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.
PILGRIMAGE TO ROME AND THE SHRINES OF ITALY
You are invited to join Monsignor Stan Carson on a pilgrimage to Rome and the shrines of Italy from October 12-22 in 2026. Brochures are available at the entrances to the cathedral. Click this link for additional Information
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.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.
Saturday: at 12:30 P.M.
By appointment: by calling or texting 814-937-8240
LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE
Wednesday, March 25, at 6:00 P.M.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 8, 2026
GOSPEL MEDITATION
I recently learned why zebras have stripes. Scientists used to think it was for camouflage, but new research suggests something more interesting: the stripes help zebras blend in with one another. When a predator looks at a herd, the overlapping stripes make it hard to single out one animal. But if a researcher spray-paints a dot on just one zebra, predators lock on it and eventually attack. The lesson? In the wild, blending in is protection. Standing out can be dangerous.
Human beings are not so different. Most of us would rather blend in than stand out, especially when it comes to our faith. We know that giving bold witness to Jesus — through our words, values, or public choices — can make us targets for criticism, isolation, or judgment. That’s why Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel are so challenging: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).
A city on a hill draws attention. It also draws fire. But that’s part of the cost of discipleship. Jesus doesn’t call us to be tribal or boastful. He calls us to stand in the open with humble confidence, so that people might see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. Today, let’s ask for the courage not just to believe in Christ, but to be seen believing in him.
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP
I recently watched the film adaptation of “Godspell” with my teenage daughter. I had such fond memories of watching it when I was young, back in the day. I listened to the soundtrack so many times and learned to play many of the songs on my guitar. The exclamation from the show, “You are the light of the world!” has always been firmly planted in my mind.
After about ten minutes, my daughter looked at me with that look only a teenage girl can display. “What is this?” she asked with a certain level of condescension. Yes, the film did not hold up so well in the eyes of the twenty-first-century critic. So we laughed most of the way through it.
What attracted me to the film and the soundtrack in the first place wasn’t Jesus in a Superman shirt or the idea of the apostles wondering around the urban jungle. I was attracted to the message. I was attracted to that assertion in the song, “You are the light of the world.”
There will always be people who see the Gospel of Jesus Christ as dated, irrelevant, and even hokey. You and I are called to be the light of the world? Good stewards must never shy away from living lives that truly bear witness to the reality of the Gospel. The parables of Jesus have as much meaning for us today as ever. Look around. The world we live in needs a little light for sure.
2026 Catholic Stewardship Consultants
PRACTICING CATHOLIC – RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS
I want you to close your eyes. Are they closed? (I’m serious.) Okay. Now think of the greatest saint in history.
I don’t care who you’re thinking of. It’s going to be different for everyone. Just think of that person. Think of his or her life. And answer the question: Why is he or she a great saint?
You’re all thinking of different people, but the answer is the same for everyone. And it’s not “Because he did great things for God” or “Because she sacrificed everything she had for the poor.” Those answers show evidence of the reason. But the reason is something more.
The greatest saints in history were not great at holiness. God brought holiness about within them because (ding ding ding! Here’s the answer!) the greatest saints in history were great at being who they were meant to be.
Not who they wanted to be. Not who they thought they should be. Who they were meant to be.
Simply put, they gave themselves to God. All of themselves. Flaws and all. And God took them, in their totality, and said: “Now watch this.”
Just imagine if salt was ashamed of being salty. Imagine if it looked at the sodium content on its nutrition label and thought, “That’s embarrassing,” and decided it was going to stop being salt. Well, great. Now it’s just a box of tiny rocks.
Wouldn’t it have been better for the salt to trust the baker using it?
There is a plan for each of us. There is a path to holiness for each of us. This path doesn’t bypass our flaws or our weaknesses; it incorporates them. It transforms them. It fulfills them.
So be salty. Be who you were meant to be.