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SUPPORT FOR SWIERZ: A rosary rally will be 9 a.m. Saturday in front of St. Patrick Parish in Hubbard in support of the Rev. Michael Swierz, who has been placed on leave by the Diocese of Youngstown while an investigation into unspecified misconduct takes place.

OUTDOOR CONCERT: Guiding Light Presbyterian Church, 890 Churchill Road, will host a free outdoor concert with Cruise Control at 2 p.m. Sunday. Those attending can bring a lawn chair. Free refreshments will be served.

HYMN SING FOR SOJOURN: The Youngstown Hymn Sing will present "Let There Be Peace on Earth" -- a free community event benefiting Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past -- at 11 a.m. July 13 at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Youngstown.

Among the churches participating are Boardman United Methodist Church, Grace Lutheran Church (Austintown), Hiram Disciples of Christ, St. Columba Cathedral, Westminster Presbyterian Church (Boardman) and Windham Congregational United Church of Christ. Also, students from Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past will give a presentation expressing how their lives have been impacted by the beneficiary organization. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the organization.

Sean Baran (First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh), Frank Behne III (Boardman United Methodist Church), Ralph Holtzhauser (Youngstown Diocese) and Katherine Miller (Westminster Presbyterian Church) will be the featured organists demonstrating the power and majesty of the largest pipe organ between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The audience will be invited to sing on four hymns throughout the concert and local pastors will present brief reflections before each hymn.

Refreshments will be available after the performance. Anyone who wishes to participate in the community chorus can drop in at 9:45 a.m. July 13.

FIRST FRIDAY: The 18th First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown Speaker Series season will host the Rev. George Balasko and Rabbi Joseph Schonberger, co-presenters since 1997, at noon July 11. Balasko and Schonberger will present "Jesus Took the First Selfie" at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road in Canfield.

Balasko retired as pastor of St. Ann Church, East Liverpool, in January 2012, and continues his work in adult education through his programming with the Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center. Schonberger is a child of Holocaust survivors and has begun a new non-profit, Tradition4U, with hopes of helping people recognize their higher purpose and reinforcing faith through learning, fellowship and helping others.

Luncheon will be served at 11:30 am. with the presentation beginning at noon. The cost is $20. Call before Thursday at 330-720-4498. Reservations are limited.

GROUP SEEKS MEMBERS: Catholic Collegiate, a local organization for women with college degrees, is accepting new members. The annual dues are used for scholarships and to support local charities. For information, call Barbara at 330-757-4584.

PRAYING IN COLOR: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, 2105 Evergreen Road in Villa Maria, Pa., will offer "Praying in Color" with Paulette Kirschensteiner, 7 p.m. July 7 to noon July 11. The retreat will reveal prayer in a new light and will explore ways to pray, including intercessory prayers, "To-Do-List" prayers and Lectio Divina. No art experience is necessary. All supplies are provided.

Paulette Kirschensteiner leads retreats incorporating art and prayer at the Villa Maria Center. The cost is $340, which includes retreat, lodging and meals from a light supper at 5:15 p.m. on July 7 to lunch on July 11. Program information and registration are available at vmesc.org or call 724-964-8886.

GUIDED LABYRINTH WALK: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a Guided Labyrinth Walk 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 17. The theme is intuition. The Labyrinth is a tool that allows people to explore their inner space and discover the sacred within and around us. Participants prayerfully walk the outdoor grass path after receiving thematic instructions from the presenter. The event is held on the grounds of Villa Maria Community Center. Guided Labyrinth Walks are offered free, but registration is preferred. In the event of questionable weather conditions, call 724-964-8886 or check the website for program status at vmesc.org.

WEBSITE RELAUNCHED: The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has relaunched its website DOY.org as a one-stop shop to find what is happening in the six counties. Visitors will find information on diocesan events, Mass times, job postings, diocesan ministries and Catholic Charities. Homebound Catholics can continue to pray along with Our Sunday Mass, filmed inside St. Columba Cathedral, starting 4 p.m. every Saturday on Facebook, YouTube and catholicecho.org/live/.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS

Niles First Christian Church, 33 N. Arlington Ave, Niles -- 5:30 to 8:30 pm. July 30 to Aug. 3 for pre-kindergarten to sixth grade. The theme is "Camp Freight: A Summer Camp Adventure with God." Call 330-652-5839.

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CAMPAIGN BEGINS: Ohio Central East Church of God in Christ will host a launching campaign for Bishop David L. Herron Sr. to the office of the General Board Church of God in Christ worldwide. Herron has fulfilled all screening requirements to be one of 12 to lead the Church of God in Christ worldwide. The event will be at 10 a.m. June 22 at the Community Family Outreach Complex, 2075 Highland Ave., Warren.

PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: Friendship Baptist Church, 1954 Brier St. SE, Warren, will host the 11th annual pastoral anniversary for the Rev. Dr. Avan M. Odom at 10:30 a.m. June 23. Guest is Suffragan Bishop-Elect Joseph Walker Jr., senior pastor and co-founder of Restoration Christian Fellowship Church in Warren.

Walker was licensed as a minister of the gospel in 2003 and ordained in October 2007 by Pastor Alton Merrell Sr. He was elevated to the position of Suffragan Bishop-Elect on March 19 by presiding Bishop F. Josephus Johnson. Walker is president of the Trumbull County Ministerial Alliance.

MANPOWER PROGRAM: Bishop Kevin D. Strickland Sr. presents ManPower 2024 at 4:30 pm. June 23 at Beulah Baptist Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., Youngstown. With Men's Health Month and Father's Day both being in June, the program is aimed at bringing awareness to men's health while empowering men to strive to be the best fathers, father figures, sons, brothers, uncles and cousins they can be. ManPower is a movement that strives to teach men how to be a better version of themselves. The guest speaker will be Chuck Hague, who will speak on "Men, Mental Health and Ministry." Dr. Lucious Terrell of Cleveland, Dr. Otis Hankton of Akron, Apostle Justin Burnette and Pastor Frank Christian, both of Youngstown, also will speak.

HYMN SING FOR SOJOURN: The Youngstown Hymn Sing will present "Let There Be Peace on Earth" -- a free community event benefiting Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past -- at 11 a.m. July 13 at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Youngstown.

Among the churches participating are Boardman United Methodist Church, Grace Lutheran Church (Austintown), Hiram Disciples of Christ, St. Columba Cathedral, Westminster Presbyterian Church (Boardman) and Windham Congregational United Church of Christ. Also, students from Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past will give a presentation expressing how their lives have been impacted by the beneficiary organization. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the organization.

Sean Baran (First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh), Frank Behne III (Boardman United Methodist Church), Ralph Holtzhauser (Youngstown Diocese) and Katherine Miller (Westminster Presbyterian Church) will be the featured organists demonstrating the power and majesty of the largest pipe organ between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The audience will be invited to sing on four hymns throughout the concert and local pastors will present brief reflections before each hymn.

Refreshments will be available after the performance. Anyone who wishes to participate in the community chorus can drop in at 9:45 a.m. July 13.

PARISH MERGER: The newly-named St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish will celebrate the merging of three churches from 1 to 3:30 p.m. June 22. The churches of Blessed Sacrament in Warren, St. James in Warren and SS. Mary and Joseph in downtown Warren are coming together for a Ladies Tea Garden Party at Blessed Sacrament's Reagan Hall. Cost is $15 each for adults and $5 for children.

FIRST FRIDAY: The 18th First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown Speaker Series season will host the Rev. George Balasko and Rabbi Joseph Schonberger, co-presenters since 1997, at noon July 11. Balasko and Schonberger will present "Jesus Took the First Selfie" at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road in Canfield.

Balasko retired as pastor of St. Ann Church, East Liverpool, in January 2012, and continues his work in adult education through his programming with the Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center. Schonberger is a child of Holocaust survivors and has begun a new non-profit, Tradition4U, with hopes of helping people recognize their higher purpose and reinforcing faith through learning, fellowship and helping others.

Luncheon will be served at 11:30 am. with the presentation beginning at noon. The cost is $20. Call before July 4 at 330-720-4498. Reservations are limited

PRAYING IN COLOR: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, 2105 Evergreen Road in Villa Maria, Pa. will offer "Praying in Color" with Paulette Kirschensteiner, 7 p.m.July 7 to noon July 11. The retreat will reveal prayer in a new light and will explore ways to pray, including Intercessory prayers, "To-Do-List" prayers and Lectio Divina. No art experience is necessary. All supplies are provided.

Paulette Kirschensteiner leads retreats incorporating art and prayer at the Villa Maria Center. The cost is $340, which includes retreat, lodging and meals from a light supper at 5:15 p.m. on July 7 to lunch on July 11. Program information and registration are available at vmesc.org or call 724-964-8886.

Vacation Bible schools

• Churchill United Methodist Church,189 Churchill Hubbard Road, Liberty -- 9 a.m. to noon June 24 to 28. The theme is "SCUBA: Diving into Friendship with God." Call 330-759-0118.

• First Baptist Church, 26 E. Church St., Niles -- 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. June 23 to 27, for ages 3 to sixth-grade. The theme is "Jungle Journey." Call 330-652-4370.

• Friendship Baptist Church, 1954 Brier St. SE, Warren -- 5 to 7 p.m. June 25 to 27 for ages 5 to 18 and adults. The theme is "Super Training University with Jesus." Call 330-369-1290.

• Howland United Methodist Church, 730 Howland Wilson Road -- 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 24 to 28. The theme is "SCUBA: Diving into Friendship with God." Call 330-856-3463 for more information or to register.

• First Presbyterian Church, Mahoning Avenue, Warren -- June 23 to 27, for students in kindergarten through fifth-grade. The theme is "Seekers in Sneakers: Discover Jesus." Call 330-393-1524 for more information or to register.

• New Life Community Church, Vienna -- 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 24 to 27 for ages 3 to sixth grade.

• Niles First Christian Church, 33 N. Arlington Ave, Niles -- 5:30 to 8:30 pm. July 30 to Aug. 3 for pre-kindergarten to sixth grade. The theme is "Camp Freight: A Summer Camp Adventure with God." Call 330-652-5839.

• St. Patrick Church, 357 N. Main St., Hubbard -- 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 24 to 28, for ages 4 to sixth-grade. The theme is "SCUBA: Diving into Friendship with God." Call 330-534-1928 to register.

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OPEN HOUSE: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on Robbins Avenue in Niles will hold an open house noon to 2 p.m. June 16 of the new activity center next to the parish. The event will include a ribbon cutting and blessing from Bishop David Bonnar. Mass will be 11 a.m.

LABYRINTH AT CENTER: The Ursuline Education and Wellness Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, is marking its 14th year of guided labyrinth walks. Walks are planned for 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 20. The theme is "In Whom Do We Hope?"

COFFEE AND CONTEMPLATION: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, Evergreen Road, will host Rebecca Mickler for its next Coffee and Contemplation.

Mickler will present in-person and via Zoom "Ordinary Time is Extraordinary Time" at 10 a.m. June 18. Ordinary Time is the longest season of the liturgical year, a time for growth and renewal. The program will be in Begel Hall.

The cost is $1 with an optional lunch for an additional $6. Registration and further information are available online at vmesc.org or by calling 724-964-8886.

LIVING BREAD RADIO NETWORK CELEBRATES 20 YEARS: Canton, Akron and Cleveland's local radio station is celebrating 20 years on air with an open house / studio anniversary event July 1. An open house and Mass will be June 26. The day will begin with Mass at 11:30 a.m. at 4365 Fulton Drive, Canton. Subsequent anniversary events are also scheduled, including a banquet in October.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS

¯ First Baptist Church, 26 E. Church St., Niles. – 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. June 23-27, for age 3 to sixth-grade. The theme is "Jungle Journey." Call 330-652-4370.

¯ Champion Presbyterian Church, 4997 Mahoning Ave., Champion – 9:30 a.m. to noon June 10-14, for ages 4 to eighth-grade. The theme is "Camp Firelight." Call 330-847-9614 for more information or to register.

¯ Howland United Methodist Church, 730 Howland Wilson Road – 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 24-28. The theme is "Scuba." Call 330-856-3463 for more information or to register.

¯ First Community Church of Leavittsburg, 4640 W. Market St., Warren – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 17-21, for ages 4 to sixth-grade. The theme is "The Great Jungle Journey." Call 330-898-4164.

¯ First Presbyterian Church, Mahoning Avenue, Warren – June 23-27, for students in kindergarten through fifth-grade. The theme is "Seekers in Sneakers: Discover Jesus." Call 330-393-1524 for more information or to register.

¯ East Side Church of Christ, 1750 Niles Road, Warren – 6 to 8 p.m. June 10-14. The theme is "What a Mess." Call 234-430-0158.

¯ Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, 1815 Cherry Lane, Hubbard – 6 to 8:15 p.m. June 10-14, for students in kindergarten through sixth-grade. The theme is "Big and Bold: Teaching kids to live their faith courageously." Call 330-534-3111 for more information or to register.

¯ The Warren Baptist Temple, 2093 Ewalt Ave. NE, Warren – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 10-13, for kindergarten through sixth-grade. Call 330-372-4801 to register.

¯ St Patrick Church, 357 N. Main St. – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 24-28, for age 4 to sixth-grade. The theme is "Scuba." Call 330-534-1928 to register.

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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, this weekend. Donation bins will be located at the back and front entrances of the church. Anyone wanting to make a cash donation or donate a gift card to local grocery stores can place their donation in an envelope marked "food donation" and put it in the collection basket. The collection will take place the first weekend of every month.

DIVINE MERCY PRAYER: The Diocese of Youngstown will offer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer Service at 3 p.m. every Friday at alternating locations. First Friday is at Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Youngstown, second Friday is at Resurrection Cemetery Chapel in Austintown and third Friday is at All Souls Cemetery Chapel in Bazetta.

RETREAT PLANNED: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a conference retreat with Kathleen Duffy, SSJ, PhD, titled "Teilhard's Cosmic Images Of God." This retreat will take place from 7 p.m. June 9 to noon June 13 at the center on Evergreen Road. Today, when so much of the evolutionary process is being explained from a materialist view, one of the most challenging questions for believers is how to envision the role of the Divine in the ongoing creation. Cost is $425. Program information and registration are available at vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.

VILLA MARATHON: The Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, 2067 Evergreen Road, will host a 5K Villa marathon at 9 a.m. June 1, rain or shine. To register, visit vmesc.org. This is the 14th year for the 5K run and two-mile walk. For information, call 724-964-8886.

BOOK RELEASE: "Have You Seen My Brother?" chronicles the life of the late Rev. Stephen Popovich, a priest in the Diocese of Youngstown. The book, written by Margie Cretella, is available online via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

"Have You Seen My Brother?" is a collection of short stories written by Cretella about her brother and his 40-plus years of devotion to the church, a tragic car crash in 2013 that took his ability to walk and her 10-year journey searching for her brother and God.

Popovich died Jan. 14 at the age of 69.

CHURCH 134 YEARS: First Baptist Church, 26 E. Church St. in Niles, will celebrate 134 years of ministry at 10:45 a.m. Sunday,

CLOSET MINISTRY: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2742 North Road NE, has started a new ministry called Katharina Closet serving women and families in need who could use a helping hand. Diapers, baby wipes and clothing are provided. Donations to fill the closet are being accepted. Donations are collected on the first Monday of each month 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

59 YEARS: Progressive Baptist Church, 2258 Colonial Avenue SE in Warren, is celebrating 59 years of worshiping and serving the community. During a recent anniversary program, Elder Daniel W. Johnson Jr.,under the tutelage of his pastor and superintendent, Nehemiah Howard, delivered a sermon. Johnson is a member of the Mount Zion Church of God in Christ in Columbus.

LABYRINTH AT CENTER: The Ursuline Education and Wellness Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, is marking its 14th year of guided labyrinth walks. There will be walks held at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 20 with the theme "In Whom Do We Hope?"

Vacation Bible schools

• Champion Presbyterian Church, 4997 Mahoning Ave., Champion -- 9:30 a.m. to noon June 10-14 for ages 4 to eighth grade. The theme is "Camp Firelight." Call 330-847-9614 for more information or to register.

• Howland United Methodist Church, 730 Howland Wilson Road -- 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 24-28. The theme is "Scuba." Call 330-856-3463 for more information or to register.

• First Presbyterian Church, Mahoning Avenue, Warren -- June 23 to 27 for students in kindergarten through grade five. The theme is "Seekers in Sneakers: Discover Jesus." Call 330-393-1524 for more information or to register.

• Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, 1815 Cherry Lane, Hubbard -- 6 to 8:15 p.m. June 10-14 for students in kindergarten through grade six. The theme is "Big and Bold: Teaching kids to live their faith courageously." Call 330-534-3111 for more information or to register.