Religion news
GUEST SPEAKER: First Baptist Church, 2640 S. Canal St., Newton Falls, will have guest speaker the Rev. Gary Frost at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Frost serves as the associate missionary to the Steel Valley Baptist Association.
BIBLE STUDY: A video and Bible study series is being offered 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Wednesdays at Grace United Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren. The series is based on the Gospels and the Christian series “The Chosen.”
SPEAKER AT CENTRE: Nicole Niewoehner, information technology director for Unity Spiritual Centre in Liberty and Unity Chapel of Lights in Tallmadge, will participate in the United Worldwide Ministries Technology conference Tuesday to Thursday. Some of the subjects covered will be “How to use Social Media Effectively,” “How to use Apps to Increase Engagement,” “Livestreaming Tips” and “Digital Ministry Considerations.”
NEW MINISTER: The Rev. Robert J. Wacker was installed as pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church LCMS, 2742 North Road NE, Warren, in February. The sermon was given by the Rev. Daniel Hahn, pastor at St. John’s, Millvale, Pa. The Rite of Installation was given by the Rev. Kevin Wilson, district president of the Ohio District, Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Other ministers from the Ohio, English and Eastern districts of the LCMS also were present and assisted during the service.
Wacker graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.,, in February 2016. After graduation, he was called as pastor to serve Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot, Pa., as chaplain.
Wacker and wife Katie, with sons Tobias and Ronin, live in Cortland.
ORGAN DONATED: Danridge Burgundi Manor, 31 Maranatha Court, Youngstown, will officially present an organ donated by The Church of God in Christ in honor of Elder Andrew Redmond, a resident who will be turning 92 on April 21. He has been a member of The Church of God in Christ since age 10. He also pastored The Holiness Messiah Church of God on Elm Street, one of the oldest churches in Youngstown.
SPECIAL CONCERT: The New Music Guild Inc. will present a spring concert 3 p.m. Sunday at SS. Peter and Paul Church-Holy Apostles Parish, 421 Covington St., Youngstown.
Pianist Roman Rudnytsky will perform.
Rudnytsky is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and laureate of the Leventritt Competition, Rudnytsky taught at Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music.
An after-party in honor of Rudnytsky will take place in the church’s basement fellowship hall.
SEDER DINNER: St. Edward Church, 240 Tod Lane, Youngstown, will host a communitywide interfaith Seder dinner and ceremony at 5:30 p.m. April 6 at the church. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The masters of ceremony will be Rabbi Joseph Schonberger of Temple El Emeth in Liberty, who will explain the Jewish tradition of the Seder, and the Rev. George Balasko, co-creator of the Youngstown Jewish / Christian Dialogue, who will explain the tradition from a Christian perspective.
Also speaking will be Jesse McClain, a deacon at St. Patrick Parish in Youngstown, a former teacher at Boardman High School and a Holocaust expert, who has received both the Guardian of the Menorah and the Januscz Korczak Award.
The meal includes items for a Passover Seder and a buffet of stuffed chicken, potato kugel, tzimmas, steamed asparagus and brownies. Beverages included are coffee, iced tea, water and grape juice representing the four cups of wine. Guests can bring their own bottles of wine if they wish. Cost per plate is $30 and the dinner will be catered by Kravitz Deli on Belmont Avenue in Liberty. Tickets, payable by cash or check, are available during normal business hours at the parish office through Monday. If calling on the weekend to RSVP, leave a message with the answering service at 330-743-2308.
110TH ANNIVERSARY: Friendship Baptist Church, 1954 Brier St., SE, Warren, will celebrate its 110th anniversary at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
FIRST FRIDAY LUNCHEON: Nancy Bird of Tallmadge will speak on “Simple Pleasures and the Sacramental Life: Living Our Baptism” at the April 7 luncheon of the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown at Avion on the Water Banquet Center in Canfield. Reservations are needed by Thursday and the cost is $18. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m., and the speaker begins at noon. Call 330-720-4498 for reservations.
LENTEN GROWTH: Girard First Presbyterian Church, 890 Churchill Road, Girard, will offer a Lenten spiritual growth study program based on Max Lucado. The series is offered 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays during Lent. For questions, call 330-505-1192.
LENT SERVICES: Good Hope Lutheran Church, 12030 Market St., North Lima, will offer Lent worship services 7 p.m. Wednesdays in March with the theme “Healing.”
INTERFAITH EVENT: The Niles Interfaith Committee will host a brunch 1 p.m. April 24 at Ciminero’s Banquet Center, Niles, where scholarships will be presented to local students. The event also will have a speaker. Tickets are $20 per person available until April 11 at any local Niles church or by calling Georgeanne at 330-652-0034 or Jean at 330-652-7281. The event, which has been held for more than 50 years, has not been held since 2019 because of the pandemic.
GUEST SPEAKER: Corner House Christian Church, 6954 Chestnut Ridge Road, Hubbard, will host a 9:40 a.m. parking lot service and a 10:30 a.m. sanctuary service April 3 with guest speaker from Christ Reaching Asia Mission Worldwide. After the services, a light lunch will be offered and guests can hear from speakers of local missions such as the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, Big Reach and Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp. Special dates for prayer and fellowship for missions in the community and around the world will be 11:45 a.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. April 2.
BIBLE CLASSES: A free eight-week class “Who is This Jesus?” will be offered at noon Thursdays in March and April at the Cortland Library Branch. Sessions are one hour each. Call 330-637-1421 to register.
LUTHERAN-CATHOLIC COVENANT: The Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Commission will host an ecumenical evening prayer celebrating the Lutheran Catholic Covenant at 6 p.m. April 3 at St. Columba Cathedral in downtown Youngstown. Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown will preside and Bishop Laura Barbins (Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) will preach at the prayerful recommitment to the Covenant between the two faiths. The Covenant, signed Oct. 29, 2000, between Youngstown Diocese Bishop Thomas Tobin and Lutheran Bishop Marcus Miller, confesses the faith shared by Lutherans and Catholics and dedicates them to prayer, study and action for Christian unity.
40 DAYS: The 40 Days for Life silent prayer vigil will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday through April 10 in front of Planned Parenthood, 375 N. Park Ave., Warren. People are being asked to take part in one hour per week of prayer at the location. For information, visit fortydaysforlife.com.
EGG HUNT: Harvest Point Church, 2121 Salt Springs Road, Lordstown, will host a community Easter egg hunt 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 2 for ages 2 to 10.
INSTALLATION: Elim Christian Center, 3214 Ridge Road, Warren, will host the installation of new pastor-elect Aruthenia Simmons at 7 p.m. April 8. The ordination and installation service will be officiated by Bishop Troy Anthony Bronner of Elim Christian Fellowship, Buffalo, New York.
GIVEAWAY: Temple Emmanuel SDA Church, 108 W. Indianola Ave., Youngstown, will hold its monthly giveaway of food, clothing and other items from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday.
To submit an item for the religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday paper.
Religion news
SPECIAL CONCERT: The New Music Guild Inc. will present a Mass with special music with Roman Rudnytsky at 4 p.m. today at SS. Peter and Paul Church-Holy Apostoles Parish, 421 Covington St., Youngstown.
The church will host a second appearance by Rudnytsky for its annual spring concert at 3 p.m. March 27 in the sanctuary. This year his appearances have included a full concert tour in Alaska and concerts in Canada, Missouri, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.
Rudnytsky is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and laureate of the Leventritt Competition, and he taught at Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music. An after-party in honor of Rudnytsky will take place in the church’s basement fellowship hall.
YOUTH GROUP: Touch Heaven Canfield Church, 10 Skyline Drive, Canfield, will host a youth group gathering 6 p.m. today for youth in grades seven to 12 .
FIRST FRIDAY LUNCHEON: Nancy Bird of Tallmadge will speak on “Simple Pleasures and the Sacramental Life: Living Our Baptism” at the April 7 luncheon of the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown at Avion on the Water Banquet Center in Canfield. Reservations are needed by March 31 and the cost is $18. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m., and the speaker begins at noon. Call 330-720-4498 for reservations.
LENTEN GROWTH: Girard First Presbyterian Church, 890 Churchill Road, Girard, will offer a Lenten spiritual growth study program based on Max Lucado. The series is offered 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays during Lent. For questions, call 330-505-1192.
LENT SERVICES: Good Hope Lutheran Church, 12030 Market St., North Lima, will offer Lent worship services 7 p.m. Wednesdays in March with the theme “Healing.”
PURIM CARNIVAL: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will host a Purim Carnival 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the center’s multipurpose room and gymnasium. The family event will include carnival food, games, prizes and a costume contest.
INTERFAITH EVENT: The Niles Interfaith Committee will host a brunch 1 p.m. April 24 at Ciminero’s Banquet Center, Niles, where scholarships will be presented to local students. The event also will have a speaker. Tickets are $20 per person available until April 11 at any local Niles church or by calling Georgeanne at 330-652-0034 or Jean at 330-652-7281. The event has been held for more than 50 years but was canceled since 2019 because of the pandemic.
GUEST SPEAKER: Corner House Christian Church, 6954 Chestnut Ridge Road, Hubbard, will host a 9:40 a.m. parking lot service and a 10:30 a.m. sanctuary service April 3 with guest speaker from Christ Reaching Asia Mission Worldwide. After the service, a light lunch will be offered and guests can hear from speakers of local missions such as the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, Big Reach and Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp. Special dates for prayer and fellowship for missions in the community and around the world will be 11:45 a.m. March 27, 7 p.m. March 30 and 8 a.m. April 2.
MOVIE SHOWN: North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, North Lima, will show “Sabina: Tortured for Christ, the Nazi Years” at 6 p.m. Sunday. The film is presented by the Voice of the Martyrs. No reservations are required.
COVENANT: The Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Commission will host an ecumenical evening prayer celebrating the Lutheran Catholic Covenant at 6 p.m. April 3 at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown. Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown will preside and Bishop Laura Barbins (Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) will preach at the prayerful recommitment to the Covenant between the two faiths. The Covenant, signed Oct. 29, 2000, between Youngstown Diocese Bishop Thomas Tobin and Lutheran Bishop Marcus Miller, confesses the faith shared by Lutherans and Catholics and dedicates them to prayer, study and action for Christian unity.
KOLBE GATHERING: The Diocese of Youngstown, through its Prison Ministry program, has started The Kolbe Gathering, a place for the formerly incarcerated and their families to join with parish-based volunteers in spiritual support and fellowship. The gatherings embrace spirituality in prayer, music, Scripture reading and fellowship. Kolbe Gathering can help those who are in need and looking for a parish or faith-based organizations to join. Initial gatherings take place 6 to 8 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month at Holy Apostles-SS. Peter and Paul Church, 421 Covington St. in Youngstown. For information, contact William Barger, coordinator for prison ministry, at 330-235-3920.
To submit an item for the religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday paper.
Religion news
MVAC PRAYERS: The Mahoning Valley Association of Churches Board of Directors has announced it laments the violence of the war in the Ukraine and prays for peace in Ukraine, Russia and all of eastern Europe. The MVAC appeals to people of all faiths in the Mahoning Valley to pray for peace in the Ukraine. For information on MVAC, visit www.mvaconline.org
PRAYERS FOR UKRAINE: Pastor Russ Adams is leading a prayer service for Ukraine 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield. Both he and his wife, Rev. Kathryn Adams, have been to Ukraine on mission trips and have friends there.
WOMEN’S DAY: Grace A.M.E. Church, 1137 Main Ave., Warren, will celebrate Women’s Day at 10:45 a.m. Sunday with speaker Lenora R. Brogdon-Wyatt, Ph.D., highlighting the theme “Women doing God’s work.” The Scripture reference is Psalm 46:5. Social distancing will be observed, and temperatures will be taken. Masks are required.
The Rev. Dr. Quentin White is pastor, Candy Williams is chairperson and Alice Kelson is co-chairperson.
In May 2020, Wyatt returned to Grace A.M.E. Church, where she received her AME foundation. Brogdon-Wyatt serves as the Sunday announcement clerk.
BIBLE STUDY: Grace United Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, is offering a video and Bible study series 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Wednesdays. The series is based on the Gospels and the Christian hit series “The Chosen.” The video and Bible study show Jesus in a new way. For information call 330-395-5231.
LENTEN GROWTH: Girard First Presbyterian Church, 890 Churchill Road, Girard, will offer a Lenten spiritual growth study program based on Max Lucado. The series is offered 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays during Lent. For questions, call 330-505-1192.
LENT SERVICES: Good Hope Lutheran Church, 12030 Market St., North Lima, will offer Lent worship services 7 p.m. Wednesdays in March with the theme “Healing.”
PURIM CARNIVAL: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will host a Purim Carnival 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 20 at the center’s multipurpose room and gymnasium. The family event will include carnival food, games, prizes and a costume contest.
GUEST SPEAKER: Corner House Christian Church, 6954 Chestnut Ridge Road, Hubbard, will hold a 9:40 a.m. parking lot service and a 10:30 a.m. sanctuary service April 3 with guest speaker from Christ Reaching Asia Mission Worldwide. After the services a light lunch will be offered and guests can hear from speakers of local missions such as the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, Big Reach and Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp. Special dates for prayer and fellowship for missions in the community and around the world will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. March 27, 7 p.m. March 30 and 8 a.m. April 2.
EASTER PREPARATION: Within the six-county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, 138 men, women and children from 43 parishes are preparing to become members of the Catholic Church at Easter. More than 50 people will receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on April 16; and 84 who already have been baptized in other Christian traditions will make a profession of faith and receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
On the frst Sunday of Lent on Sunday, persons preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, known as catechumens, will celebrate the Rite of Election at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown at 1:30 p.m. During this ceremony, they will be presented to Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown and their godparent / sponsor, and members of the assembly will be asked to attest to their readiness for the sacraments of Initiation. Those already baptized and seeking entrance into the Catholic Church, known as candidates, also will be presented to Bonnar at this ceremony.
MOVIE SHOWN: North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, North Lima, will show “Sabina: Tortured for Christ, the Nazi Years” at 6 p.m. March 20. The film is being presented by the Voice of the Martyrs. The movie is rated PG-13, so another movie will be available for younger children. No reservations are required.
BIBLE CLASSES: A free eight-week class “Who is This Jesus?” will be offered at noon Thursdays in March and April at the Cortland Library Branch. Sessions are one hour each. Call 330-637-1421 to register.
LUTHERAN-CATHOLIC COVENANT: The Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Commission will host an ecumenical evening prayer celebrating the Lutheran Catholic Covenant at 6 p.m. April 8 at St. Columba Cathedral in downtown Youngstown. Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown will preside, and Bishop Laura Barbins (Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) will preach at the prayerful recommitment to the Covenant between the two faiths. The Covenant, signed Oct. 29, 2000, between Youngstown Diocese Bishop Thomas Tobin and Lutheran Bishop Marcus Miller, confesses the faith shared by Lutherans and Catholics and dedicates them to prayer, study and action for Christian unity.
RETIREMENT EVENT: Pastor Ronald Royalty of Gospel Baptist Church, 6235 Clingan Road, Poland, will retire on March 27 after 39 years of service at the church. Royalty has taken the church from a relatively small one to a larger presence now serving the Greater Youngstown area. There will be a special afternoon service for Pastor Ronald and Jan Royalty at 2 p.m. The service will be led by their son, Pastor Joel Royalty of Broadview Heights Baptist Church. Their son, Pastor Jason Royalty of Southaven Baptist Church of the Nashville, Tenn., area, will lead the musical portion of the service. The service is open to the public.
40 DAYS: The 40 Days for Life silent prayer vigil will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday through April 10 in front of Planned Parenthood, 375 N. Park Ave., Warren. People are being asked to take part in one hour per week of prayer at the location. For information, visit fortydaysforlife.com.
KOLBE GATHERING: The Diocese of Youngstown, through its Prison Ministry program, has started the Kolbe Gathering, which is a place for the formerly incarcerated and their families to join with parish-based volunteers in spiritual support and fellowship. The gatherings embrace spirituality in prayer, music, Scripture reading and fellowship. The Kolbe Gathering can help those who are in need and looking for a parish or faith-based organizations to join. Initial gatherings take place 6 to 8 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month at Holy Apostles-SS. Peter and Paul Church, 421 Covington St. in Youngstown. For information, contact William Barger, coordinator for prison ministry at 330-235-3920.
FACE COVERING DIRECTIVES: The Diocese of Youngstown has issued revised Guidance and Directives for Sunday and weekday liturgies, considering the recently updated recommendations from the CDC, state of Ohio and local health departments and the decline in COVID cases. In light of prevailing circumstances and guidance provided by the CDC, the wearing of face coverings for those attending Mass no longer is required or mandated. It remains an option for individuals to do so if they desire.Those who are ill or have significant health risk factors should make a prudent decision about attending Mass. Parishes will be returning Sunday / weekday worship to a style that promotes the full, active and conscious participation of all in attendance as called for by the liturgy and expected by the people of God, while maintaining a reasonably safe and comfortable environment.
ACCEPT GOD’S LOVE: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center offers a new virtual program, “Lent: A Time to Accept God’s Gift of Love.” The six-week series will be 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. on Thursdays via Zoom with Ardath Blake, HM.
Using The Forty Parables of Jesus by Gerhard Lohfink as a guide, this series will offer reflections on the answer to Jesus’ question “Who do you say I am?”
The program will be conducted via Zoom. Registration is required. Cost: $5 each or $25 for the entire series. Participation in all sessions is not required.
Registration and further information are available online at vmesc.org or by calling 724-964-8886.
To submit an item for the religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday paper.
Religion news
TRANSFER OF TORAH: Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom will celebrate the transfer of the Torahs from its Glenwood building to its location on Elm Street at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The event will begin with a March of the Torahs in Wick Park and end in the sanctuary of Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom. A short service will take place following the Torah march. A light lunch and dessert reception will take place at the conclusion of the service.
RSVPs can be made by emailing office@ohevbethsholom.org or calling 330- 744-5001. Register for the program online by visiting www.ohevbethsholom.org.
EASTER PREPARATION: Within the six-county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, 138 men, women and children from 43 parishes are preparing to become members of the Catholic Church at Easter. More than 50 people will receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on April 16; and 84 who already have been baptized in other Christian traditions will make a profession of faith and receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
On the First Sunday of Lent, persons preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, known as catechumens, will celebrate the Rite of Election at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown at 1:30 p.m. During this ceremony, they will be presented to Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown and their godparent / sponsor, and members of the assembly will be asked to attest to their readiness for the sacraments of Initiation. Those already baptized and seeking entrance into the Catholic Church, known as candidates, also will be presented to Bonnar at this ceremony.
WOMEN’S DAY: Grace A.M.E. Church, 1137 Main Ave., Warren, will celebrate Women’s Day at 10:45 a.m. March 13 with speaker Lenora R. Brogdon-Wyatt, Ph.D., highlighting the theme, “Women doing God’s work.” The scripture reference is Psalm 46:5. Social distancing will be observed and temperatures will be taken. Masks are required.
The Rev. Dr. Quentin White is pastor, Candy Williams is chairperson and Alice Kelson is co-chairperson.
Brogdon-Wyatt is working to complete her life’s circle by returning to where her life began — in Warren. She was educated in the Warren schools and earned her undergraduate and Ph.D. in mass communications from Ohio University. While working as the director of news and public affairs at Bowling Green State University, she earned her master’s degree in popular culture.
In May 2020, she returned to Grace A.M.E. Church, where she received her AME foundation. Brogdon-Wyatt serves as the Sunday announcement clerk.
Brogdon-Wyatt is serving as the assistant secretary of the “Exciting Youngstown District.” Former Presiding Elder, Dr. Wesley Reid, appointed her worship leader for the Youngstown-Warren Area Founder’s Day breakfast in February 2020.
ADDICTION SERIES: First Presbyterian Church, Mahoning Avenue, Warren, will host an Addiction Awareness Series 11 a.m. Sunday with speaker Gary Seech. The event will be in fellowship hall or by Zoom. Seech was born and raised near Pittsburgh, received his bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and his MBA from Cleveland State University, and has worked in the addiction field for more than 35 years. He will address how addiction has changed for some during the pandemic, how some have relapsed and how some have become addicted. The Zoom meeting can be accessed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84020182560?pwd=L2ZOL1dFdVNzYXZqbWJxVFN4eGRldz09.
COLLECTION FOR UKRAINE: Donations to provide humanitarian and spiritual assistance to the people of Ukraine and its region, through the U.S. Bishops’ Collection to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, is taking place at parishes of the Diocese of Youngstown. Catholics can donate this weekend. All are invited to donate online at www.doy.org/Ukraine or by sending a check to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown, 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown, OH 44503.
40 DAYS: 40 Days for Life silent prayer vigil will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday through April 10 in front of Planned Parenthood, 375 N. Park Ave., Warren. People are being asked to take part in one hour per week of prayer at the location. For information, visit fortydaysforlife.com.
MOVIE SHOWING: North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, North Lima, will show “Sabina: Tortured for Christ, the Nazi Years” at 6 p.m. March 20. The film is being presented by the Voice of the Martyrs. The movie is rated PG-13 so another movie will be available for younger children. No reservations are required.
BIBLE CLASSES: A free eight-week class, “Who is This Jesus?” will be offered at noon Thursdays in March and April at the Cortland Library Branch. Sessions are one hour each. Call 330-637-1421 to register.
KOLBE GATHERING: The Diocese of Youngstown, through its Prison Ministry program, has started The Kolbe Gathering, which is a place for the formerly incarcerated and their families to join with parish-based volunteers in spiritual support and fellowship. The gatherings embrace spirituality in prayer, music, scripture reading and fellowship. The Kolbe Gathering can help those who are in need and looking for a parish or faith-based organizations to join. Initial gatherings take place 6 to 8 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month at Holy Apostles-SS. Peter and Paul Church, 421 Covington St. in Youngstown. During the pandemic, the group will adhere to social distancing and masks as needed. For information, contact William Barger, coordinator for Prison Ministry, at 330-235-3920.
ACCEPT GOD’S LOVE: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center offers a new virtual program, “Lent: A Time to Accept God’s Gift of Love.” The six-week series will be once per week at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. on Thursdays via Zoom with Ardath Blake, HM.
Using The Forty Parables of Jesus by Gerhard Lohfink as a guide, this series will offer reflections on the answer to Jesus’ question “Who do you say I am?”
The program will be conducted via Zoom. Registration is required. Cost: $5 or $25 for the entire series. Participation in all sessions is not required.
Registration is available online at vmesc.org or by calling 724-964-8886.
To submit an item for the religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday paper.