The global missionary outreach of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will be highlighted during special observances in Loretto on June 29 — the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul — as the diocese continues its celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Catholic Church universal.
From 4:00-6:00 p.m., clergy and religious will lead a series of presentation inside the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. Among those presenting will be:
- The Very Reverend John Byrnes, JCL, JV, Rector of the Basilica and Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
- Deacon Michael Russo, Diocesan Director of the Permanent and deacon at Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown
- Sister Marilyn Welch, CCW, Administrator General of the Carmelite Community of the Word, a diocesan community of religious sisters that serves the diocese in various ministries
- Father Ralph Mensah, a priest of Ghana who routinely visits Centre County
- A representative of the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a community of religious sisters engaged in various ministries throughout the diocese.
Father Byrnes will present “The Spirit of Gallitzin,” referring to the Prince-Priest and Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin, a member of Russian royalty and became a priest and embarked on ministry in Loretto and built the foundation of what would become the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
Deacon Russo will highlight a missionary outreach in Africa, India, and Pakistan that is supported by Saint Benedict Parish and his brother deacons and their wives.
Sister Marilyn will discuss her community’s Hands and Hearts Ministry in Haiti, accompanying the Little Sisters of the Incarnation.
Father Mensah will share the partnership between Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Bellefonte and Holy Name of Mary Academy in Ghana.
The Sister Servants will spotlight their community’s missionary partnership with Holy Spirit Parish in Maggotty, Jamaica.
“The theme of this Jubilee Year is “Pilgrims of Hope,” explained Diocesan Director of Communications Tony DeGol. “Our local Church has a rich history of providing hope to our brothers and sisters around the world through its amazing missionary outreach, and we look forward to celebrating that loving service on June 29 and inspiring others to continue the tradition.”
Observances that day will conclude with the outdoor Mass at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine with Bishop Mark Bartchak as celebrant and Father Marek Bzinkowski, Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Maggotty, Jamaica, as guest homilist.
Throughout the afternoon, Expressions of Hope art, photography, poetry, as submitted by the local faithful in celebration of the Jubilee Year, will be on display in the lower-level hall of the Basilica.
The Prince Gallitzin Chapel House, home of Father Gallitzin, will be open for public tours from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
[Photo: Children in Pakistan hold boxes of sandals provided to them through the support of Deacon Michael Russo’s missionary outreach. Deacon Russo learned that the children did not have adequate protection for their feet as they endured temperatures in the Pakistan brickyards of about 120 degrees. Deacon Russo’s mission effort is among several missionary outreach initiatives to be highlighted at the June 29 observances in Loretto.]
