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Spiritual notes

Masses to be broadcast Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate Christmas Masses at both historic diocesan Cathedrals, to which the faithful are invited to attend in person or experience on local television or radio. The bishop will celebrate Mass at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at St. John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown. That Mass will be broadcast live on WATM ABC 23. Bartchak will celebrate Midnight Mass at Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, which will air live on radio station POP 104.5 FM and 1290 AM. Midnight Masses at two other Blair County parishes will also be ...

Local churches plan Christmas Eve services

The following churches have announced Christmas Eve services: - Faith United Church of Christ, 711 Seventh Ave., Altoona, will hold two services on Christmas Eve. The 10:45 a.m. service will include Christmas carols and the choir. A candlelight and communion service will be held at 7 p.m. This will be a service of scripture readings and carols. The church is handicapped accessible. - Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, Altoona, will host worship at 10:30 a.m. featuring the youth. A candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m. - Juniata Church ...

Christmas Day Masses scheduled

The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has scheduled the following Christmas Day Masses at Blair County parishes: - Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona — 8 a.m., 10 a.m. - Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Altoona — 11:30 a.m. - Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Altoona — 9 a.m. - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Altoona — 9:30 a.m. at Assumption Chapel, 11 a.m. - Sacred Heart Parish, Altoona — 11 a.m. - St. John the Evangelist Parish, Altoona — 10 a.m. - St. Joseph Parish, Bellwood — 9 a.m. - St. Mary Parish, Altoona — 9 a.m. - St. Mary Parish, Hollidaysburg — ...

2023 tax return help offered at local church

New Life continues yearly service With tough times and money tightening for most families, people are looking for ways to save funds. New Life Worship Center is soon beginning its 14th tax season. Donations are at least $30 for an ordinary return and ask at least $50 for business/rental returns. The tax team has raised over $80,000 for 15 nonprofits that the church supports. It has served over 1,860 clients with their tax needs. This year, the church will be supporting 18 nonprofits. The team helps organizations dealing with homeless, youth, elderly, disabled, an orphanage in ...

Spiritual notes

Churches plan Christmas eve services - Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Sinking Valley, will hold a 7 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight service with speaker Steve Katcher. - Wehnwood United Methodist Church will host a 10 a.m. service on Christmas Dve, the fourth Sunday of Advent. The church will host Christmas Eve candlelight services with communion at 4 and 7 p.m. - Faith Baptist Church of Altoona will host a 6 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight service with the theme “The birth that changed the world.” The service will include hymns of the season, special music, scripture readings and ...