Parishes are offering various opportunities for spiritual enrichment this Lenten season, including three beloved parish Lenten traditions – the Infant of Prague Novena, the Lenten Mission in Honor of Our Lady of Loretto, and the Sacred Heart Novena.
The annual Infant of Prague Novena at Saint Andrew Parish in Johnstown will be prayed March 16-24. The Novena opens with Mass on March 16 at 4:00 p.m. and continues with Masses each weeknight (March 17-21 and March 24) at 6:30 p.m. The Novena Masses on Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23, will both be at 4:00 p.m. There will be guest homilists for the Masses, and Confessions will follow the liturgies.
The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Loretto will hold its annual Lenten Mission in Honor of Our Lady of Loretto March 30-April 3. Reverend Father Joseph Tuscan, OFM Cap., is the Mission Director. The Mission opens Sunday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. with mission prayers, homily and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament with Bishop Mark presiding. Mass with mission prayers and homily will be offered at 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Confessions and Eucharistic Adoration offered at 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Prayer intentions may be sent to: Father John D. Byrnes, Rector, P.O. Box 10, Loretto, PA 15940.
The 60th Annual Novena in Honor of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will be held from Monday, March 31 to Tuesday, April 8, at Sacred Heart Parish in Altoona. Solemn Opening Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m. with Bishop Mark as celebrant and homilist. A complete schedule will be available on the first night of the novena in the church.
Various other parishes are offering faith enhancing opportunities.
Saint Peter Parish in Somerset will have a Lenten Day of Prayer and Reflection on March 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The featured speaker, Father Jason Charron, will present morning talks centered around the theme Cultivating Virtues in Our Families, Our Community, and Ourselves. A free lunch will be provided followed by afternoon prayers and reflection. To participate, please register using the Google link on the St. Peter’s Church – Somerset Facebook page @StPetersChurch-Somerset. For any questions, please contact Deacon Mark Komula at 814-233-9285 or mkomula@diosceseaj.com. All are welcome to attend! There is no cost to attend. A love offering for Father Jason Charron will be collected.
On March 20, Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown will observe the Transitus of Saint Benedict – the Day Benedict Entered Eternal Life. There will be Enthronement of the Word, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and Evening Prayer at 6:30 p.m. A relic of Saint Benedict will be featured.
Good Shepherd Parish in Port Matilda will be the site of the Eucharistic Miracles Exposition of Blessed Carlo Acutis beginning March 21 at Noon and continuing through March 30 at 1:00 p.m. Exposition of Blessed Carlo’s relic will be on display during the March 22 and 23 Masses and following the presentation. Learn more about Blessed Carlo Acutis and the Shrine at the Malvern Retreat House by attending a presentation by Jeffrey Daley on Sunday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m. in the church.
Holy Name Parish in Ebensburg is planning a one-night Lenten Parish Mission on March 28 at seven. Retired U.S. Elite Navy Seal Dom Raso will be the speaker.
Two major diocesan events are scheduled this Lent – the continuing series of priest presentations and the annual STRENGH IN CHRIST Men’s Conference.
Three Centre County priests will headline the latest series of priest presentations during this time of Eucharistic Revival in the Catholic Church in America on March 29 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Saint Francis University in Loretto. Father George Jakopac, Pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in State College will present Sensing the Presence and the Comfort of Devotion. Father Jozef Kovacik is the Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Port Matilda. His theme will be Behold, Believe, Become. Meanwhile, Devotion: African Style is the topic for Father Brian Saylor, Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Bellefonte and Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Spring Mills. Please register online through our diocesan website or pick up a hard copy registration form at any parish.
The annual Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown STRENGTH IN CHRIST Men’s Conference is scheduled for March 30 at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. The theme is “Fishers of Men.” The Very Reverend Mark Begly, VF, Pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows and Saint Michael Parishes in Johnstown and Dean of the Johnstown Deanery, and the Very Reverend Matthew Baum, Rector of Saint John Gualbert Cathedral and Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Johnstown, will share their uplifting perspectives. Father Peter Crowe, Pastor of Saint Andrew Parish in Johnstown and Diocesan Director of Vocations, will also share his commitment to encouraging men to pray the Rosary, and he’ll feature the remarkable Rosaries he makes by hand. Also, various lay men from around the diocese will share their powerful faith journeys, and there will be a panel discussion with other lay men who are on fire with their faith. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Make your reservations online through the diocesan website or pick up a hard copy form at any parish in the diocese.
