Mass and reception planned Feb. 17 for health care workers

YOUNGSTOWN — The 12th annual White Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St. Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown will be principal celebrant and homilist.

A brunch reception will follow. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the Diocese of Youngstown, (330) 744-8451, ext. 252, no later than Wednesday.

A White Mass is the customary description for a liturgy for health care workers. Traditionally, health care workers wore white attire and religiously speaking, white symbolizes hope and comfort to the ill and hospitalized.

The White Mass is sponsored by the Catholic Medical Association of the Diocese of Youngstown, the Lourdes Guild. Currently, 40 Catholic physicians and dentists are members of this association. All medical personnel and health care workers in the diocese are welcome to attend, as well as priests and men and women religious in health care ministry.

The Feb. 17 event is being held in conjunction with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is celebrated Monday.

For more information about the White Mass or the Lourdes Guild, contact Linda Tedde at (330) 744-8451, ext 252.