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.
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
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.
The 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 13, 2026
GOSPEL MEDITATION
In my parish, there was once a new employee who frequently told me she was sorry for various imperfections in her work. It could be a little tiring. I finally told her, “You know, you don’t have to say ‘sorry’ so often.” She looked me right in the eyes and said, “Father, you’re right. I’m sorry.” Her ear-to-ear grin betrayed that she enjoyed the irony — and that she would keep asking for forgiveness as often as she needed it.
The Gospel reading this week proclaims to us that God, in Jesus, delights in numerous requests for, and the granting of, forgiveness. To Peter’s question, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus responds, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” In other words, Peter, stop counting. Christian life should be marked by a commitment to frequent forgiveness. God never tires of forgiving us. His limitless love has overcome the power of vengeance, hatred, and division. We tap into that each and every time we ask for forgiveness or extend it to another.
How beautiful our hearts become when they become accustomed to frequent forgiveness! How joyful and attractive become our marriages, families, and parish communities! How light our souls feel when unburdened by the habit of keeping score.
Challenge: Name one thing, small or large, for which you could ask forgiveness from someone in your life. Then do it.
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP
As Christian stewards, we recognize that all we have and all that we are is a gift from God, and we live our lives in a grateful response to such extravagant love. This calls for continuous conversion of heart. The practices of giving a portion of our time, our talents and our treasure are essential steps on the path to conversion. But they serve an even deeper purpose than helping us remember our good intentions. They open our minds and hearts to ever-deepening surrender to the Lord, who has given us every good thing.
In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus gives us a provocative reminder of the true position we have before Him in light of all that He has done for us. He compares the kingdom of heaven to a “king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.” In the parable, a debtor is brought before the king, owing such an overwhelming debt that it could not possibly be repaid. Yet, the king is filled with compassion for the servant, forgives the debt and lets him go free.
Just like the servant in the parable, we could never possibly repay our debt to the Lord. All we can do is thank God by giving Him our whole selves – our outward actions and our inner selves – and by treating our fellow debtors with the same compassion and forgiveness He has shown to us. In fact, Jesus rightfully and justly commands us to “forgive your brother from your heart.” What joy and freedom of heart we find in the stewardship way of life!
2026 Catholic Stewardship Consultants
REFLECTION
“You qualify for forgiveness,” I heard the woman on the other end of the phone tell me, and I surprised myself by starting to weep.
I had called the hospital system’s financial services department to set up a payment plan on a balance I owed after having some unexpected scans and tests. I was hoping to minimize the dent our family’s savings took — transform one devastating wallop into a series of more easily absorbed blows, so to speak.
Imagine my surprise when I realized the hospital was pulling its punch. If you have ever had a financial debt forgiven, you know the relief that came over me in that moment.
It wasn’t until a little later that the guilt set in. I know so many people who have medical debt. Why was I able to get out of paying, and they were not?
But the cold, hard truth is that I didn’t “get out” of anything. My insurance, for which I pay, had given the hospital enough money to cover the true cost of the procedures. That balance would merely have increased the hospital’s profit.
Make no mistake: capitalism does not forgive.
If you describe the Sacrament of Reconciliation to someone unfamiliar with theology, chances are they’ll think God is a chump. “You get to go in, say you’re sorry, and leave — and everything’s just fine?” someone once asked me in disbelief.
Well, yeah. That’s forgiveness.
Real mercy cannot be budgeted. It must be given recklessly, extravagantly, against all reason. It must cost the giver. It must scandalize any accountant worth his salt. And no one “qualifies.”
If I can’t wrap my head around the idea, it might mean I’m stuck in a for-profit paradigm of justice. It might just mean that I need to engage more in real mercy. Mercy I can feel.