Lent is a time of prayer and penance in the Roman Catholic Church. The faithful are encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this holy season. The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will sponsor three Diocesan communal penance services during Lent, with Bishop Mark L. Bartchak presiding. The Bishop and various priests will be available to hear individual Confessions at each. The following is the schedule of Diocesan services.

• March 12; 7:00 p.m.– Good Shepherd Parish, 867 Gray’s Woods Boulevard, State College
• March 13; 6:30 p.m.– Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, One Cathedral Square, Altoona
• March 14; 6:30 p.m.– Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, 117 Clinton Street, Johnstown

In addition to the Diocesan penance services, various parishes will also sponsor communal penance services with multiple priests available to hear Confessions. The following is a schedule for various parishes:

• March 3; 5:00 p.m.– Saint Joseph, 623 E. 3^rd Street, Bellwood
• March 4: 6:30 p.m.- Saints Cyril & Methodius, 604 Graham Avenue, Windber
• March 10; 4:00 p.m.– Saint Mark, 416 6^th Avenue, Altoona
• March 11; 6:00 p.m.– Saint John the Evangelist, 309 Lotz Avenue, Altoona
• March 11; 6:30 p.m.- Our Mother of Sorrows, 415 Tioga Street, Johnstown
• March 13; 7:00 p.m.- Church of the Transfiguration, 340 Second Street, Conemaugh
• March 14; 7:00 p.m.- Saint Anthony of Padua, 2201 Graham Avenue, Windber
• March 16; 10:00 a.m.– Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, 2301 5^th Street, Altoona
• March 17; 5:00 p.m.– Saint Rose of Lima, 5514 Roselawn Avenue, Altoona
• March 17; 5:00 p.m.- Saint Francis of Assisi, 120 Barron Avenue, Johnstown
• March 18; 7:00 p.m.– Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 806 11^th Street, Altoona
• March 19; 7:00 p.m.- Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 605 Graham Avenue, Windber
• March 20; 6:00 p.m.- Holy Rosary, 900 N. 4th Street, Altoona
• March 21; 7:00 p.m.– Our Lady of Lourdes, 2716 Broad Avenue, Altoona
• March 24; 4:00 p.m.– Saint Mary, 312 Clark Street, Hollidaysburg
• March 24; 5:00 p.m.- Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1127 McKinley Avenue, Johnstown
• March 25; 5:00 p.m.- Saint Benedict, 2310 Bedford Street, Johnstown
• March 26; 7:00 p.m.- Holy Name, 500 N. Julian Street, Ebensburg
• March 27; 6:30 p.m.- Saint Patrick, 609 Park Avenue, Johnstown

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be celebrated at Sacred Heart Parish, 511 20^th Street, Altoona, on March 12-15 at 7:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. during the annual Novena in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The parish will also celebrate the Sacrament on March 27 (Wednesday of Holy Week) at 7:00 a.m., Noon, and 5:00 p.m.

Individual Confessions are heard every Monday and Wednesday during Lent at 6:00 p.m.at Saint Patrick Parish, 704 Patrick Lane, Newry, in addition to the regular Saturday 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. opportunities.

Other Reconciliation opportunities are available based on individual parish schedules.