Deacon Candidates Installed as Lectors
Bishop Mark celebrated the Institution to Ministry of Lector during Mass on September 21, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. The candidates who received the Rite of Lector are (Pictured left to right): Walter Zapotoczny, St. Joseph Parish-Bellwood, Brandon Solnosky, Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament-Altoona, John Fontana, Our Mother of Sorrows-Johnstown and Matthew Marafino, All Saints Parish-Boswell. We pray for continued blessing to our candidates, their wives and families!
Word
Altar
Charity
Hope and the Ministry and Life of Deacons - Bring the Hopeless to Hope
A Reflection for the Diaconate Community from Bishop Mark Bartchak
I recently read an online reflection written by Rev. Andrew Rampton, a priest of the Anglican Church of Canada and pastor of a parish in Hamilton, Ontario. The reflection focuses on the life and ministry of St. Jude the Apostle. Rampton explains that when we hear his name, we often think of the devotion to this saint as patron of hopeless causes. However, he did not acquire that title because he was hopeless. St. Jude refused to allow hopelessness to be a dominant power in his life. St. Jude is an example for deacons, priests, and bishops who are called to bring hope to the hopeless and remind the world that with God, all things are possible.
Bringing hope to the hopeless through various activities, programs and relationships is an important dimension of diaconal ministry. The Catechism of the Catholic Church published by St. John Paul II (n. 1818) explains that hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every person. It takes up the hopes that inspire human activities and purifies them so as to order them to the Kingdom of heaven. Hope keeps us from discouragement and sustains us during times of abandonment so that we may be preserved from discouragement while being led to the happiness that flows from charity. It is in this sense that deacons are to be signs of hope, comfort, and Good News to the world.
In the manner of St. Jude, there may be times for deacons to be signs of discomfort and hard news, which is also a good thing. In their life and ministry, deacons will make some in the Church uncomfortable because it is their God-given charism to carry the light of hope into the darkest corners of this life and to inform us, the Church, about what they have found. Their search for hope informs us so that we can respond according to our own vocations. It strengthens us so that none of us become complacent in living our vocation. Just ask St. Jude, who reminds us that there is so much more. It’s called hope. Bring it with you and always be ready to share it with others.
St. Jude is the Patron Saint of hope and impossible causes. He is one of Jesus' original apostles and is known for his faith and courage in spreading the Gospel. How is St. Jude a symbol of hope in your life?
SPONSORS OF HOPE
Deacon Rick Messina & Deacon John Roth
The diaconate community of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has embraced the “Jubilee Year of Hope” by embarking on a special mission of hope and reaching out to provide hope for those less fortunate, oppressed, living in abject poverty, and being persecuted for their faith.
Through our Foreign Missions Program, we invite other individuals, organizations, and parishes to join us on our journey... join us in reaching out across the world to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ with love and support. We invite people to embrace a five-year odyssey to support people and communities in Pakistan, India, and Africa where need is dire.
Since the Pandemic, our Diaconate Community has been providing funds for medicine, medical supplies, and treatments, including eye surgery for children suffering from Strabismus (turning of one’s eye either inward or outwardly), schoolbooks and desks, rosaries, clothes, and other necessities needed to help them with their basic living needs.
Currently, we are looking for sponsors willing to commit for five years to help with a number of projects we are eager to undertake. The first being the “Brick Yard Children.” Today, there are 20,000 brick kilns across Pakistan. An estimated 3.5-4 million people work in the kilns as bonded slaves—many of them are Christians. Driven by poverty and need, these people take out loans or cash advances to pay hospital fees or get a sibling married, for example. In return, they are told to work on brick kilns until they can repay the amount borrowed. Children as young as four years old work in the brickyards to help their families pay down debt. The family is given a quota of 1,000 to 1,500 bricks and is paid the equivalent of $1.50-$1.75 US dollars per day. The children do not attend school.
It is our desire to bring education to these children, and our goal is to create a school. This month, we began this venture with the help of Fr. Kahlil Maqsood. Fr. Kahlil provided the children with books on prayer, the Catechism, and other basic subjects that are otherwise denied to the children. The response was tremendous. The children walked from as far away as 2 miles to attend school. Additionally, we would like to continue to commit to providing the surgery for children with Strabismus. Lastly, we hope to continue to provide essential medicine and food as the need arises.
Please consider becoming a “Sponsor of Hope” and join us as we journey ahead on our Foreign Missions program. To find out more, please pick up one of our flyers or go to our Diaconate Website. Either provides information on becoming a sponsor to provide hope where there is little.
Deacons of Diocese of Altoona- Johnstown held an India Cultural Awareness Dinner to help local priest
If you have ever met Father Antony, you will immediately fall in love with him, a warm, gentle, kind, soul, that makes it hard not to. We are not only blessed to have such a wonderful person and priest in our diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, but equally blessed to have his strong support for our diaconate ministry.
As you are well aware, Father Antony was born and raised in southern India, just a tad bit different from the mountain region of south-central Pennsylvania. After having served our diocese for several years, unfortunately for us due to immigration issues, he had to return to India for a few years and only recently returned to the United States. Upon returning, he continues to minister to the residents of St. Benedict’s Parish in Johnstown, serving primarily as the chaplain at Conemaugh Health System.
With his warm smile and humble ways, he continues to serve our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Why not return the favor to help bring his family here to visit him and see where he is now ministering. What started out as a simple suggestion at a diaconate academic weekend slowly began to take shape. As we all know, if the purpose is true then it really does not take a lot of effort to make things happen, because the glory is all His. When the Holy Spirit stirs, He moves people and within a relatively short period of time good things begin to happen. This endeavor was no exception.
Realize with just a few letters sent out to the diaconate community, who then took it to their respective parishes, the support and excitement began build, along with a catered luncheon with many of those attending from St. Benedict’s parish, coupled with a presentation by Father Antony about his hometown. Like blessings from above, the money needed to bring his family here began to pour in. To date, over $10,000 has been raised! What a blessing to be able to witness this as it unfolds. This story is not yet finished, and the Lord continues to invite others to be part of this opportunity.
From the team which helped initiate this endeavor, we want to thank and send blessings to every one of our diaconate brothers and sisters for their support. Thank you!!
Diakonia Newsletter
The Altoona-Johnstown diaconate community creates and shares a vibrant newsletter that displays the latest happenings within the diaconate community. With a blend of informative updates, insightful reflections, and heartfelt testimonials, the newsletter serves as a conduit for fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among deacons and their wives.
Please click the image to the left and view this faith filled newsletter.
Deacons Take Youth to Steubenville Conferences
Deacon Chuck Williams of Holy Spirt Parish in Lock Haven and Deacon Dan Heiser of St. Joseph’s Parish in Renovo, along with Father Joesph Orr and DRE Alison Heiser, took teens form both parishes to participate in the Steubenville Youth Conference on the weekend of July 19-21. The youth kicked off their adventure with Fr. Joseph Orr treating them to lunch and laughs in Burgatory - a hamburger restaurant near Pittsburgh.
Throughout the weekend, the teens were inspired by talks on the theme of illumination and connected with fellow Catholic teens from across the United States and Canada. At the end of every night, the teens would meet with the deacons and talk about their experiences from the day. The teens experienced a deep sense of joy during adoration, times of uplifting music, heartfelt prayer, and Mass. Many continued to sing the songs of praise well into the next day. It was an unforgettable weekend filled with grace and hope. The Holy Spirit is undeniably at work in our youth!
WJAC TV took time to interview Deacon Michael Russo about the Foreign Ministry Outreach Program that is supported by the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Diaconate. The interview explains the history of Foreign Ministry Outreach Program and how it has expanded to reach several countries.
The full interview can be watched by clicking on the image at the right or link below…
If you would like to contribute to the Foreign Ministry Outreach Program,
please contact St. Benedict’s Church in Johnstown, PA
2310 Bedford Street
Johnstown, PA 15904
(814) 266-9718
Congratulations
Congratulations
May God bless our newly ordained deacons and their wives!
Deacon Chuck and Belinda Williams
Deacon Nelson and Shelley Lowes
Deacon Rick and Michelle Messina.
Left to Right: Deacon Rick, Deacon Nelson, and Deacon Chuck.
Answering the Call
Contact Deacon Michael Russo
Director of the Permanent Diaconate
(814) 288-3036
(814) 241-0576 (Cell)
mrusso@dioceseaj.org
