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Religion news

POLISH SERVICE: St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown will host sessions of Gorzkie Zale and Benediction Service at 6 p.m. Wednesdays during Lent starting Feb. 21. They will continue Feb. 28 and March 6, 13 and 20 at the cathedral’s Sacred Heart Chapel. This ancient Polish Lenten tradition, translated as the “bitter lamentation” is a 45-minute bilingual prayer service and Catholic devotion containing hymns developed out of Poland in the 18th century.

The service consists of three parts, each offering a hymn and meditation on the Passion of Christ and a sympathetic dialogue between Him and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother, Mary. Celebrant will be the Rev. Joseph Rudjak, retired priest from the Youngstown Diocese, who served as pastor of SS. Peter and Paul in Youngstown. Music accompaniment will be provided by Luke Politsky.

CEMETERY SERVICES: Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of the Diocese of Youngstown will offer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer Service in the chapels of the four cemeteries at 3 p.m. Fridays through Lent at alternating locations: first Friday of the month, Calvary Cemetery Chapel, Youngstown; second Friday, Resurrection Cemetery Chapel, Austintown; third Friday, All Souls Cemetery Chapel, Bazetta; and fourth Friday, Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Massillon.

BLACK HISTORY: Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, 485 Redondo Road, Youngstown, will host Black History Month events.

• Monday — “Black Wall Street” with Evelina Morrsion and speakers Roy Morrison and Tara Waker-Pollock during dinner.

• Feb. 25 — The “Presence of Blacks in the Bible” with Terri Bush.

MOVIE NIGHT: North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, North Lima, will show the movie “Overcomer” at 6 p.m. Sunday. The event is free.

MEN’S MILE MARKER: The annual Men’s Mile Marker will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at St. Joseph Parish,4545 New Road, Austintown. Optional Mass will follow at 4:30 p.m. The day includes fellowship, food, fun and faith. For more details, contact Chad Rachic at 330-507-8045 or Bob Gugliotti at 330-559-1839.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Beulah Baptist Missionary Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., Youngstown, will celebrate Black History Month with the following events:

• 4 p.m. Monday — Lee Green from Mercy Health will speak on staying well in 2024 and Kenneth King will speak on black history in 2024.

• 4 p.m. Feb. 25 — Gospel concert with several churches singing, miming, dancing and reading about black history.

JOURNEY TO HEALING: Journey Toward Healing, an eight-week grief support group hosted by the Rev. John Bower, chaplain, will be 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday through March 19 at Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2432 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. Registration is required by calling 330-899-0180 or jbower@harmonycares.com.

PARISH MISSION: St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Boardman will host its annual parish mission 6:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday. The mission will feature Catholic speaker, author and retreat leader Greg Wasinski. The three-day parish mission’s goal is to learn about the true meaning of the Eucharist. Wasinski will offer personal and life-changing stories about the Eucharist and how we become what we receive.

STEVENS FAMILY CONCERT: The Stevens Family will be in concert at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at Pleasant Valley Church, 205 Pleasant Valley Road, Liberty.

LUCK OF THE IRISH: St Stephen Church in Niles will host its annual Luck of the Irish fundraiser 5:30 p.m. March 16 at Cimineros’ Banquet Centre in Niles. The grand prize is $3,000. The event is open to the public. There will be games, prizes, and silent and basket auctions. Tickets are $60 per person and includes the raffle and a buffet dinner. Cost for the raffle is $40. For tickets, call the rectory at 330-652-4396.

PASTORS JOURNEY: The Jewish Community Federation of Youngstown’s Area Jewish Federation will present “United in Solidarity: A Pastor’s Journey to Israel in the Wake of Oct. 7” presented by Pastor Juan Rivera 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 27. Cost is $10 for dinner. Rivera recently took a mission trip to Israel. He will tell of his meeting with survivors of the Oct. 7 attacks. Reservations are needed by Tuesday. RSVP to Nancy at 330-746-3250, ext. 108.

FIRST FRIDAY CLUB: The 18th First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown 2023-24 Speaker Series will host a luncheon March 7 with Sister Janet Burkhart, program associate, Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center.

Burkhart is an educator who has instructed junior high students for more than 35 years. During post Vatican II years, Burkhart was asked to form a “folk group” in her parish. Thereafter, she became the liturgical minister of music in the schools where she taught. Burkhart will present “Look at the Land! Sacred Experiences of Earth” at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield.There will be an opportunity for participants’ questions following the talk. Luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. with the presentation beginning at noon. The cost is $20.. Call 330-720-4498 by March 1. Reservations are limited.

VIDEO SERIES: The Unity Spiritual Centre, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty, is offering the Edgar Cayce Video Series that has recently begun and invites anyone interested in firsthand interviews with people who knew Cayce. The meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month through 2024. The class is facilitated by Paul Mazza, Cayce former board member and lifelong researcher of Cayce. Group participation is free and open to the public, but donations or love offerings will be accepted. For information, call 330-539-0122 or go to www.unitycentre.org.

photo -The Wagners

SOUND THERAPY: Unity Spiritual Centre, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty, will have Maria and Calvin Wagner of the Center for Sound Therapy at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Sound therapy has been used for centuries by ultures for balance or healing. It is suggested participants dress comfortably and bring pillows or blankets, if desired. Love offerings will be accepted, and, if there are any questions, contact the Centre at 330-539-0122.

PENANCE SERVICE: A communal penance service will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at St. Michael Parish, 300 N. Broad St., Canfield.

CHURCH STARTS PROGRAM: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2742 North Road SE, Warren, is starting a new ministry called Katherine’s Closet, which serves women and families in need. Donations to fill the closet are being taken. The community can help by contributing monetary donations for diapers, wipes, and infant and toddler clothes. Two donation days are 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 4 and 18. For information, call 330-647-6402.

LIGHT IS ON YOU: The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available throughout the Diocese on Feb. 28, where parishes across the Diocese of Youngstown will participate in the annual “The Light is On for You: An Evening of Reconciliation.”

Catholics are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at their parish or a neighboring parish as part of the Lenten journey in preparation for Easter.

“The Light is On for You” will be celebrated across the parishes. For all, it is a moment to reflect on our baptism and repentance during the holy season.

For a complete list of parish locations and times in all six counties of the Diocese of

Youngstown, go to www.doy.org/thelightisonforyou/.

GAME NIGHT: Harvest Point Church, 2121 Salt Springs Road, will host a game night from 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 24. The free family event for all ages features board games, fellowship and snacks.

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS: Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, 1815 Cherry Lane Drive, will host a morning sermon series. “Holy and Helpful Heart” will be Wednesday. “Broken and Contrite Heart” will be Feb. 28. The Evening Sermon Series will feature “Faith to Follow the Unseen” Wednesday and “Faith to Win” Feb. 28.

CAHILL IN CONCERT: Irish tenor Emmet Cahill, star of PBS’ “Celtic Thunder,” will perform live in concert at 7:30 p.m. March 14 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown. General admission tickets are $35. Special meet-and-greet tickets that include the concert are $50 and will be at 6 p.m. in the church hall, 159 W. Rayen Ave., across from the church. Proceeds benefit St. Columba Parish.

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Religion news

GUEST SPEAKER: Pleasant Valley Church, 2055 Pleasant Valley Road, will host Evangelist Carmine Azzato as the pulpit speaker at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The former pro wrestler known as “Demolition Blast” is now wrestling for God.

CHURCH EVENT: First Presbyterian Church, Mahoning Avenue, Warren, will host a chili cookoff at noon Sunday to celebrate Fat Sunday. Cost is $4 for adults over 12; children under 12 eat free. All proceeds will benefit the Deacons’ Local Missions.

FAT TUESDAY: Grace AME Church, 1137 Main Ave. SW, will host a Fat Tuesday brunch and cake walk at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $15 and can be obtained by calling the church at 330-394-6270.

NEW PASTOR: Wildare Church, 7211 N. Park Ave., Champion, will welcome new pastor Steven Anderson, his wife Leslie and son Ehren at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Anderson will speak during the service.

ASH WEDNESDAY: Grace Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, will host an Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Communion and ashes will be distributed.

ASH WEDNESDAY: An Ash Wednesday service with Eucharist will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4490 Norquest Blvd., Austintown, and at 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Church, 4545 New Road, Austintown.

WHITE MASS: The Diocese of Youngstown will host the annual White Mass at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown. The recognition celebrates the ministry of all health care, mental health and other healing professionals. Bishop David Bonnar will preside. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

CEMETERY SERVICES: Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of the Diocese of Youngstown will offer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer Service in the chapels of the four cemeteries at 3 p.m. Fridays at alternating locations. First Friday of the month is at Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Youngstown; second Friday is at Resurrection Cemetery Chapel in Austintown; third Friday is at All Souls Cemetery Chapel in Bazetta; and the fourth Friday is at Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Massillon.

ITALIAN NIGHT: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles will host its annual Italian dinner dance Feb. 17 at Ciminero’s Banquet Center, 123 N. Main St., Niles. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by the Avanti Band. There will be a 50-50 raffle, basket raffles and St. Joseph cookie table. Cost is $65 with tickets available by calling the church office at 330-652-5825.

BLACK HISTORY: Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, 485 Redondo Road, Youngstown, will host Black History Month events.

• Sunday — “History of Music in the Black Church” with Phyllis White

• Feb. 18 — “Black Wall Street” with Evelina Morrsion and speakers Roy Morrison and Tara Waker-Pollock during dinner.

• Feb. 25 — The “Presence of Blacks in the Bible” with Terri Bush.

MOVIE NIGHT: North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, North Lima, will show the movie “Overcomer” at 6 p.m. Feb. 18. The event is free.

CONCERT ORGANIST: A new concert series will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph Church, 4545 New Road, Austintown with Dan Miller, who is a world-renowned organist with a career spanning various musical facets. Miller has graced stages worldwide and been featured as a solo organist with symphony orchestras. He is a former dean of the Fort Lauderdale chapter of the American Guild of Organists and an adjunct professor of organ at George Fox University.

MEN’S MILE MARKER: The annual Men’s Mile Marker will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at St. Joseph Parish, 4545 New Road, Austintown. Optional Mass will follow at 4:30 p.m. The day includes fellowship, food, fun and faith. For more details, contact Chad Rachic at 330-507-8045 or Bob Gugliotti at 330-559-1839.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Beulah Baptist Missionary Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., Youngstown, will celebrate Black History Month with the following events:

• 4 p.m. Feb. 18 — Lee Green from Mercy Health will speak on staying well in 2024 and Kenneth King will speak on black history in 2024.

• 4 p.m. Feb. 25 — Gospel concert with several churches singing, miming, dancing and reading about black history.

JOURNEY TO HEALING: Journey Toward Healing, an eight-week grief support group hosted by the Rev. John Bower, chaplain, will be 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday through March 19 at Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2432 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. Registration is needed at 330-899-0180 or jbower@harmonycares.com.

PARISH MISSION: St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Boardman will host its annual parish mission 6:30 p.m. nightly Feb 18 to 20. The mission will feature Catholic speaker, author and retreat leader Greg Wasinski. The three-day parish mission’s goal is to learn about the true meaning of the Eucharist. Wasinski will offer personal and life-changing stories about the Eucharist and how we become what we receive.

VIGIL SET: The 40 Days for Life campaign returns to Warren on Wednesday. This is a nondenominational initiative that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil at abortion facilities and grassroots educational outreach. The campaign will feature a peaceful 40-day prayer vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood at 375 N. Park Ave., Warren. All prayer vigil participants are asked to sign a statement of peace, pledging to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner at all times. For information, visit 40daysforlife.com/warren.

GAME NIGHT: Harvest Point Church, 2121 Salt Springs Road, will host a Game Night 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 24. The free family event for all ages features board games, fellowship and snacks.

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS: Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, 1815 Cherry Lane Drive, will host a Morning Sermon Series. “Bold and Willing Heart” will be Wednesday. “Holy and Helpful Heart” will be Feb. 21. “Broken and Contrite Heart” will be Feb. 28. The Evening Sermon Series will feature “Faith to Believe the Incredible” on Wednesday. “Faith to Follow the Unseen” will be Feb. 21. “Faith to Win” will be Feb. 28.

CAHILL IN CONCERT: Irish tenor Emmet Cahill, star of PBS’ “Celtic Thunder” will perform live in concert at 7:30 p.m. March 14 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown. General admission tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling 330-744-5233. Special meet-and-greet tickets that include the concert are $50. Meet at 6 p.m. in the church hall, 159 W. Rayen Ave., across from the church. Proceeds benefit St. Columba Parish.

STUDIES PROGRAM: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, 225 Villa Maria Way, Villa Maria, Pa., will host an ongoing series TaNaK Studies for Christians, “Jesus, the Torah Made Flesh” with the Rev. George Balasko 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Conference Center and via Zoom. The Zoom link will be available on the center’s website. TaNaK is the total Jewish bible. This month’s topic is “Who is Philo of Alexandria?”

The Bible education series is an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the Scriptures using video resources from various scripture scholars.

A free-will offering will be accepted. Participants need not attend all of the programs in this series. Registration is not required.

Program information is available at vmesc.org or call 724-964-8886.

Religion news

FOOD COLLECTION: St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown will collect nonperishable food items to support the needs of its parish community and those at St. Edward Parish, also in Youngstown, at Masses this weekend. Donation bins will be located at the back and front entrances of the church. To make a cash donation or donate a gift card to local grocery stores, place it in an envelope marked “food donation” and put it in the collection basket. The collection will take place the first weekend of every month.

FOUR CHAPLAINS SERVICE: A Four Chaplains Service will be presented by Howland American Legion Post 700 at 10 a.m. Sunday at Howland Community Church, 198 Niles Cortland Road SE, and will be included within the church’s morning service. The service commemorates the selfless sacrifice of four U.S. Army chaplains of different faiths who gave up their lives to save others when the USS Dorchester was torpedoed Feb. 3, 1943, during World War II. The chaplains helped other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets. They joined arms and were last seen praying together as the ship went down.

OPEN HOUSE: Cardinal Mooney High School, Erie Street, Youngstown, will host an open house 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the school. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet students, faculty, staff and administration members, as well as get a glimpse of the school’s curriculum offerings, varsity sports and 20 extracurricular clubs.

OPEN HOUSE: Ursuline High School, Wick Avenue, Youngstown, will host an open house 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the school cafeteria. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet students, faculty, staff and administration members, as well as get a glimpse of the school’s curriculum offerings, including 20 advanced placement courses, varsity sports and extracurricular clubs.

CONSECRATED LIFE: The annual Mass celebrating World Day for Consecrated Life will be at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown. The Mass celebrates priests and religious women. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

WHITE MASS: The Diocese of Youngstown will host the annual White Mass at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 11 at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown. The recognition celebrates the ministry of all health care, mental health and other healing professionals. Bishop David Bonnar will preside. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

CEMETERY SERVICES: Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of the Diocese of Youngstown will offer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer Service in the chapels of the four cemeteries at 3 p.m. Friday at alternating locations. First Friday is Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Youngstown, second Friday at Resurrection Cemetery Chapel in Austintown, third Friday at All Souls Cemetery Chapel in Bazetta and fourth Friday at Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Massillon.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Beulah Baptist Missionary Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., Youngstown, will celebrate Black History Month in February.

The schedule:

4 p.m. Sunday — The Rev. Henry McNeil of Akron, who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1967 and up to his death in 1968. McNeil will speak on where we are now and what we should be doing in the future.

4 p.m. Feb. 18 — Lee Green from Mercy Health will speak on staying well in 2024 and Kenneth King will speak on black history in 2024.

4 p.m. Feb. 25 — Gospel concert with several churches singing, miming, dancing and reading about black history.

JOURNEY TO HEALING: Journey Toward Healing, an eight-week grief support group hosted by the Rev. John Bower, chaplain, will be 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday through March 19 at Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2432 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. Registration is needed at 330-899-0180 or jbower@harmonycares.com.

PARISH MISSION: St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Boardman will host its annual parish mission 6:30 p.m. nightly Feb. 18 to 20. The mission will feature Catholic speaker, author and retreat leader Greg Wasinski. The three-day parish mission’s goal is to learn about the true meaning of the Eucharist. Wasinski will offer personal and life-changing stories about the Eucharist and how we become what we receive.

SELF-GUIDANCE TOOLS: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, 2067 Evergreen Road, Villa Maria, Pa., will offer self-guidance tools for stressful times with Lee Ann Heitzel and Dena Deluco. The retreat will be 5 p.m. Feb. 9 to 3 p.m. Feb. 11. There will be guided meditation, group discussion and support, and nature walks (weather permitting).

Registration is available at vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.

ORGAN RECITALS: St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown, will host an organ recital series featuring organists from around northeast Ohio. On Feb. 23 will be Ralph Holtzhauser, music director and organist for St. Columba. On March 22 will be Josh Kraybill, the organist for the United Methodist Church of Berea. On April 19 will be Davis Badaszewski, organist for St. Peter Lutheran Church in Shaker Heights. On May 10 will be Mario Buchanan, organist at Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson, and on June 28 will be Sean Baran, organist at Boardman United Methodist Church. All concerts start at 6:30 p.m. except the June 28 concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Free-will donations will be accepted and will support the music program at St. Columba.

VIGIL SET: The 40 Days for Life campaign returns to Warren on Feb. 14 with 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach. This is a nondenominational initiative that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil at abortion facilities and grassroots educational outreach. The campaign will feature a peaceful 40-day prayer vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood at 375 N. Park Ave., Warren. All prayer vigil participants are asked to sign a statement of peace, pledging to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner at all times. For information, visit 40daysforlife.com/warren.

GAME NIGHT: Harvest Point Church, 2121 Salt Springs Road, will host a Game Night from 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 24. The free family event for all ages features board games, fellowship and snacks.

GUEST SPEAKER: Pleasant Valley Church, 2055 Pleasant Valley Road, will host Evangelist Carmine Azzato as the pulpit speaker at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 11. The former pro wrestler known as “Demolition Blast” is now wrestling for God.

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS: Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, 1815 Cherry Lane Drive, will host a Morning Sermon Series. “An Undivided Heart” will be Wednesday. “Bold and Willing Heart” will be Feb. 14. “Holy and Helpful Heart” will be Feb. 21. “Broken and Contrite Heart” will be Feb. 28. The Evening Sermon Series will feature “Strengthening Your Faith” on Wednesday. “Faith to Believe the Incredible” will be Feb. 14. “Faith to Follow the Unseen” will be Feb. 21. “Faith to Win” will be Feb. 28.

SPEAKER SERIES: First Presbyterian Church, Mahoning Avenue, Warren, will host the First Sunday speaker, Nickola Ceglia, at 11:15 a.m. Sunday. He is a member of Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, which is an organization under the umbrella of the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board.

Ceglia is a licensed independent social worker who has enjoyed a career of more than 45 years.

Specializing in child welfare, mental health and addictions, he has held clinical and administrative positions, most recently as an instructor for the Behavioral Health Institute at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and former executive director of the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board.

In 2006, at the height of his career, Nick was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, forcing him into early retirement and disability.

CAHILL IN CONCERT: Irish tenor Emmet Cahill, star of PBS’ “Celtic Thunder” will perform live in concert at 7:30 p.m. March 14 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown. General admission tickets are $35. Special meet-and-greet tickets that include the concert are $50 and will be at 6 p.m. in the church hall, 159 W. Rayen Ave., across from the church. Proceeds benefit St. Columba Parish.

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