"It seems like circumstances beyond our control have held us bound for such a long time. And it has made us feel like we can’t breathe. That is precisely why we need to look to the Lord Jesus who suffered and died on the cross. He has broken the power of sin and death through his Resurrection. The Lord Jesus shares with us the hope, the promise, the blessing of eternal life through his Church, in the power of the Holy Spirit."  READ FULL MESSAGE

What a difference a year makes.

Last Holy Week and Easter, public Masses were not celebrated due to the pandemic, leaving Catholics without the privilege of being in the pews at the most solemn time of liturgical year. This year, whether parishioners mark the upcoming days in church or through TV and live-streaming Masses, faithful are strongly encouraged to truly immerse themselves in Christ’s journey to the cross and ultimate victory over sin and death.

Easter is coming, and the mere mention of hrudka gets Father Aron Maghsoudi’s mouth watering. Few people appreciate ethnic traditions as much as Father Maghsoudi, so that traditional Slovak Easter cheese is something he and his beloved grandmother cannot wait to savor. Beyond that, it is just one element that makes up an important custom that remains cherished in many parts of the diocese.  READ MORE

"As the Easter season approaches and the 40 day penance of stifling our Hallelujahs at Mass ends, the language of “Spreading the Good News of Christ” is sure to accompany any meditation you may read or Father's upcoming homily. But what really is this so called ‘Good News’? Sure Jesus died, He rose from the dead, and made Thomas put his hand in His side, which if you think about it would have been crazy to experience, but does it really pertain to us almost 2000 years after the fact?" 

Catholic education is having a moment. 

It seems like everyone is witnessing how Catholic schools around the country are safely and successfully offering in-person education during the pandemic – and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown are no exception. 

Perhaps the biggest success story can be found at Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown, which is seeing a huge jump in enrollment.  READ MORE

An ice cold Pepsi can be refreshing, but there is something even better to quench your ultimate thirst. “Do you want to live life just doing the sugary water things?,” posed Will Smith to a virtual group of young people. “Are you just trying to go from one fun time that is temporary to another fun time? Maybe you drink a lot of Pepsi, and that’s fine, but you can’t live off of sugar water. You need things that are healthy for you.”

Maggie Taylor hopes to make her mark on the world working at the State Department some day or maybe even spending time abroad engaged in U.S.-foreign relations. Right now, though, she is passionate about building relationships with her fellow Catholics on the campus of Juniata College in Huntingdon, and, just as importantly, at nearby Most Holy Trinity Parish in Huntingdon.  READ MORE

What have you been doing while laying low during the pandemic? A group of seminarian buddies found a way to powerfully evangelize without even leaving campus.  READ MORE

The family of Father Tony Legarski has created the "Rev. Anthony J. Legarski Educational Endowment Fund for Seminarians and Permanent Deacons."

Known affectionately as Father Tony, he had a great sense of humor and a talent for imitating others. However, according to Father Angelo Patti, Pastor of Saint Peter Parish in Somerset, there was something much deeper about this genial man.  READ MORE

"By equipping us with free will, God knows that many will fall off the beaten path, and he is ok with that! He knows that each of us goes through our own journey but hopes that we find our way back to him. He puts people and events in our lives to help guide our way."

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican published Pope Francis’ calendar for Holy Week and Easter, which due to coronavirus restrictions, will be celebrated primarily in St. Peter’s Basilica with a very small congregation. 

Click HERE for more Vatican news

A special Palm Sunday edition of Proclaim! TV on location from Saint Mary and Saint Michael parishes in Hollidaysburg. The Very Reverend Alan Thomas, VG, will walk viewers through the significance of Holy Week and outline changes to expect at liturgical celebrations this year because of the pandemic. Plus, a first look at the interior church restoration at Saint Michael. Watch Proclaim! Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on WATM ABC 23 followed by the live Palm Sunday Mass broadcast with Bishop Mark at 11:00 a.m.