Frontier Family Fest is Aug. 23

Several churches in the Altoona area will host the Frontier Family Fest, a free one-day historical event with hands-on activities for the entire family. Stroll from activity to activity, stay for lunch, and hear about “James Smith and Frontier Faith.” The event is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Altoona Volunteer Sportsmen’s Association, 1448 Kittanning Point Road (on the way to the Horseshoe Curve). Directions and more information are available at the web site: frontierfamilyfest.org.

Anniversary Masses planned

Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown’s annual Wedding Anniversary Liturgies, recognizing husbands and wives marking milestone wedding anniversaries this year.

Masses are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona and 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at St. John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown.

Couples celebrating one, five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60-plus years of marriage during this 2025 calendar year are invited to register and attend either Mass.

Couples must make reservations through their parish.

The deadline to register is Sept. 12.

Army veteran to headline Women’s Conference

A Catholic author, speaker and hockey mom from Denver will be the featured presenter at the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown’s 2025 Strength In Christ women’s conference.

Megan Hjelmstad will deliver keynote remarks at the conference on Sept. 20 at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson.

Hjelmstad spent 15 years in the United States Army and currently serves the church through Blessed is She, a global Catholic women’s ministry.

The daylong conference will begin with Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark L. Bartchak, and includes the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a guided prayer session, fellowship, lunch, refreshments and more.

The cost is $20 for adults; $10 for high school and college students.

Registration is required through the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown website, or hard copy reservation forms are also available at any parish in the diocese.

The deadline to register is Sept. 6.

Free lunch offered

Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Ave., Altoona, will serve a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. The lunch will include a ham salad sandwich, watermelon, a variety of homemade soups, fruit and a dessert. All are welcome.

Motivational fellowship planned

Duncansville Lutheran will hold a Motivational Mug fellowship at 11:15 a.m. Aug. 17. The theme is “Blessed, Brewed, and Back to School.” Enjoy coffee, conversation and a celebration of the season.

Night of worship set

Holy Spirit Ministry will host a night of worship from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg. The event will begin with praise and worship music. Father Brad Baldwin, T.O.R., will speak on “Care, Share, Prayer and Dare: God’s favorite rhyme.” Prayer ministry will follow the talk.

Mount Zion plans celebration

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2121 Fifth Ave., Altoona, will celebrate its 152nd church anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 21, with Pastor Keith R. Moore. The morning service begins at 10:45 a.m., followed by a celebratory luncheon at 1 p.m. in the lower level fellowship hall. Call 814-943-7541 to RSVP.

Roast beef sandwiches offered

St. Thomas Lutheran Church at the Grove, 1341 Ridge Road, Hooversville, will hold a roast beef sandwich dinner from 4 to 6 p.m., or until sold out, Saturday, Aug. 23. Cost is $14.

Yard sale planned

The annual yard sale at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1341 Grandview Road, will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6. There will be books, puzzles, food, drinks, crafts and jewelry, along with a variety of yard sale items. Vendor and yard sale space is available for $15; bring your own table. Sale will be held at the church. Any questions call Donna 814-569-5561.

Birth of Mary Celebration

The 44th anniversary of the Birth of Mary Celebration will be held Monday, Sept. 8, at St. Catherine of Siena Church & Fatima Shrine, 308 Old Route 22, Duncansville. Mass times are 7:45 a.m, 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. There will be a rosary procession at the Shrine. Those attending should bring a lawn chair. The rosary will be at 8:15 a.m, 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Food will be available. There will be exhibits, a religious raffle, rosary makers and crafts in the church all. Following the morning Mass, coffee and donuts will be available in the church hall. The day will conclude with birthday cake and beverages for everyone in the church hall.

Festival planned

Cresson Catholic Community Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 7 at the festival grounds, 7911 Admiral Peary Hwy., Cresson.

There will be hayrides, food, a beer tent, basket raffle, bake sale, kids games, rummage sale, silent auction, fancy booth, games of chance and more.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, Felix and the Hurricanes will entertain from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by Strings Radio from 4:30 to 7 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 7, a 9/11 ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m., followed by Charlene’s School of Dance at 1 p.m. and Rose and the Jammers from 2 to 5 p.m.

Yard sale, backpack distribution

Altoona Restoration Church of God, 911 N. Third St., Altoona, will host a “By Donation” yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. Come fill up your bags and give a donation for the items. The church will also distribute free-of-charge elementary school backpacks filled with school supplies and school supplies for secondary grade students. There will be a donation section for Free PC recycling; no CRT monitors accepted.

Food pantry distribution set

The food pantry at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, is available for those in need. Distribution will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15 and Friday, Aug. 29, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293.

St. Luke’s to distribute food

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 13th Street, Altoona, will hold its monthly food pantry distribution from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28.

Food distribution is done on a drive-through basis to maximize social distancing, and the use of masks is encouraged. More information is available on the church website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372. Leave a message and calls will be returned. Donations to the food pantry, either in money or in nonperishable food, are welcome.

Bible study offered

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Duncansville will be having Bible study sessions at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights in August.

Movie night planned

The Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, will host a movie night Friday, Aug. 15. The movie is “The Sound of Music.” Snacks will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by the movie at 7 p.m.

Wreath of Christ service planned

Need to take a breath in the midst of a busy week? Enjoy a short, contemplative prayer service, complete with prayer beads, chimes and breathing exercises. Bring your own Wreath of Christ beads, or borrow a set of ours for use during the service. The service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Zion Lutheran Church, 500 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg. Use the side, Union Street entrance. For more information, call 814-695-0091.

Picnics in the park

The Well Ministry Center will host Picnics in the Park each Tuesday at Grove Memorial Park, SIxth Avenue and 23rd Street. A meal will be served followed by games and a message of hope. The meal is at 5:30 p.m. Picnics in the Park will go on rain or shine. For more information, contact Deb at debneff071@hotmail.com.

The Well is located at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona.

Deadline

Religious organizations are invited to submit upcoming events, special speakers and other items to be published free of charge in Spiritual Notes. Items can be emailed to

religion@altoonamirror.com or call Holly at 814-946-7451. Items may also be submitted online through the Mirror’s virtual newsroom at vnr.altoonamirror.com. Deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. Mondays.