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.
WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR
The Choir of Boys and Men of Westminster Cathedral, London, England will be presenting a free concert at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. Tickets will be available beginning the first weekend of March following Masses and in the parish office during the week. (Freewill offerings will be accepted on the evening of the concert.)
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
Second Sunday of Lent
March 16, 2025
GOSPEL MEDITATION
St. Thomas Aquinas said that friends share three things: time, possessions and secrets. For example, how do I know if you’re my friend? Well, let’s say we’ve been to Mexico together, you’ve tried my shaky attempts at pasta carbonara, and you know what ridiculous costume I wore in a music video I filmed in my early twenties. We, dear reader, are definitely friends. We’ve shared time, possessions and secrets.
How does friendship with Jesus develop? The same way. Jesus lives and eats with his disciples. Then he takes Peter, James and John to Mount Tabor and there reveals to them his deepest secret: his glorious, divine Sonship. The majesty of God shines from within his humanity in a way that goes beyond description. God the Father confirms this “secret,” saying, “This is my chosen Son, listen to him” (Luke 9:35). It’s all so precious that “they fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone.” Do we take time to be alone with Christ, to allow him to mystically share this “secret” with us as his dear friends?
Lenten challenge: This week, identify one time when you experienced an awareness of some specific aspect of Jesus — perhaps on a retreat, at Mass, in prayer or in an act of service. Spend ten minutes consciously re-living that experience in your heart. If you can’t recall one, set aside at least two hours this Lent as a mini retreat, either alone in nature or in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Focus on him and ask him to share the secrets of his heart with you. He will. Then, as his friend, share the secrets in your heart
–Father John Muir
A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE
Transfiguration is a common occurrence in families. When we commit to another, such as a spouse in marriage or a child in parenting, we are not committing to them only as they are today, but to the person they are becoming
– Bud Ozar
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP
In last week’s Gospel, we followed Jesus into the desert where He fasted and prayed. This week, He leads us up a mountain to witness His Transfiguration. Why these experiences? Because He is preparing us to go with Him in a few short weeks to a hilltop, Golgotha, where He will lay down His life for our sake – and finally He will take us to an empty cave where He triumphed over sin and death once and for all.
Jesus perfectly understands our humanity. He knows we need to experience times of self-denial and testing, in order to arrive at mountain-top moments when we see and feel His glorious presence in our lives. The reason for all of our fasting and prayer and almsgiving during lent is to be reawakened to all God has done for humanity and to all that He has done for each of us personally. While there is nothing sinful in complacency in our daily routine, as Christian stewards we are called to so much more!
We need to train ourselves, or allow Jesus to train us, to say ‘Yes’ to His will and to offer our lives back to Him. In doing so, we too become ‘transfigured.’ This is what it means to live fully awake; this is a stewardship way of life and it is glorious indeed.
2024 Catholic Stewardship Consultants
PRACTICING CATHOLIC – RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS
Our readings today remind us of the great privilege we have in calling ourselves children and disciples of the Most High God. While we can approach Him with the confidence of a child before his father, we must also remember the deep reverence and awe that we owe to Him. When we truly embrace a stewardship way of life, putting our talents, time and treasure at the service of the Most High God, we will be astonished at what God will do. Our lives may take a direction beyond our wildest
imaginings. But just as Jesus reassured Simon in our Gospel today, “Be not afraid,” He reassures us too. We need not fear a stewardship way of life. Rather, we should embrace the adventure it presents us and prepare to be astonished by what our awesome God will do. “Here I am Lord, send me!”
– Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS