Dear Friends,
As you may know, our vocation office has increased efforts of the past year to reach young men and invite them to consider the priesthood. Our Called by Name initiative resulted in 422 nominations. Thanks be to God, we now have three new seminary applicants for Fall 2026, which would bring our total to four seminarians for our diocese.
As we continue to increase the number of seminarians for our diocese, the cost of their formation also grows. White this is a wonderful blessing and a “good problem to have,” we need additional support to fund their education and care. It costs approximately $65,000 per year for each seminarian, which covers their tuition, room and board, and health insurance.
With that in mind, I am humbly asking for your prayers and financial support for the upcoming Fishers of Men Vocation Appeal, which will take place in all parishes on the weekend of August 1-2.
The funds raised through this appeal will directly support our men in formation and ensure we can continue actively accompanying those discerning a priestly vocation here in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
Many of you will be receiving information in the mail about this appeal, and everyone will hear more about it next weekend at Mass.
Thank you for your steadfast faith, your generosity, and your enduring commitment to building culture of vocations across our diocese. Please continue to pray for our seminarians and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.
Sincerely your in Christ,
Most Rev. Mark Bartchak