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Diocese receives national Catholic Media awards

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and The Catholic Echo Magazine earned 10 awards at the 2026 Catholic Media Conference June 16 to 19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Bishop David J. Bonnar won second place for Best Regular Column in a Diocesan Magazine, “Walking by Faith Together” and third place for Best Diocesan Pastoral Message for “Take Heart! Do Not Lose Heart! Behold the Sacred Heart!” with graphic design by Michael Houy, social media and development specialist. The letter is also available in Spanish and audiobook formats. Bonnar’s regular column appears in English and ...

Religion news

102 YEARS: The 102nd anniversary of New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., Youngstown, where the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon has served as pastor for more than 30 years, will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. GOSPEL CONCERT: First Baptist Church of Niles will host a gospel concert with Wes Hamptom at 7 p.m. July 10. FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown will meet at noon July 9 with a luncheon and program with Steven Kramer, who will present “Evangelization: Encouraging an Encounter with Jesus Christ” at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western ...

The necessary components of an estate plan

Estate planning can help solidify finances and secure a person’s legacy upon their death. Despite that, this crucial and useful step is often delayed and sometimes even avoided entirely. Modern estate planning is a vital component that can preserve assets and shield family members from ...

The little pill that helps people drink less alcohol

An old medication is gaining new attention for some very challenging health problems. The Food and Drug Administration first approved naltrexone in 1984 under the brand name Trexan. This drug was originally designed to help people better cope with a dependence on opioid drugs such as heroin. It works by blocking the effects of narcotics. A decade later, the FDA approved naltrexone (ReVia) for treating alcohol dependence. In this case, the compound works to limit alcohol cravings because it interferes with opioid receptors in the brain. These provide a critical link between alcohol ...

DEAR ANNIE: Running out of reassurances for worried mom

DEAR ANNIE: I am an adult now with grown siblings, but it seems my mother’s anxiety is growing right along with us. My mother is an incredibly anxious person. I try to be empathetic, but she hasn’t seen a therapist in years, and she completely dismisses any logical or positive reassurances meant to comfort her. At this point, I am at a loss for what to do. Currently, her anxiety is hyperfocused on our upcoming summer family vacation. She is worried about everything: flying, hiking, driving, wildlife and fires. It feels like she actively seeks out things to worry about, operating ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Flatten your chicken with cereal bags

DEAR HELOISE: I’ve discovered a second use for empty cereal bags (that go inside boxes of cereal). I use them for flattening chicken breasts. They’re much more durable than waxed paper, not as slippery as plastic wrap, and more sanitary than just using a cutting board and a meat mallet. I pop the breast into the bag, pound away, and repeat. If I’ve trimmed any excess fat off the meat, it goes into the bag when I’m done, then into the trash. — Margie, Damascus, Oregon DEAR HELOISE: A small flannel jewelry cloth can come in handy at estate sales and garage sales. It helps ...