Religion news
MASS FOR LIFE: Bishop David Bonnar of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will celebrate Mass for Life 10 a.m. today at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown, which includes prayer for a greater respect for life at every stage and in every situation.
Expectant mothers, fathers and their families will be invited to receive a blessing for their unborn babies. The “Blessing of a Child in the Womb” was created to encourage prayer and recognition of the precious gift of the child in the womb and to foster respect for human life within society.
POVERTY AWARENESS: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown is calling upon Catholics and others of good will to support a special collection to provide winter utility assistance to individuals and families in need. In conjunction with “Poverty Awareness Month,” Catholic Charities is sponsoring its annual “Warm Hearts for Warm Homes” campaign (formerly Keep the Kids Warm) today and Sunday.
The effort raises funds to help families with children, working poor adults and older adults on fixed incomes with utility assistance during the winter months. An average of 45 percent of the households in the six counties of the Diocese of Youngstown have difficulty affording life’s basic necessities, including food, shelter and utilities.
Since its inception in 2008, the Warm Hearts for Warm Homes campaign has raised $450,000 for utility assistance for individuals and families in crisis, impacting the lives of over 60,000 people.
Donations can be sent to Catholic Charities, Warm Hearts for Warm Homes, 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown, OH 44503. Donations also can be made online at www.ccdoy.org
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY: A new Christian ministry / coffee- house outreach called Red Door Ministry has opened at 759 E. Liberty St. in Hubbard with a musical performance by Jenah Ross Shank at 6 p.m. Friday. Admission is free. The Red Door is a new ministry that provides a coffeehouse atmosphere with scheduled live music. Coffee is available by donation.
Shank has released several CDs. She has shared her music at coffeehouses, churches, festivals, prisons, juvenile centers and youth events across the country. Her recently released song “No Greater Love” is dedicated to U.S. military veterans and personnel, families of fallen officers and first responders. For information, visit jenah.hearnow.com.
CONSECRATED LIFE: World Day for Consecrated Life will be observed Feb. 7 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown. The Universal Church has been celebrating this event to honor women religious and priests since 1997.
FELLOWSHIP OF ATHLETES: The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Steel Valley has announced a couple of changes. Don James will become the new Steel Valley director. James has been involved in FCA for almost two years and has been the Trumbull County representative for the last 10 years. He brings over 30 years of management experience.
Martin Dunham previously served in the role and decided to be an FCA Representative working in Mahoning County, including YSU. Bob Kimpel will continue to handle Columbiana, Jefferson, and part of Mahoning County. James will continue to cover Trumbull County until a representative is hired.
An online event wth Tim Tebow will be held Thursday. Visit neohiofca.org/steel-valley-area or contact James at djames@fca.org.
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religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday paper.
Religion news
SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE: In recognition of “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday,” the First Baptist Church, 2640 S. Canal St., Newton Falls, will host a special service 10 a.m. Sunday.
Sally Dubinsky, who serves as the executive director of Pregnancy Help Center in Boardman, is guest speaker. She has been with the center for 25 years and has served as executive director for the past 16 years. The Pregnancy Help Center exists to share the love of Christ with women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and to empower them to choose life.
BISHOP INSTALLATION: The ETC-Ecumenical Television Channel will rebroadcast the Mass of Ordination and Installation of the Rev. David J. Bonnar as the sixth Bishop of Youngstown at 12:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. today. On Nov, 17, 2020, Pope Francis appointed Bonnar as the bishop. The Pittsburgh native previously served as chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was ordained in 1988 from Pontificial Gregorian University in Rome.
ASSOCIATION TO MEET: The Mahoning Valley Association of Churches will host the annual assembly meeting 1 p.m. Thursday via Zoom. The assembly includes member churches, affiliates and those interested in MVAC and its mission. The assembly elects new directors and installs new directors and officers.
MVAC has been involved with the Greater Youngstown Community Dialogue on Racism.
To register for the assembly and Zoom link, email execdirectormavac@gmail.com or call 330-788-5914. To donate online visit www.mvaconline.org
REVIVAL SERVICES: Wildare United Methodist Church, 7211 N. Park Ave. Ext. in Cortland, is hosting revival services 9 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. nightly Monday to Wednesday. Along with music and fellowship, evangelist Rev. Billy Huddleston from Cincinnati will bring a message as we start the new year together. The services may also be seen online at: https://www.facebook.com/WildareUMC.
ONLINE PROGRAMS: As adults may be spending more time indoors during this winter, the Office of Religious Education of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown offers new online opportunities for adults seeking to learn more or deepen their understanding of topics in faith and Catholic Church practice. Online winter courses include “Finding Peace and Letting Go of Stress,” led by Nicky Uerling; “Elementary Catechesis,” led by Marcy Fessler; and “Sacred Fire,” led by Maureen Hall. Other courses include “Practice Makes Catholic,” “Toward the Sunrise,” “Practicing and Teaching the Beatitudes” and “The Heart of Welcome.” During Lent, lifelong learners can also explore seasonally based Scripture courses.
Courses vary in the number of weeks. Course fees vary depending on costs of materials and length of time. Course dates and descriptions are found by going to go to the https://catechistcafe.weebly.com under “For Catechists/Catechist Courses.”
Call 330-744-8451, ext. 302, or email jlawson@youngstowndiocese.org.
DIALOGUE SESSION: Jewish-Christian dialogue will be 7 p.m. Wednesday via Zoom with guest speaker Henry Abramson. It is part of a six-part series on Jewish history. The Zoom dialogue will be emailed before the program by Temple El Emeth in Liberty.
VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a virtual presentation via Zoom with Anne Kertz Kernion titled “Spiritual Practices for the Brain: Caring for Ourselves in Challenging Times.” The virtual opportunity will take place 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 23.
During this retreat, participants will explore a few spiritual practices to support our health and well-being.
Cost is $50 The Zoom link will be sent to all those registered on Jan. 22.
Information and registration are available at www.vmesc.org or call 724-964-8886
BIBLICALLY SHAPED PRAYER: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a virtual series via Zoom with Ardath Blake titled “Biblically Shaped Prayer.” The virtual opportunity will take place 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, starting Tuesday through March 2 except Feb. 9. The sessions are reflections on Prayer as Access to Reality in “No Irrelevant Jesus” by Gerhard Lohfink and articles in “Prayer in the Catholic Tradition” edited by Robert Wicks.
Session 1: Tuesday, “What is Biblically Shaped Prayer and how does it help us deepen our understanding of Lament, Petition, Praise and Thanksgiving?”
Session 2: Jan. 26, “What does the Old Testament say about prayer and how is this seen in 1 Kings 8?
Cost is $25 for the entire series, or $5 for individual sessions.
Please note that registration is required. Participation in all sessions is not required.
Program information is available at www.vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.
To submit an item for the Religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the the Saturday newspaper.
Religion news
SPECIAL SERVICE: Unity Church Centre, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty, will have a special service 10 a.m. Sunday titled “What did we Learn?” It will focus on how people have had to move past all the things that happened last year, including the virus, election, protests, lost jobs and any personal issue that someone may have had trouble dealing with. Visit www.UnityCentre.org or www.facebook. com/unitycentregi rard or in person.
HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Love Charity Alms is offering the Jeremiah Barnes Humanitarian Award and will accept nominations through May 7. The award is being bestowed to a Warren-area high school student who demonstrates humanitarian spirit, acts of kindness and work ethic demonstrated by Jeremiah Barnes from the time he was able to assist others until his death in June 2019. To be eligible for the award, submit no more than two pages on how the student is deserving of the award. For information, visit Love Charity Alms on Facebook.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: Adults seeking to learn more about or deepen their understanding of topics in faith and Catholic church practice can take part in new online opportunities provided by the Office of Religious Education of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Courses include “Catholic Belief and Tradition,” “Living Catholic Morality,” and “The Letter of James: Pearls for Wise Living.” The online sessions allow for flexibility in schedules because learners can read, reflect and respond any time of the day. Registration information, course dates and descriptions are available at https://catechistcafe.weebly.com under “For Catechists.Catechist Courses.” Call 330-744-8451, ext. 302.
BIBLICALLY SHAPED PRAYER: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a virtual series via Zoom with Ardath Blake, titled “Biblically Shaped Prayer.” The virtual opportunity will take place 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays from Jan. 19 to March 2 except Feb. 9. The sessions are reflections on Prayer as Access to Reality in “No Irrelevant Jesus” by Gerhard Lohfink and articles in “Prayer in the Catholic Tradition” edited by Robert Wicks.
Session 1: Jan. 19 What is Biblically Shaped Prayer and how does it help us deepen our understanding of Lament, Petition, Praise and Thanksgiving? and Session 2: Jan. 26, What does the Old Testament say about prayer and how is this seen in 1 Kings 8?
Cost is $25 for the entire series, or $5 for individual sessions.
Registration is required. Participation in all sessions is not required.
The link to the Zoom meeting will be sent the day before the session.
Program information is available at www.vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.
VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a virtual presentation via Zoom with Anne Kertz Kernion, titled “Spiritual Practices for the Brain: Caring for Ourselves in Challenging Times.” The virtual opportunity will take place 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 23 via Zoom.
The COVID-19 virus has changed our worlds in many ways, creating challenges impacting all of our lives. During this retreat, we explore a few spiritual practices to support our health and well-being. Cost is $50. The Zoom link will be sent to all those registered on Jan. 22.
Program information and registration are available at www.vmesc.org or call 724-964-8886.
To submit an item for religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday newspaper.