Dear Friend,

Jesus invites us to share our lives with others. In 1792, Demetrius Gallitzin left his claim to royalty and came to America to become a priest. He was ordained in 1795 by Bishop John Carroll, the first Catholic Bishop of the United States. A request for the sacraments brought him to our mountains in central Pennsylvania, to McGuire’s Settlement (whose name he later changed to Loretto, in honor of our Blessed Mother). He spent his priestly life ministering to God’s people in what is now the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

The priesthood is essential to the Church. The priest and bishops of the Diocesan Church of Altoona-Johnstown have always served a diverse population from our earliest settlers to a growing immigrant population to today’s people fervently seeking to follow Jesus Christ in the 21st century. They have worked with courage, enthusiasm and faithfulness.

God may be calling you to serve his Church as an ordained priest. I invite you to consider serving in ministry with me.

Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, DD
Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown

As a diocesan priest, you are called to serve the people of God, fulfilling the mission of the Church through the Eucharist, the sacraments and by teaching and preaching the Good News. If you believe you have heard Christ’s call to service and would like to investigate the next steps available to you, contact:

Priestly Vocations
Rev. Brian Saylor
Prince Gallitzin Chapel House 
P.O. Box 99 
Loretto,  PA  15940-0099 
Phone: (814) 472-5441 
Email:   bsaylor@dioceseaj.org