Liturgical Ministers & Choir News

CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED - Attention Music and Choir Director, Choir members and parishioners who love to sing but might not be in a formal choir. Jubilee Pilgrimage Choir Members needed!! If interested fill out and return the form found at the entrance of the church. The information will be forwarded to Leslie Thayer who will be directing this combined diocesan choir for the Mass at the Basilica. She will have information for regional rehearsals and the music list. A full rehearsal will be held at the Basilica at 1:00pm on October 17th. Please return all forms by July 31, 2025. Mail to: Jeanne Thompson C/O The Liturgy Office, Jubilee Pilgrimage Mass Choir, 2713 West Chestnut Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601

SACRED HEART MEETINGS & EVENTS

CREATED FROM THE HEART Do you sew? Do you crochet? Or knit? Do you want to bring comfort to others? A new ministry called Created from the Heart may be for you. The next meeting will be Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If you have any questions please call Betsy Chilcote at 814-934-7737.

THE SACRED HEART PRO LIFE GROUP will meet on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Formation Center, this group is open to all parishioners of Sacred Heart. We are currently supporting the Gabriel Project in our surrounding area. This is a Catholic Pro-Life Ministry that supports moms and babies with baby supplies. The Gabriel Project is an ongoing yearround ministry (suggested donation items: diapersnewborn to size 7, training pull-ups, all sizes, baby wipes, diaper bags, infant grooming kits, toddler clothing in sizes 2T, 3T 4T and 5Tand pajamas infant through toddler 5T). Items can be placed in or near the Gabriel Project display at Sacred Heart Church.

CEREAL DONATIONS NEEDED - Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Parishes have been asked to participate in the annual cereal drive. This collection is organized by Mrs. Judy Savine (a member of Mt. Carmel Parish), in cooperation with the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. This cereal collection directly benefits hungry children in the Altoona area and the need is great. Parishioners are invited to bring boxes of cereal to Mass any time between now and Sunday, August 31st.

SACRED HEART & ST. MARY'S CHURCH GROUPS

Saint Mary Prayer Chain: Louise Gioiosa, 942-2416

Sacred Heart Pro-Life Rosary As Catholics, we proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence. Join us at Sacred Heart every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in the Church. All are welcome to attend. No commitments. Come when you can!

First Saturdays Devotion - Every first Saturday at Saint Mary's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Altoona, we will participate in the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This devotion was requested by Our Lady of Fatima during the apparition to Sister Lucia along with her cousin visionaries. Blessed Mother's request was that people make reparation for the sins committed against Her Immaculate Heart. The devotion will begin with the opportunity for Sacramental confession at 3:00 p.m. Along with confessions, recitation of the Rosary will occur at 3:15 pm. Following the recitation of the Rosary will be meditation.
During meditation, Atty. Terry Tomassetti will share his musical talent by singing Marian hymns along with the congregation.

Sacred Heart Food Pantry - Our parish's Food Pantry, which is open on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. until 1:45 p.m., was founded to assist parishioners and non-parishioners who need some assistance in providing a few meals for their household. If you have any questions or would like more information, call their number on Wednesdays at 943-4529.

EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

JUBILEE CELEBRATION PILGRIMAGE to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. Save the Date! The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown invites you to join us for a Jubilee Celebration Pilgrimage on Friday, October 17, 2025. Busses will depart from Altoona and arrive in Washington for a special Liturgy with Bishop Mark Bartchak as Celebrant along with other priests of the diocese. There will be a tour of the shrine and all of its chapels and oratorie , with the opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions. Registrations will open in summer 2025, more information can be found at the main entrances of the churches.

VOLUNTEERS & HELP NEEDED

MEDICARE QUESTIONS? Are you turning 65 or Retiring soon? Would you like to review your current Medicare needs? Call or email fellow parishioner Chris Bertani, a licensed Life & Health Insurance agent with Evolve Insurance specializing in Medicare. Chris can be reached at 814-937-0148 or chris@evolveinsurancegrp.com for free, unbiased advice and enrollment

UPMC - The Pastoral Care Department at UPMC is looking for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for current openings on Saturdays. If you have a desire to bring Jesus to sick and suffering Catholic hospital patients, please contact Tony Conrad at 814-889-4323.

GARVEY MANOR IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS! - VThe rewards of volunteering are many, but none is as great as knowing that you can help someone live with the quality and dignity that they deserve. Just a few hours of your time as a volunteer would make a lasting impact on the residents at Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence. You can help by being a Eucharistic Minister, providing companionship and visits, sharing your musical talents, or choose form the many of the other volunteer opportunities. For more information call Kathy LaVelle at (814) 695-5571 Ext: 4009.

AASD ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM offers free classes to adults 18 years and older. Earn your High School Equivalency Credentials (GED) or brush up on math and reading skills to prepare for a career training program, college, or employment. Morning and afternoon classes are available and enrolling now. For more assistance phone (814) 329-0261 or (814) 329-0255 or email us at adu-lated@altoonasd.com and find us on Facebook AASD Adult Ed.

Pinnacle Catholic Hospice a Catholic palliative and hospice care company, is looking for volunteers for the following: Patient Sitters Bereavement Clerical Assistance Public RelationsCrafters (sewing, knitting card making, etc.) Pinnacle volunteers will be oriented in our training program to ensure you have the proper skills for patients and their families. For more information, please contact Parishioner Sarah Marchi at Pinnacle Catholic Hospice at (814) 201-2532

Teen Shelter - The R.K. Agarwal M.D. & Family Teen Center & Shelter is located at 1701 6th Ave. Altoona, PA 16602. The Teen Shelter is much more than just a shelter for runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth ages 12-17. This shelter has been operated by Family Services since 1991. Not all youth are seeking shelter some are just trying to find a place to spend a few hours.

Youth drop in after school, get help with their homework, stay for dinner, and participate in nightly group discussions dealing with issues pertaining to their age group. Student volunteers from Penn State Altoona assist with this program. Drop-in services are also available when school is in session. Phone 941-0975.

Pennsylvania WIC Women-Infants-Children - WIC provides eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under age 5 with nutrition information, breastfeeding support, and healthy foods and referrals. WIC helps working families and the unemployed. Apply today at Home Nursing Agency, WIC Program, 206 W Plank Rd, Altoona. 943-0481. Income Guidelines: (1) $1,859, (2) $2,503, (3) $3,148(4) $3,792. Each additional person add $645. PA WIC is funded by the USDA.

Hollidaysburg Veterans Home - Seeking volunteers to visit and talk with the veterans, play games, do puzzles, or sit in the smoking room and light their cigarettes. Weather permitting they can be taken outside to the patio or for a stroll around the grounds. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the Volunteer Office at 696-5371.

Blair Senior Services - Blair Senior Services is seeking volunteers 55 years of age or older, who would like to make a difference in the lives of the residents of our community through RSVP. Please call Brian Querry at 946-1235, ext. 1041 to learn how you can help.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES SERVICES

Are you having a difficult time in your life? Do you have problems communicating with others, feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed? Coping with the loss of a loved one, a relationship or employment? Catholic Charities Counseling Program can help! We offer confidential, professional counseling services to any person within the diocese. Counselors provide clients with a safe, nonjudgmental place to discuss problems, develop coping skills, and most of all, gain a sense of hope for the future. For more information or to speak with a counselor call 944-9388. Fees start at $5 a session.

LIVING WILL AND HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference has created a form that can be used to create a Living Will (Advance Health Care Directive) and Health Care Power of Attorney. You can download the information from the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference website at Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. Copies are available at the main entrance to the church in the pamphlet rack. You may also call the rectory and a copy will be sent to you.

Adult Education and Family Literacy Programs

The Adult Education Program is available for those individuals desiring to achieve their GED, improve their academic or employment skills, learn English as a Second Language, or acquire computer skills. Classes are located at the former Steven's School at 200 E. Crawford Ave. For more information contact 946-8229 or 940-6936.

Sacred Heart Church