Bishop Joseph Welcomes You! 
The Diocesan Church of Altoona-Johnstown is the people of God located in the Allegheny Mountains of Central-Western Pennsylvania who follow the Roman Catholic Tradition in their practice of Christianity. While composed of many ethnic legacies, we strive to be the one household of God as the assembly of believers in the Lord.
As their Diocesan Bishop and spiritual shepherd, I welcome you to our website. It is our hope that your visits here will provide you with accurate information and be a source of encouragement on your own journey into the Lord's Kingdom.
(Most Rev.) Joseph V. Adamec
Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown
Haiti Earthquake
Anyone wishing to donate to the relief efforts in Haiti can send a check to the Diocesan Mission Office, 933 S. Logan Boulevard, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Please mark Haiti Relief on the check. All money collected will be sent to Catholic Relief Services.
Click here for more on CRS's Relief Efforts
Prayer after Earthquake in Haiti
Lord, at times such as this, we realize that the ground beneath our feet is not as solid as we had imagined, we plead for your mercy.
As the things we have built crumble about us, we know too well how small we truly are on this ever-changing, ever-moving, fragile planet we call home. Yet you have promised never to forget us.
Do not forget us now.
Today, so many people are afraid. They wait in fear of the next tremor. They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble. They roam the streets in shock at what they see. And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief and the names of missing dead.
Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster. Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still, and shelter them under your wings when home no longer exist. Embrace in your arms those who died so suddenly this day. Console the hearts of those who mourn, and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death.
Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion, we who watch from afar, as the poorest on this side of the earth find only misery upon misery. Move us to act swiftly this day, to give generously every day, to work for justice always, and to pray unceasingly for those without hope.
And once the shaking has ceased, the images of destruction have stopped filling the news, and our thoughts return to life's daily rumblings, let us not forget that we are all your children and they, our brothers and sisters. We are all the work of your hands.
For though the mountains leave their place and the hills be tossed to the ground, your love shall never leave us, and your promise of peace will never be shaken.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever. Amen.
Diana Macalintal
Director of Liturgy
Diocese of San Jose, California
2010 Diocesan Calendar
2010 Confirmation Schedule
Marriage Prep Schedule
The Communications Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has launched the E-vangelist, a monthly E-newsletter. E-vangelist features news and happenings in the Diocese, looks ahead to upcoming events and offers spiritual resources for the various Liturgical seasons. To sign up for the E-newsletter, please click on the Join Email List on the right column of the home page. To view recent editions of the E-Newsletter, please click on the E-vangelist button on the left column of this website.
COMMUNION DIRECTIVES DURING FLU SEASON -- Bishop Joseph has issued directives for Holy Communion during the flu season. The directives are temporary and will remain in effect until Bishop Joseph withdraws them. Click here the Holy Communion directives.
YEAR FOR PRIESTS -- Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 19, 2009- June 19, 2010 the Year for Priests. More.
Diocese Announces Events for the Year for Priests
Altoona Mirror article spotlighting priests (Religion Section Nov. 20, 2009)
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK -- Catholic schools in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and around the country will celebrate Catholic Schools Week January 31 - February 6. This year's theme is "Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life." Click here for more on Catholic schools in the Diocese and a schedule of Catholic Schools Week events at various schools.
ECUMENICAL SERVICES -- Bishop Joseph, Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko of the Orthodox tradition and Bishop Gregory Pile of the Lutheran Tradition sponsor two ecumenical services each year. The following are dates and locations of this year's ecumenical services:
- Sunday January 31; 3:00 p.m.; Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown; hosted by Metropolitan Nicholas.
- Sunday February 14; 3:00 p.m.; Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona; hosted by Bishop Joseph.
All are invited to attend either or both services. [Photo: Bishop Joseph with Bishop Pile (left) and Metropolitan Nicholas (right) at last year's ecumenical service at Saint James Lutheran Church in Huntingdon.]
Radio Maria will broadcast the live Sunday Mass from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Altoona on February 14 at 10:30 a.m. The celebrant will be Rev. David R. Rizzo. You can find Radio Maria at WHHN 88.1 FM or click here to listen live.
THE CHURCH'S POSITION ON HEALTH CARE REFORM -- The Catholic Church seeks universal health care with respect for human life and dignity. The following web links and columns outline the Church's position on this highly-debated issue.
UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
USCCB letter to Congress -- January 26, 2010
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
USCCB Bulletin Insert -- January 2010
USCCB News Release -- December 22, 2009
USCCB News Release -- December 19, 2009
USCCB News Release -- December 18, 2009
USCCB News Release -- December 15, 2009
PENNSYLVANIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
Pennsylvania's Catholic Bishops Issue Statement -- October 2009
Side-by-Side Comparison: Hyde & Nelson/Hatch/Casey Amendments
Health Care Reform Questions -- Column by Amy Hill, PCC Communications Director
BISHOP JOSEPH'S COMMENTS ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM
(FROM HIS RANDOM COMMENTS BLOG)
Calling It What It Is -- November 27, 2009
Health Care Reform -- August 28, 2009
What can you do? Visit, call, write or e-mail your Congressman or woman and our U.S. Senators about health care reform. Among other things, urge them to exclude mandated coverage for abortion. Below is a list of U.S. Senators and Representatives in the eight-county area of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
SIGNS OF JUSTICE -- The Altoona Area Christian Coalition sponored the second annual Signs of Justice event on January 17 at the Altoona Area Junior High School. The event featured a panel discussion by Randy Feathers of the Booker T. Washington Project; Dr. Zane Gates of the Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation; Pastor John Gray of the 11th Street Project; and Dr. Ken Womack of Penn State Altoona. The panelists discussed how unity in the community have helped create positive growth in Altoona. Click here to learn more about the Altoona Area Christian Coalition. [Photo: (left to right): Dr. Zane Gates, Dr. Ken Womack, Pastor John Gray and Randy Feathers at the Signs of Justice event.]
Seminarian Dinner -- Bishop Joseph hosted a pre-Christmas dinner for seminarians and prospective candidates at his residence on December 22, 2009. Shown are Bishop Joseph (right); Father Brian Saylor, Diocesan Director of Vocations (front); Deacon John Gibbons, Fourth Theology at Sacred Heart School of Theology (gray blazer); Mr. Brian Warchola, Third Theology at Saint Vincent Seminary (top right); and various prospective seminarian candidates.
Check Presentation -- Annie Takacs, a Senior at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg and Vice President of the Student Activities Council, presents Bishop Joseph with a check for the charity of his choice. Bishop Joseph announced he will donate the money to Catholic Charities. The check presentation came during an Advent Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph at the school on December 21.
TOY DRIVE -- Students from Diocesan elementary schools donated toys, games and other items to help make Christmas brighter for other kids. All the goodies will be distributed to children through the Fulton County Mission of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown during the week of Christmas. Sister Mark Plescher, CSA, Assistant Director of Education for the Diocese, organized the effort. More than 500 items were collected. [Photo: Sister Mark shows off some of the toys donated.]
PARISH FEATURED IN MAGAZINE -- Resurrection Parish in the Cambria City section of Johnstown is featured in the December issue of Johnstown Magazine. The article spotlights how the parish has come together since its inception this past summer and how parishioners are preparing for their first Christmas as a new Faith Community. Resurrection Parish was created after Immaculate Conception, Saints Casimir and Emerich, Saint Columba, Saint Rochus and Saint Stephen Parishes merged in July.
Commissioning -- Bishop Joseph commissioned 25 Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School Seniors as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The ceremony was part of a Thanksgiving Liturgy celebrated by the Bishop on November 25, 2009.
Check Presentation -- Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School Mission Club members Sarah Shanoudy and Colin Wolf presented a $1,000 check to Bishop Joseph for a charity of the Bishop's choice. Bishop Joseph will donate the money to Catholic Charities.
YOUTH PILGRIMAGE -- Young people from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown gather in Kansas City, Missouri, for the National Catholic Youth Conference. The group left Wednesday November 18th and returned on Sunday November 22nd.
