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Diocese receives national Catholic Media awards

Lifestyles

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 ...

It takes a good thief to find our lost stuff

Burton Cole

Mom couldn’t find her purse. She had wedged it into a hiding place SOMEWHERE in case a burglar broke in, but forgot where her nifty new hidey-hole was. I suggested hiring a burglar to find it. Before I could look up the listing for Burglars, Bandits and Housebreakers in the Yellow Pages ...

July calendar of events in the Valley

Life

1-4 — 80th Newton Falls 4th of July Festival at community park 1 — TLC Acoustic and Sandy’s Melt Down at Kinsman Free Public Library at 5:30 p.m. 1 — Lit Youngstown First Wednesday Reader Series: Meredith Doench and Erin Flanagan at Westside Bowl, Youngstown, at 7 p.m. 1 — ...

The necessary components of an estate plan

Lifestyles

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 ...

DEAR ANNIE: Running out of reassurances for worried mom

Lifestyles

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 ...