Welcome, Maria G. - A belated but heartfelt welcome to Miss Maria Gdovin who joined our staff last month. Maria, who is in her final semester at PSU, is assisting Fr. Matt and Eva Corsaro with our many Youth Ministry activities. We are fortunate to be able to draw upon her energy and enthusiasm.

Capital Campaign: I wish to thank everyone who has pledged and/or contributed to our  campaign so far. As of February 8, 2012, our parish has received $1,479,148 in pledges.  The number of participating individuals or families stands at 173. So our goal of $3,090,000 is well within reach.  Members of our parish who have volunteered to help will continue visiting the homes of those we have not heard from yet. This weekend, February 18/19 we will conduct an “in-pew solicitation” during all the Masses to ensure we don’t miss anyone.  

Confessions: There will be an opportunity to go to confession following the two morning Masses on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Lent Is Comin’! Wednesday, February 22^nd is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent! We will bless and distribute ashes during (not after) all Masses that day. 

The Ash Wednesday Mass schedule is:

     7:00am, 9:00am (School Mass). 12:05pm and 6:00pm.

Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and Good Friday (Apr. 6) are days of fast and abstinence.  FASTING refers to only one full meal, with two small meals and no eating otherwise for the day. ABSTINENCE refers to not eating meat at all during the day. All those who have reached their 14th year are obliged to ABSTAIN. The Church directs the holy FAST to all those in their 18th year until their 60th year (Canon 1252.)

Gift Bearers: There is now a “sign-up sheet” in the Gathering Space if you wish to volunteer to bring up the bread and wine during Sunday Mass. Individuals and families are invited to do so. It is most appropriate for the person(s) who have requested the intention for the Mass to bring up the bread and wine when possible.

RCIA Rite of Election -  Sunday, Feb. 26, 7:00pm, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona. Throughout the universal Church on this 1st Sunday of Lent, Bishops will celebrate the election by God of adult catechumens to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. We will send to Bishop Mark Bartchak three Catechumens for election with five baptized Candidates preparing for full reception into the Church. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Mass Intentions: Since we are such a large parish serving a vast territory we have many, many Mass requests. I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding with us as we   endeavor to schedule them. I now ask for continued patience and understanding as we     experiment with a way for our secretaries to carry out all their duties more efficiently. Starting February 1st we will begin using a form for people to use to list your intentions and optimal dates for Masses. Our secretaries will explain this to you when you come into the office. This may take a little while to get used to, but we believe it will make life easier for everyone          eventually.

Capital Campaign: I wish to thank everyone who has pledged and/or contributed to our   campaign so far. As of February 2, 2012, our parish has received $1,361,238 in pledges.  The number of participating individuals or families stands at 136. So our goal of $3,090,000 is well within reach.  Members of our parish who have volunteered to help will continue      visiting the homes of those we have not heard from yet. On the weekend of February 18/19 we will conduct an “in-pew solicitation” during all the Masses to ensure we don’t miss anyone.   We hope to have contacted all active parishioners by Feb. 29, 2012.

Welcome, Maria G. - A belated but heartfelt welcome to Miss Maria Gdovin who joined our staff last month. Maria, who is in her final semester at PSU, is assisting Fr. Matt and Eva Corsaro with our many Youth Ministry activities. We are fortunate to be able to draw upon her energy and enthusiasm.

Lent Is Comin’! Wednesday, February 22^nd is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent! We will bless and distribute ashes during (not after) all Masses that day. 

The Ash Wednesday Mass schedule is:

     7:00am, 9:00am (School Mass). 12:05pm and 6:00pm.

Ash Wednesday is a day of mandatory abstinence from meat and, for those between 14 and 60, fasting (3 small meals with no food in between).

Confessions: There will be an opportunity to go to confession following the two morning Masses on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Gift Bearers: There is now a “sign-up sheet” in the Gathering Space if you wish to volunteer to bring up the bread and wine during Sunday Mass. Individuals and families are invited to do so. It is most appropriate for the person(s) who have requested the intention for the Mass to bring up the bread and wine when possible.

Mass Intentions: Since we are such a large parish serving a vast territory we have many, many Mass requests. I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding with us as we   endeavor to schedule them. I now ask for continued patience and understanding as we     experiment with a way for our secretaries to carry out all their duties more efficiently. Starting February 1st we will begin using a form for people to use to list your intentions and optimal dates for Masses. Our secretaries will explain this to you when you come into the office. This may take a little while to get used to, but we believe it will make life easier for everyone          eventually.

Capital Campaign: I wish to thank everyone who has pledged and/or contributed to our   campaign so far. As of January 26, 2012, our parish has received $1,311,743 in pledges of which $594,738 is in cash.  The number of participating individuals or families stands at 121. So our goal of $3,090,000 is well within reach.  Starting this week, members of our parish who have volunteered to help will begin visiting the homes of those we have not heard from yet. On the weekend of February 18/19 we will conduct an “in-pew solicitation” during all the Masses to ensure we don’t miss anyone.   We hope to have contacted all active parishioners by Feb. 29, 2012.

A Special Message from Bishop Mark L. Bartchak - The U. S. Department of Health and   Human Services recently announced that almost all employers - including Catholic employers - will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. If the rule is not overturned, we will be compelled to either violate our consciences or to drop health care coverage for our      employees. I, along with my brother Bishops in the Unites States, have vowed to fight this unjust law. In the next edition of  The Catholic Register, I will outline my concerns about this issue in greater detail and explain what you can do to help end this threat to our religious freedom. In the meantime, I ask for your prayers that wisdom and justice prevail and  religious liberty may be restored. Thank you.

Catholic Schools Week: Sunday, Jan. 29^th through Saturday, Feb. 4^th  is Catholic Schools Week. Once again this year, to mark this observance, students from Our Lady of Victory Catholic School and from Our Lady of Victory Preschool will be present for and participating in various ways in the 9:30am Mass this Sunday, Jan. 29^th.

Ecumenical Prayer Services - On Sunday, January 29, Bishop Gregory Pile of the Lutheran tradition will host an ecumenical service at Zion Lutheran Church, Allegheny & Union Streets, Hollidaysburg, PA. The service   begins at 3:00pm. Bishop Mark Bartchak will be in attendance. All are invited to participate in this prayer service.

Gift Bearers: There is now a “sign-up sheet” in the Gathering Space if you wish to volunteer to bring up the bread and wine during Sunday Mass. Individuals and families are invited to do so. It is most appropriate for the person(s) who have requested the intention for the Mass to bring up the bread and wine when possible.

Mass Intentions: Since we are such a large parish serving a vast territory we have many, many Mass requests. I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding with us as we   endeavor to schedule them. I now ask for continued patience and understanding as we  experiment with a way for our secretaries to carry out all their duties more efficiently. Starting February 1st we will begin using a form for people to use to list your intentions and optimal dates for Masses. Our secretaries will explain this to you when you come into the office. This may take a little while to get used to, but we believe it will make life easier for everyone          eventually.

Blessing of Throats! Friday, February 3rd is the feast of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. This is the traditional day for us to bless throats. We will do so in the normal way after the 7:00am and 12:05pm Masses on Friday, and at a special prayer service at 7:00pm that evening.  Because of the large number people at the 9:00am school Mass, we will give a general blessing to everyone  at the same time at the end of that Mass.

Coach Paterno: I do not dare to add my words to all the fine tributes that have been paid and will be paid to Coach Joe Paterno. Permit me simply to say “thank you” for all he has done for the Catholic Church and for the community of State College. Much of it was done behind the scenes and few know of it. Please keep the members of his family in your prayers.     Joe, may you rest in peace.

Respect Life: Sunday, Jan. 22^nd is the 38^th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade that legalized abortion on demand in the U. S. through all nine months of pregnancy. To mark this sad occasion many of our parishioners are travelling to Washington, D.C. to  participate in the annual March for Life. In order to prayerfully support them, and to pray for the legal protections of unborn children, we will hold a prayer service in our church on Sunday, Jan. 22^nd, beginning at 7:00pm.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: This annual event begins Wednesday, Jan.18^th and runs through Wednesday, Jan. 25^th. Please remember to pray for peace and harmony among Christian peoples and congregations throughout this week.

Gift Bearers: Those bringing the bread and wine to the altar for Mass perform an important symbolic ministry. The bread and wine we present to God through the priest represent ourselves - our work, our sacrifices, our lives. It would be most fitting for the person(s) who requested the Mass intention to be the ones to bring the bread and wine forward. If they are not present then of course anyone else may do so.

Please feel free to present yourself to an usher before Mass, or during the collection even, if you wish to bring forward the bread and wine for that Mass.

Catholic Schools Week: Sunday, Jan. 29^th through Saturday, Feb. 4^th  is Catholic Schools Week. Once again this year, to mark this observance, students from Our Lady of Victory Catholic School and from Our Lady of Victory Preschool will be present for and participating in various ways in the 9:30am Mass next Sunday, Jan. 29th.

An Extraordinary Sunday in Ordinary Time: Last Sunday’s morning Masses were more exciting than usual due to a natural gas leak just outside the church building. Fortunately, the men from Columbia Gas responded quickly, along with Mr. Rupert of our maintenance staff. Together, they shut off the gas and enabled the Masses on Sunday morning to continue. Then the representative of Columbia Gas went beyond the call of duty by finding and installing new equipment on our gas line, so that the heat was back on in the church by 2:00pm. Let us thank the Lord and Columbia Gas that we were able to return to “Ordinary Time” so quickly.

Gift Bearers: Those bringing the bread and wine to the altar for Mass perform an important symbolic ministry. The bread and wine we present to God through the priest represent ourselves - our work, our sacrifices, our lives. It would be most fitting for the person(s) who requested the Mass intention to be the ones to bring the bread and wine forward. If they are not present then of course anyone else may do so.

    Please feel free to present yourself to an usher before Mass, or during the collection even, if you wish to bring forward the bread and wine for that Mass. 

Respect Life: Sunday, Jan. 22nd is the 38th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade that legalized abortion on demand in the U. S. through all nine months of pregnancy. To mark this sad occasion many of our parishioners are travelling to Washington, D.C. to participate in the annual March for Life. In order to prayerfully support them, and to pray for the legal protections of unborn children, we will hold a prayer service in our church on      Sunday, Jan. 22nd, beginning at 7:00pm.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: This annual event begins Wednesday, January 18th and runs through Wednesday, January 25th. Please remember to pray for peace and harmony among Christian peoples and congregations throughout this week.

Altar Servers : After this weekend, you will need to come to the parish office to pick up your Christmas gift, if you haven’t already done so.

Gift Bearers: Those bringing the bread and wine to the altar for Mass perform an important symbolic ministry. The bread and wine we present to God through the priest represents ourselves - our work, our sacrifices, our lives. It would be most fitting for the person(s) who           requested the Mass intention to be the ones to bring the bread and wine forward. If they are not present then of course anyone else may do so.

Please feel free to present yourself to an usher before Mass, or during the collection even, if you wish to bring forward the bread and wine for that Mass.

Volunteers Needed:   We really need volunteers to cover the parish office Sunday mornings during the Masses.  If you can’t give a whole morning, please consider at least two or even one hour.  Some training is required.  Must be 18 or older.  Please call the office at 237-7832 for more information if you are interested.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:  Early in the New Year, I plan to train and          commission a new class of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. An “EMHC” must be 16 years of age, confirmed, married “in the Church” if married, and living a good Catholic life. Two training sessions are required, so some effort and sacrifice is required. If you feel that you are called to do this, please call the parish office at 237-7832 by Tuesday, January 3rd. 

Volunteers Needed:   We really need volunteers to cover the parish office Sunday mornings during the Masses.  If you can’t give a whole morning, please consider at least two or even one hour.  Some training is required.  Must be 18 or older.  Please call the office at 237-7832 for more information if you are interested. 

Altar Server Gifts: will be in the sacristy from now until January 8th.

Happy New Year! As we celebrate the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God on  January 1st. Fr. Matt, Fr. Chinemere, Deacon David and myself wish all of you a happy, holy and healthy 2012.

Thank You! On behalf of the entire parish I thank all those who donated to the Christmas collection and/or towards the poinsettias.

Thank You II: Because of the generosity of so many people, OLV was able to donate approximately 150 gifts to the residents of Hearthside Nursing Center, as well as       approximately 600 gifts to the needy from the Family Giving Tree project.