Breaking News

Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown awarding 13 with Gallitzin Cross

Bishop Mark Bartchak will recognize 13 individuals with one of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown’s most prestigious honors, the Prince Gallitzin Cross Award. The Gallitzin Cross is given to clergy, religious and lay parishioners who exhibit the “evangelizing spirit” of the Prince-Priest ...

Regenerative agriculture spiritual for Midwest farmers

NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The towering maple trees and native hazelnut bushes on Salvatierra Farms break up the surrounding corn and soybean fields that sprawl across southern Minnesota. Small compared with its neighbors, the 63 acres of land was once a conventional row crop farm. Transformed by ...

Spiritual notes

Clothing giveaway Grace’s Closet at Grace Lutheran Church, 1114 N. Cambria St., Bellwood, will host a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 12. Fall clothing is now available. Masks are optional. For more information, call the church at 814-742-7501 or 814-742-7416. Mount Zion celebrates Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2121 Fifth Ave., Altoona, will be celebrating the church’s 153rd anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 13. Worship begins at 10:45 a.m. with the Rev. Keith R. Moore. A celebratory luncheon will be served after the service. Family conference sign-ups ...

US Jews feel ‘precarious’ as High Holy Days approach

NEW YORK — As the High Holy Days approach, rabbis in the United States say their congregations are deeply unsettled by antisemitic threats and aware of sharp divisions in their own communities. But many are also determined to embrace the coming days of celebration and reflection. “Jews ...

Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown sees uptick in number of seminarians

From 2023-25, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown lacked seminarians in formation for the diocesan priesthood. To combat this change, the diocese recruited new priests by developing a “culture of vocations” within the community and a “Called By Name” program, encouraging ...

Spiritual Notes

Free community lunch offered Free lunch will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Fourth Street Church of God, 21st Avenue and Fourth Street, Altoona. The menu includes fried chicken, mac & cheese, green beans, dinner roll, dessert and beverage. Sermon series begins Sunday The Rev. Fred E. Hickok, pastor of Fairview and Jaggard First United Methodist churches, will present a sermon series of first-person dramatic portrayals this month. Sermons as part of the “Shadow Believers: Standing Big When the Spotlight Is Small” series will be delivered entirely ...