Diocesan Calendar of Major Events
Jubilee Missionary Reflections and Apostolic Service Talks
Click the button below to listen to the five speakers and learn more about the missionary work happening within the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese
Opening Mass Photo Gallery
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown kicked off Jubilee 2025 with an opening Mass, celebrated by Bishop Mark. The Mass occurred on December 29th, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona and welcomed the faithful from all corners of the diocese.
Westminster Cathedral Choir Concert Photo Gallery
In April of 2025, the Westminster Cathedral Choir of London performed a concert for a packed crowd at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona as part of the celebration of Jubilee 2025
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul Jubilee Year Outdoor Mass
On Sunday, June 29, 2025, the faithful gathered for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul as part of a celebration of the missionary outreach of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The afternoon consisted of talks by various missionary representatives from around the diocese, a display of artwork and photos in the basilica hall, and concluded with outdoor Mass at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine with Bishop Mark as celebrant and Father Marek Bzinkowski, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Maggotty, Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica, as homilist.
Proclaim! Jubilee Year Video
Proclaim! Magazine Special Jubilee Year Issue
Expressions of Hope Artwork
View some of the Expressions of Hope artwork submissions below. You can see more of this artwork on display at one of the upcoming diocesan Jubilee Year events and in future editions of Proclaim! Magazine and Proclaim! TV. Beyond drawings, there will also be poetry, photos, and more on display.
Click on any of the images below to enlarge.
Pilgrim's Passport
Special passport booklets, provided to each parish for distribution, were created for diocesan pilgrims to track their travels around the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Individuals are welcome to visit all parishes in the diocese, especially the 13 holy sites designated by Bishop Mark where individuals can receive an indulgence for their visit upon completion of guidelines. Mail your completed passport to the address provided on the inside cover to be entered into a drawing to win prize packages!
Indulgences
Background
Pope Francis has cast the Jubilee as an opportunity for conversion, reconciliation with God through the sacrament of penance, obtaining indulgences for us and the faithfully departed, through God’s mercy, renewing our faith and love through hope, and proclaiming God’s love to the many people suffering in today’s world.
The pope’s earnest desire is that the Jubilee Year may provide an opportunity in this year, “to be renewed in hope” not only for the millions of pilgrims who will travel to Rome for this Jubilee, but also for those who, unable to do so, will celebrate in their local churches through pilgrimages to Marian shrines and holy sites.
Theology of Indulgence
“Once sin has been forgiven or pardoned in Sacramental Confession, there is often still a rupture in the human person’s personal relationship
with God. A deep interior renewal of the person is still needed. This deep journey of conversion is a process that continues throughout the Christian life; recognition of sin, contrition, repentance, forgiveness, and ongoing personal renewal and healing.” (Catechism of the CatholicChurch, Number 1471).
Usual Conditions for the Plenary Indulgence
- Celebrate Sacramental Confession (going to Confession within 20 Days before or within 20 days after the indulgence is sought). A person should be of the spirit that is sincerely and willfully detached from any sin, mortal and venial.
- Receive Holy Communion while participating fully, actively, and consciously at Mass.
- Pray for the Pope’s needs and monthly intentions: Apostles Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.
Indulgence Conditions of Jubilee Year Pilgrims of Hope
- Traveling to any sacred Jubilee designated site and perform the usual conditions; or engage in Eucharistic adoration and
meditation concluding with an Our Father, a Profession of Faith, and on invocations to Mary. - Perform a corporal or spiritual work of mercy.
- Participate in a popular mission, spiritual exercise, or formational activities on the documents of Vatican II or the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- Piously visit any sacred Jubilee site and participate in Mass, a Liturgy of the Word, one of the major hours from the Liturgy of the Hours (office of Readings, Morning Prayer, or Evening Prayer), devotional prayers such as the Way of the Cross, the Rosary, the Akathist hymn, or a penance service that ends with Sacramental Confession.
View the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Holy Sites below:
Queen of Archangels Parish, Clarence
Our Lady of Victory Parish, State College
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Altoona
Our Lady of the Alleghenies Parish, Lilly
Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, Loretto
Saint Joseph’s Mission Church
Saint John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Johnstown
Saint Mary Parish, Shade Gap
Immaculate Conception Parish, Dudley
Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, Central City
Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Bean’s Cove
Expressions of Hope
All the faithful of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown are invited to share an ‘Expression of Hope’ in the form of art, photography, or poetry in this Jubilee Year. The deadline for submissions for entry in Proclaim! Magazine is November 6, 2024, and December 8, 2024, for all displays.
You can view full information below and download the submission forms by clicking here.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS
Submit by August 15 for October 3 display on the day of the Ecumenical Concert at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown.
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Jubilee 2025 Prayer Leaflet
Outside – needs to be printed on 8 1/2″ x 14″ legal size paper
Inside – needs to be printed on 8 1/2″ x 14″ legal size paper
To download a printable version of the prayer leaflet, click here*
*Needs to be printed on 8 1/2″ x 14″ legal size paper
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