SAVE THE DATE!

November 30, 2021

 I am delighted to announce that Bishop Mark has approved the Diocese of Altoona – Johnstown’s participation in the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day on #GivingTuesday, November 30, 2021.

WHAT IS #iGIVECATHOLIC?

#iGiveCatholic, now in its seventh year, is a giving day event celebrated annually on #GivingTuesday for the faithful from participating dioceses across the nation (and the world!) to unite and donate – both online and offline – to their favorite participating Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries. #iGiveCatholic presents an opportunity for Catholics to donate and support the organizations they are most passionate about on #GivingTuesday, and for our parishes, schools, and ministries to raise funds for a capital improvement, their annual fund, or another project of their choosing. In 2020, the #iGiveCatholic campaign raised more than $12.7 million for 2,600+ participating parishes, schools, and nonprofit ministries representing 40 arch/dioceses, across the country.

 WHAT IS #GIVINGTUESDAY?

#GivingTuesday is an annual day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and widely recognized shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

WHEN IS #iGIVECATHOLIC ON #GIVINGTUESDAY?

This year, #GivingTuesday is on November 30 from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM. An Advanced Giving Day phase will begin at 12:00 AM on Monday, November 15, and run right into #GivingTuesday. Credit card or ACH donations for the #iGiveCatholic campaign are given through the donate button on the profile page for each participating organization. Offline donations of cash or check can be mailed or taken directly to the organization.

 WHERE CAN I GO TO GIVE?

The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown site is aj.igivecatholic.org/.  Starting on Nov 15^th, all of our parishes, schools and some ministries can be found via a drop down box on this site. 100% of all donations go directly towards the parish, school or ministry of your choice!

In gratitude,

Bishop Mark

& Heather Foor, hfoor@dioceseaj.org or 814.317.2604

Next Sunday, November 28, at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, we will be welcoming two people who have been in our Inquiry Classes since mid-August and have expressed the desire to become one with the Catholic Faith. We welcome Michelle Whitsel and Ivan Riggle. Please pray for them as them prepare to come into full communion with the Catholic Church at our Easter Vigil of 2022. 

In just a few weeks we will begin the Church Sea-son of Advent. We would like to have families or individuals sign up to light the candles of the Advent wreath for both Saturday evening at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Please volunteer to do this special minis-try. A sign up sheet will be in the Vestibule of the church on the Bulletin Board. Thank you!

With the upcoming Ad-vent Season comes the changing of the missalettes. We are seeking both adults and Teens who would be willing to volunteer for the Mis-salettes on Sunday, November 21, following the 9:00 a.m. Mass. If we have at least a dozen people it will only take one hour. Thank you in advance. Please let Sr. Linda know in advance if you are willing to assist so that we are able to determine if we have sufficient help.

NEEDED: We are presently looking for a 9th Grade Religious Educa-tion Teacher. If anyone is interested in volunteering for this ministry, please contact Sr. Linda.
• TEEN HOLY HOUR – Next Sunday, November 14, our Junior High and High School Students will have a Teen Holy Hour from 6-7:00 p.m. with Praise and Worship and a homily and service led by Fr. Jozef. A Special Social Supper will be provided by the Parish Association fol-lowing the Holy Hour. The High School Students from St. Matthew’s Parish will be joining us. We hope to make it a pleasant evening for our Young People.
• CONFIRMATION RETREAT FOR 11TH GRADE STUDENTS – The Con-firmation Retreat for our 11th Grade Confirmation Candidates is just a few weeks away, Saturday, Nov. 20. The Retreat will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Altoona. Students are to arrive at 8:30 a.m., and will be dismissed at 5:00 p.m., following the 4:00 p.m. Mass. Please be thoughtful and arrive on time and not look for an early dismis-sal. Please remember to mark your calendars and return your Per-mission slips to Sr. Linda next Sunday, November 14.
• FIRST RECONCILIATION RETREAT for the Second Grade Class, with their parents, will be held on Sunday, November 21 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., at St. Matthew Parish Social Hall. First Reconciliation will be celebrated on Saturday, December 4, at 10:00 a.m. in the Church.
• SIGN UP FOR THE CHRISTMAS EVE PAGEANT take place on Novem-ber 14 at Religious Education. Please talk this over with your child before next Sunday. We will do practices during Religious Education so that we don’t have to trouble parents for transportation and time during the week. We need shepherds, Angels, Mary, Joseph (High School students) Kings, and a Hearld. Please consider getting in-volved. It is always a memorable experience.