![]() ACTIVITIES - SAINT MARK'S AND HOLY ROSARY AND OTHER PARISHES AROUND THE AREA HOLY ROSARY CHURCH’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY – Please come help plan a special 125th Anniversary Year! On March 24, 2025, we will have a meeting for all those interested in helping to plan a special year and put together an Anniversary Book that will include history and parishioner pictures. Our 125th Anniversary is December 2, 2026. The meeting will be at 6:00 pm at Holy Rosary's Church Hall. ST. VINCENT DePAUL MEETING – Sunday, February 16, 2025, following the 8:30 am Mass at Saint Mark’s. New members are always welcome. . HOLLIDAYSBURG VETERANS’ HOME – A thank you letter was received by our St. Vincent De Paul Chapter for the generous donation of sweatpants, hats, gloves, sweat jackets, socks, shirts, and lotions to the Veterans Closet Donation Room. Our generosity and support was appreciated by the residents as well as the staff and administration. FOSTER GRANDPARENT & SENIOR COMPANION VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - If you are looking for an opportunity to bless someone, contact Blair Senior Services, Inc. They are in need of Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions. For more information on how to pay it forward or for an application, please contact the Volunteer Program Office at 814 946-1235 and ask for Jackie Rollo. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLY ROSARY AND ST. MARK’S SOUP SALE – Pick up – March 15, 2025 – 9-11:30 am – Saint Mark’s church basement – 1 quart of chicken noodle soup and rolls - $10 – Tickets on Sale before and after all Masses. “NOAH” BUS TRIP– Please join our bus trip to see Noah-30th Anniversary Limited Showing at the Sight & Sound Theatre on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The cost of the bus trip includes the 11:00 am Show and 2:15 pm Lunch Smorgasbord at Hershey Farm Restaurant: $195/Adult, $140/Child/ (3-12). Please contact Robyn Murphy (814 931-5683 or Diane O’Leary (814 935-2114) to reserve your seat. DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE NATIONAL SHRINE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, October 17, 2025, there will be a bus trip with Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to the National Shrine. The pilgrimage will include 2 pm Mass with Bishop Mark in the Upper Church. This is an official Holy Door Site named by Pope Francis for the Jubilee Year. Please talk to Father Nelson or call either rectory if you are interested. OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL – ASH WEDNESDAY FISH FRY – MARCH 5, 2025 – 4-7 PM Serving in the School Cafeteria on 8th Avenue - $14 - Baked or Fried Fish Tickets sold in advance at the Parish Office, 806 11th Street during the week – take-outs available MARK YOUR CALENDAR – STRENGTH IN CHRIST MEN’S CONFERENCE – Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 11:30 am – 5:30 pm at Mount Aloysius College, Cresson. Join in for a day that includes lunch, Sunday Mass, talks from local priests, personal testimonies, and a panel discussion with local Catholic men. There is no cost to attend. To register online, visit www.dioceseaj.org For those unable to register online, paper registration forms can be found at each parish to complete and return via mail. Registration closes March 21st. Online registration is encouraged due to limited seating. ==================================================== JANUARY 2025 - FOR THE RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION PRAYER INTENTION OF POPE FRANCIS Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected. Amen. Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Pilgrim Holy Sites Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Altoona Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown Our Lady of the Alleghenies, Lilly Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, Loretto Our Lady Queen of Angels, Central City Immaculate Conception Church, Dudley Our Lady of Victory Church, State College Saint Joseph Mission Church, Carrolltown Queen of Archangels Church, Clarence Saint Mary Church, Shade Gap Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Bean’s Cove Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Johnstown Pope Francis has decreed the year 2025 as a Jubilee Year calling all to be Pilgrims of Hope. Catholic Charities will be using the influence of Pope Francis to provide training opportunities to understand what poverty looks like in each parish community. Dates for the live workshops will be shared with each Deanery for the Lenten season. The knowledge provided will have participants embrace how they can bring hope and respond to real situations in their parish communities and local neighborhoods. More information will be provided closer to the Lenten Season. The first Jubilee in the Catholic Church was proclaimed in the year 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII and has been continued from that time on to be held every 25 years. Pope Francis chose the motto “Pilgrims of Hope” for the Jubilee as the world is still in the midst of our post-pandemic years. Hope does not disappoint. Pope Francis notes that the Jubilee has always been an event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church” encouraging all the faithful “to be tangible signs of hope.” Pope Francis has cast the Jubilee as an opportunity for conversion, reconciliation with God through the Sacrament of Penance, obtaining indulgences for ourselves and the faithfully departed, through God’s mercy, renewing our faith and love through hope, and proclaiming God’s love to the many people suffering in today’s world. FEBRUARY 2025 – FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD & RELIGIOUS LIFE – MONTHLY INTENTION PRAYER INTENTION OF POPE FRANCIS Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life. Amen. May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. ---------------------------- What does the Bible say about 2025? Matthew 24:42 remind us: “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” As we step into 2025, let’s remain prayerful and grounded in Scripture. ------------------------- ====================================================================== NOAH BUS TRIP - Please join our bus trip to see Noah – 30th Anniversary Limited Showing at the Sight & Sound Theatre on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The cost of the bus trip includes the 11:00 am Show and 2:15 pm Lunch Smorgasbord at Hershey Farm Restaurant - $195/adult; $140/child (3-12). Please contact Robyn Murphy (814 931-5683) or Diane O’Leary (814 935-2114). ================================================ SAINT MARK CHURCH CLEANING – Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – 5:30 pm =============================================================================== VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES at Garvey Manor & Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence The rewards of volunteering are many, but none is as great a knowing that you can help someone live with the quality and dignity that they deserve. Just a few hours of your time as a volunteer would make a lasting impact on the residents. Flexible schedules are offered to the volunteers so that you can give of your time and talents weekly, monthly, or even periodically for special functions and programs. Volunteers can help by being a Eucharistic Minister, Providing Companionship and Visits, Sharing your Talents by singing or playing an instrument, etc. For more information, contact Kathy LaVelle at 814 694-5571, extension 4009 or email: [email protected] ======================================================= (HR) SHOE COLLECTION – Collection Boxes are now located in the back of both churches. Have you cleaned out your closet lately? Those shoes that have been sitting there unworn actually have value! We’re collecting gently worn, used and new shoes and we need your help. We’re looking for all types of shoes: sneakers, boots, dress shoes, sandals, athletic and casual shoes. We want them all! Please help Anthony Kowalski and the Boy Scouts of Troop 49 by donating your shoes to benefit others! COOKBOOKS – Our 125th Anniversary Cookbook is still available. They make great gifts. Cost $5; available at St. Mark’s Rectory and in the Sacristy. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Pray for Us. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO – The Combined Churches Social Committee has put together the following activities for 2025. You might want to mark your calendars.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SAINT MARY ADORATION CHAPEL at 712 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg, PA has five time slots available: Tuesday – 9 pm – 10 pm; Tuesday – 11 pm – 12 midnight; Thursday 4 pm – 5 pm; Friday – 8 am – 9 am; Friday – 10 am – 11 am. You are invited to come pray to the Blessed Sacrament. Please call or text Katie at 814 502-8436. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FACEBOOK – facebook.com/saintmarksofaltoona - “Like us” on Facebook ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STAINED GLASS WINDOWS AT SAINT MARK’S Week #4, Window #4 (4th from the front on left): Saint Mark and Saint Barnabas were relatives, possibly cousins, who made several missionary journeys together. Barnabas was an early prominent Christian disciple in Jerusalem, first mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as one who sold some land he owned and gave the proceeds to the Apostles. He introduced St. Paul to the Apostles, accompanied Paul on some of his missionary journeys, and is also mentioned in some of Paul’s Epistles. According to tradition, Barnabas was martyred by being tortured and stoned to death around 61 A.D. This window depicts Mark and Barnabas departing on a missionary journey to Cyprus where they preached all over the island, using the Gospel of St. Matthew, the first Gospel written. St. Mark is shown traveling lightly, carrying only a purple traveling bag and a walking stick or staff, shown again at the bottom in the middle windowpane. The fire in the lower left windowpane might serve as a reminder that these missionaries are led by the Holy Spirit (often symbolized by fire) as they go forth to spread the fire of God’s love by preaching the “good news” of Jesus Christ. The symbol of the lion is frequently used to represent St. Mark the Evangelist, probably because St. Mark begins his Gospel with scenes of St. John the Baptist and Jesus in the wilderness. It is interesting to note that, at the time the Gospels were written, lions still inhabited caves within Palestine. Often the lion symbolizing St. Mark is a winged lion as in this image, wings being a symbol of divine mission. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. Week #5, Window #5 (5th from the front on left): In this window Saint Paul is shown under house arrest in chains, in Rome with a soldier guarding him. This event occurred during St. Paul’s second Roman captivity shortly before his martyrdom in 63 A.D. Sacred Scripture relates to St. Mark was with St. Paul to help and comfort him. (1 Colossians 4: 10-11) St. Paul near the end of his Epistle to the Ephesians, describes himself as an “ambassador in chains” as he boldly makes known the mystery of the Gospel. The bottom left windowpane depicts a griffin, a mythological creature which possesses the parts of great predator animals, such as a lion and an eagle. For this reason, it is a perfect symbol of Satan, the great predator of the Christian. The middle pane illustrates the Bible with the Latin words “Spiritus Gladius”, translated “Sword of the Spirit”, imposed on a double-edged sword. This symbol is reference to St. Paul’s admonition in his Epistle to the Ephesians, written during his imprisonment. He tells them and us to “put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil… In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of the God” (Ephesians 6” 10-17) The bottom right pane shows the shield of faith mentioned above; the three circles on the shield possibly represent the Holy Trinity, the central mystery of our faith. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out our Facebook page and see the new addition put there describing the stained-glass windows in Saint Mark’s Church. Week #6, Window #6 (1st window on the right-hand side of the church): This window presents St. Mark with parchment and a feather pen in hand, writing his Gospel as St. Peter dictates to him. Christ, crowned in glory, with the wounds of his hands and feet, appears above them, holding the world in His hands, with angels at his side. (Note the winged lion on the side of St. Mark’s writing desk signifying his divine mission in writing the Gospel, as well as the scroll proclaiming “Pax Tibi” or “Peace to Y ou”.) The Gospel of St. Mark (the second Gospel) written in Rome before 60 A.D. is a record of the life of Jesus through the eyes of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles (shown again with the keys to the kingdom hanging from his waist). For this reason, St. Peter plays a prominent role in St. Mark’s Gospel whose purpose is to prove to the Romans (and us) that Jesus is the Savior and that He is divine. Thus, a high point in Mark’s Gospel occurs when the Roman centurion proclaims, following the death of Jesus, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” FACEBOOK – facebook.com/saintmarksofaltoona - “Like us” on Facebook Check out our Facebook page and see the new addition put there describing the stained-glass windows in Saint Mark’s Church. Week #9, Window #9 (4th window on the right-hand side of the church): In this window, Saint Mark is shown reminiscing about the events in the life of Christ as seen through the eyes of Saint Peter. In the upper left, the table at which Jesus ate His Last Supper with the Apostles is pictured. On the table is the chalice reminding us of the Blood of Christ which was poured out at Calvary. The arrest of Jesus is illustrated beside the table. On the right is depicted one of the miracles of Jesus, probably the cure of the blind man near Bethsaida which is described only in Mark’s Gospel. To the right of Saint Mark is shown the fig tree with leaves, but no fruit, an allusion to the story where Jesus cursed the fig tree, causing it to wither. To his left is seen the Gospel of Mark in the paws of the winged lion, mentioned previously as the symbol of the evangelist Mark. This points to the fact that, in his Gospel, Mark dwells most fully on the Resurrection of Christ and proclaims with great emphasis the royal dignity of Christ. (Recall that lions are known as “the king of beasts” and wings are a symbol of divine mission). Because it was once believed that young lions were born dead but came to life three days later when breathed upon by the father, the lion has become associated with the Resurrection and is thus a symbol for Christ, the Lord of life! On the bottom left, the empty tomb is surrounded by a sunburst symbolizing that Christ, who died on the cross has risen from the dead. In the middle pane, behind the cross, the books of the four Gospels, which tell the story of Christ, are presented. To the right, the open book of the Gospel of Mark, originally written in Greek, is shown accompanied by a quill pen and inkhorn. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out our Facebook page and see the new addition put there describing the stained-glass windows in Saint Mark’s Church. Week #10, Window #10 (5th window on the right-hand side of the church): This window shows St. Mark, the Patron Saint of Venice, Italy, seated on his throne with one hand raised in blessing and the other hand holding his Gospel opened to the Latin greeting “Pax Tibi”, translated “Peace to you”, which is a common greeting used by Jesus with His disciples. To his right stands a pedestal holding a small replica of the winged lion which also happens to be the emblem of Venice. To the top left of St. Mark is a copy of the coat of arms of Pope John XXIII, who reigned from 1958-1963, around the time these windows were installed, and the church was remodeled according to the reforms of Vatican II. (Prior to being elected Pope, he was the Cardinal Patriarch of Venice.) The components which make up this coat of arms from top to bottom are as follows: The Papal tiara (triple crown) represents the Pope’s three functions as supreme pastor, teacher and priest; the keys, a part of every Pope’s coat of arms, represent the Pope’s dual authority of binding and loosing; the winged lion holding St. Mark’s Gospel opened to the words “Pax Tibi, Marce, Evangelista Meus”; the Fleur De Lys can refer to Mary and also the Trinity because of its three parts forming one figure; the Tower of St. John is located in the Vatican Gardens, a place of quiet meditation and reflection for the Popes. Pope John XXIII chose this tower to be his hermitage; his coat of arms adorns the main door. Below this seal, a gondola floats in one of the canals of Venice. The bottom left pane pictures a ship symbolizing Mark’s missionary journeys or the Church. The banner in the middle pane contains the Latin greeting mentioned above “Pax Tibi, Marce, evangelist meus”, translated as “Peace to you Mark my Evangelist”. This greeting has its origin in the legend that, on the night before his martyrdom, while St. Mark was in prison, an angel appeared to him, strengthening him with the assurance that “Your name has been written in the book of life”. After the angel departed, as Mark thanked God for sending the angel, Jesus himself appeared to him with the greeting, “Peace be to you, Mark, my disciple and evangelist”. St. Mark started to shout, “Oh my Lord Jesus”, but the vision disappeared. On the right pane is pictured a golden reliquary containing, it is said, a fragment of the original Gospel in the handwriting of St. Mark. Around 815 A.D. Venetian merchants trading to Alexandria, Egypt, carried off (stole) the relics of St. Mark which they deposited in the city of Venice where the stately Basilica Church of St. Mark was built over them. Since then Saint Mark has been honored as the patron saint of Venice. COME VISIT SAINT MARK'S AND SEE THE WINDOWS AND JOIN US FOR MASS. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU COME TO PRAY AND SING WITH US. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY, WATCH OVER US. SAINT MARK, PRAY FOR US. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COOKBOOKS MAKE A NICE GIFT COOKBOOKS – Just a reminder that Saint Mark’s125th Anniversary Cookbooks are for sale at a reduced price of $5 each – they are available at the Rectory. They make a nice wedding, shower, or a “just because” gift. An observation from a parishioner: "I had some extra time just sitting around and I decided to look through this cookbook again. I was so impressed with the number of recipes and started to think that I should be making some of those things. The cookbook is outstanding and thanks to everyone who had anything to do with its publication. I understand there are still some copies left and I would suggest that you stop at the Rectory and buy a few." The cookbook has 381 recipes which includes a few celebrity recipes by Lauren Kudlawiec who was the 2nd place winner cooking contestant on the Rachel Ray Show; Mary Balkavich who had a recipe published in Country Woman Magazine, and Keith Auker, the head chef at UPMC, Altoona. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISE – One of Saint Mark’s Arise Groups recently made some “blessing bags” that were distributed to those in the City of Altoona who were in need. On the bag were the words “A Big Hug from Saint Mark’s.” The bags which included many items of need and use were given to the Altoona Police Department to distribute. The story of this group has been featured on Proclaim! TV by the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese “Faith Forward” which is an E-News Series which highlights individuals or groups who are putting their Catholic faith into action by sharing their time and talent to help others. God Bless You and Thank You to this special group of women. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOLY ROSARY – Did you remember to bring a non-perishable food item for the St. Vincent Food Bank? There is a basket in the Vestibule at Holy Rosary inside the front door for donations. Thank you, donors! GARVEY MANOR AND OUR LADY OF THE ALLEGHENIES RESIDENCE are currently recruiting volunteers for a variety of positions. Even an hour or two a week or month for an individual's time can make a difference. Please contact KATHY LaVALLE, volunteer coordinator at 695-5571. HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWS Campus Locations: HTCS Altoona (Saint Therese’s Site- 814 381-7011) - 424 Wopsononock Avenue HTCS Hollidaysburg (St. Michael’s Site – 814 695-6112) – 321 Spruce Street; and HTCS Middle School – (St. Rose Site- 814 942-7835) 5519 6th Avenue, Altoona. For those of you who are interested in learning more about Holy Trinity Catholic School or are thinking of enrolling your children, we encourage you to call and schedule a tour at one of our two elementary buildings or the middle school campus. We cannot think of a better way for you to learn about the school then to come and see for yourself the awesome power of our Catholic School Family. Telephone numbers are listed in the above paragraph. HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWS – Bingo on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Saint Rose of Lima basement. Doors open at 5 pm, games start at 7 pm, admission package is $35 which includes 18 cards for 24 regular games and 5 special cards. Any questions can be directed to Anita Zeth or Jan Crossman: 814 942-7835 |