St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

BLOOD DRIVE

2012-02-21T17:58:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 29th from 8AM to 1PM, there will be a blood drive at the Bellwood Middle School Gym at 400 Martin Street, Bellwood. Help High School Students earn Scholarship Money.

SOUP SALE

2012-02-21T17:57:00.003-08:00

Tuesday, February 28th from 4-7 PM at the Hope Center, 421 Main Street, Bellwood. Donations benefit B-A Council of Churches Food Share. Eat In or Take Out. Suggested donation $3.00 pints, $6.00 quarts. Desserts too!

YOU ARE THE WINNER!

2012-02-21T17:57:00.001-08:00

Married couples, skip the lottery this month and treat yourself to a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, your ticket to better communication and more love. The next weekend is at the beautiful Toftrees Resort in State College April 13-15, 2012. Call 412-635-7775 for details or any other questions about Marriage Encounter

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR

2012-02-21T17:56:00.001-08:00

There will be a Life in the Spirit Seminar on Saturday, March 24th 2012 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. This retreat, which focuses on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, will include dynamic spiritual teachings and testimonies by local priests and lay persons, celebration of Mass, praise and worship, and small group faith sharing, Lunch and Dinner are provided. Pre-registration is requested. Adults $25 ($20 if registered by March 1st), students are free of charge. All ages are welcome. To register, call 941-3832.

LENT

2012-02-11T05:22:00.001-08:00

Beginning Wednesday, February 22nd, Ash Wednesday, on Fridays and certain days, we are asked to abstain from eating meat and fast on some days. FASTING is observed for all Catholics between the ages of 18-59 years (inclusive). On days of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength may be taken according to one’s needs. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. ABSTINENCE is a penitential practice consisting of refraining from the consumption of meat and is to be observed by all Catholics who are 14 years or older. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence.

ST. VINCENT DePAUL

2012-02-11T05:21:00.001-08:00

During the month of February, there will be boxes by both front doors for donations of non-perishable foods for the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

2012-02-06T07:13:00.001-08:00

During Lent, Stations of the Cross will be recited Wednesday mornings at 7:45 AM before Mass and Friday evenings at 6:30 PM followed by Mass.

ECUMENICAL SERVICES

2012-02-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

During the Lenten Season, there will be Ecumenical Services every Wednesday at 7:00 PM unless noted otherwise. The dates and places are:
Feb. 29th - Calvary United Methodist Church - Rev. Flanigan
March 7th - Logan Valley Presbyterian Church - Fr. David Roesch
March 14th - Pinecroft United Methodist Church - Rev Robert Stump
March 21st - Logan’s Valley Baptist Church - Rev. Rod Thomas
March 28th - Trinity United Methodist Church - Rec. Chuck Curley
April 4th (7:30 PM) - St. Joseph Catholic Church - Stations of the Cross

LENTEN FOLDERS

2012-02-06T07:07:00.003-08:00

Next weekend the Lenten Folders will be found in the Vestibule of the Church. Please pick them up and return in collection basket. Monies collected will be forwarded to the Missions. If you cannot find one with your name on it, there are extras. Feel free to take one.

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP MARK L. BARTCHAK

2012-02-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that almost all employers–including Catholic employers–will be forced to offer their employee’s health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. If the rule is not overturned, we will be compelled to either violate our consciences or to drop health coverage for our employees. I, along with my brother Bishops in the United States, have vowed to fight this unjust law. In the next edition of The Catholic Register, I will outline my concerns about this issue in greater detail and explain what you can do to help end this threat to our religious freedom. In the meantime, I ask for your prayers that wisdom and justice prevail and religious liberty may be restored. Thank you, Bishop Mark Bartchak.

USHERS FOR FEBRUARY

2012-02-01T18:00:00.002-08:00

4:00 PM - Stella Genesi, John Genesi, Victoria Hamer, Jacob Politza
8:00 AM - Patricia Buck. Robert Buck, Virginia Kimberly, Jack Kimberly
10:30 AM - Walter Beech, Kenneth Diebold, Kevin Diebold, Chester Gaines

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

2012-02-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

The Parish and Finance councils had their meeting on Tuesday, January 17th in the Church Hall to review the six-month finance statement. There is an abbreviated statement on the reverse side of the February calendar attached to today’s bulletin. There are more in-depth reports posted on the bulletin boards The Finance Council meets four to six times a year to review and discuss any issues that need addressed. Their next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 23rd. If you have any questions concerning the reports, please contact a Finance member or the office and we will answer your concerns.

YEAR-END CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

2011-12-29T17:48:00.002-08:00

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

2011-12-29T17:48:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-20T16:02:00.001-08:00

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.

DRINKING FROM THE CHALICE

2011-09-11T16:29:00.001-07:00

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.

PASTORAL CARE

2011-07-30T14:30:00.001-07:00

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

2010-12-29T03:59:00.000-08:00

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

RESPECT FOR LIFE

2010-09-30T18:22:00.002-07:00

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

2010-05-18T05:20:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-11T18:33:00.001-07:00

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

ADOPTION

2009-11-22T17:39:00.001-08:00

Are you pregnant? Catholic Charities has many prospective adoptive families waiting for an infant. They also have highly trained counselors available throughout the Diocese fo meet and help educate women about the choices available to them and their babies. Our services include adoption education, emergency financial assistance and legal counsel through our agency attorney. If interested, contact Adoption Director at (814) 944-9388.