Volume VII Number 3 / Advent 2021 |
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Deacon Candidates Installed As Lectors and Acolytes |
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Bishop Mark celebrated the Institution to Ministry of Lector and Acolyte during Mass on September 18, 2021 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. The candidates who received the Rite of Lector are (pictured above): Charles Williams, Holy Spirt Parish, Lock Haven, Nelson Lowes and Richard Messina, Our Mother of Sorrows, Johnstown.
Brian Yurky, Saints. Peter & Paul, Philipsburg and Daniel Heiser, St. Joseph, Renovo (pictured below) received the Rite of Acolyte. Brian and Daniel will be ordained as Permanent Deacons on June 4, 2022. We pray for continued blessings to our candidates, their wives and families!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Academic Weekends
January 14-16, 2022
February 4-6, 2022
March 11-13, 2022
Antiochian Village Retreat Center
(Space Is limited, make your reservations early)
Lenten Day of Recollection
"Sowers of Hope"
Directed by Nina Marie Corona
Saturday, March 26, 2022
St. Bartholomew Parish, Wilmore
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
All Deacons, Candidates and Wives are Invited
Parish Mission
"A Lenten Journey of Discernment"
Nina Marie Corona, Presenter
March 27, 28, and 29, 2022
7:00 - 8:30 PM
St. Benedict Parish, Johnstown
Ordination to the Order of Deacon
Daniel Heiser and Brian Yurky
Saturday, June 4, 2022
10:00 AM
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Annual Diaconate Retreat
"Praying the Psalms"
Thomas Smith, Retreat Director
June 12-16, 2022
Antiochian Village Retreat Center
Rite of Acolyte
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Location TBD
Annual Marian Celebration
Sunday, October 2, 2022
3:00 PM
St. Benedict Parish, Johnstown
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Pope Francis Warns Against
Preachers Who Sow Division Online
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By Courtney Mares
Vatican City
At his general audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis warned against preachers who sow division and mistrust online.
“There is no shortage of preachers who, especially through the new means of communication, can disturb communities. They present themselves not primarily to announce the Gospel of God who loves man in Jesus, Crucified and Risen, but to insist, as true ‘keepers of the truth,’ ... what is the best way to be Christians,” the pope said June 23.
"And they strongly affirm that the true Christianity is the one they adhere to, often identified with certain forms of the past, and that the solution to the crises of today is to go back so as not to lose the genuineness of the faith. Today too, as then, there is a temptation to close oneself up in some of the certainties acquired in past traditions. Read more
Article taken from Catholic News Agency (CNA)
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Vatican II
Why did the church revise the liturgy at Vatican II? Because for many of the faithful, it was too passive, a spectator sport with a legalistic focus on minute details in order to fulfill one’s weekly obligation to attend Mass … how late can I arrive, how early can I leave? Yes – the music was beautiful, as is contemporary music, and all music when voices are lifted up to the Lord.
To make religion more real and impactful, Pope St. John XXIII called Vatican II, inviting global participants from diverse backgrounds and theological perspectives, acknowledging the church’s historical limitations, refreshing (not changing) our doctrinal teachings, and calling everyone to their sacred vocation to build God’s universal kingdom 24/7/365 … and celebrate the sacred liturgy fully, consciously, and actively.
Vatican II was Catholicism’s 21st Ecumenical Council. It won’t be our last. It takes 100 years to see the full fruits of each Council. Co-operating with the Holy Spirit, we move forward, not backward, in faith.
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Did you know...
That Deacon Tom Boldin (D.T. for short) started working at SCI Rockview 49 years ago? Here are some of the unique positions he has held!
- Deacon Tom first worked at Rockview in 1972 as a contracted Genetic Engineer to artificially inseminate the dairy and beef herds at Rockview.
- In 1991, Deacon Tom used his Pesticide Applicators License to precure and use pesticides in the Nursery, field crops, garden crops, and the orchard.
- In 1997, Deacon Tom used his Food Processing License, to manage the Cannery and Ice Cream Plant at Rockview and the Meat Plant at Camp Hill.
- In 2005 Deacon Tom started in the Chapel of Faculties, to teach and preach. He then served as the Catholic Chaplain for two years and is currently the Chaplaincy Program Director at Rockview.
In his own words, when asked about what the future holds Deacon Tom says:
"That's another story. The title Deacon means servant and as the servant of all,
I plan to minister to the least, lost and lonely that cross my path.
The best is yet to come."
This article appeared in the July, 2021 issue of "The View" Newsletter, SCI Rockview
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Many people feel unaware of any guidance,
unable to discern or understand the signals of God;
not because the signals are not given,
but because the mind is too troubled, clouded, and
hurried to receive them.
~Evelyn Underhill
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Deacons, candidates and wives of northern counties came together as a group to celebrate fellowship and to support each other in their ministry. The event took place July 22 at the Dutch Haven restaurant in Lock Haven. Attending were Deacon Chip & Connie Young, Deacon Phil and Anne Gibson, Deacon Tom and Shirley Boldin, Deacon Jerry & Lori Nevling, Deacon Jack & Colette Orlandi, Candidates Brian and Bonnie Yurky, Dan Heiser and Chuck Williams.
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~ Save the Date ~
Lenten Day of Recollection
"Sowers of Hope"
Directed by Nina Marie Corona
Saturday, March 26, 2022
St. Bartholomew Parish, Wilmore
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
All Deacons, Candidates and Wives are Invited
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Editorial: Permanent deacons are a gift to the Church; here are two resources to support them
Our Sunday Visitor Editorial Board
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There are more than 19,000 permanent deacons in the United States today. Do you know one? If so, take a moment to thank him for his service and dedication. Are you one? Please know you are a gift to the Church.
Formally reestablished in the life of the Latin Church by Pope St. Paul VI following the close of the Second Vatican Council (deacons always have been active in the Eastern churches), the permanent diaconate is the first of three ranks of ordained ministry that include the priesthood and the episcopacy. Deacons, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint (‘character’) which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the ‘deacon’ or servant of all” (No. 1570).
The primary way in which deacons serve the Church is during the celebration of the Eucharist, and they are often seen proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, distributing holy Communion, witnessing marriages or presiding at funerals. But they also are active in much more — especially in ministries of charity and service through the parish and the community.
In July, an annual survey of permanent deacons indicated that 587 new permanent deacons had been ordained across the country in 2020. While the number of newly ordained is not enough to offset the number of deacons who are retiring and/or dying each year, the permanent diaconate continues to grow in awareness and in popularity around the world. Read more
For Catholics Who Love Their Faith
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by Henri J.M. Nouwen
by Fr. Marks Toups
by Michael White/Tom Corcoran
by Thomas Moore
by Richard Rohr
by John Cleary
by Fr. Gary Caster
by Victoria Duerstock
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6 Tips For Finding and Keeping Your Peace
Is it possible to experience peace, and live it spiritually, when things in your life seem to be imploding?
Yes. Not only can you remain in peace yourself, you can bring it to others—regardless of your circumstances.
Sacred Scripture repeatedly calls us to be at peace. Read more
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Prepare the Way
This is a busy time of year. It’s all about getting ready.
But we can be so focused on shopping and decorating and planning that we forget to get ourselves spiritually ready for the coming of Jesus.
that will help you prepare for Christmas without feeling overwhelmed. Fr. Matthew Kauth will be your weekly guide as you prepare for the coming of Christ. To start your "Journey to Christmas" click here
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Office of the Permanent Diaconate
625 Park Avenue
Johnstown, PA 15902
(814) 361-2000
Deacon Michael L. Russo, Director
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