Correspondent photo / Sean Barron Members of Catholic War Veterans Post 1222 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1423 gather at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown for Sunday morning’s Mass and special remembrance ceremony.

YOUNGSTOWN — Phillip Markovitz began a weekly religious service in a rather unorthodox fashion: by ticking off a slate of grim figures.

“The casualty list at Pearl Harbor included 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians killed and 1,178 wounded. Over a thousand crewmen aboard the USS Arizona battleship were killed after a 1,760-pound aerial bomb penetrated the forward magazine, causing catastrophic explosions,” said Markovitz, Catholic War Veterans Post 1222’s commander.

Markovitz delivered his remarks at the beginning of Sunday morning’s Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony and Mass at St. Columba Cathedral, 159 W. Rayen Ave., downtown.

Joining worshipers were several members of Post 1222 as well as Youngstown-based Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1423, all of whom were dressed in their military colors.

The somber one-hour service was to remember and honor those who were killed in the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack, which propelled the United States to enter World War II. Today marks the 79th anniversary of the surprise offensive.

The attack came in two waves, the first of which targeted battleships and airfields. In the second, shipyards and additional ships were struck, Markovitz explained. The nearly two-hour air assault also resulted in damage to eight U.S. battleships, five of which sank; in addition, three destroyers, three light cruisers, 188 aircraft and three smaller vessels were lost, he noted.

The Lexington, Enterprise and Saratoga, part of the Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers, were not in the area at the time, however, and escaped damage, Markovitz continued.

“The news sent a shockwave across the nation, resulting in a tremendous influx of young volunteers into the U.S. Armed Forces,” he said, adding that President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech before Congress the following day, asking for a declaration of war against Japan.

Delivering the homily was Monsignor Peter Polando, St. Columba rector, who used the concept of representational leadership as a metaphor for showing that people have an obligation to share the gifts God has given them.

It’s also important to follow the words in the Constitution, along with those of love and inclusion that Jesus Christ preached, Polando told parishioners. The pastor added he hopes they will have peace and know God’s loving presence.

Additional readings were from the Book of Isaiah and the Second Epistle of Peter. The Gospel lesson was taken from the Gospel of Mark.

Also during the one-hour Mass, veterans of all military branches were asked to stand to be recognized for their service. In addition, a prayer was said for those killed at Pearl Harbor and in all wars.

Those who attended Sunday’s service followed health department guidelines by wearing masks and socially distancing. Alternating pews were closed to parishioners.