PASTOR'S PAGE

  Very Reverend John D. Byrnes, JV, JCL


Dear Parish Family,

  • October is the Month of the Holy Rosary and the Month of Respect for all Human Life.  There are many celebrations planned!
  • Today, October 1,  I will lead our Religious Education students on a “Rosary walk” on our parish grounds during Religious Education time.
  • St. Michael School students will be praying the rosary this month, as well as having a special Living Rosary at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies.
ATTENTION PARENTS OF SECOND GRADE (FIRST COMMUNION CLASS) – On Sunday October 22, parents and our Second Graders are to attend the 10 AM Sunday Mass followed by our First Penance Retreat / meeting.  Please assemble in the pews on the Our Lady of Loretto/Baptismal Font side in the Basilica.  As we begin to prepare for this important Sacrament. It would be helpful for both parents to attend this together.  I look forward to meeting with you!  First Confessions will be held Saturday December 9. 
 
Freshmen Confirmation Retreat -   On Sunday October 29, our parish high school Freshmen will participate in their Confirmation Retreat from 8:30 AM , concluding with attendance at our 10 AM Sunday Mass. The theme is “Preparing for Confirmation…Living your Baptism.”  Brother Kolbe Spenser, TOR and I will be assisting.
 
Fall Clergy Conferences / Schedule Changes -  In October, I will be attending the Altoona- Johnstown Diocesan Clergy Conference at Antiochian Village, Bolivar, PA.  There will be NO DAILY MASS on October 16, 17, 18 and 20. There will be NO Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesday October 18.
  
Mass for Widows and Widowers to be Televised  -     Remember your loved ones on Sunday, October 29, 2023 with a televised Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark Bartchak at 11:00 am on WATM ABC 23. The Mass will also be able to be viewed, at your convenience, online, at the Diocese Vimeo page at vimeo.com/user53173075. All spouses will be acknowledged and remembered at Mass. All persons who have lost a spouse through death throughout the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese are invited to register by contacting the Family Life Office (814) 317-2643 or email familylife@dioceseaj.org. When registering, please give your name, address, phone number and the name of your spouse who has passed away. The last day to register is Tuesday, October 24. The event is sponsored by the Diocesan Family Life Office and the Catholic Ministries Drive.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR 2024: This week, October 2nd, is when we open the book to schedule Mass intentions for the year of 2024. We ask that each family requests no more than twelve Masses of which three may be weekend Masses for the year. Thank you for adhering to the guidelines to be fair to everyone.

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS      MASS AT 6 PM   Eucharistic Adoration from 6:30 PM - 9PM  All are welcome to “come and go” over these hours and spend time in contemplative prayer. A Sign-Up book (by the Prayer Intention Book)  is at the center of the  basilica to ensure that two people are always before the Blessed Sacrament. Let us grow our participation and love for Jesus. Join in the Years of Diocesan Eucharistic Revival!