25TH ANNUAL RESPECT LIFE MARCH

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 beginning at 12:00 NOON, We will begin with a prayer service at St. Matthew Church, Tyrone, then walk the 1.25 miles to Oak Grove Cemetery to the grave of Baby Agnes Doe for another short prayer service. A hot luncheon will be served in the Parish Hall after the March. Sponsored by the K of C, St. Gregory Council #1218. Bring a sign and walk.

K of C FOUL SHOOT

Sunday, January 29th, 2012 the Knights of Columbus will sponsor a Foul Shoot Contest from 1-3 PM at the Northern Blair Recreation Center in Tipton. It is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 14. Register at 1PM at the Center.

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY CHICKEN B-B-QUE

Sponsored by BA Community Picnic, Sunday February 5th, 2012. Dinners served 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the Bellwood Firehall. ½ chicken, baked beans, potato salad, roll-$7.00 per Dinner. Also, Murf’s Potato Salad - $2.75 per pound. Tickets must be purchased in advance at: Sue Whiteford’s Beauty Shop, Rossi’s Store or McCracken’s Garage.

MARDI-GRAS

The Knights of Columbus and Parish Association of St. Joseph Church are co-sponsoring the Mardi Gras Celebration on Saturday, February 18th. Buffet 6 PM. Dancing from 7-10 PM. Music by DJ. Cost $7.00 per person. For tickets, call Joe Beeler (742-9137) or Fil Long (742-8599).

HOMEMADE SOUP SALE

Held at the Hope Center on Main Street on Tuesday, January 31st. 2012 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Eat in or take out. All donations for soup are to benefit the Bellwood-Antis Council of Churches Food Share Program.

OPEN HOUSE

St. Matthew Catholic School will hold an open house on Sunday, January 29th from 11:30AM to 1:00 PM. You will have the opportunity to speak with teachers, see classrooms and meet with the office staff. Also begin taking registrations for 2012-2013 school year for pre-K through 6th Grade.

BASKET BINGO

Sunday, February 19th, 2012 at St. Matthew Catholic School, Tyrone. This event is to benefit the School. Tickets are $20.00 and include 15 bingo and 5 special games with Longaberger baskets as prizes. Door prizes will be by Chinese Auction and include Vera Bradley bags and Longaberger baskets. Additional raffles, 50/50 and food will be available. Bingo begins at 2 PM with doors opening at 1:15 PM. Tickets and value packs are available at the door. Contact Marcie Lewis at 684-3046.

YEAR-END CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

Anyone wishing to have a year-end statement of contributions for their tax returns, please mark your name and “Taxes” on a piece of paper and drop it in the collection. We will send it to you in the mail.

ST. LEONARD’S HOME

Worried about an elderly loved one? St. Leonard’s Home in Hollidaysburg provides quality personal care for persons over age 55 for whom it is no longer safe to live alone, or who desire a supportive community living arrangement for their later years. We assist with financial aid applications for eligible applicants, including the SSI Boarding Home Supplement and aid for veterans and widows of veterans. For more information or a tour of our facility, please call Sister Cynthia Meyer at (814) 695-9581 during weekday business hours. We are Catholic sponsored but accept all eligible applicants.

ENVELOPES

Boxed sets of envelopes will be distributed to the CCD Students. If you did not get a box and would like to contribute, please put your name on a slip of paper marked “envelopes” and we will assign one to you. Graduates and college students can find their boxes in the Vestibule of the Church.

22ND ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OF PRAYER FOR LIFE

This year marks the 22nd Annual National Night of Prayer for Life in the US. It will be held in more than 700 churches around the US on December 8th and 9th from 9PM to 1AM. One of the churches in Pennsylvania is St. Mary Church in Hollidaysburg. One very important feature of the Night of Prayer for Life is the hour of Unity at 12:00 midnight (EST USA). At that hour, all four American time zones within the continental United States are united in prayer. What a hopeful sign to see thousands of Americans, from coast to coast, on their knees in supplication to Our Lord through his Holy Mother, to have mercy on our country and to enkindle a new love and respect for God’s greatest gift–Life!! Please join us for this time of prayer, even if you can only spend one hour in prayer.

NURTURING RESPECT LIFE AND JUSTICE MINISTRIES

ALL Catholics are invited to the “Call to Family, Community and Participation” morning retreat on Saturday morning, October 22nd at DiSepio Institute at St. Francis University in Loretto. Bishop Mark will lead the prayer and presenter is Fr. Mark Begly. Those involved in any kind of respect life or justice ministry are urged to attend. From 8:30 to 1:00. Cost of $10.00 includes lunch. Pre-register by Oct. 15th. Send check to “Commission for Life & Justice, 5379 Portage Street, Lilly PA 15938. Questions, 886-5551

7 STEPS TO BECOMING FINANCIALLY FREE

This program will teach you how to break free from the bondage of consumer debt and develop a realistic and Godly financial plan for the future. No personal financial information will be shared with others. See www.osv.com for more information. Held Thursdays, Sept. 29, Oct 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17 & Dec. 1 (if needed), from 7-9 PM at Our Lady of Lourdes Hall, 2716 Broad Avenue, Altoona, 943-6185. Cost for materials: $30 per person, $45. for Couples. Register by calling the parish by September 22nd. Make check payable to “Family Life Office”. Childcare will be available.

DRINKING FROM THE CHALICE

A reminder as cold and flu season approaches, If you are coughing and have a cold or the flu, DO NOT drink from the Chalice.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION CLASSES

The Adult Enrichment Formation process is an opportunity to enrich your faith wuth two years of intensive spiritual and theological formation and a third year in advanced Bible Study and more. Dates: Year 1 - Duncansville - Sept. 14th, Year 2 - Altoona Sept. 8th. There are pamphlets in the Vestibule or call Family Life Office @ (814) 693-9605.

PASTORAL CARE

The Altoona Regional Health System’s Pastoral Care Department is looking for volunteers to serve in it’s Prayer Partner Program. We are looking for caring persons who are able to offer a gentle and compassionate presence, listening ear and prayer to patients and families of all faiths traditions in several outpatient areas. Informational sessions for those who would like to explore this ministry will be offered Wednesday, August 10th at 10 AM in the All Faith Chapel at the Altoona Hospital Campus and on Thursday, August 11th at 10 AM in the Holy Family Chapel at the 7th Avenue Campus. Specialized training will be provided for those entering the program and the hours are flexible. For more information, please contact Tony Conrad @ 889-4323.

FIFTH SUNDAYS

When a month has 5 Sundays in it, the fifth Sunday collection will go to our Mission Churches in Jamaica and Ethiopia.

MARRIAGES IN 2011

Anyone getting married in 2011, please contact Father Roesch to begin the paperwork for your wedding.

RESPECT FOR LIFE

As Catholics, we are called to a “Culture of Life” stance. In response to this call, for the month of October, St. Joseph will be collecting money and NEW baby items to be divided between Birthright and Precious Life. Those items needed are: diapers, wipes, onesies, sleepers, blankets, baby shampoo and detergents. Please leave in the baskets located at both exits. Questions, call Stella Genesi @ 742-9127.

ADULT DAY SERVICES

Adult Day Services provides supportive care to adults 18 years of age or older, who have either cognitive or physical disabilities that limits their ability to remain in their own homes during the day. For more information, please call 942-6004.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

When one is going into the hospital for serious surgery, I will anoint the person after Sunday Mass, if requested.