Published: June 27, 2008 02:07 pm            

Religion in brief | Bishop announces clergy assignments

BY JANICE RAINEY

JRAINEY@TRIBDEM.COM

The Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese, has announced the following parochial and ministerial assignments effective Wednesday:

The Rev. Franktisek A. Halka, Army chaplain for the Military Archdiocese, has been granted indefinite leave to serve the spiritual needs of those in the armed forces.

The Rev. Sylvester J. Bendzella, granted retirement with senior priest status. He has been serving as chaplain at the Veterans Home in Hollidaysburg.

The Rev. James D. Zatalava, appointed chaplain at the Veterans Home in Hollidaysburg, while remaining as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Altoona.

Monsignor Bernard A. Przybocki, granted retirement with senior priest status. He has been serving as pastor of St. Demetrius Roman Catholic Church in Gallitzin.

The Rev. Albert H. Ledoux, appointed pastor of St. Demetrius Roman Catholic Church. He has been serving as pastor of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Beaverdale, which will be closed on Monday.

The Very Rev. Carl A. Spishak, granted retirement with senior priest status. He has been serving as dean of the Altoona Deanery of priests and as parochial vicar at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Altoona. He will continue to reside at the parish.

The Rev. James F. Crookston, appointed dean of the Altoona Deanery. He will continue to serve as pastor of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church.

Monsignor Samuel J. Tomaselli, granted retirement with senior priest status. He has been serving as pastor of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Somerset.

The Rev. Daniel J. O’Neill, appointed pastor of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church. He has been serving as pastor of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Lock Haven and sacramental minister to the Catholic community at Lock Haven University.

The Rev. Donald E. Boslett, granted retirement with senior priest status. He has been serving as pastor of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Renovo.

Sister Nancy E. Spence, CCW, appointed parochial administrator of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Renovo. She is a member of the Carmelite Community of the Word.

The Rev. Richard B. Tomkosky, appointed parochial administrator of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Lock Haven and sacramental minister at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Renovo and the Catholic community at Lock Haven University. He has been serving as parochial vicar at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church in Geistown.

The Rev. Derek Fairman, appointed parochial vicar at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church in Geistown. He has been serving as parochial vicar at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Somerset.

Monsignor Michael A. Becker, appointed pastor of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in St. Michael, where he has been serving as parochial administrator. He will remain as sacramental minister to the campus ministry at Pitt-Johnstown in Richland Township.

Deacon Daniel O’Dowd, appointed to diaconal service at St. Dismas Roman Catholic Church in Huntingdon State Correctional Institution. He will continue as a deacon at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Hollidaysburg.

Deacon Raphael Onyeocha, appointed to diaconal service at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. He was ordained on May 31 and his first assignment will begin on Aug. 20.

Church to honor servicemen, women

The annual God & Country Day service, honoring past and present members of the armed forces, will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday at Somerset Alliance Church, 708 Stoystown Road.

Capt. Chris Plekenpol, a 1999 graduate of West Point Military Academy, will speak.

During his six years in the Army, he qualified for Airborne Jumpmaster, Air Assault and Ranger with the 82nd Airborne Division.

After additional training assignments, he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and was deployed to Iraq in 2004.

Plekenpol is a spiritual leader with the foundation of InHim.net, a minister dedicated to living life out loud for Christ.

Information: 445-8949.

Abundant Life schedules service

Abundant Life Ministry will continue its prepastoral service at 4 p.m. Sunday with the Rev. Melvin Jenkins and congregation of Victory Christian Assembly in Indiana.

Elder Hanson will be the messenger.

Graves Singers will minister in song.

Holy hour Sunday in Cambria City

Roman Catholic churches in Cambria City will come together for a holy hour to open the year of St. Paul at 4 p.m. Sunday at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Broad Street.

The service will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, prayer, a homily presented by Monsignor Michael Becker and benediction.

The year of St. Paul carries special indulgences and favors as decreed by Pope Benedict XVI.

A light social will follow at Ace’s Banquet Center on Chestnut Street.

Westmont church plans celebration

The 10th annual celebration of God’s creatures will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Westmont Presbyterian Church, 601 Luzerne St., Johnstown.

The celebration will feature a pet parade, prizes, surprises, blessing of pets and food.

The celebration will be held rain or shine.

Chosen in concert at Wesley UM

Chosen, a gospel group, will present a concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at Wesley United Methodist Church in South Fork.

        

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