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Jubilee Year 2025 closes
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will join other dioceses around the world in closing the Jubilee Year 2025 on Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Bishop Mark Bartchak will celebrate Mass that day at 11 a.m. at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown, which will be broadcast live on WATM ABC 23.
The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona will also join cathedrals around the world on Dec. 28 with special prayers to close the Jubilee.
A Jubilee Year is a time of grace and renewal that occurs in the Catholic Church universal every 25 years.
The theme for this Jubilee, which began on Dec. 29, 2024, is Pilgrims of Hope.
Throughout the Jubilee Year, the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown sponsored various local observances, including an opening Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona; an Expressions of Hope art, poetry, and photography series; a Pilgrims' Passport opportunity in which the faithful were encouraged to visit 13 Holy Sites throughout the diocese, as designated by Bishop Bartchak, and have their passports stamped at each location; a summer outdoor Mass and speaker presentations in Loretto highlighting the local Church's missionary outreach around the world; special concerts at both diocesan Cathedrals; and a diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
The next Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church will occur in 2050.
Christmas lessons, carols
Christmas lessons and carols service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 28 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 335 Locust St., downtown Johnstown. The service consists of Bible readings and hymns for the liturgical season of Christmas. Episcopalians celebrate the season of Christmas from Christmas Day through the Day before Epiphany Jan. 5. Enjoy music presented by our wonderful pipe organist and choir and participate in sing-a-longs of familiar hymns. Coffee hour follows the service. Masks are optional. All are welcome.
Recital benefits rescue mission
Claude Fabinyi, organ, and John Dennis McCoy, piano, will present a recital at 7 p.m. Dec. 29 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1401 12th Ave., Altoona. The concert will feature several Christmas favorites in conjunction with the release of their new album "Christmas Fantasies."
The album is available on all major streaming platforms. CDs will be for sale at the concert as well. In place of an admission charge, guests are asked to bring canned goods, which will be donated to the Altoona Rescue Mission. Visit "John Dennis McCoy, Pianist" on Facebook for more details.
New Year's Eve prayer time
The prayer team at The Well Ministry Center will be holding a prayer time at 5 p.m. New Year's Eve. Sauerkraut and hot dogs will be available. Everyone is invited to end the year with prayer and thanksgiving, and pray for a blessed 2026. Call the office at 814-201-2548 if you plan to attend to ensure plenty of goodies. The Well Ministry Center is at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona.
Soup sale announced
Greenwood United Methodist Church, 1505 E. Walton Ave., is holding a soup sale. Cost is $9 for a quart of soup and a half loaf of bread. Soups include chicken corn rival, ham and bean or stuffed pepper. Orders are due by Sunday, Jan. 18. Orders can be picked up from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 24. To order, call 814-946-3862.
Night of worship planned
Holy Spirit Ministry will host a night of worship with eucharistic adoration from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at St. Michael Church, Hollidayburg. Father Brian Norris will be praying for vocations; praise and worship music will be led by the worship team. Prayer ministry will conclude the evening.
Free lunch offered
Free lunch will be offered from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue.
Food pantry available
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, Jan. 16 and Friday, Jan. 30, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293.
Wreath of Christ services set
Take a breath in the midst of a busy week with a short, contemplative prayer service at Zion Lutheran Church, 500 Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg. Services are held Wednesdays, Jan. 14 and Jan. 28. The "Wreath of Christ" prayer service uses beads, chimes and breathing exercises for a meditative midweek reset. Bring your own Wreath of Christ or borrow a set of ours for use during the service. Use the Union Street entrance. The service is in the church theater, located in the basement.
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.