2021-08-29 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Friends in Christ,
 
I’m sharing Bishop Mark’s appeal for your support of those suffering in Haiti. As I announced last weekend at all the Masses we will begin to pray the prayer to St. Michael for all those persecuted and suffering around the world and will continue to do this after each and every Mass. In addition to your prayers, as you can see in the Bishop’s letter, there is an urgent need for your generosity to assist those who are struggling in Haiti. 
 
I also want to remind you that the second collection at this weekend’s Masses is for the Daughters of Mary and their mission in India that we heard about last weekend when sister Annceline was with us. Please be as generous as possible to this cause as well.
 
On behalf of those who are suffering and in need I thank you for your generosity and prayers for them.
 
God bless you,
-Father Mark
 
Note from Collections Team:
Donations can be made through the Diocese website’s GIVING page as mentioned above for Haiti [credit cards accepted]. Cash and/or checks may be issued for either one or both collections and placed in the collection basket during mass, or can be left in the mail slot in the door to the Church Office. ALL checks to be payable to “Prince of Peace”. We will issue separate checks to each campaign for the total payments received and send them directly to the Diocese for distribution thru Catholic Relief Services.

An Urgent Request to Everyone in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Office of the Bishop
2713 W Chestnut Avenue
Altoona, PA  16601
Phone:  814-695-5579
www.dioceseaj.org

August 24, 2021
 
In a matter of 72 hours (August 14-16), the Caribbean country of Haiti was struck by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that destroyed countless homes, churches, and schools, and flooding by Tropical Storm Grace
impeded rescue efforts.
 
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Americas, with corruption, political instability, poor infrastructure, lack of health care, and lack of education. In good times, the average family lives on less than $2 per day. The people and the country of Haiti have not recovered from the last major earthquake in 2010. Help, our help, is desperately needed.
 
I am asking everyone in our diocese young and old to contribute to a special collection for Haiti that is to be taken up at all the Masses on the weekend of September 18-19. Online donations are also encouraged through the GIVING section of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown website. All proceeds will be given to
Catholic Relief Services for immediate distribution. The need is so great at this time. Schools, businesses, churches, and medical centers have been severely damaged or completely destroyed. Medical supplies and even clean drinking water is not readily available.
 
Please be generous in responding to our neighbors in their time of need. Please be a Good Samaritan! Thank you for your prayers and financial donations for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak    
Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown

Link to Diocese GIVING page:  https://ajdiocese.weshareonline.org/ws/opportunities/HaitiEarthquake