Current Events and News
From the Diocese
The Mystery of Faith
By Father Rich Tomkosky At every Mass the priest says after the consecration, The Mystery of Faith, and then we proclaim our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Let’s be honest, it truly takes a lot of faith to believe in the doctrine on...
Bishop Designates Local Sites for Plenary Indulgence in this Jubilee Year of Saint Francis
In January of this year, His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, established a special Jubilee Year in commemoration of the Eighth Centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. Pope Leo desires that this special Jubilee will be a continuation of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025....
Summer Priestly Discernment Opportunities Announced
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Office of Vocations invites young men, 18 and older, considering the priesthood to several great discernment opportunities this summer. Loggia nights return this year. Three Masses will be celebrated, followed by informal gatherings on...
Save Catholic Education — A Message from Bishop Mark
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Some of the happiest memories of my life include my years of Catholic education. To this day, I am grateful for the opportunity I was afforded to learn in an environment in which I was nurtured not only academically, but also in my...
Reverend Bernard Tickerhoof, TOR — 1950-2026
Reverend Bernard “Bernie” Francis Tickerhoof, TOR, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, was called home to the Lord on May 10, 2026, at the age of 75. Born in Johnstown, PA, Fr. Bernie was preceded...
Diocesan Family Conference 2026
About the Keynote Speaker and Breakout SessionsRenowned Catholic speaker and musician Steve Angrisano will serve as the keynote speaker for the Diocesan Family Conference. Angrisano will share his music and thoughts and reflections on what it means to be the “Body of...
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...
Saint of the Day
St. Augustine of Hippo: Saint of the Day for Friday, August 28, 2026
St. Augustine of Hippo is the patron of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround has been an inspiration to many who struggle with habits or vices they...
St. Monica: Saint of the Day for Thursday, August 27, 2026
Discover More About St. Monica with Journey with the Saints Saint Monica, also known as Monica of Hippo, is St. Augustine of Hippo's mother. She was born in 331 A.D. in Tagaste, which is present-day Algeria. When she was very young, she was married off to the Roman...
St. Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Born in Catalonia, Spain, she overcame many difficulties in her youth and eventually became a teacher at Lerida. Desirous to enter the religious life, she failed to win entry into the convent at the advice of her spiritual...
St. Louis King of France: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, August 25, 2026
St. Louis, King of France, patron of Tertiaries, was the ninth of his name. He was born at Poissy, France, in 1214. His father was Louis VIII, and his mother was Blanche, daughter of Alfonso VIII of Castille, surnamed the Conqueror. At the age of twelve he lost his...
St. Bartholomew: Saint of the Day for Monday, August 24, 2026
St. Bartholomew, 1st. century, one of the 12. All that is known of him with certainty is that he is mentioned in the synoptic gospels and Acts as one of the twelve apostles. His name, a patronymic, means "son of Tolomai" and scholars believe he is the same as...
St. Philip Benizi: Saint of the Day for Sunday, August 23, 2026
Servite cardinal and preacher. Born in Florence, Italy, to a noble family, he was educated in Paris and Padua where he earned a doctorate in medicine and philosophy. He practiced medicine for some time, but in 1253 he joined the Servite Order in Florence. He served as...
St. Andrew the Scot: Saint of the Day for Saturday, August 22, 2026
Archdeacon and companion of St. Donatus. Andrew and his sister, St. Bridget the Younger, were born in Ireland of noble parents.They were educated by St. Donatus, and when Donatus went on a pilgrimage to Italy, Andrew accompanied him. In Fiesole, through a miracle,...
St. Pius X: Saint of the Day for Friday, August 21, 2026
On June 2, 1835, Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto saw the light of earth at Riesi, Province of Treviso, in Venice; on August 20, 1914, he saw the light of heaven; and on May 29, 1954, he who had become the two hundred fifty-ninth pope was canonized St. Pius X. Two of the...
St. Bernard of Clairvaux: Saint of the Day for Thursday, August 20, 2026
St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church St. Bernard was born of noble parentage in Burgundy, France, in the castle of Fontaines near Dijon. Under the care of his pious parents he was sent at an early age to a college at Chatillon, where he was conspicuous for his...
St. John Eudes: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, August 19, 2026
John Eudes was born at Ri, Normandy, France, on November 14, 1601, the son of a farmer. He went to the Jesuit college at Caen when he was 14, and despite his parents' wish that he marry, joined the Congregation of the Oratory of France in 1623. He studied at Paris and...
Daily Reading
Daily Readings for Friday, August 28, 2026
Reading 1, First Corinthians 1:17-25 17 After all, Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospel; and not by means of wisdom of language, wise words which would make the cross of Christ pointless.18 The message of the cross is folly for those who are on the...
Daily Readings for Thursday, August 27, 2026
Reading 1, First Corinthians 1:1-9 1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and Sosthenes, our brother,2 to the church of God in Corinth, to those who have been consecrated in Christ Jesus and called to be God's holy people, with all those...
Daily Readings for Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Reading 1, Second Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18 6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we urge you, brothers, to keep away from any of the brothers who lives an undisciplined life, not in accordance with the tradition you received from us.7 You know how you should take...
Daily Readings for Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Reading 1, Second Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-16 1 About the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, brothers, and our being gathered to him:2 please do not be too easily thrown into confusion or alarmed by any manifestation of the Spirit or any statement or any letter claiming...
Daily Readings for Monday, August 24, 2026
Reading 1, Revelation 21:9-14 9 One of the seven angels that had the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues came to speak to me and said, 'Come here and I will show you the bride that the Lamb has married.'10 In the spirit, he carried me to the top of a very high...
Daily Readings for Sunday, August 23, 2026
Reading 1, Isaiah 22:15, 19-23 15 The Lord Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Go and find that steward, Shebna, the master of the palace:19 I shall hound you from your office, I shall snatch you from your post20 and, when that day comes, I shall summon my servant Eliakim son...
Daily Readings for Saturday, August 22, 2026
Reading 1, Ezekiel 43:1-7 1 He took me to the gate, the one facing east.2 I saw the glory of the God of Israel approaching from the east. A sound came with him like the sound of the ocean, and the earth shone with his glory.3 This vision was like the one I had seen...
Daily Readings for Friday, August 21, 2026
Reading 1, Ezekiel 37:1-14 1 The hand of Yahweh was on me; he carried me away by the spirit of Yahweh and set me down in the middle of the valley, a valley full of bones.2 He made me walk up and down and all around among them. There were vast quantities of these bones...
Daily Readings for Thursday, August 20, 2026
Reading 1, Ezekiel 36:23-28 23 I am going to display the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am Yahweh -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- when in you I display my...
Daily Readings for Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Reading 1, Ezekiel 34:1-11 1 The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,2 'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, "Shepherds, the Lord Yahweh says this: Disaster is in store for the shepherds of Israel who feed...