Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Altoona, PA %

CATHEDRAL OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Altoona, PA is a welcoming and compassionate community of believers striving to grow as God’s people.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we offer lifelong faith formation for children, youth, and adults; and we live out Christ’s invitation to serve our sisters and brothers.

We gather to worship in prayer and song and invite all to joyfully participate in word and sacrament, especially the Eucharist.

SERVING THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN THE CITY OF ALTOONA, PA SINCE 1851.

SUPPORTING THE MINISTRIES OF CATHEDRAL PARISH

By clicking on the Get Involved link, you will find valuable information on how to make a financial donation to the Cathedral. The weekly offertory, the annual Catholic Ministries Drive, Bequests, and contributions to our Endowments are ways by which the blessings God has given to you become a blessing to the parish.

PRAYER FOR THE NEW POPE

O God, who in your providential design willed that your Church be built upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles, look with favor, we pray, on Leo XIV our Pope and grant that he, whom you have made Peter’s successor, may be for your people a visible source and foundation of unity in faith and of communion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. Excerpt from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

SISTERS OF CHARITY

The Sisters of Charity arrived in Altoona on August 20, 1870. The Sisters have had a profoundly significant influence in our diocese, especially at Cathedral parish. We were pleased to have a delegation of Sisters from their Korean province, who were accompanied by Sisters from Greensburg, present at our 10 A.M. Mass on Sunday, June 15. Gratitude is extended to Jean Koury and Steph Kilcoyne who provided refreshments and acted as tour guides.

DAILY MASSES

Monday-Saturday-Noon

WEEKEND MASSES

Vigil, Saturday at 5:00 P.M.

Sunday Masses at 8:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.

Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church at 11:30 A.M.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.

Saturday: at 12:30 P.M.

By appointment: by calling or texting 814-937-8240

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

June 29, 2025

GOSPEL MEDITATION

What do you call brothers who are born on the same day? Twins, of course. That is what we celebrate today in the inestimable saints, Peter and Paul. Wait: twins? Yes. The early Church believed that Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome on the same day. Since the day of martyrdom is celebrated as a saints’ birth into eternal life, the result is striking: Peter and Paul are twins in God’s family, the Church.

Who should care about this? Well, anyone who longs to live in a world marked by love and peace. Remember, the Romans believed that twins, Romulus and Remus, founded their city through an act of fratricide, the former murdering the latter. Sadly, the structures of this fallen world emerge through violence between those who should love each other. But in the Church, a new city has been founded upon this new set of twins, embodying the non-violent power of Jesus’ cross and resurrection.

That’s why traditional icons represent Peter and Paul in a fraternal and warm embrace. Contrasted with the violence of Rome’s founders, it challenges us with a bold claim: do we believe that structures of merciful love are more powerful and lasting than those based on power, violence, and domination? Am I willing to see others in my life as my “twin,” with whom I am called to give my life for Christ, or as my rival? Am I committed to living what is embodied in Romulus and Remus, or in Peter and Paul?

–Father John Muir

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

Today’s readings take us back to the basics, inviting us to reflect honestly on our deepest priorities in life. In the second reading, from Galatians, St Paul reminds us of the essence of the Christian life. “For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Just a few verses later Paul points out why this simple command is so challenging to live out. “The flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.” Isn’t that the truth!

Overcoming our tendency toward selfishness while striving to put Christ and others ahead of ourselves is a daily internal battle. But do not be afraid to give the best of yourself and your gifts to Christ. He deserves nothing less. And this way of life, while challenging, will be characterized by a joy and peace that only comes from giving Him an unqualified “yes!”

2025 Catholic Stewardship Consultants

PRACTICING CATHOLIC – RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS

If you’re like me, and you’re far, far below the “having buildings named after you” tax bracket, you might just think that today’s Gospel has nothing to do with you.

You might kick back and relax, thinking of all the poor, rich suckers sitting in the pews, shifting uncomfortably as Jesus praises the meager gift of the widow and disdains those who only give from abundance, those whose charity results in admiration and praise and all manner of temporal reward.

“In this economy, every gift I give is from my poverty,” you might think to yourself with a chuckle.

But you — and let me be clear, I’m talking mostly to myself here — would be wrong. Because we all have an abundance of something, even if it isn’t money.

What I’ve come to realize about myself is that I find plenty of ways to give only from my abundance. For instance, if I answer any request with the words, “Sure, I can, but…” chances are high that I’m about to work out a way to give, but only in a way that doesn’t really impact me.

I’m willing to help. I just don’t want to feel it.

But here’s the thing about Jesus: he cares what’s in our hearts as well as what’s in our hands. A good deed, an act of charity? That’s great! But what’s the story behind it? Because a world full of moral actions and selfish hearts doesn’t do anyone any good.

When we give from our poverty — our poverty of money, our poverty of time, our poverty of patience — we are giving the gift of the widow.

– Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman