St. Columba presents festival

The school’s religious
education students
participated in the event.

YOUNGSTOWN — A mix of amateur talent and a polished choir entertained and enlightened those attending the Festival of Lessons and Carols on the first Sunday of Advent observed at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St.

The Sunday evening event involved about 50 young people and some 20 choir members. “The children are the amateur part and the choir is professional,” said Sister Isabell Rudge, an Ursuline nun who is the pastoral minister at the cathedral.

“It’s more like a pageant” was how she described the presentation in which the cathedral’s religious education students acted out parts including Mary, Joseph, Three Wise Men, shepherds and angels. The young participants ranged in age from kindergarten through high school and are in religious education classes supervised by Sister Martha Reed.

The pupils went in and out of the spotlight during Scripture readings offered by lectors of the parish. Bishop George V. Murry presided.

Directed by Dr. Daniel Laginya, the cathedral choir offered a host of traditional carols from around the world. Kathryn Miller was organist; Andrea Dreier, pianist; and Mary Ann Bilas Bush, Susan Sexton, Brenda Romack, John Reese and B.J. Bishop participated.