Current Events and News
From the Diocese
Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Liturgies
Couples celebrating 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60+ years of marriage in 2026, along with their families, are invited to attend the annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Liturgy with Bishop Mark. A Mass will be held at the Cathedral of the Blessed...
Fishers of Men Vocations Appeal
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is pleased to announce that a group of young men will be attending seminary this fall. Thanks be to God, we now have four seminarians, as well as dozens of teens and young men who are seriously considering the priesthood. Liam Clyma of...
Diocesan Family Conference
Lunch is included with the registration fee Bishop Carroll Catholic High School is a handicap accessible facility REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 11 Registration can be completed online or by mail: ONLINE REGISTRATION Please note the codes of the breakout...
Combating the Tendency to Give Into Human Respect and Wanting to Be Liked by All
By Father Rich Tomkosky Part of the struggle of our fallen human nature is the weakness in all of us — to a greater or lesser degree, based upon our temperament, family background, and other variables — to want to be liked and thought well of by other people, even to...
Preparation for Spiritual Sacrifice by Sharing in Different Ways in the Priesthood of Jesus
By Father Rich Tomkosky The Book of Exodus reminds us that God has rescued us by the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. And God always promises us that He will be faithful and help us stay on the narrow path to salvation, but in the end, we have to...
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...
Saint of the Day
St. Michael the Archangel: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Discover More About St. Michael the Archangel with Journey with the Saints St. Michael the Archangel, also known as Saint Michael the Archangel or simply Archangel Michael, holds a significant place in the Roman Catholic tradition. He is an Archangel, associated with...
St. Lorenzo Ruiz: Saint of the Day for Monday, September 28, 2026
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was born around the year 1600 in Binondo, Manila in the Philippines. He was the son of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother. Both were Christians and took care to raise Lorenzo as a Catholic. He served happily in his parish church as an altar boy...
St. Vincent de Paul: Saint of the Day for Sunday, September 27, 2026
St. Vincent de Paul was born to a poor peasant family in the French village of Pouy on April 24, 1581. His first formal education was provided by the Franciscans. He did so well, he was hired to tutor the children of a nearby wealthy family. He used the monies he...
Sts. Cosmas & Damian: Saint of the Day for Saturday, September 26, 2026
Sts. Cosmas and Damian were brothers, born in Arabia, who had become eminent for their skill in the science of medicine. Being Christians, they were filled with the spirit of charity and never took money for their services. At Egaea in Cilicia, where they lived, they...
St. Finbar: Saint of the Day for Friday, September 25, 2026
He was the son of an artisan and a lady of the Irish royal court. Born in Connaught, Ireland, and baptized Lochan, he was educated at Kilmacahil, Kilkenny, where the monks named him Fionnbharr (white head) because of his light hair; he is also known as Bairre and...
Martyrs of Chalcedon: Saint of the Day for Thursday, September 24, 2026
A group of forty-nine Christians slain in Chalcedon during the reign of Emperor Diocletian . Records indicate that the martyrs were members of the choir in the church of Chalcedon. Excellent content provided by https://www.catholic.org/.
St. Padre Pio: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, September 23, 2026
St. Padre Pio was an Italian priest who was known for his piety and charity, as well as the gift of the stigmata, which has never been explained. St. Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione, on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy. His parents were peasant farmers. He...
St. Thomas of Villanueva: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Augustinian bishop. Born at Fuentellana, Castile, Spain, he was the son of a miller. He studied at the University of Alcala, earned a licentiate in theology, and became a professor there at the age of twenty-six. He declined the chair of philosophy at the university...
St. Matthew: Saint of the Day for Monday, September 21, 2026
Little is known about St. Matthew, except that he was the son of Alpheus, and he was likely born in Galilee. He worked as a tax collector, which was a hated profession during the time of Christ. According to the Gospel, Matthew was working at a collection booth in...
Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions: Saint of the Day for Sunday, September 20, 2026
Feastday: September 20 The evangelization of Korea began during the 17th century through a group of lay persons. A strong vital Christian community flourished there under lay leadership until missionaries arrived from the Paris Foreign Mission Society. During the...
Daily Reading
Daily Readings for Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Reading 1, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 9 While I was watching, thrones were set in place and one most venerable took his seat. His robe was white as snow, the hair of his head as pure as wool. His throne was a blaze of flames, its wheels were a burning fire.10 A stream of...
Daily Readings for Monday, September 28, 2026
Reading 1, Job 1:6-22 6 One day when the sons of God came to attend on Yahweh, among them came Satan.7 So Yahweh said to Satan, 'Where have you been?' 'Prowling about on earth,' he answered, 'roaming around there.'8 So Yahweh asked him, 'Did you pay any attention to...
Daily Readings for Sunday, September 27, 2026
Reading 1, Ezekiel 18:25-28 25 'Now, you say, "What the Lord does is unjust." Now listen, House of Israel: is what I do unjust? Is it not what you do that is unjust?26 When the upright abandons uprightness and does wrong and dies, he dies because of the wrong which he...
Daily Readings for Saturday, September 26, 2026
Reading 1, Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8 9 Young man, enjoy yourself while you are young, make the most of the days of your youth, follow the prompting and desire of heart and eye, but remember, God will call you to account for everything.10 Rid your heart of indignation,...
Daily Readings for Friday, September 25, 2026
Reading 1, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 1 There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven:2 A time for giving birth, a time for dying; a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been planted.3 A time for killing, a time for healing; a time...
Daily Readings for Thursday, September 24, 2026
Reading 1, Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 2 Sheer futility, Qoheleth says. Sheer futility: everything is futile!3 What profit can we show for all our toil, toiling under the sun?4 A generation goes, a generation comes, yet the earth stands firm for ever.5 The sun rises, the sun...
Daily Readings for Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Reading 1, Galatians 2:19-20 19 In fact, through the Law I am dead to the Law so that I can be alive to God. I have been crucified with Christ20 and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me. The life that I am now living, subject to the...
Daily Readings for Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Reading 1, Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13 1 Like flowing water is a king's heart in Yahweh's hand; he directs it wherever he pleases.2 All actions are straight in the doer's own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs hearts.3 To do what is upright and just is more pleasing to...
Daily Readings for Monday, September 21, 2026
Reading 1, Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 1 I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you therefore to lead a life worthy of the vocation to which you were called.2 With all humility and gentleness, and with patience, support each other in love.3 Take every care to preserve the unity...
Daily Readings for Sunday, September 20, 2026
Reading 1, Isaiah 55:6-9 6 Seek out Yahweh while he is still to be found, call to him while he is still near.7 Let the wicked abandon his way and the evil one his thoughts. Let him turn back to Yahweh who will take pity on him, to our God, for he is rich in...