Blair County Ballpark will temporarily become a house of worship June 26 when Faith Day begins at 4:30 p.m.
Worshippers, who need to buy tickets for the Curve game in order to enter the stadium, can take part in the afternoon event and watch baseball in the evening.
Bishop Joseph V. Adamec of the Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will deliver his homily from a canopy-covered first base and after Mass, activities will be held before the Curve take on the Bowie Baysox at 7 p.m. Priests and deacons will help Adamac serve Holy Eucharist.
"The ball park is just a fun way to celebrate our faith in a new environment with a diversity of different parishes. It's a great bonding opportunity," said Tony DeGol, secretary of communications for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
"It's like a field trip for parishes," he said.
Activities for children will include face painting, religious crafts and games.
Fact Box
If you go
What: Faith Day
When: 4:30 p.m. June 26
Where: Blair County Ballpark
Game time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: Game tickets are required to enter the stadium. For tickets, call 877-99-CURVE
Children and adults can make bookmarks, crosses out of popsicle sticks, color pictures or put together puzzles.
The games will be church-carnival type, structured toward younger children and activities will continue during the game.
"Faith Day is for anyone who wants to acknowledge their faith," said Francine Swope, coordinator of Youth Ministries for the diocese. "It is for any person no matter what religion, age, or if they are a single household or not. We want everyone to feel welcome," she said.
A Parade of Parishes will feature representatives from different churches carrying banners as they march around the field.
Other denominations and nonCatholic churches who wish to participate in the parade should contact the diocese.
Attendees can donate nonperishable food items or monetary gifts at the front gate. All donations will benefit Catholic Charities.
DeGol said about 250 people attended last year's event.
