Announcements:

• For those that cannot attend Mass -A prayer for the Act of Spiritual Communion

  My Jesus, 
  I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 
  I love You above all things, 
  and I desire to receive You into my soul. 
  Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, 
  come at least spiritually into my heart. 
  I embrace You as if You were already there 
  and unite myself wholly to You. 
  Never permit me to be separated from You.

  Amen.

• Where to look in the BIBLE when you …

  – need rest and peace – Matthew 11: 28-30

  – worry – Matthew 6: 19-34

  – are lonely or fearful – Psalm 23

  – need peace of mind – John 14: 27, Philippians 4: 6-8

  – are disappointed by people – Psalm 27 

  – grow bitter or critical – 1 Corinthians 13

  – have sinned – Psalm 51, 1 John 1

  – are discouraged – Psalm 34

  – feel God seems far away – Psalm 139

  – think the world seems bigger than God – Psalm 90 

  – are sick – Psalm 41

  – feel sorrowful – John 14, Psalm 46

  – are in danger – Psalm 91

  – want courage – Joshua 1: 1-9

  – need assurance – Romans 8

  – forget your blessings – Psalm 103

  – are looking for joy – Colossians 3

  – leave home to travel – Psalm 121

  – think of investments – Mark 10: 17-31

  – need guidelines for living – Matthew 5-7, Romans 12 

  – need rules of conduct – Exodus 20: 1-17

  – need to know God’s will for your life – Proverbs 3: 1-6

• WHY DO WE CELEBRATE MASS?

       From the opening prayer to the closing prayer, the Mass is a memorial and sacrifice; one continual offering to our good and gracious God, by making present the redeeming passion and death of his Son Jesus Christ for the salvation of all humankind through his crucifixion.  We celebrate Mass to offer our praise and thanksgiving for our redemption.  At mass we pray and worship God together in a faith filled community, we hear God’s voice in the Scripture Readings, let the message of salvation enter us and we receive Jesus truly present among us in the Holy Eucharist.

       You may ask a priest to offer a Mass for several reasons: for example, in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday, wedding anniversary), or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died.  Let us never forget the infinite value and graces that flow from the Sacrifice of the Mass.  Please contact the church office if you would like to have a Mass celebrated.

• We are updating the prayer list for our ill and homebound.  Beginning on June 1, 2024 all names will be removed.  We ask that you contact the office with the names of those who need our prayers and we will put them on our prayer list.  Names of those who have requested our prayers will remain on the list for six months.  Throughout the six months, we will always add requests.  After six months, names will be removed and we ask those who want to be added or remain on the list to please call the office. 

• SUMMER REMINDER:  MASS ATTIRE

  Each Sunday we gather as a parish community to praise and thank our great God, to experience His Loving mercy and place our needs before Him.  We are guided by His Word and nourished by His own Body and Blood.  Our awe reverence for God – and respect for our fellow parishioners – is expressed verbally and non-verbally, including the way in which we dress for this special occasion.  Parishioners of all ages are reminded that, although the church has no set dress code, appropriate dress for Mass includes clean, conservative and modest clothing, expressing our heart’s devotion to God and our desire to strengthen (vs distract from) the faith of those around us.

• Sunday, August 11^th at 11:30 am “Celebrating Family!”  Plan to enjoy this year’s picnic which will be held on our church grounds.  Following the 10:30 am Mass, a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs with sides will be provided by the Parish and served in the parish hall.  You are encouraged to bring a dessert and be part of our annual “Delicious Dessert” voting.  Games and entertainment for kids of all ages will follow lunch.  Please sign-up in the Gathering Space to help us plan food preparation.  If you would like to help with the picnic, let the office know at 814-684-1480 or indicate your interest on the sign-up sheet in the gathering space. 

• Summer Enrichment Days at St. Bernardine Monastery  The Franciscan Friars, TOR at St. Bernardine Monastery welcome you to join us for our Summer Enrichment Days!  Each Wednesday workshop begins at 10 am and includes a class on the given topic.  Mass (there will be no Mass for the “Cabrini” series), and lunch with Friars.  The cost is $20 per workshop or $45 for the whole series.  Pre-Registration w/payment required – Please call 814-695-3802

  The workshop themes are as follows:

  July 17^th – “The Real Presence:  What Catholics Believe About the Eucharist”

  August 21^st –   Showing of the 2024 movie “Cabrini” based on the life and works of Mother Cabrini

  September 18^th –   “Cabrini” Discussion Event

• All the faithful of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese are invited to outdoor Masses every Sunday evening at 7 pm at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies concluding on Sunday, September 1.  Please bring a lawn chair.  In the event of inclement weather, the Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel.

  Special Masses this Summer:

  TBA “Welcome to the Heralds of the Good News”  Priests from India. August 4^th – Mass for Young People – Return to College, Work, Military

• Fatima Devotions: THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS, TOR are having a Fatima Family Festival on Saturday July 13, 2024 from 2 pm

  to 6 pm.  The monthly Fatima Devotions will take place at 6:30 pm at the Immaculate Conception Chapel on the campus of St. Francis University.

• DOROTHY DAY TAG SALE! Saturday, July 20th at 8AM at the Auxiliary Gym on St. Francis University campus.

• National Eucharistic Pilgrimage:  May 17 – July 16, 2024

  Use the interactive map found at this site:  https://www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/ to explore each of the four unique routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

• Fr. John Slovikovski Pastor of Visitation parish in Johnstown, as part of the celebration of the Jubilee 2025, is promoting and coordinating a pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, and Orvieto, Italy, which is open to the entire diocese in the month of June 2025.  This pilgrimage will include visitations to the 4 Major Basilicas of Rome (The Vatican {with an audience with the Pope}, Saint Mary Major, Saint John Lateran, and Saint Paul outside the Walls.) We will also visit the Spanish Steps, the Catacombs, Trevi Fountain, and the Coliseum as well as the basilicas of St. Francis and Saint Clare in Assisi.  All of our tour will be guided by a native who is fluent in Italian.  If you are considering joining our group, you are asked to contact the Visitation Parish office @814-536-6110.  There is no obligation (financial or otherwise) before we make our commitment with the pilgrimage tour company in early 2024 when we will meet with our Pilgrimage tour company.  2025 is an exceptional time to be in Rome since it will be during a Jubilee Year which is a very special time for a Jubilee occurs only once every 25 years. 

• PCGG (Prison Christian Growth Group) is seeking volunteers interested in ministering to inmates at Benner and Rockview prisons.  Twice a month, PCGG members visit Rockview and one a month, Benner.  A fulfilling and inspiring ministry, members are answering Jesus’s call to visit the prisoners.  Anyone interested in more information may contact Teresa Jeffries at 814-381-1317 or jeffriesteresa2@gmail.com

• Father Jozef Kovacik and Deacon Jack Orlandi invite you to join them on the Journeys of St. Paul in Greece Pilgrimage May 12-19, 2025 as we visit Amphipolis, Philippi Neapoli, Thessalonica Veria, Meteora, Delphi, Corinth, and Athens.  If you are interested, please sign up on the Good Shepherd website for further information.  https://www.goodshepherd-sc.org/ or contact Deacon Jack at jorlandi@dioceseaj.org

• GARVEY MANOR CONFRATERNITY OF THE BROWN SCAPULAR This faith-filled group meets on the first Saturday of each month in the Chapel at Garvey Manor. We begin the rosary at 9:30 a.m. attend the 10 a.m. Mass, followed by spiritual reflection led by Sister Jacinta under the loving protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Hall. Membership is open to any Catholic who would find it spiritually beneficial to be united with others in pursuit of holiness. If interested call Sister Jacinta (814) 695-5571.

• Monica’s Tears:  Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Altoona, hosts an hour of adoration with the recitation of the rosary every Thursday night from 6 pm to 7 pm to pray for our loved ones who have left the practice of the Catholic faith.  Everyone is welcome, please join us. 

• Family Ritual Some people love the heat, and some people hate it, but in Pennsylvania, the warm days seem to come and go too quickly. 

       Make sure you and your family get out to experience the sun on your face and the warm breezes while you have the opportunity.

       Like St. Francis, praise God for the beauty of creation as found in his Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon, because in praising and worshiping God, all the trials and errands of life get put in their proper place.  And while it is important to “get things done”, don’t forget to just be.  Taking time to stop from all the busyness of life will open us to what is truly important. 

Mass Scheduling for 2024  Mass requests are being accepted.  Each family is limited to 3 Mass request per year with one being on a Sunday.  All Mass requests for the recently deceased will be placed in the Mass schedule as received. 

Adoration Chapel at Saint Mary’s, 712 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg, PA  is open every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week from 7 am to 11 pm.  Come spend time with Jesus

Catholic Ministries Drive (CMD)   Our parish goal for 2024 is $29,219.

  The annual CMD directly supports 14 ministries through which people are accompanied in their journey (100% of your gift does directly to these ministries).  There are many gifted and generous laypersons in our diocese who share their time and talent to support our Catholic ministries.

  This year, more so than others, our world, our nation, our communities, our parishes, and our families need tangible expression of hope.   

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will occur every Friday after Mass from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.   This is great opportunity for spiritual nourishment.  Come and spend an hour with Jesus!  NOTE:  During Holy week Eucharistic Adoration will take place after Holy Thursday Mass until midnight.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is establishing a prayer ministry and we are seeking prayer partners.  Every Friday we pray for those who ask for special intentions, for the marginalized, the vulnerable and all clients seeking assistance from Catholic Charities. 

     Prayer is one of the gifts we can give to each other at no extra cost.  To request prayers, please visit our website:  www.catholiccharitiesaj.org.  

     For more information on how to participate and spend time in prayer for those in need, please contact Lisa Fellabaum, Outreach Liaison at 814-505-1106 or by email at lfellabaum@dioceseaj.org

Looking for a rewarding career in a faith-filled environment?  Locations throughout the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese have current openings in a variety of fields.  For a complete listing  go to https://www.dioceseaj.org/employment  

Parishioners are encouraged to recite the rosary daily, gather together in the church on Wednesdays after the daily Mass at 8 am  and come before the daily and weekend Masses for the recitation of the Rosary. This is a special way of praying for individual and special intentions in a group to provide you  comfort and support.

Apply at Saint Joseph Academy  The Saint Joseph’s high school community and educational experience is strong, balanced, and most importantly, firmly founded in Jesus Christ. Applications are now being accepted at all grade levels. To learn more or begin the online application process go to www.stjoeacad.org. You may also contact Ms. Maryann Lingenfelter, Director of Admissions, at mlingenfelter@sjcacademy.org or 814-808-6118 to arrange a tour or discuss any questions you may have.  We are looking forward to having you as part of the Saint Joseph’s community!

     If you are in need of counseling, Catholic Counselors of America LLC is open by appointment at St. Aloysius Faith Education and Community Center. By calling Leorosie Trexler at 814-505-7178.

     May God Our Father, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, bless you and your family, and may Our Blessed Mother Mary cover you in her mantle of protection!

MASS INTENTION SCHEDULING: Mass intentions will now be accepted.   Mass intention or requests will be  limited to 3 masses for each family per year (only one Mass can be for the weekend or Holy Day).    We schedule as we receive mass intentions and will do our best to honor your requests. Please keep in mind to be kind and considerate of others and this will allow as many as possible in our parish family to be able to request a celebration of Mass.  Remember that the value of a Mass is infinite no matter when it is celebrated.

Prayer for Peace in Ukraine

     Bishop Mark is requesting that  the faithful throughout the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown to join him in praying for peace in Ukraine as Russian forces invade the Eastern European country.

     The Bishop stands united in prayer with Ukrainian Catholics in that troubled part of the world and with the local Ukrainian Catholic population here in Central Pennsylvania. During this difficult time, he is inviting everyone to join him in praying the following ancient prayer.

     We fly to Your patronage, O Virgin Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our needs, but deliver us from all dangers, since you alone are pure and blessed. O most glorious Ever Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ our God, accept our prayers and present them to Your Son and our God, that for the sake of You, He enlighten and save our souls.

“This prayer is a unique part of the spiritual heritage of the Catholic and Orthodox Christians of the Ukraine, dating back to the 10th or 11th century. It is quite similar to the Memorare prayer that most of us learned as children. As we watch the unfolding developments from Ukraine, it is often difficult to process our thoughts and feelings. That’s where a prayer like this can bring calm to our disturbed minds and hearts, and especially to our world.”