The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and the Mission Office hosted Bishop Neil Tiedemann and Deacon Ron Hamilton of our sister Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica during the second week in December, 2009. They met with Bishop Joseph, priests of partnered parishes, the Catholic Register staff, and the Mission Office staff. Bishop Neil appeared with Bishop Joseph on the TV show Proclaim! It was a whirlwind week, but the lasting impression that the bishop left was one of an energetic and compassionate leader of a diocese that wishes to grow in the faith and learn more about OUR diocese and OUR people.
The ASH WEDNESDAY COLLECTION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, is the date of the Diocesan Mandeville Annual Appeal. Please remmember to pray and support our partner diocese in Jamaica. Check you parish bulletinfor more information.
Every year, since 2004, our diocese has had a special annual collection for our sister Diocese of Mandeville on Ash Wednesday. It is a way for every person within the diocese to support those in Jamaica with a monetary donation. Prayers are always welcome and encouraged anytime during the year.
Interested in supporting the Mandeville Diocese?
Call the Mission Office for ways to help!
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Diocese of Mandeville
Established
as a Diocese on November 21, 1997
It was previously part of the Archdiocese of Kingston and the Diocese of Montego Bay.
It comprises the three civil parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and Saint Elizabeth
The Diocese of Mandeville is located in the south-central part of Jamaica and covers 1,282 square miles. The area is approximately one-third mountainous, one-third swamp and the rest farm land.
The total population is 484,000.
The Catholic population is approximately 7,000.
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In February of 1998, the Bishops of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica agreed to enter a partnership (twinning process). Bishops Joseph Adamec and Paul Boyle (now deceased) looked forward to this sister partnership and the benefits it will bring to both the diocese and to local church communities. The twinning process has been informative and productive in terms of raising awareness and interest of our people about the missionary needs of the Mandeville Diocese. The major first step of our diocese in responding to the needs of the Mandeville Diocese was to provide funds for the construction of a housing project in Mandeville for volunteers and visitors. This modest housing complex is called "Gallitzin House." In January 2008, the Gallitzin House became the new site for Our Lady of Hope Orphanage. The original orphanage could not meet the needs of the children. The Gallitzin House will retain the name and is now the boys' dormitory.
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On May 20, 2008, Passionist Father Neil Tiedemann was named the third Bishop of the Diocese of Mandeville by Pope Benedict XVI. Bishop Tiedemann becomes the second of the three bishops of the Mandeville Diocese to come from the Passionist community. Bishop Tiedeman is a native of New York and was ordained to the priesthood in 1975 at Immaculate Conception Monastery in Jamaica, NY. He was selected to shepherd the Mandeville church, which had been without a bishop since the resignation of Bishop Gordon D. Bennett, SJ in 2006 due to health reasons.
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The twinning process between the two dioceses invites:
Local parishes to twin with a sister parish, a school, or a ministry in the Mandeville Diocese and taking up a collection each month to support it.
Support of a specific missionary (priest, sister, deacon, lay missionary) by a monthly donation.
Support of a priest with Mass intentions.
Sponsoring a child in the orphanage, school, or children's home.
Contributions for the construction of homes for the homeless.
Donations for the support of the medical clinics.
A general contribution for the immediate needs of the Mandeville Diocese.
Short-term missionary trips from our diocese to sister parishes in the Mandeville Diocese.
Filling a container with desks and school supplies for the Diocese of Mandeville in April 2009.
Interested in supporting the Mandeville Diocese?
Contact:
Rev. Robert J. Kelly, Ph. D., Director
e mail: rjk11@psu.edu
or
Sr. Patti Rossi, CSJ
e mail: srpatti@dioceseaj.org
814-695-5579
Fax: 814-696-6725
