CATHEDRAL OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Altoona, PA is a welcoming and compassionate community of believers striving to grow as God’s people.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we offer lifelong faith formation for children, youth, and adults; and we live out Christ’s invitation to serve our sisters and brothers.
We gather to worship in prayer and song and invite all to joyfully participate in word and sacrament, especially the Eucharist.
SERVING THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN THE CITY OF ALTOONA, PA SINCE 1851.
DAILY MASSES
Monday-Saturday-Noon
WEEKEND MASSES
Vigil, Saturday at 5:00 P.M.
Sunday Masses at 8:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.
Saturday: at 12:30 P.M.
By appointment: by calling or texting 814-937-8240
SUPPORTING THE MINISTRIES OF CATHEDRAL PARISH
By clicking on the GET INVOLVED link, you will find valuable information on how to make a financial donation to the Cathedral. The weekly offertory, the annual Catholic Ministries Drive, Bequests, and contributions to our Endowments are ways by which the blessings God has given to you become a blessing to the parish.
PILGRIMAGE TO ROME AND THE SHRINES OF ITALY
You are invited to join Monsignor Stan Carson on a pilgrimage to Rome and the shrines of Italy from October 12-22 in 2026. Brochures are available at the entrances to the cathedral. Click this link for additional Information.
The 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 16, 2026
GOSPEL MEDITATION
Does God ignore or act a bit rough with you? Jesus crosses the border into the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon, the territory long outside the covenant. There, a Canaanite woman calls out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David.” At first, he is silent. Then he rebuffs her. “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” But the Church Fathers saw this not as an insult but as an initiation. Christ draws out of her heart a deeper faith.
She presses on. “Please, Lord, even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Jesus’ silence and response solidify her humility and trust. She thus becomes a model for prayer for centuries of Christians. St. Augustine said she shows how sinners come to grace by moving from silence to humility to perseverance.
This woman is the Church. She is you and me. She is every soul who dares to cry out from the margins, who endures divine silence until it turns to compassion. When Jesus says, “O woman, great is your faith,” it is the joyful cry of God discovering faith where the world least expects it. Even the smallest crumb of Your mercy, Lord, is enough to heal the soul. Do we have the courage to show faith like that?
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP
Our readings today remind us that God is ever-faithful, even when we are not. They challenge us as Christian stewards to show our love for this faithful God through actions, and to lean in to our trust in Him even when it seems He is not answering our prayers.
Jesus certainly challenged the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel passage from Matthew. She called out to Him on behalf of her daughter, who was being tormented by a demon. What did Jesus do in reply to this mother’s desperate plea? Nothing. He “did not say a word in answer to her.” But she was undeterred and continued to call out to Him. Jesus did not give her what she asked for right away. Instead, He continued to challenge the woman’s faith. And she rises to the challenge to such an impressive degree that Jesus exclaims, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
Imagine hearing those words proclaimed over us by God. Truly, there could be no higher honor than hearing our Lord say that to us. So, we must accept the difficulties that come with the stewardship way of life. Some days will be a true challenge, but those are the days when God is making saints of us. Let’s embrace the hard days. The deep joy that eventually comes will be so worth it.
2026 Catholic Stewardship Consultants
REFLECTION
There’s a saying that good leaders have to play chess, not checkers.
It will surprise no one who knows me well that I am terrible at chess. It’s not so much a lack of skill (although that’s part of it) as a lack of effort. I find chess exhausting. To succeed at this complex game of strategy, you have to see not just the board in front of you, but the person in front of you — and more than that, you have to consider not just what is, but what could be.
I prefer checkers.
When I read a Gospel passage like today’s, I think of what Jesus would be like as a chess player. It’s so easy to see this account of the Canaanite woman and her tenacity and take it at face value, as a reminder to pray without ceasing, to never stop asking God for what we need. And certainly, it is that.
But it’s not only that.
We see a woman begging God for help, and we see God refuse — at first. We see her persist, and we see him capitulate. At least, that’s what it looks like to us.
What does it look like to Jesus?
Jesus sees this woman’s face and hears her words, just as his disciples do — but he also sees her heart. He sees her whole life. He sees every moment that leads up to this one. He sees her belief, but he also sees her unbelief. He sees her wounds. He sees her daughter.
He sees the game board not just for what it is, but for what it could be.