishops in the United States in clarifying recent confusion regarding the “moral permissibility” of vaccines for COVID-19. According to Bishop Kevin Rhoades and Archbishop Joseph Naumann, vaccines from Pfizer...

What Comes After the Election Season?

A Reflection by Bishop MarkSince Election Day, I have received a few comments and concerns about Catholic Church leaders who have communicated with Joseph Biden. The focus of these concerns are political and religious. The political concern is that communication with...

Advent Reconciliation Opportunities

By Justin KirklandProclaim!The Church celebrates Advent as a time that we may prepare our souls for the birth of Christ. Traditionally, before every major feast, time was taken by the faithful to prepare their hearts, through prayer, fasting, and penance. Christ came...

What Did Pope Francis Say?

A Message from Bishop MarkOctober 23, 2020What did Pope Francis say? I have been asked that question this week since it has been reported that Pope Francis may have just changed the Church’s teaching about marriage. That conclusion was based on something the Holy...

Saint of the Day

Daily Reading

Daily Readings for Thursday, November 28, 2024

Reading 1, Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9 1 After this, I saw another angel come down from heaven, with great authority given to him; the earth shone with his glory.2 At the top of his voice he shouted, 'Babylon has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen, and has...

Daily Readings for Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Reading 1, Revelation 14:14-19 14 Now in my vision I saw a white cloud and, sitting on it, one like a son of man with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.15 Then another angel came out of the sanctuary and shouted at the top of his voice to the one...

Daily Readings for Monday, November 25, 2024

Reading 1, Revelation 14:1-3, 4-5 1 Next in my vision I saw Mount Zion, and standing on it the Lamb who had with him a hundred and forty-four thousand people, all with his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.2 I heard a sound coming out of heaven...

Daily Readings for Sunday, November 24, 2024

Reading 1, Daniel 7:13-14 13 I was gazing into the visions of the night, when I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, as it were a son of man. He came to the One most venerable and was led into his presence.14 On him was conferred rule, honour and kingship, and all...

Daily Readings for Saturday, November 23, 2024

Reading 1, Revelation 11:4-12 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lamps in attendance on the Lord of the world.5 Fire comes from their mouths and consumes their enemies if anyone tries to harm them; and anyone who tries to harm them will certainly be killed in...

Daily Readings for Friday, November 22, 2024

Reading 1, Revelation 10:8-11 8 Then I heard the voice I had heard from heaven speaking to me again. 'Go', it said, 'and take that open scroll from the hand of the angel standing on sea and land.'9 I went to the angel and asked him to give me the small scroll, and he...

Daily Readings for Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Reading 1, Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22 1 'Write to the angel of the church in Sardis and say, "Here is the message of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know about your behaviour: how you are reputed to be alive and yet are dead.2 Wake up;...