Religion news

FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown 2022-23 speaker series season opens with a luncheon on the second Thursday in September.

Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown will speak at noon Sept. 8 at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road in Canfield. His topic is "My Vision of a Parish in the 21st Century," followed by a question-and-answer session.

Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $20. Reservations are limited and must be made by Friday by calling 330-720-4498. Visit www.firstfriday

clubofgreateryoungstown.org.

MEN'S RALLY 2023: The Men's Rally in the Valley, which hosts an annual event, is going through a time of reorganization. Two meetings are taking place to get a consensus of where the rally is headed. Meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. today at the Church at the Center, 1785 S. Lincoln Ave., Salem, and 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Leetonia Public Library, 181 Walnut St., Leetonia. There will be a general discussion of individuals interested in making the 2023 rally a success.

MUSIC DIRECTOR: Youngstown Bishop David Bonnar has appointed Ralph Holtzhauser as diocesan director of music and St. Columba Cathedral musician, effective Sept. 6. As cathedral musician, Holtzhauser will serve as the principal musician, organist and choir director for cathedral and diocesan liturgies. Additionally, in an expansion of the position, Holtzhauser will serve as diocesan director of music, providing guidance and support for liturgical music throughout the diocese.

Holtzhauser grew up in Rocky River and has been a liturgical musician from a young age. Having started playing the piano at age 2, he was accompanying the entire Mass on organ beginning in the second grade and had served three parishes by the end of high school.

In addition to liturgical music, Holtzhauser is a regular performer and studio musician. He succeeds Daniel Laginya, who is retiring as cathedral musician on Sept. 4 after 40 years of service. During his tenure, Laginya developed a widely respected music program for cathedral and diocesan liturgies. He has presented numerous workshops and seminars for the Diocese over the years and also has taught at the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University.

DIOCESE PROMOTION: The Diocese of Youngstown has promoted Christine Jickess to director of accounting and financial reporting effective Thursday. Since May 2009, Jickess has served the Diocese of Youngstown as the associate director of finance. Jickess has a 30-year accounting and financial reporting career.

Jickess will oversee a team of accounting personnel in the financial operations and reporting of the central offices of the Diocese. Jickess is a certified public accountant with the state, a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Jickess has two children and lives in Canfield with her husband of 32 years.

CHURCH PLANS 102 YEARS: Third Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 241 First St. SW, Warren, will celebrate the 102nd church anniversary with events planned each Sunday in September. Celebration events are Sept. 4 -- Family and Friends Day; Sept. 11 -- Meet and Greet the pastor dinner at 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 18 -- guest speaker Pastor Leroy Jenkins; and Sept. 25 -- afternoon musical. Pastor is Beverly Locke.

CONCERT SET: Brian Free and Assurance, a Dove Award-winning artist, will host a concert 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at New Life Church, 610 S. Leavitt Road in Leavittsburg. No tickets are required, but a love offering will be accepted.

WEEKEND EVENT: Restoration Christian Life Ministries' Empowerment Series will present Renewal, Uplift and Nourishment Weekend today and Sunday at the church, 403 Atlantic St. NW, Warren. The theme is "Reviving Belief: Overcoming the Narrative of a Powerless Church." Saturday is "Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Warfare: Awareness, Administration and Operations-Seminars." Session 1 will be at 9 a.m., Session 2 will be at 11 a.m., and the service will be at 7 p.m. There also will be a service at 11 a.m. Sunday.

LABYRINTH WALK: The Ursuline Education and Wellness Center, 4280 Shields Road in Canfield, soon will begin its 12th year of labyrinth walks. While the labyrinth is open year-round, themed and guided labyrinth walks are offered by trained facilitators during the warm-weather season. All persons of faith are invited to participate in these free, weather-permitting events. Walks generally take 20 minutes to an hour.

This year's schedule is 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15: "Jesus welcomes the sinners;" and 2 p.m. Oct. 16: "God welcomes us all."

Call 330-799-4941 or on the web, visit

ursulinewellness.org.

To submit an item for the religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. The deadline is Wednesday for the Saturday paper.

Religion news

OPENING OF BOOKSTORE: St. Paul's Monastery, 9531 Akron Canfield Road in Ellsworth, will host the official opening of its bookstore, St. Paul's Books and Gifts, today, which is the 108th anniversary of the founding of the Society of St. Paul by Blessed Father James Alberione.

Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown will preside at the Holy Mass 10:30 a.m. at the main chapel of the monastery. After the Mass, the blessing of the bookstore will take place. A picnic will follow in the park.

SUMMER EVENT: Holy Apostles Parish-SS. Peter and Paul Croatian worship site and St. Stephen of Hungary Pastoral Center will host a summer picnic noon to 6 p.m. today at the Strossmayer Croation Center, Vienna. An Outdoor Mass will begin at 11 a.m., and guests should bring their own chair. Entertainment is by the Mickey Dee Band from 2 to 5 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults and free for children younger than 12.

FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown 2022-23 speaker series season opens with a luncheon on the second Thursday in September.

Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown will speak at noon Sept. 8 at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road in Canfield. His topic is "My Vision of a Parish in the 21st Century," followed by a question-and-answer session.

Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $20. Reservations are limited and must be made by Sept. 2 by calling 330-720-4498. Visit www.firstfridayclubofgreateryoungstown.org.

PROTESTANT SERVICES: Protestant Family Services, a faith-based agency serving the community since 1944, is in need of donations for its back-to-school program. Shoes and school clothing are needed.

PFS is working with the Burlington store in the Boardman Plaza, providing vouchers for children to get shoes and school clothing.

Donations can be made at www.protestant

family-service.com or mail to Protestant Family Services, 2915 Glenwood Ave., No. 6, Youngstown 44451.

Religion news

INTERFAITH CHOIR: The Simple Gifts Interfaith Choir will present "Hearts Wide Open" 7 p.m. Sunday at Hubbard Presbyterian Church, 22 Westview Ave. The free concert features a 50-voice choir singing traditional, contemporary and gospel selections. Guest musicians will accompany the choir. The concert will be outside but will be moved inside in case of inclement weather. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the Presbyterian Church USA's Disaster Assistance to Ukraine.

MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DAY: Reed's Chapel AME Church, 1939 Jacobs Road, Youngstown, will host a Men's and Women's Day Celebration 11 a.m. Sunday. Guest speaker is the Rev. Martha Taylor, Metro Assembly of God.

PROTESTANT SERVICES: Protestant Family Services, a faith-based agency serving the community since 1944, is in need of donations for the back-to-school program. Shoes and school clothing are needed. PFS is working with the Boardman Burlington store providing vouchers for children to get shoes and school clothing. Donations can be made at www.protes tantfamily-service.com or mail to Protestant Family Services, 2915 Glenwood Ave., #6 Youngstown, OH 44451.

OPENING OF BOOKSTORE: St. Paul's Monastery, 9531 Akron Canfield Road in Ellsworth, will host the official opening of its bookstore, St. Paul's Books and Gifts, on Aug. 20, which is the 108th anniversary of the founding of the Society of St. Paul by Blessed Father James Alberione. Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown will preside at the Holy Mass 10:30 a.m. at the main chapel of the monastery. Following the Mass, the blessing of the bookstore will take place. A picnic will follow in the park.

LABYRINTH WALK: The Ursuline Education and Wellness Center, 4280 Shields Road in Canfield, soon will begin its 12th year of labyrinth walks. While the labyrinth is open year-round, themed and guided labyrinth walks are offered by trained facilitators during the warm-weather season.

All persons of faith are invited to participate in these free, weather-permitting events. Walks generally take 20 minutes to an hour.

This year's schedule is: 6:30 p.m. Thursday: "Jesus invites the children"; 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15: "Jesus welcomes the sinners"; and 2 p.m. Oct. 16: "God welcomes us all."

Call 330-799-4941 or visit ursulinewellness.org.

MUSIC JAM: First Congregational Church will host a music jam and ice cream social 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Wayne town hall, Route 322. The event is sponsored by the church's missionary society.

SUMMER EVENT: Holy Apostles Parish-SS. Peter and Paul Croation worship site and St. Stephen of Hungary Pastoral Center will host a summer picnic noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Strossmayer Croation Center, Vienna. Outdoor Mass is at 11 a.m., and guests should bring their own chair. Entertainment is the Mickey Dee Band from 2 to 5 p.m. The event is open to the public. Cost is $5 for adults and free for children under 12.

GAME NIGHT: The Unity Spiritual Centre,1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty, will host a Game Night at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month, There will be board games, retro video games, cards and puzzles.

LUNCH AND LEARN: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown, welcomes community and church leaders and other interested persons to a "Lunch and Learn" at noon on Thursday at St. Columba Parish Hall, Youngstown. The free event will highlight the immigration legal services offered through a mutual agreement between the Diocese of Youngstown and the Diocese of Cleveland for people residing in the six counties of the Diocese of Youngstown. The luncheon will include a brief overview of the program, followed by open discussion and a questions and answers segment. The featured speaker is Ashley Sanchez, the attorney from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, assigned to assist clients in the Diocese of Youngstown. RSVPs are required by Monday to Angela Wells, at 330-744-8451, Ext. 321 or awells@youngstown

diocese.org.

To submit an item for the religion section, email to religion@tribtoday.com. The deadline is Wednesday for the Saturday paper.

Religion news

GUEST SPEAKER: Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St., Canfield, is hosting a Gathering Place event 11 a.m. Monday. Guest speaker will be Melissa Ames, president of the Better Business Bureau. The presentation will deal with scams directed at seniors. The event is free community outreach. For information, call 330-533-3531.

MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DAY: Reed's Chapel AME Church, 1939 Jacobs Road, Youngstown, will host a Men's and Women's Day Celebration 11 a.m. Aug. 14. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Martha Taylor from the Metro Assembly of God.

MEDICINE WHEEL: The Unity Spiritual Centre in Liberty will hold a Medicine Wheel ceremony 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the property, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, The ceremony will be facilitated by Kimberly Ford and occur after the 11 a.m. service. The Medicine Wheel is a sacred stone circle to gather in ceremony to cleanse, give offering and blessing. For information, call 330-539-0122.

PROTESTANT SERVICES: Protestant Family Services, a faith-based agency serving the community since 1944, needs donations for its back-to-school program. Shoes and school clothing are needed. The agency is working with Boardman Burlington store providing vouchers for children to get shoes and school clothing. Donations can be made at www.protestantfamily-service.com or mail to Protestant Family Services, 2915 Glenwood Ave., #6 Youngstown, OH 44451.

FEAST DAY CELEBRATION: St. Stephen of Hungary Feast Day celebration will be Aug. 14 at the parish, 854 Wilson Ave., Youngstown, with Mass at 10 a.m. with a procession. Tickets are needed for the dinner, and reservations are due by Monday at 330-743-1905.