Current Events and News

From the Diocese

Individual Who Was Present at Local Mass Tests Positive for COVID-19

An individual who attended Mass at a parish in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has tested positive for COVID-19.The person attended the 4:00 p.m. Mass at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Johnstown on Saturday, August 1. Weekend Masses at Saint Francis of Assisi have...

A Message from Bishop Mark

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Someone recently told me that she could hear the sigh of relief recently as restrictions were lifted that allowed for our churches to reopen. Numerous people have remarked how grateful they are to attend Sunday Mass and receive the...

Welcome Back to Sunday Mass!

As Sunday and Weekday Masses are now being celebrated, there has been a steady increase in the number of people who are attending. So far, there has been a positive response to the precautions of placing donations in the basket at the end of Mass, using face masks and...

Summer Missionary Cooperative Program

[Description of program] To search for your local summer missionary, simply click on the name of your parish (separated by city) below, and you will be redirected. Alternatively, click here to jump to the full list of summer missionaries. If you wish to make a...

A Special Message from Bishop Mark

Young people in our diocese have frequently heard me tell them that the foundational principle of Catholic social teaching is the following: Every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. Period. It’s in the Sacred Scriptures (Genesis 1:27). No further...

New Directive Regarding Mass Atttendance

Bishop Mark has issued a new directive regarding the celebration of public Masses that lifts an earlier directive that would have limited the number of people permitted at each Mass to 25. When public Masses resume beginning the weekend of June 13-14, 2020, all are...

Parishes Announce Reconciliation Opportunities

Bishop Mark Bartchak has announced that the public celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation may resume at parishes beginning on May 23, 2020. Click HERE for a county-by-county schedule of upcoming Reconciliation opportunities at various parishes in the Diocese...

Dates for Public Confessions, Masses Announced

Bishop Mark has announced dates to resume the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the distribution of Holy Communion and the public celebration of Mass in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. According to the Bishop’s directives, issued on May 20, 2020, priests may resume the...

Bishop Announces Plan to Reopen Churches

The following is a message from Bishop Mark to all people of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown on May 13, 2020. Specific directives are being finalized and will be available prior the the reopening of church buildings on Saturday, May 16, which marks the...

Saint of the Day

Daily Reading

Daily Readings for Monday, January 27, 2025

Reading 1, Hebrews 9:15, 24-28 15 This makes him the mediator of a new covenant, so that, now that a death has occurred to redeem the sins committed under an earlier covenant, those who have been called to an eternal inheritance may receive the promise.24 It is not as...

Daily Readings for Sunday, January 26, 2025

Daily Reading for Sunday January 26, 2025 Reading 1, Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 19:8, 9, 10, 15Gospel, Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21Reading 2, First Corinthians 12:12-30 Printable PDF of Today's Reading Past / Future Daily Readings Reading 1, Nehemiah...

Daily Readings for Monday, January 20, 2025

Reading 1, Hebrews 5:1-10 1 Every high priest is taken from among human beings and is appointed to act on their behalf in relationships with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins;2 he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or who have gone astray, because he...

Daily Readings for Sunday, January 19, 2025

Reading 1, Isaiah 62:1-5 1 About Zion I will not be silent, about Jerusalem I shall not rest until saving justice dawns for her like a bright light and her salvation like a blazing torch.2 The nations will then see your saving justice, and all kings your glory, and...