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A prayer for saving human life

LEWISTOWN — Mary Smith is trying to inspire hope and change for people who are dealing with abortion. Smith is chairwoman for Mifflin-Juniata County Citizens Concerned for Human Life, a local affiliate of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation. The group will hold its March for Life on Sunday, March 19. According to Smith, the march is being used as a way to inspire people to honor and respect life from conception through natural death. “It just seems the way society is right now we need more prayer,” Smith said. “We need to be respectful of human life. The inspiration is ...

Interactive map helps find Pittsburgh Lenten fish fries

By TED ANTHONY The Associated Press WEXFORD — By the time the doors open at 4:30 p.m., a boisterous line of 50 hungry people is looping around the gymnasium foyer at Blessed Francis Seelos Academy. Their objective: to occupy tables on the basketball court and, for the parish’s first time since the pandemic descended in 2020, sit down for an old-fashioned Lenten fish fry. Many patrons are members of the flock — St. Aidan Catholic Parish north of Pittsburgh — and greet each other as longtime friends. But these days, newcomers figure in the mix, too. And some arrive in a way ...

Why some receive the word of God and others do not

John 3:16 – XIV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him — John 3:16 We are still focused on the words, whoever believes in Him. There are two groups of people in the world, those who believe in Christ, and put their faith, hope, and trust in His sacrificial work on the cross, and those who do not. Now why is that, why do some readily receive the good news (the gospel) and others do not? We all have the same bloodline that leads back to Adam and Eve, so what makes the difference? Are some people better and “gooder” than ...

Bishop Gainer grants dispensation for Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations

HARRISBURG — The Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of Harrisburg, has granted a dispensation from the obligation to abstain from meat on Friday, March 17, 2023, for the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day. Saint Patrick is the principal patron of the Diocese of Harrisburg and the patron of the Diocesan Cathedral, making this a day of rejoicing within the Diocesan Church and a fitting occasion to break from the penitential nature of the Lenten season. On Friday, March 17, 2023, all Catholics of the Diocese of Harrisburg, no matter where they may be (i.e., even if they are traveling ...

Diocese to host Catholic education virtual job fair

HARRISBURG — The Diocese of Harrisburg is hosting a virtual Catholic education job fair on Wednesday, March 15 from 4 – 7 p.m. Whether looking for a first position after college or a new career direction, job seekers will be presented with a wealth of information and many exciting opportunities during this free event. “Catholic education is thriving in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Our enrollment has grown for the past two years, our students are seeing above average achievement with their assessments, and we are expanding opportunities for financial aid,” said Daniel Breen, ...

New pastor at Grove Memorial UMC

LEWISTOWN — A new pastor has been welcomed at Grove Memorial United Methodist Church. Josh Randolph, his wife, Reba and family reside at the parsonage at 611 S. Main St. in Lewistown. Randolph is also pastor at Wagner UMC and Vira UMC. He began his ministry at Grove UMC on Jan. 1, 2023. He is a man of God who preaches from the Bible and from his heart. Services at Grove UMC include Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and church services at 11 a.m. Bible study is Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the basement fellowship hall. The church is equipped with a chairlift. A handicap ramp is ...